Dear Reader

What a glorious autumn we are having with mainly sunny days.  The trees are ablaze with fabulous colours and bountiful bushes are laden with berries, often set against spectacular displays of dawn and dusk in the horizon.  A brisk walk through fallen, crunchy leaves, followed by a mug of hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire remains one of my most pleasurable joys of the season.

November sees bonfire and firework extravaganza taking place in many of our villages.  Go to page 90 to read about the Barnwell Bonfire Plot, or to page 28 for the special Village Connect discount code available for the Gunpowder Plot at Boughton House, which has now become something of a tradition.

Festivities continue as we get closer to Christmas with an array of craft and gift fairs, tree and angel festivals, concerts and nativity plays.  Both Oundle and Thrapston have Christmas lights festivals and late night shopping events, see pages 16-17 and 34-35.  It is of utmost importance that we support our local businesses to keep our community going, and you will be absolutely spoilt for choice among the unique, independent shops we are fortunate to have in our villages and market towns.

Many of our country houses have Christmas markets and fairs on over the coming months to get you into the festive spirit in a more traditional way, and you can attend a wreath-making workshop should you wish to give a personal touch to your front door to welcome your friends and family.

Christmas is a time for charity, and by taking part in some of the many fundraising events on the pages ahead, you can do your bit.  Cransley Hospice, see page 88, is encouraging us to support their ‘cards in lieu’ scheme by donating to this great cause instead of spending money on buying and sending Christmas cards.  Village Connect will, once again, be doing just that this year.

 With my warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas

Hillcrest House

Church Hill

Geddington

Northants

NN14 1AH

Tel: 01536 744700