Gaydon Parish Magazine May 2011

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This Month's Diary

Toddler Group          Thurs 12th 10am      Village Hall
Coffee/Plant Sale      Sat 14th 11am        Village Hall
Friendship Club        Tues 17nd 2.30pm     Trevose
Pilates                Tuesdays 6.30pm      Village Hall
Mobile Library         Thurs 19th

Services at St Giles' Church in May

 1st  11.15   Eucharist

 8th  11.15   Growing Together

15th   9.00   Prayer Book Communion

22nd  11.30   Family Eucharist

29th  11.00   Group Eucharist followed by picnic lunch

Nature Notes

The recent rise in temperatures has led to a rush of growth around the village with early blossoms and most tree species in bud. Such old sayings as "Ash before Oak in for a soak" have not applied so far and March has been one of the driest on record.

The early butterfly species are usually the heralds of spring. The Orange tip (only the male has these) is often seen flying round the churchyard as there are clumps of violet Ladies' Smock there and the eggs, which are also orange, are laid on the stems. The early yellow Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and even a very worn Red Admiral have all appeared on my Primulas. The latter is a sure sign that this species can now survive even the harshest winters in hibernation, whereas previously it has been a continental migrant.

Most interestingly, I saw a Holly Blue today. This small jewel of the lepidoptera world can have as many as three broods a year.

The clear skies today have Buzzards soaring over high on the thermals and even two Ravens in a courtship flight. Again, it is remarkable that both these birds were unknown in Gaydon up to a few years ago but are now a common sight over the village.

Walk the footpaths and you are sure to encounter Violets and Cowslips, Traveller's Joy, Wild Plum Blossom and the contented hum of Bumble bees.

We are also fortunate to still hear the Skylark - but will the Cuckoo return this year? They are increasingly scarce so keep your ears open for this once-familiar call of the British countryside.

By way of consolation, it was the most common bird on the Kushiro wetlands in Japan last year where the lost bird is the Reed Warbler.

We have plenty of Dunnocks this year as Pippits are their preferred nests. There is even a Cuckoo that parasitises Magpies but it is from the Middle East, unfortunately!

Another quite rare insect that comes to our gardens at this time is the Bee-fly. It likes yellow flowers and resembles a small BUMBLE BEE WITH A LONG TONGUE. It also lays its eggs in bumble bee nests!

Another interesting bee seems to have taken up residence in the wall behind the shop. This is a black burrowing Bee which I think may be quite rare (it has only, like many Hymenopterids, a Latin name). Anyway, there is quite a large colony of holes: take a few minutes to watch them take pollen into their burrows. They are large and black in colour. I must say that they are quite harmless and will not sting. Obviously, the old limestone mortar has made a great habitat for them. I notice that common Honeybees are attracted to the burrows but are soon chased away by the owners. I will try to get a positive ID from the Museum. They should not be disturbed whilst they are rearing

their larvae.

In Watery Lane one can see a few Melanistic (black) rabbits and numerous deer tracks; also, a pair of Lapwings (green Plovers) have returned there once again to nest. They are very distinctive birds with black and white paddle-shaped wings and a familiar "Pee-wit!" call.

All in all, many things to be enjoyed this month.

Bernard Price

Mobile Library

The mobile library will be in Gaydon on Thursday 19th May.

Friendship Club

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 17 May at 2.30pm at the home of Mrs Pauline Layton, Trevose, Kineton Road.

Coffee Morning and Plant Sale

Village Hall
Saturday 14 May at 11am
Please bring your surplus plants to sell!
Cakes and raffle as usual.

Gaydon Village Store: an appeal for behind the scenes helpers!

GVS continues to be very successful. Whilst this can only be a good thing, it does increase the amount of paperwork that we have to deal with. If you are able to offer an hour or so a week to help keep our

accounts up to date or to help with stock ordering, deliveries and general admin, we need to hear from you. You won't have to be based in the shop to do this work but access to email and a computer would help.

AGM

A quick reminder that we will hold our AGM on 20 May 2011 in the village hall at 7.30pm.

At the AGM we will be having drinks and cutting a cake to celebrate our first year of trading - all invited for cake and drinks. See you there and thank you for your support!

Change to Shop Hours

Monday to Friday: 9am-1pm and 4pm-7pm
Saturdays: 8am-5pm (the same)
Sundays: 9am-12 noon

Open House

Following his licensing as our new Priest in Charge, the Reverend Mike Cadwalladr is holding an open day at the vicarage in Northend on May 3rd between 11am and 8pm. Everyone is invited to pop in for a cup of tea or coffee and a cake. It is an ideal opportunity to meet Mike and get to know him.

St Giles' West Window

Work on the repairs to the West Window and wall will commence on Monday 13 June and will take approximately 10 weeks. If anyone would like to view the plans of the scheduled work Martyn Hamm has copies available at Oak Beams.

St Giles' Toddler Group

The Toddler Group meet in Gaydon Village Hall on Thursdays from 10-11.30am in term time. The next meeting will be on 12 May. For more information email StGilesToddler@aol.com

Shipston Home Nursing

Annual Plant Sale

Saturday 7 May 10am-noon at Sheldon Bosley Hub (Norgren Social Club) Shipston on Stour.

Gifford Circus at Cheltenham Racecourse

Saturday 11 June 6.30-11.30pm. Champagne, canapés, hog roast, salads, dessert and dancing at £75 per head. Children free under 16. Coach travel from Shipston and Stratford at £10 per head.

Telephone Rebecca on 01608 674929 for all details and tickets.

Parish Council News

Parish Elections

This year all five of our Parish Councillors are due for election. Unfortunately, only one candidate came forward and we now have a situation whereby we are unable to function as a Parish Council until at least two residents decide to support the parish and become councillors. A new election has been called and nomination papers must be filed by 18 May. Nomination papers are available from the Clerk or the Returning Officer at Stratford. If you would like any information regarding the role of parish councillors please contact the Clerk.

Accounts

Accounts have been finalised. Any resident wishing to inspect the accounts should contact the Clerk.

Cemetery

Thanks to Andy Thomas the hole in the fence in the cemetery has been fixed. If you see anyone trying to climb through the fence could you please contact the Clerk.


Carmen

This, the last of Bizet's operas, has a history as tempestuous as the plot itself. It has developed into a highly-popular operatic drama, full of colourful characters and wonderful music.

The Warriner Choral Society will present a concert version of Bizet's Carmen, with orchestra and soloists on

Saturday 21st May at 7.30 pm, at St Peter & St Paul, Deddington with Interval refreshments.

Tickets (£10) from One Man Band Banbury, 01295 721224, online at www.warrinerchoralsociety.co.uk/apps/webstore/ or on the door.