January | February 2026 Newsletter

We sadly lost a valued and much-loved member of our community, Steve Pemberton, in March 2025. Many of you contributed generously toward a memorial bench in his honour. Progress on securing the necessary permissions became tangled in bureaucracy during the year, so the Parish Council received a request to take on this task late in 2025. The required paperwork has now been submitted, supported by a recommendation from our County Councillor, Kelvin Wright. We hope to share positive news with you in the New Year.

New Faces

We were delighted to welcome our new Clerk, Kimberley Walker, who has already proved to be a fantastic addition to our team and equally delighted to bring on board our new Parish Councillor, Nigel Wetton. 

Village Hall Improvements

Thank you to all the grant bodies whose support made the hall improvements possible. And a special thank-you to the wider community for bringing the hall to life once again by attending events, hiring the space, and helping make it a vibrant hub.

Community Celebrations

Last May, the Parish Council marked the 80th Anniversary of VE Day with an afternoon tea and cinema screening, followed by a wonderful evening celebration at Norton and Cuckney Village Hall. The night concluded with the very first lighting of the new Community Beacon, which we look forward to using for many years to come.

At the same time, St Mary’s and St Winifred’s churches hosted commemorative flower festivals, showcasing beautiful displays that filled the aisles and were admired by visitors across the parish.

2025 Poppy Drive

This year’s Poppy Drive was a tremendous success and so many of you joined the team and gave up your time.

One of the nets in the Cuckney Community Garden fell victim to a rather angry colony of wasps, so it will need some repair work! All the nets were thoroughly soaked during the season but, after a gentle wash and spin dry, they came out beautifully. They are now sealed, vacuum-packed, and ready for re-use in 2026. 

Many thanks for all the kind offers from crafters who have volunteered to begin creating new items to add to and enhance our displays for next November. All offers are gratefully received as we hope to build on the fantastic start we made in 2025.

Looking Ahead

I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone in the community for their support throughout 2025. This past year has shown once again how much can be achieved when people come together—whether by volunteering time, attending events, sharing ideas, or simply lending a hand when it’s needed most. Your involvement, generosity, and enthusiasm continue to shape our parish and make it a truly special place to live.

As we look ahead to the coming year, we do so with renewed energy and optimism. There is much to look forward to: new projects, ongoing improvements, and more opportunities to strengthen the connections that bind our community together. We hope that the community magazine will continue to play its part by keeping everyone informed, celebrating local achievements, and serving as a welcoming space for sharing news, stories, and updates.

Thank you once again for everything you contribute to our parish. Here’s to a positive, productive, and inspiring year ahead.

Cllr Nancy Wright