News in Brief

Playgroup

The recent stall at the East of England car boot sale raised £180 for the playgroup. Many thanks to the villagers and parents who contributed items to sell.

Village Hall Bingo

The Bingo evening held on 4 May celebrating the hall's 28th anniversary raised £262 for hall funds. Thank you to all who supported the event and the committee members for providing the refreshments free of charge.

Youth Club Funds

The Parish Council would like to thank the former Youth Club for the cheque for £50 recently received. This represents funds remaining in the accounts of the Youth Club upon closure and will be put towards a youth project within the village.

Rainfall for April 2002

Total = 32.9mm
April 2001 = 66.5mm
Wettest day = 27th 8.3mm

We're Improving

As you probably know the Parish Council is a pressure group acting, we hope, in Warmington's best interests. The money made available to us is limited, and remarks are often passed asking why things aren't done. During this past month, however, a letter was received by the parish Council sent from Chorley in Lancashire. An extract is reprinted below, so perhaps we are dong some things right!

"I recently spent a few days walking in the Peterborough area and had the pleasure of visiting the village of Warmington. I should like to express the pleasure I felt on seeing the innovations which are going on in the village, such as the protection of roadside verges to encourage wildflowers and, in particular, the Pocket Park where so much work seems to have been done to ensure that the last few remains of some of the old English apple trees are being preserved along  with some of our rarer species of wildflowers. It was also a delight to see young people showing concern for the appearance of the village - a small group of them was busy clearing litter when I walked through.

I found the local architecture extremely interesting: obviously Warmington has a long and chequered history. The fact that the village still has a school, a shop, a post office and a butchers suggests that there is a general concern to conserve village life, which I hope will continue for many years to come. My husband and I also visited the Church which looked very interesting and enjoyed an excellent meal at the Red Lion; a very pleasant day all round.

I do hope that every effort will be made to encourage some of the conservation issues which the village seems to be addressing and that the current development projects do not accelerate and spoil the village atmosphere...."

Mike Dixon, Parish Councillor

Letter

May I follow up the letter from John Wilkinson in the May issue. I have the greatest respect for all local farmers who, in my opinion are the ultimate custodians of our countryside. Many of the starlings that he found has disappeared from Rectory farm, are now roosting and nesting in the eaves of my roof and my neighbours in Chapel Street and seem oblivious to the presence of local cats. Would John kindly tell me how I can encourage these Starlings to return to Rectory Farm? Finally John, could I have some of my blue tits back?

Bunny Enfield