HOLLOWELL STEAM AND HEAVY HORSE SHOW 2024  6th& 7th JULY

The rally promises all the traditional delights from steam engines, vintage vehicles, tractors and cars, to heavy horses and vintage prams.

On Sunday only there will be a fun Dog Show with Pedigree and Novelty classes and our popular auction returns on Saturday, starting around 10am at the bottom of the rally field.

There will be a full range of vintage and modern fun fair rides and stalls and S W Wreford & Sons celebrate 120 years with a display of their vehicles through the ages. Don’t miss the sheep show which offers a fun filled presentation introducing nine different breeds each with a story to tell.

New this year - early bird tickets for the Show can be purchased at a discount through our website https://www.hollowellsteam.com/ until 22nd June.

BEYOND THE VILLAGE BOUNDARIES

Hollowell may only be small compared to its neighbours but when it comes to supporting the wider community it punches above its weight.

When the Post Office in Creaton closed its doors six years ago, a number of people came together to open a community shop in its stead. Many of you use the shop at the top of the hill so will know that it is run by volunteers doing shifts behind the counter.

It provides a service which is valued and supported by many in Hollowell and whilst it can’t compete with most supermarket prices, if you add petrol costs and inconvenience to the mix, it comes very close.

From the outset Jan, Sally and Claire have volunteered regularly and Sally even supplies a variety of delicious frozen meals which are hugely popular. Given the mission to use local suppliers to stock the shop, she fits the bill perfectly.

It’s fun.

The customers and post office staff are lovely and if you want to meet people there is no better way. The shop also has supported a number of young people from Hollowell to fulfil the volunteering aspect of their Duke of Edinburgh awards, supported the elderly and vulnerable through the pandemic and run events to which all are invited.

If you have a couple of hours here and there to volunteer, we would love to have you on the team. If not please support us by shopping here. Village shops are closing and being deliberately targeted by the big players to squeeze them out. All you need is a few hours and a ready smile. Let’s face it, if the three of us can do it, anyone can!

VILLAGE VOICES, HANDEL AND THE PLIGHT OF SAMSON

I went to see local Village Voices Choir at All Saints Church, Brixworth for Handel’s musical rendition of the story of Samson.  

Village Voices Director Ian Clarke’s inclusion of Nick Bunker’s Trumpet was inspired, lending weight to the festival sounds of the opening Chorus as they celebrate the crowning of ancient Syrian God, Dagon.

Samson is already bereft of hair and sight.

As an admirer of organist Richard Dunster-Sigterman since my first Village Voices concert, I was fascinated to watch Ian and Richard communicating via a mirror. The depth and interest created by the combination of Corinne Malitskie’s Cello, with Ian’s Harpsichord captured the emotions of this oratorio performed so well by the members of the Chorus.

As a member of a local choir, I know and appreciate how much work each individual puts in to study and perform these wonderful musical challenges.

The four soloists, Mezzo Soprano Myrna Tennant, Anna Gregg, Soprano, Fionn Ó hAlmhain, Bass, and Tenor Richard Jackson contributed a beautiful texture to the accomplished choir and outstanding musicians.

All lead us through the painful struggles that Samson faced in his weakened, sightless state, culminating with the re-growth of his hair, and the return of his spirit and strength. I am actually in awe of Ian Clark’s ambitions for this small local chorus.

There’s something intangible, that reaches across the centuries, when we combine ancient story, baroque music and instruments with modern voices in an early Saxon sacred space.

The singing of the chorus for the funeral of Samson was so poignant.

But there was no time for lamentation as the chorus lifted us in a blaze of light as choir, soloists and instrumentalists unite in Handel’s strident finale.

If you haven’t seen them yet, I highly recommend an evening with the ambitious and innovative Village Voices Choir.

Theresa Kelleher

DEMENTIA AMBASSADOR

Hollowell-based dementia podcaster, Penny Bell, has just celebrated her first year as a Volunteer Ambassador for Dementia UK, raising awareness about its specialist dementia nurses.

Known as Admiral Nurses, they provide advice, support and understanding to anyone affected by dementia, whenever it is needed.

They run a free, confidential helpline (0800 888 6678), and offer virtual clinics to give you the chance to discuss any questions or concerns by phone or video call.

Over the last twelve months, Penny has been giving talks and supporting fundraising events across the local area. She has even had the chance to speak at the House of Commons about the importance of Admiral Nurses.

She is especially keen to see their numbers increase after her own experiences caring for her mum, who has both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

 “Many of us will know someone affected by dementia. It’s a complex condition, and symptoms will depend on the type of dementia, but everyone experiences dementia uniquely,” says Penny, whose podcast Discovering Dementia is in its third series. “Admiral Nurses are experts in the condition and are there to support the whole family.”

If you would like Penny to speak to you or your organisation about Dementia UK, you can get in touch by emailing hello@discoveringdementia.co.uk

For more information on Dementia UK, search www.dementiauk.org

HOPEWELL COFFEE MORNINGS

Coffee mornings will remain on the fourth Friday of the month over the summer.

The next dates are:

Friday 28th June

Friday 26th July.

Why not come and join us for a cuppa, a piece of delicious cake and a catch up with friends. We meet in Hollowell Village Hall, 10.30am to 12.30pm.

For more information, or for help with transport, please call Paul on 07780 265614 or email: wearehopewell@gmail.com. EVERYONE WELCOME.

HOLLOWELL VILLAGE HALL BIG BREAKFAST

It was great to see some new faces at the spring Big Breakfast. The bacon butties were beautifully crisp, the barista coffee hot and frothy and the homemade cakes a lesson in culinary decadence.  

Thank you to all who helped and came along. The next Big Breakfast is in September.  

Don’t forget the village hall makes a great venue for children’s parties and family anniversaries. At £12 per hour for locals and £15 for others it is great value.  To book call Emily on 01604 740796 or book on-line through Hollowell & Teeton parish council website.  

Don’t forget to check our Events Diary for more information on events in all our villages and surrounding area.