Wellesbourne & District

I hope you are all having a good summer. As I write this I am preparing to fly off for a week in sunny Spain and hopefully some guaranteed sunshine.

On 20th June the Wellesbourne Lions, in conjunction with Stratford Lions, hosted the annual raft race from Wasperton to Stratford. The weather was excellent for rafting, not too hot, but dry. The water was at a good level, following some heavy rainfall in the preceding days. There was an excellent turnout, with 63 rafts entered, and those participating included two presenters from CBBC. 61 rafts actually started with three unfortunately not finishing. The fastest raft this year was ‘The wonder why men’, which completed the course in 1hour 18 minutes and 27 seconds. Every year a charity is chosen to be the beneficiary. This year the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust was chosen, which raises funds for prostate cancer testing and to support those with prostate cancer. We are hoping to raise in the order of £12,000 this year. A big thank you to everyone involved, those taking part, those helping, those watching and cheering and those who so generously donated.

On Monday 27th June, the Lions hosted a visit from a group of children visiting the country, courtesy of the charity, ‘Friends of Chernobyl’. The children started the day with a trip on the river in Stratford on a boat thanks to the kind generosity of Avon boating. They were then bought a pair of shoes each in a shoe shop in Stratford and then they went to Stratford armouries for a visit which included a hearty lunch. Everybody had a fun day, both lions and children.

Finally a reminder that on Sunday 11th September at 7.30pm the Lions will be again hosting a concert at Stratford Civic Hall featuring the Flowers band, Tickets cost £12.50 and are available now from the Civic Office box office or via local Lions clubs. The concert is in aid of Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice and Lions charities.

Lion Andy Stokes

Slim your bin with a Green Cone

Warwickshire Waste Partnership is making it easier for residents to dispose of food waste including meat, fish and bones, vegetable scraps, dairy products and other organic kitchen waste, by offering a discounted food waste digester.

Warwickshire County Council, has secured a deal to provide Green Cones to households at a fraction of the retail price as part of the countywide ‘Slim your bin’ campaign to reduce the waste left in our wheeled bins. Conical in shape and designed to sit in a sunny spot in the garden, a Green Cone accepts all food waste produced by a typical family of four. Thanks to the product’s patented design and help from the sun, the food quickly breaks down to its natural components of water, carbon dioxide and small amount of residue.

Cllr Helen Walton, The County Council’s waste management spokeswoman, said: “The offer of cheaper food waste digesters is another excellent initiative to encourage even more households to send less to landfill. “Using a Green Cone food waste digester allows food waste to be disposed of immediately, eliminating smells from bins in hot weather and reducing the production of methane gas inland fill sites.”

Normally priced at £69.95, they are currently on offer to Warwickshire residents for the unbeatable price of £20.00 including delivery. Orders can be made by calling 0800 731 2572.

Further information about the product and installation can found by visiting www.greatgreensystems.com . *Offer available subject to availability. Only one per household. Offer available to Warwickshire residents only.
Please allow up to 28 days for delivery. Refunds cannot be given. Your order details will be passed to Warwickshire County Council for delivery purposes.

Hanson Antique

At the antiques event held at St. Peter’s Church on 22nd June, Mr Charles Hanson, one of television’s experts, spoke about his work and passion for antiques. Mr Hanson, assisted by his Warwickshire representative, gave advice on all manner of objects, including some of great historical interest, works of art, silver, gold, ceramics, furniture, Dinky toys, and an unforgettable Paddington bear. The items ranged in value, but all had an interesting story to tell Mr Hanson’s wide knowledge of antiques, and enthusiasm, ensured a fascinating and enjoyable afternoon.

Thanks go to Mr Alan Bull for making the arrangements and to the Mothers’ Union for providing refreshments.
It is hoped it will be possible for Mr Hanson to make a return visit in the near future.

PMcD


A smart man only believes half of what he hears. A wise man knows which half.

WALTON NEWS

Still the drought persists and the grass is not growing in spite of the heavy showers which have caught out several dog walkers, including myself, who have got soaked to the skin.

The grass is not growing in the pastures and the crops are suffering and still the great clouds are massed on the horizon and there is little sign of the weather settling. Fortunately the rain held off for the Macmillan Open Garden and a good crowd of people came out to enjoy the fruits of Brian's hard work and to appreciate the beautiful views which give those of us who live in Walton pleasure every day.

Once again the Visitors' Book in the Church is full of appreciative comments. To quote from some of them – ‘what a beautiful, beautiful place, the sense of peace is overwhelming’ – ‘a real church’ – ‘a peaceful oasis’.

Many have happy memories – an old St Vincent's girl, couples who come back to remember their wedding day, Tony and Dinah Cave-Brown-Cave who lived at Walton Hill, timesharers from America and elsewhere, and a family who wrote that it was ‘lovely to come to this peaceful place where our ancestors lived and worked’. One couple talked of the ‘nice people’ they have met here, referring particularly to Ken and Mary who were so helpful at the time of their wedding. Others wrote appreciatively of the idyllic British scene, the old blending with the new, and added the hope that the past would live on into the future in this lovely place.

Not quite so peaceful this Sunday as the helicopters overhead ferried passengers to and from Silverstone. That reminded me of the occasion when the operation started from Walton Hall around the time of the morning service and one passenger shouted down ‘Hello there!’ as the helicopter climbed up above us. My husband, always one for the quick repartee, shouted back ‘Come to Church’ but not surprisingly there was no response to that.

Of course we do agree with the visitors who wrote in the book that they hoped the past would live on into the future, and we still have a band of faithful helpers who are rallying round to raise funds that will hopefully keep the Church in good repair for generations to come. Plans are well ahead for the Fête on 14th August, and a Flower Festival on the weekend of 24th-25th September, so please come and join us.

EH

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