Dear Reader

After the warmest September on record and, barring a few days at the tail end of a hurricane, we must conclude that autumn has been most kind and just as glorious as I had hoped for.  As November approaches, it is time to turn to bonfire night and remembrance events.  Many of our villages are putting on impressive exhibitions and extended services to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of The Great War.

On page 10 you will find a special offer of reduced entrance to the Gunpowder Plot at Boughton House, a spectacular show of lights and fireworks.  There are also several bonfire and firework displays taking place in our villages, a fabulous way to enjoy a November evening with the family.

In our household, we tend to leave Christmas preparations until after the birthday of our youngest in the middle of November.  This year, Seb will turn 18 - a milestone in itself, but also the first he shall not be celebrating at home.  However, we know that on the day it will be exactly six weeks until the festive celebrations will bring us all back together again.

If you would like to make your own door wreath or table decoration, look to pages 70 and 80 for workshops in the majestic settings of Kelmarsh Hall and Lyveden New Bield.  There are wonderful carols services and Christmas tree festivals taking place to put you in the right spirit, and there is a true abundance of craft and gift fairs available to inspire you for the big day.  Oundle Christmas Market, see page 24, is forever expanding, and the more we shop locally, the more we can help our local businesses and charities to keep up the good work.

Cransley Hospice, see pages 92-93, is suggesting several ways in which you can help them raise funds and I shall, for the fourth year running, pledge the Village Connect Christmas card budget to this worthy cause.  Another brilliant way to support the fight against cancer is by purchasing a Love Your Body Calendar 2015.  You can read about this remarkable initiative on page 66, launched by a group of local women to raise funds for cancer research and promote a healthy body image at the same time, all in memory of friends who lost their battle.

Christmas is a time where you treasure your loved ones and remember those you keep in your heart.  May yours be a merry one!

Hillcrest House

Church Hill

Geddington

Northants

NN14 1AH

Tel: 01536 744700