News: March 2010 Archives

From Dot Howes

Metheringham Amateur Dramatics ( MAD ) held their Annual General Meeting at Blankney Old School on 24th March with a very pleasing turnout of 26 members. Chairman Gaynor Little and treasurer Ingrid Burns were re-elected for another year. The new secretary is Sue Kelly and Fran Pembery has taken over as Membership secretary. The rest of the committee are Ken Frape, Rob Halls, Dian Robinson, Sally Wilson, Roz Treadwell, Pat Healey and Amanda Whitehead In her report Gaynor outlined the successes and disappointments of the various productions during the year. The disappointments of deferring Starlight Bethlehem and the Radio review and the one wet Twelfth Night were overshadowed by the success of The Allotment at the Sleaford Festival, The Shakespeare Review, the rest of Twelfth Night and the Pantomime, Pirate Treasure.

She asked for members to turn out and help when required to move scenery and props and sort out the container as the group are currently looking for more storage area, having lost one of the buildings they have been using.

MAD will be very sorry to see Anne and John Harrison leaving the village hall and she hopes their successor will be as helpful and considerate of the hirers as they have been.
Productions for the coming year include the Shakespeare Review which will be re-vitalised and reduced to be performed at the Sleaford Live festival, Allo Allo in June, the Radio show in the autumn and the Pantomime and possibly a production of Willy Russell's One Day Out next year. A Gala performance of Allo Allo will take place in aid of St Wilfrid's Church roof fund on June 17th.

Gaynor said that the success of a production should not be only gauged in financial terms but also on artistic terms and she felt members should be encouraged to be brave, experiment and use their imagination and also to take on directing and backstage roles.

The accounts showed a slight loss on the year but less than the previous year and still leaving a healthy balance. The auditor had given the group some pointers for recording expenses and membership.

The meeting agreed to allow Darren Hawbrook to create and manage a MAD website which will provide news of MAD activities and forthcoming auditions and productions as well as archive material, photos etc.

The meeting also had a long discussion about the administration of the membership. Resolutions were eventually carried to make all subscriptions due on 1st September, to facilitate the setting up of standing orders to pay for subscriptions, to have a membership card which can also be used to ensure membership has been paid before involvement in MAD productions and to obtain concessions where applicable. Auditions are open to anyone regardless of membership. It was also agreed to allow the committee to confirm and clarify to members the benefits of membership.
Following the closure of the meeting there was a short informal quiz.

There will be a blood doning session in the village hall on Tuesday 6th April.

2010 Easter services for the Methodist Church and St Wilfrid's are as follows:
Maundy Thursday 1st April, St Wilfrid's Church, Holy Communion at 7.30 p.m.
Good Friday 2nd April, Metheringham Methodist Church, service at 10.30 a.m. St Wilfrid's Church, Compline service at 7.30p.m.
Easter Sunday 4th April, St Wilfrid's Church, joint service at 10.30a.m.

There will be a Spring Fayre in Metheringham Village Hall on Saturday 8th May 2010 between 9.30a.m. and 1.00p.m. Tables are £6 and can be booked with Gwyneth on 01526 322633.

The Blankney Crossing will be closed to road traffic on Tuesday 20th April between 8.30a.m. and 3.30p.m.

Metheringham Village Hall Management Committee is seeking to appoint a Cleaner.

This is a part time post and will include general cleaning and tidying of the Village Hall to a high standard.

A flexible approach to working is necessary as the person appointed will need to clean the hall in between bookings.

A salary will be paid monthly depending on the hours worked.

If you would like to apply for the above position or would like further details please contact:-

Ms Sharon Wetherall
PO Box 1055
Metheringham
LINCOLN
LN4 3WW

Or E-mail:- clerk@metheringham.org.uk

Closing date for applications:- Tuesday 6th April 2010

From Dot Howes.

There was a low turnout for the Open Evening to discuss the possibility of Metheringham's Community Led Plan on Tuesday night.

Fiona Lowe from Community Links introduced a short film about how other local villages both larger and smaller than Metheringham had worked together to create Community led Plans for their own villages. There was a short discussion and questions before those present indicated some of their likes, dislikes and hopes for Metheringham. Obviously if you weren't there yours may not be on the list! Community Led Plans can take several years to complete but over 40 have now been finished in the county. The process involves inviting members of the community to sit on a steering group, they then invite the community to say what they want and need in their community and then the results are analysed and a document created. The document is then used by local government, local agencies and in funding applications for the coming 10 -15 years.
The suggestions may be about supporting the existing and improving rather than changing and developing new features, services and facilities. There is support from Community Links throughout the process and there are various funding opportunities for the process.

The Community Led Plan is not a "Parish Council thing" though the clerk would be the person to contact at this stage if you are interested in helping in any way but were unable to attend the meeting. This is your chance to make a difference and to improve our village.

To get you in the mood for the Grand National, Metheringham Football Club are holding a Race Night in the Star & Garter from 8p.m. on Friday 9th April. Horses can be purchased for £5 from Butch or any FC member

MAWS (Metheringham Animal Welfare Supporters Group) are holding a Table Top/ Car Boot on Saturday 10th April in the Village Hall between 8.30a.m. - 1.00p.m.

Audrey Webb was re-elected unanimously to serve as Metheringham WI President for another year at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 17th March 2010. In her annual report the secretary, Ronnie Wright, gave a sketch of just how busy the institute has been this past year with speakers, visits, crafts, sporting activities and other federation events not to mention the Kinema, Lincolnshire Show and helping the Brownies. One of the highlights had been the 75th birthday party and another was the visit from Dennett's Ice Cream. In her President's address Audrey highlighted the number of new members who had joined, the institutes involvement in the village and in the federation and how there was always laughter at meetings.

Treasurer Brenda Hutchison presented the accounts which showed a surplus for the year of over £350. The accounts were approved and the committee re-elected with no changes.

Trophies were presented for the monthly competitions with Moira Sturrdy winning both the cup for most points in the Flower of the Month and the overall points trophy and Cynthia Dobbs winning the cup for the most competition points. Sue Clarke won the trophy for the highest score at Ten pin Bowling over the year - 151.

During the ordinary business of the meeting there was a report on the Spring Council meeting where the Federation Chairman Pat Read stepped down as chair and two of our members won Take a Chance prizes. There are many opportunities for members coming up over the rest of the year - everything from Japan to making trinket boxes to A day at the Races.

Members will be attending the Phoenix Group meeting at Rauceby on March 25th and have a table booked for the Spring Fair in Metheringham Village Hall on May 8th.
Following refreshments the members played Bag Beetle. Next month's meeting will be on Health Care with Sean Barkes and the competition is for something beginning with B.IT is on Wednesday April 21st at 7.15p.m. visitors are welcome for £1.50.

From Dot Howes

Metheringham Amateur Dramatics (MAD) are holding their Annual General Meeting in Blankney Old School at 7.30p.m. on Wednesday 24th March.
Please bring own refreshments.

Metheringham Village Hall Management Committee is looking for a Caretaker. This is a part time position responsible for the caretaking and day to day maintenance of the village hall, taking bookings and unlocking and locking up as required. There will be a monthly salary relevant to number of hours worked. Closing date for applications is Thursday 18th March. Please apply to the Parish Clerk at Metheringham Parish Council, PO Box 1055, Metheringham, Lincoln LN4 3WW or e-mail clerk@metheringham.org.uk

The Silver Sounds Band are looking for more players to join them. If you play a brass band or percussion instrument at grade 2 or above and would like to join the band or find out more about it please contact Roy and Helen Duncan on 01526 323860 or e-mail brassylady@btinternet.com. Tuition, instrument loan and music are all provided and practice is on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Scopwick and Kirkby Green Village Hall is reopening after its refurbishment with a 70s and 80s night on March 27th between 8p.m. and midnight. There will be a hog roast and bar and tickets are £7.50 available from the Royal Oak 01526 320285.

Start sorting out your items for the 50:50 auction in Metheringham Village Hall on Saturday 27th March. Items can be delivered to the hall between 5p.m. and 8p.m. on Friday 26th March. Only the first 140 lots will be accepted. Viewing will be from 8.00a.m. on the Saturday with lots going under the hammer from 10.00a.m. Proceeds will go to the village hall.

From Dot Howes

There will be a Mega Quiz and Fish and Chip Supper night on Friday 12th March in the St Wilfrid's Church Hall to raise funds to pay for St Wilfrid's Church Roof repairs. The quiz begins at 7.00p.m. and tickets are £5 per head available from Rod on 07904 017005.

The Lent lunches for 2010 are on Friday 19th and 26th March and Good Friday 2nd April in St Wilfrid's Church Hall between 12noon and 1.30p.m. Home Made soup, Roll and butter with cheese and a hot drink costs just £2.50 with all proceeds to the Tear Fund and the Air Ambulance. To help or to donate raffle prizes please contact June Greenhough on 01526
328642

There will be a Racketball Open Day at Metheringham Squash Rackets Club on Saturday 13th March from 12 noon till 5.00p.m. Racketball is the fastest growing sport in the U.K. and is suitable for any age or ability. There will be an exhibition match and the opportunity for the whole family to have a go. Please bring non-marking shoes, other equipment will be provided.

Metheringham WI holds its' 2010 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 17th March at 7.15p.m. in the village hall. After the business of the meeting and election of the committee there will be a game or two of Bag Beetle.

From Dot Howes

There will be a Mega Quiz and Fish and Chip Supper night on Friday 12th March in the St Wilfrid's Church Hall to raise funds to pay for St Wilfrid's Church Roof repairs. The quiz begins at 7.00p.m. and tickets are £5 per head available from Rod on 07904 017005.