Village News – 11 January 2024

Local Pub Update

Sorry for a delay in coming back to you all. It has been a bit of chasing until we gathered all emails and details. Big thanks to Betty & Andy Merrick, who have walked around the village gathering this information. Many thanks to all who made the effort and showed up in December to discuss how we can at least try to save the pub in our village. In total, there were approximately 60 people from 47 households. From this we have a volunteer group of 17 people representing different backgrounds and skills. This group signed up as interested parties at the meeting.

• The interested parties’ details are available on request!
• The group met for the first time on Sunday, 7th January to discuss how to move forward.
• The committee will take over all communication and information to the wider public.
• Parish Council will be of help and support on historical process and information. Represented by myself (Vice Chair at PC) and Martin Rees (Chair at PC)

Mobile Library

The mobile library will be back again on Monday 22^nd January 2024, stopping at all the usual places at the usual times. Any changes in next year’s visits will be notified accordingly.

St Bartholomew’s Church

See more about the church here

Church Services

On the 7^th January 2024, Epiphany Sunday, a Family Service for Epiphany Service took place, took place at the local church at 9:30am. Worship leaders on this occasion were Janet Webb and Dylan Boddy. Intercessions: Janet Webb : Organist, Geoff Webb.

Services for the New Year:

• Sunday 14th, January 24 – Holy Communion.
• Sunday 21st, January 24 – A Worship for All Service will take place.

All service commence at 9:30am unless notified differently.

Sutton Village Hall

See what’s on at the Village Hall here

Parish Council

As many are aware, there was no meeting of the council in December due to the many and varied events taking place during the festive season. Good news is the council are back after a good rest and ready to work on your behalf. They met as scheduled on Wednesday 10^th January 2024 at the Village Hall and a report will follow when to hand.

Gardening Club

When the club held its first meeting in 2024 it was a change of evening and a change of venue. The same warm welcome from the same old faces made everybody relaxed on arrival and happy about the change of venue. The change of meeting night may cause a few problems for some to start with, but as we are all creatures of habit, this change will soon become the norm and will be fully accepted as time goes by.

Despite the changes, a group of 30 members and friends made the effort to attend the event. Apologies were received from various members unable to attend due to illness, or seasonal ailments taking their toll. The committee were on hand to greet members old and new on arrival and help them settle in for the evening.

Chairperson Jenny Bailey welcomed members and any guests and prospective members to the event and gave out any official notices before introducing the guest speaker. The guest speaker for the evening was none other than Rachel Barrowcliffe, who has addressed the club on previous occasions and is more like an old friend, popular and well-known to most. Rachel’s talk for this session was entitled “How to future-proof your garden” and alerted those present to review and think carefully before making changes. For example, electric car? Install the necessary power pod before laying pathways or concreting drives etc.; Make sure paths are wide enough for two people to walk abreast, should you need to support someone at a later date! Wide enough for wheelchair use should it be required in the future. A variety of garden sheds and summer houses are available on the market, Rachel’s advice, make sure there is enough room to turn around with lawn mowers or other garden equipment! Hire a professional if possible and use top quality materials, remember there are still a lot of cowboys out there, so beware.

The speaker often went off at a tangent (warning given beforehand) but this held the group’s attention and nobody dropped off to sleep during the talk, the only nodding taking place was the members nodding in agreement with the advice and tips given by the speaker, which were eagerly taken on board by those present! Another very informative meeting and seemingly enjoyed by those in attendance. Thanks to all concerned.

At the next meeting of the group, Thursday 1^st February, Sue smith (7th Heaven Hedgehog Rescue) will address members on the subject. One not to be missed!

Email: gardeningclub@suttoncumlound.net

See more about the Gardening Club here

Retford Men’s Club

Retford Men’s Probus Club met as scheduled at Hallcroft Community Centre on Friday 5^th January 2024 at the usual time of 10:00am. President George Teasdale opened the meeting and welcomed members and prospective members present.

The present secretary Rob Boeuf was requested to relate the latest Standing Orders document and any amendments made to the present document and after any adjustments made will serve as the club’s constitution. This was done and put before members present for their approval. Rob also gave an update on absent members and health problems many are experiencing at present, the committee and members unanimously sent their regards and wished them well!

Time for today’s speaker, who on this occasion was non-other than our very own Roy Evans.

Roy, a long-standing member, and ex-President, had agreed to address the group on “The joy of writing”.

Hopefully this covers the reason why writers / authors put themselves through the agony of writing, whether it be a magazine article or even a book. If you have a good idea, how do you write it? Do you use an agent, do you self-publish, and if so, how will you get your work printed and distributed?

Even such now famous authors such as J.K Rowling had difficulties in finding a willing printer and distributor, but persevered and after over 100 attempts finally found a small company willing to take the risk, otherwise Harry Potter would still be lying on some editors’ desk or may even have ended up in the wastepaper bin.

Just a short insight to the problems you may encounter if you decide on a career as a writer. Think Carefully. A very informative talk, highlighting many salient points not normally made public, but they were today thanks to Roy! We live and learn (hopefully). One of the better presentations placed before the group. Many thanks.

Post Office

The Post office operates in the Village Hall on Wednesdays from 10:00am to 12:30pm. Services offered include banking, Cash Deposits, Cash Withdrawals, Bill Payments plus lots more.