April has definitely been a mixed month for weather but, as always, it's just beautiful to see the blossom trees in people's gardens and the blackthorn and hawthorn blossoms adorning the hedgerows which are leafing up before our eyes.

The bird boxes in our garden have been thoroughly investigated as potential nesting sites, but so far remain empty as preference this year was given to a bushy bay tree by a pair of Great Tits.

If you are interested in nature maybe you've been watching the wonderful new series on BBC1 called "Secret Garden". If you haven't yet seen it, it's a treat, narrated by our national treasure David Attenborough, and the episodes showcase the wildlife that visits some large but ordinary gardens around Britain. One episode showed the following nocturnal visitors: a dormouse, rat, deer, badgers and wild boar - which were quite a surprise to the humans who work in and enjoy the garden.

In Tysoe we are encouraged to ensure that our boundaries have spaces low down, so that hedgehogs can navigate from garden to garden, in an attempt to improve their numbers. I think it's the least we can do for our prickly friends, who occasionally eat the slugs!

Tuesday 26th May 2026

2.00 pm at Townsend Hall, Shipston on Stour

Alain Rouveure

will be talking to us about his visits to Nepal and how he raises funds through his galleries, lovely gardens, and Himalayan coffee house at Todenham, to help essential social projects in Nepal.

Thanks to Jane Hale's organisation, nine people from the First Thursday and the 5-Milers walking groups, had a most enjoyable week walking around the hills and olive groves of Crete.

They unfortunately had some rain, just to remind them of home, but it didn't dampen their spirits and they have returned with increased stamina for hill walking, but also with a little excess weight from the lovely Cretan food and wine!! Their Cretan walk leaders were a family of three who took it in turns to lead the walks, which were really well organised, on varied terrain with wonderful scenery. Their hoteL accommodation was also good, so they are hoping to do more of the same next year!

Rob Boyle planned this pleasant circular walk, which began and ended at the Ettington Community Centre car park, across fields surrounding Ettington, then into the countryside further west, with some beautiful views, before returning into Ettington on the old Warwick Road,The group walked approximately 7km with a total elevation of 80 metres.

Richard Moyle led 12 walkers from the Marlstone Tavern car park in Milton, across country, on a beautiful sunny and cloudless day. They walked towards West Adderbury, on to Bodicote and eventually into Bloxham. They saw high wide open spaces between the villages and for many of them it was previously unvisited landscapes. After Bloxham they followed farm tracks back into Milton. There was a gain of 300 feet in total over the 6.3 mile walk. The bonus was a choice from 20 varieties of pies with a pint!

HISTORY GROUP

Thanks go to member - Maggie Witherick, who on 22nd April gave an illustrated talk on the Etruscan civilisation, which was the first 'superpower' of the Mediterranean.

The Etruscans, together with the Greeks, developed the earliest cities in Europe. They occupied modern-day Tuscany and other areas of central Italy between c900-100 BC, before the rise of the Roman Empire.

This was the last meeting of their winter programme and at the next meeting, on 27th May, the group will be visiting Brodway Museum and Art Gallery.

The 2026 Shipston Proms is scheduled from June 19th to July 4th

It concludes with the ever-popular street party in the town square on the final Saturday, featuring several local bands.

This is a community-driven celebration of live music featuring 40 plus events which brings the Stour Valley to life every summer. It covers every genre of music from opera to rock, pop, folk, jazz, R&B, techno, classical.

From humble beginnings in 1998 it is now a two-week festival with over 40 events around the town and surrounding villages. Whether you are a musician, music lover, local business or someone who just wants to keep music live, the Proms committee would love for you to get involved. Or just come along and enjoy the music, with many events being completely free of charge.

There are three outstanding bands on The Last Night of the Proms, voted for by the local community. The bands are Orange River Remedy, The Texan Peacocks, and The DropOuts. All local, and all incredibly talented musicians playing set lists to keep the audience on their feet from start to finish.

The Proms loves to hear from musicians of all styles and backgrounds, so please contact the organisers on shipstonproms@gmail.com and fill out an application form if you are interested in performing at any of the events.

The Proms is also looking for sponsors to add to the generous support from local businesses such as Sheldon Bosley Knight, Ryse 3D, and many others. Sponsoring the Proms is a great way to showcase your business whilst supporting a much-loved community event with an audience of over 1,500 people at key performances, plus a strong social media reach.

For keeping up to date with what is happening please go to the website www.shipstonproms.com or check the social media sites on Facebook,