This month on Thursday 12 April at 7.30pm in the Community Centre we will be welcoming Neil Tyers from the National Auricula and Primula Society. A specialist grower of Auriculas, he will give an illustrated talk on all aspects of growing and keeping these wonderful plants.

For our final speaker of the season, on Thursday 10 May, we will have a presentation from a previous visitor to our garden club, Geoff Hodge, looking in detail at scented plants in the garden. Geoff is a prolific garden writer, with a wide area of knowledge which he loves to pass onto other gardeners.

All welcome, non members pay £2.

Please note the correction to the date: the meeting is MONDAY 16th APRIL – Apologies !!

This year on 11th November 2018 it will be the centenary of the ending of the Great War after which the poppy became the symbol of Remembrance.

To mark this there are many schemes using poppies.

Here in the village , our Rector, Pippa would like a scheme for knitting/ crocheting poppies for a Cascade of flowers outside the church. This should be beautiful provided enough poppies are made! This project will be spearheaded by Fay Cummings and further details will follow after Easter.

In Oakham, it is hoped to replicate a version from the Tower of London with clay poppies at the castle.

I would like to set up an opportunity in the village for the clay poppy scheme ( open to men, women and older children ) and hope this would be one Saturday in June.

Apparently during a session of about 2 hours , it takes each person about 15 MINUTES to make a poppy. These will then be taken away for firing. All tuition is given. Artistic talent not needed.

Cost is zero although donations are welcome.

I need about 20 expressions of interest to set this up.

So if you would be interested please contact me by email : hilary.daintith@gmail.com

As previously published, the village Safari Supper is scheduled for Saturday 14th Apr 18. Have you registered your interest?? If not please contact Judy Cade (Tel: 720467) or Paul Cummings (Tel: 720124). Cost is £20/House with all proceeds going to Dove Cottage Day Hospice.

A fun evening eating and meeting your way around the village. Booking Deadline is 24th March.

North Luffenham Garden Club Meeting this Thursday 8th March at the Community Centre starting at 7.30pm.

This month Trevor Rogers, an experienced fruit grower and former RHS tutor, will be holding an interactive fruit growing clinic. We look forward to learning better ways of growing and enjoying the fruits of our labours.

As always, we  welcome non members, (guests £2.00).

Due to the inclement weather there will be no visit from Arthur’s Fish and çhip van this evening.

Normal service will be resumed next week

We have been advised that due to an abandoned car on Station Road the road may currently be impassable. Please be aware and avoid Station Road this evening. It is hoped to move the car early tomorrow am.

A Fraud MO is being conducted against elderly vulnerable people involving a male caller, described by various victims as having an Indian or foreign accent, contacting the vulnerable person knowing their name, address and bank in order to try to get them to withdraw money from the bank.
Offences have continued across the force with a potential further 14 incidents being called into the Police over the last few weeks. This is likely to be higher in number due to some incidents being reported directly to Action Fraud and others being unreported.
A couple of variations to the method have been observed, these being the victim being persuaded to transfer their money into the suspects bank account and also where the scam initially began as a BT/TalkTalk representative rather than from the Police/bank.

PC 2113 Pete Icke | Eastern Counties – DNO NR37 Beat.
Rutland South Beat Officer
Telephone 3302113
Email: peter.icke@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk
 Address: Oakham Police Station – Station Road, Oakham Rutland LE15 6QT

Oakham Choral Society and Orchestra.

Sunday 4th March 2018.
Oakham School Chapel, 7.30 pm.

Tickets £8 (will be available on the door)

01572 758820, boxoffice@oakham.rutland.sch.uk, Walkers Bookshop (Oakham) & wegottickets.com

Rutland County Council has determined its admission arrangements for September 2019.  A copy of these arrangements can be found on the ‘Admission Arrangements’ page of our website at www.rutland.gov.uk/admissions

RCC have today advised of an emergency temporary road closure with immediate effect, with works anticipated to take 6 hours.  Download the attached Notice and accompanying plan

It has been confirmed by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), that Avian Influenza (bird flu) has been identified in the wild bird population in Rutland. 

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone currently applies to everyone who keeps poultry or captive birds in England. Anyone who keeps poultry or birds must adhere to strict biosecurity requirements, whether they have commercial flocks or just a few birds in a garden flock. 

The prevention zone means bird keepers across the country must: 

• Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources
• Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds
• Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures
• Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy
• Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas 

Further information about Defra’s biosecurity requirements can be found on the GOV.UK website. 

If anyone suspects disease in their flock or finds dead wild birds such as wild ducks, wild geese, swans, gulls or birds of prey, they must report this to Defra.  

You can contact Defra’s helpline by calling: 03459 33 55 77 

Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from avian influenza is very low. 

As a precaution, people should avoid contact with sick, dying or dead poultry or wild birds, avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with bird faeces and avoid untreated feathers. 

Further updates on avian influenza in England can be found online at: www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-in-winter-2017-to-2018 

St. Mary & St. John C.E.V.A. Primary School

We are taking part in the Big battery Hunt which is one of the largest recycling challenges in the UK. The challenge is to collect as many batteries as we can before Easter to be in with a chance of winning some science themed prizes for school as well as teaching the children the importance of recycling. If anyone has any batteries could they please drop them in at school or there is a collection bucket in the Community Centre foyer.

Thank You

St Mary & St John CEVA Primary School
Church Street
North Luffenham
Oakham
Rutland
LE15 8LH

01780 720184

The 6th North Luffenham Safari Supper will take place on Saturday 14th April 2018. Full details are contained in the attached flyer which will be enclosed in the February edition of the Parish Magazine. An evening of meeting new people, and having fun. Each participant couple are invited to host one course for 6 people. Starters, Mains and Puddings will be served in different homes around the village. Cost will be £20 / Couple, with all proceeds going to Dove Cottage Day Hospice. To book or for further information contact Paul – 720124, Judy – 720467, Liliane – 721047 or Di – 720447.

Booking deadline will be 24th March 2018

Flyer – 2018

Last September Rutland County Councillors voted to introduce a £35 charge for green bin collections, starting from April this year.
In the next few days all eligible households will receive a letter inviting them to sign up for the chargeable service from Monday 22^nd January.

Residents will be able to sign up online, over the phone, or in person at the Council’s offices.

The link to the website for registrations and further information is as follows: https://www.rutland.gov.uk/greenwaste

We look forward to starting 2018 with a fascinating talk on ‘Death in the Garden’ by Michael Brown, ‘The Historic Gardener’ at 7.30pm on Thursday 11 January in the Community Centre.