This is the village website for Aston Le Walls where you can find information on activities and events in the village

Latest Food Bank message (19th July 2021):
A big thank you to all who donated to the Foodbank last week – Banbury were delighted with our delivery, particularly with the Long life milk – they never have enough. They also need biscuits and puddings.

This week we are collecting for Daventry and they are desperate for shampoo: if you are able to donate some or can spare any deodorant, toothpaste, conditioner or tins of food please put them in the boxes at Comfrey Cottage on Main Street. Collection is first thing on Thursday morning.

Upcoming HS2 Main Works Virtual 1-1 Engagement Events & Latest Updates
To book a slot or find local short duration road closures, and information about works in this area, see HS2 page.
Also find an invitation for Blackgrounds Archaeology Webinar there.

Blacksmith’s Lane
If you have noticed a change at the bend in Blacksmith’s Lane, click here for some pictures of the transformation, hopefully an improvement!

New Bench in Main Street
Click here for some photos of the lovely new bench, and some of the history behind it.  If you have any more information about it, please leave a comment here or contact Sue N.

Covid Passport Scam
There was a Covid Vaccine Passport scam email going around that purports to be from the NHS and informs recipients that they can apply for their “Digital Coronavirus Passports”

Clicking on the link within the email, takes you to a convincing but fake NHS website that asks for personal and payment details.  See more about this scam here.

HS2 Work at Trafford Bridge June 2021 – March 2022
Read update

HS2 Chipping Warden Relief Road Opening & Virtual Work Experience Vacancy
Relief Road is now open.  One-week unpaid Virtual Work Experience week, for students in years 10 to 13, commencing: Monday 12th July 2021.  Click here to find out more

Film Club
As we normally have a month off in August and don’t have a screening we have decided to aim for a restart on the 3rd Friday in September, Friday September 17th 2021.  We will be in touch again before September with a full programme of films for September – December.

Best wishes,
Film Club Committee

Night Time Slip Road Closures on M40
Check here re HS2 closures of Junction 11, 21st June to 17th July. 

Circular Trail
Please note, the footpath AA8 is now closed for HS2 works beyond the concrete track.
The concrete track should be used for a return route to the Appletree Lane and hence back to the village.
AA7 / AE17 closed at the perimeter track on the airfield and onwards to Chipping Warden.

Help Needed:
Artist wanted to redo the Pocket Park information sign, painted board or composite panel will be provided.  Please leave a comment here if you are interested.

Village Hall
Good News!
The village hall has received a “Covid” restrictions grant from the West Northamptonshire Council of £7,573.21.  See Village Hall page for more details of this and other news.

Aston le Walls WI Is Back
Great News, following the virtual meeting last week it was decided that Aston le Walls WI will restart after a 3 year break.  We had 10 people on the Zoom meeting and all were very keen to restart and join as members.  It was agreed that WI would meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7 30 pm.  We will be holding Virtual Meetings for a while and will arrange speakers and other fun activities. 

We hope that more of you will be interested in joining us, so please contact me for more information.

Contact Fiona on 455 for more information.

News from the Parish Council:
Success
The Parish Council made an application to the Road Safety Fund of HS2.
Any application had to be formally agreed by Northants County Council in the first instance and then HS2.
The application was originally made over 3 years ago and we have finally received approval for the following:-

A continuation of the pavement from the Plowden Close junction with the Welsh Road heading out of the village towards the A361.  It will go as far as the pinch point opposite the footpath in the field on the left.
Originally the request was to the A361, the path approved is a compromise.

2 VAS units (vehicle activated signs) one at each end of the village on the Welsh Road.

2 Chicanes, 1 between Plowden Close and the Garages. 1 between Butlers Close and Main Street. See note 1 on the Parish Council tab.

1 new bus shelter for the school children, positioned better with appropriate drop kerbs either side of the Welsh Road.

With these measures in place the Parish Council hopes the Welsh Road will be a safer place for everyone and the speed of vehicles passing through greatly reduced.
(For any queries please contact – chairman2019alw@btinternet.com)

Looking For Somewhere to Go?
In these peculiar times when people are walking more than usual many are interested in finding new local walks.
This website, Walking in Northamptonshire, has loads of walks available for free download and printing.
www.walkinginengland.co.uk/northants

All Change for Councils in Northamptonshire
For information about changes to local government in Northants, please click here

Think NHS 111 First
NHS England and NHS Improvement has launched the next phase of the latest ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign which focuses on the NHS 111 service as a new way to access A&E.

If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical need, make sure you contact NHS 111 first rather than going straight to A&E. If you do need urgent care, then NHS 111 can now book you in to be seen quickly and safely in A&E. 

As well as this, NHS 111 is also able to direct to or book an appointment at Urgent Treatment Centres, access to Out of Hours GP Services, pharmacies, emergency dental services and walk-in clinics.Contacting 111 first will also help the NHS to keep you safe by maintaining social distancing and ensure that you receive the right care in the right place, in a more timely and safe way.

If you or your loved one have a life-threatening illness or injury then you should always use 999 and if you do arrive at A&E without contacting NHS 111 you will still receive medical care, with emergency treatments prioritised. Just think 111 first. When you think you need A&E, contact NHS 111 by phone or online at https://111.nhs.uk/

Further information about NHS 111 First is available at www.northamptonshireccg.nhs.uk

Northants County Council
For an update on Covid 19 from the NCC please click here.

If You Need Help
The countrywide Community Resilience hub was set up at the start of April to help those needing support or assistance during periods of isolation or for those who are vulnerable.  As we enter a second national lockdown period, the Local Resilience Forum wants to reassure residents that support is available for anyone who needs it, click here for more information.

A Message from Our Postie:
Hello everyone, I’m Ray your postman and would like to say a big thank you to you all for welcoming me as your new postman after I took over from David.  Last year in June I collapsed in the Main Street and was lying there for about 3 quarters of an hour until I was found by Vicki down Blacksmiths Lane.  I started back last December, no reason could be found by the doctors but I’m ok now and am looking forward to serving this lovely village until I retire.  All my best wishes to you all and if I can help in any way please give me a shout, regards Ray the posty.

South Northants backs Green Homes Grant Scheme
Click on the link to find out if you qualify for a grant:
South Northants Green Homes Grants

Daisy Bank Pocket Park
The story of the origin of Aston le Walls own Pocket Park; with photographs, minutes of meetings and much more.  Click here to view the Pocket Park history.  If you have memories or photographs of your own you would like to add, please let me know in the comments or email.  Please spread the word it’s here, to anyone you know who would be interested, thanks. 

Wells in the Village
Martin M is trying to record the whereabouts of all the wells that were/are in the village.  If anyone has any information he’d be very grateful to hear it.  A note through 8BC or a comment here will get to him.  He’s aware of the well in the school field; one beside the presbytery garage, one in the now filled in presbytery cellar, one in the garden of 3BC, and one in 22PC.  Any others?  Old Tom Smith said that the last well to run dry in a drought was down on the railway, where precisely, Martin doesn’t know.  Are there any others?  

Summer Fete
As you are all aware, we have had to cancel the Annual Summer Fete in aid of St Leonard’s.  This is our main fund raiser for the year and even though the Church is currently closed we still have ongoing expenses amounting to over £16,000 a year.  We are also missing out on collections at our services so if you would like to donate to the church please let the Treasurer Susan in Plowden Close, have a cheque made payable to St Leonard’s PCC.  Thank you.  Leave a comment if you need more details.