By the time you get the latest Newsletter dropping through the door, many of you will have your Christmas preparations well in hand. Most of the others might well be starting to panic. I put this editorial together at least two weeks before you read it, and I’m already starting to panic! Not that I should be. My input to the festive season is only one small element of the whole occasion, and it’s the collective effort of other people that will make it successful and enjoyable.

The community in which we live is very much the same. A lot of things happen in Metheringham and the surrounding villages every week, every month, every year. That they happen at all is a credit to all of the people who put in the effort to make them happen - and that includes all of us who only turn up to enjoy the things that are on offer.

Some people are good organisers. The rest have other talents.  Some people find that they can make time to help run things (even if it’s a desperately tight squeeze sometimes). Others find that their lives are demanding in other directions.

Quite rightly, we applaud the efforts of people who make things happen. But equally valuable is the contribution of the people who turn up to take part in the activity on offer. Without them the whole thing would be a waste of time. Especially when it comes to fundraising events!

On Page 6 you will find an item written by the MACLA Chairman, Jeff Bird, about the development of leisure facilities in the Metheringham Area. On the basis of your views as expressed through recent surveys, serious consideration is being given to pushing for a multi-use sports hall with changing rooms.

Securing a sports hall is a massive undertaking. It will take a lot of work by a lot of people. Jeff points out that there is likely to be a major community fundraising effort throughout 2003. Some people will organise fundraising events. But the most important people will be those of you who pay good money to take part!

Hold that thought.
And have a good Christmas.

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Name the Christmas Carol/Christmas Song?

e.g. 1. S.N - Silent Night

Answers will be published in the MACLA forum after Christmas

Allow yourself ten seconds to count how many times the letter “f” appears in the following text.
Then check your score against the answer atthe bottom of this page.

Finished files are the result of years of scientific study combined with the experience of years.

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As most of you are probably aware, the Metheringham Area is woefully short of decent leisure facilities. MACLA is working in partnership with Metheringham Parish Council, North Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council to help to improve this situation.

We have recently carried out a comprehensive survey of leisure activities and groups in our area which has confirmed the need for improved amenities. Individual surveys, enclosed in the last newsletter, also underlined the need for affordable and accessible facilities. MACLA would like to thank all those individuals and groups who took the time to complete and return the surveys.

Based on the information obtained in the surveys, MACLA is now working hard towards identifying and implementing a realistic, first step solution to the lack of facilities. Under serious consideration is a multi use sports hall with changing rooms, (a typical example of which is shown opposite).

A suitable location for this facility will have to be found and funds will have to be obtained to build it. To this end it is highly likely that there will be a major community fundraising effort throughout 2003. Look out for more details in our next newsletter.

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We have had an enforced break while we wait for the Youth Club helpers to have their CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks processed.

In the meantime, we have been busy applying for grants and buying new equipment!

As soon as the checks have been completed we shall be re-opening. Posters will be displayed in the village.

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On behalf of everyone at Metheringham Library, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year! It really doesn't seem a year ago since I was last writing this!

We have been very busy since the last newsletter, as you may have noticed if you wandered into the Library! On Friday, October 11 we celebrated National Bookstart Day by holding a party for Mums and toddlers in the Library. Bookstart is a scheme which is currently being funded by a number of different organisations and administered jointly by the Library and the Health Service. Every child is given a Bookstart pack at their 6-9 month check with their Health Visitor. The pack consists of a canvas bag containing, at present, two board books, a laminated place mat and various publications concerning reading with your child and other child-related issues. There is also an invitation for the baby to join the Library. This initiative is to try and stress the importance of reading in a child's development and is proving very successful. At our party. a dozen Mums and their children listened to stories, sang songs and enjoyed some refreshments, culminating with some face painting. Some VERY ferocious tigers were seen to be prowling around the village later that day!

Following that it was time for the Feast! Thank you, once again to the Organisers for their hard work in making it such a successful day and also to everyone who came to see us in our finery! (even if we DIDN'T win this year!!) We had a thoroughly enjoyable day, if a little cold!

At half-term our children's activity was on the theme of Harry Potter to link in with the imminent release of the second film. Fifteen children took part and all made a wizards hat, wand and pair of Harry Potter glasses! They were all supposed to have a lightning strike drawn on their foreheads to finish off the disguise but we ran out of time (as usual!) Sorry guys! First prize for the fancy dress was won by Samuel Wilson as a very convincing "Harry" Runner up prize was awarded to Thomas Dodsworth who came dressed as Hedwig, the owl and every child who came in fancy dress left with a pack of Harry Potter sweets.

Our Readers Group is still going strong - at the time of writing this we are reading "Goodnight Mr Tom" and will are due to read "Enigma" by Robert Harris in November. We are intending to post our book reviews on "The Zone" which can be found at www.the-zone.org.uk so you can keep up with us too! We are a friendly group who meet on the first Wednesday of each month, in the Library at 7.30. New members are always welcome.

Finally, the Library will close on Monday, 23 December and re-open on Friday, 27 December 2002 for the Christmas break and then close again on New Year's Day.

Seasons greetings to you all

Sue Miller
Customer Liaison Officer

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In October, a Mrs E Kirk from Grantham telephoned the Newsletter to say “thank you” to the friendly and helpful people she met on a visit to Metheringham.
Mrs Kirk’s husband’s great grandfather was once a railway worker who lived in what used to be Dunston Lane. Mrs Kirk was in Metheringham in October on a fact-finding mission about this gentleman.
During her visit, Mrs Kirk was particularly impressed with the friendliness of the people she spoke to at the Post Office counter, the “Beehive”, the library and the “Star and Garter”.
So, it’s thanks from Mrs Kirk, and thanks from MACLA to all concerned for being such good ambassadors for the village!

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A fine bright autumnal morning heralded A Royal Pageant in Metheringham on Saturday 19th October. Stalls appeared as if by magic and the High Street was transformed into a colourful bustling throng in time for the Lord Lieutenant’s procession to the Village "cross".
Preceded by the Town Crier, Mr Terry Stubbings, and transported in a pony and trap, Mrs Bridget Cracroft-Eley was accompanied by the Chairman of North Kesteven District Council , the Vice-Chairman of Lincolnshire County Council and Mrs Rosie Creasey, Vice-Chairman of Metheringham Parish Council and co-organiser of the Fayre and Feast. They were followed in the procession by Metheringham’s own Starlite Twirlers, the Claymore Civil War Siege Group and the Kesteven Morris.
Mrs Creasey in her introduction thanked all the guests and stall holders for coming and hoped that all the businesses would benefit from this opportunity. She singled out parish clerk Michael Credland to thank him for organising the event this year.
Mrs Cracroft -Eley said how much she enjoys visiting villages to see how individual they make their celebrations and thanked the Parish Council for inviting her. She looked back over the Queen’s Golden Jubilee year reminding the crowds how the Queen and Prince Philip had travelled the length and breadth of not just this country but Australia and Canada and many other places as well and always with a smile. She highlighted some of the complications that can occur, using the Queen’s visit to Lincolnshire as an example, and then announced the 2002 Metheringham Fayre and Feast open.
The Lord Lieutenant was able to judge the best dressed stall and shop competition before she had to go to another engagement and the winner of the best dressed stall was St Barnabas’ Hospice and The Star and Garter, who had created a balcony complete with Queens Victoria and Elizabeth II, won the best dressed shop/business. Each receives a certificate and a prize.
The Starlite Twirlers were first to perform, finding even their new winter costumes didn’t keep out the biting wind and bravely performing their new routines for the first time. After the rain shower the junior’s came back to perform the Grease pom-pom routine that had received accolades at the recent British Twirling Association Championships. The children’s next public performance will be at the Lincoln Christmas Market.
Various bands and musicians were on the stage during the day with sets from local band Breathe, Billy J, Tanner’s Jack, the Riverside Ranters and Dance About.. The Kesteven Morris and the Earth Bound Misfits were performing in the street and there were steam organs at either end of the High Street.
As well as some 60 street stalls varying from gifts and cuddly toys to local charities and the media, the fire service and shops, there was a further throng in the village hall where crafts mixed with memorabilia. Stalls showing Metheringham as it used to be were prepared by the Friends of Metheringham Airfield and MACLA. Around the Church and on the Glebe Field the Civil War Siege Group were performing re-enactments and the occasional musket and cannon were heard to boom around the village in what was an impressive as well as educational display.
The Friends of Metheringham School were delighted with the cakes and sweets made by parents from the school and the support received from the public. Helped by the sale of helium balloons the stall made around £150 . Metheringham WI dressed impressively as Kings and Queens and with a magnificent Gold crown decorating the stall held a Gold Tombola which sold out quickly and raised £96 for the group.
The sponsor a year venture by St Wilfrid’s Church as part of the 400th anniversary of the re-dedication of the church after the Great Fire of Metheringham aroused interest at the Fayre and Feast with many more years being sponsored. Sponsors receive a limited edition china mug , a limited edition specially minted coin as well as their certificate. Some years are still available for sponsorship and leaflets can be obtained from the Another Chance shop or the church.
Metheringham Playgroup had a successful Fayre and Feast providing face painting and games and selling copies of a Music Quiz. They raised over £300 on the day and the Music Quiz is still available with a closing date of December 13th.
Metheringham and Dunston LIVES First Responder Group were very pleased with the response to their stall at the Fayre and Feast. Several more potential responders put their names down and other people were tempted enough to take information away. The competition to guess the weight of the oxygen mask was won by Libby Leggett.
St Wilfrid’s Church refreshments in the Church Hall raised over £300 and the Methodists raised £350 at the Chapel Rooms. There was a display involving King George in his boat with fireworks and bugles in the Methodist Church. The queens and Nell Gwynn from the library made £160 from the sale of videos and second hand books.

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This time of the year always appears to be both a time of reflection, looking back over the past year as to what has been achieved, and of looking forward to the year ahead.
Overall, 2002 has been a good year. The Village Hall has been used extensively throughout the year by large numbers of people from the Village, and by all age groups. Bookings have also increased and we have managed to maintain the level of charges for hiring the hall as last year. In April, we held the first Spring Fayre which was seen as a good success and which will be built upon next year. In June we had a "Smash a Plate" stall at the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations held on the sports field which was great fun and in October we had one of the most successful fundraising events at the Fayre & Feast. We have also managed to raise in addition almost £7000 from grants. This has enabled us to install much needed radiator guards, a hearing loop system and, starting in the New Year, will help to totally refurbish the kitchen area.
Next year we hope and trust will be just as good, and even more exiting. Having obtained planning permission in September for an extension to the Village Hall, including new main entrance way and ramp, additional storage and disabled toilet facilities, we hope to obtain the necessary funding and also see its completion during the spring or summer. The building of the extension is also linked closely to the work of the Parish Council are conducting to refurbish the car park adjacent to the Hall.
The key to this success has been the people who have supported the Village Hall, the people of Metheringham and the surrounding areas, whom we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you. However, we would in particular, also wish to say thank you to those dedicated individuals who voluntarily help to run the Village Hall, the Management Committee, and to those who take care of and clean the Village Hall. It is to these individuals that we must give special thanks for the numerous hours that they have given to help redecorate, maintain and refurbish the Village Hall and for their efforts in continuing to raise much needed funds.
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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The Walking group will continue to meet throughout the Christmas and New Year as usual.
We step out from the Star and Garter on Sunday mornings, meeting at 10am.
Details from Wendy on (01526) 320686

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Thanks to your support and generosity, the MAWS group is going from strength to strength.
At the time of writing we are preparing for our last sale of the year. But even before the accounts are settled we can be confident that this will be our best year ever.
Of course, success is only bred out of effort, and we desperately need some more helpers. Our ever-growing stockpile of items for sale is in constant need of sorting, cataloguing and being stored tidily. This involves some lifting and shifting. And then there are all the other things that go on behind the scenes!
We meet each Monday and Friday morning at 31 Station Road, Metheringham. If you are able to join us, even if only on a “rota” basis, you will be made very welcome.
While there is still time to influence your Christmas shopping, PLEASE can we remind you “Do not give a pet for Christmas”. Every year, throughout the country, tragedy befalls unwanted animals. Many of the cases are far too upsetting to be repeated here, and all could have been avoided with a little thought.
It isn’t only unwanted animals which can have a hard time. Christmas is both an exciting and a stressful period. It is not the ideal time of year to introduce a new pet to the family. This is best done when your home is calm and unhurried. When you can give your new pet all the love and caring it deserves.
We also have a seasonal warning which has been issued by the RSPCA. “Chocolate can be bad for your dog”. It’s always tempting to share your treats with your canine companion, but the chocolate that you eat contains Theobromine. In dogs, this chemical can induce vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions, or even death! So please be careful, and make sure that your visitors are careful as well.
Despite the necessary caution, we sincerely wish all of you, and all of your pets, a peaceful and happy Christmas!
PS…when you hang your new calendar, make a date for Saturday 12th April 2003. That’s when we have our next garden/outhouse sale at 31 Station Road, from 10am to 4pm.
For more information, please contact Joyce on (01526) 321436.

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December is the time when the Chapel prepares and celebrates the birth of Christ. On Sunday 1st December at 10.30am there will be a United Toy Service with St, Wilfrid's Church. Toys collected at this service will be sent to the NSPCC for distribution to needy children.
The annual Carols by Candlelight Service will be on Sunday 22nd December at 6.00pm followed by tea and mincepies in the chapel hall. Deacon Mary Neal will lead the service.
On Christmas morning at 10.00am there will be a service to celebrate the birth of Christ at which we enjoy seeing a gift you have received for Christmas.
The Wednesday Club meets at the Chapel each Wednesday between 5.30pm and 6.30pm during term times. It is open to all children between 6-10years and during December will be preparing for Christmas and making decorations for the Chapel.
The Wednesday Fellowship meets every fortnight at 10.00am, everyone welcome. The Sisterhood meets every Thursday afternoon at 2.30pm, for more information please contact Joyce on 321729.
Thank you to the ladies who prepared the displays in the Chapel for the Harvest Festival and the Fayre & Feast and to the Wednesday Club for their decorations. May we also thank all the people who visited the Chapel for their continuing support for the work of the Chapel.
Please look out for adverts for the Sausage & Mash Supper, which we hold in the Village Hall at the beginning of March.
Correction
The Over 60's did not organise the coffee morning at the Methodist Chapel, on Saturday 13th July 2002. As a charity they cannot be seen to raise money for other organisations. The event was organised by Mrs M Amos Mrs R Blow and Mrs E Garrick and the money raised went towards the new gates at the Chapel. Apologies for any inconvenience that may have been caused by the wrong reporting.

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We look forward to resuming our comprehensive reporting of our progress this season in the next issue of the Newsletter.
In the meantime, perhaps you’d like to make a diary note that our annual CHRISTMAS BINGO will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 21st December (6.30 for 7.30 start).
There will be Xmas Fayre for winners - with cash prizes for interval games - also a large raffle.
All are welcome!

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What a successful few months - The pool closed at the beginning of September but the support has continued.
The Star and Garter Golf Society raised over £1200 by making us recipients of the proceeds from their annual Golf Match against Metheringham Football Club.
RAF Waddington sent us a donation of £200 and the National Lottery Awards for All agreed to pay the full £3350 towards improving the access to the pool for buggies and wheelchairs, fitting a manual hoist for disabled swimmers, providing new steps at the deep end and a grab rail in the shallow end.
Unfortunately we didn’t know the winter covers would fail on us at Feast weekend or we could have asked for that too. As it is, the £477 made at the Fayre and Feast through the Grand Draw, Tombola and Splat the Rat will only half cover the pool.
In the Grand Prize Draw the winner of the Mountain bike was Becky Blackband, Mr Clark won the Television and Beverley Andrews won the Personal CD player.
Plans for the winter include the music/dance/disco evening on 23rd November with top local band The Unwelcome Guests and a Christmas Market in the Star and Garter Yard on December 21st with music, Twirlers, food and games and stalls all for the pool and thanks to Butch and Maggie.
If anyone would be able to take over the co-ordination of fundraising activities for the association the chairman, secretary and treasurer would be most grateful.
The alteration work at the pool will take place in the spring and include re-lining with special silica-based paint to sort out the cracks and patches and give a smoother surface for sensitive toes. It all sounds very exciting - roll on summer when we can all benefit from all this activity.

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Blankney Cricket Club was originally formed in 1873 and was a popular sport watched by Lord Londesborough from the north wing of Blankney Hall. The Club continued to flourish into the 20th century but came under hard times and ceased to run around the mid 1900’s.
In 1988 the club was reformed on the same site and through the hardwork of its members the ground was developed and the present clubhouse was built. It was opened by the then President Mr Eric Parker Esq. in 1991.
In the early years the club joined the Lincoln Mid-week League and also played friendly fixtures at week-ends. Due to its popularity the club has grown and in 1997 entered the Lincoln League Division Four (week-end league). Since this time it has won promotion on three occasions and is now established in Division One. In addition to the week-end team there are now two sides in the Mid-week League, one in Division One (which we have won on three occasions) and the other in Division Two. Despite this the club still manages to find time for a number of friendly fixtures during a busy summer.
For those travelling through Blankney one can see what a beautiful setting the ground is and with a licensed bar in the Club House and a tranquil afternoon can be spent on a summers day / evening.
The Club has always welcomed new players but the thinking now is that more youth should be encouraged to join. For this reason, during this winter, we are campaigning for youngsters to approach us and if we get sufficient interest we will look towards forming a youth team or teams. Proper coaching and nets will be provided for those interested.
Obviously if this project is successful those who develop into useful players will replace some of the present players and with this in mind we are also hopeful of forming a second XI in the week-end league (Division Four).
Having outlined our proposals we welcome contact from any potential players (whatever age).
Could we please ask that in the first instance you contact Pete Ford (01526 320016).

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Liaison with other groups, either planning or running skateboard parks, has resulted in learning about additional firms who provide and install skate-board parks, and associated equipment.
As soon as all the brochures have been received (some eleven in all) the recently formed Committee will be looking to the young people on Meg SKATE Board to draft their plans for the proposed park. In addition steps have been taken to look at various means of fund raising, and already two possible sites have been identified.
Depending on the costs and proposed layout it is hoped to draft a detailed report on the proposed skateboard facility early in the New Year.
Alan Waddington (01526) 323013

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Metheringham Amateur Dramatic Society
Proudly Present
Their 10th Annual Pantomime

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Friday, January 31st 7:15 & Saturday February 1st 2:15 and 7:15
Friday, February 7th 7:15 & Saturday February 8th 2:15 and 7:15

A colourful tale from the East where the Village of Metherocco is in peril of being stripped bare by a gang of forty thieves led by Ivana Bin Laden Trump, their wicked and evil leader. Will Ali Baba helped by his brother Kassim (or is it hindered?) find a way of saving us all, or will the evil Tariq, Demon of the desert win? Not if Cous Cous fairy of delight (mostly Turkish) has her way. Please join Rhum Baba and her family, Ali, Kassim and Cuthbert the camel for a fun filled family pantomime at Metheringham Village hall. Tickets will be on sale in 2003 from Metheringham Hair Studio, Caroline Road, Meg.
Adults £4.50 and children £2.50
Family ticket 2 adults and 2 children £12
For further details of any of MAD’s four productions a year please contact our secretary Di on 07932 520362

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We celebrate the New Year on Wednesday 8th January 2003, our entertainers for this evening will be singer Tony Neale and Judy with her monologues we also have a trip to the pantomime in Nottingham on the 15th.
The following meeting will be on February 5th when Tim Hudson presents his slide show plus an outing on the 8th to see Holiday on Ice also in Nottingham.
At our Annual General Meeting on March 5th we are having a free Fish & Chip Supper.
We meet in the Village Hall on the first Wednesday of the month at 7-00pm until May, then during the summer months go on coach outings.
If you would like more information, please phone Margaret on 01526 321049
Remember we are not Over 60 we are all 18 with 42 (or more) years experience

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On page 9 you can read Sue Miller’s regular report from Metheringham Library.
In it she refers to the meetings of the Reading Group. For this issue, the Group have kindly sent one of their recent reviews. Maybe we can have some more for future issues?

Book read: Goodnight Mr. Tom, by Michelle Magorian
Set in the Second World War, this is a touchig story about a young evacuee who is sent to the countryside to stay with Mr. Tom. The characters are convincing and the storyline exposes raw emotions and the effects of human relationships on the healing process.
We unanimously agreed that, although it is a children’s book it has adult appeal and is well worth reading. We awarded it 8.5 out of 10.
Reminder – the Reading Group usually meets at the library on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm. New members always welcome.
For diary of dates, please ring Pauline on (01526) 320550.
 

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Anita Yorke, the area Poppy Appeal organiser, would like to thank everyone who helped with, and who contributed to, this year’s effort.
At the time of writing, money is still coming in, but we can report that the Metheringham, Tanvats and Blankney Fen areas have raised well in excess of £1500. More than £900 of this came from the door-to-door collection.
Thanks again.

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Are you looking for something a little bit different to fill a few hours? If so, here are some seasonal events in North Kesteven…
 
7th and 8th December, 10.30am to 4pm. Festival of Decorated Christmas Trees at St Peters Church, Navenby.
Refreshments available. Phone 01529 414294 for details.

8th December, 10.30am for about 90 minutes. Winter Wildfowl at Whisby Nature Park, Thorpe on the Hill. Meet at the Visitor Centre. Phone 01522 688868.

1st January, 10am to 1pm. “Grist to the Mill”, a look at Sleaford’s milling heritage. Meet Sleaford Market Place. Sensible footwear, please, some ladders to negotiate. Phone 01529 414924

26th January, 10.30am to 1pm. The Fenland Edge. Guided winter walk alongside the Car Dyke and ancient woodland. Meet at Dunston Fen “Stepping Out” car park. Phone 01529 414924

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The first poem for this issue is written by Jill Spooner. It is based on her observations whilst walking from Metheringham to Dunston one Sunday Morning.

An Observation
(With apologies to William Wordsworth)

I wander’d lonely as a cloud
From Metheringham along the Dunston road.
Fluttering and dancing along the gutter.
No daffodils; just lots of litter.

Continuous as the stars that shine,
Broken glass twinkling in the grime.
Cans clattering along the street,
Chewing gum sticking to your feet.

I gazed and gazed, then had a thought,
Perhaps too much packaging this rubbish has brought?
Cardboard, paper, plastic, cans and bottles.
No daffodils; just lots of rubble.

Oft when on my couch I snooze,
In thoughtful or in pensive mood,
I was always taught “How Rude”
To leave your rubbish for others to move.

Is it really such a sin
To put your rubbish in a bin?
The Parish Council’s heart would fill.
Less money for litter, more for the daffodil!
 

Our second poem comes from a new contributor to the Newsletter.
It looks beyond Christmas to a time when the days are getting a little longer.

The Miracle of Spring

Look carefully at the garden,
The season begins anew.
See the dainty Springtime flowers,
In shades of every hue.

The trees that blow in a cold, cold wind,
Hide tiny buds of green.
And underneath the dry stone wall,
Velvet moss sports an emerald sheen.

The pond is full of activity,
As frogs guard their jelly eggs.
And in the fields the lambs bleat,
Whilst playing on new legs.

The air is loud with birdsong,
Feathered couples on the wing,
Nests built to home new babies,
Such pleasures do they bring.

Soon the weather will be warmer,
The days long and light.
And we will be out of our houses,
To share in the common delight.

Despite troubles and sadness,
That life sometimes seems to bring.
Rejoice in God's special handiwork
The Miracle of Spring!

By Jane Brewett

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Building on the success of 2001, when the Cliff League side finished runners up in their division and runners up in the Potterhanworth Cup, the City League side ran away with their division in 2002.
Finishing top of the league, they lost only four games during the season, three of those in the first five matches.
The team are now looking forward to the 2003 season, when they hope to continue the success of the last two seasons.
 
Ray Howard

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I hope that you have enjoyed this Christmas edition of your own Newsletter. The presses will be rolling again in time for another issue to be coming through your door near the beginning of March.
If you have anything at all to say, please let me have your text by the end of February 2003.
In the meantime, may I wish you all a happy and, above all, peaceful Christmas.
Editor
 

TEASER Answer

There are SIX letter “f’s” in the teaser. Apparently, most people see only 3 or 4 at the first look. If you saw 6, then either you are a genius, or this teaser is a load of rubbish.

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