Village News – 2 March 2023

Retford Half-Marathon

The Retford half-marathon this year will be taking place on Sunday 5th March, so expect road closures in the area. The main race will start at 10:00am in front of the Retford Oaks Academy for runners aged 17+.

Meet The Neighbours

The next meeting of the Neighbours group will take place on Monday 6th March in the Village Hall from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. You are invited to join them for afternoon tea, when of course you can meet the neighbours.

See more at the Village Hall website here

Parish Council

Parish Council Meeting

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Wednesday 15th March 2023 at 7:00pm in the Village Hall, and NOT the 8th March as previously mentioned.

Speedwatch

Motorists are advised that the speed watch team are active in the village as from Wednesday 1st March and will operate randomly at various times and locations throughout the village. Please be aware and drive at the advised speeds, for the safety of yourself and others.

Looking Forwards

One of the many events taking place at the forthcoming bank holiday weekend to celebrate the Coronation of HRH King Charles 111 will be a Classic Car Show in the village. Any classic car enthusiasts or possible entrants please contact the organisers through the Parish Council who are promoting the events over this period.

Volunteers Required

The Parish Council are putting plans together to celebrate the forthcoming coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on Saturday, May 6th 2023. If you would like to be involved in putting these events together and can volunteer your time and energy in whatever way you can, please contact the clerk at clerk@suttoncumlound.net.

Dear Deer

Observant drivers have reported, whilst driving down Mattersey Road toward the village, what was described as a gorgeous deer running across the road from the fields. If the driver had been driving at a speed of 50 to 60 mph or not paying attention, it could have been a bit of a disaster for the young little thing!

This is probably the native British deer which is rusty brown in the summer months, turning grey, pale brown or sometimes black in winter. The small antlers with three prongs on males are known as tines. Roe deer are easily startled – their rumps bounding through forests and crops are a familiar sight to walkers and cyclists. They became extinct in England in the 1800s due to forest clearance and over-hunting, though the species remained in parts of Scotland. These days, they are widespread and abundant. The deer rutting season is the time that male deer, known as stags or bucks, fight over females by fighting with each other or rubbing their antlers on trees. They will also herd female deer, known as a doe.

Breeding season is usually Mid-July to mid-August. Britain’s deer populations are expanding, yet most of us see them rarely as they are secretive woodland dwellers. During the autumn deer rut, they are much more noticeable due to their need to mate, and they can be very vocal. Of the six species of deer found in the British countryside, however, only roe and red deer are indigenous to Britain.

Fallow deer are thought to have been introduced during the Norman period, while muntjac, Chinese water deer and sika deer were introduced in the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Catching a fleeting glimpse of a deer on the landscape is an exciting wildlife spectacle.

Many of the UK’s Royal parklands are home to deer, including Richmond Park and Bushy Park in London. Motorists are asked to be vigilant when approaching the village from any direction, as other incidents are reported on Station Road area as vehicles enter the village from Barnby Moor direction. The damage to vehicles can be quite serious, so a cautious approach might be best for the protection of all. Wildlife preservation, after all, we do love them dearly.

St Bartholomew’s Church

Church Service

On Sunday 26th February 2023 (first Sunday of Lent) “Songs of Praise” took place at the local church at the usual time of 9:30am.   The officiant on this occasion was Joan Herrington. Gospel Readings: Matthew 4 1-11.  Intercessions: Janet Webb.

The service on Sunday 5th March, second week of lent, is a family service and starts at the usual time of 9:30am. Please come along and bring the family.