Hello from Jax’s Ark

Greetings, humans! We are Fireball, Fifi, Fudge, and Fetty—a lively family of ferrets with playful hearts and curious spirits. Our days here at Jax’s Ark are nothing short of luxurious, where every moment feels like a five-star escape. From exploring a spacious aviary loaded with engaging toys to revelling in our absolute favourites—a grand ball pit and a winding slide—we truly live the high life. Jax, our devoted caretaker, not only ensures we’re well-fed but also adds an element of surprise by hiding treats in the ball pit for that extra spark of fun. Our affectionate interactions with her are our absolute delight; nothing beats a good tummy tickle or a playful romp around the safety porch, where our antics earn us the endearing title of “cheeky whatsits.”

Adventures and Antics This visit, we discovered a whole new playground in the water fountain. The cool splash of water was irresistible! Even when Jax presented us with a tray of water, our mischievous nature got the best of us, and yes—we tipped the fountain over! And who could forget the time when little Fetty dozed off in the big tube, giving Jax a mini heart attack as she scrambled to find her? Every day here is an adventure, and every mishap is just another story waiting to be told.

A Family with a Legacy Scientifically speaking, we originate from the illustrious weasel family, mingling our lineage with polecats, stoats, badgers, and otters. While history tells of our species chasing rabbits and rodents in the wild, Jax’s common sense—and her vast expertise with animals—ensures that our innate instincts never bring us face-to-face with our natural prey. Jax is no ordinary caretaker; her life is a mosaic of animal adventures. With a CV that includes numerous animal qualifications, authored scientific papers, and even a groundbreaking dissertation on captive Pine Martins conducted in the New Forest of Hampshire, she embodies a remarkable blend of passion and precision. Rumor has it that she even celebrated her love by getting married in a zoo—a testament to her audacious spirit and lifelong bond with the animal kingdom.

Peace of Mind for Our Loved Ones While our mum basks in a week-long holiday under golden skies, she rests easy knowing that Jax is here to look after us. Through regular photos and updates, she keeps our mum in the loop about our playful escapades, ensuring that even from afar, our hearts remain connected. Here at Jax’s Ark, every day is an enchanting blend of care, fun, and a touch of wild mischief—a perfect recipe for a happy little ferret family.

For inquiries or reservations, please send a message, contact Jax directly, or visit her Facebook page – Jaxs Ark Small Animal Home Boarding. Follow her page to always have access to her contact information.

Moaning Again

I am nearing the milestone age of 80. When I was perhaps 6 or 7 my mother would get me to sit by her while she sewed. No doubt it was partly to keep an eye on me as I had been known to poke knitting needles into the unprotected 2 pin sockets of our 1920s house with predictable results.

I watched as she threaded the machine and went to work. Sometimes I would turn the handle of the Singer machine while she eased the fabric under the foot. Sometimes I would do the easing.

That machine is nearing its 100th birthday. It has been cleaned and oiled but never a penny has been spent on repair. There are scrapes on the black enamel and on the gold transfers caused by a wedding ring, scissors, pin heads and such. It was well used. My mother made her own and my sisters’ dresses in the 1940s and 50s pinning the paper patterns to the fabric she spread on the carpet.

I have that machine now. I use it to make curtains and cushion covers. I see no reason why it shouldn’t last another 100 years with a modicum of TLC. It belongs to an age when things were made to last. People valued reliability. It was an expensive investment for a lifetime of use.

I also have a cordless vacuum cleaner of a well-known make. It is perhaps 5 years old. It is lightweight and there is no cable to get round your ankles as you clean the stairs. It is good but lacks the suck of a traditional plug-in machine. Recently it failed completely. I discovered the fault. The plastic trigger had split from frequent use. It turns out to be a very common problem, so much so there are at least 6 videos on-line explaining how to replace the faulty part and many folk advertising replacement triggers. The split plastic part looks to have all the quality of a Christmas Cracker toy. It is now replaced. The machine works as well as ever but it was not a quick job. It was made more difficult by the maker obstructing access with a glue coating, a late modification to the machine. And how long will the replacement part last?

I’m not saying the glue coating was deliberately applied to encourage folk to sling the machine out and buy another but I could be persuaded to believe this was the motive. We live in an age where unless we regularly spend (20% VAT) there will be even fewer policemen, doctors, teachers, prison staff, border control officers and so on although I guess numbers of administrators, advisors, consultants and researchers will, if anything, increase.

Likely it is just my age but I can’t help feeling we are all trundling toward the cliff edge as we click our purchases from the comfy chair.

David Culley

Kirton Church Fund

The winning numbers for the May draw will be printed in the July/August magazine.

The June draw takes place on Sunday 29th and the winning numbers will be printed in the September magazine.

First prize winner this month has won several times before. Second prize winner has now had their first win. Congratulations to you both.!

The prize fund each month is 1/4 of the money taken each month. The rest of the money goes to Kirton Church. I have just handed over a cheque for just over £846, the money raised so far this year! Well done everyone and thank you for your support.

The money is used to maintain our beautiful church and with work needing to be done to replace three of the roofs we need to raise as much as we can. We are applying for grants to help with the cost of the work needed, however we will need to show that we are raising money ourselves before we can get grants. In 2012 were were expected to raise £60,000. Now thirteen years later we will be expected to raise a larger sum as our share towards the costs. Can you help?

Taking part in Kirton Church Fund is one way to help the church raise the money needed. There is plenty of room for more members and a very good chance of winning in the monthly draws.

The more people that join the higher the prize fund and the more money we raise for the church.

Could you win our monthly draw? You won’t know unless you join in. Remember you have to be in it to win it! Anyone over 18 may take part. Do come and join us.

You can join at any time during the year and you can do it monthly if you wish at only £5 per month (and therefore £60 annually, £30 for 6 months and £15 for 3 months.) You can of course pay the £5 monthly if you wish. You can also have more than one number.

Registration forms are available from Fay, (01205 723529), or call in Kirton Church. Paula’s Gifts on Station Road also has registration forms.

If you would like more information about Kirton Church Fund please give Fay a ring on 01205 723529 or email fayngeoff@gmail.com

April 2025 Winners

1st PRIZE - £49.69 - TICKET NUMBER: 98
2nd PRIZE - £16.56 - TICKET NUMBER:107

Data protection. All information (name, address and phone number) of Kirton Church Fund members is held solely for the purpose of managing Kirton Church Fund and is not passed on to any other organisation or used for any other purpose.

Meet The Locals

This month, we're featuring Kyle Sellars as our Meet the Local and he has been nominated by his Mum, Naomi Atkin!

Kyle has been a member of the local community for the last 28 and a half years, since being born.

In his younger years, he attended Frampton playgroup, Kirton nursery, Kirton Primary School and Middlecott secondary school. 

As a child, he had always dreamed of being a fireman, following in his great grandfather's footsteps. He was unable to apply to join the Fire brigade until he was 18 years old and so instead of changing his dreams, he decided to gain a trade whilst waiting.

After working hard as an apprentice and completing his college course, he qualified as a plumber/gas engineer after leaving school. He gained experience and furthered his knowledge by working with other local plumbing companies. 

During these years, he never forgot his dream. He was adamant that he would achieve it, and in 2016, he completed his training to become a retained firefighter in Kirton, so that he would be able to continue with both career paths. This is something that he also continues to do, to date, being on call when he is not at work.

In 2020, he decided to bite the bullet and start his own plumbing and heating business in the village. Just as he was transitioning from employed to self-employed, Covid 19 struck.

To say there was some uncertainty around how he would be able to make a new business work at that time, would be an understatement. 

With his unfounded determination, his passion for his career and his selfless, caring nature to make sure that people would get the best service from him, he has grown his business from scratch.

He is known for taking pride in his work, completing everything to the highest standard and offering unbiased solutions to the problems he is called to.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Kyle, either through work or socially, will tell you what a gem of a gentleman he is.

Polite, caring, kind and genuine, are just a few of the words people have used to describe him to me. 

He now has a beautiful wife and son of his own but continues to work hard in and for the village. Not only for his own financial gain through his business, but for the community working with the rest of the fabulous firefighters, keeping everyone safe.

You may have even met him dressed as an elf guiding Santa around Kirton at Christmas, or whilst having your car washed to raise money for charity.

Yes, I am a proud mum, and I believe I have every right to be.

Blue Elephant Yoga

Each month, local yoga teacher Mark shares thoughtful reflections drawn from his weekly classes in and around our villages - blending seasonal inspiration, gentle philosophy, and a touch of poetry. As summer begins to stir, we wonder here at Kirton News… what reflections will he bring us this time?

June is a month that seems to hum with life. Gardens are blooming, the days stretch long and golden, and there's a certain lightness in the air that invites us to pause and soak it all in. Yet, even with all this natural beauty around us, it’s easy to rush through it - busy with plans, commitments, and ticking off endless to-do lists.

This summer, what if we made a conscious choice to slow down and notice the little things?

Gratitude doesn’t have to be reserved for grand moments or milestones. In fact, it’s often the smallest things - the warm sun on your skin, the sound of birds in the morning, the scent of freshly cut grass - that can bring the deepest sense of contentment, if we allow ourselves the time to notice.

Practising gratitude isn’t complicated. You don’t need a journal (though you might enjoy keeping one!) or a formal routine. It can be as simple as taking a few moments each day to pause and reflect:

What small thing today made you smile? What simple moment lifted your heart?

Perhaps it was the bright splash of colour from a wildflower at the side of the road. Or how about hearing laughter from an open window, or catching the soft scent of honeysuckle on an evening walk.

When we begin to look for these tiny moments, we find that they are everywhere - little gifts tucked into our day, waiting to be noticed.

Gratitude gently shifts our attention away from what feels lacking or stressful, and towards what is abundant and good. It doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect. It just means balancing out the harder parts of life with a steady acknowledgement of its quiet blessings.

So as summer unfolds, why not try this simple practice:

At the end of each day, pause and remember 3 small things that brought you joy.

Say them aloud, jot them down, or simply hold them for a moment in your mind before you drift off to sleep.

Over time, you might find that life feels a little lighter. That the world seems a little kinder. And that you are, quietly and steadily, flowing with the season - open-hearted, and alive to the everyday wonders all around you.

Wishing you a joyful and gratitude-filled summer.