Exton Village Day – IT’S SCARECROW TIME!

Marian Foers would like to say a special ‘Thank you’ to all those folk who made a tremendous effort to produce such a variety of characters for Exton’s first Scarecrow Competition.
The judges found it very difficult to decide on placing, commenting on the high standard for a first attempt and that everyone should be congratulated – so CONGRATULATIONS from the 3 year old contestant to the 80 year old!

The children’s entries ranged from a fairy, a cricketer, a girl with her pony, a schoolboy to a pretty little girl in her garden and Mr Dingle Dangle!

Some of the adult entries had quite a resemblance to their makers – Gardener Bell, Chef and Gardener Pollard, Driver Abels and Carpenter Langston to name but a few.

Exton Events (continued)
The Reverend Crow kept peace in the church porch, whilst the witch on Annie’s cottage wall stopped people in their tracks – as did Pat Castle’s policeman guarding the driveway. Peter’s Psychotic character commanded attention standing tall, whilst it was rumoured that Dan had modelled for Fay’s reclining character. Charlie Chaplin graced Blacksmith’s Lane, while Dr Who with K9 and the Tardis stood sentry at Garden Road.
One Scarecrow resembled Anton from Strictly Come Dancing while another seemed to have a nap in a wheelbarrow.

It was great to see such a variety of scarecrow characters around the village and Marian hopes that it may encourage more people to take part next year. Marian sends her sincerest thanks to you all – and to Barnsdale Gardens and Greetham Garden Centre for sponsoring the event.

Exton Events (continued)

The All Important Results
Class One (Children under 16) Sponsored by Barnsdale Gardens
1st Ella Langston ‘Angelina Fairy’
2nd Rachael Wallace ‘Rider and Pony’
3rd Thomas Oxford ‘Schoolboy’
Class Two (No age limit!) Sponsored by Greetham Garden Centre
1st Barbara and Richard Abels ‘Racing Driver’
2nd Ann Bell ‘Farmer’
3rd Michael and Nicola Langston ‘Carpenter/Joiner’
Class Three (Family/2 or more scarecrows) Sponsored by Greetham Garden Centre
1st Parochial Church Council ‘The Reverend Septimus Crow, choirboy and dove’ (Pictured facing page. Photo Judy Swinfen)
2nd Ruth and Jonathan Pollard ‘Gardener and Chef’
3rd Bev Macdonald ‘Dr Who, K9 and Tardis’

In addition, Guess the Number of Corks in the Demijohn (In aid of the Pensioners Christmas Parcel fund) was won by Jane and Christine Wallace.

Exton Village Day Roundup
The Exton Village Day Working Party did a great job organising the first Exton Village Day. We were blessed with good weather and a great many people from Exton and further afield came to spend their Bank Holiday strolling around the village.

There were a good number of garage sales that proved popular with visitors and villagers alike who enjoyed hunting for bargains while following the Scarecrow and Sale Trail throughout the village.

In the Village Hall - as well as the Raffle - the Arts and Crafts
Exhibition was full of examples of the work done by so many talented people in our community, while in the Village Hall Tea Room the Friends of Exton School did a sterling job serving teas and homemade cakes.
In total, £1441.00 was raised for our community

Exton Community

Open Studios Exhibition – June 20th to July 5th
Once again Exton is featured in the “meet local artists in their natural habitat” annual event. Three artists – Anne Goold (pastels and oil paintings), Fay Howison (miniature watercolours) and Lorna Grace Vibert from North Luffenham (hand crafted jewellery) will have their work on show at the Old School during weekends June 27th/28th and July 4th/5th, 10am-5pm or by appointment. Brochures are available from the Old School or the Fox and Hounds. Sandra Peck (watercolours) will have her work on show at the Coffee Shop, Barnsdale Gardens, during all three weekends, 10.30am-4pm.

Exton Pub Quiz Team
Due to an administrative mix up rather than relegation, the team found itself in the second division last year. However, the team members then decided that it was more fun there than in division one, so had to trace a fine line between disgracing themselves and getting promoted back into division one. They managed this quite well, and are looking forward to the new season which starts in September. Members occasionally have to miss a match, so if anyone would like to be a reserve, please contact Mark or Sheila on 813652. Any expertise in pop music/sport/TV is especially welcome.

Churchyard Regulations
There are regulations concerning what is allowed in the churchyard and there has recently been a small amendment. A copy of the regulations had always been displayed on the notice board in the church porch and this has been revised.

Race for Life

Ann Bell, Nicola Langston, Sharon Bell, Molly Bell, Phoebe Langston and Ella Langston all completed the Race for Life at Burghley Park, Stamford. Many thanks to all those who sponsored them. They had a very good day and got very wet in aid of Cancer Research UK.

School Fete, 4th July, 12pm – 2pm
The church will be providing refreshments in the form of tea, coffee and cakes etc, so if you can help on the day or by providing cakes or scones, please contact Patricia Hagger on 813118. All profits to go to church funds.

Macmillan Cancer Support
Terry Connolly would like to thank everyone in Exton who gave bottles towards the Macmillan cancer support for which she collects each year. It takes a long time to get around the village so thank you to everyone who helped deliver the green cards and especially to those who brought bottles to her and saved her calling on every single house. We now have a designated Macmillan Nurse for Rutland (Clare Snape). The bottles you donated will go towards a tombola at the Rutland County Show at Burley on the Hill on Saturday 7th June, so please go along and support the show.

Christian Aid Week
The door to door collection raised £488.44. Many thanks to everyone who supported this either by donating money or helping with the delivery and collection of envelopes. A magnificent result! Thank you all from Bernadette Wallace.

Congratulations to Rachel Wallace
Rachel’s entry in a colouring competion organised by the Diocese will be used on the cover of either the Autumn or Winter issue of Cross Keys (the Diocesan news letter). Copies will be available from the Church or School.

Exton Community (continued)

Exton Annual Produce Show
There will be different arrangements for the children’s’ handwriting class in this year’s show. The poems are printed below and any child in the village can enter. Instead of handing in your entry to Mrs Harris, as in previous years, just bring it to the Village Hall on the day, as you do with entries into other classes. Instead of being awarded a trophy, the overall winner will receive a pen, which will be theirs to keep

Handwriting Competition 7-9 years

“The Cuckoo”
The Cuckoo comes in April,
He sings his song in May,
In the middle of June he whistles a tune,
And then he flies away.

Handwriting competion 10-13 years

“Ducks’ Ditty”
All along the backwater,
Through the rushes tall,
Ducks are a-dabbling,
Up tails all!
Ducks’ tails, drakes’ tails,
Yellow feet a-quiver,
Yellow bills out of sight
Busy on the river!

Exton Neighbourhood Watch

Burglary
A break in happened at Baker’s Retreat, 15 Top Street, the week after Easter. Nothing appeared to have been taken, although the Police believe the intruders were looking for credit card details. However, the house was ransacked, presumably in the search for money and jewellery.
They broke in through the downstairs dining room window, found the spare front door key and left the house open on their way out. This was also likely to have happened in the middle of the day. The Police confirmed a further property in Edith Weston was attacked the same week, in the same way.

June and Early July Church Services

Parish Church
7th June 11am Holy Communion
14th June 11am Morning Prayer
21st June 11am 4All
28th June 11am Holy Communion
5th July 11am Holy Communion

Roman Catholic Chapel
Mass is celebrated in the Chapel of St Thomas of Canterbury,
Exton Park, at 9am very Sunday.

Get In Touch
Ladies Circle: Christine Wallace 812081
Village Hall: Ann Bell 812594
County Councillor (Exton): Terry King 812735
Parish Council (Chairman): Dan Howison 812511
Parish Council (Clerk): TC (Kit) Swinfen 813564
Parish Church Rector 812202
Churchwarden: Patricia Hagger 813118

Any items for the July/August 2009 Newsletter (there will be no newsletter in August due to school holidays), should be sent in writing to the Editor, Sarah Linsell, by Friday 26th June:
3 Church Farm Close, Exton,
E-mail: garylinsell@btinternet.com

Acknowledgement: Photocopying by Exton C of E Primary School