Dear Reader Another curious start to spring, with summer-like temperatures followed by flurries of snow and hail – we can no longer trust previous experiences and presumptions…
Who would have thought that we would see war activity again on European soil? The atrocities in Ukraine have horrified us all and you can feel at odds as how best to offer support at a distance. One initiative has been ‘Packed with Hope’ which provides backpacks with books, comforts and essentials for children affected by the crisis, and Aldwincle Pre-School and Jollys of Thrapston joined forces to do their bit (page 46). Another local response has been the re-launch of the Welcome Fund Appeal to support resettlement of Ukrainian refugees in Northamptonshire (page 58). Please help if you can.
It is, however, encouraging to see so many popular events return with gusto after the last couple of years. The Music Barn Festival in Cranford will run over two days this year (page 20); Creative Oundle Food Festival (pages 22-23) is back on the streets of Oundle; Titchmarsh Running Races offer both a 10k road race and a 3k fun run; and Wistow Hall, once again, serves as a backdrop for Music in the Park, with a ticket competition for readers of Village Connect (page 44).
The dominant event for June will, without doubt, be the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and many villages and organisations are celebrating with afternoon teas, street parties or themed fl ower festivals. You can get your own Jubilee Party Pack from Cransley Hospice Trust (page 66) and support their worthy cause at the same time. To mark this astonishing milestone in royal history, Village Connect is also coloured in red, white and blue, and I’m delighted to welcome Burghley to grace the front cover of this May/June issue.
May your celebrations be full of joy and hope
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