Pam Birdsall, 14 Church Street, Byfield
01327 260861
pam@cornbrooke.demon.co.uk

DATELINE:  MONDAY 8TH MARCH 2010

BENEFICE CHURCH SERVICES:

Wednesday 10th March:
9.45am  Holy Communion at Byfield

Sunday 14th March – Mothering Sunday:
8.30am  Holy Communion at Byfield
10am  Benefice Special Mothering Sunday Service
Posies will be handed out at both Services

Wednesday 17th March:
9.45am  Holy Communion at Byfield

Sunday 21st March:
8.30am  Holy Communion at Boddington
9.30am  Family Service at Aston le Walls – with special focus for all who help in the church
11am  Holy Communion at Byfield
1pm  Baptism of Harriet Broughton at Byfield

Wednesday 24th March:
9.45am  Holy Communion at Byfield

Sunday 28th March – Palm Sunday:
8.30am  Holy Communion at Boddington
10am  Benefice Holy Communion and procession with Johnny the pony at Aston le Walls
6.30pm  The Bible in an Hour at Byfield

Wednesday 31st March:
9.45am  Holy Communion at Byfield

Thursday 1st April – Maundy Thursday:
7pm  Benefice Holy Communion in the round at Byfield, followed by the Vigil until 9pm

Friday 2nd April – Good Friday:
9am  Said Prayers and Readings at Aston le Walls
11am  Worship for All at Byfield Village Hall.  Followed by the Cross being placed on The Green, and prayers said, then coffee and hot cross buns back at the Village Hall.

Saturday 3rd April:
The church is prepared with flowers.

Sunday 4th April – Easter Day:
5.30am  Dawn Service of Holy Communion at Byfield, followed by breakfast at The Rectory
8am  Holy Communion (BCP) with hymns at Aston le Walls
9.30am  Holy Communion at Boddington
11am  Holy Communion at Byfield

For fuller details of the Easter Services, see the Church Page.

Anyone requiring transport to enable them to attend a service should contact the Rectory on 01327 260204 or a relevant Church Warden.

2010

FEBRUARY

WI MEETING
Members thoroughly enjoyed their meeting on 17th February, revelling in getting their hands filthy in clay!

Kate Lewis demonstrated and led members through making a tile by rolling strips of clay and laying them out to make a design on the base of a tile, then decorating them with coloured slips.

They so enjoyed themselves that EVERYONE wanted to have their tile fired in Kate’s kiln!  We are looking forward to the final results when they are returned at the next meeting (on 17th March).

Kate also demonstrated throwing a pot on the wheel, and a few adventurous souls had a go at making their own, too.  She makes it look so easy – but looks can be deceptive, as members found out!

We hope to be able to arrange a longer session with Kate at some point, and to progress to some more adventurous items.

The next meeting is on Wednesday 17th March, when Barrie Thompson will present a talk on ‘Canals’.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm and is held in the Lower Annexe of Byfield Village Hall.  Prospective members and visitors are very welcome to attend (visitors £3).

Why not go along and see what happens?  You never know, you might like it!  Byfield WI Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm.

Contact their President, Pam Birdsall, on 01327 260861, Secretary, Ann Caldwell, on 01327 260993, or Treasurer, Angela Weller, on 01327 260022, for more details.

BROKEN GLASS
I have been asked to bring to your attention the amount of broken bottles on pavements around the village, and the damage it could do to someone who fell over onto it.

Judging by the type of bottles that have been smashed younger members of the village are the culprits.

Although it is technically the responsibility of Daventry District Council to clear it up they are unlikely to send a man or two to do so, even if they knew it was there.

However, it would be a neighbourly thing to do to sweep up any broken glass near our homes and dispose of it safely, rather than waiting and hoping that someone else will do it.

BABY & TODDLER GROUP NEW TIMES
The Group meets every Thursday during term-time from 10am – 11.30am in Byfield Village Hall, and all children from birth to 4 years old are welcome.

The cost is £1.50, plus 50p per additional child, including craft activity and refreshments.

For further information contact Heidi Robertson on 01327 262097.

MEN’S BREAKFAST
John Brehcist gave members an interesting talk and potted dissertation on quantum mechanics in a talk tantalisingly entitled “MRI Scans, Red Blood and Burst Pipes” at their meeting on Saturday 27th February.

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Saturday of the month at 8.30am in the Lower Annexe of Byfield Village Hall, and all men are welcome.

At their next meeting, on Saturday 27th March, Russ Mallace will be talking about his time in civil aviation, following on from his previous talks on his service in the Fleet Air Arm.

WORLD CHALLENGE DISCO
Byfield Village Hall was full of happy, hippy, people for the 70s/80s Disco that Byfield lads Robert Oliver and Nathaniel Head presented on Saturday 27th February to raise money to make a difference to the lives of people in Nepal.

Robert and Nathaniel were delighted to see so many people supporting them at the disco, and would like to thank them all for attending and having so much fun.

They would also like to thank everyone who donated raffle prizes and who helped out on, and before, the night.

They will be spending four weeks in Nepal during July under the auspices of World Challenge, a company which sends expeditions to countries less fortunate than our own, to complete sustainable projects such as renovation or construction work in schools, working with and benefiting the local community.

MARCH

GOODBYE CARLY, AND GOD BLESS
I regret to have to report that Carly Wilkinson has finally lost her battle for life.

Her funeral service was held at Holy Cross Church on Saturday 6th March, and it was standing room only – just what one would expect.

I am sure we all feel for, and send our condolences to, her husband Stephen, and their two young children, in their untimely loss and grief.

BYFIELD VILLAGE HALL ANNUAL QUIZ RESULTS
On Saturday 6th March the doors opened on this year’s battle to win the Village Hall Trophy Cup (first presented some thirty years ago!).

A packed hall saw French Connection – John Freeman, Margaret Holland, Caroline Lautier, and Jean Lautier – narrowly win first prize, and the John Caldwell Trophy for 2010, with a total of 220 points.

Runners-up with 219 points were the PTA ‘D’ team of Sally Devall, Fiona Jones, Dave Minch, and Isobel Norris; and, with 213.5 points, the Men’s All Day Breakfast team of Richard Birdsall, Tim Boddington, Tony Needham, and Jeremy Wheeler.

BYWORD DEADLINE
Contributions to the April/May issue of The Byword should have been with the Editor, Pam Hicks, by Sunday 7th March.

She can be contacted at 01327 261257, or copy should be sent to her at pam@hicks54.fsnet.co.uk, or 1 Edwards Close, Byfield.

LENT SESSIONS
Meetings will be held in different houses across the Benefice each week, and all are welcome.  The sessions are informal and everybody’s input is valued.

The third session will be at Daphne Adkins’ home on Tuesday 9th March, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Contact The Rectory on 01327 260204 if you would like to attend.

PLANNING MEETING
The planning application for 35 dwellings on land off Woodford Road (behind Knightley Close and the Medical Centre) is likely to go before the next meeting of the Daventry District Council Planning Committee on Wednesday 10th March.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm, and, although members of the public may address the meeting, those wishing to do so need to register this wish in advance.

The Parish Council held a special meeting to consider its comments on the application on Thursday 11th February in Byfield School Hall which was open to parishioners and the press.

The previous evening, Wednesday 10th February, the plans for the proposed development were made available for public inspection in the Lower Annexe of Byfield Village Hall.

About sixty people attended the meeting in Byfield School Hall, and feelings ran high.

After a lot of debate the Parish Council unanimously resolved to object to the application on the grounds that conditions within the village have not materially changed since the last application was made in 1987, an application which was not only refused, but refused on appeal, and that therefore the judgement of the Inspector at that time still applies.

A petition circulated by concerned residents indicated very strong feelings against the development.

Objectors say that not only would the development increase the size of the entire Byfield village by 11%, which cannot be considered to be small-scale, it is outside the village confines, and would change the form and character of the village.  It is also 40% larger than the original application in 1987.

Householders in close proximity to the application site should have received notification directly from Daventry District Council (DDC) and they could comment to DDC in their own right.

It is now up to Daventry District Council to decide the outcome of the application.  Anyone who has any objections to the application being granted had until Thursday 18th February to lodge a written complaint to the Planning Department.

The application reference number is DA/2010/0057 and the plans may be seen at DDC offices or via the DDC website – www.daventrydc.gov.uk.

VILLAGE GREEN?
The Parish Council also resolved to take legal advice as to whether the land in question could be designated a Village Green under the Commons Act 1876, amended 2006.

COFFEE & CHAT
From 10.30am until noon on Friday 12th March in the Lower Annexe of Byfield Village Hall all are welcome to the cheapest coffee in town!

VILLAGE CLUB EVENTS
Friday 12th March:  8pm prompt – Poker Night.  £5 entry.

Monday 15th March:  8pm – 9:30pm – Curry and a Pint Night.  A choice of curries, plus a pint, glass of wine, or a soft drink for £6.  Advance bookings only.

Saturday 27th March:  8pm – Dominoes Night.

Monday 29th March:  8pm for 8:30pm – AGM.

Saturday 10th April:  Nothing up My Sleeve, Magic and Comedy Night.  Free entry – mark your diary now.

Date for your Diaries: Summer Fun Day – Saturday 17th July.  Details later.

The club is to start a Book Club, which will consist of a few books which people can “purchase” for 50 pence in aid of the Air Ambulance – basically a book swap with donations.

Donations of books to start this off would be welcomed.

A weekly Meat Draw takes place on Fridays at approximately 9pm.  Tickets at £1 each are available at the bar all week.

Also available at the bar are Weekly Bonus Balls for £1 per number.

The Club is now open all day on Sundays from midday until 11pm, showing Sky Sports live in the afternoon.

Are any members budding musicians?  A series of Open Mic nights are being planned.  Please contact Brian if you are interested.

Committee Members are needed urgently.  Your Club cannot run without a full committee and it is severely depleted, so please try and make time to keep your Club open.

For more information on any of the above please contact either the Club on 01327 261586 or mail@byfieldvillageclub.co.uk, or Karen on 07930 957452.  Members, members’ guests, and Affiliation Ticket holders are welcome.  For further details please contact the Secretary.

INVITATION
I have received the following invitation from Gay Turner to pass on to the villagers of Byfield:

CANCER RESEARCH UK

ANTIQUES EVENING
with Steven Bruce, FNAVA,
Independent Fine Art Auctioneer and Valuer

Please join us on March 12th in Fenny Village Hall for an evening of fun and surprises and learn more about the world of auctions and antiques.  Doors open at 6.30pm for the first valuations.  Tickets are £7.50 each (in advance), including Ploughman’s Supper (served at 8pm), quiz, and free valuation of one item.  Steven will be pleased to offer valuations of additional items for a modest fee of £3 each.  There will also be a bar and raffle.

Numbers are limited for this event, so please let us know asap if you would like tickets.  Cheques should be made payable to: Fenny Compton Committee of Cancer Research UK

Contact details for tickets or more information: Gay on 01295 770207 or 01295 770982, or email gay@gtpr.com, or Suzanne on 01295 770243.

BYFIELD BOWLS CLUB
Annual enrolments and entries to competitions can be made at the Club House on Saturday 13th March between 4pm and 5pm.

All are welcome to the draw for competitions, which takes place at 7pm on Saturday 10th April.

If you are unable to attend the enrolment and are interested in joining contact Chris Cross (01327 260764), Elaine Thompson (01327 260231), or Mike Emmerson (01327 261397) for further details.

RACE NIGHT AND FISH'N'CHIP SUPPER
It is Byfield Nursery’s Annual Race Night and Fish’n’Chip Supper on Saturday 13th March in Byfield Village Hall.

Starting at 7.30pm, with the last race at about 10.30pm, this promises to be a good night out, and a fun way to raise funds for the Nursery’s New Building Project.

There will be a licensed bar, as well as tote prizes and an auction race, and tickets at £10 per head (including supper) are available from Byfield Nursery on 01327 264230 or Hazel Halton on 01327 263859.

MOTHERING SUNDAY
Mothering Sunday falls on 14th March this year, and posies will be given out at both services on this day – the 8.30am Holy Communion at Byfield and the 10am Benefice Special Mothering Sunday Service at Boddington.

BYFIELD COMBINED CHARITIES
The deadline for applications to the Byfield Combined Charities is Monday 15th March, and late applications will not be considered.

There are two funds to which application may be made: the Causeway Fund, for village organisations, which can’t make substantial grants, but can offer support to small projects; and the Poors Allotment Fund, for individuals resident in Byfield, which can, among other things, make grants to assist students in higher education with the cost of their courses.  These applications should be supported by a book list or estimated costs.  All other applications should be supported by receipts.

Completed forms, which are available from the Post Office, may be returned to any of the Trustees – see the leaflet for details.  The Combined Charities Committee will meet on Wednesday 24th March, to consider applications.

SOUP AND SWEET LUNCH
The Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion will be holding a Soup and Sweet Lunch in the Main Hall of Byfield Village Hall on Tuesday 16th March from 11.30am until 1.30pm, with Soup served from noon.

There will also be a raffle, and bring & buy and cake stalls.

LUNCHEON CLUB
Byfield Age Concern Luncheon Club meets at noon on the first and third Wednesday of each month, where a freshly prepared hot lunch is served at Byfield Village Hall, and members enjoy each other’s company.

New members are welcomed, and help required with cooking/serving or lifts.

The next meeting is on the 17th March.

For further information contact the organiser, Mrs Barbara Edmunds, on 01327 262106.

WI MEETING
Barrie Thompson will give a presentation on ‘Canals’ at the March meeting of Byfield WI, and the tiles and pots made by members at the February meeting with Kate Lewis will be ready for collection.

The meeting, on Wednesday 17th March, starts at 7.30pm and is held in the Lower Annexe of Byfield Village Hall.  Prospective members and visitors are very welcome to attend (visitors £3).

Why not go along and see what happens?  You never know, you might like it!  Byfield WI Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm.

Contact their President, Pam Birdsall, on 01327 260861, Secretary, Ann Caldwell, on 01327 260993, or Treasurer, Angela Weller, on 01327 260022, for more details.

THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN
In June 1919 Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown became the first people to fly the Atlantic non-stop.

On Friday 19th March Byfield Village Hall and Byfield Scout Group proudly present a comedy play based on this event.

The performance starts at 7.30pm, and tickets are available from Angela Weller on 01327 260022, Pat Cannell on 01327 260483, or Fiveways Filling Station, and cost £10 adult/£8 under 16’s, but there is a discount if you purchase your tickets before 16th March – they will be £8 adult/£6 under 16’s.

A bar and bacon baps will be available.  Why not enter into the spirit of the evening and go along dressed as Alcock and Brown were?  Prizes could be on offer!

This production has been organised in association with Northants Touring Arts, bringing professional performances to your doorstep.

BIG BREAKFAST
A Big Breakfast in aid of the Holy Cross Action Project will be held in Byfield Village Hall on Saturday 20th March, from 9am – 1pm.

The same great team will be cooking the same great menu, for the same great people at the same great price – £5 adults, £3 children.  See you there!

Further Big Breakfasts have been arranged for 5th June, 2nd October, 6th November, and 11th December.

200 CLUB
If you want a chance to win in future draws contact Chris Cross on 01327 260764, and for just £12 per number you have 24 chances to win a prize over twelve months.

The draw for the two prizes on offer - £50 and £25 – is usually made on the second Sunday of the month, and is in aid of the Holy Cross Action Project.  However, please note that the March draw will take place on Sunday 21st March.

CHURCH ANNUAL MEETINGS
The Annual Meetings will take place on Monday 22nd March in Boddington, 7pm for 7.30pm start in church;

Tuesday 13th April in Byfield, 7pm for 7.30pm start in church;

and Monday 19th April in Aston le Walls, 8pm in church.

MEN’S BREAKFAST
At their meeting on Saturday 27th March Russ Mallace will be talking about his time in civil aviation, following on from his previous talks on his service in the Fleet Air Arm.

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Saturday of the month at 8.30am in the Lower Annexe of Byfield Village Hall, and all men are welcome.

COFFEE & CAKES MORNING
Byfield WI will be hosting a Coffee and Cakes Morning in the Main Hall of Byfield Village Hall between 10am and noon on Saturday 27th March, and, weather permitting, a cake stall on The Green.

There will also be a Bring and Buy Stall and a Raffle.  The proceeds will be shared with the Ogango Sango Women’s Project in Kenya, to help them make bricks and get themselves out of poverty.

THE BIBLE IN AN HOUR
Last year’s performance was amazing, hence the repeat this year on Palm Sunday – 28th March.

More details later, but mark your diaries now for 6.30pm.

APRIL

HIDDEN TALENTS
Holy Cross Church is pleading for unwanted bric-a-brac, books, cds, and dvds for a sale they are holding from 10am till noon on Saturday 10th April in aid of Holy Cross Action Project.  Items can be delivered to Chris Cross at 28 Bell Lane (01327 260764 ) or Pam Hicks at 1 Edwards Close (01327 261257) or taken to Byfield Village Hall half an hour before the sale.

There will also be a cake stall, coffee and tea, and a small exhibition of paintings and crafts done by local people (hence the name 'Hidden Talents').  If you have anything you can lend for display get in touch with Chris Cross.

Any profits made will go towards Holy Cross Church Action Project which at the moment is saving hard for new lights.

BYFIELD CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting will take place on Tuesday 13th April in Byfield, 7pm for 7.30pm start in church.

CONCERT
Collegium Regale, Choral Scholars from King’s College Cambridge, make a welcome return to St Leonard’s Church, Aston le Walls, for a fund-raising Concert on Saturday 17th April.

Tickets are available from Mrs Thorneycroft at ‘The Gate House’, Aston le Walls, for £15 a head.

ASTON LE WALLS CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting will take place on Monday 19th April in Aston le Walls, 8pm in church.

BYFIELD WI MEETING
There will be an Art Deco feel to the meeting on Wednesday 21st April, when Rob Kendall will present a talk on ‘78 Derngate – the Charles Rennie Mackintosh House in Northampton’.

We hope to arrange a visit to the house at a later date.

Meanwhile, the Competition for the evening will be to bring along something in an Art Deco design.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm and is held in the Lower Annexe of Byfield Village Hall.  Prospective members and visitors are very welcome to attend (visitors £3).

Why not go along and see what happens?  You never know, you might like it!  Byfield WI Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm.

Contact their President, Pam Birdsall, on 01327 260861, Secretary, Ann Caldwell, on 01327 260993, or Treasurer, Angela Weller, on 01327 260022, for more details.

LOOKING AHEAD

BYFIELD CHURCH VILLAGE FÊTE
To avoid conflicts mark your diaries now with the date of this year’s Fête: Saturday 12th June, 2010.

The committee that brought you Byfield Church Village Fête 2009 (and more) under the chairmanship of John Thorp has agreed to stand for one more year, so a replacement committee is required for 2011.

Please think about whether you might like to be involved, and contact the Rector, Rev Lynda Randall, for more details (01327 260204).

VILLAGE CLUB
Saturday 17th July – Summer Fun Day.  Details nearer the time, but mark your diaries now!

For more information on any Club matter please contact Karen Clarke on 07930 957452, 01327 261586, or email: mail@byfieldvillageclub.co.uk.

AT ANY TIME

LIGHT THE SPIRE
If you have a special occasion coming up, why not mark it by having the church spire lit up?

It still only costs £5 per night, and is easily arranged: just contact either The Rectory on 01327 260204 or Jean Hicks on 01327 261257 and tell them the date you wish to have the spire lit.

It could be for a birthday or an anniversary, to mark the passing of someone special, or for someone who’s passed an exam or driving test; for some-one who has everything or is difficult to buy for, to say ‘Good Luck’ to someone going to University or moving away – or just to say ‘I love you’ to a special someone!  No-one else needs to know why the spire is lit – but you will!

So for that special gift or occasion – light the spire!

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