Produced and Sponsored by St. Vincent’s Church, Caythorpe,

Parochial Parish Council Supported by the Parish Council

Editor. Roger Welby-Everard 01400 273459 Email: roger@welby-everard.com

A recent invitation to a birthday party brought me out in spots, not literally you understand, the party was for our grand daughter’s 6th birthday and it was to be a disco, loud music, no conversation..........ugh, it wasn’t as bad as I had imagined, we all had fun watching Zoe and her friends endlessly dancing to music they all enjoyed and then ‘hoovering’ up the food! The short times we had to talk to her friends I was not sure what they were say-ing most of the time, they talk differently these days and I may be a little hard of hearing! So, contemplating this month and beginning to take a group of older youngsters, (11 upwards), through a confirmation course, it will probably require me to learn a different language over again, but I am seriously looking forward to sharing what we can of the Christian faith with those who not only have a lot to learn about God, but much to teach us, who over the years have fixed our ideas and forgotten all about growing in faith, when truth to tell we should be doing that at every stage of our lives. Ash Wednesday falls on the 25th of this month which in turn marks the beginning of those 6 weeks of Lent, a golden opportunity to do a bit of growing, to tread again in the footsteps of Jesus as he prepared for his Passion, his death on the cross. Beyond that terrible death is the wonder of the Resurrection that we celebrate on Easter Day, but like our young people prepared to do some serious thinking be-fore they take the step to Confirmation, a confirming of their belief in God begun at baptism, so we who want to celebrate on that glorious Easter Morn should be prepared to spend some time this Lent on considering the commitment of Jesus to be our Saviour, this was no impulsive action on his part, but older in its incep-tion than the world itself. Now here’s a thought...My finger slipped as I typed in confirmation for this let-ter, and instead I had written conformation, which made me offer a quick prayer for our group, for them not to feel they should conform, but be open to the love of God through the words of Jesus, the work of His Spirit and grow continually by his grace.

CHURCH CLEANING Mr and Mrs Miller

Flower Rota Mary Fraser-

Darling

BRASS CLEANING Mrs Dix

PHOTOCOPYING We do welcome people who wish to do some photocopying at the Rectory. This is offered as a facility to all people who live in the Benefice, and the “contributions” made (5p per copy) help to keep the cost of maintenance of the machine down.

St. Vincent’s Church, Caythorpe Parochial Church Council

PARISH PRIEST: The Revd June Freshney 279199 LAY CHAIRMAN: Mrs Janet Avison 272158 CHURCHWARDENS: Mrs Jo Russell 273551 Mr John Scott 272974 SECRETARY: Mrs Carol Ridler 273267 TREASURER: Mr Roger Welby-Everard 273459

Be happy as you give up chocolate for Lent and pray for those of us who can’t! yours in love and prayer,

June Friday Club for February is on 20th beginning at 3.45 at St Vincent’s and the fol-lowing Sunday 22nd is our Breakfast Service which starts with breakfast and con-tinues with stories and hymns prompt at 10.15. You are most welcome to come to all of this or part, it is informal, fun and a lovely way to worship God and be ‘fed’. Give it a try!

Church Floodlighting 6 Jan In memory of Albert Edward Bellamy on his birthday. 10 Jan In memory of Peter John Driver on his birthday. 13 Jan In memory of my mother Mrs N Pick. 21 Jan To celebrate the birthday of Philip Rushmere. 4 Feb In memory of Ruby Elizabeth Bellamy on her birthday. 9 Feb In memory of Janeen Russell. 16 Mar In memory of Pam Treble on her birthday.

To have the Church Floodlit for your celebration or remembrance contact Mary Siddans 01400 272371

Women’s World Day of Prayer Papua New Guinea

is being held Friday 6th March 2009

St Peter's Church, Navenby at 2.00 pm.

SERVICES IN FEBRUARY Sunday 1st February CANDLEMAS 9.00 am Caythorpe Holy Communion 10.00 am Fulbeck Sung Eucharist 12.30 pm Caythorpe “Hot Lunch in Church” Wednesday 4th February 9.00 am Caythorpe Holy Communion Friday 6th February Accession of HM Queen Elizabeth II 1952 8.45 am Fulbeck Morning Prayer Sunday 8th February THIRD BEFORE LENT 10.00 am Caythorpe Sung Eucharist (Mr & Mrs Welby-Everard) 6.00 pm Carlton Scroop Evensong Wednesday 11th February 9.00 am Caythorpe Holy Communion Friday 13th February 8.45 am Fulbeck Morning Prayer Sunday 15th February SECOND BEFORE LENT 10.00 am Fulbeck Sung Eucharist 6.00 pm Caythorpe Celtic Prayer Wednesday 18th February 9.00 am Caythorpe Holy Communion Friday 20th February 9.00 am Fulbeck Morning Prayer 3.45 pm Caythorpe Friday Club Sunday 22nd February SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT 9.00 am Carlton Scroop Holy Communion (BCP) 9.30 am Caythorpe Breakfast followed by joint benefice Family Service Wednesday 25th February Ash Wednesday 9.00 am Caythorpe Holy Communion (with imposition of Ashes) 6.00 pm Fulbeck Holy Communion (with imposition of Ashes) Friday 27th February George Herbert, priest and poet 8.45 am Fulbeck Morning Prayer Sunday 1st March LENT I 9.00 am Caythorpe Holy Communion 10.00 am Fulbeck Sung Eucharist

St Mary’s Catholic Church Grantham 1, North Parade (Tel. 01476 563935)

Masses Saturday 6.00 pm Sunday 8.00 am, 10.00 am Most weekdays 9.00 am

CHRISTCHURCH (Methodist & United Reformed Church) GRANTHAM Sunday Services held at 10.30am and 6.00pm at Finkin St./Castlegate

Friends of St Vincent 200 Club January :Draw

£15 Roy Jex £10 Pete Endley £5 Mavis Hutchinson

Caythorpe Church Bellringers Since our appeal in 1999 for new ringers to learn to ring to celebrate the new millennium, we have continued to attract new ringers to augment our band. The fine set of eight bells that we have at St Vincent's were fully refur-bished in 2001, the first work that had been done since the previous over-haul in 1913. This meant that it was once again possible for full peals to be rung, which attracts visiting ringers from far and wide. We have raised money from a special box placed on the bar in the Red Lion and along with donations from visiting ringers and also from RAF Cranwell Thrift shop we were able to recently purchase a set of bell muf-fles. Muffling the sound of the bell striking is ringers' age-old way of honouring the departed and we were proud to use our new set, for the first time, on Remembrance Sunday last year. Anyone interested in learning to ring or even just to visit the ringing chamber to see 'how it's done' are most welcome. Please contact either Richard Johnson (272002) or Kate Morgan (273062). Practice nights are on alternate Wednesday evenings 7.30 - 9.00 pm.

A verse from a 'bellringers hymn' A&M 496 We call from tower and steeple

Upon the day of days All faithful Christian people

To worship prayer and praise We ring with joyous gladness

When man and wife are blessed We peal in muffled sadness For loved one laid to rest

CAYTHORPE & FRIESTON OPEN GARDENS OUR NOW ESTABLISHED BIENNIAL OPEN VILLAGE GARDENS WILL BE ON SUNDAY 21ST JUNE THIS YEAR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WILL BE OPENING YOURS . DON’T FORGET LARGE OR SMALL, TIDY OR NOT! PEOPLE LOVE A LOOK ROUND PRIVATE GARDENS.

Phone me on 273428 OR Email mmpalmer@waitrose .com Maureen Palmer

CARLTON ELECTRICAL

SERVICES 8 Sands Lane, Carlton Le Moorland.

Lincoln LN5 9HJ

Fully Qualified Electrician. Part P Reg’d

Domestic, Commercial Industrial & Agricultural.

Inspection & Testing. Every job done promptly, safely & to

Customer requirements Phone or Fax 01522 789159

/ Mobile 07720 717548 Email:

carlton.electrical@btinternet.com

JP MAINTENANCE SERVICES

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

MANY TYPES OF WORK UNDER TAKEN.

INSIDE AND OUT GARDENING AND TREE WORK

GUTTERS CLEARED DECKING LAID

GARDEN WALL BUILT DECORATING

SMALL PLUMBING WORK NEED AN EXTRA PAIR OF HANDS

MATERIALS SUPPLIED OR USE YOURS

CALL JOHN PADLEY ON. PHONE 01636 626510 MOBILE 07757 086003

john@padley92.freeserve.co.uk

GARY BOWEN

Roofing Contractor

For all your roofing requirements

CALGARY HIGH STREET CAYTHORPE GRANTHAM

LINCOLNSHIRE

Tel: Loveden (01400) 273261 after 6.00pm

Mobile 07903 351822

GRAFFOE PLUMBERS, GENERAL BUILDERS AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

(ACOP & Corgi Registered Gas Installer) “24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE”

Plumber, Heating Engineer, Plumbing Surveyor, Water Meter Installer.

Gas, Oil, Solid Fuel, and LPG Installations. Bathrooms and Kitchens - Property and Roof Repairs.

Underpinning and Foundation Repairs. Drainage, Plastering, Wall and Floor Tiling.

Insurance Work Undertaken

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE TEL: 01529 306501 MOBILE 0776 7611166

MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:30-5:30 SATURDAY 8:30-12:30

MOT TESTING SERVICING BODYWORK EXHAUST TYRES

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CUSTOMISING VALETING MOT REPAIRS

CAR CARE CENTRE OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE

ALL VEHICLE REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN

FREE QUOTATIONS FREE COLLECTION SERVICE

Belmont Garage, Lincoln Rd, Caythorpe, Lincs, NG32 3DD

Goulash Childminders Marie Welby-Everard

Edale, 33 Hough Road

Frieston

Experienced childminder regis-tered with OFSTED and NCMA. I can offer quality care, structured activities and play to enable your child to develop social, physical and creative skills in the environ-ment of my friendly safe home.

For further information please call

01400 279088

Mobile Butcher’s Van visiting Caythorpe

& Frieston

twice weekly Tuesdays

& Fridays

Telephone 01400 272497

Heart Of Glass 71 High Street, Caythorpe

Heart of Glass sells arts and crafts, antiques and vintage stuff. We are open for tea, coffee and cake. Wed-Sat 10am—5pm, Sun 11am—

4pm.

We especially welcome local art-ists and craftsmen who may wish to

exhibit with us.

The Boiler Man Boiler & Tank Replacements

Basic Plumbing Jobs Have your boiler regularly serviced and save money

Evening Tel: 01522 789840 Mobile Tel: 07946 114955

Registered

SHARON MAGAN DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

RELIABLE, PATIENT, FEMALE INSTRUCTOR COVERS GRANTHAM

& SURROUNDING VILLAGES INTRODUCTORY OFFER -

FIRST 3 HRS FOR £50

Tel. 01400 272359

or 07931 454930

SPECIALISTS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

WE ARE A SMALL, FRIENDLY

BUSINESS WITH OVER 25 YEARS SKILLED EXPERIENCE

FROM WORKSHOP THROUGH TO SALES

PHONE

01400 272189 07966 490077

HOUGH RD. FRIESTON NG32 3BY

…. ROBINSONS

…4x4 Ltd

PEST CONTROL

INSECTS, RODENTS, MOLES, RAB-BITS, SQUIRRELS, PIGEONS

DOMESTIC, AGRICULTURAL & BUSINESS PREMISES

NICK HEMSTOCK

Prompt and discreet service Tel. 01400 272296

Mob. 07837 057693

Environmentally Friendly Gardener

Advice on Water Saving & Composting Friendly & Reliable Service Guaranteed

ANDY FOOTE

Tel: 01476 560079 / 07853 245591 www.greenandy.co.uk

andyfoote@greenandy.co.uk

Hedge Trimming Garden Tidy-Ups

Odd Jobs

Grass Cutting Pruning Lopping

PLUMBING SOLUTIONS

Tap into Tony for prompt and Friendly

Service Small jobs or repairs

welcome Drains unblocked and

cleared Bathrooms remodelled,

Repaired or replaced Small Domestic Jobs &

Repairs undertaken

All Work Guaranteed Call Tony on:

Tel: 01400 272976 Or Mobile: 07973 252268

DARREN RALPH

PAINTING AND DECORATING

SERVICES

CRANWELL VILLAGE

01400 262495 0776 585 7233

darrenralphdecorating@hotmail.com

Caythorpe Relief in Need Charity Charity No 217632 Caythorpe Relief in Need Charity was set up 1973 as a consolidation of several small charities that existed for the benefit of residents of the Parish of Caythorpe.

“The object of the Charity shall be to relieve either generally, or individually persons resident in the Parish of Caythorpe who are in conditions of need, hard-ship or distress. In exceptional cases the Trustees may grant relief to persons otherwise eligible there for who are resident immediately outside the Parish of Caythorpe.”

The Charity has recently, with the approval of the Charity Commission, changed it ob-jectives to allow it to make donations to organisations which benefit the residents of the Parish, in particular the young and elderly. The Charity is administered by Trustees who currently are:-

Mr Roger Welby-Everard (Chairman) Revd June Freshney - ex-officio Dr Roger Gee Mrs Janet Hoddell Mrs Judith Scott Mrs Mary Siddans Mrs Liz Welby-Everard (Hon Secretary and Treasurer)

The Charity does not have very large funds at its disposal but is able to offer small sums to help relieve immediate problems. If you feel you could benefit, or are aware of anyone who might, please contact any of the above Trustees. All cases are treated in the strictest confidence.

Roger Welby-Everard

The Arnhem Valentine’s Ball! 14th February 2009

Tickets are £30 per person

At the Playing Field in a luxury marquee.

4 course dinner including wine, band, DJ & other entertainment. Free Prizes. Bar & wine/champagne table.

Whole tables are being booked and there aren’t many left

Please contact Marcella at the Waggon or Doreen on 272848

Caythorpe Mother & Toddlers Group We meet each Friday in the Village Hall at 1.45 pm to 3.15 pm. Cost for Mother and one child £1.50, additional adults/children 50p, babies under 9 months no charge. Drinks and biscuits included .

. For further information contact: Chris Stevens 275046

CAYTHORPE PRE-SCHOOL Caythorpe Pre-School runs morning sessions from 9.15 am to 12 noon on Tuesday to Friday each week in Caythorpe Village Hall. (Term time Only).

Children must be 2 years or over. Funded places are available for 3 and 4 year olds.

For more details and an application form please call 07952 990710 (during session time)

CAYTHORPE BADMINTON CLUB We meet every Monday evening in the Village Hall from 6.30-9.00 pm

Junior Session (11+) 6.30-7.30 pm (adults most welcome to assist) Adult Session (18+) 7.30-9.00 pm

Rackets and Shuttlecocks provided. Contacts: Cheryl 01400 273357 Mary 01400 273069

Restart after Christmas break January 12th

BRIDGE The Caythorpe Bridge Group is up and running. We meet on Mondays at 7.30

pm. for mixed ability social bridge. For further details please contact Jenny Lawis 01400 272535

Caythorpe & Frieston Village Hall Great for clubs, parties, dances or meetings.

Village Events every couple of months Tuesday and Friday evenings are now available. If you wish to set up a club, or have ideas for using this regular booking slot, please contact:

e: catherine_dickinson@hotmail.com t: 01400 272055

Contributions for Caythorpe News Please send by email to roger@welby-everard.com or on paper (preferably typed) to:-

Owl’s House, 3 Frieston Road, Caythorpe NG32 3BX. Please note that the closing date for copy is normally around the 20th of the month.

Caythorpe Surgery Reception Opening Hours

Mon 8.30am - 8.30pm Tue 8.30am - 6.00pm Wed 8.30am - 6.30pm Thu 8.30am - 6.00pm Fri 8.30am - 6.00pm

Surgery Hours Monday 9.00am - 12.00 noon 3.30pm - 8.30pm Tuesday 9.00am - 12.00 noon 3.30pm - 5.00pm Wednesday 9.00am - 12.00 noon 4.00pm - 5.30pm Thursday 9.00am - 12.00 noon 2.00pm - 3.30pm (Child Clinic only) Friday 9.00am - 12.00 noon 3.30pm - 5.00pm

For Appointments Telephone 272215 MEDICATION QUERIES AND REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS ONLY

Telephone 272770 Dispensary Opening Times

Monday 8.30am - 8.30pm Tuesday 8.30am - 6.00pm Wednesday 8.30am - 6.00pm Thursday 8.30am - 6.00pm

Friday 8.30am - 6.00pm When the surgery is closed the emergency service is obtained by dialling

01400 272215 or 999

USEFUL NUMBERS Electrical emergencies/power cuts ..................0800 056 8090 For Electrical faults .........................................0800 363363 (Powergen) Anglian Water (Emergencies).........................0845 714 5145 Street Lights not Working...............................01522 552921 Highway Problems..........................................01522 553170 Environment Agency (Smells!).......................0800 80 70 60 Caythorpe Beat Officer (PC McGibbon)..............01400 281852 /07939 312821 Caythorpe School............................................01400 272600 Grantham Police..............................................01476 402222 Grantham Fire Station.....................................01476 565441 Grantham Hospital ..........................................01476 565232 South Kesteven District Council .....................01476 406080 SKDC Environmental Health 24 hr Helpline..01476 406375 SKDC Contract Monitoring (commercial waste) .01476 406276 (Garry Knighton) Lincolnshire County Council ..........................01522 552222 LCC Waste Disposal Services ........................o1522 782070 Trading Standards ...........................................01476 561061 NHS Direct......................................................0845 46 47 Samaritans.......................................................08457 90 90 90 Childline..........................................................0800 1111 NSPCC Child Protection Helpline ..................0808 800 5000 Lorry Litter .....................................................01522 554817 (Tim Collis LCC Env) Or ................................................01522 785043 (John Giles Env Agency)

CAYTHORPE – A PERSONAL VIEW THANKFULLY, AT LAST!

Janet Norman © It may come as a surprise to you to read that this month’s edition of my ‘personal view’ will be number 43. Can it be over three and a half years since I began to give my inter-pretation of what Caythorpe means to me? Always hopeful that eventually these articles would stir a few memories for the ‘older generation’ which would prompt them to recall what life was really like before a television set became the constant companion, instead of person who lived next door and although memories are gradually being recalled there are still many gaps in our knowledge of what life was like pre-war. One of the things that still saddens me is the reluctance to speak of what life was like during their childhood and only recently, as I spoke to another life long resident of the village their response followed the usual route as they honestly believed nobody would be interested in their childhood reminiscences because they felt only famous people have interesting stories to tell. Sadly, that is an all too common misconception. The rich and famous lead exciting lives, according to a lot of people, while the rest of us just exist and nobody is interested in anything as mundane as living in a Lincolnshire Cliff village whose great-grandparent walked along country lanes in winter, frequently up to their ankles in snow, or glutinous mud, just so they could get to school. Then there was the cost of going to school. When the school first opened its doors, during the 1880s the charge was eight pence a term, per child, as many families had large families it stretched the budget of a labourer to breaking point and that often meant kids went to school in rotation. And these experiences are uninteresting? To me they are the life blood of a commu-nity and something I am loathe to loose because once that generation has passed into history, we have lost the chance to learn from their experiences. However, I always hoped that one day, as technology progressed, its influence would even reach Caythorpe, and now it has because we have an official web page that every-one who has access to the web can log on to, all that is needed is to go to www.caythorpe.org and then follow the route to whatever aspect of Caythorpe interests you. There are photographs of by-gone Caythorpe; the Red Lion has a page, as does the school, and other organisations all have their own web page, even the Parish Council has its own page and for anyone interested in village life they can read the minutes of the last Parish Council meeting, held earlier this month. Oh, and incidentally, I resigned from the council at that meeting because I felt some decisions, in my opinion, would enhance our quality of life. It is all there, please log on, or visit somebody who has a computer, failing that all the local libraries have computer suites and there are always people working there who will help you unravel the complexities of modern technology. Next month I would like move on from Caythorpe (Holy Cross) House for the time being, but rest assured we will return as there remains more to explore but instead of progressing along High Street, to the exclusion of everything else, I would like to skip about and hope that what comes out will be of interest.

One Person’s Perspective on Life Janet Norman ©

Some time ago I received a book mark, but for the life of me I can’t remember who sent it to me, although I have a sneaky suspicion it came from a very dear friend who lives in California. This lovely lady has been a friend of ours for many years and last December she celebrated her 89th birthday, and, would you believe, she still jets off across the world. So here is this very sage reflection on life. “I have to conclude that the accumulation of wealth, even if I could achieve it, is an insufficient reason for living. When I reach the end of my days, a moment or two from now, I must look backward on something more meaningful than the pursuit of houses, land, machines, stock and bonds. Nor is fame of any lasing benefit. I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people, and the earnest attempt to serve the God who made me. Nothing else makes sense….

We did it again – and still none of us fell overboard! When we finished our 2007 French canal holiday we did not plan to take another one for a year or so. However as the gloom of an English November drew on and we reflected on the fun we had had in the summer we decided that we would do it again in 2008. Apart from just general enthusi-asm for such a holiday our reasons for this decision where:-

1. We were not getting any younger. 2. You can't take it with you. 3. Somebody will probably make it illegal. 4. And (writing this in January 2009 with 20-20 hindsight) the economy would

turn to poo! We thought we would try out the Canal du Midi which is right down in the South of France. So having booked our boat, made some airline bookings with British Airways to fly from Gatwick to Montpelier and two weeks later from Toulouse back to Gatwick, CCBW (Chief Cook and Bottle Washer) started to do the packing! CCBW continued to pack, unpack and repack throughout the Christmas period, through the spring and right up to the day before our departure. Having learnt our lesson last year in taking too much we were determined to cut the amount of luggage down to the minimum. At last the day in August arrived and we set forth to drive down to Gatwick for our flight the next morning. We turned right out of the gate, right onto the A607, a few hundreds yards later right again into Hough Road and back to the house to pick up something that we had left behind! It was a long and rather tedious journey particularly when we were crossing the Thames at Dart-ford. The queue of traffic was horrendous, it was the Friday of a Bank Holiday Weekend, so per-haps there was a reason for it. Finally we arrived at the Gatwick Travelodge, which was in the middle of a vast industrial estate, and very close to the airport, and we were able to walk down and watch aeroplanes, this did dam-age to CCBW's morale. Just down the road from the Travelodge we saw a small church. We were surprised to find such a building surrounded by dodgy looking second-hand car establishments and building supplies emporia, so we walked down to have a look. A kind man at the church pointed out to us a little carving of a dog on the side of the steeple. Ap-parently when the church was being built in Victorian times the dog was a regular visitor to the site and became a firm friend with the workmen. When he was sadly killed by a passing carriage on the road outside the church the workforce determined he should have a permanent outlook on the building works he had supervised for so long. So if, God forbid, you should ever find yourself in Gatwick Travelodge, Church Road, Lowfield Heath take a stroll left out of the main entrance, 100 yards down the road past the second hand car pound, and pay homage to man’s best friend. Next morning we went to the Airport and after the rigours of Check-In, Security and very long wait in the departure lounge, eventually our flight was called and we then proceeded to walk halfway to Montpelier before we finally reached the departure gate. At last we took off for the 1½ hour flight to Montpellier. We had a good flight and CCBW's nerves were calmed by the liberal application of gin and tonic. After a safe landing at Montpelier and a short taxi ride to the boat base at Lattes where we com-pleted the formalities and went on board our boat. We ate in the town that night. A good meal paid for by 1st Lt (very grateful parents!) We had a leisurely start the next morning. After a stroll to the boulangerie to get bread we set out from Lattes. Our plan for the day was to go down the river and join the canal du Rhone à Sète and then travel eastwards to Aigues-Mortes which is an ancient walled city. We came to our first (and only for the day) lock about a kilometre down the river. It was a down-hill lock and therefore pretty easy. It was confusingly called the Troisième(3rd). We never saw the Première(1st) or Deuxième (2nd) Écluses, nor could they be found on the map. We proceeded down the river content with our performance. Oh pride before the fall! Our parasol was rigged to keep the worst of the already hot sun off us on the bridge. Slipping easily back into

the gentle routine of gliding down the river, we totally forgot about the parasol when we reached the low first bridge. Too late! With a sickening crack the hollow pole of the parasol was bent to a right angle at the level of the table through which it was mounted. We tried mounting the parasol at a lower level but this was not a great success as the helmsman was totally in incapable of seeing where he was going. So we would have to do without a parasol and would try to get a new pole or replacement parasol when we next stopped. After about 5 km down the river we got to the point where we turned left into the canal du Rhone à Sète. The canal is dead straight and stretched 10-15 km ahead of us. On the north side was a large shallow brackish water lake called Étang du Méjean. To the south we could see the houses, apart-ments and hotels that form the Mediterranean seaside. The Med itself was only ¾ km away. In places the smell of sun-tan oil and garlic wafted up from the beach, and the sight of a distant Ferris wheel gave one an eerie feeling of Blackpool on a hot day. At least the smell of chips was drowned by the garlic! It was all very different from the tree-lined canals we had grown so used to the year before. The étangs are a feature of this part of France. They lie between the Mediterranean and the higher land which is some 8-10km from the seashore. The nearest equivalent in England are the lakes that are found inside Chesil Beach. Mostly they are very shallow and not navigable – later we will cross the exception. Occasionally there are some signs of habitation, a ruined house or barn sitting on a lonely island. In the étangs there were flocks of seagulls and as we progressed along we saw great gangs of flamingos sifting the mud with their strange shaped beaks. They are elegant birds on their long spindly legs, but somehow we felt that spending the day with your head in a muddy pud-dle must be a bit tedious. We saw some White Egrets, which are beautiful little fluffy heron like birds. Later, as we moved into the Camargue area, there were the famous White Horses. Actually most of the ones we saw were rather dirty grey, but magnificent animals all the same. It was baking hot, and the slight breeze off the sea was misleading. There were no trees of any size to offer shade and the flat sur-rounding countryside meant that the sun beat down mercilessly. We were careful to keep hatted and dark-glassed and applied liberal doses of Factor 5 million sun screen – pity about the parasol now lying useless at our feet! We ate our lunch of cheese and paté while we were on the move along the canal. Ahead of us we could see the distant towers of Aigues-Mortes where we finally arrive at about 2 pm. Next to us is another boat, which was crewed by five young men. We christened them ‘Five Lads in Search of Crumpet. (FLSC)’. They had a problem with a blocked loo which was eventually sorted out by an engineer from Locaboat. After settling down we walked into the walled city of Aigues-Mortes. There was a great festival going on, everything was mediaeval and everybody was dressed in mediaeval clothes. It is an amazing town. Massive walls and towers encircle a town of narrow streets in which there are shops mainly targeted at the tourist trade. Happily 1st Lt sees a shop selling parasols and for €36 we are able to replace our damaged one. The foundation of Aigues-Mortes is attributed to Marius Caius - a Roman (did you guess?) - around 102 BC, but the first document mentioning a place called "Ayga Mortas" (dead waters – from the marshy ground around) dates from the 10th century. Louis IX of France (1226-1270) (Saint Louis) rebuilt the port in the 13th century as France's only Mediterranean port at that time. It was the embarkation point of the 7th (1248) and 8th (1270) Crusades. The town is actually several miles inland and the port, as such, would have been in nearby lagoons and estuaries, linked to Ai-gues-Mortes. The 1,650 metres (1 mile 44 yards) of walls were built in two phases: the first during the reign of Philippe III the Bold (1270-1285) and the second during the reign of Philippe IV the Fair(1285-1314), who had the enclosure completed between 1289 and 1300. The Constance Tower, completed in 1248, is all that remains of the castle built in Louis IX's reign. It was almost certainly the gatehouse tower, designed to be impregnable with its six-metre-thick walls. A spiral staircase leads to the different levels of the tower. From 1575 to 1622, Aigues-Mortes was one of

the eight safe havens granted to the Protestants. After Louis XIV revoked the tolerance towards Protestants in 1685 severe repression followed, which was marked in Languedoc and the Cévennes in the early 18th century by the "Camisard War". Like other towers in the town, in 1705 the Con-stance Tower was used as a prison for those who refused to convert to Catholicism. One unfortu-nate Protestant woman, Marie Durand, was imprisoned there for 38 years. As a result of the force of her character and her example to her fellow prisoners she became a symbol of heroism and cour-age. When the day got a bit cooler we went back into the town and walked round inside the walls. There were hundreds of people milling around and all sorts of events taking place both inside and just outside the walls. We watched drummers beating out a rhythmic beat while throwing great banners into the air and then catching them again. Further round the town we went outside the walls to find a complete Mediaeval market and jousting display. There were displays of every kind including a complete range of torture equipment – anyone want a fully functional rack, one careful owner and full service history? We ate onboard – the restaurants in the town would be well full tonight and probably only serving spit-roasted Protestant. So cold chicken – from the excellent cooked bird provided as part of our pre-arrival shopping – with a salad provided us with a good feast. The party in the town went on late and we sat on the back of the boat in the cool of the evening sipping wine.

Roger Welby-Everard

Constance Tower

Inside the walls

Aigues-Mortes August 2008

Jousting Display

PRIZE BINGO NIGHT

at Caythorpe & Frieston Village Hall on Saturday February 28th

Doors open at 6.30pm Eyes down at 7.00pm

Tea, coffee and soft drinks available

Everyone is welcome to bring their own nibbles and drinks To raise funds for the Caythorpe & Frieston Old Friends’ Christmas Party

2009 If anyone would like a lift on the night or would like to donate a prize for

bingo or contribute to the Old Friends’ party please contact:- Rachel on 01400 272724 or 07852 195873

A SINGULAR LANGUAGE. We'll begin with box the plural is boxes,

But the plural of ox is oxen not oxes. One is a goose but two are called geese,

Yet the plural of mouse can never be meece. You could find one mouse in a whole nest of mice,

But the plural of house is houses not hice. And if the plural of man is men,

Why shouldn't the plural of pan be pen? If I speak of a foot, you show me two feet,

If I give you a boot would the pair be called beet? If one is a tooth and the whole set are teeth,

Why can't the plural of booth be called beeth? If the singular is this and the plural is these,

Should the plural of kiss ever be keese? We speak of a brother and also of brethren,

But though we say mother we never say methren. Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,

But imagine the feminine of she, shis or shim. Contributed by Janet Avison

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PETER DRIVER It is with great sadness that as secretary of the Caythorpe & Frieston Village Hall com-mittee I have to report the death of one of our long serving members. When I was asked by my good friend, Tony Thiede (also very sadly no longer with us) to rejoin the com-mittee a couple of years ago Peter made much of the fact that mine and Catherine Dick-inson’s presence would bring the average age of the committee down drastically and his sense of humour enlivened many a meeting and function (Jazz in the Garden and the Christmas Bazaar won’t be the same without him). Peter was always very generous with his time and if anyone needed any assistance he would always help and he will be greatly missed as a fellow committee member but more importantly as a friend.

Rachel Armstrong (Secretary Village Hall committee)

Thank You When I wrote a letter of thanks in the last Caythorpe News I never thought I would be writing another one so soon and in very different circumstances. Andrew, Stephen and I are so grateful for all the thoughts, prayers, letters and cards we have received on Colin’s death. We shall always treasure them. It is comforting to know just how deeply he was re-spected and loved. God’s love is reflected in the many acts of kindness and thoughtful-ness which are supporting and encouraging us at this difficult time. Some of Colin’s “townie” relatives remarked, “ How fortunate you are to live amongst such a caring community.” Indeed I am! Thank you. Barbara Hancock

Alasdair Fraser-Darling has asked me to apologise for the absence of his usual contri-bution. Editor

At a recent meeting of Caythorpe and Frieston Parish Council it was proposed that Frie-ston could have its own dedicated sign. An offer from a Frieston resident to carve an oak sign to be displayed on an oak post has been pledged. This could be further enhanced by the presence of a locally sourced ironstone. The siting of this would be on one of the three greens in Frieston. It has been suggested that the small green adjacent to the A607/Heath Lane and Hough Road crossroads would be suitable. This project is in its early stages and comments from any interested parties would be welcome. John Scott Parish Councillor 272974 Pat Fleming Parish Clerk 275105

CAYTHORPE SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB AGM

7.30pm ON WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY at THE RED LION

We will be pleased to see all members, and to find out what the club is all about, non-members would be very welcome

ments are that emissions can build up in times of no wind. The South Kesteven District Council state at this time that they will not be monitoring air quality. Our concern is that incinerator chimney emissions of several thousand cubic metres per hour will build up combining with the village coal fires, oil burning central heating etc and become a health hazard. At the SKDC/Parish Council liaison meeting we raised this matter seeking to discuss this concern as soon as possible. Another concern is the sorting out of hazardous and nonhazardous wood prior to it being burnt in the incinerator. The agency was unclear how this was being achieved other than to say that an alarm would sound if hazardous impregnated wood was being burnt. How-ever the plant takes 20 hours to shut down. The agency spokesman is willing to speak to the Parish Council at any time. So in con-clusion the council will continue to seek answers from the appropriate bodies. Further information will be published in Caythorpe News as and when these matters are resolved. There is a vacancy on the Parish Council for a councillor following the resignation of Mrs Janet Norman. At the time of writing it is not known if an election will be held or whether anyone has put their name forward. Contact the clerk Mr Fleming if you would like to represent the interests of the village on the Parish Council. I have personally thanked Janet Norman to her spirited contributions to Parish Council affairs and expressed regret that her resignation. At the January Parish Council meeting tribute was made to the contributions to village life of the late Bosh Binns, a former Parish Councillor, and Peter Driver, village hall booking secretary and treasurer. Both gentlemen died suddenly and unexpectedly re-cently. Condolences have been expressed to their respective families. The next Parish Council meeting is at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday the 11th of March in the Vil-lage Hall lounge. There is an open session prior to the start.

Andy Roberts Chairman

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CAYTHORPE & FRIESTON VILLAGE HALL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Caythorpe & Frieston Village Hall Committee would like to thank everyone who helped with and visited the 2008 Christmas Bazaar on 6th December. The after-noon was a great success and we are sure everyone who visited enjoyed them-selves. There were a lot of interesting and exciting stalls and with such a large crowd in attendance the atmosphere was fantastic. It takes a lot of effort to make these occasions a success and there were a number of organisations who gave their time to help with the bazaar, as they always do, such as the WI, Playing Field, Craft Club, Pre School and Mencap and no one will forget Father Christ-mas walking through the Hall with a trail of small children following him. The Committee would also like to thank the various individuals and organisa-tions who have so generously donated throughout the past year. We are raising funds to build a new porch that will be more in keeping with the style of the hall and the upkeep of the hall, being a large old building is always ongoing.

Thank you everyone!

Andy Roberts (Chairman) 01400 273 320

Richard Dix (Vice-Chairman) 01400 272 105 Simon Barter 01400 273 733

Marie Crawford 01400 272 104

Neil Fritzsche 01400 273 293 Janet Norman 01400 273 878

Mark Ridler 01400 273 267

John Scott 01400 272 974

Andrew Smith 01400 272 625 Peter Taylor

01400 272 848 Mark Woodward 01400 273 942

Clerk to the Council Mr Pat Fleming 01400 275 105 Parish Council News

In August 2008 the Parish Council received notification that Mid UK Recycling Ltd had submitted to the Lincolnshire County Councilin May 2008 in application to allow the tonnage of materials to be brought by the A607 to their Station Road site to be increased from 120,000 tonnes 200,000 tonnes per year. In September 2008 the Parish Council made representations to the Lincolnshire County Council that a full environmental impact statement should be undertaken at the develop-ers cost. The County Council responded by ordering a traffic survey. A traffic survey was carried out on the 20th of January 2009 at the A607 Station Road crossroads, Leadenham traffic lights and the A153/A607 Honington Junction. There may have been other locations.

1. The Parish Council are making the following comments about the date of this survey. PGL's children activity centre is not fully operational in Janu-ary. When opened a thousand visitors a week are catered for.

2. Little if any domestic compost materials are being sent in January due to the poor weather and there being no grass clippings.

3. The Parish Council are asking what time the survey started as lorries start using A607 soon after 6 a.m., also was there a traffic survey on vehicles entering and leaving the site turning over the old bridge and travelling along Caythorpe Heath Lane?

4. A retired civil servant reported that on the traffic survey date there was a noticeable reduction in lorry movements to and from the site. A Fulbeck resident also commented that he noticed how a few lorries were travelling on that day.

The Parish Council maintain that if a traffic survey is to be done it should consist of a 24-hour automatic system placed either side of the recycling site over a period of a month to give a true picture of the amount of traffic now using our roads. Then a decision to in-crease the tonnage by another 80,000 can be made in light of that information. An Environment Agency official came to the Parish Council meeting to brief on the in-cinerator and electricity generator. Commissioning is underway and electricity genera-tion into the national grid will take place in the next month or so. The council noted that the Agency do not monitor air quality in the air around the plant and village. Their responsibility is that chimney emissions are safe and legal. Our com-

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