45. Winter 2011: November 2011 Archives

As another year comes towards its conclusion, I, on behalf of MACLA, wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Again you will note that I have been pushed further and further into the corner as the demand for space for articles is in more and more demand. I am sure there is something for everyone in this issue. I hope and trust the new brighter and glossy cover to the magazine is now accepted by all. There were reservations by some people initially but in all honesty I feel it is now more eye-catching.
Enjoy the read.

Blankney St Oswald
Sunday 18 December - Carol Service - 4.30 pm Mulled wine, tea / coffee and mince pies to follow
Thursday 22 December - Blankney Hunt Carol Service - 7.00pm
Christmas Day - Holy Communion with Carols - 9.00 am

Dunston St Peter & Methodist
Friday 9 December 6.30pm: Churches together Light a Light Carol Service in St Peter's
followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
Monday 12 December 2.15pm: School Carol Service in St Peter's
Christmas Eve 11.30pm: Churches together Carols by Candlelight in the Chapel
Christmas Day 9.30am Churches together Family Communion in St Peter's (children please bring a toy)

Kirkby Green Holy Cross
Saturday 24 Dec - 6.30 pm Carols and Candles Christmas Service

Martin Holy Trinity
Friday 16 Dec 6.30 pm Carols in the Churchyard
Sunday 18 Dec 11.00 am Carol Service
This year Midnight Mass is to be held at North Kyme Church.

Metheringham St Wilfrid
Saturday 24 Dec - Crib Service - 6 pm (please bring the children along to this special service)
Saturday 24 Dec - Holy Communion at 11.30 pm

Metheringham Methodist
Tuesday 13 December - Village Carol Service - 7.00 pm - Service includes contributions from village organisations and Silver Sound Band - Refreshments will follow
Christmas Day Service - 10.30 am

Nocton Village & All Saints
Sunday 18 Dec - 'Village Carol Singing' meet at Village Hall at 5pm.
All Saints - not to hand

Your Local Police News

Residents may be aware that there have been burglaries recently in the local area targeting the owners of caravans and motorhomes, breaking into their homes whilst away on holiday. I am pleased to inform you that following a police investigation a suspect has been arrested and charged with several offences around the county.

During these particular burglaries the offender was most interested in taking jewellery, which is often most sentimental. However, other popular items include laptops and I-pods.

Please can I take this opportunity to remind residents of the importance of property marking. We recommend that you mark both small and larger items of property. This can be done by various means. A UV pen is the quickest and easiest way. Other methods include smartwater or an etching pen. You can find information about smartwater on the internet. Please also note serial numbers and take photographs if possible particularly of jewellery and anything on the item that makes it identifiable.

There are applications available on the Internet that can be downloaded free of charge for laptops and mobile phones, which means they can be traced if stolen via GPS. If you value your property please take the time to carry out the above recommendations, which will assist the Police in trying to trace your items should they ever be stolen.

American GI, Albert G. Netto, commented on our MACLA website in June, 2011 regarding the condition of Nocton Hall Hospital. Here is what he had to say: "It was sad to see how badly deteriorated the hospital had gotten after it was abandoned to the elements. I, at one time, like many that came before me, walked those long, long halls. I was saddened by my search for information on Nocton Hall when I found videos of bands playing heavy metal in the wards and people walking around those same halls with the movie cameras documenting tales about ghosts walking the halls.

Only God knows what they and many others did over time. It seem like nature was not the cause of all that damage. They most likely are being exposed to lead, asbestos and all kinds of fungi during those activities and might be in need of medical care someday. Have some respect for your community. It wasn't a fancy hospital but it served our countries well during many wars. That hospital had a beautiful building just outside its gates. I never saw the inside of this once stately manor.

Bus Shelter
The Parish Council, Highways, Footpaths and Car parks working group have been in consultation with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) Highways and the Lincolnshire Co-operative food store to install a bus shelter on the High Street. The Parish Council have been accepted to be part of the LCC bus shelter grant scheme. A site visit has taken place and quotations are being obtained. The proposals will then be presented to council for approval. When these are approved the bus shelter will be installed.

Christmas Celebrations
This year the Parish Council have appointed a working group to organize the Christmas Celebrations. The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and carol service will take place on Sunday 4 December at 4.00pm at the War Memorial Garden, Metheringham. The working group have been extremely busy inviting Santa to the celebrations and arranging refreshments. So come along and join in the celebrations.

Meg had such fun at the 2011 Fayre and Feast. It was mostly as she hoped it would be - bustling, happy faces, lots to look at and lots of entertainment; but there were one or two extra surprises. The weather was good - not too hot or cold or wet and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Meg dressed up as Goldilocks and there were lots of other Fairy Tale characters on the streets - Snow White, a pink wolf, a bossy woodman, Hansels, Gretels, Dick Whittington's cats, Red Riding Hood and various Cinderellas, villagers, elves and witches.

Meg and her family were there in time to watch the Scout Band march up the High Street right along to the Co-op and back to the stage outside the Star and Garter. There weren't many people or buggies in the parade which disappointed Meg and she wished she and her friends had got there a bit earlier and joined in.

Meg recognised the voice of John Marshall the Lincs F.M. radio presenter, who opened the proceedings and she enjoyed seeing the important people in their shiny chains of office. Her Mum told her they were the people who ran the Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council. Mr Marshall decided that the best decorated local business was a new one to the village , Emily's; and that the best decorated stall was the Metheringham Co-op stall.

While Meg and her Mum were looking round some of the sixty stalls on the High Street they really enjoyed seeing the Bollywood dancers perform on the stage. They had a cup of tea at the church hall and then looked round the stalls in the village hall before meeting Dad there for a bacon roll while listening to the Silver Sounds band.

Afterwards on their way to the fair they heard Shouting Secrets and Joe Gray and his friends on the stage but missed Atlas, Gemma and the Bootlegs who performed later in the evening. Other performers were the Zumba girls and the Poachermen Morris. Meg's favourite thing was the Earthbound Misfits who were driving their 2-seater trike around trying to catch errant sprites to stop the fairy stories all ending happily and she loved stroking the greyhounds.

Tired but happy she went home laden with tombola prizes, sweets and a special gift for her best friend.

Osbert Sitwell, later to become Sir Osbert Sitwell, famous poet, art critic, writer and journalist was born in London in December 1892. He was the son of Sir George Reresby Sitwell and Lady Ida Emily Augusta (nee Denison). His mother was the daughter of the 1st Earl of Londesborough, William Henry Forester Denison. As a young boy, Osbert, for many years regularly spent Christmas, with his parents and his extended family, at Blankney Hall.

In his book 'The Scarlet Tree' he relates some fascinating insights about life in the Hall in the early 1900s. In November 1903, at the age of 10, whilst in his third term at Ludgrove school, he wrote a letter to his mother, who was in Naples at the time. In it he asked if they would be spending Christmas at Blankney. The family did spend the holidays at Blankney and heavy snow ensured it was a white Christmas.

We would just like to remind you that you are on an icy slope if you have made an enquiry about a date but not paid the deposit and completed a booking form. This means that a subsequent enquiry can take that date if they have paid and completed. Most of us are in danger of letting things drift but please, if you want to hold a one-off event that clashes with a regular booking, please have the courtesy to contact that group in plenty of time to explain why they are being asked to cancel or find an alternative venue. They are usually very co-operative when given time to rebook elsewhere or to cancel but less so when taken for granted.

It is now six months since our chairman and treasurer threw out the snowball that they would be stepping down from their roles at the 2012 AGM and we are still hopeful that someone will feel that they can come out of their igloo and help keep the hall running. There are responsibilities and duties involved but also the fulfilment of seeing our hall well used and appreciated by a wide range of people in the community and the camaraderie of working with a gritty focused team.

Please come and join us for the Christmas Party on Friday 16 December (6.00 pm) when we can thank everyone for their patronage with festive fun, food and frolicking for all ages. There is also a quiz available for those whose grey cells need some sparkle. Don't forget to keep thinking who would make a good job of guiding the sleigh? Get Rudolph's nose to light up with anticipation by pushing them in our direction. There won't be a frosty reception for enthusiasm. Don't be thinking - if only I'd said yes.......

Dot Howes

A prize will be given at the Christmas party for the first person to present me with a list of the 12 seasonal words hidden above.

It is interesting how often the Parish makes the local news. Last winter Look North called on Scopwick Garage on a couple of occasions to comment on the state of the roads. Then Escape to The Country filmed in and around the village and the programme has been shown at least twice on National television.

Recently Look North returned again to the village with a reporter and a representative of the Environment Agency standing in the dried up bed of the Beck to emphasise the continuing effect of the long dry Spring and that a Drought Order remains in place. The occasional downpours during the Summer have done nothing to replace the ground water feeding the springs that normally provide the Beck with a continuing water supply.

Recent enquiries to the Environment Agency from the Parish Council have confirmed that water extraction by the local landowners is being monitored and used responsibly.
Licence 4/30/09/*G/0011 is to the west of the village whilst licence 4/30/09/*G/0128 is to the east. Both licences have conditions which protect the environment. In fact this year abstraction ceased at the Scopwick sites before the licence conditions were reached. No abstraction has taken place from the boreholes since August 4. The majority of abstraction had actually finished by the end of June due to the wetter summer months.

The big and very obvious disruption at the moment is the removal of overhead electricity supply lines along Main Street and Springfield in Scopwick and replacing them with an underground supply. The work isprogressive and will take some months. The improvement to the look of the village should be considerable.

As always with a job of this size there are coordination problems; Western Power is relaying the cables, the County Council is responsible for putting up new footpath lamp standards, NKDC is responsible for the actual footpath lamps, and BT look after the telephone lines. Enquiries by the Parish Council so far have been satisfactorily answered but there are still questions as to what will happen with the telephone lines.

Residents will have noticed the blue spray paint applied by the BT Plant Protection Officer that shows the other contractors where there are underground BT services. However, it is clear that BT has not yet formed a plan as to what it will do with the existing overhead supply lines. This will be monitored by the Parish Council.

EVENTS
3 Dec - Holy Cross Christmas tree festival
10 Dec - Village Hall Xmas Draw and Market.

New Life Church in Metheringham is an 'Expression' of New Life Church, Lincoln, and has been meeting on Sundays since January this year. We meet in the Methodist Chapel Hall on Sunday afternoons from 4.30pm and worship together with mainly modern worship songs led by guitar and/or keyboards. Sung worship is followed by a Bible based talk which is usually interactive in some way so the whole congregation feel involved. After the service, usually at about 5.30pm, we share refreshments together (tea/coffee and cake & biscuits) and chat and get to know one another a bit better. We look forward to welcoming folks to our Christmas-season services which start on 27th Nov with our Advent service.

New Life Church in Metheringham aims to Make a Difference to the people of Metheringham and the surrounding villages by looking for specific needs in the community and, after praying about those needs, seeing if there are ways in which we might help meet them. We have recently placed a 'Foodbank Collection Bin' in the Co-op Store (with the kind permission of the Co-op) which invites shoppers to place certain non-perishable foods in the bin to help provide emergency 3-day food parcels for people who are in some sort of crisis, once their needs have been assessed by a recognised agency such as Citizens Advice, Social Services etc.

We are looking into the possibility of providing Debt and Financial Management Advice in the Village through the auspices of Christians Against Poverty (CAP), who already operate at New Life Church in Lincoln. As we identify needs in the Community we will continue to pray into those situations and seek to offer practical help where we can, co-operating with rather than competing against, existing agencies - many of which are already over-stretched.

In Co-operation with all of the churches in Metheringham (New Life, Methodist and Church of England) we are presently running an Alpha Course (as seen on TV, and advertised in cinemas etc) which started in September, meeting in the Methodist Chapel Hall. The Alpha Course is a 12 week course studying the Christian faith, and gives enquirers an opportunity to ask the questions we all have wanted to ask at one time or another. The main advertising slogan is 'is there more to life than this?' and the course seeks to answer that question and any others you might have. Following the success of this course we are looking forward to running another some time next year - look out for advertising!

For more information on anything about New Life Church Metheringham please contact the Pastor: Alan Coates, on 07761827985.

Mission X meets in the Methodist Chapel Hall and is the Kids and Youth Club run by members of New Life Church.

Mission X Kids Club runs from 7 'til 8pm for school years 3 to 6.

Mission X Youth Club runs from 8.15 'til 9.30pm for school years 6 or 7 to 11.

Remaining Friday dates for the Autumn term are: 11 / 25 Nov & 9 Dec

At present the club is still meeting once a fortnight at Westfield Community Centre in Metheringham, although we do not know for how much longer we can continue.

In March we were informed by Lincolnshire County Council that they would no longer provide transport to get our members to and from the Centre. I suppose we had taken the free transport for granted having had this provision for over 40 years, so it was quite a shock to have to pay £100 per fortnight for the minibus with the lift to get our disabled members to meetings.

Over the last few months we have been very fortunate in that we have received several very generous donations. Several other similar clubs in the area have had to close immediately due to these transport problems.

Anyway, on a brighter note, we are in the process of arranging a Christmas lunch at Martin Moor Golf Club and a Christmas Shopping Trip to Lincoln in November.

Through our transport problems we have had to cut back on our outings this year, which does mean that we will (hopefully) be able to carry on with the club for a while longer into the New Year.

Ann Tye (Secretary)

My wife died on 6 September 2008 and at her funeral we announced that donations collected in memory of Dian would be given to the Swimming Pool Association to benefit the villagers at the venue. Dian was a keen founder member and 'ticket lady' in the very early days of the swimming pool and an even keener user of the pool. You will note that three years have gone by. Since then many villagers have asked 'what was done with their donations?' so please now be reassured that their donations were spent on a beautiful memorial seat which is now in situ and at their disposal.

Thank you everyone

Steve Willis

All is going well with the self-service in the library and most people have been very positive about the changes. Things are now at a stage where customers are more confident about using the machines, but others still need my help so I don't feel redundant. Most people are impressed with the way the machine 'knows' the titles of all of the books even when several are put in together. The fear that the library would become impersonal hasn't happened and there has been lots of laughter over various incidents. One lady was feeling very proud that she had issued the books with no problem, picked up her library card and receipt but then was about to leave without her books, which were still in the machine.

We had another good book sale at Metheringham Feast where we dressed up as characters from Red Riding Hood and Lizzy Mason, the Fairy Queen artist, held story times in the library. I was dressed as Grandma in a grey wig with bun and a mob cap but I think my one and 3 year-old grandchildren were not particularly impressed until I became their normal looking grandma again.

After a break over the summer, Lincoln College have restarted courses in the library, the current one being a digital photography course during November. The main change is that courses are to be held on Monday mornings instead of Thursday afternoons. If you are interested in finding out about other courses you should contact the college direct. The 4 courses they run at the library, depending on demand, are Internet Email & Word Processing, Presentations & Microsoft Publisher, Spreadsheets & Databases and an Introduction to Digital Photography. They have introduced a charge but their publicity states that concessions do apply, so, for further information on the courses, please contact the Community Team on 01522 876258 or e-mail communityeducation@lincolncollege.ac.uk

As regular readers will know, we used to have story time for pre-school children which at one time was very well attended. Then, as that group of children went to school, we got to a stage where, despite appeals for more parents and carers to come, we could only rely on one child turning up so we reluctantly had to abandon the sessions. Since then, we have had several enquiries, so if people would commit to coming regularly we could restart story times. Please let us know if you are interested. On Tues 20 Dec (10.30-11.30) we will be holding a Christmas Craft and Seasonal Stories - 60p per child.
Looking forward to the festive season, we would like to invite you to our Christmas coffeemorning, with mince pies, which will be held on Friday 23 December from 10.30am to 12 noon.

Pauline Ventress

Spanish is my mother tongue and I have been teaching the language, doing research on it or working in translation for more than 10 years. I have tutored students from all levels and backgrounds at Carre's Grammar School, St. George's Academy, Sleaford Adult Education and privately.

I can help you improve your conversation skills, teach you basic Spanish to survive on your holidays, or better prepare for your GCSE or A level exams.

I am flexible when it comes to my lessons, with times and the way you want to learn.

Contact me: 0781 8599685 e-mail: rosaynelson@googlemail.com

There has been a considerable change in the Parish Council's membership over the past twelve months following a death and a number of councillors moving from the village or finding that their work commitments were preventing them from being able to devote sufficient time to PC business. The Council would like to record its thanks to these former members, including two chairs (Elaine Storr and Debbie Wilson) for their efforts on behalf of the village over many years. Under the chairmanship of Kate Tyler, the Parish Council now has the benefit of the enthusiasm of new members and the valuable experience of the longer serving councillors. There remains one vacancy and a bye-election will be held on 8 December.

Now that the "super dairy" issue has - at least for the time being - been resolved, the Parish Council and the community has been looking to devote its energies to ways of improving life in this beautiful village of ours.

A number of residents have formed a group to develop for the Council's approval a "Parish Plan" setting out the community's ideas and vision for the future of the village. CLAN (Community Led Action for Nocton) is currently carrying out a consultation exercise with all residents to help shape its thinking. The Parish Council has welcomed the work of this Group and has supported it by way of a small grant.

Similarly, a number of residents representing groups and organisations within the village have formed The Nocton Festival Committee to plan a year-long programme of activities in 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Already much work has been done and, again, the Parish Council has made a small grant towards its work.

For its part, Nocton Parish Council is embarking on an ambitious programme of village improvement, having identified and recorded a wide range of problems and issues which need to be addressed.

These include dealing with overhanging hedges and other vegetation, poor road and footway surfaces, improving road and other signage, clearing the beck and a wide range of cleaning and general renovation. The Council is working with Lincolnshire CC and NKDC who are responsible for dealing with many of the issues involved. So far, both councils have been extremely supportive of this venture. Details of the programme are published on the "Nocton Blog" - run by a local resident - and the community is invited to suggest items to be included and also to help in dealing with some of the more straightforward things. For example, a group of residents recently gave our two bus shelters a thorough "spring clean"!

The Parish Council is becoming increasingly concerned at traffic problems through the village. It has, therefore, asked Lincolnshire CC to carry out a detailed survey to measure the number and type, etc of vehicles using the B1202 and the results will help to inform future action. It is hoped that the survey will be carried out before the end of the year.

Working with E-on (our electricity supplier), the Parish Council has recently agreed to fund the replacement of all of the village's street lights with more energy efficient bulbs and to turn off nearly half of the street lamps between midnight and about 5.00 a.m. where this will not compromise residents' safety and security. The work will pay for itself within a few years as a result of significantly reduced electricity bills and will, of course, help to reduce the village's carbon footprint.

Finally, the Council has recently appointed Michael Cummins as its dog warden and already it is becoming apparent that his presence and work with local dog owners is beginning to have a noticeable effect in reducing the incidents of dog fouling.

Ian Goldsworthy (Vice-chair Nocton PC)

What a Success!!

It was a wonderful Scarecrow weekend! The weather was really kind to us, people flocked round the village in droves - at least 500 families followed the scarecrow map, then ate around £800 worth of refreshments! It was a great community atmosphere, and a tremendous team effort, which raised over £2,500 badly-needed funds for St Peter's. The weekend ended with a lovely village service of Praise and Thanksgiving in St Peter's led by Johnny Markin with John Corrie and the Da Capo musicians from Timberland. Our grateful thanks go to the band of willing helpers, from the washer-uppers to the ticket sellers. We could not have managed without you all. And the fire engine (especially the siren!) was again much appreciated by the young people. And to the stars of the show - many congratulations to the scarecrow makers, once again you were amazing!

The winners, voted for by you, were:
1st - No 6 Caveman Bob - Brett Garrick & Family
2nd - No 17 The Dunston Dunny - Max & Vicky Ellis
3rd - No 18 Skiing Stanley - Don & Bev Watson

And congratulations to the winner of the school entry - 9 yr old Maisie Aubrey

The 50/50 Auction winners were:
Saturday £62 for Ida Johnson
Sunday £76.50 for John Robertson

The Raffle winners were:
Wine & Whisky Hamper - Phil Gretton
Wine Hamper - Ida Johnson
Tea & Coffee Hamper - Cliff Jackson
Chocolate Hamper - Linda Crookes
Sack of Potatoes - Barbara Mosey
Box of Potatoes - Sue Miller
Box of Frozen Fish - Victoria Gamil

And next year's Scarecrow Weekend will be 22/23 September 2012, so start thinking now!"

Christmas Services in Dunston
Friday 9 Dec 6.30pm: Churches together Light a Light Carol Service in St Peter's followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

Monday 12 December 2.15pm: School Carol Service in St Peter's

Christmas Eve 11.30pm: Churches together Carols by Candlelight in the Chapel

Christmas Day 9.30am Churches together Family Communion in St Peter's (children please bring a toy)

Adrienne Jones

Can you decipher these common Christmas Carols?

1. Happiness to the Global Ecosystem
2. Small male percussionist
3. I am experiencing nocturnal visions of a colourless holiday
4. A Non-summer fairytale area
5. Oh holiday conifer
6. Ten plus two twenty-four hour periods of holiday festivity
7. Hey tiny city in Israel
8. In a remote location in a barn stall

The days are certainly changing - the leaves are falling and the nights are getting longer - but does this mean that the committee members of FOMS have gone into hibernation? Oh no!

We will have a few stalls at the Metheringham Primary School Christmas Fair on Thursday 1 December starting at 3pm, including our BIG Christmas themed raffle. Tickets will be on sale on the day but also mornings (8.45-9.15) and afternoons (3.15-3.45) each day from Monday 21 November. If anyone would like to help with selling tickets or has a prize they would like to donate - everything gratefully received - then please get in touch with me.

There will also be our Christmas Disco on Thursday 15 December in the School Hall. Infants disco is 6-7pm and Juniors are 7.15 - 8.30pm.

If anybody wishes to contact me please call on 01526323431.

Alicia Armsworth (chair of FOMS)

May I on behalf of the Lincoln & District Multiple Sclerosis thank Metheringham Parish Council and all your members for allowing our branch at this year's Metheringham Feast.
The branch made £181.00 after we had paid out prize money, from Play Your Cards Right, and Open the Lock. Both game were enjoyed by all.

The Golf bag was won by Mrs Elaine Johnson from Lincoln. The number of buttons in the jar was 2,160. She guessed 2,103. However a lot of people were well over the amount.
Again on the plus side it gave me a chance to meet sufferers of this disease from Metheringham, and I tried to welcome them into joining the Society. Money raised from this event will go towards research, and welfare for members who require assistance.

As a local lad from Scopwick many years ago, it gave me a chance to meet a few old friends from my school days, and when I played local football for Scopwick. When the committee sit down to decide things for 2012 could you please think of our Society. Thank you all

Charlie Short ( Fund Raiser)

Local caterers, the Lincolnshire Kitchen, have introduced a 'Meals on Wheels' service in the Metheringham area and surrounding villages (basically the MACLA area).
The meals are home cooked and are delivered piping hot to the client on as many days as required, whether that be a one off when someone is ill or a five day requirement.

Traditional meals are provided, i.e. meat and two vegetables such as Liver & Bacon or Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding with Gravy or Sausage Casserole - all with Mash or New Potatoes & Fresh Lincolnshire Vegetables. Puddings are Fruit Pies or Crumbles with Custard. They also offer sandwiches and cake to provide for both Mid-day Meals and Tea.

For more information and menus contact David on 01522 811299.

Our numbers at Dunston St. Peter's continue to grow each year and we now have 79 children on roll. Our 10 new Reception children have settled in extremely well. We all enjoyed the Scarecrow Weekend. There is always such a lovely atmosphere and everyone walks around the village with big smiles on their faces.

We held a very special service in school on 4 October. To celebrate 200 years of church schools, a special candle is making a pilgrimage around every church school in the Diocese of Lincoln. I invited ex-pupils and ex-members of staff to the service, along with pupils, staff, governors, parishioners and members of the local community to a very enjoyable service. The next day some pupils and I took the candle to St. Andrew's Church in Potterhanworth to pass it on to the school there.

On 12 October, Class 3 enjoyed a trip to Lincoln Cathedral, with a fascinating tour, and on 29 November they will be going to Burghley House.

On 19 October we held our Annual Cluster Day. This is where children from the schools in Dunston, Digby, Nocton and Potterhanworth have the chance to work with each other. This year our theme was Art. We had a variety of artists in the four schools so that the children had the chance to enjoy watercolour painting, graffiti, clay work, collage and fabric work.

We are now starting preparations for our Christmas activities which will include our Christmas Fayre (3.15 pm on 2 December), Class 1's Nativity play, Classes 2 and 3's evening Church Carol Service and we will be taking the whole school to the panto at Lincoln Theatre Royal on 15 December.

Graham Boyall Headteacher

The Metheringham and District Hand in Hand Club and the Metheringham and District Swimming Pool Association (MADSPA) each celebrated receiving £370 following the Vegetable and Produce Show and Auction on Monday 5 September at the Londesborough Arms.

There were a total of 83 entries in the show's twelve classes which were judged by former District Councillor Bill Chambers and his wife Molly. Winner of the main event, the Best Tray, was Roy Redshaw with George Gray second and Paul Saffin third.

Other results were Best Marrow : 1st J Storr, 2nd Paul Saffin, 3rd J Storr.
Largest Marrow: 1st George Gray, 2nd M Watson, 3rd Roy Storr.
Best Onion: 1st Kevin Doughty, 2nd Ernie Dickinson, 3rd J Kaye.
Largest onion: 1st Kevin Doughty, 2nd John Harrison.
Best Pot Plant: 1st Anne Harrison, 2nd Ronnie Wright.
Best Flower Arrangement: 1st Janet Wood, 2nd Kathy Mandall, 3rd Ronnie Wright.
Children's Novelty vegetable: Jess and Rosie Dowell.
Fruit Cake: 1st Wendy Tompkins.
Best Sponge Cake: 1st Audrey Webb, 2nd Audrey May, 3rd Janet Wood.
Best Preserve: 1st Stella Whitehead, 2nd Anne Harrison, 3rd S Trotter.
6 Fancy Cakes: 1st Rosie Searle, 2nd Janet Wood, 3rd T Redshaw.

It was the first time for some years that the event had been held at the Londesborough although it originated there. The show is now a highlight in the local community calendar wherever it is held. A typical comment came from Ronnie Wright, "What a great village we live in. Super day, well done to all who organised the event." Following the judging and buffet there was an auction of show entries and other produce and the drawing of the raffle. The organisers were delighted with how well the event had gone in the new venue with an increase in entries and a total of 38 donated raffle prizes. Thanks were particularly directed towards Reg from the pub and Bateman's brewery, Butch for being auctioneer and voice of the microphone, the raffle organisers and everyone who supported the event.

The past few months have not been the easiest at the Chapel in Dunston. The death of another of our members has left a big hole in our little church - Lizzie Chambers was a cheerful 95 year old who had a strong faith dating all the way back to her childhood, she rarely missed a Sunday Service and enjoyed outings of any kind. Her funeral service was a wonderful occasion when we had to get additional seating out - this was the effect Lizzie's life had on others.

WE are now a very small group on Sundays but our church is a busy place at other times. The Mothers and Tots meet twice a week, Monday and Thursday from 9.30 am. LIVES Responders train there and the lunch club, which is monthly, is always well attended.

For the anniversary service on Sun 26 Februrary at 10.00 am we plan to invite everyone who comes in and out of our building to join us for a celebration service. This will be led by Rev John Corrie and you would be most welcome too.

The building is old (154 years) but much loved and provides a usable space to all sorts of events. Families find it works well for birthday parties and we have plenty of indoor and outdoor space for our messy Church activities.

At the moment we have the support of some staff from the Occupational Therapy Service and some service users in doing maintenance work on both the outside and the interior. So far they have done a great job in painting the doors and the fence along Chapel Lane. Russ works along with them each week.

We are working closely with St Peter's church to find ways for more shared activities. We are discussing a community help scheme which would provide a co-ordinating role for volunteers in the village to be able to help those who have a particular need at a particular time. This is still in the early stages of development, but there has already been a strong response from people offering time and skill.

Our Mothering Sunday service on 18 March will be shared with St Peter's and will be held there - come along and help us cherish and pray for mothers in every corner of the world.

Messy Church is moving out - to the school Christmas Fayre on 2 December. We had a fantastic time making fish with the families who visited the chapel during the Scarecrow Festival in September. Our whale is still in the chapel and stimulates considerable discussion. Has anyone got a home for a 10 foot long whale?

Beth McLuckie

It's Christmas Eve in Blankney
Another year has slipped away
And soon the peal of advent bells
Will tell us that it's Chrismas Day.
Through cottage windows log fires glow
On paper chains so jolly
And robins flit from branch to branch
On snow capped firs and holly.
From winters cold and frosty sky
Stars twinkle in the night
Brighter and more beautiful
Than any fairy light.
And with the dawn of Christmas Day
Amidst excited shouts
Children with their new toys play
Whilst mum peels brussel sprouts.
Feuding families keep the peace
And share a glass of sherry
United for a day at least
To keep this Christmas merry.
The food and wine have sent to sleep
Both Uncle Bill and Aunty Pat
And listening to this years Queen's Speech
Sits grandma in her paper hat.
The Christmas tree now sheds its pines
The glitter falls from off the cones
And all that's left of Christmas now
Are broken toys and turkey bones.

Rodney Garlant

Although the cricket season has now well and truly finished for 2011 preparations have already started behind the scenes for next year. David Pearse together with others has been working hard on the ground while the weather conditions are right to ensure that the square will be in tip top condition for the new season.

Soon the leagues we enter will be having their AGMs which all have to be attended by representatives from the club.

2011 was a successful season for the club. The Saturday XI under the leadership of Ian Holvey finished top of their division in the South Lincs and Border League, thereby guaranteeing them promotion to the next level where no doubt the games will be that bit more difficult but we are up for the challenge!

No longer having the facility of a local shop in the village, together with increased cost of 'bus fares and a less than efficient service, brought about the idea of introducing, the 'Dunston Hub'. Initially the venture was for six months, on one day a month. Thursday was chosen to coincide with the Post Office facility (open on this day) and it was hoped it would encourage everyone to use it for their postal needs and phone top-ups.

The Dunston Hub started in the Village Hall on Thursday 12 May for two hours between 2pm and 4pm. It was geared to cover the needs of everyone from the youngest to the oldest and after being in existence now, for six months, it has proved to be convenient for many, many residents, including parents and pensioners alike.

The annual sponsored Bike & Stride on behalf of the Lincolnshire Churches Trust saw three members of St. Wilfrid's congregation walking and biking. Between them they raised £400, half of which goes to the Churches Trust and half to St. Wilfrid's Church. Many thanks to all those who sponsored them.

More work is needed on the fabric of the church building, for which quotations have been received. PCC members voted that this work should go ahead, as it includes guttering and stonework.

We have several events coming up over the next 6 months, and they are:
Fri 25 Nov - St. Andrew's Night Dinner with the WOW singers.
Fri 24 Feb - a Quiz Night with fish & chips
Fri 20 April - sausage & mash for St. George's Day, plus singing.
Sat 5, Sun 6 & Mon 7 May - Flower Festival. It is hoped the new Bishop of Lincoln will be with us on the Sunday.

Exciting things will be happening with the church hall, as it badly needs a complete refurbishment. Quotations are being sought, and grants applied for, and we will keep you informed.

If you need further information on any of the above, and for all arrangements for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals please contact Margaret Amos on 01526 321049.

Thank you to everyone who came and supported our stall at the Fayre and Feast. The chocolate hamper raffle was won by Cllr Dr M Allen. We are continuously looking for new ways to raise money to keep the swimming pool in Metheringham so if anyone has any ideas then please contact any member of the committee. Notification of our AGM will be published and will be held Jan/Feb 2012. This is open to the public so come and voice your opinions. Please also continue to look at the links through the MACLA website for dates and events.

Kerri Hawbrook (Secretary)

For Martin Cricket Club 2011 saw them return to the Premier League after having been relegated the previous season. The season saw them win four of their opening five games and then after defeat against reigning champions Market Rasen they went on another winning run of four wins which saw them positioned in the top four. The season, though, ended with them failing to win any of their final four games with two lost to the weather and the other two ending in defeat. This saw them slip to a final position of fifth, which on reflection was more than pleasing, considering the sides contesting this division.

The leading runmaker for the side was newcomer Dan Duke who hit 534 runs, including two centuries and three fifties. His batting average was 48.55. On the bowling front another newcomer, Geordie Scott, took the most wickets with 23 at an average of 13.09. He picked up two five wicket hauls. In the field Steve Scott collected the most catches with seven. This said he was, in reality, the club's outstanding all-rounder, scoring 525 runs at an average of 47.73 and taking 21 wickets (average 14.62).

As previously reported in the Autumn Issue, the club had a mixed season; but four wins was actually two more than the season before, which in itself was two more than the season before that, ie no wins!

A happy presentation night took place in the village hall when all those who had helped the club as officers, players, or friends, were thanked for their time and efforts. Mrs Sheila Redshaw presented the awards, which were:

• Batsman : Dylan Garfoot


• Bowler : Dylan Garfoot


• All-rounder : Mikey Atkinson


• Most Improved : Sam Allison


• Fielder : Edward Dowler


• Junior : Miles Lynch


• Most Ducks : Roy Bates and Mikey Atkinson


• Most promising : Dylan Garfoot


• President's Cup : Matthew Stephens


• Clubman's Cup : David Glew

The club re-opened on 7 September after its long summer break and enjoyed an afternoon of quizzes and catching up on news.

On 21 September Jo Plummer from the Bransby Home of Rest for Horses entertained the members with a very informative talk on the home and its many beautiful four legged residents.

Then on 5 October Diana Smedley gave a talk on her weekend stop over at Clarence House.

On 19 October the Rev. Stephen Jones-Crabtree, accompanied by Pam on the keyboard, gave a short sermon and thereafter he took out his gavel to conduct our Harvest Auction.

For our December meeting members will travel to our sister club in North Hykeham for a Christmas concert and tea.

Anyone wishing to join the club should contact the South Lincs Blind Society on 01476 592 775.

Patricia McPherson

The Lincolnshire Echo are giving away £20000 to be divided among 200 groups and organisations and Friends of Metheringham School are getting a share. To claim we need to collect and send in as many of the £20000 give away tokens as possible. These will be printed in the Echo every Thursday from 10 November - 15 December.

Please can you collect these and either drop them into Metheringham School or through the letterbox of 58 Princes Street. Please DO NOT send them direct to the Echo.

If you have any queries please contact me on 01526323431.
Thanks in anticipation

Alicia Armsworth (chair of FOMS)

A welcome home to our president after her well deserved trip 'down-under' (The Country - Women's Association in Australia). The committee kept the flag flying.

Monthly Meetings
August - Personal stories from Lyn Day under the title GBH+R. The initials did not represent Grevious Bodily Harm - Thank goodness!

September - An 'energetic' amusing talk by Sue Cadman about her career in dance prior to becoming a member of the Roly-Polys. TV viewers in the late 60s and 70s should remember them on variety shows. A plump but skilful dance troupe. We look forward to a continuation at a later date.

October - Dave Skepper's structured, well illustrated presentation about Stage-coach buses was appreciated by all, especially by Bus-pass Holders! We appreciated the 'goodies' - key-rings, pencils, rulers, etc.

November events - to be reported on in the next issue
16 Nov - Christmas Memories by Terry Richards
19 Nov - Table top Sale
28 Nov - 10-pin Bowling afternoon
29 Nov - York Trip

Wed 21 Dec - Christmas Social - an evening of carols, presents, food, games and Christmas wishes to conclude.
Wed 18 Jan - Christmas Dinner - Martin Moor Golf Club.

Two darts teams and a table tennis team have been entered into the leagues.
Quiz evenings and 'come and sing' are popular.
The Tombola at the Fayre and Feast was successful. There were jams, chutney and cakes for sale. Also Wand-Knitting items and decorated boxes.
A thank you to all members for their hard-work and enthusiasm. Catching up with friends on the 3rd Wednesday of the month is something to look forward to.

Jill Spooner.

A Metheringham Reading Group Book Review

From the author's web page:

ROOM (2010) is the story of a five-year-old called Jack, who lives in a single room with his Ma and has never been outside. When he turns five, he starts to ask questions, and his mother reveals to him that there is a world outside. To Jack, Room is the world....It's where he was born, it's where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. There are endless wonders that let loose Jack's imagination-the snake under Bed that he constructs out of eggshells, the imaginary world projected through the TV, the cosiness of Wardrobe beneath Ma's clothes, where she tucks him in safely at night, in case Old Nick comes. Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it's the prison where she's been held since she was nineteeen-for seven long years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in that eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But Jack's curiosity is building alongside her own desperation-and she knows that Room cannot contain either indefinitely....

Told in the inventive, funny, and poignant voice of Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience-and a powerful story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible.

This has been our most popular books of recent times with most people loving it and although the first pages are a bit slow and Jack's language odd, once you get into what is happening it is compulsive reading. It is the kind of book to read at one sitting - if you have the time.

Wendy said: I enjoyed this book and read it quickly. Maybe it should have been called The Womb. How sad and poignant, especially as we know of instances where this has actually happened in recent times.
It scored very highly, someone giving it two 10s which is almost unheard of, so it averaged 8½ for the enjoyment and 9 for the quality of the writing.
On the whole most people really enjoyed this book and we gave it an average score of 7

Pauline

It is great to see all the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Leaders return to scouting after the summer break fully refreshed and eager for new adventures.

The Cubs have given some much appreciated support to the Spires and Steeples challenge held in mid October.

The Scouts have held an indoor camp fire at the Caroline Road Community centre that was well attended and fun for young and old alike. A special thank you goes out to everyone who attended, for their very welcome donation to the 1st Metheringham Scout Group.

At the start of September Pete Lincoln decided to step down as Group Scout Leader (GSL) in order to give someone else the opportunity to add their input to the roll. Pete has been an excellent GSL over the past couple years and his continued support within the group will be greatly appreciated.

The new GSL, Andrew Peall, (me) was officially appointed at the start of October and I hope that I can give the same level of support and input that Pete did before me.

Can I say a big, big thank you for the knitting wool that has been so kindly donated by MACLA readers. From the huge response I have now got approximately 2,000 squares ready to be sewn up in to blankets for rescue dogs/cats, and 75 cardigans and 60 hats waiting to be sent over to the Premature Baby Unit at Lincoln, with quite a bit more wool still to be knitted up.

I am more than happy to keep knitting as long as the wool keeps arriving, so any more
donations will be gratefully received. Many thanks to you all.

Cynthia - 01526 322950

LIVES
The LIVES First Responder Group in Metheringham and Dunston can report that from January to the end of September this year it has attended 154 emergency 999 calls in this area. Incidents such as, 30 Falls, 22 Suspected Heart Attacks, 8 Strokes, 24 patients with Breathing Difficulties and 8 Unconscious patients. We have managed to get a Responder to the call very quickly, usually in under 5 minutes and as a result 2 lives have been saved. Having a local First Responder group has a huge advantage to a community, with figures showing that by having a group locally, survival from cardiac arrest increases from 5% to 45%.

The ambulance service in Lincolnshire does a fantastic job but sometimes they struggle to get to someone within those first 5 minutes when someone has stopped breathing and needs help. By living within the community the First Responder can be contacted by ambulance control in seconds of the 999 call coming in and dispatched to the patient, who in most instances will be only just down the road.

Our local Group has 8 operational Responders and 1 new Responder in training, all giving very close to 24/7 cover for our area and surrounding villages. In addition to the Responders in our group, we now have a LIVES Medic in our area, bringing an increase to the type of call we can attend. Responders will not be sent to serious Road Traffic Collisions, pregnancy and gynaecological incidents whereas Medics can be sent. Medics also have a higher degree of trauma training and skills, carry extra equipment and can administer an array of medications

Our Group finances were getting a little low earlier this year but following a number of fundraising events and a fantastic fundraising event by Blankney Golf Club, our funds have started to look a lot healthier, so a massive 'thank you' to everyone who has donated to our Group and an especially big thank you to Lady Captain Coral Earney and the Ladies section of Blankney Golf Club for a stunning donation of just over £2100.00. If you would like to make a donation to the Group or organise a fundraising event, please contact our coordinator Beth McLuckie on 321919.

As winter and the dark nights are now here could we ask that if you dial 999 after dark you put as many house lights on as possible and open your curtains so we can find you quickly. It is very difficult to see house numbers and names at night and every bit of help you can give us saves seconds that can save lives. If you have more than one person with the patient you could ask them to stand outside with a torch, or put your car hazards on if it is on the road/drive.

As this is the last report till the new year, Metheringham & Dunston LIVES Responders would like to thank you all for your wonderful support and please have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Where have all the Volunteers gone....long time ago. We were desperate for volunteers to help at our recent Christmas Market in the Metheringham Village Hall. Many fell ill with 'flu, others were too busy with family and work commitments. Lincoln City Radio (FM103) put out an SOS for us, allowing us to broadcast live to ask for someone to cook the bacon in the MAWS Snack Bar and for first aid cover on the day. What wonderful support and many thanks to all involved and all the great people who phoned to offer their help at such short notice, resulting in seven new volunteers on the day. The First Responders gave the first aid cover and it was all systems go. Bless them all, we could not have managed without them. Our team of faithfuls (although depleted) worked wonders too.

We were luck to have a lovely sunny day with the public turning out in their throng even if cash was a little short. The atmosphere was good as folk tried their luck on the Tombola and Raffle. Farm House pickles, jams and Christmas cakes could also be sampled before buying (this was very popular). The children enjoyed the Face Painting. A good balance of stalls, some old favourites and a few new ones, replacing those who have retired. We also had extra stalls in the car park. People enjoyed shopping for Christmas presents and I know many won prizes which would also make good presents. The Snack Bar was not as busy as usual, although the Bacon Butties still went down well. All in all it was a good days for MAWS and we hope it was for you too. We hope to have a gross figure of £829.53 which could make a profit of £580 to £600 after invoices are paid (about £200 down on last year).

A big thank you to the volunteers, businesses and individuals for the prizes donated. Not forgetting the car drivers who ferry things about. And a big thank you to all of you for your continued support. Bless you for caring.

Future events
Fri 2 Dec - Christmas Party Bash in the Village Hall - Vocalists Aron Fender performing hits from the 50s to the present day. Starts 7.30 - £5 per ticket. Bring your own bottle. MAWS snack bar open. Also dance floor and raffle. Admission by ticket only, available from D&K News and 31 Station Road. For further information contact Joyce on 01526 321436

The players are busy rehearsing for the Christmas season - see performances below:

Sat 26 Nov Christmas Food & Gift Fair, Lincolnshire Event Centre
& Sun 27 Nov Lincolnshire Showground (2pm - 4.30pm)

Fri 2 Dec Band Christmas Concert, Dunston Village Hall

Sat 3 Dec Xmas Tree Lights Switch On, Langworth Memorial Hall (6pm)

Sun 4 Dec Xmas Tree Lights Switch On Metheringham War Memorial

Tues 13 Dec Carol Service, Metheringham Methodist Church (7pm)

Sat 17 Dec Carolling

Sun 18 Dec Carol Service, All Saints Church, Branston (4pm)

Fri 23 Dec Carolling

Sat 24 Dec Carols by Candlelight, Dunston Village Hall. 6pm - 7pm. With mulled wine! Free admission, retiring collection for Band funds.

From Mon 26 Sept to Sat 1 Oct, inclusive, 32 people enjoyed the members holiday trip to the Lauriston Hotel, Weston-super-Mare, situated on the north Somerset coast.

Arriving during mid afternoon we were welcomed by staff who were very friendly and helpful. The hotel is part of "Vision Hotel Group", not-for-profit. Currently providing four holiday locations at Bognor Regis, Teignmouth, Windermere and Weston-super-Mare for people who are visually or physically impaired; well behaved dogs are welcomed.

Food provided at breakfast and dinner was excellent. Prior to the entertainment each evening, guests were able to play a couple of rounds of bingo.Using dominoes but instead of the usual indentations the spots were raised thus allowing the visually impaired guests to enjoy a game. The highest number that could be called is obviously double-six on dominoes and therefore 66 in the call-out. For example, number 50 would be a five and blank domino. Any profits go towards assisting future guests, having limited means, to enjoy use of the facilities. Very commendable.

Bonfire Night at Martin Moor Golf Club this year had a slightly different twist. Ever heard of 'Night Golf' ?, ever tried it ? - no - then you are missing out on a new craze sweeping across the country.

20 intrepid players donned 'head lights' and sallied forth into the darkness - the tees, dykes, hazards and greens were all marked by flare-sticks and the players equipped with two 'glowing balls'.

After much hilarity the first ball was struck and looking like tracer arcing through the sky eventually landed dead centre of the fairway at about 180 yds. This set the trend for the night (straight and true) with only a couple of players losing balls and one or two players somehow returning with three balls.

Finding the tee-peg and locating the trolleys seemed to be the biggest problem with reports of 'hidden' trolleys, players taking the wrong trolley and shouts of "have you cleared the dyke yet" being heard all around the course.

After 9 holes and with a very creditable 21 points the winner was Mr. Andy Herpbert (Vice Captain of Canwick Park Golf Club), with Martin Bloomer and his good lady wife (Lenore) both achieving a respectable 16 points. Countback showed that Martin had in fact 'pushed' his wife into third place.

Everyone was back in the clubhouse by about 9:00pm and were served with a well earned Fish & Chip supper.

It was well after midnight when the last ones drifted home having told and re-told their tales, gone through the usual post-mortem and generally had a 'cracking' night.

Our 38 new Reception class pupils have now settled into school and are being well supported by Miss Meyerhoff, Mrs Flintham, Mrs Thackray, Mrs Jones and Mrs Wray. They, along with some of their Year 1 classmates, have been out on Autumn walks, held puppet shows and have enjoyed celebrating Halloween in school in true spooky style.

The Harvest Assembly took place in school at the beginning of October. Our new Reception parents were invited to attend and see their children take part in their first school performance. Our Year 6 pupils led the assembly and everyone took part either by singing, writing and reciting poetry or acting in a harvest play. Harvest donations were sent to the New Life Church Community Larder in Sleaford.

Once again the school held a themed week on the Expressive Arts. Pupils spent time working on a number of large pieces of artwork to be displayed in and out of school. The focus of the week was 'the seasons' and pupils worked on large seasonal pictures by Klimt, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Monet and Hockney. Time was also spent exploring music and writing poetry. Our Early Years cloakroom has been transformed by seasonal trees and large pieces of artwork. A huge thank you goes to Miss Vrettos, one of our new teachers, who organised this week for the staff and children.

Mrs Freeman's, Mrs Pattison's and Mrs Jones' classes spent a day visiting Skegness to help them with their topic on the Victorians. Pupils looked at how Skegness had changed since Victorian times. Despite a blustery day by the sea, a good time was had by all. These classes are set to visit St Katherine's centre in Lincoln to experience a Victorian Christmas at the end of this term.

Once again Metheringham Primary School has been successful at the Lincolnshire Awards for Film, Teamwork and Achievement more commonly known as the LAFTAs. Our 6 Year 2 stars collectively filmed, directed, acted in, edited and produced their film 'Isambard Kingdom Brunel' and picked up a LAFTA for winning the Early Years non fiction category. In addition to this, our pupils also won the Patrons Award LAFTA for the best primary school film at the event. This is the second time in the past 3 years that Metheringham has picked up such a prestigious award. Our pupils, their parents and staff enjoyed picking up their prizes at a spectacular awards ceremony at the Engine Shed in Lincoln.

Mr Wall's and Mrs Ullyatt's classes have held a 'Super Hero' day. Pupils, and staff, made their own costumes and dressed up as the hero that they had invented. They then had to solve problems, be challenged with brain teasers and face physical challenges to test their super powers. Pupils have used their experiences from this day to help them with their maths, story writing and film making.

Christmas will soon be upon us all and we have our fingers crossed that our Christmas events will not be disrupted by heavy snow falls like the ones we experienced last year. We are looking forward to our Christmas fair, infant plays, talent shows, parties and carol services that have been planned.

We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us all at Metheringham Primary School.

Elspeth McMenemie Head Teacher

Firstly a big thank you to all who helped in any way at the recent Metheringham Fayre and Feast.

Secondly may I put to rest the rumour that the draw for the Dog's Name was not a 'fix'. The name of the Dog (Henry) was picked by an independent person. No one picked that name so it was decided to put all the phone numbers into a draw with the winner being Erin Lee of Sleaford.

The Bicycle was won by A Baxter and the Whisky by G Law, J Tye and J Browett (I have to add, not me).

The Bowls Club would like to thank the Parish Council for their help and support in the proposed new Toilet Block to be erected at the club.

Sadly this will be my last report as Secretary of the Bowls Club with the new Secretary, elected at the AGM Karl Dunmore. You can contact him on 01526 322282. The Chairman is John Richardson (contactable on 01526 352338). He will be pleased to advise anyone on all the information relevant to the club and would dearly like to hear from those who wish to join the club.

All it remains now is to thank you for all the support you have given me over the many years. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

John Browett (Secretary)

Walking up the garden path on a frosty December morning contemplating the bejewelled cobwebs festooned over the skeletal remains of the herbaceous borders, glistening in the lowering winter sun, reminds me of a Christmas past spent in South Africa. In my mind's eye I can picture the webs of the Button Spider, deadly poisonous, strung across the prickly pears emblazoned with early morning dew. We were living in a thatched farm house surrounded by vineyards in the shelter of the Helderberg Mountain, with Table Mountain in the distance to the west. The garden was a profusion of colour, undreamed of in an English garden. Exotic plants which remained outside and in bloom all through the year, freesias growing wild in the grass, banana trees in profusion, flame trees, canna lilies, gardenias and many others which I did not recognise, not being interested in gardening at the time! Even the odd Jersey cow was to be seen grazing on the lawn.

Ex-pats tend to congregate together for festivals and this particular Christmas was no exception - in all, eighteen of us assembled for an unseasonable gathering - one couple camping in the garage as there was "no room" for them in the house! The irrigation dam was scrubbed out to become a swimming pool, filled from our bore hole over flow. A dear friend, no longer with us, had the bright idea of keeping the wine cool by putting the crates in the dam. When swimming round and plucking ripe figs from an overhanging tree, our guests noticed wine labels floating to the surface. It was pot luck when having a drink.

Our Christmas tree, eighteen feet tall, was dragged to the house just before Christmas by one of the youngsters on the farm, but we later learnt that he had lopped the top off a fir tree growing in someone else's plantation! I think he had quite a little business going on the quiet. The local farm children came carol singing and, although we were unprepared for this visitation, were happy with sweets and bars of soap in exchange for their choral renditions.

By contrast, a Christmas spent in Scotland, when we were cut off from the town by snow drifts, caused great amusement as we skied down to Church so that our "Kings" could perform in the nativity play. The scenery was absolutely stunning, cloaked as it was in a mantle of snow. The carol Good King Wenceslas came to mind - deep and crisp and even. It was downhill all the way there, but quite another thing returning home. However, the Scots are very hospitable and taking pity on us as we trudged back, we were plied with several "wee drams"!

The Ghost of Christmas past has wrought his magic with memories of bygone days. I hope the Ghost of Christmas future can conjure up bounty for all those in the world who are not as fortunate as us.

Floreat Hortus

As I write this Pantomime rehearsals are well underway. We have one of our long standing members making his debut as a director, Darren Hawbrook.

This year's production will be Red Riding Hood written by Norman Robbins and will take place in Metheringham Village Hall on Fri 27/Sat 28 Jan and 3/4 Feb 2012 at 7.30pm evenings and 2.30pm Saturday matinees.

Tickets are £6.00 for everyone - from D&K News, High St, Metheringham.

For more details please visit our website metheringhamamateurdramatics.co.uk or contact Fran Pembery on 01526 320827

Our outing to Skegness on 16 August and to Kings Lynn on 6 September went really well. The weather was kind to us yet again.

Our last outing of the year on 22 November was to Brigg Garden Centre which included a Christmas Lunch.

Our Christmas Stall was held in the Chapel Room, on Thursday 24 November.

Can I just remind everyone that coffee is served in the Chapel Hall on Fen Road, every Thursday morning from 9.15am until 11.00 am. All are welcome.

Pam Woolley (Sec)

Metheringham Football Club call for Tokens

The Lincolnshire Echo has a whopping £20,000 to give to worthy causes in the county.

The Football Club is one of the lucky 200 organisations who have been registered and will win a share of this fantastic prize fund!

What we now ask is that local readers of the Lincolnshire Echo, along with supporters of our club, collect coupons printed in the Echo from early November to the 15 December. Once all the coupons are gathered in our share of the £20,000 will be proportionate to the number of coupons we have collected.

Coupons can be handed in to D&K News, High St, Metheringham, the Londesborough Arms, The Old Post Office, High Street, Metheringham, 31 Caroline Road, Metheringham, Brook Villas, Chapel Lane, Dunston or given to any club member.

Thank you for your support

Liz Rogers (Funding Officer)