A special concert ...

was held in Bourton Church last Thursday night (26 February) by Pinewood School.  The concert was held to showcase the school's talented musicians but it was also the inaugural concert for the new church organ which has been generously donated by parents from the school.

The evening began with Paul Burke, who is a Peripatetic Music Teacher, playing Nun danket alle Gott by Karg-Elert on the organ. Paul was followed by Ellen Arkwright, an old Pinewoodian, who sang Pie Jesu and, later in the evening, sang O mio Babbino Caro by Puccini.  The audience was also entertained by Florence Tuckey playing Dancing with Bears on the trombone, Oliver Beckett with Bouree on the guitar, old Pinewoodian James Eyles playing a Bach Fugue on the organ and Gabriel's Oboe perfomed by oboist Rosie Jephson.  The evening finished with Paul Burke giving the new organ a wonderful workout playing Toccata by Widor.

Thank you to all the students who played and sang so beautifully and also thank you to the parents for the donation of the new organ which will be used every month at our village services.

50/50 February 2015

Congratulations to February's winners.

37     Jean Hayden
12     Douglas Hamlin
19     David Rutley

Pinewood Concert ...

Pinewood’s Concert on Thursday 26th February at 7.00pm, in St. James's Church, Bourton, will consist of several pieces showcasing some of the school’s talented musicians. The evening will also include two guest organists to give the newly installed church organ a good airing.

The concert will be about 40 minutes in duration.

All are welcome to come along. It is free of charge, and everyone is welcome back to school afterwards for a drink and canapés.

Lost Key

A front door key has been found by the post box in the middle of the village. If it is yours, please contact Sue on 782066.

50/50 January 2015

Congratulations to January's winners

67       Vlasta Webster
28       Charlotte Mintern
37       Jean Hayden

Continue funding for community action in rural England ...

Ninety years of dedicated support for England’s 11,000 rural communities is under threat after the Government warned it may withdraw funding from the ACRE Network. 

This nationwide Network of rural community councils carries out crucial work to help our communities thrive. 

It funds, leads or enables thousands of projects to help people tackle the challenges they face – from lack of affordable homes, broadband or public transport to supporting the young, the elderly and the most vulnerable in our society. 

It is the only Network that provides advice to the 80,000 volunteers who keep England’s 10,000 village halls alive. 

Without the Network's support, communities will be less resilient, services will be lost and more people will become lonely and isolated. 

We call on Defra not to withdraw funding from the ACRE Network. To pull it now would fracture the Network, undermine years of investment and leave the most vulnerable in rural areas with nowhere to go. 

Please support the ACRE by signing the petition:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/73418

Responsible department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Can you help?

On Christmas Eve night someone drove into and considerably damaged the wrought-iron fence around numbers 2 and 3 Church Row.  Unbelievably nobody stopped to report this!  So if you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the residents.  Any information would be gratefully received.