Thank you so much for all the kind words and messages of congratulations
I received on the tenth anniversary of Village Connect. Your letters, emails
and messages left on my answerphone have deeply touched me. Friends
and family arranged a surprise party to mark the occasion and produced
cakes depicting the very first front cover and the tenth anniversary one -
see page 106. My children presented me with an album showing every
April cover from the past ten years, intertwined with photos of treasured
family memories over the same period and expressions of pride in having
been part of the VC story. An anniversary to remember...

This April has been spoiling us with wonderful weather; not very often do
we get temperatures in their twenties this time of year. Long may it continue!
As we get out in our gardens to prepare for summer sun and evening
enjoyment, do read Sam Bosworth’s interesting article on crop wild relative
plants on pages 52-53. On a similar natural note, Riverford Organic
Farms have just launched new recipe boxes, see pages 34-35, with all ingredients
measured and ready for you to cook healthy meals from scratch,
with no waste or taxing shopping time.

There is plenty of outdoor activities to take part in or watch over the months
ahead. You can read about the return of The Women’s Tour on pages 6, 8
and 9; Dingley Races on page 24; Corby Walking Festival on page 46 and
RYA sailing and watersports trial sessions on page 98. There are furniture
painting, lampshade making, painting, photography and sewing classes to
attend as well, so no excuse for not getting creative this springtime.
Plenty of cultural events too for us all to enjoy, from literature and theatre -
indoor and outdoor - to concerts and music in quiet places. Village organisations
are putting on an array of garage sales, national garden scheme
open days, fêtes and fairs, so look to the pages ahead for inspiration for a
grand day out! June will see Father’s Day coming round again, and if you
would like to treat yours to something special, look to page 32 and Camille’s
delicious recipe of The Majestic Pudding - it is guaranteed to make
any man feel like a king!

Have a splendid spring...

Hillcrest House

Church Hill

Geddington

Northants

NN14 1AH

Tel: 01536 744700