Return to Gretton - A Northamptonshire Village
The Parish Council is made up of nine elected members, all of whom live in the village, and if you have a problem they will do their best to help.
The Parish Council meets on the second Monday of the month in the Committee Room at the Village Hall, usually at 7.30pm. Agendas are displayed on the Parish Council noticeboards at the Village Hall and on the Green and anyone may attend to hear what is said on a particular item. The first 10 minutes of each meeting is open to the public for anyone to raise items of their choice.
The Parish Council produces a newsletter three times a year in February, May and September to keep villagers up to date with what is happening within the parish.
| Parish Councillors | Phone Number |
| Marshall Ferguson | (01536) 770521 |
| Phil Bromhall | (01536) 770741 |
| Ailsa Dempster | (01536) 770995 |
| E-mail: ailsadempster@aol.com | |
| Tim Fox | (01536) 770653 |
| Terri Meechan | (01536) 771240 Mobile: 07795 985419 |
| E-mail: terri.meechan@btinternet.com | |
| Matthew Moore | |
| Andrew Royle | |
| Paul Seaton | |
| Mark Thompson | (01536) 772350 |
| Parish Clerk | |
| John Hindle | (01536) 770580 |
| Junior Parish Councillors | |
| TBA | |
Corby Borough Councillors
Phil Bromhall - 29 High Street, Gretton, Northants., NN17 3DE.
Phone: (01536) 770141
Terri Meechan - 66 Kirby Road, Gretton, Northants., N17 3DB
Phone: (01536) 771240 Mobile: 07795 985419 E-mail : terri.meechan@btinternet.com
Northamptonshire County Councillor
Stan Heggs - 10 Grays Drive, Stanion, Northants., NN14 1DE
Phone: (01536) 202908
Street Doctor
If you wish to report a fault in a road in the village, or a street light not working, please phone 0845 601113.
Police Community Support
Please phone Phil Beckett on (01536) 536999.
The Church of St James the Great, overlooking the village green, has been the spiritual home of villagers for nearly 1000 years. During that time there have been many changes in the patterns of worship and today, being part of the Joint Benefice of Gretton with Rockingham and Cottingham-cum-Middleton with East Carlton the services follow a monthly pattern.
| 1st Sunday: | 9am Holy Communion (Said service) | |||
| 2nd Sunday: | 9am Family Service | |||
| 3rd Sunday: | 9am Family Service | 6pm Evensong | ||
| 4th Sunday: | 9am Family Service | 10.30am Holy Communion (Sung Service) | ||
| 5th Sunday: | Joint Benefice Service | (see magazine or Church Notice Board for details) |
In addition to the Sunday services there is a Tots service each Monday at 2pm and a Communion service each Wednesday at 10am followed by coffee.
| Priest in charge | The Revd Siân Reading | ||
| The Vicarage | |||
| Station Road | |||
| Gretton | |||
| Northants. NN17 3BU | |||
| Phone: (01536) 770237 |
| Churchwardens | Mr Gerald Thompson | Mrs Fiona Sharman | Deputy - Mrs Shirley Fursdon |
| 20 Harringworth Road | Harborough Hill House | 9 Southfield Road | |
| Gretton | Harringworth Road | Gretton | |
| Gretton | |||
| Tel: (01536) 770470 | Tel: (01536) 770085 | Tel: (01536) 770784 | |
| E-mail: fionasharman@aol.com |
| PCC Treasurer | Mr Barry Jones |
| 10 Maltings Road | |
| Gretton | |
| Northants. NN17 3BZ | |
| Tel: (01536) 770208 | |
| E-mail: barry.cjones@dial.pipex.com |
Choir Club for the junior members 6.00-6.30pm.
Choir practice for children and adults 6.30-7.30pm
We have a range of ages from 8+ to 80+
We sing a wide range of music from medieval to modern
The boys and girls receive musical and religious instruction under the "Voice For Life" scheme of the Royal School of Church music. Many of them have gained local and national awards.
There is a Choir Club for young choristers that meets from 5.00pm to 6.00pm on Wednesdays in church before choir practice. Sopranos, altos, tenors and basses are always welcome.
Further details from the Priest in charge, The Revd Siân Reading, Phone: (01536) 770237.
Situated at the southern end of the High Street, we are an evangelical church belonging to the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Our aim is to worship God in appropriate ways, make Jesus known in the community and offer a friendly welcome to everyone. If we can help you please let us know.
Worship is at 10.45am and 6.00pm each Sunday. There are home-groups and a meeting for prayers plus a fortnightly "Women's Hour".
A Sunday Club has recently been started for children of all ages. You would be very welcome to bring your children along and either leave them with us, or even better, to join us in our morning worship yourself while they enjoy their time in the Church Hall.
| Secretary: | Mrs Carol Preston | Phone: (01536) 770188 |
The purpose of the Society is to create a picture of Gretton's development from early times, to make a record of peoples' living memories of the past; to keep a photographic record of Gretton both now and in the past; to keep a central archive of historical material for the use of interested people and to encourage a general interest in history amongst local people.
Meeting frequency: Alternate months throughout the year with, in addition, occasional outings.
Venue and time: Village Hall on Thursdays at 7.30pm, dates as advertised in the village shops and on the Society's Internet site (see below)
Cost: Membership is £5 per annum (concessions £3.50). Entrance to meetings free to members, £1.50 to non-members.
| Contact: |
| Ann Craske (Secretary) |
| Chantry Cottage |
| 5 High Street |
| Gretton |
| Northants. NN17 3DE |
| Phone: (01536) 771102 |
| E-mail: ann@acraske.freeserve.co.uk |
The Gretton Women's Institute was formed in 1941 and is a lively group with a membership of about 40 ladies. There is a varied programme of speakers at monthly meetings, and opportunities to take part in local, county and national events - sports, walks and outings of interest. We also have a Scrabble group.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at the Village Hall from 7.30 until approximately 9.30pm. If you would like further information please contact:
She would be pleased to put you in contact with a member who lives near you, who would bring you along and introduce you to your first meeting.
The band plays for entertainment at fêtes, flower festivals, etc. There is a beginners group for anyone wishing to learn to play a brass instrument.
Meetings are held weekly on Thursdays, 7.00pm Junior Band and 7.45pm Full Band in the Rehearsal Room, Recreation Field. There is a subscription to the band of £15 per year per member (£5 for juniors).
Contact: Mr L I Preston, 18 Kingsley Drive, Corby, Northants., NN17 2NJ Tel: (01536) 402599
E-mail: L_I_Preston@hotmail.com
A friendly 'members only' sports orientated club situated at the Recreation Ground, with a great atmosphere, serving fine ales and lagers, with Pool, Darts and all premiere sporting events on TV as well as regular events and functions for all the family - children welcome at all times.
Bingo is held every other Sunday night (March 5th, March 19th ..... and so on). Eyes down is at around 8.15pm.
Gretton Sports and Social Club Committee have decided that anyone who comes to the club as a "Designated Driver" for the purpose of bringing visitors to functions or to bring cricket, football and darts teams will be entitled to FREE soft Drinks.
Memberships costs £2 per adult or £3 per family per year
Gretton FC have two teams currently in the North Northants Combination League.
The First team play in the First Division and the Reserves team in Division Three. Training nights are Tuesday and Thursday through the football season.
For further details please contact: George Wright on (01536) 770738.
Junior training is held every Wednesday (weather permitting) through the football season for juniors aged 6 to 14 years. Shin guards must be worn.
For further details please contact: Rob McCracken Phone: (01536) 770216 or secretary Valerie Walker Phone: (01536) 770522.
A well-run club with new players or non-players welcome at any time. First and Second adult teams. Junior teams under 11s,under 13s and under 15s.
Season runs from April to September.
Gretton Youth Cricket has been restructured to ensure that all age groups have the opportunity to play cricket. All teams are known as Gretton Great Oakley.
Weekly Youth Cricket Coaching sessions for Boys AND Girls aged 7 years to 15 years will commence on Friday 20th April from 6pm until 7.30pm on the Recreation Ground. These sessions will continue on a weekly basis all through the summer.
It will cost £1 to join the Youth Cricket Club and each Coaching Session will cost 50p
For further information please contact: Terri Meechan, 66 Kirby Road, Gretton, Northants., NN17 3DB
Phone: (01536) 772348 Mobile: 07795 985419 E-mail: terri.meechan@btinternet.com
The 1st Gretton Beavers, Cubs and Scouts Group was formed over 52 years ago. The group is mixed and has both boys and girls. The Beavers caters for ages 6 to 8 years, Cubs for ages 8 to 10.1/2 and the Scouts from 10.1/2 to 15.1/2 years of age. After this time Scouts move to the District Explorer Unit in Corby.
The Group meets at the Village Hall, with the Cubs meeting on Monday between 6.00 and 7.30pm, the Beavers on Tuesday between 6.00 and 7.00pm and the Scouts on Thursday between 7.00 and 8.30pm.
Gretton and District Branch
Men's Section
The Branch meets on the last Thursday of the month in the Talbot Inn at 8.00pm. Members and visitors are always welcome. It is not necessary to have been a member of HM Forces to join the Legion.
| Contacts: | Branch Chairman | Mr T Guest | Phone: (01536) 772290 |
| Vice-chairman | Mr W Palmer | Phone: (01536) 770620 |
Women's Section
Meetings are held in the Village Hall on the last Tuesday of the month, with the exception of January, July and December. We usually have a guest speaker at our meetings. We have an annual summer coach outing and arrange fundraising events. We are the oldest branch in Northamptonshire and 2004 is our 80th anniversary year. New members are very welcome. Come along as a visitor first to see if the Legion is for you.
| Contact: | Madam Chairman | Mrs Shirley Fursdon | Phone: (01536) 770784 |
Come along to the Village Hall on a Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm and enjoy an evening of Indoor Bowls. Non-players and novices most welcome.
| Contacts: | Lorna Coleman | Tina Small |
| 40 Fulwell Avenue | 20 Kirby Road | |
| Gretton | Gretton | |
| Tel: (01536) 771739 | Tel: (01536) 770444 |
The Gretton Association of Stickholders, Tin and Lightermen (or Stickholders for short) are the originators of the Stickholders Association. The group was formed a number of years ago and is dedicated to the acts of social drinking and cheese eating, with a bit of charity fundraising for good measure.
Requirements for joining the group include the essential elements of having a stick, tin and lighter, plus applying for application in the form of a betting slip to the Talbot Inn, in Gretton.
The concept of Pocket Parks - small areas or geographical features conserved and improved by local enthusiasts - was first introduced in Northamptonshire.
Gretton's Paddock Park was established in 1994 in a 0.85 hectare (2.1 acres) grassland field, situated at the junction of Kirby Road and High Street facing Gretton House. It was formally opened by 'Jack Woolley' of The Archers, and has the honour of being the county's 50th Pocket Park.
Volunteers have already constructed a wildlife pond, a butterfly bank, a petanque (boules) pitch, and a natural play area for children. A gravel path and grass paths are regularly maintained, several benches have been donated by local organisations, and we have constructed new gates and painted and repaired the iron fencing marking the boundary.
In addition to this work our small band of helpers have placed bat and bird boxes in many of the trees, and planted several trees and shrubs, as well as creating 'nursery beds' for wildflowers. One long term major project recently completed was the restoration of the dry stone wall on two sides of the park, which was in a poor state of repair.
Anyone who is interested is welcome to look at the photographic record illustrating the development and transformation of the Paddock Park.
This valuable village amenity offers a tranquil place to sit in or walk through, and it can be a site for village events or just a friendly game of 'boules'. We hope that you will make use of it, and perhaps help out with some of the jobs that require to be done. The Pocket Park group is a friendly group of volunteers who need a few more friendly hands to help out. New members can be sure of a warm welcome and it is an ideal way to make new friends within the village.
For more information call Bob Dobson on (01536) 770734.
The Village Hall is used for a variety of activities and is situated in Kirby Road. The Hall may be hired for private parties, birthdays, weddings, discos and other special events. Charges are £10.00 per hour, but there are special rates for regular users. The Hall is marked out for Short Tennis with nets, rackets and balls included in the hire charge of £5 per hour.
The Management Committee organises:
Monthly lunches on the first Tuesday of each month which are open to all. Cost £3.00 per head. Home made soup, rolls and cheese and puddings.
An annual Masterteam Quiz evening with teams of three entered by organisations, groups, streets or families. Last Friday in February.
An annual Craft Fair, held in October.
In conjunction with Northamptonshire Touring Arts, up to six productions each year. See papers or posters in Post Office.
For enquiries about the above events contact: Mrs Ailsa Dempster, 12 Station Road, Gretton Tel: (01536) 770995
For hall bookings contact: Mrs Thelma Flynn, 9 Spendlove Drive, Gretton Tel: (01536) 771807
Headteacher: Michael Deane-Hall
Gretton School was built in 1908 to replace the old school building. It has a very interesting history and traditions and records go back a long way.
There is a very busy Parent School Association, and parents play a large part in the life of the school. It is due to the partnership of Parents, Teachers and Governors that the school is very active and successful in its academic results.
We have a hall, four classrooms and a library/ICT suite. The children have helped establish a nature area by the playground and are actively involved with parents in its upkeep and development. There is attached to the school a pre-school group, Chirpy Chicks, which joins in many of our activities.
The school has always been, and still is a focal point of the village. Adult education classes are sometimes held here. We are in close contact with both churches and the village hall where our children perform musical items.
The school is officially designated a County Primary School, and we cater for children from the ages of 4 to 11. Our current number on roll is 84 at December 2003. Brochures are available from the school.
The school was officially removed from Special Measures on 13 November 2003. The inspectors were very impressed with the school, commenting positively on the standards of teaching, the children's behaviour and their attitudes towards learning. They also praised the dedication and professionalism of the staff and the work of the school's governing body. We celebrated with a special film afternoon, where we used the school's new multi-media projectors to create two cinemas in the junior classrooms. The children really enjoyed the films and the treats they had during the intermission.
Coming out of Special Measures is wonderful for the whole school community. It is official recognition that Gretton Primary School is a great village school, with dedicated and effective staff, happy and challenged children, and supportive parents and governors.
For further information contact Andy Butterworth on (01536) 770302
At Gretton County Primary School, Monday - Friday, 9.00 to 11.45 am for children aged 2.1/2 - 5 years. We offer high standards of pre-school experience in a happy, safe, stimulating environment under the guidance of qualified staff.
The Recreation Ground is owned by the Parish Council and is available for the whole village to use. There is play equipment for different ages of children and a halfpipe for blades and skateboards. A BMX track has been added recently.The ground is also used by the School, Cricket and Football Clubs.
We have an active local branch, which is part of the Corby Constituency Labour Party, and holds approximately bi-monthly meetings in the Talbot Inn, High Street, Gretton. Lively debate of topical national and local issues is encouraged.
Our Member of Parliament is Phil Hope, M.P., who holds surgeries throughout the Constituency, including in the Village Hall in Gretton.
The honorary secretary of the branch is Jill Sheffer, who can be contacted by e-mail on sheffboss@fsmail.net or by telephone/fax on 01536 772161.
Village residents may read what is happening in Gretton through the columns of three local newspapers - The Rutland Times - `Village News` - issued Thursdays, Rutland Mercury - `Town & Country` - issued Fridays, Evening Telegraph (Saturday edition centre pages "Down your Way").
If you have any community news you would like included please contact Roy Naylor by phone on 01536 770752 or better still by Email royterz@aol.com.
Please send details for inclusion in weekly editions, such as: - Forthcoming events, achievements in sport - arts - academia, club meetings, organisations, charitable events, fund-raising etc. Anything newsworthy, amusing anecdotes, keeping friends, neighbours and ex-pats informed.
Please note deadline is Monday for the forthcoming weekend.
The Trustees are prepared to consider applications for grants from the above Foundation for Gretton scholars attending Higher Educational Establishments.
Scholars wishing to be considered for a grant should apply in writing to:
| Mr Phil Oram |
| Clerk to the Trustees |
| 14 Harringworth Road |
| Gretton |
| Northants. |
| Phone: (01536) 770635 |
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