Misterton & West Stockwith village news

9th March

Thursday 9 March 2023

Contact: 01427 891376

PARISH CHURCH LANUCHES REFURBISHMENT PLANS (+ pic)

Dating from the 12th century but with a church on this site was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, All Saints’ Parish Church, Misterton, is a Grade 1* listed building, which has been declared ‘at risk’. It needs some major works:

the north wall is leaning outwards (but not dangerously so at the moment!)
the frame that holds the bells needs repairing so that the bells can once again be rung for weddings and special national events, and tolled for funerals
today’s congregations and other users need on-site WCs
the clergy administration and robing area needs to be separate from catering facilities
the tower (pictured) needs de-weeding, re-pointing, and stonework repairs.

So the Parochial Church Council (PCC) has plans for major works, which, excluding the work on the bells, will come to around £350,000. The PCC has some funds but nowhere near enough so it will have to apply for grant funding.

Further information on the projects has been distributed to all houses in the village. The PCC, those on the Church’s Electoral Roll, the Benefice Council, and the congregation at last month’s (February’s) morning service have all been

consulted. Now the PCC would like to hear what residents think. Call the PCC’s Vice-chair (891376), or the Churchwarden (330748), or leave comments on the Parish Church’s Facebook page by Sunday 30 April.

MOTHERING SUNDAY CANAL TRIP

Special Mothering Sunday canal trips are on offer on Sunday 19 March, 40-minute narrowboat cruises on the Seth Ellis along the Chesterfield Canal from The Chequers Inn at Ranby. This trip takes in the sights of the village from a different angle and goes under the A1 bridge. It does not include a lock. There are scenic views along the way as well as wildlife to discover. And there’s the chance to steer the boat. Hot drinks are available at a small cost. Passengers are welcome to bring a small picnic or snack if they wish. All trips are crewed by qualified volunteers of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, which is a registered charity, and the profits go towards the restoration of the last few miles of the Chesterfield Canal. To book, go to chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk/trip-boats/the-seth-ellis-ranby/ (all bookings and payments are online).

RURAL COST-OF-LIVING SURVEY

Independent research last year showed rural areas to be suffering more acutely from the cost-of-living crisis compared to urban areas. Rural households often have higher costs for transport to school and work, for shopping or leisure. Council tax may be higher, reflecting, for example, the extra distance service providers like bin lorries have to travel.

To lend more weight to the argument for more funding for rural areas, the Rural Services Network is asking rural residents as possible to complete a cost-of-living survey. The purpose of the survey is to understand more about rural household budgets. Complete the survey at rsnonline.org.uk. The survey closes on 31 March.

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS ARE KEEPING CHICKENS!

Misterton‘s Library volunteers are busy crocheting chicks. They are on display in the Library until Friday 31 March - when they will escape! Volunteers will be hiding them around the village: in hedges, by gates - all at child height. Anyone who finds one and returns it to the Library will get a chocolate creme egg in return. And while in the Library, why not sign up and borrow books!

On Thursday 13 April, from 2.30-4.30pm, there’s an Easter egg hunt in the Library with lots of activities for kids.

BASSETLAW ACTION CENTRE: UPDATE

Bassetlaw Action Centre (BAC) is continuing to provide:

community transport for essential journeys – health appointments and shopping, for example
housing advice services, which are telephone-based primarily but face-to-face appointments are also available
a menu of Befriending services – including group befriending, telephone befriending, face to face and peer befriending
the Staying Well Programme (6-week self-management course for people with a long-term condition) available both virtually and face to face
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) service encourages people to become more active and will continue to offer one-to-one support
home support service – a domiciliary service to help people who are just starting to struggle at home (this is a paid-for service)
minibus trips – including the newly launched lunch club trips.

BAC would like to hear from anyone with a few hours to spare, who would like to volunteer to support the Action Centre to deliver essential services to local older and vulnerable people. In particular, they are looking for more local volunteer drivers to help people to get to health appointments and for shopping. Volunteers are paid 45p per mile for every mile they drive on behalf of the scheme.

For further details on any of the above please contact BAC on 01777 709650 or by e-mail (enquiries@actioncentre.org.uk) Further information can be found on the website: www.bassetlawactioncentre.org.uk.

DIARY DATES

2nd Tuesday each month

Coffee morning, Church Room, 10.30am. Freshly baked goodies—and friendly faces! £2 plus raffle

Thursday 16 March

Coffee Morning in the Methodist Hall, 10.00-11.00am. Weekly - all welcome

Mobile community shop, 10.30am – 12 noon, outside the Parish Church

Saturday 18 March

Big Market Day, Retford, from 8.30am. With craft market, farmers’ market, stilt-walking Easter bunny, and Hathersage brass band

Sunday 19 March

Mothering Sunday & Holy Communion, Gringley Parish Church, 9.30am

Monday 20 March

Pre-season meeting of Misterton Bowls Club, Sports Field clubhouse, 7.00pm. Anyone interested in joining will be warmly welcomed

Wednesday 22 March

Service of Morning Prayer, Church Room, Misterton, 10.00am (note change of venue until Easter)

Friday 31 March

Easter Bingo, Church Room, Misterton. Eyes down at 7.00pm. Lots of Easter-y prizes!

Saturday 22 April

Open Day at Misterton Bowls Club from 2.00pm. All welcome to come along and have a go - it’s a sport for all ages

Soprano Catherine McGowan in concert, Austerfield Parish Church, 7.00pm. Tickets £20 incl cheese and wine from Kay (07507 334 330

Monday 24 April

Parish Church’s Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Church Room, 7.00pm

Saturday 29 April

History Walk & Talk, Milton and West Markham, 10.00am. Bookings: talksandtours@gmail.com or call 07950 167 821

Sunday 7 May

Family Fun Day to celebrate King Charles’ coronation, Old School Field, 12noon – 4.00pm

WEST STOCKWITH NEWS

Thursday 9 March 2023

Contact: 01427 891376

PARISH COUNCIL TO COMMEMMORATE CORONATION

West Stockwith Parish Council discussed options to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III at its February. One suggestion is to give a commemorative coin to children at secondary school and below, and a gift for each household. The household gift will be available for collection at the Village Hall where tables will be available to join the Parish Council for tea/coffee/cake. Once the details have been formalised, they will be communicated to all residents.

DON’T BE TAKEN IN BY (ROMANCE) FRAUD

Regrettably, residents in the area have been the victims of fraud, losing thousands of pounds. Now there’s a warning from the Police about romance fraud, as featured by the BBC recently. Romance fraud is dating with the intention of persuading you to lend money or steal your identity. In recent years, people around the world have lost hundreds of millions of pounds to online romance scams. One of the most lucrative is run by criminal gangs across South East Asia and is called the ‘pig butchering’#.

The scammers refer to their victims as ‘pigs’, whom they fatten up to be ‘butchered’ - or conned out of as much money as possible. One party often seeks to manipulate its victims through subtle tactics, as outlined in Thames Valley Police’s useful booklet, Staying Safe from Romance Fraud (www.thamesvalley.police.uk). Watch out for the common traps and keep yourself and your loved ones safe.