Don’t forget to check our Events Diary for more information on events in all our villages and surrounding area.

CREATON WALKING GROUP

At last it has stopped raining! Good grief! Walking has been such a challenge slithering through all the mud and floods, feeling very sorry for the farmers. Signs of Spring are popping up everywhere and the Creaton Walking Group were delighted to walk from Lamport over familiar paths to Old and Scaldwell. Lamport pub is always welcoming of walkers so it was a pleasure to return there for lunch.

We meet on the second Saturday of the month at Creaton lychgate at 10am for an 8 mile walk over the fields. Well-behaved dogs, and humans (!), are very welcome.

Next walks are on

Saturday 11 April

Saturday 9 May

Creaton Singers

The Creaton Singers have been working hard over the winter to develop their repertoire in preparation for Creaton in Bloom on Sunday 7th June. Come and hear the Singers in the URC at 2.30pm and 3.30pm whilst enjoying a delicious cream tea. Songs are both modern and traditional and are usually sung in 4 parts. Many of them are instantly recognisable whilst some are less known and most have a level of challenge to sing!

The Creaton Singers have been delighted to welcome some new singers, especially sopranos and basses, to level out the numbers of Altos and Tenors.

If you know of a group who would enjoy being sung to, the Creaton Singers are willing to perform free of charge for a good cause. Just ask any member of the group or come to the URC on Creaton High Street any Tuesday evening at 7.30pm.

Creaton WI

What an amazing turnout for the defibrillator and CPR training. Around 80 people from Creaton and surrounding villages attended, and there was enough cake! Huge thanks to Jeanette and Keir from St John Ambulance for their friendly, engaging and informative talk. From the feedback received, people left feeling more confident that they could potentially be “Lifesavers” rather than ”Bystanders”, which is the aim of the WI’s current national campaign.

Below is our meeting programme for the next four months, at 7.30 p.m. in the URC unless otherwise stated:

April 8th The Work of Water Aid – a talk by Richard McMahon

May 13th Discussion on WI Resolutions and Campaigns for the coming year

June 10th The Life of a Scots Guardsman – a talk by Andrew Tennant

July 8th Lotions, Potions and Dubious Cures – with Susan Copperwheat

Everyone is welcome to join us.

For more information contact President, Daphne Clark, 01604 505546

or email wicreaton@gmail.com

Friends of St Michael’s History Group

The current season of history talks draws to a close in April when Bob Tomalin tells of the Civil War and the role that Northamptonshire played in both its inception and its end. Perhaps even Creaton had a part? Come along to St Michael’s for 7:30pm on Thursday April 16th. Entrance is £5 and there will be drinks afterwards.

This series of talks have been more Creaton-focussed than perhaps they usually are. The reason for this is, if you haven’t noticed, is that St Michael & All Angels is celebrating 800 years of being a physical presence in the village. Even if you are not of that faith, or of none, it is worth noting that it is the oldest standing building in the village and as such contains clues and hints to the history of the whole community, not just the religious aspect of the church.

As part of the celebrations, the Friends have published a new guide to the Church, giving a bit of the history, not only of the building but also a bit of some of the people who made an impact on the Church and on the community. Copies of the guide can be purchased in the shop and cost £3.00. All money raised by the Friends goes towards the upkeep of the building - it may have survived 800 years but it still needs looking after.

The new season of talks will begin in September but there will be other events in the interim. Keep a look out for notices. The Friends will also have a stall at the Church during Creaton in Bloom. Do call by and say hello.

Over The Counter

We were very pleased to welcome a new member to the staff team last month. If you haven't had the chance to meet Sarah yet, please pop in and introduce yourself and extend your support as she embarks on her training. I am sure your encouragement would be appreciated.

Valentine's Day has disappeared but there are some great ideas for Easter gifts in the shop for your loved ones. And as well as a large range of chocolate eggs there are flowers back on sale

One of the things we try and do at the shop is be prepared for any occasion.

One of the more important groups that rely on the shop were glued to their televisions watching who would win Best in Show at Crufts this year. It was a Clumber Spaniel, but others could have been in the running, if they could be bothered. Here’s one with their shopping as appeared in the Shop’s Facebook’s page:

In fact, whatever the occasion we can help, and remember you can place an order with us for collection or delivery. Let Creaton Village Shop take the stress out of entertaining.

By the time you read this. The shop floor will have had what I believe is known as a ‘makeover’. A weekend at the end of March saw the grime of nearly eight years of footfall disappear. WE may need sunglasses now!

Would you like to get more involved? Why not have a taster

session as a volunteer and see how you can help your local

community shop. Ask at the counter the next time you are in.

What’s Your Story?

They say that we all have a story in us, though for most it may be quite difficult to get it out. Help is at hand from local author Tamsin Winter who is offering a day of mentoring to help get those words from your head to the page. Tamsin, whose parents live in Creaton, is a multi-award winning author of fiction for readers aged 11+. Her latest book, I Dare You, explores the lure of online fame and the disastrous consequences of social media challenges.

Tamsin’s mentoring workshop: Write Your Book takes place on 5th June at Harborough Innovation Centre, LE16 7WB between 10am and 4pm. For more information or to book your place visit: www.tamsinwinter.com/mentoring.

Blooms from Down the Road

There's something quietly wonderful about knowing exactly where your flowers come from, not a distant warehouse or overseas farm, but a field just down the road in Creaton.

Local flower grower Sue McGlasson is one of a growing band of small producers who are putting Northamptonshire on the map for sustainable, British-grown cut flowers. Her seasonal bunches -  handpicked, pesticide-free, and grown with genuine care - are available from Creaton Shop, and we're delighted to shine a spotlight on her as part of our commitment to championing independent businesses within 20 miles of our door.

Every bouquet tells a story of the season: what's flowering now, what the weather has coaxed into bloom, and what hands have tended it from seed to stem. That's something no supermarket shelf can replicate.

Whether you're treating yourself or gifting, this is local shopping at its most rewarding. Supporting a neighbour's livelihood really does make a difference, and with growers like this on our doorstep, it's never been easier to choose local. Find her seasonal bouquets and subscription offers by contacting her directly on 07816 789556, or pop into your local shop!