It's Magic

I don't usually advertise non-Village things on our website but I have just found something which some of you might like to know about. If you can't get Broadband, or feel it is too expensive, or access the internet using a mobile phone this could be the very thing for you. Using some very clever software, it makes the downloading time of both e-mails and browser pages about five times faster than usual. I am using it and it is MAGIC! It costs just £25 a year (which is £2.08 a month, comapred with about £15 for Broadband proper). Go on line - give a few details - pay by credit card - then downloading the software in just 5 minutes, that is all you have to do. Find out more from their website www.onspeed.com

Jettyfield –  all 'signed and sealed'

After long negotiations, Jettyfield, together with the old allotments, spinney and garden area, now belongs to the Parish Council. It will be held in perpetuity as an open space for the quiet enjoyment of Braunston residents and visitors.

On the initiative of District Councillor Janet McCarthy and the Parish Council, the land was acquired as part of the planning permission to allow development on the old (glue) factory site – now the Eastfields Estate. A new footpath will run from Eastfields into the old garden area giving direct access to the residents.

Jetty field is to be administered by a newly formed Management Committee and will be maintained as a natural area, under the guidance of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and the County Council Pocket Parks Officer.

Vehicular access to the field for mowing, haymaking, hedge laying, &c., has been secured using the old fire entrance road from Darks Lane.

News from the AGM

The Village Hall A.G.M. was held at the end of June, where a report on the past year and the financial report were presented to the 27 villagers attending. 5 villagers were elected to serve on the committee, as trustees of the hall, joining the 8 trustees appointed by their user groups. The retiring members, Owen Davies and Clare Ashley, were thanked for their dedicated and outstanding contribution to the work of the committee, particularly over the past few years when so much has been achieved.

The new committee comprises: Betty Hargraves (W.I.), Rob Whittington (Youth Club), Dorothy Whittington (Bowls Club), Geoff Freeman (Woodturners); Lynne Whyte (Parish Council), Geoff Waghorn (elected), Kate Mawer (elected), Janet McCarthy (Friendly Club), David White (elected), Michael Gregory (elected), Barbara Cook (elected), Alison Jennings (Pre-School) and Julia Beattie (School of Dance).

Lynne Whyte was re-elected as Chair, and one of the new trustees volunteered to take on the role of Booking Secretary. We are very pleased to announce that Kate Mawer will be the new contact from September. In the meantime, Kelly Brewster will be in charge of bookings. The contact number, with immediate effect, is now
0772 412 3363. This is the village hall mobile number, and will reach Kelly or Kate. You can also now e-mail us inquiries on villagehall@braunston.net

The position of secretary to the committee is still vacant, and we are looking for someone for this role. In the meantime, Kelly Brewster has volunteered to hold the fort until she goes to university, or someone volunteers, whichever comes first!

If you are interested in helping us in our future plans for the Hall, please call Lynne on 890865.

History Society Open Days

The Dick Hearne Braunston History Society staged an Open Day in 2004 to launch their new booklet "Discover Braunston" and their leaflet of circular walks "Discover Historic Braunston". The village hall was filled with relevant dispays and well attended by the villagers.

       

AND NOW YOU CAN – –

Walk around Braunston   The History Society has now started to install Information Boards at key points along the routes of the various circular walks described in their leaflets "Discover Historic Braunston"

OR – –

    EXPLORE THE HISTORY . . .

. . . on their brand new CD. It is available in the Village Library. A huge amount of effort has gone into the collection of material and the production of this CD. Unfortunately it has been spoilt by "a little learning" and this is so sad.

How to help our Scout Group

If you buy things on the Internet then you could easily help our Scout Group at no cost to yourself. The Scouts have recently joined an initiative which gives them a donation every time you make a purchase. It works like this – you log into the webshop www.buy.at/braunstonscouts which has links to many high street retailers, including M&S, Amazon, Oddbins, Comet, Cotton Traders, MFI, Travelselect, Co-op, CDwow, Blackwells's, RAC, CIS, Carphone Warehouse. Then you shop as usual but the Scout Group gets a donation. Why not try it now.

 Bryant Homes almost all built - now known as the Eastfields Estate

Work commenced in 2003 to build new housing on the site of the old "Glue Factory". A mixture of expensive and "affordable" housing has been built.

Steady progress - Nov 2003

The broarder view.
December 2003

Autumn 2004.
The leaves on the trees obscure
many of the houses but work is progressing well and people are moving in.

A group of completed houses.

Street Doctor

If you find a hole in the road, a damaged pavement, a blocked road drain or failed traffic lights then please report by internet or ring 0845 601 1113

Please report failed street lights (including the lamp-post number) to the Parish Clerk by e-mail or on 0845 601 1113