News in Brief

Oundle Care

Many thanks to all who made cakes and preserves or who gave donations for Warmington's and Wadenhoe's stall at the Spring Fair. £146 was raised towards the grand total.

School Crazy Hats

On 22 March the children had a crazy hat and non-uniform day and raised £174.76 split between the Peterborough and Kettering Breast cancer Units.

Birthday Celebration

Miss Grace Sheffield who was born and lived for 92 years in 59 Church Street, celebrated her 94 birthday on 13 the April. She now lives in Wentworth Croft Nursing Home, Peterborough.

Children's Page

Q: Why did the lizard go on a diet?

A: Because it was too big for its scales!

Warmington Cleans Up

On Saturday 13 April, 25 adults and 14 children cleansed the village of all rubbish, a considerably larger amount than last year being collected. The parish Council is extremely pleased with the number attending than thanks all of them. Equally our thanks go to those who litter pick throughout the year: there were areas where it was difficult to find any rubbish. Of course this year we did have more areas to be patrolled such as the Leisure Field, the pocket parks and Nene pastures.

After the event refreshments were provided by Tansor and Fotheringhay litter pickers on the roadside at the Bunny Run. Again this proved most successful and all attending were suitably photographed for publication in the press. It is anticipated next year's event will have a social side to it in Warmington.

In addition to the litter pick, a Parish Councillor volunteered to weed the rose garden in the churchyard. Our thanks go to all the Parish Councillors involved in this year's effort. Finally we would very much like to see the village maintained in a tidy state all year and to this end anyone wishing to clean an area who requires a mechanical picker please advise a Parish Councillor.

Derek Rowell, Chairman Parish Council

Letter

I write regarding the rise and fall of the bird population at our farm (half a mile from the nearest house, and surrounded by mainly arable farming). I have seen a very sharp decline id starling numbers. We must have had 2,00 in our trees six years ago, now none. Sparrows are now making a welcome return having virtually disappeared. Farming methods have not changed in the last ten years, so we long-suffering farmers must be clear of blame this time.

My partner June, feeds birds every morning and yesterday we counted 19 hen pheasants, 1 cock pheasant, 11 yellow hammers, 2 robins plus bullfinches, blue tits, doves and pigeons. On the farm we also see various Owls, red kites sky larks, etc.

Farmers get blamed for all sorts of ills, one of which is the supposed lack of birds. I maintain that the biggest handicap to increasing the small bird population is the domestic cat. Since this farm has been cat free, small bird numbers and varieties are increasing substantially.

John Brown