Activity: November 2008 Archives
Blankney Cricket Club held their end of season Presentation Evening and Dance at Branston Hall Hotel at the end of October with around 50 members attending.
For the club the season had seen its ups and downs with the Saturday side finishing in sixth place in their South Lincs and Borders League and the Sunday XI closing the season in seventh position in the Lincoln Premier League. In the Mid-Week League's the Estates side finished third in Division One - their highest ever finish - and also reached the final of the Senior Cup, which will be played at the start of the 2009, due to the weather causing it to be cancelled. The Club XI, made up this year of a more youthful side, finished eighth in the Second Division but only managed to play four games, again mainly due to the weather.
Several players featured in the League Awards with Saturday side player Lee Allman finishing top of the Outfield Catches Award with 11 catches, while Simon Behan was the second highest run-maker in Division Three. In the Sunday League, new captain Will Carter collected the most catches in all the leagues with thirteen Outfield Catches. He also collected the second most wickets in the League, with 30 victims. Lee Allman had the ninth highest batting average with 28.82 and Andy Foster was fourth highest in the Wicket Keeping, with 7 victims.
The Club Awards, presented on the Evening were:
Saturday Batting - Simon Behan
Saturday Bowling - Lee Allman
Saturday Catch of Season - Lee Allman
Player of Season - Lee Allman
Sunday Batting - Will Carter
Sunday Bowling - Will Carter
Sunday Player of Season - Will Carter
Sunday Catch of the Season - Simon Atkinson
Mid Week XI Batting - Simon Behan
Mid Week XI Bowling - Matt Blackband
Mid Week Estate XI - Will Carter
Mid Week Bowling - Bruce Donald
Clubman of Season - David Pearse
Young Player of the Season - Callum Steele
The Club is always looking for new players and with four sides playing, mid-week between May and August, together with a Saturday side and a Sunday side, there has to be an opportunity to suit the needs of lots of players out there. The club also has a Bar, with drinks at a competitive price.
A Metheringham Reading Group Review
A feel-good book? Happy endings, but predictable and far-fetched. The characters' problems are strictly of their own making so does that make it harder to identify or sympathise with them? Are we interested in how they resolve their problems? Scene and plot descriptions are light and easy to follow - or dull and predictable!
I liked the description of the son weeping into a large blue handkerchief, homesick and disappointed. I liked the way Binchy told his story at a remove. Both father and son were stubborn and proud, much more like one another than they would admit. The story begins and ends at the taverna, the son's homecoming dance an echo of the dance at the funeral.
Jayne
We gave it a score of 5 for enjoyment and 4½ for the quality of the writing.
Opinions were sharply divided on this book. Those who like Maeve Binchy's work agreed that they prefer her to write about and set her characters in Ireland.
Everyone appeared to enjoy the outing to Brigg Garden Centre in October. The bus was full as usual, with 48 passengers, who all enjoyed lunch at the Centre on arrival before an afternoon of shopping.
Our Christmas Stall was held in the Chapel Hall on 20 November and was well supported.
On 11 December we will be having coffee and mince pie at our Coffee Morning. Then on 18 December we have been kindly invited by the Village Hall Committee to the Village Hall where we are to be entertained by the Metheringham Pre-School children. Again coffee and mince pies will be served. Those attending are asked to be seated by 10.00 am. please.
Pam Woolley (Secretary)
The Lindum Accordion Club continues to thrive and to meet at Wragby Town Hall on the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings start at 7.30pm and are freely open to visitors (except the December meeting, which is our ticket-only Christmas Social. Sorry!)
On 18 March 2009, we are to be entertained by Rob Thorn, who is undoubtedly one of the country's top accordionists.
Still only 23 years old, Rob won United Kingdom Championship honours at the tender age of 19. He last appeared at the Lindum Accordion Club in 2005, where his lively style of playing and his endearing personality made him an instant hit with the audience. If you like "live" music, then you'll love Rob's musicianship.
There will be no admission charge for the evening, and non-members will be made welcome. It would be good to see you there - enjoying a night to remember.
For other information about the Lindum Accordion Club, please contact Geoff Brown on (01526) 321490
Metheringham Animal Welfare Supporters volunteers have been busy behind the scenes getting ready for their Christmas Market. Short of drivers this year to collect prizes and put out posters and road signs etc. so the faithful few have worked twice as hard. What is it they say about working the willing horse? Ticketing up the Tombola prizes (over 500) is a job and a half but great fun. Some how all gets done in the nick of time.
On Saturday 15 November in Metheringham Village Hall the market opened its doors to customers eager to buy their Christmas presents and goodies. Many head for the snack bar to sample the home cooking. The raffle looks good with 70 fantastic prizes plus the star prize, a mountain bike! A good assortment of craft and gift stalls, books, toys, jewellery, preserves etc., something for everyone. But it is noticeable that there was less money about. A sign of the times I guess. The bills are not yet in but we hope to have a profit of about £800. Down on last year by almost £100. Still every penny raised is a small step in the right direction.
MAWS committee would like to thank all the wonderful folk who donated all the prizes, all the volunteers who worked so hard, both on the day and behind the scene all year. A special thank you, to the six new volunteers who jumped in at the eleventh hour at the market and saved the day. A massive thank you to the public for their generous support, without whom MAWS could do nothing. Bless you all for caring.
Have a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.
Joyce Muncey (Sec)
Events for 2009
Fri 20 Feb - an evening of clairvoyance with John Wattam from Doncaster in Metheringham Village Hall - doors open at 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm start. Raffle / refreshments. Admission by ticket only (£5.00) more information and tickets - phone 01526 321436
Sat 4 April / 6 June / 1 Aug / 3 Oct - Table Top / Car Boots, Metheringham Village Hall - phone above no. for further details.
Starlite Twirlers
We would like to keep you all updated with what has been happening in Starlite Twirlers over the last few months.
Before the last competition, to help with costume costs, it was decided that a sponsored spin would be arranged.
On the day it was set into four sections, the winners of each section were: Rosie MacDavid, Mia Coucom, Shannon Brammer and Claire McDavid who all received chocolates.
We are preparing for our next visit to Trangé, our twin village 8kms west of Le Mans. This will take place next April. Each year we visit each other - alternatively in France and England. There is always a programme of events to enjoy along with some free time with your host family. We will travel by Eurostar again as it was so enjoyable last time. We hope eventually to be able to set off from Metheringham now the St Pancras station terminus has opened.
This year has seen the establishment a link between the primary schools in the two villages. Children are exchanging letters and learning about life in a different country. We hope to support this link as much as we can as we know how valuable cross channel friendships are!
If you are interested in twinning contact us for information.
We are planning a Casino Evening in Dunston village hall on 28 February.
Tickets will be available from Beth McLuckie 321919 or Ralph Timms 322515
Angels have had yet another successful year. They took part in the UBT competition in Great Yarmouth over the weekend of the 17 - 20 October and came home with a clutch of medals and trophies. In total they won 24 1st places, 18 2nd places and 7 3rd places. The girls had all been working very hard and this paid off particularly for the tinies who won first place in all 3 of their sections and Junior Baton won first place beating 5 other troupes for the top spot.
We are actively recruiting new members, so anyone age 5 and over why not come along and have a try. We train on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons, for more information call Cathy Taylor-Ramond on: 01526 323589.
Metheringham Pre-School (formerly Playgroup) has been established for approximately 40 years and has always been housed in the Village Hall - I'm sure a number of people reading this article will have belonged to the group in their early years.
The group was started by a group of parents for children and their parents and its main aim is and always has been to provide a happy, secure learning environment for children where they can gain confidence, knowledge and socialise with others from the local community. Many friendships started at the Playgroup have endured the test of time.
The group has always joined in with community activities from the days of the Carnival Floats to the present day Fayre and Feast and continues to do so, helping to instil a sense of belonging from an early age.
Over the years the group has evolved and is now registered and inspected by Ofsted. At the last inspection in 2006 the Pre-School education was judged as outstanding and, at that time, was the first pre-school in Lincolnshire to achieve that standard.
The atmosphere is welcoming, the Staff and Committee are friendly, approachable and caring and their greatest wish is to help further the all-round development of happy, secure children.
The group is registered as a Charity with the main source of income being attendance fees. Although the groups finances are currently okay, because numbers of children have reduced and other costs have risen, over the last couple of years the financial position has started to deteriorate.
The Committee must raise more funds and needs the communities help with this. This will make sure that the group continues to provide an excellent standard of service for children in the local area and can continue to run in future years.
So far the plans include:
* Making a small increase in the feesin January (this won't affect thosewho are getting free nursery places)
* Doing more to advertise the Preschool for example in the MACLA Magazine
* More fund raising events such as asking for a contribution for relatives (other than parents) to attend the Christmas Nativity play
* Sponsorship from within the local community. for example, a Race Night in November hosted by the Star and Garter in Metheringham.
Please support the group. You may have ideas for raising funds, or know of people that would be prepared to sponsor the group, if so, let Anna Russel, the Pre-School leader know. Sponsorship can take different forms for example via donations, or providing raffle prizes etc.
The Committee's main job is to concentrate on raising funds for the Pre-School. We are only a very small group and few have children currently attending. We have 3 main meetings a year and the next one is Wednesday 28 January 2009, 8.00pm at the Star and Garter, Metheringham, please join us.
Pauline Moore - Chairperson
In January 2000 a small group of local people responded to an Ad placed in the Post Office. Basically it said anyone who would like to form an Art Group should meet at 1 Wrays Yard to discuss the prospect. About a dozen people came and NAG was born. We initially decided to meet in our kitchen on a Tuesday afternoon and evening, allowing those folk who were working an opportunity to come in the evening. It wasn't long before we had to transfer to the Village Hall and there has been a good core of about 20 people meeting regularly ever since. (We now meet only on a Tuesday afternoon).
The original intention was for a group of like-minded people to be able to encourage each other, sharing skills and experience on a workshop situation. This does go on but it soon became evident that some basic input on 'how-to-do-it' was really needed. An exploration of media and techniques slowly followed. Handouts and projects which explained and explored some of the basics gradually emerged.
But let me tell you about Polly. One evening in the week following the decision to form the group there was a knock on my door. When I opened it I was confronted with a 12 year old young lady clutching a small folder in her hand. She said "I wonder if I could join the Art Club?" She explained that she had some drawings, offering to show me what she had done (" If they are good enough"). Well, to be frank, I was astonished at the maturity of the pencil drawings which she had brought to show me. So, Polly became the youngest member of the group. She did very well at 'O' level and is now completing a degree course in Sheffield - on a totally unrelated area!
Some of the group who came to those first sessions are still coming. But, like most groups, some people have come to learn a little while others have been for the companionship or to help them over a difficult period in their lives. Some have come to learn how to eg "paint in water-colour" but most have stayed because whatever we do they are being offered an insight into Art in a wider context. I must say its a great delight sharing in their thrill of discovery and achievement. Over the years we have all learned something , even if its how to have a laugh at ourselves when things go "Blot".
What has been good for me is to see how people's work has matured. It is great to see what people can achieve given the encouragement and support. But, I have to say I am not content to do "flowers" in water colours year in and year out. To me that would be like going to Grimsby for your holidays every year! No, I want to do new things, explore life and, I hope, our group reflects something of that.
My thanks to Odile for her support and to everyone who has persevered with us through my eccentricities and teaching style.
PS - my apologies to anyone who comes from, lives or loves Grimsby - especially as a holiday resort!
We held our annual sponsored walk in October, on a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon. Over 100 people took part in the three and a half mile walk around the fields surrounding our village. The event was fantastically well organised as usual and we express our thanks to Sally and Garrie Darling for their hard work. Although we have not yet received a grand total raised, we are sure to have added considerably to the pot of money waiting to be spent on the new library. Thanks to all the walkers and all who sponsored them too!
Our next event will be the school Christmas Fayre to be held on Friday 12 December between 3 and 4.30pm in the school. All are welcome to join us for stalls, games, refreshments and Christmas entertainment.
In the new year, look out for our upcoming events which will include a repeat of last years highly successful 'torchlight treasure hunt', and hopefully a pamper evening for all the ladies.
Jenny Hutchinson (Secretary) 01526321627
The football club is urgently looking for players who feel they could do a good job for one of our three senior sides. The Saturday XI play in the Lincoln Saturday League, the Sunday 1st XI plays in the Lincoln Sunday Premier League and the Sunday 2nd XI in Division Four. If you are up to the challenge please contact Club Secretary, Pete Ford on 01526 320016
Another year nearly over for Metheringham's W.I. Meetings. There are just two more to conclude the year. In November there will be a talk on Dolls houses and their furniture and December, The Christmas Social.
All the previous meetings were well attended, interesting and successful. October was an open meeting when the Bourne Borderers Morris Dancers demonstrated their skills - sticks and all!! It was great fun, especially when we had a go.Their visit was well advertised around the village and it was a shame we only had a few visitors. It was a "Fun evening".
The Make, Bake and Show was held in Great Hale Village Hall this year. There were many entries and Metheringham came a very creditable 4/27. jean Simpson and Coral Earney won cups for needlework and photography.
The Craft Evening in October was taken by some of our skilful members. We could have a go at paper-folding, making petit-fours, knotting techniques and cross-stitching.
2009 commences with the Christmas Dinner, to be held at Blankney Golf Club.
Don't forget - there is always room for new members and visitors. Meetings are held in Metheringham Village Hall on the third Wednesday of every month.
The Halloween Fancy Dress Disco was a big success with many children receiving their badges and certificates from Kerri and Becky, the swimming teachers. Kerri has taken over from Dave Williams and Becky is the Assistant teacher. Becky is "Home Grown" in that she swam in the pool as a child, went onto Rookie Lifeguards, then Bronze Medallion and Lifeguarded at the pool. She assisted the Rookie instructor at the pool and Lifeguarded for the school lessons. She trained as a LIVES First Responder and can often be seen on duty in the Village. We are very proud of her.
If you would like to follow in Becky's footsteps and would be interested in Lifeguarding and earning part time money in the Summer, then contact Dian on 07932 520362 or 01526 321581. If you are 15/16 you can train during the Spring to start work when the pool opens in May. Branston Community College offers training to pupils, and you have to be 16 years old to work with us. Alternatively, we offer Rookie Lifeguard courses to young people as a fun sport and an introduction to lifesaving and water safety. Children need to be secondary school age preferably, classes are on Tuesday evenings, for an hour and start from 6pm.
The Association are very grateful to the family and friends of Dian Willis, who sadly died recently. Dian requested that any money raised at her funeral be given to the swimming pool. Dian was involved with the pool from it's beginning. We have commissioned a wooden seat from a local craftsmen to be put in the pool picnic area, and we will put a plaque on it to remember her generosity. Also, thanks are given to the patrons of the Star and Garter, who donated the proceeds from the annual vegetable show to the swimming pool. We may have to spend the majority of both donations on replacing the Summer covers, which are totally beyond repair now.
Dian Robinson
Returning to the Premier League after an absence of a number of years Martin Cricket Club did themselves proud, finishing fourth and reaching the final of the Village Trophy. They held their Presentation Evening at the Royal Oak Martin on Sat15 November with the following awards presented to:
Batting Dave Newman
Bowling Dave Newman
Fielding Ryan Simpkins
Most Improved Player Tom Harrison
Player's Player Dave Gollop
In memory of Charlie Whitaker (president) and Trevor Davies (chairman), who both died at the end of 2007, the Club donated a seat to the village. This was sited outside the Village Hall.
We have had a very busy few months with our Harvest / Auction, the Jar Stall at the Fayre and Feast and our Coffee Morning, in total we raised £1,150 for club funds. On behalf of the Committee I would like to say a sincere thank you to all our helpers and those who have supported us at these events.
Our last trip of the year is to Thursford for the Christmas Spectacular.
The Christmas Dinner is well in hand, this is a Members only meeting for those members who have a valid ticket and qualify for the event.
The Summer holiday to Eastbourne was, I am reliably informed, a great success, especially the visit to the Brighton Pavilion.
Tinsel and Turkey holiday this year will be celebrated in Wales.
If anyone has suggestions for the trips next year please tell a member of the Committee so we may take them into consideration when planning next year's agenda.
We still have a long waiting list for membership, so if you are approaching sixty years or over and think you would like to join us, please let us know so we can place your name on the list. New members will not be enrolled until May 2009 but visitors are welcome from January 2009 at a cost off £2.00 per person per visit. For this you get an evening entertainment with tea/ coffee and biscuit at the interval.
Diary dates
9 January G & T
4 February Nick and Anita
4 March AGM
On behalf of the committee I wish all members, friends and supporters a Happy Christmas and All Good Wishes for a Prosperous New Year.
Ann Crooks (Secretary)
In the words of our chairman, John Sutton, at our recent AGM, 2008 was a "nearly season". We nearly won everything but ended up winning very little. However we were the League Champions in the EBA Triples League - the first match we lost was the very last one of the season. In all our other leagues we performed very well, and came very close to the top of the tables in most of them. As John (Sutty) said in his address, Metheringham is now a team to be reckoned with, at every level.
A lot of work has been done on our green since the end of the 2008 season in early September. Contractors were brought in and the whole green was deeply scarified, then five tons of top dressing and 5 tons of top soil were applied. Following that the whole green was re-seeded. Further work has also been done, and after a bit of TLC from our green-keeper, Maurice White, by the end of April 2009 it should be fit for the crème de la crème and will be the envy of all our competitors.
Unfortunately all this work has to be paid for, so our fund raising is ongoing. We had a successful coffee morning in the pavilion in early September. And this year, for the first time in many years, we booked a stand at Metheringham Feast because Graham Dales, one of our members, had generously donated a Mountain Bike. We raffled the bike off and made lots of money for the club - but special thanks to Nigel Maitland-Powell (formerly of the Scarf and Goggles) who stood at the side of our stand, yelled like a fish wife, and brought in the punters - and of course many thanks to Graham, for giving us the bike in the first place. (The bike was won by H. Houlden of Lincon Rd. Metheringham, the whiskey was won by Mr R Snell, of Pullman Close, Metheringham and the sweets were won by J. Browett of Princess Margaret Ave., Metheringham).
Next Spring we shall again be joining forces with the Football Club to stage a race night - more about that in the next issue of the MACLA magazine.
We would like to wish all our members and supporters a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
If you would like to play bowls, please contact me -
Dawn Smith on 01526 320502 or e-mail me - dawnsmith@homecall.co.uk
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