May 2008 Number 311 Registered Charity Number 1000857 Village Hall agm

This took place on Wednesday 2^nd April, many thanks to the people who attended. The Chairman stated that 2007 had been yet another busy year for the Village Hall. Work to improve the hall continued with substantial repairs to the kitchen and snooker room windows and new flashing to one of the flat roofed areas which amounted to £6000. Emergency repairs were necessary to the drains which cost another £1770. Unfortunately these works have had to take precedence over the refurbishment of the kitchen, which is still our main priority for this year. Fund raising, as ever, will still be needed to help bring the hall up to modern day standards and make it a hall the whole village can be proud of. Thank you to everyone who supports the Village Hall.

Starting from Sheepy Road Car Park in Atherstone at 10.00 a.m. let your imagination re-create the scenes of the past when mining dominated villages in North Warwickshire. We firstly walk alongside the picturesque Coventry Canal then on easy paths and lanes through the mining villages of Grendon and Baddesley Ensor. The return journey affords excellent views of the embattled towers and walls of Merevale Hall and includes a section along 'The Paddy Line' (a disused colliery railway line). We think the best way to get to the car park is to take the A444 from Burton towards Nuneaton. Cross the M42 keeping on the A444 (3rd exit). Go past Twycross Zoo and turn right on the B4116 (Sheepy Road) in Twycross. Keep on the B4116 through Sheepy Magna and Pinwall then follow the Atherstone town centre signs. As you approach Atherstone look out for the police station on the right. Shortly after this you go across a mini roundabout and the Sheepy Road car park is almost immediately on the right. (just before St Mary's church which is on the left). The journey from Burton takes about 45 minutes and the walk around 6 miles should take about 2 hours 30 minutes don‘t forget your flask for the refreshment stops. A donation of £1 is requested please towards Village Hall funds

A Village Hall working party has been arranged for Monday 5^th May starting at 10.00 a.m. for 2 hours. There is a variety of jobs which need undertaking so if you are wondering what to do this bank holiday come along and join us.

A sponsored walk will once again take place in aid of the Village Hall, this time the money will go towards general repairs and maintenance. The walk entitled “Edge and River” on Saturday 3^rd May will start from Grindleford Station at 10.30 a.m. The walk is eleven miles long and goes through some of the most spectacular scenery the Peaks have to offer. Sponsorship forms are now available, if anyone would like to donate towards this worthy cause or even if you fancy joining us on the day please phone Wendy Poole (703228) or Chris Shean (701437)

The first meeting for May is on Tuesday 6^th May, this will be the AGM followed by holiday discussions. On Tuesday 20^th May the club will visit Bakewell with the coach leaving the Village Hall at 9.30 a.m. If any non-member wishes to go on this trip will they telephone Mr. G. Wass on 703903.

The bowling green will open on Monday 5^th May.

The ladies will play on Monday and Thursday 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. The men will play Monday and Wednesday evening 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Mixed play will be on Saturday evening 6.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Women’s Institute.

The May meeting of Newton Solney Women’s Institute will take place in the Village Hall on

We look forward to welcoming visitors to join us for Collective Worship in the school hall on the following Wednesdays at 9.15am: 7^th May, 4^th June and 2^nd July.

School is taking part in a recycling programme called Recycool. Old mobile, PDA handsets and used printer cartridges are collected and passed on to be refurbished for reuse. Through the programme pupils will learn more about recycling and protecting the environment. Funds will also be raised for school and will be put towards purchasing resources and equipment. If you have empty cartridges or an old mobile please send them to us via a pupil or call in at the school office. Thank you. Linda Latchford, Head teacher

Ploughman's Lunches

The next one will be on May 6th (first Tuesday of the month) at 1 p.m. in the Village Hall. To book your place and choose your menu please contact Hazel Ward 701244

The Parish Annual Meeting will take place on Friday 9^th May at 7pm in the village hall. The Chairman will present a review of council business throughout the past year, the meeting also provides an opportunity to ask questions and air your views. Currently the B5008 road and traffic improvements will obviously feature, the council also wishes to update the village plan, and to consider ideas for the village project of improving the river bank area at the bottom of Trent Lane. Please come along to hear the latest information and submit your ideas and suggestions. Don’t forget that it is YOUR Parish Council, your input is an essential part of the local government process if it is to function effectively.

The next whist drive will take place on Tuesday 27^th May starting at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall. Admission is £1.50 including refreshments. Everyone is very welcome to attend.

£50 No. 18 Miss E. Elson Mill lane

£25 No. 15 Mrs S. Doherty Blacksmith’s Lane

Congratulations to the above

April is the last draw in the 200 Club year and the Village Hall Committee would like to thank all the current members for the support you have given us and hope that you will continue with your memberships. The 200 Club is a vital part of our fund raising activities with the money raised going towards improvements and maintenance at the hall. Membership is £12 for the year, prizes of £50 and £25 are drawn every month plus an extra £75 prize in June, September and March with a £100 prize in December. A gallant band of friends and committee members will be coming round your way soon to collect memberships, if you miss them and would like to drop your £12 (cheques payable to Newton Solney V.H. 200 Club) in at 34 Blacksmith’s Lane please do so. Give Chris Shean a call on 701437 if you would like to join the 200 Club, at present there is just one number without an owner. Thank you.

A Spring Buffet Lunch is to be held in the Village Hall on Sunday 11^th May, at 1.00 p.m. Good food and pleasant company are on offer and you are invited to bring your own drinks; but given the limited space available it would be wise to book promptly to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost £7.00 for adults, £3.50 for children, and can be obtained from Hazel Ward (701244) at 21 Blacksmith’s Lane. Additional help by providing a raffle prize or a dessert would be much appreciated.

Christian Aid envelopes will this month be dropping through our doors, inviting us to help people in the developing world to help themselves. Their needs, exacerbated by war, poverty and either flood or drought, are as great as ever. Last Year donations from this community, including reclaimed Gift Aid Tax, reached just over £460. Can we do even better this year?

This year it will take place Wednesday 30th July to Saturday 2nd August, there will be 50 beers this year (and a bit more as back up in case we run out again!!) Wednesday, is tasting night 5- 12, Thursdays, acoustic artistes will perform headlined by Woolley and Archer 5-12, Friday, opening act to be confirmed, Headlined by Travelling Riverside Blues Band, 5-close. Saturday, Fatdigester Un-plugged, headlined by Kingston Town, UB40 tribute band, mid-day till midnight, Hog Roast in the afternoon. More information next month.

Already proving popular at our Aylesbury venue, the "music and dine" concept comes to the Unicorn!

Basically, book a table and appreciate some top notch live! entertainment free of charge. An event we are hoping to host on the second Friday of every month. The first event is hosted by the successful "unplugged" club from Ryans in Derby hosted by Kev Andrews and Gaz Palmer who were responsible for discovering current hit maker James Morrison who used to turn up at the club regularly. The guys will be booking 3-4 acts a night to entertain you allow time for local muso's to get involved via open mike slots. The first evening is on Friday May 16th, you can book a table on the usual number 01283-703324 or just turn up for a pint and enjoy the ambience!

All contributions for the June newsletter by Saturday 10^th May please to Wendy Poole, Greenbank Cottage, Bretby Lane, (703228). Don’t forget you can e-mail me at wendypoole@aol.com