Rippingale Village News

RIPPINGALE NEWSLETTER May 2026
Contact: rippingalenewsletter@outlook.com

Editorial
Many years ago, when we first moved to Lincolnshire, I used the term “Bishy
Barnabee” to identify a lady bird that had landed on my arm. The blank, puzzled
looks I received indicated it’s not a term generally used in these parts; seemingly
only recognised over the border in Norfolk. We used that term as kids, without
knowing it’s origins which may be linked to the red and black vestments worn by the
clergy and a certain Bishop (“Bishy”) Barnabus of Norwich Cathedral? Whatever,
when one lands on your person, you have to sing:
Bishy, bishy, barney - bee,
Tell me when my wedding be,

If it be tomorrow day, take your wings and fly away
Fly to east and fly to west but fly to him/her that I love best

We look forward to receiving any items for the June Newsletter by Thursday
21st May 2026 at the email address above.
Finally, I received a Womble pepper grinder for Christmas. It's rubbish; everything is
either underground or overground.

Parish Council News for May….
Parish Clerk: Laura Davies, 07880 496440
Email: rippingalepc@gmail.com
New Councillors still required
Following our plea in last month’s Newsletter we thank Mr Brian Simmons for stepping
up to join our strong group of Councillors. He has now been co-opted onto the Council
and we look forward to his valued input going forward.
Cllr Ross has advised that he is stepping down from the role as Chairman and as a
councillor due to personal reasons, which means that there are still vacancies for new

members on the team. We have a very strong group of councillors who are working
tirelessly for the benefit of the village but additional input from new members can only
help spread the workload, so please consider applying.
Eligibility
A resident of the parish for at least 12 months who is over 18 years of age.
Jubilee Playing Field
Due to the hard work by Cllr Sarah Earl and her team, we have now received a positive
response from SKDC regarding how we can spend the grant funding already received
for works on and around the playing field .
A resident suggested that the existing unit be refurbished, but investigations showed
that, due to structural issues, this was not a viable alternative to replacement.
The team are actively looking to get quotations for new facilities which should include
changing facilities, kitchenette and toilets.
If you have skills that can help the team in this endeavour, particularly relating to building
works, electrics, plumbing etc please contact Cllr Earl as soon as possible as her small
(but very active) team need as much support as possible.
Rippingale Village Events Calendar
Cllr Lambord has drafted a Village Events Calendar that  has involved collecting all
the dates for events, group meetings, classes & church services in Rippingale. The
objectives of this exercise is to provide villagers with a summary of ‘What’s On’ in
Rippingale village every month and to highlight any clashes with
events. Cllr Lambord will continue to work closely with lots of village groups to keep the
calendar up to date. A small group of villagers will work on this project; with IT assistance
from Chris Catt and Chris Petz, the FORC committee chairman. The intention is to put
the calendar on the council website, aiming to ensure everyone is aware of what is being
organised throughout the year. Can we ask that anyone who is looking to set up an
event, group, club or activity to please inform Cllr Lambord,
louiselambordrpc@gmail.com, so that further events can be added.
Planning
The main effort this month has been on S25/2183, which sought permission for 10
houses at Brambling Walk. You may recall that the developers had sought views from
the community and had met with overwhelming opposition. The application itself,
attracted 12 objections from the public, as well as from the Parish Council. Given the
opposition, the Parish Council asked our District Councillor, Cllr Able, to request that this
application be presented to committee. The committee met on the 16th April and
Councillor Lumb did a fantastic job in zeroing in on the major issues, namely flooding
and the amount of planning applications that are already in place in a village with few
amenities.
An unsustainability motion was proposed and voted upon, which we are pleased to say
was successful with 7 against the application with 1 abstention. The objections from the
public and Councillor Lumb’s sterling work both on the initial objection and at the
committee hearing led to a result, which we are sure many people will be delighted with.
Drainage/Flooding

Cllr Creek met with Peter Gillies, the Network Manager for Anglian Water a few weeks
ago, having highlighted that the flood mitigation measures in Doctors Lane did not seem
to be working and that the sandbagging of the Drain in East Street had resulted in a very
messy situation.
Cllr Creek, again, explained the issues that occur during a heavy rain event, and the
ongoing dialogue that we have had for several years.
To reduce the risk of flooding, a number of practical mitigation measures have been put
in place:
• Sealed and flood resistant covers have been installed on key manholes along Doctors
Lane designed to prevent water escaping onto roads or toward the nearby water
course when sewer levels rise.
• Property at lower end of Doctors Lane (Down Hall) has had a non return valve fitted to
help prevent sewer flows from backing up into the property
• Sealing work has been carried out below certain manholes to reduce the amount of
ground water entering the sewer system, adding unnecessary flow during wet weather.
It was explained that these actions are aimed at reducing risk, particularly during heavy
rain and helping protect both properties and the local environment.
Doctors Lane is also part of a wider area that Anglian Water continue to monitor as part
of the and further investigations have taken place across the catchment to better
understand where excess water is entering the system
We discussed getting technicians in the area to see what further might be done. Cllr
Creek explained that Rippingale has been at the end of a funding queue for quite some
time, however communication is key and that I will ensure that we keep the dialogue
flowing.
Allotments
The RGAG committee has continued its work in setting up rain harvesting stations on the
site with many large water butts now in place.
Although the Parish Council has paid for some of the materials used, much has been
donated by village residents and our thanks go to them for their contributions.
Additionally, members of the RGAG team have given their time and skills free of charge
to provide this facility and our sincere thanks go to them for their hard work.
Please note that the stations are available for use by all plot holders even if not a
member of the RGAG itself.
Hospital Car Scheme
This scheme is available for Rippingale and Dowsby Residents who do not have
transport to a Medical or dental appointment in the area.
Please feel free to phone Chris Ross on the number below if you require transport.   You
will be asked to pay the driver 50p per mile for the round trip (plus any parking charges).
There are only 4 volunteer drivers so the more notice you can give of a requirement the
more likely we can accommodate it.
Chris Ross mobile - 07806 327362

FORC Events Round up….

EASTER FAMILY FUN DAY
Come and handle Live Chicks, browse the Craft Stall, test your skills by “Buzzing the
Bunny” or “Potting the Marbles,” Dig For Gold, indulge in some creative activities and
enjoy a welcome cup of coffee and a piece of cake or a hot sausage roll.
These were all on offer and, in spite of a chilly afternoon, the event was extremely well
supported.
This was another successful venture which helped, once again, to swell the coffers for
improving the facilities of our church.
GRAND QUIZ
Does it get any warmer? NO!
Are the questions any easier? NO!

Did many people come? YES!!
With all tables and chairs commandeered, entrants still rolled in and made use of the
church pews. In view of the complexity of the questions devised by Uncle Chasmo it would
have been no surprise to find teams asking for divine intervention! At one point our
Reverend Tim Wright volunteered to offer solace to anyone beginning to question their
knowledge and existence!
The contrast between University Challenge contestants in T shirts and our teams in
balaclavas, overcoats and woollen mittens couldn’t be ignored!
Nonetheless, we had a grand, fun evening with everyone leaving with smiles upon their
faces – probably thinking about a couple of hot toddies before turning in.
We always have to say if we generated some income – which we did – but there is an
equally valuable profit in seeing people switching off their TV’s and stepping out to join in
community events.
This is happening more and more, so long may it continue!
The next FORC event is SALT OF THE EARTH which will be publicised in this Newsletter
and everywhere else!

Chris Petz

RADWI Annual Meeting….
It was the Annual Meeting this month when the Financial Statement and the Annual
Report were presented to the members and the committee. Rebecca, our current
President, agreed to continue for the coming year.
Once the business was complete, we had our refreshments and then Lucy led a
workshop entitled Sparkle: Confidence, Presence and Joy. We were all a bit
apprehensive but Lucy soon got us involved, talking and taking part. In the end,
everyone enjoyed the experience and we all definitely felt more confident!
Notices followed, birthday cards were handed out and competition winners
announced. Next month, on 7th May, we will be meeting at the Five Bells, Morton to
discuss the WI Resolutions. We will be meeting at 1pm to enjoy a buffet lunch
beforehand. If you would like more information about our WI, please contact Janet,
on 07552 699848

Rippingale Gardening Club….
A return visit at our March meeting Neil Timm gave a talk about ’The Gardens of
Lincolnshire and the NGS’. He illustrated a wide selection of gardens that are open
in Lincolnshire, both private and public. Many are open under the National Garden
Scheme which supports a wide range of charities.

Our next meeting on Wednesday 13th May (7.30pm) where Kevin Pratt will give a
talk entitled ’50 plants from 5 inspirational gardens’. He says “over 40 years, five
gardens have inspired and helped my knowledge grow. Here I have picked 50 plants
from 5 gardens, some are rare with some special people and why those gardens are
so inspirational”.
Visitors are always welcome to come along, but we do ask for a visitor’s fee of £4.
Annual membership is £20 per person which includes the indoor meetings
September to December and March to May. In June, July and August we visit
gardens.
For more information, please contact: sharron21white@gmail.com

St Andrews Church Notes….

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING
Only the second CCM this year and we were able to sit outside. Last year we were not
able to do that at all!! We had a smaller gathering than usual but this was only really to be
expected a day after Easter Monday. We are very grateful for all support especially the
Willows Care Home as it must be hard work pushing wheelchairs up Middle Street.
Vegetables continue to be of a great standard with rhubarb going very quickly. Next month
there is the possibility of “local new potatoes”. We are so fortunate to have so many good
cooks supplying goodies to go with your coffee and to take home. Please come and join
us, you will be made most welcome.
NEXT COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING TUESDAY MAY 5th AT 10.15
IMPORTANT NEWS…..
The PCC Annual Parish Church Meeting is on WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY 7.00PM in the
Church. I cannot over emphasise the importance of the community attending this meeting.
We are moving into an era. Things are changing with a new Minister and major building
work hopefully to start in the near future. It is therefore important to have more people to
help on the PCC. It really isn’t too daunting and there is a certain amount of satisfaction in
making history with a bit of fun thrown in!
We hope to be able to have a service lead by Revd Helen soon as a way of welcoming her
to our Parish

Jonathan Newell

200 Club Draw….
The April results, drawn at the Community Coffee Morning on 7th April, are as
follows:
April 2025 Draw

£30     ticket number   140  Mr T Langdon
£25     ticket number   142  Mrs Headland
£15     ticket number   151  Mr P Palmer
£15     ticket number   109  Mrs P Grey
£15     ticket number     38  Mrs J Lister