Chairman's Bit

MACLA is continuing, on your behalf, to raise funds for the Phase 1 of the Sports Hall project, a modern Changing facility on Princes Street Playing Fields. I am pleased to report that we have received several donations from various sources: Blankney Golf Club, Metheringham Football Club, Metheringham Women’s Institute and Metheringham Walking Group.  Well done to these groups for supporting their local community in such a positive way.  The donations, coupled with fundraising events by the MACLA committee, will enable us to move forward with our plans but there is still a long way to go yet. So keep up the good work by supporting your community, through MACLA, with this project.

We have a couple of events planned in the coming months to help with the fundraising. MACLA will be at October’s Fayre and Feast in force. Visit us in the village Hall where we will give you the opportunity to find out about the Sports Hall Project and perhaps buy some local xmas cards and calendars or visit our outdoor stall where you can be warmed with mulled wine and mushy peas.  All donations greatly received. Also we are planning a Christmas Market, to be held in the Star & Garter car park (Thanks Butch!) on Saturday 20^th December. Again we look forward to your support.  More details will be given in the next newsletter.

Are you the leader of a local activity or community group?  Want to know more about the Sports Hall Project? Then MACLA is willing to come to you and tell your group about the progress we have made so far and how your group can benefit from this project.  Call Jeff on 323436 or Sally on 321289 for more information.

Broadband is coming! Thanks to an excellent campaign by Steve & Aaron, the Metheringham area will finally move into the 21st Century with the arrival of Broadband.  BT are due to complete the work on the Metheringham exchange by the end of September. The effort put in by Steve & Aaron is not to be underestimated.  This will be one of the first rural exchanges in Lincolnshire to be converted and their campaign is a model example of ‘people power’.

On a sadder note, Mike Reep, one of our stalwarts, sadly passed away in August and will be sorely missed. All our thoughts are with Wendy and her family at this time. Geoff, our editor and previous MACLA chairman, has penned a fitting tribute to Mike which can be found below.

Jeff Bird
MACLA Chairman

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Personal Tribute to a Friend

In this issue I am departing from my usual editorial note to pay a personal tribute to Mike Reep, who died on the 17th of August.
I shall miss Mike greatly, and I know that there are many other people who feel the same way.
If you look in previous issues of the Newsletter you will see that Mike took care of our advertising account. Without that, we would have had no revenue and there would never have been a successful Newsletter.
Mike was also the MACLA Treasurer, the Chairman of the Metheringham Bowls Club, and a member of the Metheringham Village Hall Management Committee where he was instrumental in securing grants for the extension that is currently being built. Any one of these voluntary duties would have been more than enough for most people, but Mike did a first class job with all of them simultaneously.
And yet, a more modest man you couldn’t wish to meet. It was only after he died that I found out that he had once been a Squadron Leader with the R.A.F. Mike lived his life in the present, not in the past.
Once in a while you feel privileged to have known somebody. I feel privileged to have known Mike Reep. He was a good friend. Our village has lost a very special person.
Geoff

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Metheringham Methodist Chapel Diary

September saw the start of a busy season of events and meetings . The Wednesday Club (from 7 to 11 years of age) met for a new session on Wednesday 3rd September from 5.30 to 6.30pm. The last session finished with a BBQ, and by holding a coffee morning and jumble sale they raised £100 for the Radio Lincolnshire's Gold Appeal. On Sunday 14th September at 10.30am they took part in the Morning Worship led by Mrs Beth Luckie of Dunston.
The Fortnightly Fellowship Meetings began also on Wednesday 3rd September. These start with coffee at 10.00am and finish about 11.30am. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped that our new Superintendent Minister, Rev Gill Riley, will be able to administer the Holy Communion once a month.
On Sunday 21st September we will be celebrating our Harvest Festival at 10.00am with Mrs W Darby and in the evening at 6.00pm with Deacon Mary Neal. The Chapel will be open in the morning of Saturday 20th September for people to look at the decorations in the church and for coffee from 10.30am. The Harvest Supper will be on Monday 22nd September at 6.30pm when the produce display will be auctioned. Ticket from Joyce Sellars, telephone number 321729
The Organ in the Chapel has had a complete overhaul and we found, written on one of the wooden panels, that the last overhaul was in 1930. To celebrate this and 300 years since the birth of John Wesley on Sunday 12th October at 6.00pm Mr David Scott a professional organist from Woodhall Spa will be giving an Organ Recital. Included will be hymns by Charles Wesley and it will be followed by tea and coffee.
The Chapel will also be decorated for Fayre & Feast Celebrations on Saturday 18th October. We will open for coffee at 10.30am; serve lunch and refreshment until late. We will be delighted to see you all on the day, arrange to meet your friends for refreshment and a sit down in the Chapel Hall.
We would like to thank the people who have given donations which has enabled us to purchase a new carpet for the Chapel, a new sound system and have the organ refurbished. Unfortunately, we now find that the roof is leaking and so we will now be fundraising to repair it!

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Dog Warden Report for Metheringham

Having a Dog warden presence in Metheringham has had a major impact on the Dog Fouling problem the village had prior to February 2002.
Problem areas have seen a marked improvement. However there are some areas where dog owners are ignoring their responsibilities.
Since February 2003 the Dog warden has issued warnings to offenders. Now a change of approach sees a zero tolerance attitude towards these people who believe they can avoid prosecution and the area now has its first prosecution.
The dog warden patrols from 0500 hours to dusk. However Councillors can also instigate a prosecution and dog owners who are still ignoring the Dog Fouling Laws should beware of this fact.
Members of the public are concerned and help by acting as our eyes and ears and report back as necessary.
If you know someone or you are a dog owner who is still not cleaning up after their dog, you can be assured we will catch up with you.
There are several dog bins in the village, which are there for dog waste. As a dog owner you are responsible for its’ excrement and should there not be a dog bin available, you should take it home with you and place it in your wheelie bin.
I would however like to thank the dog owners who have changed their ways and made a contribution to cleaner streets and footpaths.
Article submitted by Metheringham Dog Warden

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Dunston Flower Festival

It was a great success! Beautiful flowers, lots of visitors, wonderful weather, great concert ….. and what’s more, we made over £1,100 for our church.
Our flower festival at St Peter’s Church in Dunston was held, as usual, at St Petertide – the last weekend in June. The title was Happy 300th Birthday, John!, to celebrate the life of one of Lincolnshire’s most famous sons, John Wesley, and despite the cries of “How on earth can we do that” when the flower arrangers first heard their theme, they rose to the challenge, and the final exhibits were magnificent.
It’s a local affair, with all the arrangers coming from Dunston, Metheringham and Blankney, but visitors said it was one of the best they had seen! And the children took part as well – St Peter’s Primary decorated the porch, and the Thursday Club the Children’s Corner.
It took two days to prepare it all, and everyone mucked in – as well as the arrangers, there were ladder climbers, brass cleaners, banner makers, cake bakers, and a very welcome tea and coffee maker!
We opened the festival with a concert – which was provided, after a bit of arm-twisting, by Dunston locals! There was lots of laughter, and it was judged a great success.
On Saturday we had stalls – cakes, books, plants, and Fairtrade, and at lunchtime, our friends at the Methodist church laid on lunches – with all the proceeds going to charity – and were just about overwhelmed by the number of people who came to eat a very good meal.
We were amazed and delighted by the number of visitors, people came from all over the county, from Grantham, Gainsborough, Louth, Skegness, Retford as well as the local area …. with one couple from Tasmania!
Our Sunday evening Songs of Praise, led by David Payne, gave everyone a chance to sing some rousing Wesley hymns, with the £160 collection going to charity.
On Monday morning it rained, but that didn’t stop the juniors from St Peter’s, who came en masse to see the arrangements and to learn something of the great John Wesley.
We had a great time – lots of hard work, but lots of fun, fellowship and friendship.
Dunston St Peters Flower Festival 2004 is already being planned, so make sure you don’t miss it!
Adrienne Jones

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Dunston Twinning Association

The year 2003 marked the second great Dunston Duck Race, organised by Dunston Twinning Association.
Amongst the attractions were a bouncy castle,; a tombola stall; an artist doing face painting of children; a refreshment stall; second-hand book stall and raffle stall etc. not to mention, of course, the races themselves which, although taking place under leaden skies, proved again to be very successful.
The Association raised the handsome sum of £500 with expenses, which included a donation to Wilsford Church for the loan of their ducks.
The money raised will be used to help subsidise activities during next year’s visit by the twinned village of Trange to Dunston in April 2004. Such activities may include children’s events and events to enhance the cultures of both villages.
The Dunston Duck Race Committee would like to offer special thanks to all those who helped, donated and attended the Dunston Duck Race.
Coming up in the Autumn, make a note in your diaries for a Quiz Night in Dunston Village hall on 4th October, and a Craft Fair in Bailgate Methodist Church Hall on 15th November from 10am to 4pm.
Membership of the Dunston Twinning Association is open to all families residing in Dunston, Nocton and neighbouring villages.
Contact Mary Timms (01526)322515 for more details.

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Metheringham and District Hand in Hand

The Club continues to meet once a fortnight, on a Friday afternoon, between 2pm and 4pm. At the beginning of this year we moved to different premises and now meet at Westfield Community Centre.
At present we have 17 members, but if anyone is interested in joining us they should contact either Irene (01526 320360) or Ann (01526 320829).
We have had several outings so far this year including trips to Skegness, Stockwith Mill and Woodthorpe Garden Centre. Future plans include a Christmas Shopping trip to Peterborough and a Christmas Lunch at the Red Lion, Dunston.
At our fortnightly meetings members are picked up and taken to the Centre where they can play dominoes and Bingo, or simply have a cup of tea and a chat.
Ann Tye (01526) 320829

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Internet at the Library

Just in case you aren’t aware, there are two “People’s Network” machines at Metheringham Library. Thes facilitate free internet access, word processing etc during library opening hours. The only charge made is for printing, which is levied at 10p per sheet.
Whilst booking is not always essential, it is advisable.

SUMMER SENSATIONS AT THE LIBRARY!

By now I expect you will all have long since taken your Summer holidays and they will seem like a very long time ago? At the time of writing this, the sun is still shining and sky is still blue – we certainly have had glorious weather this year?!
The weather certainly hasn’t kept our readers away and the Library has been a “hotbed” of activity!
Friday, 15 August saw the “Summer Fundays” roadshow hit Metheringham Library! 35 children (and adults!) joined in with the fun and listened to stories, had their faces (or arms, or anything else visible!) painted, made welly pegs, pencil tops, caterpillars, butterflies, bookmarks………………. the list is endless! Luckily the weather was kind to us and we were able to hold the activity outside – we were slightly worried earlier when Pauline turned up at work on Monday to find the workmen digging a big hole in the car park, exactly where we’d planned to hold the activity! We were panicking slightly at the thought of having hoards of children INSIDE the Library, whilst we were open?!! Thankfully, the Health Centre staff very kindly offered us the use of their paved area around the side which was brilliant! Hope we weren’t too noisy?!
The winner of the Lincolnshire Young People’s Book Award was “Artemis Fowl – the Arctic Incident” by Eoin Colfer. The presentation evening was held at Lincoln Central Library where Author Helena Pielichaty was given the honour of opening the famous golden envelope and announcing the winner. The audience was then entertained by “Potty Poet”, Chris White who had us all in fits of giggles with his illustrations and poetry. The award was deemed a success and will hopefully be repeated next year.
September’s computer course, CLAIT, is now fully booked with the new candidates itching to begin! Good luck to all of you! The next available course will be in March – anyone interested in attending should call in at the Library for further information and to put his or her name down on the list. These courses are free at the moment and are always popular so it is wise to “book early!”
We have our costumes for the Feast now so please call and see us! We will have all the usual items for sale, outside (and inside if it’s cold!) the Library. Please call and say hello!
Reader’s Group is still well supported – a little more so since we started meeting at the Star and Garter, for some reason?! We meet on the first Wednesday of each month, at 7.30. All are welcome – we are a friendly, lighthearted group – NOT like the Book Group from the TV programme! If you are interested, please just come along and join us – it may be as well to check at the Library first for the venue as we often meet at other places (Mowgli Indian Restaurant, Red Lion, Star and Garter………….detect a theme here?!) You can read our latest review later on in the magazine.
Think that’s all for now
If you’re not yet a member – call in at the Library and see what we have to offer – you may be surprised!!

Sue Miller
Customer Liason Officer

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From Lincs to Minsk

In the last two weeks of July, we (Beverley Andrews and Hannah Marsh) were privileged to be invited on a Lincolnshire South Girl Guiding trip to Belarus. This is an established trip that has been occurring for ten years, when a leader from Belarus came over to the International Poacher camp and the Lincs-Minsk link began.
Our journey began in the early hours of the 20th July when we left our families at Boume Bus Depot. We managed to avoid the chaos at Heathrow as we were travelling by Polish airways to Warsaw, and then on to Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Waiting for us at Minsk airport was our interpreter for the trip, and long-standing friend of Lincs South Guides, Olga.
From Minsk we travelled 5 hours south to Gomel, where we would be camping for ten days. We arrived quite late in the evening, and were shown to where we were to be sleeping - a house boat moored on the lake next to the camp!
Whilst on the camp, we took part in activities alongside Belarussian Guides. These included a trip to the 'Ministry of Emergency Situations', where we learned a little more about the Chernobyl disaster, which happened 2OOkm south of Gomel, and how they deal with this kind of disaster. We also went in to Gomel, which is Belarus' second city. It is very pretty and extremely clear of rubbish. In the city burns the eternal flame for victims of the Second World War. When at the campsite, we spent our time playing games and learning new crafts. In the evenings we provided entertainment which included our rendition of 'The Lincolnshire Poacher' and 'Yellow Submarine'!
The camp had an ecological theme, and a lot of the activities were based around this. In particular we were encouraged to think about the value of a lot of things we take for granted, such as air and water. One day we went on a boat ride to a nearby island, where we had to build our own shelter and survive until four o'clock the next morning, when we were collected again. It was an excellent opportunity to talk to the Belarussian girls, and to teach each other games and songs around the campfire.
At times, the camp was a lot of hard work. We had duties to perform each day, and the food, facilities and weather were much different to what we usually experience on a camp at home. However, the Belarussians went out of their way to make us feel at home, and put huge amounts of work into making the camp a success.
After the camp, we headed back to Minsk and were given home hospitality by the Belarussian Guides and their families. Once again we were given a huge welcome, and made to feel as if we belonged. Everyday we met up with the other Lincs girls and went on a trip. The place that made the biggest impression on all of us was the village of Khatyn, a memorial village that holds the ashes of 186 villages burnt in the Second World War by the Nazis. In Khatyn itself all the villagers were herded into a barn, which was set alight. If any escaped, they were shot, but most were killed by the barn roof collapsing in on them. In Khatyn today, a bell rings every 30 seconds in memory of the victims. It was a very sad but beautiful place, that is of great importance to the Belarussian people.
The trip to Belarus was the experience of a lifetime that we will never forget. It gave us the chance to visit a part of the world you don't usually find in a holiday brochure, and it was joy to see that they get as much out of Guiding as we do over here. It was hard work raising the money to go, but worth every bit, especially as any extra money we have raised will go towards bringing a group of girls and leaders from Minsk to Lincs next summer.
We also appreciate the grant awarded from “Connect Youth International”.
Beverley Andrews and Hannah Marsh
 

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MAD Christmas Party

An occasion not to be missed – on 13th December we are intending to hold an old-fashioned Christmas Party at the Metheringham Village Hall. Suitable for everyone from children to OAP’s it will include dancing, games, competitions and loads of fun for everyone.
More details will be announced in the next edition of this Newsletter, but make sure you keep the date free.

News from MAD

COMING SOON! – Comedy to be performed at Dunston Village Hall.
Metheringham Amateur Dramatics is proposing shortly to go into rehearsal for a modern comedy “Gym and Tonic” which will be directed by Steve Watters. The action revolves around a weekend at a health farm with varying degrees of success for the participants. During the weekend personal relationships develop with surprising results….
The play will be performed at Dunston Village Hall on 24th and 25th October, and again on 31st October and 1st November. Remember to book the date in your diary and watch out for local publicity.

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Metheringham Animal Welfare Supporters Group (MAWS)

Thanks for a fantastic year!

On August 11th we had our AGM, at which our treasurer was able to announce record fund-raising receipts.
Thanks to your support, in the twelve months to August we raised £5000 (yes, five thousand pounds!) for animal charities. Accordingly, the Lincs Retired Greyhounds, Canine LifeLine, Heavy Horses (Spilsby), and the Bransby Home for Horses and Donkeys each received cheques for £1250.
So now we’re into a new trading year, and working as hard as ever to support new causes. This year all of the money raised will be divided between Bunny Heaven (Coleby), Keith’s Rescue Dogs (Skegness), Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation (Ruskington), and Spaniel Rescue and Rehabilitation (Metheringham Heath).
Our next Garden Outhouse Sale will be held on 4th October from 10am to 4pm at Station Road, Metheringham. We shall have our usual popular mix of bric-a-brac, books, cakes, household and gardening goods, and a raffle. If you want to let us have goods for the sale, we accept almost anything except jumble.
On 15th November we host our annual Christmas Market in Metheringham Village Hall, also from 10am to 4pm. In addition to the MAWS stall, the Big Raffle and Tombola, there will be independent traders selling a wide variety of new goods. This will be a great opportunity to get to grips with your Christmas shopping without making the trek into Lincoln.
As always, our regular helpers get a big vote of thanks. It takes a lot of effort to raise that amount of money in a year. If anyone out there could spare even a few hours to help with sorting stock, fetching/carrying, receiving items for sale, or anything else at all, we’d love to hear from you. A warm welcome is assured.
For more details, contact Joyce Muncey on (01526) 321436.

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Metheringham Football Club
 
Once again the football season has come around. With some 300 games scheduled between now and next May it will be a busy time for players and supporters alike. The club run eleven teams (at all ages - including 3 senior sides) and some 150 games will take place on the village sports field on Saturday or Sundays during this period so we look forward to seeing new and old faces giving us support.
It is a perennial request but the club is always on the look-out for new members at any age. Anyone who feels they have something to offer please contact the Club Secretary Pete Ford on 01526 320016.

One of the Club's fund-raising events is fortnightly Bingo which takes place in the Village Hall. These are on Wednesday evening with "eyes-down" at 7.30 pm. for cash prizes and a handsome "Snowball"
The forthcoming dates are as follows:-
10th and 24th September
8th and 22nd October
12th and 26th November
10th December
On Saturday 20th December we will be holding the Christmas Bingo with festive prizes etc.

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Metheringham Over 60’s

The summer programme of outings drew to a close with our last outing to Skegness on Wednesday 10th September. On the hottest day of the year we were scheduled to go to Bury St. Edmunds but due to roadworks and a 3 mile traffic jam, we diverted to Hunstanton and had a day by the sea. Mobile phones were a blessing in disguise that day, when we were able to communicate between the two coaches whilst queuing in the traffic. Everyone was glad to get off the coach for a breath of air. I'm sure those who went for a paddle in the sea, and sat in a little shady nook with a nice sea breeze found it preferable to walking round a town, no matter how quaint.
We have had a very enjoyable and varied programme this year and our thanks must go to Rita Bell for all her time and effort in organising these outings.

The Autumn Programme commences in the Village Hall on Wednesday 3rd September at 7pm
DIARY DATES

3 September - Hi Notes - Songs from the Shows
10 September - Trip to Skegness
1 October - Harvest Festival / Auction
5 November Hand Bell Ringers
2 December Christmas Dinner/ Draw

If you are not a member and would like to join us, come along to our meetings on the first Wednesday of the month. We meet in the Village Hall from 7pm - 9pm. Membership is 12.50 a year. Guest and Visitors are also welcome at 1.00 per visit.
Ann Crooks. Secretary

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Parish Council News

In this issue of the Newsletter we are publishing the contact details for Metheringham Parish Council. If the Clerks of the neighbouring Parish Councils would like to send similar information to the Editor, we shall gladly include them in subsequent issues.

Your Parish Council Members for METHERINGHAM

Chairman - Dr Michael Allen 01526 - 323009
Vice-Chairman - Mrs Jenni Honisett 01526 - 320968
Members - Mrs Rosie Creasey 01526 - 320348
Mr John Duggins 01526 - 320715
Mr Peter Ford 01526 - 320016
Mr Ray Harrison 01526 - 320218
Mrs Ruth Parker 01526 - 320210
Mrs Heather Routledge 01526 - 320156
Mr Alan Waddington 01625 323013
Mrs Audrey Webb 01526 - 322093
Mr Geoff Westall 01526 - 321032
Parish Clerk Mr Michael Credland 01526 378466

If you need to contact any of your councillors in relation to a specific issue there are Sub Committees which might meet your need
These are as follows:-

Highways and Footpath Sub Committee
Councillors Mrs Creasey, Mrs Honisett, Mrs Parker and Mr Waddington
Street Lighting Sub-Committee
Councillors Mr Duggins, Mr Harrison, Mr Westall
Playing Field Sub Committee
Councillors Dr Allen, Mrs Honisett, Mr Ford, Mrs Routledge
Joint Management Committee
Councillor Dr Allen, Mr Ford, Mr Harrison
Children's Playground Sub Committee
Councillors Mrs Creasey, Mr Duggins, Mr Harrison, Mrs Webb
War Memorial, Spring and Open Spaces Sub Committee
Councillors Mrs Parker, Mrs Routledge, Mrs Webb, Mr Westall
Fayre and Feast Sub Committee
Councillor Dr Allen, Mrs Honisett, Mrs Creasey, Mrs Parker, Mrs Routledge, Mrs Webb, Mr Westall
Forward Planning Sub Committee
Councillor Dr Allen, Mrs Honiestt, Mrs Parker, Mr Waddington, Mrs Webb
Planning Sub Committee
Councillor Dr Allen, Mrs Honisett and any available Councillors

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Personal “Thank You”

The following is a message that the Newsletter received from Jenny Hodge.
I have been working at the Touchline Centre in Metheringham for the last year.
Unfortunatlely, the lease is now up and the centre had to close as a therapy centre at the end of August. I would love you to print the following message to Jean Ford and Sue Nunn as a thank you from me and a thank you to all our customers over the years. Jean and I will continue to run the same businesses as we do now, but not in the Touchline Centre. It will be at our home addresses.
To Jean Ford and Sue Nunn,
Thank you for all your kindness to me over the last year and for becoming life long friends. I have loved working as a therapist in the Touchline Centre and meeting such wonderful people. Thank you both for all your help and I wish you both every success for the future,
Jenny Hodge.
(Editor’s note: the Touchline Therapy Centre has strongly supported the Newsletter since our very beginnings. I am pleased to print Jenny’s message, and to add my own good wishes to all concerned. For those of you who might wish to contact Jenny or Jean, their current phone numbers are (01526) 323930 and (01526) 323580 respectively. In the circumstances, I don’t think that this little bit of free advertising is out of order!)

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Poetry Corner

“Yellow People”

Sunflowers.
Happy Hours.
Symmetrical Faces.
Hazy Days.

Lots in France.
In the sun they dance.
Yellow Soldiers, orderly sway
They move with the sun
Then turn away.

Symbols of Summers hot and lazy.
Van Gogh painted their portraits until he turned crazy.
Heads droop down as days start to shrink.
I would like to know how each one thinks.

Perhaps as a body they moved “Up North”
To test our fields of dark brown earth.

Jill Spooner

(Nice one, thanks Jill. Possibly inspired by the
glorious display at Nocton? They made me smile when
I saw them. Ed.).

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Poppy Appeal

The annual Poppy Appeal will be taking place over the next few weeks, and our local Organiser is looking for helpers to cover the following streets in Metheringham:-
Kings Road (at Sleaford Road end)
Alfred Avenue
Shiregate Estate
Fen Road/Lime Tree Avenue
Middle Street
Caroline Road/Roman Close/Saxon Close
If you can spare a little time to help with this worthwhile cause, please contact Anita Yorke on (01526) 322680.
 

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Metheringham Readers Group

At our last meeting in July we discussed the last book we had read which was Empty Cradles by Margaret Humphreys. The group all agreed that it was one of the most harrowing books they had read and evoked a range of emotions in the readers including anger and tears.
Empty Cradles is a testament to the dedication and compassion of an ordinary woman who fought long and hard to uncover the lies and deception that had concealed the shocking betrayal of child migrants betrayed by Britain.
Synopsis
In 1986 the author, a Nottingham social worker and mother of two, received a letter from a woman asking for help to trace her parents. She claimed that at the age of four she had been put on a boat to Australia by the British government. Margaret Humphreys was convinced that she must be mistaken, yet curiosity drove her to investigate the case, and she found that the woman's story was just the tip of the iceberg and that as many as 150,000 children, some just three or four years old, were deported from children's homes and shipped off to a "new life" in distant parts of the Empire - the last as recently as 1967. Many believed their parents were dead and the parents were similarly deceived believing that their children had been sent to foster homes in Britain. In reality many of the children were subjected to horrendous physical and sexual abuse.
In the book the author describes her investigations and how it became her mission to reunite the children with their families in Britain, and to found and promote the Child Migrants Trust, funded by Nottingham County Council, which has worked to obtain recognition of the scandal and compensation for its victims.
For further information log on to the website www.childmigrants.com
The average score for this book was 8 out of 10
Carolyn Wilkinson
Community Librarian (North Hykeham Group)

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Starlite Twirlers

Hello Everyone!
Our busy Summer schedule is coming to an end as I write this. What a season!!! We have been entertaining crowds in and around the county and as far away as Withernsea Carnival. It was at that event that we were awarded trophies for “Best Marching Band on Parade”. Another big event was Lincoln’s waterfront festival, which was a good experience. It’s good to see everyone’s hard work paying off when the girls are so appreciated.
Just when we think we can relax a little, we have the British Isles Baton Twirling Association National Finals at Filey coming up. This will be on the weekend of the 10th October. The girls have qualified in all three events (Junior Military, pom-pom and dance twirl). Last year we went to this event as spectators when it was held at Clacton. Who would have thought that a year on we would be competing with such high hopes. Any placings at Filey will be an amazing achievement. If we do gain 1st and 2nd places we would go through to “Twirlmania” in Florida 2005!
One last bit of good news about Filey. “Calendar News” have been very interested about the troupe’s rapid success. They are coming to film the girls in a training session in preparation for Filey. They are also going to film the girls as they compete. We are hoping that from this the troupe will obtain sponsorship.
The weekend after we return from Filey we have Metheringham Fayre and Feast. The girls are looking forward to this, and always like displaying in the village. All 46 members will be marching through the village in a new winter uniform. We will then put on a couple of displays by the cross during the afternoon.
Everyone involved in Starlite Twirlers would like to thank the village for your continued support and positive comments. Especially from the “Star and Garter” and MACLA.
I will finish off saying lots of luck to the competition team at Filey. I know you can do it and so do you. Most of all, as your trainer I shall always be proud of you and your success.
Keep twirling……practise makes perfect!
Claire MacDavid

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Metheringham Village Hall News

We hope you all had a most enjoyable summer especially with the good weather that we have had and by the time that you read this you will probably have returned to work or school and the proposed extension to the Village Hall will be well underway.
As we have reported in previous editions of the MACLA newsletter, the extension is the major project that is being undertaken, by the Village Hall Management Committee, this year. It is planned to incorporate a new main entrance-way from the car park at the rear of the Hall together with the installation of a disabled ramp, UNISEX toilet for the disabled as well as additional but much needed storage space. It is hoped that the building work will be finished by the end of November.
We are also endeavouring to raise money towards that extension as well as endeavouring to maintain the Hall to the present high standards and continue to make further improvements where possible. As was mentioned in the last MACLA magazine we did not receive all the money that we were hoping to in the form of grants that was required to build the extension. As a result the Parish Council very kindly provided us with a loan so that the building work could proceed.
In an effort to repay that loan we launched in the last edition our "Buy a Brick/Breezeblock" campaign and was pleased with initial response that was made at the Scouts 50/50 auction held in June. However, we still have a very long way to go and would therefore ask for your support, if you can. At the Fayre & Feast(Saturday 18th October), we will be in the Village Hall and a lucky brick or breezeblock will receive a prize which will be drawn in December. Also you can "Buy a Brick(£1)/ Breezeblock(£2)" by giving your money to Mrs Carol Watson, 40 High Street, sending it to Mr S P Munday, Stone Lodge, Fen Lane, Metheringham LN4 3AQ or giving your donation to a Committee Member.
Additionally, up until and including the Fayre & Feast we will be selling raffle tickets for the Improvement Fund, 1st prize is £50, 2nd a selection of Wine, 3rd a Christmas Basket plus numerous other prizes. The raffle will be drawn at 7.00pm on Saturday 18th October in the Village Hall. Please buy a raffle ticket to support us, they are available from Committee Members. Also at the Fayre & Feast we will be selling refreshments, and running a Tombola Stall. Please come and see us in the Village Hall.
Finally, we would like to thank those committee members for their hard work during the Annual Maintenance period in August, and to the Village as a whole for your continued support. Look forward to seeing you at the Fayre & Feast.

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Metheringham Youth Club

The new season for the Youth Club started on 8th September. We meet weekly from 7.30pm to 9pm in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall. A modest charge of 50p per session is made to help cover costs.
We look forward to meeting new members and to welcoming existing members.
Contact details on back cover of this Newsletter

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Christmas Fayre

Make a note in your diaries for the magnificent Christmas Fayre to be held in the Star and Garter car park, Metheringham, on Saturday 20th December.
At the time of writing, arrangements have yet to be finalised, but this promises to be the perfect festive event for the whole family. It will be the ideal way to get yourself and your loved ones into the Christmas spirit on the last weekend before the Big Day itself. If you’re thinking of inviting visitors to spend the day or the weekend with you, this will be the place to take them!
More details will be published in the next issue of the Newsletter, and there will be publicity posters appearing in the MACLA villages. But just make sure that you keep the date open. Why get stressed out with last-minute shopping when you could be having a relaxed time in Metheringham?

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Lindum Accordion Club

In July we celebrated our move from Horncastle to Wragby Town Hall by hosting a free concert evening.
Our main guests were “Amaryllis”, an accordion duo from the Midlands, who gave us 90 minutes of superb entertainment.
Their light humour, coupled with an amazing variety of music, left the 100-strong audience eager for more. The two encores were received with equal enthusiasm.
It was good to see Metheringham and Dunston visitors in our audience.
The Lindum Accordion Club usually meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Meetings start at 8pm and finish by 11pm, although you’re free to come and go as you wish. We don’t have special guests at every meeting, but a warm welcome is assured for anyone who’d like to come along and listen, or maybe even bring along an accordion to join in!
For more information contact Geoff Brown on 01526 321490

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