The Easter Bank Holiday was busy; sixteen boats selling a wide range of items comprised the Floating Market beyond the top bridge and the counters recorded 12,000 people visiting them over the weekend. May Day was not so good as the cold north wind refused to go away.
We are incredibly proud to be recognised by the Pearson National Teaching Awards for the second year in a row in the Secondary School of the Year category.
Recently a White Stork – blue leg ring 38 - spent a few days at Rutland Water. This is a rare species, not to be confused with other large water birds. I have often heard Grey Herons, a widespread British breeding bird, referred to as storks. Unlike the Grey Heron, the White Stork may never have been native to our islands; they have certainly not bred here in living memory - until now.
Following last month's article about Adrienne Vaughan, the novelist, being nominated for an award for her novel, 'Summer of Secrets', she has now been nominated for another award!
Our church in Smeeton Westerby has been in existence since 1848/9. For those of you who have visited, I think you will agree that it is a beautiful church in a glorious rural setting. The church council has always been diligent in keeping up with repairs and maintenance. They have ensured that it remains in the excellent condition that you find it today. However, you will have noticed that the footpath in front of the churchyard has had to be coned off. This is due to the ‘lean outwards’ of the churchyard wall having significantly increased. So much so that there is now a greater danger of it collapsing onto the footpath and highway. This is due to the soil behind it and the roots of a large, lime tree pushing against it.
Spring has definitely sprung here in Smeeton Westerby. Our ‘Bridge 67’ held their wonderful ‘Farm Open Day’on Saturday 21 March. Over 1000 people visited to learn about all of the hard work that goes into rearing such fit and healthy cattle, sheep and pigs in order to put great quality food onto the table.