Dear Reader

As 2018 draws to an end, reflecting back on the year gone by, against the backdrop of national political turbulence on an epic scale and county council financial chaos, may make for rather sombre conclusions.  Uncertainty makes you unsettled, so let us hope that 2019 will bring more stability to our daily existence.  Life has its ups and downs: some of us will have suffered bereavement or deep personal loss, others added a new member to their family, as we have been lucky to do this year.  The older I get, the more I get to treasure those special moments with loved ones that become lasting, precious memories – in the end that is what matters…

Taking stock as the new year approaches inevitably leads to setting goals for the year ahead.  Many of us would like to get healthier and fitter, take up a new hobby or rekindle an old one, or to give something back to the community.  You will find plenty of ideas on getting fitter on the pages ahead, from Pilates to cycling or Morris Dancing, see page 90.  Stand Out Northamptonshire, see page 76, is a new initiative looking for volunteers, and both Contact the Elderly, page 42, and Northamptonshire Carers, page 58, would be grateful to hear from you if you can help in any way and become more involved in our community.  Our country parks, page 44, and Lyveden, pages 70-71, also need volunteers to help look after our outdoor treasures.

‘New Year, New Beginnings’?  To help you break the cycle of bad habits, read Anne Widdup’s feature on page 60 on how to change for good.  Are you dreaming of starting a new business but worried about taking the plunge?  Go to pages 8-9 to read the story of how The Fish and Chip Cabin came to life.  You can also be inspired by the numerous success stories featured in this issue: The Pheasant at Keyston, page 16; Bulwick Village Shop, page 32; as well as all the companies detailed in the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2018/19 on pages 40-41.

Deene Park, depicted on the front cover, will host snowdrop walks in February, see page 22, as will Harrington Village, see page 86.  These first messengers of spring will remind us that we have now turned a corner:  the days are slowly getting longer and brighter times are ahead.

So let me hold that positive note and send you my very best wishes for 2019  - may it bring you love and light, health and happiness.

 

Vivi Sant Cole

Village Connect

Hillcrest House

Church Hill

Geddington

Northants

NN14 1AH

Tel: 01536 744700