Dear Reader

Summer will be at its peak as this issue is distributed, and it is an absolute delight to
hear the dawn chorus in the morning and see how nature unfolds before our very eyes.
It must be a particular brilliant year for roses; I have certainly never seen the rambling
‘Emily Gray’ we have at the front of our house look so beautiful as it does this year.
It was given to us at the birth of our daughter, Emily, and may just be so bountiful in
honour of her coming 21st birthday?

Sam Bosworth comments on roses in his article on how best to look after and enjoy
the summer garden on pages 42-43; he also gives suggestions for an irrigation system,
rather useful if the warm weather continues. Water also features on page 56 describing
the newly installed jet d’eau of the Grand Etang at Boughton House. This historic
landscape has been brought back to life and will please visitors in August when the
House & Garden open to the public. Another historic house, Kelmarsh Hall, has just
been awarded a grant for a ‘Below Stairs’ restoration project, see pages 80-81. How
fortunate we are to have such picturesque treasures right on our doorstep.

It is not only Village Connect who has been celebrating ten years in business in 2015.
Funky Lil’ Feet in Thrapston and The Pickled Village in Bulwick celebrate their fi rst
decade as well, and both have kindly made offers for readers of Village Connect, see
pages 8-9 and 32 respectively. There are also tickets to be won for performances at
Oundle International Festival, see pages 34-36, and to Wistow Maze, see pages 90-91,
so best of luck with your entries.

This issue is jam-packed with fl ower festivals, fairs, fêtes, music festivals and all things
typical of an English summer. Helen Bach ponders on this very British tradition on
page 46 and, on page 84, you can read about another one: Morris Dancers, from the
village of Braybrooke. New on the feature scene is Just Call Me Lynz on page 38 with
her delightful recipe for raspberry ripple nice-cream, and if you need a new book for the
holidays, turn to page 40 for Jane Isaac’s new thriller or learn about the adventures of
Fred ’n’ Friends on page 66 for the younger readers.

With outdoor cinema screenings and theatre plays, family fun days and holiday
activities in abundance, you will fi nd something for everyone and for all ages in the
pages ahead.

Have a wonderful summer!

Vivi Sant Cole

Village Connect

Hillcrest House

Church Hill

Geddington

Northants

NN14 1AH

Tel: 01536 744700