Metheringham News 26 November 2009

From Dot Howes

Metheringham WI's November speaker was Family History researcher Lesley Walker. Members had had quite a busy month with various events and a theatre trip. The tombola stall at the Fayre and Feast raised £227 and the stall theme was Cats, the musical. The darts A team have so far won all their matches with the B team doing slightly less well.

The Table Tennis team also won their first game. Plans were finalised for the quiz on 20th, the table top sale on 21st and the trip to Chatsworth on 26th November. Members were reminded that under the new voting scheme the slips for choosing the final resolution from the short list are now in the members' magazine WI Life and need to be completed and handed to Ronnie or Audrey as soon as possible. Another new thing to be commented on was the new WI logo - no comment!!

The competition for a family heirloom was won by Mandy Stewart with Adele Riddell and Cynthia Dobbs in equal second place. The flower of the month was a three way draw between Mary Goddard, Jean Bradley and Moira Sturdy. Next month's meeting will be the members' festive social evening on December 16th at 7.15p.m. in the village hall. Don't forget your plate of food and a gift (under£3).

The large wooden shield in the Infolinks will soon be removed for polishing as entries come in for Barry's Best Decorated House competition 2009. As usual anyone in the village may enter free of charge but houses cannot be judged unless registered at the Infolinks office. Closing date for entries is Monday 21st December and the judging will take place later that day. Who will get the very generous prize and have their name on the shield this year? You have to be in it to win it so don't forget to sign in.

Next weekend is Dunston St Peter's Church Christmas Tree Festival. Trees from local groups have been entered and will have to do well to improve on last year's excellent display. The Festival will open on Friday 4th at 6.00p.m. with the help of the Silver Sounds band, mulled wine and the lights being switched on on the Christmas Tree. The church will be open free of charge from 2.00 - 4.00p.m. on Saturday and Sunday 5th and 6th December. Refreshments will be available and there will be other activities to join in with.

Saturday 5th December will be a busy day for the village youth groups. Metheringham Football Club are holding a Christmas Fayre in the village hall between 10.00a.m. and 12 noon. Along with festive refreshments there will be various stalls, games and activities for all the family to join in with. Across at the Scouting Centre Metheringham Scout Group will be holding their Xmas Fayre also between 10.00a.m. and 12 noon. Along with mince pies, toys and games stalls Santa will be in his Grotto.

The Scouts Christmas Postal Service 2009 will be launched on November 30th and will run through to Thursday December 17th. Letters for delivery to Metheringham, Dunston, Scopwick and Nocton should have the full postal address on the envelope. Stamps will be 15p but deliveries cannot be made to the heath or the fen.

Why not sponsor a bauble on St Wilfrid's Tree of Remembrance ? To remember a loved one for £3 per bauble contact Margaret Amos on 01526 321049 or Ann de Fries on 01526 321363.

It has been a quiet month for crime in Metheringham. CPSO Lisa Duckworth reported to Metheringham Parish Council that there had been a burglary on Metheringham Fen. Another burglary on 24th November was witnessed, reported and the culprits apprehended. The local police have also been concentrating on trying to stop hare coursing in the area and apprehended some suspects on Metheringham Fen on Sunday 22nd.

There was a meeting at the Star and Garter on Wednesday 25th November to discuss the 2009 Fayre and Feast. Vice -Chairman of the Parish Council, Jenni Honisett presented the framed certificate for Best Dressed Business Premises to Karen Grummitt of Karen's Kuts for her interpretation of Phantom of the Opera. The framed certificate for the best dressed market-type stall went to Roy and Liz Rogers from Metheringham Football Club for their interpretation of Oliver.

There was an additional one-off framed certificate presented by the judges because they could not include Metheringham Methodist Church in either category but felt the team of ladies who gave such an innovative floral interpretation of several musicals should not go unrecognised. The certificate was presented to John Duggins on the flower arrangers' behalf.

Councillor Mike Reynolds thanked all the councillors and stewards who had helped with the Fayre and Feast and without whom the event could not have gone ahead. He highlighted the role of the Mission X volunteers in erecting and dismantling the market stalls and for stewarding during the event. He also felt the Starlite Twirlers should have a special mention for continuing to parade and perform in the inclement weather. The accounts were presented and showed that there was a profit on the event of nearly £600.

Before opening the meeting to the room Mr Reynolds said that the organising committee would be meeting every two months during the year to keep on top of arrangements. The date for 2010 is provisionally set as October 23rd with a theme to be decided though several ideas have already been put forward. The open forum comments related to improving the stall content and extending the hours of operation for some stalls; the lack of steam organs; using a band in the parade; improving the sound quality, especially to the north side of the High Street; stopping the sale of sticky, staining spray string.

The comment that there were too many tombola stalls and not enough to do at the event will hopefully encourage some of the tombola stalls to make a change of activity on their stalls in 2010. A stall less reliant on donations may also be able to run longer and avoid the empty areas in the evening.

Following the discussion refreshments prepared by the Star and Garter were served.