Halam Parish Website - Home Page

March 2006

From the Editor

Thank you to Cedric Hallam who has kindly sponsored this month’s news.

If you would like to sponsor Halam News (£10 per edition), advertise, make a donation, or have items included (deadline 25 th – later submissions may be carried over)

Contact: Karin Davis Tel: 815854 or email karinlindley@hotmail.com

Halam & District Women’s Institute

The W.I. next meets on Tuesday 7 March at 7.30pm in Halam Village Hall. The speaker will be Linda Davey on the subject ‘Bags of Diversity’. The competition is ‘An idea for recycling’. New members will be made most welcome.

Lynda Gillian Bass

 24 June 1947- 27 January 2006

Lynda was born in Halam and attended the village school, then Edward Cludd, Southwell, & later the Business College in Nottingham. Her first job was with Allen’s, Coal Merchants, and later she took a job as medical secretary at Southwell Health Centre. Always cheerful, efficient and reliable, she worked there for 32 years, until she retired due to ill-health.

As a girl she loved horses, and kept one of her own, and she also enjoyed horse-racing and hunting. Lynda was renowned for her catering skills – Harvest Suppers, Maundy Thursday meals & Bonfire parties – and her flowers for church, weddings & festivals were justifiably famous.

Lynda’s involvement with Halam Church was life-long: She attended Sunday school and became a Sunday school Teacher in her teens; she served as Church Warden at different times from her twenties onwards, sharing the responsibility for organising services, and throughout her life she sang with, and was a mainstay of the choir. But in the end perhaps we should remember her care of people.

Her god-daughter Katie gave a wonderful tribute: “Auntie Lynda showed people how much she cared through her generosity, and in the time which she gave to others. She appreciated every little thing that was done for her, and thanked people for their kindness with gifts. She adored her niece China and god-daughter. Auntie Lynda made our wedding the success & wonder that it was, but in complete modesty, producing exquisite floral displays, bouquets & buttonholes, arranging organist, cake stand, and reading so beautifully in the service. The last year of Auntie Lynda’s life was so hard for her, but also brought joy in the form of my daughter Olivia, to whom she was so generous.”

The funeral service was held in Halam Church, with family flowers only and donations for the church which she loved so much. Over 150 people attended the service, - many were standing. Our small community will surely miss her in so very many ways.

Linda Meakin

Church Flowers

Lynda's many gifts, skills and time given so selflessly and generously to this village for decades will be greatly missed. We were dependant on her lovely flowers in Church, and for weddings, festivals and special occasions.

The PCC have asked me to call for volunteers who might contribute their skills in flower arranging, adding to the beauty of our lovely church - perhaps on a rota basis or only occasionally.   We are very grateful to those who helped & learned from Lynda, and given their time, talents and skills to produce some beautifully decorated windows in the past. If you feel you would like to help create a team or would merely like to decorate occasionally we would love to know. Please give me a ring if you are able to offer help or have suggestions.

Bev. Perks - Churchwarden (Tel: 812181)

Parish Council Meeting: 9 February 2006

 Present : S. Bust, A. Fraser, N. Armstrong, G. Herbert, A. Paris; D. Parrish.
Apologies : I. Sharman.

Matters Arising :
1) Christmas Tree: the P.C.C. are unwilling to allow a Christmas tree in the churchyard but suggest lights could be put on existing yew trees; subject to be revisited at a later meeting.
2) State of the Roads/Traffic Calming – D.P. reported a conversation with Stella Smedley re Halam roads. Traffic calming measures to be in place end of March; application has been made to Central Government to move 30mph further up hill; Lack of money delays interactive sign for Halam Hill.

Planning :
1 .New Holbeck Farm, Radley Rd - Retrospective planning permission for change of use of existing livestock building to form stables, and erection of new stable block: passed unanimously.

2. Thornholme, Gray Lane – erection of porch to rear: passed unanimously.

Parish Plan :
Parish Working Group – initial meeting has been held; village to be consulted on important planning and development issues. Further meeting planned for 2 March.
List of items for inclusion in “Welcome Pack” has been drawn up, with further work being done.

Litter: Situation to be monitored.

Notice Board: Waiting response from “Building Better Communities” scheme. Community Speed Watch: Insurance issues to be checked (John Whitaker and Pat Rickett to liaise).

Crime Figures : ARP circulated figures for reported crimes for Halam with other villages and towns for comparison. Fortunately crime figures for the village are low, but they highlight the problem with thefts from parked cars. All residents please note: take care not to leave valuables in vehicles – even if parked on drives.

Proposed Electoral Boundary Changes – Farnsfield Ward :
Clerk to write to Commission regarding proposed exclusion of Oxton from Farnsfield Ward

Open Meeting :
It was reported that its was unlikely that a 20mph speed limit would be put in place past the school as the route was too major a road.

Village Website– www.halam.org.uk
Funding/assistance may be available from D.C. – ARP to investigate.

Proposed New Village Hall :
Mike Evans – Head of Planning Services, & Chris Elston – Planning Manager addressed the meeting re the District Council’s policies on the new village hall proposal. They answered questions from the floor and detailed discussions took place. It was agreed to have further discussions with the D.C. to establish a site layout acceptable in terms of planning policies. A full business plan is also to be drawn up to investigate the financial viability of a new (larger) hall. ARP reported there are new National Lottery grants this year that are specifically aimed at new village halls & community buildings. There is also a series of funding meetings being held by the RCC.

Finance :
Agreed to hold over amendments to Financial Regs and Standing Orders to next meeting.

Date of Next. Meeting :
Thursday 9 March at 7.30pm.

St Michael the Archangel: March Services

For information contact Church wardens: Bev Perks (812181) David Herbert (812335)
Preist-in-charge: Rt. Rev. David Leening (812593)

LENT COURSE

There will be a series of study meetings during Lent led by Rev'd Russell Perry, on Tuesday 7, 14, 21, 28 March & 4 April. The theme will be "Where is God" and each will be introduced by an audio taped talk by leading Christian thinkers, followed by discussion.

The first meeting on Tuesday 7 March will be at The Scypen Radley Road (corner of Back Lane). The following meeting will be at the Old Rectory; venues of subsequent meetings to be arranged. All are very welcome. If you would like to come, it would be helpful to let Tony Andrews know but if you decide to come at the last minute it will not matter.

If you have not been to these meetings before and are not sure what to expect, they are very relaxed and friendly and Russell ensures they are not too long. We feel we learn a lot, - not least from each other!

Tony Andrews (Tel: 815584)

HALAM OPEN GARDENS 2006

  The date  Sunday 9th July has been set for Halam Open Gardens. It is hoped that many of you who opened your gardens for this event last year will do so again.

  All those who kindly participated last year enjoyed the experience & it helps the village to work together. Money raised will go towards maintaining the churchyard.

Those who have only come to the village in last 12 months and wish to learn more about this open day please contact me. If you are thinking of sharing your garden with the public for this one day, ring David Herbert: 01636 812335.

Millennium Picture Archive:

The Waggon & Horses with the Post Office & stores separate. It closed in 1984. The last proprietor was Janet Arnold. The pub was re-opened as it is now in December 1984.

JMT DESIGN: TELEPHONE JOHN THORNEWILL 01636 814676

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