October 2024
Parish Council News

Chairman – Cllr Barry Ross; chairmanrpc4@gmail.com 07740 151601

Parish Clerk (General enquiries) – Laura Davies: rippingalepc@gmail.com 07375 364742

Website – rippingale.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk

Continuing the Council’s policy of keeping our villagers up to date, these are some of the issues we have
been dealing with this month:
Hedges. We have, as promised, spent community funds to trim back hedges throughout the village so that
we can all see how good they can be. We cannot do this again. In the future, can we ask everyone to
maintain both sides of our hedges so that we can keep up this standard. Agricultural and open area
landowners are also requested to do the same to hedges and verges that border their lands.
Dykes. We are working to establish who is responsible for clearing the dykes in and around the village.
In general, dyke clearing is down to the adjacent landowner and we ask that they do this before the wet
weather sets in. If you can help in the task of identifying landowners, then can you please let us know as
soon as possible, so that we can try to ensure that the dykes are cleared prior to the Winter’s rains and
potential flooding events.
Vandalism. Unfortunately, there are a small number of people in the village who do not treat our community
resources with respect and care. Mindless damage to the Play Area and tennis court has resulted in your
Parish Council having to spend your money on repairs rather than providing additional facilities. The tennis
court is temporarily out of action whilst we obtain quotations for repairs to the net, posts and fencing. We ask
that if anyone has information regarding those responsible, they report it to the Police to whom we report all
cases of vandalism.
Playing Field Store. We are still in the process of obtaining quotations to remove the existing storage unit
and for the provision of a replacement container. Access across the field is proving difficult as a hard surface
is normally required. If anyone can assist in this project, then please contact a Councillor.
Flooding. Your Councillors continue to apply pressure on Anglian Water, SKDC, Black Sluice (Drainage
Board) and LCC to try to get positive responses and actions to identify the reasons why we get sewage and
storm water pumping out of manholes on Station Street. We have asked that all residents who feel that the
present situation is unacceptable contact these agencies to complain, including leaving reviews on Trustpilot.
Your help in this matter is vital to us being able to get these agencies to deal with our issue without further
delays and procrastination.

Village Clubs/Activities. Many people in the village may not be aware of the clubs and activities available
within Rippingale, so we thought we’d list a few here:
 Gardening Club
 Photography Club
 Breakfast Club
 Yoga sessions
 Short mat (indoor) bowls
 Quiz nights
 Bingo night(s)
 Art Club
If you are interested in any (or all?) of these, or wishing to set up additional ones, please contact one of your
Councillors who can provide support and contact details.
Latest Planning Applications (view at www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8170):
Meetings:
Monday 14 th October 2024
General Meeting

Monday 11 th November 2024
General Meeting

December – No General
Meeting

Meetings to be held in the Village Hall at 7.00 pm unless otherwise stated. Please see the Council
Noticeboard and Website for the Agenda and details of any changes.

ST ANDREWS CHURCH RIPPINGALE

The Revd Neil Bullen 01778 219626 or 07729 004642 revdneil@yahoo.com

Website; www.ringstonegroupchurches.org

OR Jonathan Newell ripps.standrew@gmail.com Mb 07771 825422

Coffee Morning. I really hoped that this was the month we were going to sit outside as we haven’t all year
but this was not going to be the case. Recently our numbers have been down but this month you all did us
proud and we had a great turnout. Very many thanks. We are so grateful to everybody who contributes from
vegetables to cakes and coffee but also our helpers making these mornings so enjoyable for all.
NEXT COFFEE MORNING TUESDAY 1 st OCTOBER 10.15am

200 Club Draw.

This did not take place because unfortunately not all the numbers had been paid for so
consequently we are having a double draw this month.
Harvest festival service FRIDAY 4 th OCTOBER 6pm followed by a harvest supper within the Church.
Please let Jonathan know ASAP (07771 825422) if you would like to attend the supper.
I assure you the standard of the supper will not disappoint and the atmosphere will be fantastic.

Garage Sale.

Just thought I would take this opportunity to let you all know how our village garage sale went
on Saturday September 14 th .
Well — with a big thanks to the weather it was a very successful day.  All the stall holders had a good day
and the tea and cakes in the church went very well as did the sale of the maps.
The atmosphere in and around the village was one of pleasure and enjoyment from both the public and our
villagers and I personally had lots of comments on what a lovely village we have.
Finally, just to say my grateful thanks to all those who have helped with their time and effort into making the
day such a success.
Best wishes, Brenda Donaldson.

Rippingale and District WI (RADWI) monthly report.

This month we met in Rippingale Village Hall to listen
to David Hughes who told us about the history of typewriters. Who would have guessed that the earliest ones
were invented in Queen Elizabeth THE FIRST'S reign! Admittedly there was no ink- just an indentation of the
letters which meant that blind people could also read by touch. David and his wife, Rosie, brought along as
many old typewriters of all makes, shapes, age and sizes as they could fit into their car and some members
actually remembered using them in their youth. Those that he couldn't bring from his collection of 47 he
showed to us on the overhead projector. His aim is to reach 50!
Some of us also met up with members from other local WI's at Ropsley Light Railway. We were treated to
bacon butties and as many rides as we liked on the steam and diesel trains on their circular half mile track-
which included a dark tunnel! it is a private railway owned by Peter and helped by his volunteers and only
open on selected days. Look on line for details.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 3rd October in Rippingale Village Hall from 2pm-4pm. so if you feel
like joining us we would be very pleased to see you. For more information ring Janet on 07552 699848 or go
on line at RADWI@btinternet.com

Row Garden Allotment Group.

Our recent Open Day held at the allotments on Sunday 18 th August was a
success due in part to the glorious weather but also to the number and enthusiasm of visitors turning up to
see what the Rippingale plots have to offer. We were able to boost the group’s funds, through the sale of
food and drink, a vegetable stall and a number of games including a raffle and tombola. A lot of people
wanted to look around the plots to see what was being grown and we also had a bouncy castle for the
youngsters. Our event is timed to coincide with National Allotment Week to promote all the positive aspects
of growing fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers and also the benefit of such an amenity to the
community. We would like to thank everyone who gave time to get everything ready for Open Day and then
clear down afterwards.
Whether climate change is to blame, we endured a cool, wet spring and everything seemed a bit behind this
year. However, summer did arrive and everything blossomed and bloomed and all was well in the allotment
world! Unfortunately, squads of SAS trained badgers decided on night time raids on our sweet corn at the
end of August and it seems no one escaped this year. It’s not just the loss of those juicy golden cobs but the
devastation left behind, including tunnels under the “badger proof” fencing!
If you’re already looking at the Christmas present list, then you might be interested in our next Table Top
Sale in the Village Hall on October 26th. Tables available for £5 – to book please contact Wendy Gray,
wendy7wansford@gmail.com , 01778 441312. The RGAG will be having a table to raise funds and there will
be a range of refreshments available.
If you’re interested in an allotment, the Parish Council have plots of various sizes available to rent. Contact
the RPC at rippingalepc@gmail.com. If you would like to find out more about the plots and what help is
available before you commit yourself, the RGAG would be happy to show you around the allotments and
introduce the benefits of membership. Please contact Iain (07784 783235).

The Rippingale Feast.

We thought for those newer residents of Rippingale, we would provide some
information on The Feast. The village needs a Feast Committee to make it happen next year – could you be
part of it?
What is it?
An annual event in July that has been running on and off 150 years, it got revived in the 1970s and has been
a successful village event ever since. The original Feast was where villagers laid out tasty morsels for others
to eat, sang and danced in the streets of the village and a large village party was held. It is now a big village
event, usually featuring a vehicle parade – with the ‘Rose Royalty’ atop a float pulled by tractor! There are
stalls with fun games, bands, choirs, dance demonstrations, food and drink stalls plus so much more!
It cannot go ahead without volunteers!
What does the Committee do?
The Feast Committee co-ordinates smaller events leading up to the Feast, as well as the Feast itself – these
events generate the funds to pay for services and performances that have a fee attached, as well as
infrastructure for the day (toilets, generators etc)
In the village we have experienced ex - Committee members who are willing to advise the new Committee.
These seasoned feast organisers did so for many years, so they have earned their rest! There is also a
‘Feast Folder’ full of information and contacts to make organising the events a bit easier.
It is appreciated by all that to run this event annually, can feel a bit much when people are working and have
busy family lives. We did not have a Feast this year, so it has been proposed that it is made an event that
occurs every other year.
If you are interested in being part of the Feast Committee, or you are happy to volunteer your services to
help out at an event, please contact the Parish Council Clerk at rippingalepc@gmail.com