21/07/17

Road Closure – Northampton Road, Kettering

Major works are being undertaken to the railway bridge on Northampton Road, Kettering from 24th July to 4th September 2017; the road will be closed at the bridge throughout this period.

Although the recommended diversion for A14 traffic accessing Kettering is via the A14/A43/Rockingham Road, it is highly likely that many road users will exit at the Rothwell Road junction on the A14, and local traffic from a number of housing estates will divert along Gipsy Lane. As a result, villagers travelling to Kettering are likely to experience considerable delays at the junction of Gipsy Lane with Rothwell Road, by the Crematorium.

04/03/17

Jim Willis

We've sadly lost our oldest village resident Jim
There can't be many villagers who did not know him.
A character and friend to the end
So our thoughts we would like to lend.

Jim was generous to a fault, but content with his lot
Church Gates of Hope repaired, and looked after his family plot.
When village 'do's' were on Jim would be there
Stick in hand, cap on head, sitting in a comfy chair.

His fire at home was always lit
Telling stories of his grate that didn't fit.
A fir tree by his fence was eventually cut down
There the trunk was left in biggish rounds.

Then Jim with chainsaw sat for many hours
Cutting and stacking it into towers.
Never without fire lighting sticks thanks to Eddie
Bob brought coal when he was ready.

From the shed 'Do you want bolts or screws?'
'Any nuts Jim?' 'Ah! Got none of those'.
Another time he would say to have a clear out
Which was a fine idea, then he'd have a turnabout.

Once he had his scooter going there was no stopping
At break neck speed to the club he'd be popping!
Playing dominoes on Thursdays with his friends
Then most Fridays with Ken, these were his trends.

Any raffle he would have a go, winning many prizes
Of chocolate or bottles and other surprises.
'What do you know' would be what he would say
'How are you Jim?' 'Half and half' he'd reply this way.

'Got no complaints, club's doing all right'
'It's right what Bob says.' 'Am I right, am I right?'
'What's Thorpe news?' would follow after
That would create a bit of laughter.

Whisky was his favourite tipple, which must have kept him going
Yet he liked strong coffee with loads of sugar, there just is no knowing.
There is so much more that I could say
But let's remember Jim in our own special way.

To have reached 96 was fantastic you will agree
So rest in peace Jim, from all of us and me.

Sue Walton

04/03/17

Jim Willis

Jim Willis

Over 100 family and friends attended the recent funeral of Jim Willis at All Saints parish church.  At 96 years young, Jim was Thorpe Malsor's oldest resident, and had lived and worked in the village for most of his life.  

Born in Loddington, he moved with his family to Thorpe Malsor as a young boy, living in what is now The Rookery.  He farmed locally, together with his wife Rosemary, and following his retirement moved to 16 The Square.

Sue Walton has written a poem in memory of Jim which was read at his funeral and is included here.    

09/01/17

Joan Smart Retires as Parish Clerk

Joan Smart has recently retired as Clerk to Thorpe Malsor Parish Council - for the third time!  She has been the Parish Clerk for over 20 years, serving from 1987 to 1993, 2002 to 2008 and then again from 2011 until her most recent retirement.  She gave up the role twice due to caring responsibilities for family members, but tells us that this time it is due to old age!

Joan would like to thank everyone for the lovely vase and bouquet of roses she received to mark her retirement.  

joan_retirement

Thorpe Malsor Parish Council, on behalf of everyone in the village, thanks her for the unstinting service she has given to the village over many years and will miss her vast knowledge of Parish Council matters and unfailing sense of humour in the face of some bureaucratic challenges.  Have a very happy retirement Joan.

18/11/16

Tea & Chat Christmas Lunch

Tea & Chat

This month over 30 people enjoyed a Christmas lunch at the Tea & Chat meeting in Thorpe Malsor social club.  Sue Walton and her regular team of helpers cooked a lovely hot lunch, dessert and mince pies.  

In December the regular Tea & Chat session will take place earlier than usual, on Wednesday 7th December, and then revert to it's usual date (on the 3rd Wednesday of each month) in the new year.  See the calendar for details.

17/11/16

Big Breakfast

The recent village 'Big Breakfast' held in the village hall was an excellent community event, thank you to everyone who attended.  £242 was raised which has been used to purchase new room screens for the hall.

30/10/16

Edie Cunliffe

We are sorry to announce that Mrs Edie Cunliffe died recently.  Until 2 years ago she lived at 2 The Square, Thorpe Malsor but moved to be near to her son Graham and family in Long Melford when her health deteriorated.  She and her husband Alec were well known in Thorpe Malsor and took part in all the village activities.

Her funeral will take place on Tuesday, 1st November 2016 at West Suffolk Cematorium, Bury St Edmunds.  Family flowers only, but if desired a donation can be made to the Sue Ryder hospice where her son John was cared for so well during his illness.  The address is:

Sue Ryder,
Leckhampton Court Hospice,
Church Crescent,
Leckhampton
Cheltenham GL 53 0QJ.

31/08/16

Northants Open Studio Art Exhibition

Open Studio Thorpe MalsorStudio 19 in Thorpe Malsor is one of more than 60 locations showing the work of local artists as part of the Open Studio Trails – a series of art exhibitions held throughout Northamptonshire during September.  The Central Exhibition at the Alfred East Art Gallery in Kettering runs from 27th August to 1st October 2016.

If you are interested in visiting other exhibitions on the Trail you can download a full colour brochure that includes information about all the participating artists, the exhibition venues, location maps and opening times from the Kettering Borough Council website here.