Village Pride Group

Minutes 27 Nov 2015

Introductions were made around the table for newcomers, Jill and
Chris Wise from Oakley Lodge, Main Road.
Enid explained the background of the group.
Parish council members went over what they are currently doing
which may overlap our group. Such as;

Replacing the bench at the top of Main Road by the A16 with a
recycled material bench. This will be concreted in and may
leave room either side for future small planters if the group
decide that planters in this position would be a positive thing
for the village and viable financially.

They are acquiring a general waste bin, which can take dog
waste. This will be placed by the crossroads/footpaths in
Chapel Lane.

They are looking at potholes and damaged pavements and

getting them repaired.

The Parish council also mentioned that the planters we put in

are now covered by the Parish Council Insurance and any new
ones will need to be added to the insurance policy. This is
mainly in case any member of the general public trips over
them.

They are still looking into traffic calming measures.

Alf Tunnicliffe suggested lighting up the church tower for Christmas

which was well received. It was also suggested that Christmas
lights are put on a suitable tree or on a bought Christmas tree. Enid
will approach a local garden centre to see if they might be
interested in sponsoring this. Viv Spencer will approach a local
resident who may be able to help with his cherry picker if required.
Preferably solar powered lights to reduce costs.
The group will decide whether to plant more bulbs next year
depending on how this years planting turns out in the Spring. To be
discussed at a future meeting.

Suggestions were made for future planting of bulbs or primroses

along the bank by the church.
Viv suggested looking at the Woodland Trust to see if we can get
plant packs from them for free. Having looked online we might be
able to get trees to plant in the village but we would need a total
area of 1.25 acres. Land doesnt have to be in one block you can
combine field corners, shelterbelts, or strips of land to meet the
minimum requirement. They will donate 60% of costs and 50% if a
contractor is involved to do the planting.
We discussed whether it would be worthwhile making our group
more formalised. If we form a constitution we may then be able to
get grants and financial help from different bodies.
It was suggested we each pay a subscription ranging from 3 a
meeting, so every two months or so or 5 a year. The formal roles
will need to have volunteers but only for a yearly term each and the
aims and objectives of the group never need to be too demanding.
We can keep everything simple and straightforward with as little
time required as possible s everyones time is precious.
Year 1
Chairman Enid Bailey
Secretary Katie Watson
Treasurer Jan Phillips
Discussions are on-going about the grassy area at the front/side of
the old farm opposite Chapel Lane. If a developer buys the land,
Chris Bolton is happy to ask if we can have that area for the village
and put a bench and flower planters there. Possibly called the
Henry Richmond Memorial Garden. This could be a nice focal point
for the village.

Future fund raising ideas;

Our group could do some fund raising events such as cake

sale, bring and buy, plant sale etc. Try to think of ideas for
next meeting. Ideas that require the least amount of effort
preferred!

Competitions involving the school like growing plants from

seeds which can then be planted in the village and getting the
local papers on board for advertising. Local media
involvement, maybe Look North?

Next meeting Friday 19th Feb, The Chapel, 7pm.

If anyone is interested in getting the Grapevine delivered 6 times a
year at a cost of 6 per year, then contact Sylvia Richmond. The
Grapevine is a local parish magazine and details services and
church activities as well as local tradesmens services.

Spicy Parsnip Cake

I left the nuts out of mine. Also I put my parsnips in a blender/mini
chopper, as parsnips are hard work to grate. This makes it a bit
moister as the parsnip bits are much smaller. I made up a toffee
butter cream filling using nestle tinned condensed caramel mixed in
with butter icing and a cream cheese top with cream cheese, icing
sugar and orange zest. I think it was a bit runny because I used low
fat cream cheese, which isnt as dense. I also used caster sugar.

Ingredients

175g butter, plus extra for greasing

250g demerara sugar

100ml maple syrup

3 large eggs

250g self-raising flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp mixed spice

250g parsnips, peeled and grated

1 medium eating apple, peeled, cored and grated

50g pecans, roughly chopped

zest and juice 1 small orange

icing sugar, to serve

For the filling

250g tub mascarpone

3-4 tbsp maple syrup

Method

1.

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease 2 x 20cm sandwich

tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Melt butter, sugar
and maple syrup in a pan over gentle heat, then cool slightly.
Whisk the eggs into this mixture, then stir in the flour, baking
powder and mixed spice, followed by the grated parsnip, apple,
chopped pecans, orange zest and juice. Divide between the tins,
then bake for 25-30 mins until the tops spring back when pressed
lightly.

2.

Cool the cakes slightly in the tins before turning out onto wire
racks to cool completely. Just before serving, mix together the
mascarpone and maple syrup. Spread over one cake and sandwich
with the other. Dust with icing sugar just before serving.