Over the last six months or so the Parish Council has drawn attention to the proposal to build a 3000 acre solar farm locally.
Starting 7 November running to 19 December there will be a formal consultation on the proposals run by Green Hill Solar Farm. More information will be provided once we have it.
In the meantime, to help Parishioners understand the scope of the proposal and its potential impacts, we have published a new webpage. The page provides links and a summary of the proposals.
Please take a look. This proposal could have a substantial impact across the area.
On Sunday 10 November please meet at 10:45 at the war memorial for a short service of remembrance and the laying of a wreath on behalf of the people of Holcot.
Afterwards, there will be a short service in the Church.
Readers might find the News page helpful. It’s intended to be a summary of all the posts and other publications affecting Holcot.
For instance, electronic versions of the Parish Newsletter can be found there, as well as details of how to ask Jenny the editor to publish something for you!
Website posts from the homepage are abbreviated to make them easier to whizz through rather than scrolling on the homepage if you are looking for something.
Residents are urged to access vital winter financial support
West Northamptonshire Council is encouraging all residents, especially those most vulnerable, to take advantage of a wide range of financial support available this winter.
With rising costs affecting households, now is the time to ensure that everyone who is eligible can access the help they need.
A number of schemes are in place to help with heating bills, household expenses, and general financial hardship.
The Fire Service are warning of the safety risks associated with halloween and bonfire night.
As we move towards the Halloween / Bonfire season Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue and Northamptonshire Police have produced a safety newsletter that is aimed at parents with tips around staying safe and consideration for others when planning activities.
The Friends of Holcot merry band of volunteers is back. If you have seen the display area on the old school site and work on the trees, large garden and pathway in the churchyard then you will have seen the fruits of their recent labour!
The group meets on Fridays at 10am, approximately fortnightly depending on tasks, weather etc. Sessions last up to 2 hours. No special skills or equipment are required, and there is no specific time commitment. It’s a fantastic way to get to know a great bunch of people.
If you would like to find out more or register interest in getting involved, please contact either Roger Gunnett – 07703 727627 or Peter Matthews – 07544 568261.
And don’t forget – the Friends of Holcot Gardening Group also meets occasionally. Contact Ruby (clerk@holcotvillage.co.uk) to be put in touch.
Closing date for comments is 8 November, although the Parish Council has a dispensation and will consider the application at their meeting on 18 November.
Several months ago volunteers started making poppies for a display to mark Remembrance.
The display of poppies has now been installed on the old school site. A total of 657 poppies were made and donated and we give our grateful thanks to those who participated in this project:
Ginny, Heather, Hilary, Iris, Janet, Jenny, Kim, Lena, Lynn, Mary, Maureen, Mavis, Rosie, Ruby and Veronica.
On Friday 13th December at 7:45pm, James Hornby presents a host of Charles Dickens’ wonderful characters, including Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley, The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, Mr and Mrs Fezziwig and of course, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge.
There are two dance classes recently started in the village hall. See the posters below and/or contact Gayna at dance@gaynabrown.co.uk or 07909 966695.
UK roadshow to visit West Northants’ inspirational small businesses
Small businesses in West Northamptonshire will be put on the map by the Small Business Saturday campaign later this year, after it has announced plans to bring its next national roadshow to the area this autumn.
The Tour will visit local businesses in Northampton on Monday, 18 November 2024 as part of a month-long journey across the UK, telling the inspirational stories of the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses and spotlighting the real people and communities behind them.
WNC are promoting their new initiative to support carers. See this website for more.
One-stop shops to be introduced for carers in Northamptonshire
Carers across Northamptonshire can now attend one-stop shops hosted in locations across county to receive practical advice and support. This comes following engagement with carers delivered by North and West Northamptonshire Councils to ensure they can access the information they need.
WNC are promoting free flu vaccinations for pregnant women.
Vaccination gives protection for pregnant women and their unborn child
Pregnant women across West Northamptonshire are being encouraged to take up the free flu vaccine offer ahead of the winter months.
Pregnant women, and their unborn child, are at a higher risk of complications and more severe conditions such as pneumonia, as the immune system naturally weakens during pregnancy. Flu can also affect the growth of their baby, which could lead to still birth. There is a higher risk of pregnant women being admitted to hospital due to flu than the general population.
The Police are relaunching Neighbourhood Street Watch.
If you are interested in getting involved for Holcot, please contact Cllr Chris Bailey (inthehedges@mac.com) who will then coordinate and liaise with the Police.
The Force is relaunching its countywide Street Watch programme and is inviting local people to come together as volunteers to contribute to community safety and crime prevention in their neighbourhood.
Street Watch enables local people to take an active role in keeping their community safe by patrolling their local area as part of an organised scheme, identifying potential issues and engaging with local residents, encouraging them to report things like antisocial behaviour, vandalism and suspicious behaviour to the police.Street Watch volunteers are supported by a coordinator who liaises with team members and their local neighbourhood policing team to share information and help progress any initiatives that can help prevent crime and improve safety in their local area.
Volunteers are asked to spend a minimum of two hours a month, at times that suit them, patrolling with other scheme members in their local area.
After a few months hiatus, the “Friends of Holcot” maintenance group will recommence on 11 October.
The Friends of Holcot are volunteers who help maintain the Parish. Amongst many others over the years, tasks have included tidying the washbrook, clearing overgrown vegetation, installing protective posts, painting benches, and repairing play equipment.
The group will meet next on Friday 11 October at 10am (location to be decided) and then fortnightly thereafter depending on tasks, weather etc. Sessions last up to 2 hours. No special skills or equipment are required – just a willingness to have an enjoyable couple of hours with a group of neighbours. There is no specific time commitment.
If you would like to find out more or register interest, please contact either Roger Gunnett – 07703 727627 or Peter Matthews – 07544 568261.
And don’t forget – the Friends of Holcot Gardening Group also meets occasionally. Contact Ruby (clerk@holcotvillage.co.uk) to be put in touch.
WNC are promoting the application processes for school places.
It’s time to apply for your child’s school place for September 2025
Parents and carers of children living in West Northamptonshire can now apply for a reception place in a primary or infant school, a year 3 place in a junior school, or a Year 7 place in a secondary school, for the September 2025 intake.
WNC have launched a new service for 24/7 mental health support.
24-hour mental health text message service launched in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) along with North and West Northamptonshire Councils have partnered with charity Mental Health Innovations to offer free, confidential and 24/7 mental health support to those across the county through the charity’s text messaging support service Shout.
The partnership has been funded through North and West Northamptonshire Public Health services and ICB to provide this innovative digital offer for anyone in Northamptonshire to enable them to access 24-hour mental health support, 365 days a year from their mobile phone.
The service launched on Monday 2 September and people in the county can text the word ‘IMATTER’ to 85258 to be connected to a trained Shout Volunteer. The service is open around the clock and can help with issues such as anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression and suicidal thoughts. The conversation, which takes place entirely by text message, aims to help the texter reach a calmer place with a plan to move forward. It will also signpost them to further support available locally.
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Powered by charity Mental Health Innovations, Shout launched publicly in May 2019 and has taken more than 2.5 million conversations with more than 830,000 people who were feeling anxious, stressed, depressed or suicidal and who needed urgent support.
Each year the Parish Council sets aside a sum of money to be awarded in grants to organisations for projects that will be of benefit to the residents of our Parish.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that any funding provided by the Parish Council will be of benefit to the Parish or its inhabitants. The Parish Council will not normally make grants to organisations outside of the Parish unless it can be demonstrated that there are direct benefits to the Parish. Applications should be for ‘one-off’ grants which will not result in recurring expenditure to the Parish Council.
Applications are due by 30 November, with successful applications being awarded in January 2025.
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