July 2000 Edition of the Linton News
Previous
Next
Articles - Barclays
- Linton News Web Page - Summer Art - Duck Race - Garden Club - Symonds House Summer
Fete - New Charity - Parish
Council - College Fundraising - Building History (Barclays) - Charity
collections - WI - WI Ashdon Museum
- Sculpture - Sculptures open studios
- Design Awards - Painter
- Deacon Status - Brownies - Bush Telegraph - Sports Award-
Aztec's -Country Diary - Bowls Green - Bowls Carpet - K-Club
Readers Write:- Thank You - Better Now - Acknowledgements - Harey - Lots of Knitting
NEW HOPE FOR BARCLAYS SITE AS SALE IS HALTED
Top of Page
New possibilities have emerged after the bitter blow of Barclays’ closing its branch
in the village. Andrew Gore explains what is being done
THE sign advertising the auction sale may still be hanging over the old Barclays Bank, but
the auction hasn’t happened yet. Following a flurry of behind the scenes activity,
Barclays agreed at the last minute to pull the bank out of the sale. The Working Group set
up by the Parish Council to fight the closure has been reformed, to try to find a new use
for the building. With help from the Campaign for Community Banking, we are exploring what
can be done.
At present, the Working Group is waiting for important information from Barclays: what
uses of the premises would Barclays contemplate? It’s hardly likely they would
welcome Nat West opening a branch there, but of course there’s no prospect of that
happening. But what would their attitude be to a building society, for instance? Would it
be seen as a competitor? Or would such opposition itself expose Barclays as obviously
anti-competitive? The Working Group is also trying to gain access to the premises. We need
to find out exactly how large each of the rooms is, including the parts which were not
open to the public. Have any alterations been made since the closure which might affect
the use of the building? What security measures are still in place? Would it be suitable
as a post office, for instance? How easy would it be to provide access for disabled
people? Would the District Council be willing to make a grant to help create a disabled
access? So far, Barclays have not identified anyone nearer than Chelmsford who could open
up the premises for viewing, something which perhaps speaks for itself. So, it’s
early days. The future of the old bank building still hangs in the balance. The Working
Group needs your ideas. Write to us with your thoughts, c/o the Parish Council Office.
Butchery at Barclays, page 2
The Linton news team, happy to be hit so often
Top of Page
We thought we should let you know how well the Linton news web site is faring. we applied
in early April this year for linton-news.com, having established that the site was free,
and we purchased the name. after experimenting with various lay-outs the April edition was
put on the web site for the Linton news committee to evaluate on 17th April. up to that
date the “hits” counter, which adds up how many computer users have visited the
site, was registering single figures each day. however, since the publication of details
of our web site in the may edition of the paper we have had over ten thousand hits—a
staggering figure. we are also receiving e-mail through the links on the web site.
Those of you who would like to see the web site can visit the computers at the library
which has free access to the web. If you are a complete novice, come along to the Linton
senior it group and learn how to view the Linton news web site—and many others.
Remember that the it group now welcomes ‘seniors’ of all ages!
Graham Potter
Photo finish? Duck racing during the Flower Festival
Top of Page
I'm writing to thank members of the Linton community and surrounding
villages for their tremendous support for our Flower Festival weekend.
Each year there is much hard work beforehand and during the weekend but all the effort is
worthwhile when our visitors come and share and support all the activities.
Many people expressed their joy and wonder looking ‘through the rainbow’ at the
beauty and creation all around us through the flowers, music and talent which enhanced our
church, churchyard and school during the weekend. Our own crock of gold is the fellowship
and friendship we experienced and the timely mid-year boost of over £4,000 to our
finances. This will enable us to maintain the heritage of St Mary’s for the community
of Linton and further God’s work here. Thank you
Julian Thomson
Readers Write, page 3
FOOD AND FLORA MAKE A PROFITABLE COMBINATION
Top of Page
THANKS to the hard work and generosity of those who donated produce, the Garden Club held
a very successful plant and cake sale at the end of May.
There was a ‘bumper bundle’ to be bought this year and we are grateful to all
those who turned up to buy. It was nice to meet some gardeners new to the area who were
pleased to receive advice as well as plants.
All the edibles were sold as usual, and any plants left over were donated for sale at the
flower festival.
The next Garden Club event is the Annual Show in September which is open to non-members,
and includes a children’s section. For further details please contact Susan Anderson
on % 891623 or Gloria Fidler,. Gloria Fidler
Top of Page
JULY is arts month in Linton, with sculpture workshops and local artists participating in
the Cambridge Open Studios project. See Arts in Linton on pages 4 and 5. LNT
Top of Page
THE Friends of Symonds House will hold their Summer Fete in the grounds of Symonds House
on Saturday, 15th July, starting at 2 pm. There will be a raffle, a variety of stalls, and
games to amuse everyone, especially the children. So come along and enjoy a delicious tea
while listening to live music.
You will be helping the Friends raise the money which provides Christmas and Easter
presents for the residents, many of whom no longer have friends or relatives to care for
them. Outings are arranged in the summer and musical entertainment indoors during the long
winter months.
So please come and spend a little time and money caring for some of the older members of
our community.
Joan Smith
NEW CHARITY FOR THE DISABLED hosts festival of celebration
Top of Page
WITHIN the Bottisham, Burwell and Linton patch the Community Education organisers have
started a new and exciting charity, Turning the Red Lights Green. This July Turning the
Red Lights Green is hosting a Celebration of Achievement Festival.
The charity promotes opportunities in education, training, work and leisure for people
with disabilities and special needs, and their carers. It aims to raise national awareness
of the potential of people with disabilities and special needs to make a positive and
valuable contribution to society.
The Festival follows two very successful conferences held at Bottisham Village College,
entitled ‘Turning the Red Lights Green’ and ‘Ready, Willing and Able’.
These examined the education and employability of people with disabilities and special
needs. The Celebration of Achievement Festival will celebrate people who have succeeded
against all the odds.
The Festival, which begins on 10th July, is a weeklong event. A series of workshops,
sporting events and lectures will be held throughout the week at Bottisham, Burwell and
Linton Village Colleges and will culminate in a concert at Linton Village College on
Friday 14th July, where the audience will enjoy comedy sketches, musical and theatrical
entertainment, and a fashion show.
If you require further information about the charity or the Festival, or if you would be
interested in sponsoring or supporting the Festival in any way, please contact Karen Bevan
. Sue Albrow
Top of Page
THE parish council were informed that someone has been posing as a BT representative to
gain access to people's homes. All BT staff carry an ID card with their picture and a
telephone number to ring on the back.
A letter has been sent to Barclays concerning the use of the building and the guidelines
restricting its change of use. A street lamp is to be provided next to the Bowls Club
container. The council are also looking to provide additional street lamps, about one per
year. If South Cambs. DC agree a waste bin is to be provided in the public car park. It
was reported that Sunday football matches are to commence on the recreation ground, but a
careful watch is to be kept on pitch condition. The council are having difficulty in
finding someone to restore or build a new clapper style. The council reviewed the
interment fees for the cemetery. Most were increased but the child's fee for parish
residents was abolished.
A new Recreational sub-committee was formed to look into increasing the amount of
recreational land in the village. The Millennium Project reported receiving grants of
£14,000. The council agreed to purchase six card tables for use by the Bridge Club.
The police reported 35 calls for service, resulting in 11 crimes being logged. The parish
council agreed to purchase a mobile phone for the police, who will purchase the top-up
cards.
Two dead trees were reported in Balsham Road. The district councillors reported that the
siting of all radio aerials is coming under greater discussion before planning permission
is granted. A Chalklands Residents Association has been formed. The district council are
considering a design for single-person housing, and the Co-op Bank has arranged an open
evening on banking matters. A reply has been received on the High Street traffic options
from the county council but most of the suggestions have been turned down.
Concern has been raised about the shingle on the path that links the recreation ground and
Joiners Road.
Top of Page
THE College link with Boepathutse School in Soshanguve township near Pretoria is still
going strong. We were delighted to receive a set of photographs showing the new science
laboratory conversion with has been funded by our donation of £1,000 last October. The
money was raised through a sponsored walk organised by Pam and John Coombes last
September. Before we made our donation, Boepathutse had no science laboratories or
scientific equipment and now they have a room with worktops, water, electricity and gas.
It is marvellous to see such a direct positive outcome from fundraising. Our deliveries of
books go on, the next one via Link Africa volunteers who fly out at the end of June. For
the remainder of the summer term we hope to raise funds for equipment for the science
laboratory. Mr and Mrs Coombes have volunteered to organise another sponsored walk for
Boepathutse this September. LVC
Garth Collard looks at the past of a building
that is still making news
Top of Page
THE Barclays site at numbers 30 and 32 in the High Street was one of the most valuable in
Linton as it adjoined Market Cross, the centre of local commerce until the late 19th
century.
The present frontage was erected around 1900, replacing the older timber framed buildings.
The mansard-roofed building in Horn Lane was refaced but is much older than the other
structures. The recently converted old Workshop was the slaughter house area of a butchers
premises and the yard was divided into animal pens.
Before 1800 there were a variety of grocery and drapery outlets on the site, but between
1798 and 1805 Joseph Middleditch purchased the whole property for £310. He was a Brinkley
butcher who had married into the locally important Chalk family and Joseph and Susannah
raised their six children at no. 30. From this period onwards the Barclays site was a
butchers shop whereas no. 32 remained a commercial property as a drapery store and
chemists shop,
Joseph's widow sold out to a Hadstock farmer called Joseph Smoothy in 1823 for £675.
Joseph and Mary Smoothy brought up nine children here and the Smoothy family were pillars
of the Congregational Chapel. Their tombs can be seen in the burial ground. Joseph's son
Peter inherited in 1855 and held the site until 1881 when he sold out to his nephew,
Thomas Smoothy for £500. The unexpected death of Thomas led to the sale of no. 30 to a
butcher called John Osmond, who purchased no. 30 for £600 but lived further up the High
Street at what is now Queen's House.
Number 32 remained in Smoothy family ownership until the 1990s. A Joseph Sergeant from
Lincolnshire had married into the family in the 1840s and he ran a chemist and druggist
shop at no. 30 from 1845ñ56. He moved back to Lincolnshire and no. 32 ceased to be a
shop.
Local people inform me that Osmond's was the premier butchers shop in Linton. The family
ran the business until 1933 when the Jarvis family briefly took over, but by 1935 Len
Culling had purchased no. 30. Livestock arrived from Cambridge and were driven to the pens
in Horn Lane. Each week he slaughtered two oxen, eight sheep, and six pigs; killings
taking place at 11am and 3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Local pressure from the
WI ensured that our local butchers adopted the humane killing legislation enacted in the
1930s. Mr Culling was prominent in local affairs and supplied the Village College canteen
with meat from 1937.
By the 1960s Barclays Bank had leased no. 30 from Mr Meeks, the builder. After his death
the property was purchased by Barclays.
I am most grateful to Mr R Stevens for access to his extensive property history records.
THREEFOLD THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
Top of Page
THE village door-to-door collection for the Red Cross this year has raised £980.29.
Congratulations and many thanks to all concerned in such a good result. Iris Sherman
THE recent house-to-house collection in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
raised £169.58. Many thanks to those who collected and to those who gave.
M. Larcombe
ON behalf of Cancer Research, I sincerely thank all collectors (especially in adverse
weather conditions) and those who gave so very generously. The total was £748.25. Ros
Pink
WI HAS A WINNING MONTH
Top of Page
WE welcomed Judith Rossiter and Peter Dixon of Linton Action for Youth, who explained how
the K-Club provides funds for the running costs of the organisation. The monthly draw was
won by a visitor to the meeting.
Sara Arden-Jones was congratulated on winning first prize for her table setting at a
recent Group Meeting. The cake sale at May's meeting made £50 and this sum has been
divided between the Cambridge Federation and Linton WI. Members were encouraged to
subscribe to the Cambridge Federation Monthly Newsheet and to see what outings and events
are offered.
Clare Neville and Tricia Lewis were congratulated on winning the Reading Competition.
Eileen Impey gave a report on the Spring Council Meeting held on 15th May.
Details of forthcoming events and outings were given, including a Fitness Festival to take
place at Linton Village College on Saturday, 8th July. Miriam Rixon asked members to
consider entering for the Heirlooms Exhibition and Show or for the Soft Toy Competition.
Members were also reminded that, following campaigning by the WI, the first fifteen
minutes of every Parish Meeting is open for anyone to have their say.
Linda Read, our speaker, gave a descriptive and amusing talk entitled 'Behind Harem
Wall's.
The next meeting is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 4th July. Bring a friend. There will be a food
tasting to be sponsored by Sainsbury's.
Anne Parry-Smith
READERS WRITE
THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS
Dear Editor
A big thank you to the Parish Church for their magnificent displays once again and for all
the hard work put in by everyone concerned to make the weekend so lovely ñ not the least,
the beautiful weather we enjoyed. How did you manage to organise that St Mary's?
I do have to confess however, that every year my personal favourites are always the North
and South porches. One is decorated by the Infants School, and the other by the Brownies
and Guides. The porches are such fun and full of the colourful enthusiasm of young
imaginations.
Every year I enter the church admiring the school children's efforts. Then, round the
church getting nearer and nearer to the South porch, leaving it to last deliberately, my
anticipation building, and every year I am rewarded with the most delightful
interpretations of the theme. This year, once again, it was 'Beautiful Just!î The best
ever. All those blue birds, all those delightful little details, oh it was lovely. In my
mind I'm still singing 'Somewhere over the Rainbow, bluebirds fly!î
Thank you Brownies and Guides.
Top of Page
Dear Editor,
A big THANK YOU to everyone who came to the rescue on Sunday 28th May when I was badly
concussed falling against a flintstone wall at the bottom of Green Lane whilst walking my
dog Millie with my daughter Lucy, aged 9. Through your help Lucy and Millie were able to
be cared for by neighbours while I was taken to hospital by the paramedics. Seven head
stitches later I am pleased to report that I am back to normal (touch wood) and very
grateful to everyone, not least Dr and Mrs Silverman who were nearby at the time and
helped patch me up!
Top of Page
Dear Editor,
After the tragic death of my husband Brett, I would like to thank everyone for their cards
and letters of sympathy. They have been a great comfort.
HAREY EXPERIENCE
Dear Editor,
No hares in Hildersham (Country Diary, June)?
In late May I surprised a hare in Hildersham Road, so enormous I took it for a deer until
it cleared the bank into the field. As for deer, I saw a muntjac at 3 o'clock one
afternoon in Great Abington High Street just a week after that.
Top of Page
Dear Editor
Your readers may remember that a few years ago I put in a plea through my daughter Tracey
Wilson, for any spare wool that I could knit into jumpers and blankets for Oxfam.
Just to update you, I have been very busy knitting, and have already sent over a dozen
jumpers and eight large blankets to this very worthwhile organisation.
Any white wool I received was sent to an old people's home for the ladies to knit for
their own pleasure, as white is a colour of mourning in the countries normally helped by
Oxfam, and any items in this colour cannot be accepted. Any yellow wool has
?been knitted into Easter egg holders (chick shaped) to sell for my local nursery school
(well over 200 chicks at the last count!)
Thank you very much to the people of Linton for their generosity in the past.Yours
sincerely
Wendy Foster, President of Linton Women's Institute, on Tony Blair and
much, much more
THE Women's Institute has been making the news lately. Can we start with some basic
information about the WI? How many members are there in Linton and what is the average
age?
We have sixty members, with on average 45 at each monthly meeting. As for our ages, the
oldest member is about 80 and the youngest about 30. The average age is around 60.
What are the qualifications for membership?
Anybody can join! You just have to turn up. A prospective member can come as a guest three
times before joining. The guest fee is slightly more than the fee of just over £1 per
meeting each year. And you do have to be a woman!
What does the WI do?
Each meeting involves a speaker, a demonstration or a seasonal event. There is a list of
recommended speakers but we try to follow members' suggestions. The talks are on a wide
range of topics and the demonstrations are craft-based.
How do members feel about the media's representation of the WI ñ jam
and cake stalls and knitting?
They get quite cross. Yes we do have things like cake stalls but most of our members are
there to buy not to make them. We're all too busy for 'jam and Jerusalem,
About the Blair drama why did some members act
uncharacteristically' (as reports put it) by heckling him?
Well, Mr Blair started very well and he had a lot of good things to say for the first 15
minutes. But then his speech did start to get political. And we are a non-political
organisation. We were there to vote on our three resolutions. The feeling was that our
very serious aim had been hi-jacked for political purposes. Besides, the press made far
more of it than it really was.
Are you afraid that this might reinforce the old chestnut that women
are not interested in politics?
No. If anything, it did the WI good to be seen to speak out. It happened because of our
determined wish to keep things entirely non-political.
Tell us about the WI resolutions, which were mentioned in last month's
Linton News.
Every year, three resolutions are voted on at the national forum (the meeting Tony Blair
spoke at). A resolution can be proposed by any member of the WI anywhere. Three are
adopted and are then debated at local level and a group representative will vote at the
national forum. After the vote, the appropriate government body is lobbied. And we get
things done breast-screening for women over 70 was introduced as a result of a WI
resolution.
How much real power and influence does the WI have?
Our lobbying can be very influential. But we are a charity, which means that we cannot
raise money for other causes. On a local level we can mobilise a lot of support by
lobbying MPs.
Finally, do you agree with the portrait of the WI as a sort of peacetime home guard,
protecting rural and family values?
No! We go much more deeply into things than that suggests. For example, the WI is
currently campaigning for women's rights across the world. Did you know that 60% of the
children identified as having no access to education in the world are female? The WI
supports initiatives to train girls and women in basic hygiene and health awareness. Just
knowing how to clean drinking water makes a huge difference in some of these areas. If
anyone would like to attend any of our meetings they would be warmly welcomed. I am sure
that they would recognise several familiar faces. Please come and see what we really do.
LNT
Top of Page
Darling daisy and Victorian memories
Top of Page
THAT 's my doll's pram! My mother wore a hat like that! We threw our flat irons out years
ago!
Remarks like these could be heard from all round as the ladies of St Mary's Guild toured
the Ashdon Museum of bygones in its new home at what was, until recently, the Labour Hall.
Museum Secretary Mrs Cherry Fisher, wearing Victorian costume, greeted everyone on arrival
and explained that the hall was originally built in 1927 with its foundation stone laid by
the Countess of Warwick (known to everyone as Darling Daisy).
Recently the residents of Ashdon raised the money to buy the Labour Hall for the village
and after 3,000 hours of voluntary work the new museum opened last month.
The Ashdon collection had been thoughtfully and lovingly arranged ñ agricultural
implements, memorabilia of the Great War, costumes, childhood toys, while a corner shop
bulged with packets, boxes and other paraphernalia of the trade.
A small house contained a dining room complete with piano and kitchen, immediately
reminding one of visits as a child to Grandma. The overall theme was Victorian but even
now the curators are planning a new arrangement for next year.
After the trip down Memory Lane, the ladies enjoyed tea and home-made cakes in the very
pleasant newly built tea-room.
The museum is open every Wednesday and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.
e
A UNIQUE opportunity for local adults and children to help in the creation of millennium
sculptures for the village is being offered by the Linton Arts Forum Millennium Sculpture
Project during this month The scheme won support from both the Parish Council and Awards
for All, and captured the imagination of the Regional Arts Programme which has doubled the
value of the award. This means that each village school will benefit from sculpture
workshops and a fourth is planned for the community.
Antonia Hockton is the sculptress in charge of the project and will be leading the team
working in the village during this month.
The time allocated to the community is 23rd to 25th July, so if you are free and would
like to be included, please telephone ??892400 or ??891383 for further details.
The Community Workshops will be held on Sunday 23rd July from 10amñ4pm in the Library car
park (Social Centre if wet); Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th July from 1pmñ8pm in the
Library car park (or 11amñ6pm in the Social Centre if wet).
We hope the pieces will be ready to site in September when we will be able to celebrate
their completion.
The theme for the sculpture will be created around the people who participate in the
workshops, and the artists involved.
Everyone will have the opportunity to make the sculpture relevant to them, and thus create
an image of importance to individuals and to the community in the year 2000. Hence the
sculpture created by five- to seven-year-olds will be very different from that created by
adults.
The intention is for the artists to be there as facilitators, for them to work closely
with the groups by guiding and teaching rather than by creating the artists' own
sculpture. The conceptual link between the four pieces of sculpture will be kept
deliberately loose to allow maximum freedom of expression.
Those involved in planning the scheme hope that having a series of sculptures through the
schools and in the village will give our children a link between each of the schools they
attend and with the wider community to which they belong.
Open Studios Young artists open their studios
to you
Top of Page EVERY July, over 250 artists in
the Cambridge area open their studios to the public over one or more weekends.
The event is organised by Cambridge Open Studios to promote the making of original works
of art and craft by giving the public an opportunity to meet artists in their studios and
see their work and how it is produced.
This year for the first time, two young Linton artists will be opening their studios in
the village. They are hoping to have the pleasure of showing their work.
Josie Barnes, who lives at The Boundaries, Long Lane, Linton (?891076) and Katherine
Fairey at The Grip Farm, Linton (?891633) are opening on the same two weekends ñ 8-9th
July and 15-16th July. Since they live near each other, it will be easy to visit them
both.
This is not a sales promotion, but their work will be on sale. Josie specialises in what
she describes as 'colourful impressions of the outside world' and Katherine paints in
'acrylic and mixed media to achieve abstract and figurative themes'.
The organisers hope that people will be sufficiently inspired to go further afield and
visit other artists and craftsmen/women in the area.
A full list of these is available in the Linton Library and further information can be
obtained from Josie and Katherine.
Sculptors, photographers, potters, ceramicists, woodworkers, clockmakers, glass artists,
printers, embroiderers, jewellers, metalworkers and others are all to be found in the
official brochure, which also shows which weekends the various participants are open to
the public.
This annual event has the backing of local authorities and has been supported by a large
number of private benefactors.
The event co-ordinator is Jane Evans, 12 High St, Fulbourn, (?561192, email
artists@camopenstudios.co.uk and www.camopenstudios. co.uk Derek Birch
Design Awards, LVC pupils scoop all three
top design awards
Top of Page
ONCE again Linton Village College pupils have taken the laurels in the area Young Designer
of the Year competition this time by winning all three top places.
Schools throughout Cambridgeshire took part in the competition organised by Sawston Rotary
Club as part of a national network of competitions.
The College has a winning tradition that stretches back many years ñ but this was the
first time that it won all three prizes.
So well done to the winners ñ Matthew Poulter for his outstanding electronic aid for the
disabled, Tim Marns for his really remarkable workbench and Robin Webb for his beautifully
designed wooden chair.
Judges were so impressed that 3rd prize was dispensed with and Tim and Robin awarded joint
second.
Tim's workbench has impressed GCSE examiners to the extent that it is being used as a
national exemplar to which all schools should aspire.
Congratulations go to all three boys and we wish them well in the regional finals in July.
LVC
In the eye of an artistes storm
Painter Darryl Nanto's tells Sally Simmons of the agony and joy of
painting
Top of Page
DARRYL Nanto's was first introduced to painting by his older brother who
would stand him in front of paintings in galleries and urge him to imagine how the painter
felt when making the work.
At the age of seven or eight Darryl had the startling experience of seeing scenes on the
river Ouse where he spent a lot of his time alone and spontaneously imagining them
represented as vivid paintings.
He now knows that this is a phenomenon known as eidetic perception, which translated the
real scenes into images in his mind. Ever since, he has worked from his exceptional visual
memory, rarely turning to a sketchbook.
That intense, early experience has reinforced Darryl's belief that we lose a child's view
as we move out of childhood. However, he has been able to retain something of that simple
but penetrating visual analysis that children instinctively make of the world around them.
From that point on, painting became a compulsion. in the early days I never enjoyed
painting, he said. I wanted the result so I had to do it but it was emotionally
exhausting, if compelling. It was something to get over. Nowadays I really enjoy the
technical side and take more time. My painting is more free-flowing, my thoughts about it
more researched.î
His gift and his feeling of being different from others (other kids had Superman as their
hero: mine was Michelangelo) had reinforced his solitariness as a child.
Although his subject matter has always been classical (landscapes and natural scenes) some
of his earlier works expressed a sense of inner turmoil reflected in the colours and
images he used.
Sometimes it would frighten me, said Darryl, who describes himself as full of conflicts
and contradictions; a solitary individual but a family man.
I spend too much time dwelling on my vision of the world as it could be. It makes me
difficult to live with.
The pastoral images and striking landscapes of Darryl's pictures might seem at odds with
his comfort with computer technology.
He was one of the first artists to work on camera online and he uses the worldwide web to
communicate with artists all over the world. We exchange ideas and technical information.
He has his own website at www.nantais.co.uk.
For 12 years Darryl ran a successful gallery in Whittlesford then moved to Linton. I love
Linton. For some reason it has always reminded me of a seaside town, a holiday place. I go
all the time to the Pocket Park. It's such a haven.
His front door in Chalklands opens onto a romantic crowding of large canvases and deep
crimson walls, while the small, glass-walled studio behind lets in the maximum light to
help him work.
He paints almost entirely in oils, exhibits in galleries throughout East Anglia and
increasingly London, and has one or two shows a year. He will take commissions and can be
contacted at his studio at 10 Chalklands.
I never considered doing anything other than painting, he said I don't sleep much and I
paint most of the time. I think I'm less compulsive than I used to be.
Nowadays I take two or three days off after a show! But I usually find myself painting
again sooner than that.
Now I am painting with more delight and colour is more important. I love painting more now
than ever before.
Village college wins Beacon School status to
help others
IN March, Linton Village College received a letter from Professor
Michael Barber, Head of the Standards and Effectiveness Unit in London. He congratulated
the College on its achievements and invited it to apply for Beacon School Status.
A Beacon School is one whose success has national recognition and attracts additional
funding to allow it to share its expertise with other schools.
The new status is not automatic, however, and a comprehensive 'bid' had to be put together
outlining areas of strength and how these could be shared.
Partner schools also had to be identified to show who would benefit from the new status of
LVC.
The bid was duly submitted on time and was successful confirmation having been received in
early June.
Over 600 schools nationally were asked to apply and 300 were successful. Now the College
has to translate the 'vision' into action and be ready to begin the business of supporting
other schools from September.
It is envisaged that all the 'feeder' primary schools will be part of the initiative but
the main partner schools will be the Stanway School, Colchester, and City of Ely Community
College.
The Stewards School, Harlow and the Marriott's School, Stevenage, will also become partner
schools but with a lesser involvement.
Clive Bush, the principal, said: The College is a very high-achieving school and
that is down to the hard work of all its staff and pupils.
It is very pleasing to have that recognised in such a prestigious way.
We look forward to working with other colleagues as a Beacon School and I am sure we will
gain a great deal from the experience. LVC
Brownies' charity walk raises £104
WE would like to thank everyone who came along on our charity walk in
aid of the Heart Foundation, despite the unpromising weather. We collected £90, which was
very good. Also £14.30 was collected for the NSPCC. Hope to see you all again next year.
We would like help for one hour a week on a Wednesday with our Brownies. So if you have an
hour to spare, please come and see us.
Top of Page
WATCHING the footage of the racist thugs who claim to be England
supporters in Belgium, I found myself wondering about their schooling. Did they discuss
racism and its causes, or patriotism as a positive and creative concept? Did they listen
when such things were essential parts of what was taught? What sort of personal and social
education did they get while their views and attitudes were being formed? Here at the
College, the contrast could not be more stark. We are lucky of course; this is not an
inner city area but we can't just put the 'English disease' down to where people live. We
need to look at our own environment and our own population. We have people who could
become racists and hooligans and who do behave in such unpleasant and antisocial ways in
our community. Why does this minority of young people, who are very pleasant and
responsible at school, become so antisocial and careless late at night? Here's an
uncomfortable answer.
At school they have rules, discipline and guidance and while most young people have a
similar regime at home, the minority I refer to do not. In most cases they have not had it
from an early age. Without support and guidance the mentality that we saw in its extreme
form in Belgium gets a chance to develop. Parents need to be clear about right and wrong
and they need to know and care where their children are ñ home at a reasonable hour,
preferably. Of course we shouldn't blame inadequate parenting for the 'Ingerland'
mentality any more than we should blame schools, TV or video games. But they all play a
part. Achieving the balance that produces the citizens we all want in our country,
crucially depends on understanding and influencing that balance. Clive Bush, Principal
Top of Page
BRILLIANT news reached the Village College last week from Sport England, informing us that
we had been awarded the prestigious Sportsmark Award for the second time. This national
award recognises the College's impressive physical education and sports programme. The
award lasts three years and a successful re-application is much more difficult. One major
contributing factor to our success in the second application has been the appointment of a
full time Sports Centre Manager, demonstrating the College's commitment to community
sport.
Mention must made of the PE Department, Mr Maddock, Mr Blower (who co-ordinated the
application) and Miss Cawse who not only do their day to day job but also put in many
extra hours with teams, clubs and individuals. Thanks must go to Mrs Bartlett and all
those parents who support the Department.
The award was presented in June and is displayed in the Sports Centre. Clive Bush
Top of Page
THE Aztecs Men's team won the Alliance League and Cup double, with a penalty shoot out
deciding the Cup final. Overall we have had a mixed but encouraging season. Our Under-13
girls have done very well. They will go from strength to strength next season. Max Penfold
Friday 16th June 2000 Illustrated by Maureen Williams
MID-SUMMER, with its long light evenings, should be a relaxed time of year
with lots of food to go round. I was told of a fox, encountered whilst walking dogs
somewhere between Little Linton and Hildersham. Apparently the fox seemed unconcerned but
one of the dogs wasn't too happy! Perhaps the demands of catering for a young family meant
a daytime excursion for food.
On the river near Cambridge, the swans have five cygnets. I saw one of the adults
attacking a punt pole which had intruded too near to the family. The swallows congregate
over the water and the house martins have a new brood of youngsters.
Like many, I enjoy a bit of gardening. Furthermore, I try to stay organic and avoid the
chemicals. At this time of year, I rejoice in new potatoes, broad beans and sugar-snap
peas. Never mind that yet again the carrots and sweet corn have failed and some pest has
eaten most of the runner bean shoots ñ at least the parsley has germinated this year. But
I do not depend on my garden: if I did, I would go hungry most of the year!
Mr Franklin of Rectory Farm, Hildersham, protests that whatever he does as a farmer, the
rest of us blame him. Perhaps we sometimes forget that he has to earn a living from
growing things and that for years official policies have pushed him inexorably towards
higher yields and ecologically unfriendlier practices. This has only changed through the
efforts of those prepared to protest politically, so that there is now some financial
incentive for farmers to diversify, conserve environment and habitat, and reduce the use
of chemicals. We are beginning to see the results of these new policies; for example
the fine belt of young trees around the A11 roundabout.
Keep up the pressure on the politicians and don't always blame the farmers: they share our
passion for wildlife.
Top of Page
WE are bang in the middle of the bowling season now. Club and other competitions are
steadily progressing. We lost to Balsham (away), beat Birdbrook (B) at home, beat Clare
(A) at home and on 16th June won against Clavering. In these last three home matches we
took 28 out of a possible 30 points. We are out of both league Knockout competitions,
having lost in the first round of both. No league tables to hand yet, we eagerly await
them to see how we stand and to size up the remaining opposition.
In friendly matches we beat Duxford at home, lost to West Wratting at home, won against
Little Shelford away and lost to Wickhambrook away, the last on a scorching hot Sunday
afternoon.
..AND ON THE CARPET
Top of Page
THE Linton Carpet Bowls Club is a small, friendly Club. We meet on Thursday nights, at the
Social Centre from 7.30ñ10pm. We would welcome new members ñ no age limit. For more
information ring our Captain, Brenda Glover, on ? 892289. Daphne Brazier
THE result of the June K-Club monthly draw: 1st (£50) (No. 361); 2nd
(£25) (No. 312); 3rd (£10) (No. 194).
Next
Top of Page