June 2007 Archives

As part of a scheme to improve the Village centre it has been suggested that we remove the village cross and improve the road layout.

Some people have expressed the view that the Cross is a historical monument and must stay at all cost.

Remove it! Keep it! Move it!.

The Parish Council would like to hear your views. Complete the form on this page to make your views heard.

On Sat 19th May an equally important match, other than the cup final at the New Wembley, took place at Metheringham. It was a game between a Metheringham Select XI and a Dunston Red Lion Select XI. The rivalry between the two clubs has risen over recent season as the Red Lion has grown in status and it was decided to have an annual Charity Match on Cup Final day as a curtain raiser to the FA Cup final.

Afterward all the players went back to the Star and Garter for a few pints and some grub and to watch the cup final. Metheringham won the inaugural game 3-1 with goals from Under 18's Manager / Player-Manager Dave Atkin, Sun "A" team Manager Simon Farrar and U14's management member A. Stevenson - Dunston's consolation goals came from Tom Ison.

See here for more pictures of the day.

Metheringham (Juniors) Football Club 2006-07
So we come to the end of another eventful and entertaining football season. I am sure most people have enjoyed it and are already looking forward to the new season after a couple of months off and the odd six-a-side or two. Unfortunately our own competition had to be cancelled due to a lack of entrants but our late decision to present a "Fun Day" provided very successful and the site of the "Lanc" flying low over our sports field was a sight to behold.

Once again the Juniors had an eventful and very mixed season. Two new teams emerged at Under 8 and Under 9, both acquitting themselves very well, especially John Haresign's Under 8's who finished fifth in their league (and how great it was to see John back in the fold running one our a junior sides). The Under 9's won few games finishing ninth but they had the club's most qualified coach looking after them in Matt Petch as he achieved his level 2 Coaching Badge during the season. Without doubt Matt is the youngest person to manage a side in the Club's history as he is only 18.

Our Under 10's had two sides in preparation to the move into full sided football next season and both did very well under the watchful eyes of Nige Beck, Mark Burrell and Gary Bleasdale as they finished third and fourth in their respective leagues.

In their first season at eleven a side the Under 11's had a great season winning their League and scoring 206 goals in the process, more than any other side in the entire Mid Lincs Youth League. Each season throws up a new superstar goalscorer and this season was no except as Ridwan Sadi, new to the village, fitted the bill. He scored an amazing 107 goals in his first season in competitive football, hitting 100 in just 20 games and netting 28 hat-tricks. The success of the Under 11's saw their management team of Roy Rogers and Barry Houlden walk off with the Manager of the Season Award having picked up four Manager of the month awards. Their nearest rivals to the prestigious award, the U10A's, were some 1,000 points behind them in the points system.

The Under 12's managed by Barry King and Paul Scigala saw their best success in the County Cup, reaching the quarter finals before being edged out by a useful Deeping Rangers side who would go on to win the Trophy. For a while the U12's looked as if they might challenge for the league as well but unfortunately a blip in March put paid to their title hopes and they had to be content fifth place. T

he Under 14's managed by Alan Ward and Ant Jones struggled all season in the their League and now wait to see whether they will play in the "B" or "C" League next season having finished 12th.

Finally the Under 15 (managed by Andy Blackband and John Brett) who are growing up rapidly and will soon be pushing for places in the Club's senior sides, enjoyed a mixed season finishing in a mid-table position in the "B" League.

As Chairman, having held the position for seventeen seasons, I am very fortunate to preside over a very enthusiastic and dedicate Committee. Unlike the majority of our counter-parts we meet every week during the season to ensure that our affairs are run efficiently and effectively. By doing so we can continue to provide football for as many junior and seniors players as possibly, be it playing, officiating or just watching. Further proof that we do things in the correct manner, we continue to fulfil the requirements of an "FA Charter Status Club Award Club" This includes having all our managers CRB checke and continuing to encourage and pay towards them studying for and achieving their FA coaching badges. As stated earlier, Matt Petch recently achieved his Level 2 badge, higher than some of our Premier and Football League managers.

The cost of running a club of our size are extremely high as can be appreciated. It is always difficult to generate cash so we are eternally grateful for all of the help we receive from our fundraisers and sponsors without whose help we could not survive. Finally though, a big thank you must also go out to all the parents and grand-parents who help us in so many ways both financial and other. Thank you

John Wood
Chairman

Terry Holloway joined the RAF as an engineering apprentice in 1962, was commissioned in 1996, and after 34 years service retired as a G/Capt in 1996. He joined the Marshalls Group of Companies as Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Chief Executive and is responsible for marketing, PR, Community activities and special projects. They are presently restoring the Vulcan.

At the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre - in the old gymnasium - on Wednesday 27th June 2007 at 7.30pm. Admission: Members free, Visitors £3.00 including Refreshments. Children Free.

Enquiries to: Friends of Metheringham Airfield, Westmoor Farm, Martin Moor, Metheringham, Lincoln LN4 3BQ. Tel: 01526 378270

Access for the Disabled. All proceeds in aid of the Visitor Centre

Welcome to the Summer Issue of your local magazine; isn’t that a contradiction in terms. What Summer? I am writing this with thunder and lightening surrounding me. I seem to think it was just the same last year so lets hope things improve quickly, they can’t get any worse that is for sure.

I am confident that this issue will have something for everyone including a really nice story about one of our locals from the past.

We are now moving into a period where organisations are embarking on their fund-raising events with great enthusiasm and hopefully they will receive much support from one and all.
Have a great Summer and enjoy the read

(Ed. This is a copy of an article submitted to our forum.)

It was with much sadness that one of Metheringham's best respected local people passed away at the end of May. Brian Creasey who would have been 70 in November was born and raised in Metheringham Fen and from that time he never left these surrounds. Having attended the old Tanvats School he then went on to Carre's Grammar School at Sleaford. From here he joined his father, Ted on his farm at Tanvats and remained here as a farmer all his life. He was an all-round sportsman and captained Carre's 1st XI at both Cricket and Football. In his early days, as a youngster, he was part of the local Tanvats cricket and football teams run from the thriving community where most of the players were called Creasey. When these teams ceased to be he moved into Metheringham and played most, if not all, of his senior football for Metheringham FC who he went on to captain in numerous cup finals. His cricket "career" saw him turn out for Woodhall Spa, Metheringham and finally Blankney CC where he ended his days when in his 50s but retained his ties as a Vice-President.. Having finished his footballing career some years earlier he remained involved with the football club as their President from 1992 until 2001 when he stood down and became a Life Member.

Whilst involved heavily with the two main sports of our country Brian still found time to be an accomplished squash player and golfer, being a member and past owner of Metheringham Sqaush Club and a golf member at both Woodhall Spa and Blankney Golf clubs. Being a “country boy” he also had a passion for hunting, shooting and fishing and regularly arranged shooting parties on his land.

With all his leisure time apparently taken up one has to wonder how he fitted anything else in but having a great love for his home in Metheringham Fen he stood for election to the local parish council and became their representative for the Fen (Tanvats and Sots Hole) in 1976. He remained in this position for 27 years and because of the respect he held he became Chairman of Metheringham Parish Council in May 1995. This position he retianed until he stood down from the council in 2003. Classing Brian as a personal friend my first recollection of him was in October 1964 when I made my debut for Metheringham 1st XI at Skellingthorpe as a scrawny 16 year old. Early in the game a burly home defender saw me as a likely target and took me out at the knees. Brian who was a born winner in any sport he played took few “prisoners” on a football pitch and he immediately squared up to the player and suggested if he wanted to take anyone out it had better be him and not me!!

From that day Brian became my Mentor and I will remember him with great affection as I am sure many many people will. Thank you Brian for everything - RIP

Pete Ford

Welcome to the Library page! I hope by now that the skies are blue and that we are all basking in the sunshine – unlike the thunderstorms and rain that typified the last half term week!

If you have received your June copy of County News you may have noticed an article about the proposed restructure of the Library service, and a questionnaire to complete asking for your views. All Libraries are to be included in this review and their opening hours and methods of staffing will be looked at. This is YOUR chance to have your say as to how you would like the Library service to be run. All Libraries (including Metheringham) are potentially as risk of closure so if you want to keep your local Library open, please let the decision makers know your views by completing the survey, either in the paper or online at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/librariesconsultation. Your Library is an important community resource – use it or lose it!!

Design company Electric Wig have been selected by representatives of
Metheringham Parish Council, MACLA, North Kesteven District and Lincolnshire County Councils as lead artists for the Metheringham regeneration scheme planned for the centre of the village around the Health Centre and Library.

The Friends of Metheringham Airfield exists to support the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre. This small museum, located at Westmoor Farm between Metheringham and Martin, is dedicated to the men and women who flew and supported the operations of 106 Sqn of RAF Bomber Command from 1943 until the end of the Second World War.

I have been a busy fellow as I look back on life gone by
Spent my life on the Fenland of Lincolnshire, what a lucky guy
As happy as a king enjoyed my working life and always did my best
And now cosy and happy its Metheringham were I live and Lincolnshire were I have my little nest
Who is Bored, they shouldn't be, is bowling up your street or golf or what would you like to do
The Greens and courses are quite near it doesn't cost a lot to have a go
In winter months on Wednesday night just across at Dunston Village hall the carpet bowls will start
What a great day out you can have for just a £ or two if you join the over 60's
The outings that are arranged for you some great places for you to see
Just get that Sunday suit out and Socialise you will make new friends
We have seen aircraft exhibitions, flower festivals, and country mansions, there's no end
The Committee they work hard throughout the year, just for you and me
Or if that doesn't interest you, then there's coffee mornings, Bingo, and stalls for you to see
If you are still quite nimble, then why not give a hand at the October Feast help on someone's stand
Do you like to go out and join a friend? Go to the Scarf and Goggles
Or The Star and Garters. Grand
Have a real good meal, A Scampi, or Steak, celebrate your birthday, and get a wine glass in your hand
There' s our fine school and Swimming Pool that can do with Volunteer's
If you are over 60 then go to the information shop and pick up your bus pass
Then have a ride to Boston Wednesday's Market Day
Or if you like then go and catch the bus to Lincoln you shouldn't have to pay
The buses go to Woodhall Spa or Spalding just a nice day doesn't cost a penny
Try something new don't be bored make new friends (you can never have too many)

Len Woodhead - May 2007

The Rauceby Maize Maze will provide hours of fun for all, this summer holiday. Set on a 10 acre site, there are 6 acres of maize providing over 2 ¼ miles of maze paths. The maze theme this year is “Operation Bumblebee” highlighting the plight of the 25 bumblebee species native to Britain and why it is important that we provide suitable habitat! You can find out about this by taking part in the quiz as you find your way around the maze. There is also a competition for younger children.

Opening 21 June – 9 September Daily from 10 am – 5 pm
Admission fees: Adults £3.50 – Children (4 and over) £2.00. Under 4’s (free). Family (2 adults, 3 children) £11.00
Free parking and picnic area
Hot and cold drinks and ices available from the kiosk.
Find us approximately 3 miles west of the Holdingham A15 / A17 roundabout, turn left for North Rauceby. Maze approximately 100 yards on the right.
Contact no. for further information - 07881564496

Susan Ireland

St Peter’s Church, Dunston

Over the above date St Peter’s church will be holding an exhibition complimented with flower arrangements of “All Our yesterdays”. A look through photographs, costumes, artefacts and tableau’s of life in Dunston in the past.

On Saturday evening, 24 June at 7.30 pm we are holding a concert with the award winning Lincoln Male voice Choir, “Harmony Lincs supported by Malcolm and Sherry Brown.
Tickets are obtainable from 01526 323183 or any Church Member – priced at £4.00 in advance or £5.00 on the night. This included a glass of wine and nibbles.

On Sunday evening, 25 June we are holding an “Old Fashioned Songs of Praise” here in the church, starting at 6.00 pm. Please come and dress up in bygone era dress and sing some of your favourite hymns and listen to the children of St Peter’s Primary School recite their thoughts of bygone days.

Stuart Rogerson

Thankfully the supply of kittens is fairly slow, let’s just hope that this continues. Sadly there are so many lovely cats needing new homes either through moving into new, pet forbidden premises, break up of relationships or death, that a plentiful supply of kittens just tends to make this list longer. Please continue to check your sheds before locking up and if you see a poorly stray cat please let us know. Because of the sheer numbers we may well not be able to collect the cat immediately, but poorly cats will be treated.
Thank you.
Brian (Lincoln Cat Care) brian.lewis8@ntlworld.com

We have had a busy time since the last M.A.C.L.A Issue, we have recruited 5 new active responders and we have been fundraising for a new kit for the group and I am very pleased to say we now have the money in place to buy a new kit which means we will have more responders out on the road. Huge thanks to all organisations who have contributed to this worthy cause including Branston Produce, Scopwick Parish Council, Dunston Parish Council, St Winifred’s Church Metheringham, Nocton Parish Council, George and Eileen Holmes and the villagers of Potterhanworth, Metheringham Brownies Thank you so much to every one how has helped. Our Rock and Roll Night held at Easter was a big success thanks to Three Parts Cut Butch Maggie and all at the Star and Garter who helped make the night such a success, not forgetting the responders who gave up there time to help run it.

Our Senior Citizens Party this year was held on Saturday 12th April in the Village Hall. 132 people sat down to tea and entertainment. Once again we had a small army of helper, who prepared the hall, served food, sold raffle tickets and most importantly were car drivers for our more infirm members. Many thanks one and all. Doreen Blackband, and Ros Bell provided beautiful flower arrangements for the tables which was much appreciated. Bill Heath came along and supplied his home-made Plum Loaves and Fruit Cake which are always delicious. Then we were entertained by Tommy Curtis.

This years Outings
Wed 15 Aug (leaving the village at 9.00) Hunstanton
Tues 16 Oct (leaving village at 10.30) Brigg Garden Centre

Pam Woolley (Secretary)

23 June 2007
In the Church from 1.00 to 6.00 pm
With cream Tea (£5.00)
old parish records - school records
roll of honour of all men who served in World War One.

St Wilfrid’s Church Garden Fete on Sat 14 July from 2.00 pm in and around the Church. The usual stalls so please come and give your support.
St Wilfrid’s Church News

14 September 2007 at 7.00 pm
Harvest Supper in the Church Hall
£7.00 please bring you own drinks.

Please contact Margaret Amos, Brenda Robertson or Rod Sanders.

The Metheringham Chapel Gift Day will be on Saturday 30 June and will be combined with a Strawberry Tea. The Church’s clubs will be having a holiday during the summer but services will still be held on Sunday mornings at 10.30am.

We also mentioned in the Spring edition of the news magazine that next year will be our Centenary Year. The service to celebrate the anniversary will be held on Sunday 18 May 2008 but we intend to have events to mark this milestone from next May to October.

With this in mind we are planning to have an exhibition on the history of the Chapel to include shared memories about occasions and events that have taken place at the Chapel. We are, therefore, asking the people of Metheringham if you can help us with any information, pamphlets, memorabilia etc that helps us with the history of the Chapel. We would be delighted for your memories of the Chapel and if you would wish to put these into writing we would like to include them in the shared memories display.

If you have any information, memorabilia etc that we could use please contact Joyce Sellars on 321729 or Jan Munday on 323180.

See How They Run!
By
Philip King
By kind permission of Samuel French

After the success of ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ last summer, the group are really doing something different.
This 1940’s farce is a high paced comedy of mistaken identity. Set in a Middle England vicarage, this is a tale of 2 vicars, a Bishop, a risqué vicar’s wife, a visiting soldier, an escaped POW, a staid parishioner and last, but not least, Ida, the maid of the house.
Directed by Sally Wilson, this play will be performed in Metheringham Village Hall over 2 weekends.

6 & 7 July / 13 & 14 July

Tickets will be available from Info links in the high street and Metheringham Hair Saloon in Caroline Road.
For more information please contact Fran Pembery on 01526 320827.
We suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.
All new members are welcome and if you would like to join us either on stage or production side we would be delighted to see you.
Future productions in the pipe line are: 2 one act plays in November, our annual pantomime in January and another open air production in Blankney Stables next summer.

Sally Wilson

Wow, hasn’t the summer come about quickly, and what a great start on the Weather front! The start to the new year for the Swimming Pool though has once again been rocky! As many of you may have seen myself and the Chair of the Association Dian Robinson as well as 2 of the lifeguards have had our 5 minutes of fame on BBC One‘s Look North!! But not for the right reasons! Some incredibly un-thoughtful people once again broke into the Swimming Pool area, but this time took it a step further, they stole copper piping and the water meter, making the already CLEAN water once again go green. So as a result those dedicated volunteers that seem to spend their life at the pool at the moment had to jump to attention and set about cleaning the water AGAIN. We had hoped that with the wonderful sunshine we could open earlier, and mainly due to all the help we received we can still open a week early and will now open for Monday 21st May!!

………from the Chairman of Metheringham and District Swimming Pool Association

Support us an the functions we arrange or the pool could close next year!!

1) We teach youngsters to swim and improve their strokes.
2) We teach young people life-saving skills.
3) We provide facilities to enable adults to keep fit
4) We could teach adults to swim if there was interest shown and
we provide a clean, safe environment for people of all ages to have fun in “YOUR” Swimming Pool

Very few communities have a facility such as ours and we are very lucky.

So we come to the end of another eventful and entertaining football season. I am sure most people have enjoyed it and are already looking forward to the new season after a couple of months off and the odd six-a-side or two. Unfortunately our own competition had to be cancelled due to a lack of entrants but our late decision to present a “Fun Day” provided very successful and the site of the “Lanc” flying low over our sports field was a sight to behold.

Recently we were asked why we didn't mention Metheringham Heath much on our website. The basic answer given was that not much goes on there….well not since the Quarry up there stopped hosting its all night parties a few years back.

After extensive research on the internet, guess what? Not much goes on there!

We did however find some images of the old Flax Factory on the Heath, taken by some 'Urban Explorers' whose idea of a good time is to spend their spare time rooting around in England's industrial past and photographing the experience The images are quite atmospheric as befitting an old industrial building in decay and can be viewed on their urban Exploration website www.28dayslater.co.uk

Rumour suggest that the Flax Factory was built during WW2 in order to meet the War Department's insatiable demand for flax. Flax seeds were used to produce linseed oil and the fibre was used to produce rope. Post war when the demand for flax declined the mill was closed and in recent time used for processing pea vines.

We'd be grateful to hear from anyone with any memories of working there or has old photographs of their times there. Just get in touch with the Editor.

Main Street, Nocton

Opening Hours

Tue 1930 hrs - 2300 hrs
Wed 1930 hrs - 2300 hrs
Fri 1930 hrs - 2300 hrs
Sat 1930 hrs - 2300 hrs
Sun 1200 hrs - 1500 hrs
1900 hrs - 2230 hrs

New Members Welcome

Yearly Subscriptions: Adult - £5.00, Junior - £2.00, OAP - £1.00

Many thanks,

Dawn Studd
Secretary
Nocton Social Club Committee
e-mail dawnstudd@tiscali.co.uk

Famous people on our doorstep.

Humphrey F Ellis was born in the Hermitage at Metheringham on 17 July 1907. His father was the village doctor between 1894 and 1914. Humphrey went on to gain a “First” in Classics at Oxford University in 1930 and from there went on to Marlborough College to teach. Whilst here he wrote articles for Punch Magazine and in 1933 he was offered a post with the magazine as a staff writer. He became best known as a comic writer creating the ineffectual schoolmaster A.J. Wentworth whose fictional diaries were first published in the Punch magazine.

I'm researching the name Bowin and in the 1851 census I find William Bowin with the occupation that looks like 'cottager'. Obviously I'm keen to learn anything I can about the Bowins but I'm just as interested in that occupation. Can anyone tell me anything about mid nineteenth century 'cottagers' please?
Allan Williams - London allan.williams@pcprofessional.org.uk

My ancestor John Wray was born in Dunston about 1801. By 1841 he had moved to Butterwick (Lincs) where he was married to Ann Robinson of Leake and had 6 children. Does anyone have information about him before 1841?
Angela (nee Wray) angela@birdwell.force9.co.uk
(Angela has had some response to this enquiry but no doubt would appreciate more)

Does anyone have any information about the Metheringham Brass Band? I know it was active certainly in the late 1800s, and possibly in to the 1900s? I would be grateful for any information.
Also, would anybody like to see a Brass Band in the Metheringham area again? As a local brass player I think it would be great for the community
Helen D brassylady@btinternet.com

Dear Readers
You may find http://www.byersblog.co.uk interesting
Especially posts for:-
16th May 2007 / 1st May 2007 / 30th April 2007 / 19th April 2007

Peter Byers (The Eldest One)

Every Friday morning at 10.00am this friendly group meet at St Wilfrid’s Church Hall, Metheringham, to go for a walk in the surrounding area. Walks last approx. 1 hour and are suitable for pushchairs; finishing with tea, coffee, squash and a chat. Everyone is welcome!!

4 reasons to start walking:
- FOR HEALTH: Walking strengthens your heart, your bones and your muscles ……… and it helps control weight.
- FOR WEALTH: Walking is free and will enrich your life in many ways
- FOR HAPPINESS: Walking improves your mood and helps combat depression
- FOR JOY: Walk with friends or JOIN A WALKING GROUP and discover how much fun walking can be!!!!

So come along and join us for a walk on Fridays!!!!

For more information contact Sarah Pellatt on 01526 320533 or email S78ars@yahoo.co.uk

Since last we wrote the Society has had a busy time starting on 7 March when our members enjoyed an informative talk on acupuncture. At the second meeting in March Grace Timmins from the Lincoln Central Library gave a fascinating talk on the life of Alfred Lord Tennyson.
At the beginning of April Stephen Jones-Crabtree conducted a short Easter service, accompanied by Pam Rix on her keyboard. Stephen then judged the Easter Bonnets with Joan Osko winning first prize.

April closed with a musical quiz due to our guest speaker being ill and unable to attend.
On the 2nd May we enjoyed a very informative talk on the RNLI based in Skegness. Then on 16 May it was the Club’s 5th anniversary and we all enjoyed a scrumptious tea at the Canwick Golf Club, followed by a quiz on South Lincs Blind Society. Closing the month it was the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 30 May when the accounts and business for the year were discussed before members sat down to a few games of beetle drive.

The club meets every fortnight at Heighington Jubilee Hall. Anyone wishing to join must contact South Lincs Blind Society on 01476 592 775.

Welcome – just an update on how the Starlite Twirlers have faired in their competitions since we last wrote.

We started with the B.I.B.T.A. 2007 Individuals Championships in Leeds on 31 March. All our girls performed extremely well and achieved a place in each section they entered.

The adventure of living in Nocton continues. It is such an inspiring place. In fact the history has been the inspiration for most of our projects in the past few years.

In April 2006 we began two village history projects. One of those came to fruition on 28th May 2007 when Douglas Hogg, QC., MP., formally opened Nocton Village Trail, but let me go back to April 2006 when we began the journey towards creating the literature and trail markers which now mark the Trail and are the results of a lot of enthusiastic hard work.

The Annual General Meeting was very well attended, all Officers & Committee being re-elected for another year.

April was signing on night for members and the May meeting 15 new members were enrolled to bring us back to our full membership. There is still a waiting list, so if anyone wishes to join us please contact me (323559) to put your name on the list. There are no meetings in the Village Hall until September as we are now running our outings throughout the Summer months. Guests are welcome on the trips subject to seat availability (contact Doreen 321478) fares are £9.00 plus any additional costs for entry fees etc, and for the meeting it is £2.00 per visit.

This year is a special one for us as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in August with a celebratory meal at The Petwood Hotel (members only). We are at full capacity for this event so if you have put your name down and decide not to go please let Rita (320892) Ann (323559) or Margaret (321409) know by 25th June. The Club has to pay everything in advance for this event so unless there are exceptional circumstances if you have signed up and do not attend you will unfortunately be asked to pay £32.00 to cover the cost incurred. Coaches will leave the usual pick-up points at 6.00 pm.

We still have seats available for Althorp House so if you would like to go on this trip contact Doreen.

Diary Dates
5 June Walpole St Peter’s Flower Festival
27 June Thoresby Hall & Cream Tea
4 July Althorp House
1 August Cambridge
5 September David St Paul
12 September Skegness
3 October Harvest & Auction

Ann Crooks (Secretary)

Readers Group Review

The premise of this book is both intriguing and audacious, with a hint of healthy disrespect. Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll was, it seems, a lie. The girl of the title, Alice Liddell, was actually Alyss Heart, a princess of Wonderland and heir to the throne. The Looking Glass Wars, we're told, is the result of five years research by the author, who has unravelled the literary and literal conspiracy, to present the world with a tale of identity, revenge and revelation. No white rabbits, no tea parties, just an epic battle for power. It is the first in a trilogy. Debut author Frank Beddor says the idea to rework the original came to him when he saw a pack of old playing cards with Wonderland-esque figures during a visit to the British Museum. His grandmother and mother had made him read Lewis Carroll as a child, and he'd thought it 'a terrible girl's book.' So rewriting it was also an act of revenge.

The University of the Third Age is an organisation open to all persons who have retired from full-time employment (no 'A' Levels required !!!!) . The local 'campus' which celebrated it's third anniversary in March, has approximately 130 members and more than 25 activity-centred Groups.

Monthly General Meetings, addressed by guest speakers, are well attended and most members participate in one or several of the Groups whose activities range from conversational French, literature, local history. archaeology, painting for pleasure, and music appreciation, to Mah Jong, quiz teams, walks groups and a luncheon club. There are a few vacancies for new members and interested persons should contact Christine on 01522 790951 or Alan on 01522 790909.

Regards
Peter Foster
Vice Chairman (with publicity duties)

01522 850263

With all the prospects of a fine summer this year, it’s time to look at sites that offer information about travel.. First of all road conditions. Traffic England at www.trafficengland.com is a site run by the Highways Agency. This little gem will help you plan your road travel within England. It provides live traffic information updated in real time. Details of delays, incidents & roadworks are all displayed on a zoomable map. Check this out before you travel this summer.

Next up public transport with rail & bus travel, Lincoln Council run an excellent interactive site at www.ukbus.co.uk which provides a travel planner for all of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. The site is a joy to use being both easy to enter travel details and obtain results. National Rail also provide a useful page at www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/MGM.html that details of the facilities available at Metheringham Rail Station.

If you’re travelling abroad this summer, you could do worse than check out this site, www.uk-airport-news.info which has all the latest details of happenings at the UK’s airports including the latest flight arrival and departure times.

Finally, given the unpredictability of our nation’s weather, then you could do worse than checking out the latest weather forecast at www.metoffice.gov.uk before stepping outdoors. The Met Office provide 5 day forecast for all of the UK on this site.

Whatever you do this summer, wherever you go, travel safe.

The Weaver.

It has a busy Spring for Metheringham WI so I make no apologies for the length of report.
Firstly, Metheringham WI has re-elected Audrey Webb as president for a further year. The committee has been increased with the addition of Coral Earney and Dot Howes. 28 members including two new recruits attended the AGM on Wednesday 14th March. Trophies were presented for the most points for the Flower of the Month which went to Audrey Webb, the most points in the monthly competitions which went to Cathy Mitcham and the Overall trophy went to Audrey Webb with 76 points. Cathy was second with 75.

The Mobile Skate Park (provided by the Parish Council for local youngsters) will be coming to the Star & Garter Car Park, Metheringham during the Summer
PLEASE TELL YOUR KIDS
Wed 25 & Thurs 26 July and
Wed 29 & Thurs 30 August
between
11.00—4.00 pm

For Blankney Cricket Club the new season has seen one of their worst starts in recent seasons The 1st XI’s opening game saw them knocked out of the Premier Trophy at home to Scothern and the next game again at home to Morton was washed out. On the road they visited champions Cherry Willingham and were well beaten. A week-end break saw them able to regroup and in their latest game they picked up their first win at home to Nettleham. Chasing 184 they reached their target for the loss of only four wickets thanks to fifties from Jason Davies and Phil Woodcock.

For the 2nd XI it has been a new learning curve as they have ventured into unknown territory in the South Lincs and boarders League and to date they have last all four of the games they have played. Things have proved no better for the two mid-week sides who are both still in search of their first wins. Just to add insult to injury our scenic ground is presently plagued with moles which are proving more than difficult to catch. One has to say things can only get better.

If anyone is interested in joining the club they are more than welcome - please contact Secretary Pete Ford on 01526 320016

In the Autumn it is hoped to resume the History Group Walks which were so popular a couple of years ago. Keep an eye out in this magazine or on the village notice board for an update

Heather Morrison

At the time of writing MAWS volunteers are going a pace as they try to raise every penny they can. They are in the middle of their “Mad fortnight” when they “carry the can” door to door collecting any change the public so generously give them. This is from 28 May to 10 June inclusive. Metheringham and some of the surrounding village are to be covered. You may have seem them out and about already, trying to dodge the rain and didn’t it rain. They all have MAWS collecting boxes and ID’s and the essential umbrella, so can be easily recognised.

There was a fantastic turnout for the massive Plant Sale and Spring Fair in the village hall on Saturday 12th May. An army of volunteers filled the hall with foliage on Friday evening, stewarded the event, sold raffle tickets and served refreshments and then cleared and cleaned the hall – all in and out within 24 hours. The event was the first for the village hall fundraising sub-committee who worked tirelessly to achieve such a fantastic display.

Our season, which runs generally from the beginning of May to the end of August, is now well and truly under way. True to form, the weather broke as the season began, but bowlers are a fairly hardy lot and do not allow a few chilly nights and a drop of rain to deter them from turning out to play for the club.

The Friends of Dunston School have had a fantastic Spring Term of fundraising events. Our February Charity Auction raised over £1,200, with proceeds shared School and N.C.H. The Children’s charity. Our annual Race Night in april at the red Lion raised over £1,600. This will go a long way towards providing new books and fixtures for the proposed new library at Dunston St Peter’s C.E. Primary School.

Minutes 11/2007 of Metheringham Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 27th March 2007 at 7.15pm in the Village Hall.

For community projects in the Lincoln City or LN4 area only. Note the closing date of 15th June.
Update (05 Jun 07): Closing date extended to 24th June 07
Apply quickly to qualify.

METHERINGHAM AREA COMMUNITY LEISURE ASSOCIATION
(M.A.C.L.A.)
2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1. Notice convening the Meeting
I hereby give notice that the Annual General Meeting of Metheringham Area Community Leisure Association will be held in Star & Garter Metheringham Thursday 24th 2007 at 7.30 pm.

2. Roll call and apologies
Present John Wood (Chairman), Pete Ford (Secretary), Mike Keal (Treasurer), Dr Michael Allen, Bill Chambers, Dot Howes, Di Robinson, Sally Wilson (8)
Apologies: Geoff Brown, Cathy Brown, Heather Morrison, Jill Spooner