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.

Spring may not be physically in the air yet but I hope there are aspects in this Issue of your local magazine which bring a little brightness to your day. There are several new contributors so I am sure there is something for everyone.

On a less bright note I sadly have to report that the "recession" has finally caught up with our magazine Despite searching high and low, far and wide, I have been unable to find a new company willing to print the magazine at an effective cost. Our previous printers (who we have used from day one) have increased their charges by over 50% which has caused the problem. Because of this we have regrettably been forced to increase our advertising charges (only the second occasion in our history).

Please accept our sincere apologies in doing this but it is a matter of necessity to cover our costs. The only thing I would say in our defence is that our magazine is still possibly one of the cheapest means of advertising around. As a non profit making production, I hope all our advertisers will understand our dilemma and remain loyal to us, otherwise the magazine will cease to exist.

It is believed there has been a village cross in Metheringham for over seven centuries. This said, it is not certain as to whether the present site is the original one or whether it used to be further down the High Street near to Drury Street, which in times gone by, was the "centre" of the village. There are no specific ideas as to what the original cross would have looked like but one has to believe it would have been somewhat basic in structure.

Metheringham Butter Cross - Pre 1911.

The part of the village now known as Cross Hill has without doubt been the location of the village cross since the early part of the 17th century as it is documented that, in about 1835, a "new" cross was erected at a cost of £25.00 to replace the old one. At this location a Saturday Market was held every week until possibly the 18th / 19th century. It was known as a Butter Market as this was the main product sold and the cross became known as the "Butter Cross."

This cross stood in the village centre for over 75 years until the early 1900s when it was replaced by a brand new one.

Allotments - Metheringham

The Parish Council are still in negotiations with the land agent to acquire some of the glebe land in the village for use as allotments. Another area of land has now been identified and this is also being pursued. The waiting list remains at twenty three people. If anyone knows of any land in the parish that would be suitable for hire or purchase as allotments please contact the Clerk.

Annual Village Meeting

The 2010 Annual Village meeting will take place on Tuesday 27 April starting at 7.00pm in the Village Hall.Over the past four years the events have been very successful with over 20 village organizations in attendance. This is not a formal Parish Council meeting, it is a meeting for the people of Metheringham to present to each other, details of their organizations and how things have progressed during the year. This can be done with a display, a short presentation or just an informal chat. The Chairman will give a report on the Parish Council activities, so if you would like to know more about your parish council and how we are spending your money, then please come along. This year the invited guest is the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. There will be free refreshments during the evening and the opportunity to view the exhibits and socialize with the speakers and parishioners.

If you have any suggestions or comments regarding the Annual Village Meeting please contact the Clerk.

At the close of 2009 we were entertained by "The Lincolnshire Show Band" (ex Fire and Rescue) and what a treat we had, with music for all tastes. This was followed by the Christmas Party which is always a very popular event and we would like to say a big Thank You to The Starlight Twirlers / Silver Sounds Band / Dean with the Karate Display
and all the hard work given by the organisers, not forgetting Fiona for her willingness to help where needed.

The New Year programme is in the process of being put together but we already have three dates for your diary:-
On Friday 12 February - New Age Kurling started its 2nd 10week session, beginning with the first evening FREE of charge. (Please contact Gwyneth on 01526322633 for more details). Come along and give it a try, IT'S FUN, IT'S FRIENDLY, IT'S FRIDAYS.

Saturday 27 March - The Spring 50/50 Auction will take place.
Friday 26 March (between 5-7pm) is drop-off time at the hall.
Viewing is then from 8am on the day and the Sale starts at 10am.
Unfortunately we CANNOT offer a collection/delivery service. Nor can we accept television sets due to the problems caused with safe disposal of items not sold and reclaimed by the owners. (Contact J. Duggins 01526320715)

Saturday 8 May 9am Spring Fayre. For details and table space please contact (Gwyneth Holland 01526322633).

The Celebration of Local Arts, Crafts and Hobbies is now in the planning stage for later in the year. Interested parties please contact (Cliff 01526320183)

Now to a point of Health and Safety ruling.

Any hirers of the hall must be able to provide the appropriate number of stewards to comply with health, safety and fire regulations, people who have been made aware of emergency exit procedures and the positions of fire extinguishers, etc. These persons must be highlighted by a badge or armband provided by the hirer. These stewards cannot be persons involved in any other activity during the event (ie bar, kitchen workers or paying guests).

Unfortunately the above could not be upheld for the recent MADSPA New Year Party request and the executive committee had no option on this occasion but to cancel the booking....The safety of all is our main concern, which ultimately allows all hirers and guests peace of mind to enjoy the event.

Thank you for all your help with funding by giving such generous support to your village hall. These monies are much needed for upkeep, improvements and general running costs and we are just keeping our head above water

Cliff Tompkins (Secretary)

• 26 Jan Dunston Methodist Hall


• 2 Feb No Venue Social


• 9 Feb Metheringham Village Hall


• 16 Feb Metheringham Village Hall Pancake Party


• 23 Feb Dunston Methodist Hall


• 2 Mar No Venue Social


• 9 / 16 /23 Mar Metheringham Village Hall


• 30 Mar Dunston Methodist Hall


• 6 Apr No Venue Social


• 13 Apr Metheringham Village Hall


• 20 / 27 Apr Dunston Methodist Hall


• 4/11/18 May Metheringham Village Hall


• 25 May Dunston Methodist Hall


• 1 June No Venue Social


• 8 June Dunston Methodist Hall


• 15 / 22 June Metheringham Village Hall


• 29 June Dunston Methodist Hall


• 6 / 13 / 20Jul Metheringham Village Hall

For further info contact Nicky on 322305

Venue - Nocton Village Hall (LN4 2BH)
Commencing at 8pm (Bar available)
Shepherds Pie Supper, Coffee & Tea included.

Saturday June 19th 2010 - A Classical Strings Evening
with Lincoln Pro Musica
Leader: Caroline Siriwardena
Conductor: Martin Stockdale

Venue - All Saints Church, Nocton (LN4 2BG)
Commencing at 7.30pm
Strawberries and Cava Included.

Saturday July 24th 2010 - A Last Night Brass Style
with the Foss Dyke Brass Band

Venue - All Saints Church, Nocton (LN4 2BG)
Commencing at 7.30pm
Finger Buffet and Wine included.

Tickets are £12 per event, £22 for two event or £30 for all three event.
('Supporters of Nocton Church') pay £7.20 per event.

For tickets/info contact Chris Hewitt: (01526) 320645; cwhewitt@btinternet.com
All profits will go to the restoration fund for All Saints Church, Nocton.
(The 'Ripon Memorial Music Season' is promoted by Nocton Parochial Church Council.)

The most visible activity in the Parish just now is the refurbishment of the Village Hall. Inevitably one or two issues have cropped up during the work and minor changes have had to be made. However, it does look as if all the improvements will be in place by the middle of March and normal service will then be resumed with the new toilet and canteen facilities in place exactly as planned.

Last summer it was noted that the hedges and trees around the Village Meadow were becoming overgrown to the extent that they were overhanging the area and encroaching on the useful space. A contractor has been employed and is currently working to reduce the hedge height and cut back the overgrowth. It looks a bit drastic just now but that work will be appreciated when the weather finally improves, the leaves return, and the area is clear and available for use.

At the January meeting the Parish Council carefully considered the budget required for the next financial year starting in April. The sums are small compared with some of of the surrounding parishes but nevertheless vital to maintain the area. The budget is drawn up to provide money for a wide range of responsibilities from obvious ones, such as cutting the grass through the villages and looking after the playing field, through to a wide range of maintenance functions and support for activities within the Parish.
Having set out the budget, the Parish Council was able to put forward to the District Council a funding requirement with no increase over that submitted in each of the last two years.

There has been concern expressed that the Planning Permission granted for the composting facility to be built in the Longwood Quarry did not limit the routeing of traffic carrying waste material into or out of the facility. The County Planning Office has now provided detail showing conditions attached to the Permission that not only limit the hours during which trucks may operate but also banning them using either Heath Road or Main Street. That should reassure local residents of both Scopwick and Kirkby Green concerned about possible noise and road safety issues.

Mobile Library Time Table for Scopwick & Kirkby Green

Tues 23 March
Tues 20 April
Tues 18 May

Kirkby Green Main Street
arrive 2.00 depart 2.30

Scopwick Village Hall
arrive 2.45 depart 3.15

It is wheelchair accessible and they will deliver books to housebound people.

Presents

ZUBOPGAMBIA In Concert

ZubopGambia is a collaboration between worldbeat music group Zubop and Gambian master musician Njega Sohna on djembe, talking drum and vocals.
ZubopGambia fuse traditional African pieces with jazz, township music, salsa, samba, funk, reggae, ska and blues in a set of their own compositions, guaranteed to have you dancing in the aisles.

The members of the band are composers in their own right and have worked collaboratively or individually with musicians from all over the world, drawing on their experiences to create the unique ZupopGambian sound.

Expect a thrilling evening of fabulous World Music!

Scopwick Village Hall
Friday 16th April 2010
Doors open at 7pm
Adults: £8 Students: £5 Family: £20
Bar licence will be available

Contact: Rosa 01526 322292 or e-mail rosanelson_scopwick@yahoo.co.uk

Please note the start times for games
28 April Cliff League 6.30 away
29 April Afternoon League - 2.00 Home
30 April CEBA Fours League - 6.30 Home

So, weather permitting the Green will be open for Roll-ups on Thursday 22 April, with the official Opening Day on Sunday 25 April at 2.00 pm.

If you would like to try your hand at the game of Bowls, you will all be welcome on that day.

We will be holding a Coffee Morning on 24 April at the Clubhouse at 10.00 am - Raffle prizes and a few cakes would be much appreciated.

If you have a day or two to spare before the Coffee morning to help with a spot of Spring cleaning in the Clubhouse and the surrounding area please give me a call on 321967.

Please read the Notice Board for Club Competitions and any other information.

Wishing you all a successful Bowling season but most of all enjoy the game.

John Browett - Club Sec

Again I'd like to make a plea for more pre-school children to come to story time. I know that the one little girl who does come regularly, likes to have Jacki as her personal story teller but it would be good to see a few more children. The regular story sessions are every Friday 2.15 to 2.45 but we also plan to have more themed events.

A new computer course covering Presentations and Microsoft Publisher started in January but we do have an ongoing waiting list for the Lincoln College IT courses and are willing to take names to pass on to the College staff. The courses available at the library are: Internet and Email & Word Processing. Presentations & Microsoft Publisher. Spreadsheets & Databases. Introduction to Digital Photography & Digital Photograph Editing.

So if you have some idea of which course interests you, we can pass on your details to the College.

We are hoping to have a big book sale of discarded items in the near future so watch out for the publicity posters.

You may have noticed that the containers at the base of the green trellis in front of the library have now been planted up, so once the growing season starts we may well disappear behind a mass of foliage!

Pauline Ventress

Grumpy was in front of Dopey.
Stumpy was behind Sneezy and Doc.
Doc was in front of Droopy and Happy.
Sleepy was behind Stumpy, Smelly and Happy.
Happy was in front of Sleepy, Smelly and Bashful.
Bashful was behind Smelly, Droopy and Sleepy.
Sneezy was in front of Dopey.
Smelly was in front of Grumpy, Stumpy and Sneezy.
Dopey was in front of Droopy.
Sleepy was in front of Grumpy and Bashful.
Dopey was behind Sneezy, Doc and Sleepy.
Stumpy was in front of Dopey.
Smelly was behind Doc.

Both of the guys are in their twenties, and their 2009 tour was extremely well received. We are lucky to be getting them at our Club.

We meet in Wragby Town Hall, and there will be more details in the next MACLA Magazine.
Just make a note in your diary now, to avoid disappointment.

Geoff Brown

My type of book, a medieval murder mystery set towards the end of Henry VIII's reign when England was in the grip of religious turmoil. The old religion is reasserting itself, with Bishop Bonner purging the Protestants. Henry is drawn to the old religion and even the Archbishop of Canterbury is not spared investigation.

Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer, is asked by the Court of Requests to defend a young man who had been put in Bedlam by the Privy Council "for blaspheming true religion in his madcap frenzy". He feared the man could be burned as a heretic.

When an old friend is horrifically murdered he promises his widow that he will bring the killer to justice though powerful people at Court want the murder suppressed. There follows a series of horrific murders, which soon bring talk of witchcraft, demonic possession and the dark prophecies of the Book of Revelation.

Shardlake, with his assistant Barak and physician friend Guy Malton investigate, the murders for Archbishop Cranmer, who is desperately defending Protestantism and trying to persuade Catherine Parr, a reformist sympathiser, to marry Henry. Shardlake must be careful; he has enemies, his old patron Thomas Cromwell has been executed and if Cranmer is displaced it will mean certain death for Shardlake.

For enjoyment 10/10
For writing 9/10

Jan

This book was our most popular in recent times and scored an average of 8½ for both enjoyment and the quality of the writing. Most people loved it, apart from one in our group who likes neither historical nor crime fiction. We knew she was always going to struggle but she did read it.