Gaydon Report
There have been four separate thefts from vehicles. These have taken place on different occasions. Two were "on the road" and two were on private drive-ways very close to the houses concerned.
There are a number of common factors:
1. All took place in the very early hours of the morning - between 1am and 4am.
2. All involved the theft of personal items in the vehicle - wallet or computer or PDA.
3. All items stolen were able to be seen from outside the vehicle.
4. The thief took only a few seconds to break in to the vehicle and run off. By the time the car alarm has sounded and woken the owner the thief has gone.
5. They take only what can be seen. They do not conduct a search.
On one occasion a blue vehicle was seen with two male occupants.
It is likely that the thieves know Gaydon and drive or walk around the village periodically, perhaps during the early evening, looking for likely targets. They seem to be unconcerned about entering private driveways.
It is significant that so far no vehicle has been broken into that did not have valuables in view.
This particular problem is very difficult to deal with for obvious reasons. The most effective solution is to ensure that no valuables are left in vehicles overnight.
Vehicle Church Road
PC Cuthbertson is aware of the Isuzu vehicle which has been on Church Road since Easter. It cannot be removed yet as it is taxed and the owner has said it will be recovered "shortly".
The Market will be held in theVillage Hall on Saturday 10 June at 11am. Gifts of cakes and produce are always welcome and there will also be a small raffle. All proceeds go to the Church Fabric Fund.
The District Dog Warden is now patrolling the village and fines of up to £1000 will be imposed. Please clear up after your dogs: you have been warned!
St Giles' Church is holding a Summer Barbecue on Saturday 17 June at 6pm at The Leys, Church Lane.
Everyone will be very welcome - no tickets required; but if you intend to come please telephone Margaret on 640559 or Mary on 641834 so that we have an idea of numbers for catering requirements. There will be a small charge for refreshments.
The van will call at Gaydon during June on Thursdays 1st, 15th and 29th
4 11.15 Matins Gaydon
11 11.15 Family Service Gaydon
18 9.00 Eucharist Gaydon
25 11.15 Family Eucharist Gaydon
Weekday Service: the Eucharist will be celebrated at St Giles' on Wednesday 14 at 11am.
There is an old weather lore or saying: 'If the sun shine on Easter Day, so it will shine on Whitsunday'.
Well, it was a sunny Easter Day but it was warmer at Easter in April than at the Ascension in Mid-May; and as the temperature continues on the low side, Whitsun in June will probably be colder than Easter, unless things improve weather-wise! Let's wait and see if the old saying comes true!
Whatever the weather, Whitsun, or the Day of Pentecost, is a day when we celebrate the outpouring of God's Spirit on the Church. Our hearts at least will be warmed as we sing the hymn:
'Come down, O Love Divine, seek thou this soul of mine...
within my heart appear, and kindle it thy holy flame bestowing.'
The fire of God's love is a powerful image and a way of symbolically speaking of that divine gift within which purifies, enlightens, warms and ignites others. Another old saying goes:
'Christianity can't be taught, it can only be caught.'
The truth of the gospel message means nothing unless our hearts are moved and warmed and our lives transformed by the experience of God's love. And that's what the Spirit of God does at work in us.
in the Village Field behind Church Lane: Tug o' War; Dog Show; Car Boot Sale; Barbecue; Teas; Stalls.
Proceeds in aid of Purchase of Field for Village.
to be held at The Leys, Church Lane: everyone welcome!
Spring is here at last albeit almost summertime. I heard the Cuckoo on May 20th in the early morning. In the previous weeks Swifts and Swallows have arrived in some numbers; in fact, I saw the first Swallows at Chadshunt on the 7th May circling above the church.
Quite the most exciting bird was seen on the 12th May by a number of villagers. Buzzards ar now quite frequently seen over the centre of the village and at least six of them were circling when a larger bird was seen with them. I picked it up in my binoculars and it was much lighter and larger than its companions. As it came closer, we were able to spot clearly the markings of a short-toed Eagle (we had first thought it to be a Rough-legged Buzzard but its tail bar was quite distinctive).
This is a very uncommon bird. One was spotted in a field near Compton Verney last year and thought initially to be a captive escapee from a falconry. I think it was using the thermals to travel on to Northern Europe. Red Kites have also been seen using the same route. Many raptors begin nesting now as there is an abundance of easy prey.
This time of year is of course dominated by White Umbelliferae on our verges. This family (which has a huge number of names) have umbrella-like florescences which are a perfect landing pad for many flies and wasps. One, the giant Hogweed, is a dangerous plant, though only in sunshine, when it can give anyone in contact third degree burns!
If you spot Bluebells this is sure to have been a woodland site and they are still at their best in the woods at present, cutting swathes of blue under the newly emerging leaf cover. The white flowered dog's mercury is another plant that can cause rashes. Sap is at its most concentrated at this time so even the obvious Nettle has a much stronger sting!
The churchyard is developing well this year and we shall continue planting this coming season. Look out for unusual nesting places. Birds often ignore nest boxes (as in my garden where a Wren has built an incredible structure in a lantern). Sheds and woodpiles are often chosen too. Bernard Price
I awoke in the Midsummer not-to-call night, in the white
and the walk of the morning:
The moon, dwindled and thinned to the fringe of a fingernail
held to the candle,
Or paring of paradisaïcal fruit, lovely in waning but lustreless,
Stepped from the stool, drew back from the barrow, of dark
Maenefa the mountain;
A cusp still clasped him, a fluke yet fanged him, entangled him,
not quit utterly.
This was the prized, the desirable sight, unsought, presented so
easily,
Parted me leaf and leaf, divided me, eyelid and eyelid of
slumber. GM Hopkins
Coffee & Market Sat 10th 11am Village Hall Barbecue Sat 17th 6pm The Leys Mobile Library Thurs 1st, 15th & 29th
Next Month July 8th Gaydon Fete
We extend a warm welcome to Keith and Sophie Gwatkin who have come to live in Kineton Road; we hope that they will be very happy here in Gaydon.
In May the Union Flag was raised for the birthday of John Davies and for the Wedding Anniversary of John and Julie Rickman.
In June it will be flown on:
2nd Anniversary of the Coronation fo Her Majesty the Queen
10th Her Majesty's Official Birthday and the Birthday of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
18th Waterloo Day
If you would like the flag raised for a celebration please contact one of the Parish Councillors.
A reminder that this year's fête is on Saturday 8th July. It is being run by the Village Hall Committee with the Millennium Group and will be held in the field at the back of Church Lane. It has been suggested that this year's fête should be run to raise money towards the fund for buying the field for the village.
We plan to make it a real fun event this year with a good variety of stalls, a dog show as well as a car boot sale and, of course, a tug of war competition. Barnfield will be running stalls and teas and we hope to have a barbecue and music in the early evening.
Volunteers are still needed to help run stalls and events on the day so please help us make it a memorable event.
If you would like to help or have ideas for stalls or events at the fete please contact one of the committee:
Anna Perry 641971, Heather Golding 640953, Madeleine Hill 640636 or Sue Simmonds at Barnfield on 640521.
At the AGM in May the members of the committee were voted back into their current posts and were thanked by Debbie Price, Chair, for their hard work during the past year. The Hall and Cottage will continue to be repaired and refurbished, funded by rents and lettings. The Cottage has been given a new kitchen recently and in the Hall there is a new kitchen door and window and new tables. In the course of the coming year there are plans to repair and decorate the Parish Office.