June Newsletter
Welcome....
Hurrah! The swallows are back,
screeching and diving around the
village roof-tops. Summer’s nearly
here!
I was invited to join a WhatsApp group
proposing a 50 years Reunion of my year
group from the School I attended back in
the ‘70s! To go or not was the dilemma? I
wasn’t sure at first but following lots of
interaction on the app, photos past and
present, people reaching out to others
seemingly lost in the mists of time and of
course, tales of schoolboy escapades
(probably much exaggerated now), I’ve
booked my place.
How quickly those years have gone and
the reality is that some of my ex-
classmates haven’t made it this far. It
really brings home the fleeting nature of
“ l i f e ” a n d a p p r e c i a t i o n o f t h e
opportunities and experiences that have
come my way since!
One main problem, in my mind’s eye, is I
can still see a lot of the faces from then
but I’ve got to take into account over 50
years have now passed. I, for one, will be
grateful for the proposed name badges
being issued! And someone did put up a
black and white photo of the U13 football
team, a nice reminder of when I had hair
unfortunately now long gone, though the
knobbly knees still remain!!
Please note: We look forward to
receiving items for the July Newsletter
by Monday 22nd June 2026 at the
email address above.
Yesterday, I went into the kitchen and
found my fridge had exploded, I think
something may have gone off in there.
Editor
VILLAGE MINI FEAST 2026
SATURDAY 6TH JUNE
The Bull Inn - Rippingale
2.00pm - 4.30pm
DOG SHOW- STARTS 2.30PM
Best Puppy - under 1 year old / Waggiest Tail / Best Trick
Best Owner Look-alike / Golden Oldie - Dogs over 7 years
Child’s Best Friend & Young Handler - Children under 13 years
Most Handsome - Lots of prizes to be won!
Pre-register: rippingalefeastcommittee@gmail.com or 2.00pm on the day - £2.00 per category
Stall holder applications contact: rippingalefeastcommittee@gmail.com
l STALLS l DOG SHOW l GAMES
l RAFFLE - Prizes: 1st £150.00, 2nd £75.00, 3rd £25.00
l BBQ - Quality meat sourced locally / + Veggie options
l AFTERNOON TEAS - Homemade scones / cream tea &
cakes
* Many thanks to Wherry & Sons, Bull Agri & Petorama for sponsoring prizes
Be prepared for the FORC Grand Summer
Fete, Saturday 18th July at St Andrew’s
Church. Details in next months Newsletter
Rippingale.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk 2
Parish Council News and
Updates......
Changes to the Parish Council
The Parish Council AGM was held on the 11th of
May where a new Chairman, Tony Creek and Vice
Chair, Annette Lumb, were elected. These changes
were due to Barry Ross’s resignation from the Parish
Council due to personal reasons.
The Parish Council were saddened by Barry’s
decision to stand down, but do understand it and
wish him all the best of luck in the future.
All that have had dealings with him will know that
he has made a big difference to the community,
with openness and transparency, both in the
leadership of the Parish Council and to the
participation of the community. We believe that the
community is now a lot more united and hopefully
will move more and more to collaborate for the
greater good of the village.
We must also thank Chris Ross for putting up with
calls at all hours and meetings around the dining
room table.
Barry leaves the Parish Council in a far better place
then when he joined it. We will miss his counsel and
his camaraderie and we think we echo the views of
the majority of those that know him, when we say a
massive thank you for his unwavering commitment,
often in difficult circumstances, to support the
community in Rippingale.
The Parish Council is again nearly at full strength
with a total of 6 councillors, however there still
remains one vacancy, if you feel that you can make
a difference for the community then please get in
touch.
Remaining Parish Council Meeting Dates for
2026 held in the Village Hall at 7:00 pm: 8th
June - 13th July - 10th August - 14th September -
12th October - 9th November.
Jubilee Playing Field
South Kesteven District Council has approved the
proposed expenditure. Councillor Earl has obtained
the required three quotations for the shipping
containers. The next stage of the project will involve
arranging for the disconnection of existing services,
followed by the removal of the current building. To
facilitate the safe and effective disconnection of
services, the Parish Council will work in coordination
with qualified plumbers, electricians and National
Grid. Volunteers will be required to help clear the
old building.
Planning
The refusal of application S25/2183, for the erection
of 10 dwellings on the land off Brambling Walk,
represents a positive outcome for the Parish Council
and reflects the value of its continued engagement
in matters affecting the local community.
This outcome is also a recognition of the
considerable time, effort and commitment
dedicated to the matter, particularly the work
undertaken by Councillor Lumb, whose diligence
and attention to detail have been instrumental
throughout the process. The Parish Council also
wishes to record its appreciation to District
Councillor Abel for his support and contribution in
helping to achieve this outcome. The collaborative
efforts of all involved have ensured that the
Council’s concerns were clearly represented and
appropriately considered during the planning
process.
District Councillor Abel has been asked by SKDC to
comment on Planning Application, S25/1702, which
relates to the change of use of the land to car
storage at the old Drs’s Surgery. Cllr Creek noted
that several concerns had been raised by residents
regarding the proposal. Cllr Lumb will liaise further
with Cllr Abel, as the matter is considered more
complex than it initially appears. This is another
application where the Parish Council hope that
SKDC will take note of the community’s concerns.
Rippingale.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk 3
The Feast
Councillor Lambord has been working closely with
the Feast Committee and has supported the
development of a draft proposal for consideration
by the Parish Council. Councillor Lambord has also
developed a Village Events Calendar to improve
communication and provide residents with a central
source of information on upcoming community
events and activities. The next stage is to
incorporate the calendar into the Parish Council
website, ensuring it is accessible to residents and
can be updated regularly.
A volunteer has offered to assist with maintaining
and updating the calendar, which will provide
additional support and help ensure the information
remains accurate and current.
As you will see from the advert on the front page of
the Newsletter, the ‘mini Feast’ will be been held at
the Bull Inn garden on June 6th. We are sure it will
be a great day, if the British weather obliges.
Allotments
The RGAG (Row Garden Allotment Group),
successfully completed the construction of the
water harvesting station on the orchard marking the
conclusion of Phase 2 of the project. The efficiency
and effectiveness of the harvesting station design
will now be evaluated before Phase 3 proceeds in
the first quarter of 2027. During the same weekend,
volunteers also carried out painting works on site,
resulting in a cleaner, tidier, and generally refreshed
appearance. A lot of the RGAG members are also
assisting in the grass cutting and tidying of vacant
plots, which is saving the Parish Council money
compared to commercial maintenance. There
continues to be interest in new plots being taken
up, and the allotment field is now a hive of activity.
Rippingale & District WI May
Meeting.....
There was definitely Spring in the air this month as
we feasted on a lovely buffet lunch at the Five Bells
Pub in Morton, followed by some very tasty scones
and cakes. We enjoyed a quiz devised by one of
our members and we all took part in the raffle.
There are a variety of events coming up, arranged
by various WIs' in the county, in which our members
can take part; willow weaving, Burghley House
garden walk, Federation quiz, to name but a few.
It wasn’t all fun and games, as later, a serious-
minded discussion took place on the proposed
National WI resolutions; ‘Accessible public toilet
facilities to promote dignity, health and social
inclusion’ and ‘Action on Women’s Homelessness’.
Both causes are important nationwide and we
debated ways that the Rippingale & District WI
could contribute their time and effort to both
worthy resolutions.
We are all looking forward to our next meeting on
4th June, where Nicola Hallam will be giving us a
talk on ‘Lincolnshire Poachers in the 19th Century'.
Non-members are welcome to join the meetings
and talks to get a flavour of the WI activities for a
small visitor’s fee of £5.
If you would like more information about our WI
please contact the secretary, Christine:
T e l : 0 7 7 7 0 9 9 7 8 6 5 o r e m a i l
christinerice3@aol.com
Parish Council Contacts....
Laura Davies, Parish Clerk: 07880 496440
rippingalepc@gmail.com
Tony Creek, Chair:
chairmanrpc@gmail.com
Annette Lumb, Vice Chair:
annetterpcc@gmail.com
Rippingale.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk 4
St Andrews Church News....
COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING
Unfortunately owing to the weather and growing
conditions our regular supply of vegetables was not
available this month. Although this was very
disappointing, there was still a lovely atmosphere
amongst us all - lots of chat with a lovely show of
cakes and scones to accompany our coffee.
Hopefully, at our next get together, normal service
will be restored with vegetables etc., and fingers
crossed, possibly some new potatoes but as I
compose this article the weather needs to warm up
with a decent rain please!
,
NEXT COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING TUESDAY
JUNE 2ND AT 10.15am
IMPORTANT NEWS
We have a Eucharist Service on SUNDAY 31ST MAY
2026 11AM lead by our new Revd Helen. I
understand she is looking forward to this service as
she has not had the chance to meet many of us from
Rippingale. Having experienced several services led
by Revd Helen, they come as a breath of fresh air, so
please come and join us.
ST ANDREWS CHURCH RIPPINGALE
Website: www.ringstonegroupchurches.org
Oversight Minister Revd Helen Roulston
(revhelenroulston@outlook.com 07736 780131)
Chairman of PCC: Marc Maitland mait001@aol.com
(07960 463853)
Rippingale Gardening Club...
As I write this report we are half way through May and
what a dry period we have had, until today’s heavy rain
and hail!
It’s time to plant out all the tender plants, so let’s hope
it starts to warm up again.
Our speaker this month was Kevin Pratt who gave an
excellent talk introducing us to five gardens that have
inspired his love of plants. His obvious passion for
these gardens will no doubt motivate us to want to visit
some of them in the future.
Our next meeting on the 10th June will be the start of
our garden experience when we will be visiting Candy
Ball’s garden in Folkingham.
If you are interested in joining our club or would like
to come along as a visitor please contact
sharron21white@gmail.com
FORC....Salt of the Earth Event ...
Who knew that 25th April is “Church Porch Day”,
where according to tradition, if you sat in the church
porch at midnight you would be visited by those who
have died in the previous year and be warned of
those who will die in the next twelve months? This
was one of the stories regaled to us by Lincolnshire
historian and archaeologist, Tom Lane, in St Andrew’s
Church at an event titled “Salt of the Earth” about
the history of this area and the traditions connected
with the farming year. Stories and tales were
accompanied by songs and tunes from local duo
Nigel and Teri.
With a licensed bar provided by the Bull and a
Lincolnshire supper assembled by Glenys Petz and
Joan Tarrant, this made for a memorable and
informative night out in the packed church.
Thanks to all in the community and beyond who
supported this event. All money raised (over £400)
goes toward the ongoing project to improve facilities
in the Church for the benefit of the entire community.
This was another successful venture organised by
FORC (Friends of Rippingale Church).
Chris Petz
The 200 Club Lucky Winners....
The May results, drawn at the Community
Coffee Morning on 5th May, are as follows:
May 2026 Draw
£30 ticket number 118 Mr Davey
£25 ticket number 174 Mr & Mrs J Newell
£15 ticket number 11 Mr & Mrs J Newell
£15 ticket number 31 Mrs P Wiseman
£15 ticket number 53 Mr & Mrs I Burrell
Julia Lister