Check when the Red Arrows will fly close to East Farndon

The Red Arrows often fly over or near to East Farndon, on their way to and back from events. You may not know that one of the current pilots is Flight Lieutenant Patrick Kershaw, “Red 3″. Patrick is from the Market Harborough area and was selected to join the elite RAF display team last year, after passing vigorous assessments to secure his place in the team.

There is a very useful website where you can track the movements of the Red Arrows for yourself. To check out when they are flying close to East Farndon, please click the link below,

https://www.military-airshows.co.uk/press22/redarrowsschedule2022.htm

Note: today they will transit back from the Headcorn display and are due to fly over Northampton and Market Harborough at 6.50pm.

You can also read more on the Patrick Kershaw story, featured on Harborough FM, by clicking the link below,

https://harboroughfm.co.uk/harborough-red-arrows-pilot-due-to-fly-over-town-today/?fbclid=IwAR0rROOKFZrPe2uNCyCq6Aq0lmaDnt37n5yhbsj3ycvkP2xPOrAqyei5eV4

Congratulations to Tom Joule on his OBE

Huge congratulations to Tom Joule on being awared an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the Platinum Jubilee Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Tom, who is Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Joules Group plc, received his award for services to Business and to the community in Leicestershire.

You can read more by clicking the links below,

https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/joules-founder-tom-joule-gets-24122516

https://publicnewstime.com/news/business/joules-founder-tom-joule-collects-obe-in-jubilee-honours/

You can read the latest details on all of our exciting East Farndon Jubilee Celebration events by clicking the link below, which will take you to our dedicated Jubilee Page,

https://eastfarndon.org/queens-platinum-jubilee-celebrations/

If you have any questions, please email Caroline Burton and/or Mervyn Curtis

#eastfarndonjubilee #queensjubilee #villagelife #celebratetogether #livemusic #allageswelcome

Please support the people of Ukraine

East Farndon Parish Council stands in support of the people of Ukraine. Please consider making a personal donation to one of the following humanitarian relief charities, by clicking the links below,

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal The British Red Cross, https://www.redcross.org.uk

Please also consider the scheme that is run by the government for people to make an offer of accommodation (https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk). Hosts and refugees will be vetted by the government.

Thank You.

Update on East Farndon major housing development – feedback from Historic England

Following the visit by our local MP, Chris Heaton-Harris, on 14th Jan 2022, he confirmed his 100% support for the East Farndon Parish Council (EFPC) objections to these developments.

He made his views known on his official social media and contacted Historic England on our behalf, who have sent the following reply.

“Historic England has provided comments to West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Spatial Options Consultation, which includes the proposed allocation at East Farndon. Our response expressed concern regarding the potential impact on the scheduled monument and advised that a detailed heritage assessment would be required at an early stage to ensure its significance is preserved, including contributions made by its setting. This would include areas of ridge and furrow that preserve the former medieval open field system and therefore make a positive contribution to the significance of the monument.

Note that the scheduled monument referred to by Historic England, relates to East Farndon medieval settlement remains. You can see the details by clicking this link, https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1017190?section=official-list-entry

The World War II crash site will be protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. It is an offence under section 2 of this act to tamper, damage, move, remove or unearth remains. Further information on this can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/aviation-archaeology. The Parish Council can highlight their concerns regarding unlawful activity with the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) who licence lawful investigation of crash sites and will be able to advise further.”

Councillor Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council (HDC), commented on the Facebook of Chris Heaton-Harris as follows,

“I am not expecting that these sites, in adjoining West Northants will be required to deliver the anticipated housing needs for the Harborough district, as we review our adopted Harborough Local Plan”

Although the above is good news, the latest situation remains that WNC are not including these development proposals in their strategic plan, but HDC still regard them as a potential option to include in their upcoming strategic plan.

EFPC will continue to stay focused and work hard, together with our Ward Councillors and our local MP, Chris Heaton-Harris, to convince both WNC and HDC to scrap these proposals as soon as possible. In addition, EFPC will be writing formally to both WNC and HDC to reinforce the points made by Historic England.

A Google Maps overlay that illustrates the proposed development is shown below. Full details about the development, the EFPC response and information on how resident’s can object, are located in the Parish Council section of this website. To access, please use the menu or click the link below,

https://eastfarndon.org/major-housing-development

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the East Farndon Parish Clerk or any of the Councillors. Their contact details can be accessed on this website, using this link, https://eastfarndon.org/parish-council/

Google Maps with overlay showing Major Housing Development Areas
View With Sheep

Please keep dogs on leads in fields with livestock

Over the weekend, the sheep in the fields near the East Farndon Church have been attacked by dogs. They are currently heavily pregnant and this has caused a lot of damage and stress to the sheep.

We are appealing to dog owners / walkers to please keep their dogs on leads when walking through fields with livestock.

For more information on how to prevent dogs from attacking farm animals, please read the NFU Mutual article by clicking the link below,

https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/news-and-stories/preventing-dog-attacks-on-farm-animals/

In Memoriam – Marjorie Houlston 1930 – 2021

Everyone who knew Marjorie will be sad to hear of her death, at the age of 91. She had lived almost her entire life in East Farndon and had been a stalwart of Village life.

The photo shows Marjorie (centre) at the ceremony at the copper beech tree in November 2019.

In short, Marjorie was what every community wants, someone to participate and do their stint to keep things going. Inevitably she will be sorely missed.

By clicking the link below, you can read more details of Marjorie’s life in East Farndon. This tribute has been written by Alan Langley with input from Marjorie’s daughter, Sue Grant.

If you would like to donate to East Farndon Church of St John The Baptist, in memory of Marjorie, then please click the link below,

https://www.memorygiving.com/marjoriehoulston

Bench Under the Beech Tree

East Farndon United Charities – new Trustee & how to receive a grant

We are pleased to announce that Caroline Burton has been appointed as a Trustee for the East Farndon United Charities.

Did you know that if you currently live in the village, and have been a resident for 2 or more years, then you are eligible to apply for a grant from this long standing village charity.

Set educational grants are available for,

  1. The start of primary school
  2. The start of secondary education
  3. The start of sixth form or college
  4. The start of University and Apprenticeships

Discretionary grants are also available to help towards the cost of educational trips and specialist equipment for course work.

There are also other grants available for,

  • Birth of a child
  • Pensioners Grant
  • Funeral Grant

There is no limit to the number of grants a family can receive, for example, a child can receive a grant at each stage of their education. We want to give everyone who is eligible the opportunity to take advantage of these grants, however we need your help because we do not know children’s ages or at what stage of education they are at.

How do I apply ?

It’s easy, just contact the Clerk to the United Charites (Pam Haynes) by following this link: email Pam Haynes or use the website Contact Us page. You can also speak to one of the trustees.

For more details, including Trustee contact details, please visit the dedicated web page for the East Farndon United Charities by clicking the link below.

https://eastfarndon.org/village-charities/

Springtime in East Farndon – A short guide to keeping safe

Article written by Bernie Fallon, 25th May 2021.

It’s that time of year when nature has been woken from its Winter slumber and begins to dazzle us with its wonder.

Springtime, particularly in the Countryside brings so much hope and beauty as a new cycle of natural life begins. Living in a rural village like East Farndon gives us the opportunity to get closer than most. For the farmers it is one of their busiest times of year, not just with the preparation of land and crop planting, but because it marks the start of the lambing and calving season which, for the lambs, requires 24 hour attention.

The idyllic scene of young lambs and calves frolicking in the fields on a sunny spring day brings joy and excitement to children and grown-ups alike and presents a great opportunity to teach little ones about the countryside and how to respect it. 

Many of the fields have ‘right of way’ footpaths that allow walkers and ramblers to pass through without damaging crops or disturbing grazing animals. This creates a relative harmony that for most of the year causes very few problems. It is important to remember however that this is a working environment for farm staff, and visitors should remain vigilant of animals, machinery and vehicles.  

Springtime, particularly when young calves and lambs are grazing, should be a time when the respect for the countryside and its new additions is essential.

Cows are naturally very protective of their young and have been known, on occasions, to charge at walkers. On very rare instances this has led to serious or fatal injuries to those involved. Although right of way footpaths may exist through fields with grazing cattle, sometimes it’s better to take the longer route and admire the herd from a distance rather than risk potential conflict. 

Dogs are recommended to be on a lead at all times even if their temperament is good. Cows will do whatever they feel necessary to protect their young and as calves are playful and inquisitive, they will often wander away from their mothers to explore their surroundings. The arrival of a dog nearby may be cause for alarm.  

East Farndon Parish Council, who have a dedicated Footpath Warden, in partnership with the farm landowners, keep an eye on the upkeep and maintenance of our footpaths, including those through farmland.

These footpaths are signposted and clearly marked as official routes, so to avoid unnecessary upset, it is best to keep to the marked walkways.

If you spot a problem, maybe an obstruction on the path or damage to a stile, in the first instance contact East Farndon Parish Council. They will then investigate, and if necessary, notify the relevant landowner and / or West Northamptonshire Council (who have responsibility for footpaths). To do this, please email the Parish Clerk at: parishclerk.eastfarndon@gmail.com

The Countryside is there for us all to enjoy and admire throughout the year, but it comes with a responsibility that we all share to make it accessible and enjoyable for everyone. 

For more information about livestock and rights of way visit: https://www.nfuonline.com/cross-sector/rural-affairs/access/access-news/livestock-and-rights-of-way-reducing-the-risk/

The Countryside code: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/985422/Summary-Countryside-Code-A5.pdf

Guide to farming Calendar: https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/farming-calendar-a-year-in-the-life-of-a-british-farmer/

Hotel Opens in East Farndon

On a sunny morning in April, 10-year-old Louis Jeanneret and his 5-year-old brother Leo (ably assisted by Paul Hodgetts) constructed the East Farndon Bug Hotel on Marriott Green.

Residents including ladybirds, woodlice and beetles quickly flew and crawled in, eager to settle into the new en-suite rooms.

As part of the hotel complex, a bird box that Louis had built at Cubs was installed in a near-by tree, ready to receive its first occupants.

The hotel campus also includes a hedgehog house, built by Louis and his dad Paul, and this sits close to the main hotel, on the bank near the hedgerow for easy hedgehog access. Refurbishment has been completed, and it is now covered in earth, moss and sticks. Bookings are good for 2021, but the first hedgehog is yet to arrive.

A second hedgehog house has already been placed on the left-hand side of the green container as the facilities continue to expand.

Back in December at the Jeanneret home, mum Carly put out 3 Christmas wreaths for recycling, but before she had chance, a family of robins nested in one of them. Mrs Robin laid 3 eggs, and 3 baby robins hatched in April. Carly kindly donated the other 2 wreaths to Marriott Green and these are hanging on trees, waiting for more robins to make their nests.

If anyone has any wreaths they’d like to donate (at any time of the year), we would love to hang more up.

Inspired by Louis and his family? We would love to add more bird boxes etc to the East Farndon hotel complex. Children – grab your parents! Here are some ideas for building bird boxes, bug hotels and hedgehog houses. There are lots of websites that tell you how to build them – these are a few examples:

Build a bird box (rspb.org.uk)

Naturehood Actions | Wildlife Housing

Bug Hotel Plans DIY | Build an Insect Hotel – The RSPB

How to make a hedgehog house | Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk)

 Keen to help?

Volunteers are turning the neglected area of land around the green container on Marriott Green into a wildlife area. If you can help in any way, for example, donating plants, bird boxes etc – or if you have some great ideas, please contact Anthea, Donna and Judy via the website. Plants (e.g. colourful bushes) for the grass bank that borders the road would also be gratefully received.

The pdf version of this article can be accessed by the clicking this link: Marriott Green Bug Hotel

Also, for more information, click this link to visit the Marriott Green Home Page

Written by Judy Hodgetts – May 12th 2021

In Memoriam – Brenda Hopkins

It is really sad to learn that Brenda Hopkins has passed away. Brenda lived at Orchard House in East Farndon and she moved to the village in the late 1970s with her husband Derek, who died in 2013. May she rest in peace.

The following was announced in the Daily Telegraph on February 22nd,

Brenda Elizabeth Hopkins died peacefully at home with her family on 12th February 2021, aged 91. Much loved mother of Sara, Simon, James, Clive, Charlotte and Emma and grandmother to twelve grandchildren. Family funeral. All enquiries to J. Stamp & Sons. Tel: 01858 462524 www.jstampandsons.co.uk