World Book Day (or rather the day before in our case) seemed a most appropriate day in which to present some special books to Geddington School.

A legacy left to the Samuel Lee Charity by its former chairman, John Sutton, is being used to give books to the school on an annual basis, for the next ten years.

Whilst the pandemic disrupted a couple of years of fulfilling this legacy, 2023 saw the third presentation of books.

But – these are not any books, these are books especially chosen by Mrs Willis of Class 5, to complement the school’s library.

Our images below show the 2023 books chosen and then being presented to the Head Teacher, Mr James Sherwood and Mrs Willis, by the Samuel Lee Chairman, Jim Harker OBE, in the library on Wednesday 1st March 2023.

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It is widely recognised that reading is so very important in today’s world, for without it, even the most basic of uses, all of which need the ability of being able to read, would be impossible to carry out. Instructions, information, modern IT equipment – everything has the written word and, without knowing what it says, a person is lost.

World Book Day, held on 2nd March 2023, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book, is an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. 

Long live the paper book!

The official logo for King Charles III’s coronation, to feature in street parties, social media and souvenirs, has been revealed by Buckingham Palace.

This is a traditional image with flowers forming the shape of the St Edward’s crown used in the coronation.

It has been created by Sir Tony Ive who said: “The design was inspired by King Charles’ love of the planet, nature and his deep concern for the natural world.”

In 1923 Geddington and Newton had approximately 1000 inhabitants. The villages were relatively isolated with limited transport links to the outside world. There was no running water and no electricity. The vast majority of homes had to use outside privies, bake their Sunday roast in the large oven at one of the bake houses and dry their washing in one of the communal drying areas of the village…..BUT it did have a newly formed Women’s Institute!

Celebrations and commemorations were on the agenda of last week’s meeting – exactly 100 years since the formation of this new organisation for the women of the two communities.

Almost all the current members were present to honour those 4 original officers from 1923; Mrs Berrill, Mrs Holmes, Miss Sykes and Mrs G Holding and to recognise 4 long standing current members: Joan Higgs, 82 years service, Pam Hopkins and Hazel Brunger, 65 years each and Val Bellamy 50 years service .

Each member was presented with a beautiful hand made trinket box in WI colours; there was cake to admire, prizes to win and an exhibition of those early years and the Resolutions on female policing and better maternity care that the WI fought to get implemented.

There was also a lovely supper and a chance to reflect on the fellowship within the group and across the wider WI. WI were really pleased to welcome Anne Rodwell, the County Chairman, to the event and ask her to present the awards and certificates. Thank you Anne for sharing the celebrations.

Here’s to the next 100 years!!

Fancy a chat over a cuppa?

The WI would like to invite you to a warm winter hub in the Chapel

schoolroom next Monday, and every following Monday in January

There will be free tea, coffee and biscuits available from 10-12.

Come and have a chat, share Christmas stories, play games, do a jigsaw, bring your newspaper or your knitting.

This invitation is open to all. You will be very welcome if you come with children, on your own or with friends.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Geddington’s Scout Post Box can be found in Cafe Oak, Queen Street.

Once again, the Knitting Club has stood up for Remembrance in Geddington village.

Last year, we were celebrating the Royal British Legion’s 100th anniversary by erecting a poppy arch over the entrance to the churchyard, plus poppy hangings in the church: we also wrapped a length of crochet and knitted poppies around the War Memorial in the churchyard.

This year, the club has done a similar, but slightly different display. The arch has a different colour in its look, but still remains impressive, despite surviving a couple of months in last November and December’s weather. Do visit the church, it’s open during the week as well as the usual Sunday times, the hangings are obvious and splendid and can be seen in the images below.

One new item is the wreath displayed in front of the Jubilee Celebration stone on the village green. As can be seen, it says In Memoriam, so, is it for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II or for the fallen from two world wars and other conflicts? It’s a decision only you can make.

We all like to relax with a cup of tea to gather our thoughts and gear ourselves up for the next job on the list ….. but if our cup of tea could aid our digestion, support heart and circulation health or ensure a good night’s sleep that would be a real bonus.

Nicola Fenton, a trained herbalist, came along to September’s WI meeting to explain about the hidden qualities of garden plants. So many plants readily available in our gardens have healing properties. Prepared in different ways, they can be taken as a tea, crushed to form a poultice, mixed with beeswax to create an ointment or concentrated in a tincture.

Nicola brought with her samples of thyme, rosemary, sage and plantain to illustrate the benefits and to encourage us to try the flavours. Most found the rosemary tea quite pleasant but sage tea was a bit more of a challenge!

Peppermint and lemon balm are good for digestive troubles; thyme for coughs and colds, rosemary for headaches and anxiety. Try Valerian if your sleep is disturbed, rosehips for the winter vitamin C hit, meadowsweet for heart burn and, if you don’t fancy sage in tea, try it as a toothpaste or mouth freshener.

Most surprising was the news that daisies are our natural source of Arnica and that stinging nettles are a great tonic!!

As always, the advice was to check before you drink that the plant is what you think it is and if you are on medication check with your doctor before indulging!

If you fancy joining one of our meetings, please come along on the second Wednesday of each month to the Village Hall for a 7:30pm start. You will be made very welcome.