Parish Life

The popularity of Holcot is based on its location, community spirit and social activity. It is still a very mixed community represented by a range of all ages, socio-economic groups, housing and a remarkable variety of skills, occupations and interests. At the 2011 census there were 438 residents.

There are more than a dozen activity groups based in the village all of which benefit from good support and cover a wide range of interests.

The Village Hall in Back Lane is the main social venue. The basic structure of the Main Hall is a traditional WI Hall of the 1930’s. It still stands as solid and full of character as the day it was built and has now been transferred by the WI to village ownership which has allowed extensions and modernisation over the years, with a major refurbishment and extension project completed in 2014.  It is regularly used by The Footlights Drama Group, Short Mat Bowling Club, Brownies, WI, Bumblebees (Mums & Tots Group), Holcot & Moulton Arts Society, Twisters Model Helicopter Club and the Anglia Model Boat Club.

All these Groups have a very active membership and are always very welcoming to new members.

The village is also fortunate to have another function/meeting venue – the Church Room.

There is a Parish Tennis Court situated at Northfields Cricket Ground which is available to all village residents. The Cricket Ground is privately owned but Holcot Cricket Club has use of it during the season, by arrangement, for matches and nets. The pub is host to the White Swan Skittles Team which plays in the Pytchley Hunt Supporters League during the winter months.

The village is home to a very active Allotment Group, vintage vehicle collectors, artists, a literary group, The Commodes, a retro (music & players) Band, and also home to the leader of The John Dunmore Boogie Band. The talented youngsters in the village include singer/songwriter and multi-musician Peter Marchant.

Our local pub, The White Swan Inn, continues the tradition of offering a friendly base for discussion, gossip, friendly arguments and a good meal in comfortable surroundings.

The Parish Church is an important spiritual symbol within the village and receives excellent support for fund raising events. It’s future must be carefully guarded.

Annual events which include the Church Fete, Flower & Vegetable Show, Drama Group Production, Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch and Village Meeting are always successful and popular. Our illuminated Christmas Tree is keenly anticipated in December and is the envy of neighbouring villages.

Some residents refer to Holcot as “The Centre of the Universe” and this sentiment is by no means easy to dismiss. An active and friendly community such as ours is a rare commodity these days and deserves to be protected and cherished.

 

If you want to know anything about Holcot, feel free to email our Editor.

They may not know the answer to your question, but it is likely that he will know who to ask!!