Small World

Nocton Nurseries

Since the sale of the Nocton Ltd nursery site to Munk Agricultural Services (http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/story-14267645-detail/story.html), I have been told another company, Winchester Growers Ltd are now leasing the site (http://www.winchestergrowers.co.uk/index.html).

If this is indeed correct, it is interesting to discover that it was the previous owners, Paul and Anne Clarke, who first established the company Winchester Bulb Growers Ltd way back in 1974. Paul and Anne then sold this highly successful company in 1994, prior to purchasing the Nocton Estate in November 1995. Winchester Growers Ltd was then established in 1995... from Winchester Bulb Growers Ltd.

It's a small World isn't it?

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Walk around village

Yesterday we arranged to go for a walk around the village, along the many footpaths and by-ways, accompanied by Sheila Redshaw our own local historian.

My wife and I, along with our two Jack Russells in tow, met Sheila outside her bungalow. We set off down Potterhanworth Rd and it was nice to see the Beck flowing freely once more. The Beck on the lower part of  Wellhead Lane has been cleared out recently... but it is slightly disappointing to see the contractors have not cleared the vegetation from the banking on the 'bungalow side'. However, the ducks don't seem to mind as they are happy bobbing along again and taking to the grass verges.

Wellhead Lane - Beck

We decided to cut through the Persimmon Homes and Sowerby developments into Nocton Park and across the playing field up to the allotments. Sheila was surprised to see the number of developed plots, having not walked that area since the allotments were created.

Taking the public footpath around the edge of Claypond Holt, we looked back over the grounds of the RAF Hospital site to Nocton Hall, endeavouring to locate the position of the lake and the eastern avenue of lime trees that once extended from the Hall to Abbey Hill.

My wife, dogs and Mrs Sheila Redshaw enjoying the walk

It was sad to see the skeletal remains of the huts on the old Hospital site, where the roofing sheets have all but been removed. Incidentally, I have not seen the barn owl for ages since this wanton destruction has taken place, so I can only assume the nesting habit has been disturbed. It used to regularly fly along the dykes, hovering occasionally before pouncing on vermin for its next meal. It was a real privilege to observe.

Joining the main estate road, we sauntered around to Lower Lodge and turned right through the woods, taking what we think used to be the laurel walk. A detour to see the snowdrops in the woods, near the gates of the old RAF Hospital, brought us onto the access road.

Snowdrops in the woods

There we bumped into the guy who maintains security of the site for Leda Properties. During our chat it was interesting to hear him say he works for the planning department in Mansfield. He mentioned in passing that Leda Properties had previously suggested to North Kesteven that five properties be built in the walled garden area and another ten properties on the RAF Hospital site, in return for maintaining Nocton Hall, but this offer had not been accepted. It remains to be seen what has/has not been discussed between Leda and NKDC over the years, all we really know is that no preservation/repair work has been completed to date and that is most unsatisfactory for the village.

Our final detour was to the old chestnut tree on the north-east side of the Hall, where Sheila pointed out a small plaque in the undergrowth.

Chestnut Tree plaque

The transcription reads:
    "This chestnut tree was planted by Claude Ancliffe in 1978 - Building Supervising Officer at the RAF Hospital Nocton Hall  1946 - 1978.
     This tree was grown from a chestnut taken from the chestnut tree planted by Katherene Howard, wife of Henry VIII on 13-10-1541"

Though I seem to remember reading somewhere, that chestnut trees had not been introduced into Britain at the time of Henry VIII!

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200 Club Winners

Inaugural Draw

Nocton Club hosted the first 200 Club Draw on Friday evening. A short presentation from Jim Eagle opened the proceedings and the balls were then emptied into the tombola.

The audience watched expectantly as the tombola was spun before the first ball was extracted by Chris Hewitt... and the winner was:

• Mr Keith Roe (181) - £65

Second and third places fell to:

• Mrs Lesley Musson (194) - £25
• Mr Rory Hambly (159) - £10

and the rest of us sank our sorrows into another drink from the bar! Ah well, there's always next month... and the month after.... and the....

David Reay presenting Keith and Lesley with their 'dosh'

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Broadband News

Green Light For Lincolnshire Superfast Broadband

'Plans that will see 90 percent of Lincolnshire homes and business premises receive broadband speeds of at least 24Mbps by 2015 have been approved by the government.'

http://www.onlincolnshire.org/news/broadband-news/156

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Take one picture

Size Doesn’t Always Matter… 
 
It is like the story of David and Goliath or the FA Cup third round upset. In times of uncertainty in education proof that, offered the opportunities, the children of our country can produce the goods in any circumstances. 
 
Nocton Community Primary School in Lincolnshire has the look of the quintessential village school. Designed by Sir Gilbert Scott (he of the St Pancras Hotel and Albert Memorial) and built in 1864, it stands in a quiet cul-de-sac opposite the church in a rural village. With 40 pupils it is a small, happy place with dedicated staff and supportive parents. Rural schools, like their inner city counterparts, have tight budgets and social issues. Nocton is no exception. Hidden away south of Lincoln this idyllic setting has just upset the odds. 
 
'Take One Picture' is the National Gallery's countrywide scheme for primary schools. Each year the Gallery focuses on one painting from the collection to inspire cross-curricular work in primary classrooms. The challenge is then for schools to use the image imaginatively in the classroom, both as a stimulus for artwork, and for work in more unexpected curriculum areas. National Gallery Education then displays a selection of the work in the annual 'Take One Picture' exhibition at the National Gallery, and on their website. Of the hundreds of schools who took part, the work from just 17 will be exhibited in the iconic building with Nocton’s contribution being from the smallest school.
 
‘Work with Fire and Steel’ was the idea of the year 5 pupils at Nocton. Along with the Deputy Headteacher, Andy Canadine, and classroom Teaching Assistant, Pat Penistan, the five pupils created sword handles at a local blacksmiths forge. From raw materials and under the guidance of blacksmith Tim Mackereth and his wife Fran the pupils made a lasting and unique piece of work that captured the essence of the project. 
 
The work so impressed the staff at the National Gallery that it has been selected to be displayed in the Trafalgar Square Gallery between Wednesday 9th May and Sunday 16th September. “Our pupils took the concept on board and ran with the idea” said Mr Canadine “We always encourage pupils to reach for the heights and push their boundaries of learning. This was a fantastic opportunity to show what a small school can do and demonstrate just how vital these hubs are to local people and the children” 
 
As large academies blossom it is comforting and important to remember that small schools like Nocton bear good fruit too.

[Article released for publication by Nocton Community School]