Vol 39.

Nov 2004

Parish Plan Launched!

A Steering Committee to oversee the development of a Parish Plan for the village was formed at a well-attended Parish Meeting on July 29th. Under the Chairmanship of Adrian Lawton, the Committee will canvas opinions and collect suggestions from residents on social, economic and environmental issues. The information gathered will underpin a vision for South Scarle in the future ie: What would we want the village to be like in 5 or 10 years time? At the meeting there was some lively debate concerning the degree of notice taken by the district and county councils when it comes to local opinion, particularly as evidenced in previous planning matters. Some residents wondered if the whole exercise would be worthwhile considering the effort involved. Addressing the meeting, Samantha Smith, Rural Officer, Nottinghamshire Rural Community Council, said she could not guarantee that views would be acted on. Listened to - Yes, she said, to a chorus of skeptical laughter. Samantha Smith explained that, since the year 2000, the Government has encouraged the development of Parish Plans and funding from the Countryside Agency and other sources is available to cover some of the costs. She said that it usually takes about two years to bring a Plan to fruition. She also stressed that ideas and proposals should be realistic and capable of achievement. Committee members (Scarlians who volunteered) are: Adrian Lawton (Chairman), Florence Baldwin, Ian Baynf, Stephen Clements, Jo Dennis, Judith Duffield, Linda Harrison, Margaret Matthews, John Powell and Susan Rowlands. David Clarke (Chair) said it was a fantastic opportunity for everyone in South Scarle to have an input into what happens in the future and to have a say in how the lives of residents will be affected. It is obvious that the Parish Plan will only succeed by involving the whole community. We urge everyone to try and attend all future meetings, to participate in consultation events and be willing to volunteer their services at various stages of the process.

EDITORS: Roy Turner, Hall Barn, Main Street : 01636 893665 Kate Murrell, The Retreat, Amos Lane: 01636 893402 Please support THE SCARLIAN by contributing your news and views !

E MAIL: TheScarlian@aol.com

Village Summer Weekend

Special Events
SUMMER BARBECUE
As part of the Summer Weekend, Florence Baldwin and Judy Muirhead with a great deal of help from others organized a Barbecue in the grounds of the Old Vicarage. Mike Bossart arranged and ran an excellent Bar with the help of Jane Clarke and Jackie Bossart. The good-looking bunch of chefs were David Clarke, Peter Harrison, Craig Law, Adrian Lawton and Peter Rowlands. Malcolm Nicholson of Collingham supplied the excellent meat while a good variety of salad dishes was provided by Anita Clements, the salad b a r b e in g u n st int in gl y m a n n ed throughout the evening by John and Gilly Bradley (Judys sister and brotherin-law).

DOG SHOW
The Dog Show was held as usual at The Retreat. The weather was appalling but the classes were well-subscribed and mutts of many breeds arrived to strut their stuff. Overall champion with his two Jack Russells, Scuba and Fin, was Nigel from Blake Cottage. Most handsome dog was Ollie Martlews Rudi the German Hovawart, of which there are only 200 in the UK.

Cavalier Dance Band!

The Cavalier Dance Band, made up of some 15 young people, entertained with a variety of music for dancing while the youngsters at the party enjoyed their own Bouncy Castle. Thanks to all who made the evening go with a swing, including those who loaned gazebos, tables and chairs. And the icing on the cake? Or should it be the sauce on the sausage? The event raised 684.68.

Other breeds taking part in the new Agility section included a Spanish Water dog, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, a Staffie and several Border collies.

OTHER EVENTS
Treasure Hunt: Cream Teas: Books & Garden: Croquet/Skittles: Tabletop Sale: Eric & Rosemary, The Hall. Betty & Helpers, Beeches Farm. Frank & Jennie, Amos Lane. Peter Weston - Davies. Ian & Linda, Redmay Corner.

Thanks to everyone who gave their time and cash to make the Weekend a success!
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Village Summer Weekend

Fun in the Sun

Not the Olympics but everybody got a medal!

MARTIN

WINS!

Stephen lining up the Competitors at the start of the fun run!

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October Parish Meeting

Snippets from the desk of Peter Rowlands...Parish Clerk The planning application for a new
Extremely pleasing to see so many new Scarlian faces supporting the last meeting. Remember, as we are not a parish council, you are ALL entitled to attend, speak and vote. The exchange of parish plots for the new PLAYING FIELD should have happened by the time you read this. Ploughing, sowing and seeding are taking place. Funding for the fencing, which will be a self-help project, will come from Village Hall funds (1,000.00) and Parish meeting funds (1,200.00). A questionnaire is being sent to every household asking for your long - term views on the development of the playing field. Please return a.s.a.p. potato store at Chennells Farms Ltd. was supported by majority vote.

The South Scarle Parish Plan subcommittee met for the first time early November.

The Parish meeting voted to become an associate member of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England. A copy of the South Scarle parish footpath survey has been sent to the Ramblers Association & Notts.C.C. Footpath Officer. It was agreed to resurrect carols on the village green, together with a visit from Santa - date yet to be confirmed. If you do wish to raise any items for discussion at future meetings please either drop me a line or raise them under Any Other Business .

SOUTH SCARLE SUNFLOWER COMPETITION 2004

There was a huge response to the Competition this year. Sixty four sunflower seedlings were collected from Judy Muirhead in May and judging took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Congratulations to the two overall best specimen plants grown by Barbara Green - with the help of Bob! - and Amy Cook. RESULTS:
Gardeners: Tallest Plant 2nd Tallest Biggest Head 2nd Biggest Most heads Men Women Children Daniel Duffield: 99 Hannah & Megan Jones: 93 Katelin Cook: 15 Joseph Wood: 13 Amy Cook: 14 Tricia Jones Margaret Matthews Shirley Barton

Stephen Clements: 112 Maureen Pollard: 810 Derek Pollard: 76 Bob Green: 12 Paul Smith: 7 Derek Pollard: 6 Jane Clarke: 78 Barbara Green: 12 Helen Bayne: 9 Barbara Green: 7 but perfectly formed! actually pin-head! 2 stalk NO HEAD! 4

Special Categories: Smallest Plant, Smallest Head A sad case -

Around the Village: Family News

A FIRST IN CLASSICS WEDDING

Robin Barton has achieved a first in Classics at Cambridge University. Proud mum Shirley Barton and dad Bernard ,enjoyed a beautiful summery day watching the traditional procession of students through the town, decked out in their robes. After tea, they did the ritual walk across the backs by the river Cam.
FUNDING

In October, Wendy was married in St Helenas Church here In Scarle. Wendys husband, Edward Garrett is from Newport in Shropshire. They met whilst they were both studying at Harper Adams Agricultural College. They will be living in Shropshire. Wendy is working as property manager and land agent for the National Trust in Shropshire.

Meanwhile, Robin soon dispensed with all that nonsense and shot off to Edinburgh to work for the Fairbridge Trust. - a national organisation that helps to rehabilitate young people in trouble. He will be in charge of funding. Hes really enjoying the job and has settled in a flat in the centre of Edinburgh. (Very well placed for the festival.)
TREKKING

In July, Robins sister, Wendy, trekked on horseback across the glacial fields of Iceland to raise money for spinal injuries. She also co-organised a holiday for children with severe asthma and eczema. This is something that Wendy knows about - she has also suffered from asthma from childhood.

Floods !
Although seemingly the highest point above the village, Hill Farm on the Collingham Road was flooded when water from surrounding fields poured into the garden and on into the stable yard. Bernard Barton spent most of the evening in his inspection pit baling out water. Shirley Barton said she found the rain almost scary - so out of keeping with our usual weather in England. She said it made her sympathise with the people around the world who are suffering far more severely from storms and hurricanes. The power of God in nature makes us feel very small she added.

BRAND NEW SCARLIAN !

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID & STACEY JOLLY on the birth of your daughter, ELEANOR, on Saturday 16th October. 2004. We wish you both, and baby Eleanor, lots of future happiness!
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A MuMMers TAle
.........Told by Roy Turner
The things we do for fun! When Tina Paris rang me and said We are doing the South Scarle Mummers Play on the final day of the Summer Weekend and I have just the part for you I jumped at the chance to fulfil my latent thespian ambitions. Little did I realise what the part was, or to be more precise Who it was! Gadzooks! I had let myself into donning a dress and carrying a baby! I was to demonstrate my versatility in the role of Dame Jane ! However, after a few rehearsals I soon became adept at lifting up my skirts, showing my shins, and squaring up to Beelzebub who was menacingly played by Stephen Clements ( r i g h t ) . T h e director,Tina, had assembled an able cast of Scarlian stalwarts with Peter Rowlands (The Fool), Stephen Clements (Farmers Boy & Beelzebub), Adrian Lawton (Lady bright and gay), Mike Bossart (Recruiting Sergeant and the Doctor) and myself. Oral Tradition Mummers plays were once to be found in nearly every village in England - there are in the region of 1000 Mummers plays in existence. In the plays a character is killed, as the crops of the earth are killed by the frozen months of winter. Soon spring would come again and the dramatic representation of the rebirth of the
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crops was the revival of the slain person by the doctor character. Each year the mummers would meet and rehearse their traditional lines, handed down from generation to generation. Often sons would follow their fathers in the same role, but be told only their parts and the cue lines from the speech before. This fallible method of passing on the Mummers play in the oral tradition may largely account for the near-incomprehensible dialogue. Mummers Plays were a rural activity performed not by 'Actors' but by ordinary people for their community in homes, pubs or streets, the cast usually consisting of six to eight men, never women. They were usually expected to make "disguises." These were fairly elaborate because the essential purpose was to hide the wearer's identity; hence disguises and not costumes. To be recognised broke the luck the performers brought. Henry Vlll The disguises must have provided a considerable degree of anonymity, because criminals used these disguises to such an extent that in the third year of Henry VIII's reign, an act was passed to stop this happening. People were forbidden to keep "vizors" for mumming inside their houses, the penalty being up to twenty shillings. Wearing the mask could mean three months imprisonment Three distinct forms of the plays exist, many include the characters of St.George, Father Christmas and the Turk. However, the type of Mummers' play found in the East Midlands is the Plough Play which is distinguished by the names of the characters in them. ( Continued 0n Page 7)

The Scarle Mummers

able to give three variants (including one from SOUTH SCARLE, Notts.) By the end of the nineteenth century, the villages of England remained socially isolated and much of everyday life was ruled by folklore and local customs. Alongside these, the rural calendar reflecting the ever changing seasons, welded the population into a tight community with dancing, plays and ritual. Customs linger on

Even today many of these customs linger on. Mummers Plays are one of the most persistent, and while few 'traditional' performances survive, they were widely known in towns and villages Peter. Mike, Adrian, Stephen and Roy each with their own variant until the 1914 - 18 war In the counties of Lincolnshire, decimated the male population. Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire the D.H.Lawrence, in his famous novel THE plays include a Wooing Ceremony RAINBOW mentions a Mummers Play and he probably based the description on his involving the Lady bright & Gay and the childhood experiences in Eastwood. One Fool. The earliest known example passage is particularly interesting ie. 'By being from Bassingham in 1823 Jove, I got a crack once, when I was playin' contained in the Hunter Collection in Beelzebub.' said Tom Brangwen. his eyes the British Museum full of water with laughing. 'It knocked all th' A paragraph from the Newark Advertiser of Wed. Jan 18. 1871 is a proof of the continued existence of this as a very ancient custom. It reads: "A party of mummers visited the towns & villages of North Notts during the past fortnight, and highly diverted the inhabitants by their dancing, singing of old songs, & the play of the Hobby Horse. The latter play was in existence in the days of the Plantagenets, & also the song & tune which they sang, viz 'When Joan's ale was new.'" In an article Plough Plays in the East Midlands, the Author, M.W.Barley notes the lack of recorded tunes but is
7 sense out of me as you'd crack an egg Fortunately, Stephen Clements did not suffer the same fate in our performance! In the M.W.Barley Collection, *Dated 1951, Ba P 1/31, there is the *Full text with tunes of a Plough Monday Plough Boys play performed about 1880 in South Scarle, Notts.* The characters are; Tom Fool/Bold Tom, Farmer's Man, Lady Bright and Gay, Recruiting Sergeant, Dame Jane, Beelzebub and Doctor. It was sent in by Mr.J.G.Holmes. The text (116 lines) was collected during a visit and includes detailed descriptions of the costumes. And village willing bring so the tradition continues in our thanks to Scarlians who have been to make fools of themselves and back some old-fashioned fun.

ST. HELENAS NEWS

A Message from the Rector, Rev. David Milner
I am delighted to be able to contribute to this first edition of the re-formed SCARLIAN. As many of you will know, I became responsible for South Scarle on my appointment at the end of January of this year. Since then I have had the opportunity to meet a number of villagers through the Saturday Coffee Mornings and occasional Womens fellowship services at the church, and in residents own homes monthly since introduced in March. In a fast -changing environment, St. Helenas still stands at the heart of the village and is an important part of village life and identity. Your continuing support both of the ministry of the church and fabric is much appreciated. I hope, over time, to meet and get to know as many of you as possible. As Priest in Charge of South Scarle, a part of my work involves the maintenance of the building; however, my primary focus is my ministry amongst and with you all. I am grateful for the welcome I have received. I live in Collingham - if you ever need to talk I am only a short drive away. Anne Ackroyd, known to many of you, provides vital links through her role of Churchwarden. During the next few months there will be events that may be of interest to you, among them the services held during the Christmas season. Please watch the Church Notice Board and future editions of THE SCARLIAN. Finally, although it may seem rather obvious, without your support our Church will be a rather forlorn place. WE NEED YOU!

Balance Sheet
Fixed and semi-Fixed expenses: Parish share Insurance Heating, Lighting & Water Grass Cutting Other general expenses: Repairs, Organ Maintenance Fire Extinguishers etc. Income Gift Aid Donations Tax Refund Collections Interest on Deposits 2760 1512 300 (Based on average) 360 (280 to date) 4932 500 5432 2180 600 1000 (Estimated: includes Carol Service, Easter, Harvest & Special services) 500 4280

Carol Service in St.Helenas on Sunday DEC 19th at 6.00pm

Carols (with Santas visit) on the Village Green (date t.b.a.) Family Service in St.Helenas on Sunday JAN 23rd at 2.00pm
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The Churchwarden Floods and finance!

I would like to join with the Rector in thanking so many of you for your willing, cheerful and encouraging support in recent months. As you can see from the simplified balance sheet which Edgar Candlish, our Treasurer, has produced, we were in the red before adding in the 1,400 raised at the Summer Weekend. This highlights the importance of such an annual event. We do recognize, however, the need of the Parish Council to raise money for village facilities. Perhaps there could be a bigger joint Summer do to benefit both Church and State! Connie says that in all her life in South Scarle she has never seen so much rain as fell in that August week. The Church gutters, gullies and soak- ways couldnt take it all and the water flooded the Parish Room before continuing its merry way into the Church. The wood of the door swelled, the two aisle carpets were soaked as water seeped under the skirting board and into the floorboards of the nave. A week later, with the windows and doors open and some welcome sunshine, everything had dried out and there seems to have been no lasting damage. We thank the plasterer, painters and Village Hall committee for the refreshing of the room. It made a big difference just in time for the Harvest Supper. We hope to see you all at the Carol Service on Sunday December 19 th at 6.00pm and at the next Family Service at 2.00pm on Sunday January 23 rd when the children will be helping us with the theme Darkness into Light. ANNE ACKROYD

Treasurer needed - Can you help?

When Edgar Candlish took over the Church Treasurers job from Roy Westerby, it was only on short-commitment terms. To avoid the enactment of the Church law that requires a warden to fill a vacancy (that would be a disaster!) could someone step into the breach please? It isnt high finance as you can see from the balance sheet - and you wont be asked to do anything else! ( Anne can be contacted on 01636 892547).

HARVEST CELEBRATIONS
Friday night, September 24th, saw a good attendance at the Harvest festival service in the church. After the service, and a very tasty supper, Scarles very own auctioneer Philip Clements (eat your hearts out Sothebys) sold off the donated produce. He was a dab-hand with beetroot, broccoli and bananas but looked rather dangerous hoisting three very large pumpkins above his head.could have done himself, or one of the bidders, a serious injury!! The sale raised over 100 for church funds.
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CONCERT
The useful sum of 75.00 net was raised towards the Churchyard grass -cutting at the Concert on October 3rd in St.Helenas. The concert was organised and produced by Judy Muirhead, Florence Baldwin was in charge of the refreshments. (More about the Concert on Page 11) Others taking part were Chris Daniels, Margorie Bayne, Ginny Bennett and Helen Bayne.

Our American Adventure

Lynn & Dave Betts

When our second son Jonathan asked us to meet him in London, the week after Easter, little did we know we would be meeting his fiance too! He has been conducting a Trans-Atlantic love affair with California - girl Sarah for two years but as a research student with another year of study ahead we thought wedding bells were a long way off. We were surprised and thrilled to gaze at Sarahs heirloom ring and gulped as they broke the news that the wedding was to be in California in 10 weeks time! After a great engagement party here, Sarah went home to help her Mum with preparations. A British contingent, including Jonnys two brothers Dan and Patrick and sister-in-law Mel, followed on Wednesday 23rd June for the wedding the next day. Landing in San Francisco at 2pm after a 10 hour flight, we drove through rush-hour traffic to arrive in time for the 8pm rehearsal, followed by a pre-wedding dinner given by one of Sarahs friendly and hospitable family. We cannot underestimate the restorative powers of Red Bull (thanks Patrick) that carried us through that 25 hour day! The late afternoon wedding was outdoors by the side of a beautiful lake at the Deaver winery in the old gold mining county of Sutter. The bride and groom were given the venue as a wedding gift and the American part of the family did the rest of the arrangements. The service was conducted by Sarahs granddad who studied and took out a licence for the occasion. He moved many of us to tears with his sincerity and John Wayne voice. The flowers were donated by the local Horticultural society and put into bouquets for the bride and 5 bridesmaids by Katie, Sarahs Mum. Music was played by Paul, Sarahs brother and a neighbour. At the barbeque, provided by a local restaurant, we danced the night away under the stars. Thanks to our friends Helen and Jackie here in South Scarle we were able to leave our horses at short notice and fly 6000 miles to be part of our sons special day. And did I mention the 3 tier wedding cake that went with us on the flight? Well thats another story!
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A LOOK AT THE WEATHER

South Scarles Colin Muirhead, Tina Paris, Terry Jacklin, David and Sarah Chambers, Jamie Finn and children joined the Collingham Singers for a Concert in the church on Sunday afternoon, October 3rd. The theme was the weather and the village children performed a piece based on an Aesop fable The North Wind and the Sun. Taking part were Rachel, Tabitha, Jamie, Hannah and Megan Anthony, Amanda, Claudia, Amy and Sam, James, Sophie and Carl, Joseph and Beth. It was good to see so many of our youngsters getting involved.

Village children entertain the large congregation

Terry Jacklin

Sarah Chambers

TO LET
HOLIDAY COTTAGE Bowness on Windermere Begbie Cottage is ideally situated for the Southern Lakes, in the centre of Bowness, very close to all the shops and facilities. Compact, comfortable and fully modernised, it sleeps 5 in 1 double, 1 twin and 1 single room. It has a sitting room with electric fire, bathroom, kitchen with electric oven and hob, and washer/ dryer. We request that it is a nonsmoking cottage and that animals are not taken without first obtaining consent. DETAILS: 01636 892409 11

ODDS & ENDS News from The Retreat

Through the Summer, Newark Dog Club has been training its agility and flyball teams at The Retreat. They also held their annual show there and it was a hoot, with dogs of all descriptions hurtling about the agility course and behaving in a slightly more restrained fashion in the obedience agility, and Maddie coming second in advanced obedience - amazing when you hear her owner screaming down the lane as, with deaf ears, Maddie disappears into the distance, chasing hare!

FIRE SAFETY
Eagle-eyed Scarlians may have noticed the Collingham Fire Engine outside Hall Barn on Saturday 23rd October. No...the Editors abode was not on fire - just a visit from the Brigade to do a fire risk assessment and fit free smoke alarms. There is no charge for this and we thought it worth bringing to everybodys attention.The assessment only takes about 20 minutes and does ensure peace of mind to householders. Anyone wanting smoke alarms checked or provided and fitted free can ring Collingham Fire Station on 01636 892335 on Wednesday evenings between 7pm & 9pm. Ask for Sub-Officer Shaw or Leading Fireman Brooks.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Mummers Photos. Courtesy of Newark Advertiser.

WEDDINGS..
October saw two weddings in St Helenas Church. Wendy Barton wed Edward Garrett (see page 9) and Simon Cox & Nikki, of Hall Cottage, Main Street, tied the knot

Editors, Roy and Kate, thank all who have contributed to this first
edition of the re-formed SCARLIAN. Your efforts are appreciated. We hope you have enjoyed reading it and will want to include your own items of interest in future editions. This is your village magazine so please let us have your news and views, diary dates and small adverts well in advance of any special events.. You can deliver items by post or by hand to the Editors at their home addresses on the front page, give them in at the Farm Shop where the lovely Anita will pass them on, or E.MAIL them to us at -

TheScarlian@aol.com.
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