Latest news from around the village and Web changes
This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first. See item 14, updated 22nd February 2010
14: February 2010
A third Neolithic axe and possibly a fourth
Residents will have been saddened by the recent death in January 2010 of a Stanton parishioner from Melton Road. As he had already lost his wife some years before, the task of house clearance fell to his executors. A surprise ‘find’ buried in a drawer was a complete flint axe head. This flint axe is smaller and rougher and probably more than a thousand years older than the beautiful ground and polished axe head that was found at Stanwold Kennels on Stanton Lane in 1948. The drawer contained no note of where and when the axe head was discovered, however conversation with his executors suggests it was found in the back garden after some trenches were dug. While this is another important find as far as the history of the village is concerned, it is marred by the lack of accurate detail of its discovery. Your editor would like to make an appeal to all parishioners, if you have anything you have found in your garden or elsewhere in the parish, for instance a coin, a clay pipe or old pottery sherds, do please record the place and date as accurately as possible. Consider showing your ‘treasure’ to one of the Councillors who can then contact myself to arrange an appraisal and recording of the object as necessary. A full description of the new axe can now be found in section e) of the page on "Prehistory" in our 'Archaeology' section of the Stanton web.
Some of you may have read the new pages (Archaeology) on the Stanton Parish Council’s web site that covers archaeological finds within the parish. In section b) dealing with the “Prehistory” (that before written records were kept) there is a description of the brilliant ‘dig’ carried out by Mr and Mrs Bird of the Rectory on Browns Lane in 1938, when they uncovered a Neolithic hut floor. Among the hundred plus ‘finds’ that were recorded, there is a statement that a piece of flint with the shape of a celt was recovered nearby. A celt is derived from the Latin celtes a chisel and was the old term for a stone axe. Unfortunately this again was not recorded in any further detail. The discovery of one axe at the north end of Stanton Lane, two axes along Browns Lane and another from the Melton Road suggests that the Neolithic population of hunter gatherers and early farmers favoured the tops of the local wolds. It is important to remember that whenever a deep cultivation is done or foundations are put in, something very interesting could be turned up.
13: January 2010 A Happy New Year to all our villagers
Stanton’s red phone boxes likely to go
BT have announced that over a third of the UK’s remaining red phone boxes are to be closed. At the moment there are 12,000 with 4,500 of these under threat of closure as usage continues to slide. Many small councils are not keen to lose these iconic symbols however they do have to be in the right place such as a village green or village centre. BT has bowed to pressure from some local authorities keen to keep their threatened phone boxes and has announced two schemes whereby councils can ensure that the phone boxes remain.
The “adopt a kiosk” scheme enables local authorities that actively wish to keep a threatened red phone box to do so for the princely sum of £1 ( a token payment for legal reasons apparently), but not with a working phone. Telephony equipment will be removed and councils are then free to use their box for whatever reason. Some parish councils are planning to turn their boxes into parish council notice boards, others have been decorated with window boxes and hanging baskets whilst at least one has been turned into a mini library.
A second “Sponsor a kiosk” scheme allows a council to contribute to the running costs of a red box with an annual fee of £500 and BT will then maintain a full working service.
The red phone box at the top of Willow Brook was last used about 15months ago to make a call. It has suffered from frequent vandalism and there seems little hope that any attempt will be made to save it. The phone box on the Melton Road is similarly little used and has suffered from various attacks over the years. Although the Stanton on the Wolds Parish Council has declined to adopt this box, there is a possibility that a local resident may take it on.
12: July and August 2009
Oops, sorry everyone
After just two attempts the car boot fairs have been cancelled due to lack of sellers and lack of potential buyers.
Calling all car-booters and bargain hunters !
Did you know that the village is going to have regular car-boot sales ? Starting on Saturday the 18th July 2009, car boot fairs will be held at Bank Farm, Stanton on the Wolds. Bank Farm is situated on the A606 Nottingham to Melton Mowbray road and the entrance is almost opposite the Wolds Service Station. Setting up time is 11am for an opening time of 1pm. For further details please ring 07833 543747
Speed Watch Group
Residents will be interested to hear that there have been six sessions organized with the use of the speed monitoring gun. About 30 motorists were found to be exceeding the speed limits on Stanton Lane, Browns Lane and Melton Road. The speed monitoring gun is shared by five parishes and the Stanton Speed Watch Group is due to have another series of sessions in August. The Chairman of the council says the intention has always been to slow the traffic through the village to the designated limits, rather than just to upset the motorist.
11: April 2009
An Easter break with a difference !
Some of you will know Daniel Land of Stanton Lane. Daniel is reading biochemistry at Sheffield University and during his Easter break from studying, Daniel with two college friends, Georgia and Dan, are hitch-hiking across Europe to Croatia with just £15 each in their pockets. They are hoping to raise as much money as they can, which will be split between the Anthony Nolan Trust, Cavendish Cancer Care, STOP trafficking kids and The Parkinson's Society.
Anyone wishing to sponsor Daniel or to make a donation may do so by visiting the following link:- www.justgiving.com/georgias_doubleds (Note that there is an underscore between 'georgias' and 'doubleds' which does not show up on our link, however by clicking on the link you will get to the right page.) The Just Giving "page" closes on the 10th September.
We know from Daniels daily phone calls home that the trio of adventurers have so far reached Nuremburg. After crossing the English Channel from Dover to Belgium they managed to get a lift from an Italian lorry driver. If Daniel manages to re-charge his phone battery, which may be difficult as they are camping all the way to Croatia, his parents should get more updates on the groups progress. Otherwise they will not hear from them until the friends finally arrive at Istanbul airport where they have booked flights home. We wish Daniel and company all the very best in their "grand tour" and hope Daniel will write up his exploits for the Parish Newsletter.
Annual Parish Meeting
Parishioners are reminded of and invited to the Annual Parish Meeting to be held on Wednesday May 13th at 7.00pm in the parish church of All Saints on Browns Lane. The meeting will commence with nibbles and a glass of wine and you have the once-in-a-year opportunity to voice your thoughts or raise any questions on anything concerning the village.
10: Web updates December 19th 2008
There is a new page entitled "In Memoriam" that gives more details about the lives of the three young men of Stanton who lost their lives in the Great War and are commemorated on the War Memorial. The notes also encompass details of more Stanton men who served and fought for King and Country. At the bottom of the "Stanton History" page there is a new note (E) on the history of the Construction of the Stanton Railway Tunnel. The latest village 'Newsletter' no.27 for December may be found under "Newsletters".
9: Web updates October 17th The latest Parish Newsletter No 26 for September 2008 has been added to the page "Newsletters" in the top heading band. Similarly the Minutes of the latest Parish Council Meeting have been added to "Minutes". At the bottom of the page of the "Village history" section in the left margin, a new note (D) is available that gives details of an unusual and rare architectural oddity of a by-gone age that has been identified in one of the oldest properties in the village.
8: You are invited to a "Stroll Around Stanton"
Stanton on the Wolds Parish Council invite you to come and join us for a family afternoon walk around the Parish footpaths on at 2pm on Saturday August 9th.
The start and finish will be from the Parish Church of All Saints on Browns Lane
Parking spaces are available. Bring a picnic to eat on our return in the church grounds.
Test your local knowledge with our family quiz.
approximately 3 miles and ideal for all ages.
Ring Mike Sheriston on 937 5652 or Jim Goodman on 937 3076 to join in the fun !
This event unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the appalling summer weather. It is hoped it may be possible to hold the walk later this summer or early in the autumn. Please watch this space.
7: Latest web site changes
The latest Annual Parish meeting took place on Wednesday 14th May and the full report is available from the Home page. A new page, the "Archives", has been created to hold material that has been superseded. Newsletters no 24 and 25 have been added under "Newsletters".
The price of the village local history book has been reduced to just £4.00 and is still available from Keyworth Post Office, Keyworth Library, The Clerk Mike Elliott in Keyworth and from councillors.
The Parish Council are keen to encourage hiking in the village. Two of our councillors, Jim Goodman and Mike Sheriston have volunteered to create a "Parish Walk and picnic en-route" for this summer, that will take in most of the available Public Rights of Way. More details and the date to follow.
6: The use of 'bangers' to deter crop damage by Wood Pigeons
The wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) is now the most commonly seen British bird with an estimated 3m nesting pairs. Since the 1970s the population has increased rapidly, which is a result of the expansion of oilseed rape as a combinable break crop for cereals. They will feed off the young plants which germinate in September and will continue feeding until well into May when the yellow flower is formed. The pigeons will fly in large flocks and will land in low-growing or bare patches and decimate the crop if not checked.
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Breeding data for Wood Pigeons |
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Breeding Starts |
Number of Clutches |
Number of Eggs |
Incubation (days) |
Fledge (days) |
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April |
3 |
2 |
17 |
29-35 |
The most common deterrent is by using what is termed a ‘banger’. Many years ago a string of banger fireworks intertwined on a smoldering rope would have been used. The bangs would scare off the pigeons, but only for a short time. Later, the acetylene banger was invented, followed by one using a propane gas cylinder. Electronics now mean that instead of banging all day and night they can be programmed to operate after dawn and terminate at a pre-determined time before dusk. The intervals between bangs can be adjusted although random timing appears to be most effective. The number of bangs at each interval can be set but single bangs soon become ineffective. A single banger can protect about 7 acres.
Farmers are aware of the inconvenience of bangers but a lost acre of rape equates to around £420 of lost income, never mind the cost of establishment. While shooting helps and other ideas have been tried, the banger while not perfect is today the most effective method of crop preservation.
5: Open Farm Sunday at Foxcote, Hill Farm, Stanton
Did you go to the Open Farm Sunday at Foxcote? A lot of families from all over Rushcliffe did and they had a lovely time. There were stalls selling local farm produce; a display by a local bee-keeper and another on Barn Owls by the Rushcliffe Barn Owl Project. A display of farm machinery captured the interest of boys, young and old alike. Lots of children's activities were held in the 'new barn'. A nature trail and quiz led through the grounds and around "Stanton Water" with illustrated cards showing information on the various wild flowers and trees along the route. A display of pond life held the children's interest. A sign "to please dip the fingers in the pot, the leeches are VERY HUNGRY" did not deter the youngsters. The supervisor reported that not a drop of blood was lost.
The day was nice and warm with sunny intervals and several families enjoyed their picnics in the beautiful surroundings.
Please mouse click on the thumbnail images to see the larger pictures; there are captions below the large pictures. There are left and right scroll arrows alongside the thumbnails to see the 22 photos.
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About to set off on the "Nature Trail".
4: Open Farm Day June 10th 2007
Sally, daughter of Mr and Mrs Hinchley at Foxcote (Hill Farm) has organized a wonderful day of both outdoor and indoor events running from 11am to 4pm. Refreshments will be available all day and include local BBQed lamb burgers, ice creams and freshly made cakes. There will be competitions, quizzes and prizes.
The outdoor events include a lovely Nature Trail, a Treasure Hunt, Welly Wanging, Apple Picking, Plant a Seed and a Chicken Fun Run. In addition there will be free plants for children to take home.
Indoors in the new barn, activities will include Cheese Making, Rainbow Kebabs, Make Your Own Pizza, Cake Decorating, Sit on a Tractor, Dissect real Barn Owl droppings and discover the tiny skeletons and teeth, Visit the Live Chickens and the Bee Hives.
Admission is free but there will be a £5 parking fee.
3: An 18th Century Crotal Bell found in a Stanton garden
The note regarding this artifact may now be found in the section on village archaeology please click on this link post medieval village history
2: A second stone age axe has been found in the village.
During the summer of 2006 a bulldozer was used to create a new farm access track off Browns Lane. To accommodate heavy farm machinery a substantial amount of soil was removed to a depth of about 18 inches for the hardcore foundations. Field walking along the mounds of mixed top-soil and sub-soil revealed the back end of a broken greenstone Neolithic stone axe. The fracture zone was quite sharp and not oxidised and this would indicate that the breakage was very recent and almost certainly due to the bulldozer. Despite an intensive search no other part of this axe was found. The mounds have now been levelled off and have been grassed over. The narrow strip of land that received the spoil is not likely to be ploughed again in the future, as we understand it is the intention of the owner to plant trees along the new access.
The axe was taken to Rachel Atherton, the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Finds Liaison Officer at Derby Museum, where it was confirmed as a Type 6 stone axe from Langdale in Cumbria.
1: Large bird of prey seen on Melton Road
On Wednesday morning the 28th February
2007
a large bird of prey was seen perched in a Silver Birch tree in a garden along
the Melton Road. It was being mobbed by three Magpies and several Rooks, who must
have taken exception to its presence. On studying the raptor through binoculars
it became obvious that it was an escapee as there was a leather jesses dangling
from both ankles. The bird was identified as a Harris Hawk which is a breed
favoured by falconers.
The Hawk is still in the locality, late May 2007, and is seen regularly. His hunting ability does not seem to be inhabited by the presence of jesses dangling from its ankles, as it was seen perched on a farm gate stripping the fur from a rabbit. Half an hour later the backbone was left on top of the gate with the front and hind legs dangling down either side!
Recent Media Coverage of Stanton on the Wolds
- Stanton on the Wolds: A brief history of the village, Produced and published by Stanton on the Wolds Parish Council, July 2006