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EDITORIALEDITORIAL

Editorials can be, and occasionally are, provocative. The reason for this is to stir the readership into action and provoke debate. The editorial team are

rightly proud of the magazine and try to focus objectively on those subjects emanating from within the village, which we believe people feel are important. If you consider that any of my editorials are too contentious or unfair, then it is up to you to write, putting your point of view. I guarantee to publish all letters on the subject. Talking of letters, it appears that everyone is happy with all aspects of life in Ketton, as not one person has sent a letter for publication in this issue. Surely this cannot be? For if it were, Ketton would be widely renowned as the first Utopian society since Sir Thomas More wrote about it in 1516. Put pen to paper, let us know your thoughts and concerns. I am reminded that this year is the centenary of the commencement of the First World War, the carnage of which still evokes a wide range of emotions. To commemorate the centenary and in memory of those who answered their country's call, the Art Group are assembling a collection of paintings to display various aspects of that war. The collection will be exhibited in the church on August 3rd The last edition of Chatterbox clearly displayed a '£1 when purchased' logo. This it appears has not met with unanimous approval! The reasons behind the logo are as follows; whilst every household receives a free copy of the magazine and will continue to do so, there are a number of villagers who wish to send extra copies to friends and relatives. These extra copies seem to be in great demand and revenue from the additional sales, whilst small, will further help defray the cost of publication. Recently, I have been asked a number of times why Ketton no longer has a summer fête, as it did in years gone by. The simple answer, is that unless someone or group decides to investigate the possibility of re-inventing the fête, it will never happen. The fêtes of the 1970’s were established by groups of people as a way to raise funds for various projects. One such project was the building of a tennis court to provide a playing surface for the then fledgling tennis club. Other village organizations also benefited financially by either selling wares, or providing some form of entertainment. Skittles were very popular, the highest score of the day winning a monetary prize. The village came together to present a fête that all could enjoy, especially the children. What child would not take great pleasure at throwing a wet sponge at their schoolmaster! The individual stalls had an interesting variety of produce or goods for sale and those that were homemade always sold out the fastest. So why does the village not have a fête? Perhaps the time for fêtes has passed. Not so in other villages! Is it because there are no projects or worthy causes that require funds? Again, I do not think so. As I said earlier, in order for any event to happen there has to be a prime mover. It can be an individual, a group, or maybe a club, floating an idea which could blossom into something the whole village could engage in. It’s definitely worth looking into. Finally, I could not let this opportunity pass without acknowledging my predecessor, Gordon Alderson, for his timely stewardship of Chatterbox. During his editorship the magazine has blossomed into a periodical that Ketton can be justly proud of. I am also personally indebted to him for his continuing support and enthusiasm. So, on behalf of the village Gordon, we thank you. John Collier

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New Wings over WitteringWhen the Harrier was taken out of service by the RAF, many of us wondered what would become of Royal Air Force Wittering. Many former active stations have been put on a care and maintenance programme, with a view to returning the station to active status at some time in the future. Clearly as time passed and the RAF & the numbers of squadrons and aircraft in the service declined, it became obvious that Wittering was not being considered as a flying station. Most people living close to the airfield felt relieved that the roar of jet engines, which they had endured for such a long time, would soon become a fading memory. However, Wittering, quiet and serene as it may seem, has never been more active. Its current role is that of a foremost logistics provider, dealing with the procurement, maintenance and transportation of military material, facilities and personnel to the RAF wherever they happen to be operating. Whilst the station is generally quiet and activities go largely unobserved, there are, behind this façade a large number of people engaged in a myriad of tasks, to ensure that whatever the RAF needs to be an effective force is placed at its disposal. Since the Harriers departed from Wittering an eerie silence has descended upon the countryside. This could change very soon as the Grob Tutor training aircraft takes to the skies above us. The Tutor is the Royal Air Force's primary training aircraft; it is small and compact weighing some 1,500lbs and it is capable of speeds up to 200mph and has an aerobatic performance. The Tutor is currently used at RAF Cranwell and those who have witnessed them in flight have likened the noise they make to that of a cloud of angry gnats! The Harrier in its heyday provoked much debate over the racket it made. Will the Tutor be more or less controversial, I wonder ? RAF Wittering will shortly be host to three university air squadrons, an air experience flight and a training squadron for instructors. With over 20 Tutors based at the airfield, flying will once again be an important part of the station’s activities and we will soon be able to recognise the aeroplane whether it is upside down or standing on one wing tip.

University Air Squadrons (UAS’s) are training units of the Royal Air Force which primarily provide basic flying training to undergraduate students at British universities. These units exist to provide a taste of life in the Service and to give experience to their members in preparation for taking up a career as an officer in one of the RAF's many branches. The UASs are part of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) and cadets have the privileges - but not the rank - of an officer. Some may obtain commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, in the rank of Acting Pilot Officer on completion

of their degree. Air Experience Flights [AEFs], on the other hand, as their name suggests, simply give the chance to members of Air Training Corps to experience the thrill of flying and , hopefully, encourage them to join the RAF when they come of age. In any event, these AEFs will fly the same aircraft and add to the noise in the skies over Rutlad. JFC

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GROT SPOT TO DISAPPEARSome ten years after it was identified in the Parish Plan as one of the three top grot spots in the High Street, work finally got under way in January to develop the patch of land at the junction of the High Street and Pied Bull Close. When work started the first job of the bulldozer was to level the jerry-built brick extension to No 47 High Street. The whole of that building and the one next door, although stone built, were in a dilapidated state - largely as a result of vehicles’ exhausts -- and should have been demolished at the same time as the annex. This would have made both clearing the site and the subsequent new build much easier and more pleasing to the eye of both passers-by and residents alike. But the bureaucrats at Catmose have decided that the two properties are Listed Buildings and as such must not be taken down. The fact that the visual appearance of the project would have been much better had it been developed as a complete entity, seems to have escaped the planners at County Hall. However, we should be thankful for small mercies and that the houses on the small area of waste land will soon be occupied and the gap, which has blighted the High Street for so long will soon be filled by a development consisting of four houses built to blend in with the existing appearance of the adjacent housing. Of these, two will be the two renovated houses, Nos 47 & 49 and two new town houses which will extend the terrace to the corner of Bull Lane. Thanks to the ingenuity of the architect, off-road parking spaces have been catered for, so that the new houses do not automatically mean more obstruction on the High Street at its narrowest.

Ketton Dog Show After a successful first year, Ketton Dog Show is returning on Sunday 10 August at Park Farm Stables, Luffenham Road. The show is a great day for all the family. Bookings start at 11am and classes start at 12pm. Come put your pooch through

his or her paces and give them a chance to show off their talents all for a good

cause. Classes are £1 per entry.This year there will be a wider variety of unique stalls for your pets and homeand

food throughout the event. Dog agility will be open all day where you cantest

your skills with expert guidance.All proceeds will be given to local animal rescue charities. For more information ‘Like’ us on Facebook or call 01780 721729

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Since the last time I wrote for the chatterbox, I have had a very eventful 12 months. After the last update, I began racing in my second competitive road season where the results were substantially better than the dabbling I had done the year before. I felt a lot more confident just riding with my age group and did not feel out of place as I became stronger and better at riding. I placed well and finished consistently in the top ten and in most instances top 5. However, towards the end of the season I had an accident racing at the Elveden estate which resulted in a visit to hospital with a suspected head injury. I was given the all clear but still have no recollection of the incident.Although last road season as a youth was good, my first Cyclocross season as a junior went much better. As I was a first year junior, I decided not to compete in all of the national events but instead picked ones slightly closer to home to test myself against the best riders in the country, some two years older than me. These were great tests and I placed 17th twice in National Trophy events and then at the National Championships at Derby I placed 18th in the country for my age group. I was very happy with this but it gives room for improvement next year as I grow again and become one of the older riders in my age group. In league races I received frequent second and third placing’s but I lacked the elusive win.My track visits were not as frequent or as fruitful as I had previously hoped and feel that I do not quite possess all the skills for this discipline but I regularly raced at the Welwyn outdoor track.At the time of writing I have already competed in 4 road races and have received 1 win and 2 second places as a first year junior and so the start has already outstripped my performances of last year and I can only hope for more good results on the road. When it comes to the mud of Cyclocross in the winter I am hoping to achieve a top three placing in a national event and compete further afield, possibly in Belgium where cyclocross is a national sport George Baker

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www.kettonplayschool.co.uk 2½ - 5 year olds

15 hours free for 3 year oldsOpen Mon-Fri up to 7 hours daily

01780 721676

KHS Plant Swap & SaleFor the previous twelve years the annual Plant Sale & Swap organised by the Ketton

Horticultural Society has enjoyed a record of dry, if not warm, weather. For this year’s sale, held in mid-May, the weather excelled itself, temperature was up in the 20’s (or for those who still prefer the old method of gauging temperature in Fahrenheit, it was well into the 70s), there was an almost completely blue sky with the sound of a light aircraft droning overhead, giving members and customers alike, a feeling of high summer.

The conditions were ideal for the occasion, resulting in a constant stream of potential customers, intent on buying some of the extensive range of plants grown by the members of the KHS for the specific purpose of selling them on the day of the sale. Others had come bringing their own plants for sale or swap, but whatever the reason, the attendance was significantly more than usual, keeping members manning the stalls busy, their hard work being rewarded by Vic & Burnice Henry who performed sterling work in providing refreshments throughout the morning.

Although the actual sale only lasted a couple of hours, for those standing behind the counters, it was tiring, but ultimately extremely profitable, adding over £250 to the Society’s finances.

The society wish to thank all the customers for their support, with a special thank you to Mr Glenn Fraser head of Ketton Primary School for allowing the society to hold the event in the school playground.

The Chairman doing his bit.

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White Bread WildernessThere is a small parcel of land sandwiched between the rear houses of Holmes Drive and the footpath between Geeston and the Chater Bridge, via Sooty Bridge. This is the White Bread Copse and is a village asset. The photograph shows the Copse in May 2003 shortly after the land had been cleared, fenced and trees planted. Since that time the Copse has largely been ignored and the trees and shrubs have either died or matured to the point where nature has determined the outcome of their growth. There have been occasional forays into the Copse to remove offending branches away from property and the footpath, but a general clean-up of the area has never taken place. That is until now; new efforts are being made to bring order to the

chaos. There are a variety of mature trees to be dealt with; some only require sympathetic pruning, others need to be felled to provide space and opportunity for others to flourish, as well as some new plantings. There is an opportunity here to promote a attractive habitat for all manner of wildlife, but in order to do so without offending walkers and neighbouring gardeners some form of effective control must be exercised. So if you are walking the footpath, perhaps with your dog and you observe some activity going on within the undergrowth, please feel free to offer an encouraging word or a cheery greeting as you pass by.

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THE KETTON SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC ENERGY FARMHanson’s Renewable Energy Team who were formed as part of the company’s

enterprise towards sustainability has successfully managed to reduce the company’s environmental impact at the Ketton site with the installation of a 10MW solar voltaic energy farm located in the quarry. This project which is in partnership with Armstrong Energy Ltd will see the Ketton site using all the electricity produced from the PV farm, reducing its reliance on energy produced from fossil fuels. At times when the site cannot take all the electricity produced such as shut downs, then there is the facility to feed any excess electricity straight back into the national grid. With all the investment coming from Armstrong Energy Ltd, the Ketton site will benefit from a percentage of free power and a reduction in its fixed charges which will reduce its overall energy costs. The main benefit however is the reduction in its carbon footprint with in the region of 750,000 tons of CO2 not being emitted to the atmosphere by using this type of energy. Lark Energy based at Market Deeping are the principle contractors in installing the solar farm which is being built in 2 phases. The first which is now in operation being 7.5MW, and the second which will be started in the next few weeks will be 2.5MW. In total the 10MW installation will be made up of around 55,000 individual PV panels that are fixed on elevated frames and tilted to the south so that the suns movements from east to west are fully captured.So what is Solar Photo Voltaic as against solar thermal panels? PV panels work by generating electricity from light whilst thermal panels work on the heat from the sun which heats water directly reducing the need for electricity to do this. The main benefit is that with PV you do not need the heat so direct sunlight is not required. Mark Cox who lead the project at Ketton said. “Had this not been promoted in the local paper, it is unlikely many of the Ketton residents would have known of the solar farms existence, it has that little an impact; this along with a major reduction in the sites carbon footprint, some financial savings and the fact at the end of the project term the site can be restored back to its former agricultural use, makes PV as against other renewable energy sources ideal for both the company and the community.” This is one of the first and largest Solar projects that Heidelberg cement has carried out in the world, and is hopefully not the last that the Renewable Energy team will be proposing to Hanson UK for the future.

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A hub may be described as an axis, fulcrum, centre or focal point, well, the Ketton library building which has been renamed the “Hub” certainly lives up to the description focal point, or indeed, if you will consider Ketton as a wheel, then the Hub, is fast becoming the centre of that wheel. Let us consider its many functions, it now houses the doctors surgery, of course its original primary function as a library is still ongoing (Including information on local events, courses etc), don’t forget the added value of internet access (It needs to be used), the ever popular children’s story time (Times, dates are posted are posted at the Hub’s entrance), the reading group who meet on the first Thursday of the month from 2-15 am to 3-15 am, new members are

always welcome. Tuesday and Thursday mornings are a little different at the Hub; it has become a meeting point, for those who enjoy coffee, or tea, plus homemade biscuits, where locals (and occasionally some from afar) gather for a chat, put the village, or the world for that matter to rights, or just have a gossip. Staffed by volunteers, of both genders, who all deserve credit for their unstinting commitment to village life, and you can be assured, that when you pass through the Hubs portals, they will provide you with a warm welcome; many people have worked extremely hard to provide and maintain these facilities for the village, please take advantage, they are there for you.

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Monty’s Village Walks in 2014

Monty Andrew very kindly offered to conduct some village walks this spring. Monty and his family have lived in Ketton for several generations and his knowledge of the

village and its inhabitants is extensive. I have been on two of these walks. The first was along the High Street, the second was based in Aldgate. There are two more walks planned when Monty is less busy with his farm. One will cover Geeston, the other St Mary’s church. What did I learn from these walks? I could not believe the number of pubs there were in this village in the early part of the twentieth century. Some of these were very small, almost someone’s front room where the beer was brewed inhouse. There were over ten pubs in Ketton!Monty also pointed out to us how stones from various demolished buildings were reused in a random fashion when new cottages and houses were built. We saw mullions from rather grand houses that are now in smaller houses. We saw the prized Ketton pink stone and carved fleur de lys which had been acquired and now adorn certain houses. When Monty was growing up in Bull Lane, the sole water supply was from the Sinc stream. Buckets would be filled, carried back to houses for daily use, often the job for the young ones. The water was supposed to be very beneficial for sore eyes. In Aldgate we saw Ten Row, the long row of terraced cottages where amazingly ten separate families had lived in the past. At the bottom of Ten Row the small barn had been a general store. We saw the route of the old road to Stamford and to Barrowden. There is a unique yellow chestnut tree at the bottom of Aldgate opposite Aldgate Lodge. As we walked over the Chater bridge Monty pointed out how the bridge had been widened and strengthened by building on top of the original bridge. Look out for the initials R.H. on the top of one of the arches; Robert Hibbins, stone mason, has left his mark.We were a group of about fourteen people on each of the walks including a ten year old boy who was fascinated by the history and is eagerly awaiting the next one! If you are interested in learning more about where you live, please contact Sarah Ayling, the Parish Clerk at the Parish office to be put on a list.Monty has put so much time and research into these walks and we all appreciated him sharing his knowledge. Thanks Monty! Jenny Rogers