Family affair at poultry show and other Neighbourhood News

The Revesby-based East of England Poultry Club recently held a Young Stock Show at Stickney. There were 180 entries put forward of young stock hatched in 2019, with about 30 egg entries.
A scene from the Young Stock Show held by Revesby's East of England Poultry Club.A scene from the Young Stock Show held by Revesby's East of England Poultry Club.
A scene from the Young Stock Show held by Revesby's East of England Poultry Club.

The champion was a white call duck shown by J. Kay & Sons, from Retford, who also had Best Bantam Hard Feather with a furness Old English Game and the Best Soft Feather Bantam, with a mottled Pekin. Stuart Kay, from the family, is pictured above with daughter Alexa, who won Best Juvenile with a blue Pekin bantam.

The Show Reserve was a black Orpington bantam shown by Terry Marshall, from near Grimsby.

The Best Large Hard Feather was a Carlisle Game shown by R. White, from Long Sutton.

The Best Soft Feather Bantam was a light Brahma shown by Colin Sussams, from Suffolk.

The Best Rare Breed was a Kraenkoppe female shown by Tom Holland, from Old Leake.

The Best Eggs were displayed by Holly Norton, from Wragby.

It is hoped that many of these birds will appear at the club’s summer shows, starting with Woodhall Spa in May.

Schedules nearer the time will be available at www.eastofenglandpoultryclub.org

The main trophy show will be at Horncastle on Sunday, March 29.

GOSBERTON

* Good Companions

The Gosberton Good Companions’ Club had its latest meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Chairman Arthur Gold welcomed members to the session, which took place in the Public Hall.

Those gathered enjoyed playing bingo, with Arthur and Les Stevenson acting as the callers.

Maxine Dobney has handed over responsibility for the bingo, buying prizes, tickets, and so on; she has been succeeded by Heather Pym and Ann Gorbutt.

A raffle was organised by Lilian Crunkhorn and Irene Hunter.

Refreshments were served by members.

* Women’s Institute

Gosberton Women’s Institute has held its first meeting of 2020.

President Rosemary Sneath welcomed members to the Public Hall for the session; numbers were down due to illness, the group reported.

The record of the previous month was read – members had enjoyed making Christmas crackers and some had been inspired to make more for the festive season.

The meeting saw the treasurer kept busy recording renewals.

Members were reminded of how some of the money raised through subscriptions is spent, including on hall hire and speakers.

Several Women’s Institute Federation events were discussed, as well as the suggestion that the branch could organise regular events themselves, outside of normal meeting nights.

Sandra Saxby, Pat Sturgeon, and Delcy Moore were winners in the quiz. Sandra also won the raffle.

Members enjoyed a supper of soup and bread roll, prepared by Sandra who was thanked for her efforts.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 11, when Annie Best from the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service will be talking about fire safety.

There will be a red sales table and the competition will be for anything to do with Lincolnshire.

For more information, call secretary Eileen Johnson on 01775 750553.

GOSBERTON CLOUGH & RISEGATE

* Plough service

Gosberton Clough Methodist Church’s annual plough service was held on Sunday afternoon.

The minister, the Rev Frances Ballantyne, conducted the service and blessed the plough, which was presented by John Flowers.

Readings were given by Sheila Lee and Sue Barker.

The organist and pianist were Graham Haresign and Jane Brigginshaw.

John Lee was offertory steward.

Afterwards, all enjoyed a ploughman’s tea.

NEW YORK

* Village Halls Weeks

New York Lecture Hall managers will be celebrating Village Halls Week this week by opening the venue for a coffee morning on Saturday, January, 25, from 10am to 12pm.

As well as coffee and cakes, there will be crafts, produce, and a tombola.

A spokesman said: “A copy of the report from the Lincolnshire and Boston Guardian on the opening of the hall in 1934 calls it ‘one of the most imposing village halls in the county’.

“It has changed over the years, not least because you no longer have to cross an open dyke on a plank to get to the front door.

“Come and see all the improvements that have taken place and learn what goes on at the hall now.

“Everyone is welcome whether they have a past connection to the hall or have moved to the area more recently and if anyone has photos of past events we would love to see them.”

For further information, call 07931 791927.

SANDS

* Service

The East Lincolnshire branch of Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) will be present at a special baby remembrance service taking place in Boston this weekend.

The East Lincs Sands Support Group will be on hand to offer advice and support at the event, which will be held at the chapel at Pilgrim Hospital on Sunday, January 26, at 2pm.

This service is for all parents who have suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth or whose baby has died around the time of birth.

As part of the service, there will be an opportunity to light a candle and have the baby’s name read out.

Afterwards, there will be a chance to meet other parents.

The event will also include an address from the Rev Margaret Done.

The East Lincs Sands Support Group meet at Black Sluice Cafe, in London Road, Boston, on the fourth Thursday of each month from 7.15-8.30pm.

Anyone aged 16 or over who has been affected by the death of a baby is welcome to attend.

For more information, visit [email protected] or call 07934 967990.

STICKFORD

* Village Halls Week

Stickford Community Centre will mark Village Halls Week with an open event on Saturday, January 25, from 3pm.

A Year in the Life of Stickford, a film made by local man Harold Houldershaw in 1993, will be shown at 5pm. A supper of soup and sandwiches will follow.

The free event will showcase the community centre’s activities and facilities.

Chairman Jean James said: “Stickford Community Centre is a huge part of our community. It plays host to social gatherings, village groups, a nursery and fund raising events. These things just wouldn’t happen in Stickford if we didn’t have our hall and our dedicated volunteers that keep it going.”

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