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VILLAGE HALL LOTTO WINNERS

Rachel Cook, Martin Leach,

Martin Walding, Ellie Humphries, Jackie Kitchen, Helen Brown,

Hector Morris, Anne Wyatt.


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Tribute To Longstanding Hollowell Resident Ted Hunter

by his son-in-law, Tim Malynn (extract)

Ted was born on the 8th March 1930 to Harry and Alice. He and his four sisters lived at number 9 Henley Street, Far Cotton in a small terraced house. His childhood was typical of pre-war England playing in the street, in the fields, enjoying the luxury of an outside toilet and no bathroom. A tin bath in front of the fire was the norm.  

Ted’s father, Harry, worked on the railway so it was not surprising that Ted would follow in his footsteps when he left school aged 14.

In late 1947 Ted contracted TB which resulted in the removal of his left lung and two ribs and a 2 year stay in Creaton Hospital. Ted features in a book entitled ‘A Country Cure’ by Sue Longworth. His memories in there are priceless. He recalls, “After 2 years in Creaton Hospital I was discharged and told by my doctors that I would not be able to do manual work. I was offered a green card which was for a disability, but I was 20 years old and had different ideas. Two years later I was playing Town League football”.

“After leaving hospital I worked at S&W Motors in Abington Street and then for a time on the buses. There was no support from the local authorities…... At the end of my working life, I was Manager of  JCB Digger Yard and retired in 1995. I am enjoying life on one lung.”

Whilst working as a Bus Conductor Ted met Vera and they married in July 1954. At first they had a room in Semilong, Northampton and moved to Church Hill, Hollowell in early 1955. Ted worked shifts, swept chimneys, cleaned windows and did anything to make ends meet.

Ted was a longstanding Southampton supporter and took his neighbour’s son Paul to many matches. Paul’s relative was a defender at Southampton hence they were able to go into the changing rooms and onto the pitch and meet all the players. The highlight was the 1976 FA cup final when the team beat Manchester United. The programme of that match was a cherished keepsake of Ted’s and is buried with him.

Sadly, Vera passed away suddenly in April 2003 leaving the family in shock and Ted feeling lost. We really didn’t know how he was going to cope without her.

Fate intervened when Ted and Cathy met. It was clear right from the start that Ted had found love for a second time. Cathy gave him something to live for. Ted moved from Hollowell in April, after nearly 70 years, to live with Cathy in Creaton so she could better look after him. Ted passed away in his sleep at Northampton General hospital, on 7th October.

An ode to the Snowdrop to pull us through these dark days.


Snow blossom


And through the mist the beauty swoops

To rest on roosted Cherry Tree,

While dawn slips through to light the scene

I’m struck by Winter’s pedigree.

Although the silent landscape rests

Beneath the soil a subtle stir,

The crone of darkness builds her nest

And cleanses it with ancient myrrh.

For soon the light will come again

And spring will force her way to burst,

To waken us as trusted bloom

Throws milk white pearls on winter’s gloom.


Theresa  Kelleher

Pensioners’ Christmas Party

It was a cold and rainy Sunday for my first experience of the Hollowell Steam Christmas Dinner. It’s not because I’ve come of age recently, I hasten to add, haha! A dear friend, whose husband passed away this year, asked me to be her plus one, as she’d never attended without him before. It was a first for both of us.

Arriving at Creaton village hall, we were a little early, but the helpers didn’t mind and couldn’t have been more welcoming, all easily identifiable by their festive attire. I’ve been wondering what the collective pronoun for a plethora of Christmas jumpers is and I’ve decided it’s a Pudding. There were sequins and Santas, mistletoe and snowmen. My favourite was a large Rudolph with a huge red nose wearing a festive scarf.

Christmas tunes were plonking from the piano. A very accomplished pianists was our entertainment for the afternoon. The hall was very festive. Someone had been up the ladder festooning the rafters with chains of gold and the Christmas tree shimmered by the door.

We hadn’t been sitting long when we were offered drinks, and that continued the whole afternoon. We didn’t have to leave our seats. The helpers were generous and warm. The Reverend Alison said grace.

After our dinner of smoked salmon tartlets, turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas pud we had a great sing song. Well known Christmas carols, some poignant war songs and a rousing rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas kept us in full voice. Our team had the rousing ‘five gold rings’ line which we sang, arms outstretched, with aplomb.

The afternoon was finished off with a very generous gift giving. And even though I’m not yet a pensioner (see what I did there, tee hee), they very thoughtfully had a little something for me too. It was a lovely warm celebration with good company and very attentive volunteers. With thanks to the organisers and best wishes to all for 2024.


Theresa Kelleher

Hollowell Hens Wreath Making

In December, the Hollowell Hens spent an enjoyable evening constructing Christmas Wreaths in the Village Hall. This year many opted for a more sustainable design, by using soaked willow branches as the basis for each ring.

The evening was

organised by

Chief Hen,

Sarah

Mourant

and

wine and

Nibbles

fuelled the

creative flow. Thank

you to all for such a

jolly start to the

Christmas Season


Cafe Christmas

Thanks to everyone who came along to Cafe Christmas in the Village Hall on a wet Saturday morning in December.

The bacon and egg rolls were delicious, the coffee frothy, and the stalls by local artists and crafters were great fun.

The event raised £500 towards the maintenance of the Village Hall. Well done all.


Hollowell Village Hall played host to 30 enthusiastic villagers, including some new friends, in November for another edition of The Steam and Whistle pop-up pub. Two award winning Real Ales from Great Oakley Brewery, ‘Gobble’ and ‘Wot’s Occurring’, were eagerly imbibed, along with plenty of prosecco and wine, and crispy nibbles too. The principal entertainment on this occasion was a Northamptonshire table skittles tournament – nearly everyone present had a go, making up 7 teams of 4 players; there were 2 rounds of 2 goes each, followed by knockout semi-finals and final for the top 4 scoring teams. Congratulations to the eventual winners of the eagerly followed final “You, Me and Bill, plus 1” seen here collecting the sumptuous Hollowell Cup which they will now share and polish until this time next year! Our next evening of this type is a full-on sit-down quiz with multiple rounds, and prizes – join us on Feb 9th 2024.


Autumn steam & whistle skittles night

Local news from the Northamptonshire villages of Cold Ashby,

Cottesbrooke, Creaton, Guilsborough, Hollowell & Teeton and Thornby.

Last updated Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Copy deadline for next printed edition: Monday 4th March ‘24


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