April 2025
RIPPINGALE NEWSLETTER April 2025
rippingale.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Editorial: Iain Middleton rippingalenewsletter@outlook.com
Welcome to Spring…
It’s a sobering thought that we are already a third of the way through another year! Luckily, there’s a lot to look forward to, such as the Church Easter Fun Day, the VE80 Celebrations next month and the upcoming Rippingale Feast in July.
Thank you to those readers who have provided positive comments on the “new” newsletter content to date and especially to the people taking the time to send in their contributions. Please feel free to take part - the address is under the title above - or just let me know what you think or would like to see in future editions.
We’re off to the zoo with our grandson at Easter. Last time we were there, we saw a bloke chatting up a cheetah - obviously trying to pull a fast one….
The 200 Club draw results for March 2025
£30 ticket number 165 Mr M Exton
£20 ticket number 102 Mrs A Pearson
£15 ticket number 115 Mr S Machin
£15 ticket number 90 Mrs K Agnew
£15 ticket number 119 Mr & Mrs R Knighton
Julia Lister
April Newsletter Article from Rippingale Parish Council
The Parish Council apologises for a late cancellation of the March PC Meeting but, due to Councillors’ personal commitments and circumstances, there would not have been sufficient Councillors present to allow decisions to be made.
However, there are some issues that can be reported here:-
Village notice Board repairs – Many thanks to two residents who have volunteered to refurbish the notice board in the Church grounds.
Jubilee Playing Fields – The Parish Council is continuing its efforts to arrange for repairs to the Tennis court and the installation of Goal Posts on the field. Additionally, it is still wanting to provide a Basket Ball post, hoop & net as soon as funding is confirmed. Residents, particularly younger members of the village, are encouraged to suggest other facilities that could be introduced on the playing field. Please contact any Councillor with your suggestions.
Flooding – Over the past weeks, Councillors have had two good meetings with SKDC and Anglian Water regarding the issue of flooding in the village. The SKDC officer was very helpful regarding the ownership of and responsibilities for the Dykes and Drains in and around the village. Further information and data is expected from SKDC to help the PC in managing the continuing maintenance of these features.
Emergency Plan – Cllr Creek continues his review of this plan with a view to completion to allow adoption of the changes at the AGM in May 2025. “Road Closed“ signs are now stored at The Bull Inn for use in flood conditions to hopefully prevent “drive throughs” by thoughtless drivers. The Emergency Pack is also now held at The Bull Inn, as it is more accessible in the event of flooding along Station Street. Part of the plan includes volunteers and Cllr Creek would like to thank those that have agreed to continue, and those new people who have agreed to being contacted in an emergency event to assist the community.
Allotment Water Supply – The Parish Council still intends to provide this facility and is continuing its efforts to obtain formal quotations for the work involved.
Community Liaison –
6.1 Street Representatives – Volunteers have come forward to help in this initiative, but many more are required. The role is simply to be a conduit for contact between the Parish Council and areas around the village (such as Doctor’s Lane, Dovecot, High Street etc) so that news and information can be speedily sent to everyone. This would also help the PC receive and deal more effectively with issues that may arise.
Youth Engagement Initiative – Discussions are ongoing with this initiative and younger members of the community are strongly encouraged to get involved. It is through this group that facilities in Rippingale can be aimed at providing activities that are wanted by the young people in the village.
Finally –
Your Parish Councillors are working hard to continue to improve all our lives in Rippingale and encourage participation of residents in that endeavour – BUT – we need more Councillors!
Can You Help? – Being a Councillor can be very rewarding and you can feel part of and influence the changes in the village. Please consider becoming a Parish Councillor and contact the Parish Clerk (Laura Davies) or any existing Councillor (contact details elsewhere in the Newsletter).
Barry Ross Chairman, Rippingale Parish Council
St Andrews Church
FAMILY EASTER FUN DAY
Saturday 12 April 2025
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Bring the family team to take part in a
Village Easter Egg Treasure Hunting Quiz Hunting begins at your convenience from 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Entry cost - £5:00 per team
An Easter prize for every entrant!!! Fab prize for the winning team - Winning team announced at 4:00pm
Loads of fun in the church. Easter themed refreshments, cake stall, colouring/craft table, book stall, etc.
Community Coffee Morning
The rebrand has been really successful. We’re getting a lot of fresh faces, which is a real joy. It has to be said that we have a strong contingent of regulars and so I like to think we are doing something right!
This last CCM, we had pancakes and I am very grateful for all the help we received. Whether you were cooking, or doing table service, I do hope you all enjoyed the pancakes. The batter was made that morning with very fresh eggs. As my Aunt use to say, “nothing beats a fresh egg in your cooking”! You can certainly tell that our cakes etc., on sale are all made to the highest standard anyone could wish for.
This time of year, it becomes more of a problem to have a variety of fresh veg off the local fen, but David never ceases to amaze us as he continues to supply us with a good selection of first class produce. Some of it was still growing at dawn!!
Next Community Coffee Morning
Tuesday 1st APRIL 10.15am
Please come and join us especially as the Church is warming up - you will be made most welcome.
Electoral Roll
Every 5 Years the Church Electoral Roll (CER) has to be updated and its that time again. I will be contacting all members of the present CER for renewal, but if there is anybody wishing to be added to the new CER please contact me ASAP and I will give you the necessary form to complete. This gives you the privilege to vote at our Church Annual Parish Council Meeting. At this moment in time the Church is going through a challenging time, so your input would be greatly appreciated.
Church Annual Parish Meeting,
Thursday 1st MAY 7.30pm
The Good News is we have a Service in the Church on Sunday 30th MARCH at 11am
It will be a Eucharist type service but as it is Mothering Sunday this theme will be most prominent. What I am trying to say is it will be very family orientated! Refreshments will be available at the end, so please come and join us.
ST ANDREWS CHURCH RIPPINGALE
Website; www.ringstonegroupchurches.org
Jonathan Newell (Churchwarden) ripps.standrew@gmail.com Mb 07771 825422
VE80 Celebrations - Update
Bank Holiday Monday - May 5th
Marquees will not now be erected for this event but we would like to encourage people to bring their own gazebos.
We are currently investigating wet weather alternatives.
We are looking at putting on a range of games etc for the children.
Thursday May 8th - VE80 Day
We now have enough cakes promised for the refreshments after the Church Service. Thank you to those who have volunteered.
Lighting of the Beacon and Peace Lamps at 9pm on Jubilee Playing Field
Volunteers please
We would love to hear from anyone who would like to help organise the Street Party on May 5th. Please contact Chris Ross on 07806 327362 or email chrismross54@yahoo.com
Let’s Dance
“Let’s Dance” is a national campaign founded by Angela Rippon CBE to inspire everyone in the UK to embrace dance as a way to improve their health, connect with others and have fun.
As part of this, Ms Lucy Sparkle, local Lincolnshire belly dance teacher and performer invites you to feel the Oriental rhythm in a FREE belly dance taster session. Open for all ages, levels of dancer and especially beginners on Sunday 11th May, 2 - 3pm at Rippingale Village Hall. Drinks and shimmy belts are provided. No need to book, just turn up in comfortable clothing.
Our mission is to get more people dancing together, regardless of age, fitness level, or experience.
For more information contact sparklewithlucy@gmail.com
Rippingale and District Women’s Institute report
Unfortunately, our guest speaker from Bakkavor Salads was unable to come but a previous speaker, Harold Liberty, was happy to oblige. His earlier talk had been about the famous London store of the same name and although he had no direct connection, was a distant relative. This time he showed us slides of some of the famous monuments around London with associated fascinating stories. They ranged from some of the earliest erected to show wealth, power or status to those of the present day. Did you know that the figure of Eros, generally thought to portray shooting the arrow of love is actually the Shaftesbury Memorial and depicts the Angel of Christian Charity? He ended by showing some of the statues standing on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square, all of which provide food for thought.
Our next meeting will be on 3rd April in Rippingale Village Hall at 2pm for our AGM. Afterwards Lucinda will be available for members to ask any questions about problems using social media for which I'm sure there will be many!
If you require any information about our WI please ring Janet on 07552 699848 or go online at radwi@btinternet,com where we will be very pleased to help.
Baby and Toddler Group
Are you interested in being part of a new Baby & Toddler group in the village? Further details are available on the Rippingale and Beyond Facebook page. If you would like to get involved with this great idea, please send Kate Manley a text message on 07850493261
What's On at The Bull Inn
Tuesdays and Thursdays - 2 - 4pm. Rippingale Post Office at The Bull Inn, Rippingale
Thursdays - 5.30 - 8.30pm - Takeaway Van at The Bull Inn, Rippingale. Eat in the Pub with your favourite drink or Take Away.
Fridays - Fish N Chip night at the Bull Inn, Rippingale. Fresh fish cooked to order. Advise book in Advance.
Saturday 19th April 2025 - Live Band
Sundays at the Bull Inn, Rippingale - 12 - 3pm. Sunday Lunch. Advise book in Advance.
7pm - Family Quiz Night with a jackpot round.