Old Dalby News 2002 Archive
2002
January
The first week of January saw a few centimeters of snow fall, and then temperatures plummet to -8°C for a sustained period. We kept putting extra food out for the birds which, attracted a wide range of species.....including an unusual visitor on the bird table...and it wasn't a squirrel!
There was another meeting of 'Meltononline' at the Melton Borough Council Offices this month and some more exciting possibilities were discussed about Old Dalby's village web site; things like a general forum, especially for Old Dalby, which would allow you to enter any comments you might have about what's going on in Old Dalby, or things which you feel should be happening. It would be a bit like an interactive chat line for Old Dalby. So we are working with 'Meltononline' to set this up.
Have you seen Long Clawson's new web site? More swish than ours, but it looks like we have a bit of an internet wiz (Dale Verrall) who is willing to help us out on Old Dalby's web site. Thanks Dale.
Other ideas discussed was the possibility of a web cam to monitor the church restoration progress, and to transmit events on Old Dalby Day.
It must have been the most
popular 'clever clogs quiz!' yet which was held at the village hall on the 19th.
There were loads of teams, a jovial atmosphere, lots of food and drink, and most
importantly a tidy sum raised for the village hall. The team who got it together
on the night were the Nether Regions (from Nether
Broughton and Syston) - well done to Brian and Sonia McConnell, Mick and Jackie
Miles and Catherine and Paul Cottis.
This year the village hall committee decided to discontinue the 'clever clogs
quiz!' 'wooden spoon' award......
...... (In the spirit of the 'clever clogs quiz!', do you think this is
politically correct, a stigma, or just a bit of fun....comments please to contactus@old-dalby.org.uk
and we will publish them).
Virgins 'pendolino' tilting train has become a daily 'visitor' along the test track, and many of the initial concerns about noise, pollution and a 'blot on the landscape' may now be subsiding. If you have any views otherwise then we invite you to share them on the sites 'contactus@old-dalby.org.uk.' forum.
This photograph was taken on the 26th January.
February
Well Virgin have got competition,
theirs isn't the only 'Pendolino' tilting train in the village. Our spies have
spotted another train which is in the drawing board stages but looks a strong
competitor. So watch out Virgin!
Click
here to view the embrionic drawing.
There was a lucky chap at
the Cricket Clubs popular cheese and wine 'do' at the village hall. John Lincoln
stepped up to do the raffle and Graham Smith bagged three of the fist five
raffle prizes to be drawn. Well done Graham....(Did you do Saturday nights
lottery as well!!) Just to show the sort of bloke he is though he handed two of
the prizes back to be re-drawn. Here he is looking pretty
chuffed!................................
|
|
|
The church restoration fund was formally launched by a Grand Valentines Ball which was held in a marvellous 'starlit' marquee at Lodge Farm by kind invitation of David and Yvonne Chandler. Two hundred people sat down to a four course meal which was prepared and served by volunteers. The evening would not have been possible but for the direction of Yvonne Chandler, Val Anderson and the hard work of the many people involved in the planning, generous donations of equipment and food, serving, bar work, and cleaning. The total amount raised will be published as soon as it has been calculated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A few folks have seen the buzzard that has been with us throughout the winter. It has been hovering around the valley at the rear of Terry Stokes stockyard, well it now has a mate. The two of them have been seen flying and courting together during the last week.
| Church restoration fund functions are now coming thick and fast. Saturday 23rd saw the Nottingham Blue Coat Singers visit the church and deliver a variety of 'songs from the shows' based on a theme of 'love'. 120 people enjoyed good music, wine and food in a candlelit atmosphere. |
|
March
March brings breezes loud and shrill, stirs the dancing daffodil...... Well the gales on the 9th March did a bit more than that. They brought down, and set on fire, the overhead power cables on Debdale Hill.
The Music Hall held at the village hall was a tremendous success again. Bob Holdsworth was compere and started the evening off remembering people who were stalwarts of the music hall but no longer with us, or have left the village. Denise Tewson, who organised the show, paid tribute to the many people who put so much effort and so many hours into making a show like this possible. If you missed out this year you missed a treat....Here are a few pictures....
|
|
Who's slept with the bride? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cricket club hit by
vandals again.
Sadly the cricket club has had some more damage committed during the latter end
of March. The pavilion clock has been smashed, one of the pavilion balcony
spindles has been broken and bikes have been ridden repeatedly across the
wicket. John Lincoln (the club secretary) said 'It was particularly upsetting to
see the clock smashed as it was a gift to the club from Bert Hooker just before
he died'.
It is not long ago that the pavilion was broken into. Does anyone in the village know who is responsible for the damage or the break in? If so either contact John Lincoln or Glynn Burnham (neighbourhood watch) and they can decide whether to inform the police.
There has also been an attempt to steal a Landrover from Longcliffe Hill and a burglary has occurred at Vale Electrics on Station lane.
April
The childrens Easter workshop was
held in the village hall this year due to the closure of the chapel. Twenty six
children enjoyed four hours of storytelling, art and crafts, singing and drama.
Thanks to all the folks who came along to give a hand with supervision. and also
to Vicky, Emily, and Ashleigh who came along on Easter Day to church to sing
'the resurrection rock'. Prayers were said at the service for the royal family
who mourn the death of Her majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother who died on
Saturday 30th March, aged 101.
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
Some of the wild spring
flowers around Old Dalby seem to be early this year. This picture was taken
in the woods around the area of the lake on the 1st April
|
| April has been a particularly warm and dry month which has brought on the Old Dalby bluebells early. This picture was taken on the 21st |
|
|
|
Ken Dennison who has been the church warden for over twenty years has decided to retire. Ken has been the driving force behind the every day running and maintenance of the church and it will be sad not to see his smiling face and warm welcome as you enter church on a Sunday. Our sincere thanks go out to him. |
Christine and Joe Bartrop started a plant sales stall just outside their garden gate on Debdale Hill and it gave them great pleasure as they were sitting in their garden in an evening to hear the chink of coins going into the jar as people passing served themselves. (proceeds went to the church) Submitted by Joan Revill
May
12th May saw the start of Christian Aid week in the village. This year the drive was to help people in developing countries who are victims of unfair trade. Christian Aid organisers gave an example relating to the cocoa crop. During the past 10 years the price of chocolate in Europe has increased by 60%, whereas the price paid for cocoa by major chocolate manufacturing companies to cocoa farmers has dropped by 50%. Thanks to people in the village the Christian Aid envelope collection raised £372. If you add this to the money raised from the hunger lunch then £513.18 will be sent to Christian Aid from Old Dalby.
BBC radio Leicesters' gardening team came to the village hall to record gardeners question time. A number of gardening questions were put to the team by residents in the village. If you went along and would like to listen to the programme it is called 'down to earth' and will be broadcast on Radio Leicester at 12.30pm on Saturday 1st June.
| Following on from the damage caused at the cricket club pavilion more damage has been caused in the village. This time the 200 year old leaded windows in the hall barn have been smashed by stones thrown at them. The door to the boiler house at the back of the church was broken and a number of coping stones were pulled off the top of the church wall. The police are investigating. |
|
June
|
|
This
years Melton Day was put back to co-incide with the Queens Jubilee weekend.
Although many other events were taking place on the same day, the crowds
still turned up despite the drizzle. The church stalls made a profit
of £530. Thanks to all the folks who helped set up and who turned up on the day to assist. |
|
OLD DALBY JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS |
Glorious sunshine brought out a large crowd of participants and spectators for the Family Cricket and It’s A Knockout on the Playing Fields. Eight family teams of six had brilliant fun in a very competitive atmosphere. On the School Field, the Scouts up set up a most challenging and elaborate obstacle course, which included the HRH wet sponge board, wheelbarrow race, slippery mat, milk crate tower building, stretcher race and most popular of all: the greasy pole over the pond! On the other side of the hedge a more sedate, but no less competitive, mood prevailed with a Family Cricket Match in which rival teams bowled 6 overs each. This culminated in a tense final game between the Queensway Warriors and the Rev’s Rebels. At the end of an exhilarating afternoon the Queensway Warriors won the Quornland Turkey Challenge Cup for It’s A Knockout and the Rev’s Rebels won the Lincoln Challenge Cup for the Family Cricket. Exhausted, we staggered up the Church path at 7pm for a very appropriate Jubilee Thanksgiving Service conducted by the Rev John Hooley. Friends from our Group of Five Churches joined us and afterwards retired to Val’s garden for a welcome glass of wine to end the day. Monday dawned grey and gloomy!! The pessimists erected their shelters around the Green and were in prime position to applaud the Fancy Dress participants lead by Harriet Parkinson as she made a stately entrance in her royal coach. A picnic tea was followed by boisterous Family Games, with the adults having as much (or more!) fun as the children. Then we transferred to the Village Hall for a relaxed and happy BBQ and Disco with music from the past 50 years which brought the rock & rollers and jivers to the dance floor. At 10 pm we collected our lighted torches and processed up Debdale to the gigantic bonfire in the Windmill Field. 200 villagers gathered and held their torches high on this ancient site as they watched the fabulous firework display crown our Jubilee Celebrations. The Parish Council gift of £350 paid all expenses. There is a small amount of money left over. This will be reserved for the Tree Planting, Plaque and Reception on November 3rd. The Jubilee Celebration was a non-profit making event undertaken by the Church Restoration Fund Social Committee. All profits from the sale of the food at the various events went to the Youth Groups involved. We are most grateful to all those generous people who contributed so much time and effort to make the whole event such a happy family occasion and we hope you’ll agree that Old Dalby enjoyed some truly memorable Jubilee Celebrations. Val Anderson [Chair] Pauline Freeman [Sec] Photo's Chris Knott |
 The Fancy Dress Competitors Winners were:
Class 1
Harriet Parkinson as the Queen
|
|
|
|
|
| Old Dalby Jubilee Open Gardens Day | |
|
The village held its first open gardens day for many years in aid of the church restoration fund. It was opened on behalf of the Queen by The Lady Gretton DL. Twenty five locations in the village were open to the public between 2pm and 6pm. There was a country life and crafts display in church which added an extra dimension to the day. Liz Stenson was the driving force behind the event, which proved more popular than expected, attracting over 1000 visitors. The day also encompassed the annual church fete at the old parsonage which also doubled as a picturesque garden to be viewed, and a location to listen to the wonderful music of the Old Dalby players. The combined event raised some £4000 towards church restoration costs and the Old Dalby parish share (vicars wages etc.) |
|
|
|
|
| The
Rt. Rev’d. Colin Scott, Assistant Bishop of Leicester, presented Ken
Dennison with an oil painting of the church at
a special confirmation service to commemorate his 24 years service to
St John the Baptist church as church warden.
|
|
July
This month Bob Hyslop celebrated his 50th year as a member of the Nether Broughton and Old Dalby Parish Council. How's that for commitment and dedication. Well done Bob.
David Ayres, chairman of Old Dalby Day, travelled to Westminster to receive a
certificate from television presenter John Craven for being one of the country's
best examples of a rural self-help group.
The prize was in one of 11 categories in a competition run by the National
Farmers' Union's Countryside magazine.
Mr Ayres said: "The winner of our category was a village near Redruth,
Cornwall, but we are very pleased to have been judged as runner-up."
Old Dalby Day, held on August Bank Holiday Monday, attracts more than 6,000
visitors every year and last year raised £15,000.
August
|
|
The church restoration fund is the better off to the sum of '£800' due to some individual virtuosity and downhearted selflessness. Roger Stenson (well known in the village for his mop of dark brown hair and giant moustache) challenged the village to raise over £500 in sponsorship to have his head shaved! Within two weeks the money was pledged and Roger succumbed to the shears on Sunday the 11th August. Well done Roger Stenson.... |
|
| Well over £1,000 was also made for church funds thanks to Bill and Jane Grice who 'booted' their beloved Holstein Friesians out of their barn to make room for a barn dance. A BBQ and salad with loads of scrumptious puddings were laid on and about 170 people enjoyed stripping the willow, dosy doeing, right hand starring, and swinging their partners... |
|
Old Dalby Day was again deemed to be a great success although the weather was not as kind as lat year with a chilly wind blowing all day. It was good to see the 'rare breeds' show back again following the foot and mouth catastrophe of last year. Don't forget to get your bids in....!
Wherever you ventured in the
village during August Barry Pratt could be seen lurking with his camera. All in
a good cause though because the first edition of the Old Dalby equivalent of the
famous WI calender is now on sale. Mays picture of seven naked men standing in
front of the goal with Beryl Smith about to take a penalty would make anyone
eyes water! The rest of the photos are just as 'original'.
Want a copy of the calender? Then 'contact
us' and we will get one sent to you... Cost? £5..... and all proceeds to
the church restoration fund.
September
The 5th September saw the sad passing away of John Benbow, aged 72years. John had lived in Old Dalby for 38years and was a keen horseman and a dedicated servant to Old Dalby Cricket Club. He was a 'character' in the village and will be sadly missed.
The church restoration fund has now passed the £55,000 mark. A fantastic effort in just 10 months and mainly due to the persistence of restoration fund chairman Bob Holdsworth.
October
This year's harvest
festival was held on the 6th October and it was good to see the church so
full of people to say thanks to the Lord for what the earth offers us.
Thanks go to the people (especially Pat Tomlinson, Denise Lincoln and
Beryl Clare) who spent hours decorating the church to make it look fantastically
festive. The school took advantage of the decorations by holding their
harvest festival service in church the same week.
On Friday 18th October in the village hall we were treated to a hilarious ramble around Sid Kipper's Norfolk Village. Sid bills himself as "The rhinestone ploughboy" and his easy style had us all in stitches. We enjoyed a very tasty hot supper and everyone agreed it had been a splendid evening." Submitted by Joan Revill
November
After the church service on Sunday 3rd some of the congregation walked down to the junction of Main Road and Paradise Lane where Val Anderson planted an oak tree to mark the Queens Golden Jubilee year. Prior to the planting a short dedication service, conducted by the Rev. John Hooley, took place. Thanks go to Paul Griffiths who provided a reception following the dedication of the tree.
The group who attended the dedication
service
The remembrance day service this year was well attended. The scouts and cubs paraded from the school along Main Road and, after many years of playing a tape recording of the last post and reveille, this year Simon Orson came along and played his trumpet. Well done Simon.
| Sue
Ayres has run a keep fit class in the village for a number of years and
recently got a bit of a shock when she walked in to start the class, as
a strange looking bunch of blokes had turned up...all in good fun as it
was a very special birthday surprise for Sue. (click on the photo for
a closer look)
Submitted by David Knott |
|
December
From audience reaction and feedback received, it appears that The Last Tango in Old Dalby was enjoyed by all, as was the food and the musical entertainment.
Thanks go to Pat Page (director), Sue Ayres (producer), the performers: Stuart and Linda Endall, Lisa Farmer and David Simons, not forgetting the Best Boy – Tarquin Sousbois.
Thanks also to Adie Bunney, Jim Sallis and Joe Bartrop, (the Last of the Summer Winers), supported by Andy Gamble.
John Lincoln’s assistance with fetching and carrying was much appreciated. So... thanks all round to everyone who helped raise £730 for Village Hall funds.
The church restoration
committee organised an evening of seasonal music at Church on December 15 with a
performance by renowned acappella singers Coope, Boyes, Simpson and Friends.
The singers aimed to put the 'magic' back into Christmas with their show Fire,
Sleet and Candlelight, which drew on first-hand accounts of local customs,
traditional stories and carols. The show was part of the Centre Stage season of
events subsidised by Melton Borough Council.
Katie Owen, Council Arts Officer, said: “This was an unforgettable evening of
traditional words and music, beautifully sung by Coope, Boyes, Simpson and
Friends.“ Centre Stage is the rural and community touring scheme for
Leicestershire and Rutland – bringing professional performances to local
venues. It is funded by East Midlands Arts (Regional Arts Lottery
Programme) and by the nine district, borough and county councils participating
in the scheme. The evening raised over £200. towards the church restoration.
The Friday before Christmas
the Village Hall presented a Celebration of Christmas Concert to raise money for
the Birthing Pool at Melton Mowbray.
There were a variety of performances which reflected the spirit of Christmas,
particularly outstanding musical contributions came from Lucy Grice (flute),
Anna Pollard (violin) and Clemency Patman (piano). The shortbread and mulled
wine provided by Margaret and Denise were particularly tasty.
During 2002 the Queen will embark on a three-month Royal road show to celebrate her Golden Jubilee during the summer of 2002, attending parties where the public has personally invited her. Any member of the public will be able to invite the Queen via the Golden Jubilee website.
Are we planning a party or working on a Jubilee project in Old Dalby? Do you have an idea for marking the Jubilee? Large or small, your ideas will be welcomed by the Golden Jubilee Office. They can help in three ways - by channeling your suggestions to the right people, by helping to co-ordinate your ideas and local plans, by assisting with funding and suggesting ways in which you can make 2002 special.
Go to www.goldenjubilee.gov.uk for more information.
Well done to Val Anderson, John Lincoln and Jim Patman who have taken up the challenge and will be organising Jubilee celebrations in the village on Sunday 2nd June.
