What’s happening in Willoughby?
Read all about it here – and if you want to contribute, email us willoughbypc@hotmail.com!
Church Services inc Carols for All
Beginning on 3rd December with a Toy Service, St Mary & All Saints has released their service calendar for the advent period and beyond. View all services. The popular Carols for All event will be held on 10th December:
Christmas Fair – 9th Dec 2023
Willoughby’s annual Christmas Fair signals the start of the festive period for many residents! This year's event will take place on Saturday 9th December from 1.30pm - 3.30pm, in the church. Join us for mulled wine and festive nibbles, lots of stalls selling gifts and...
CANCELLED Back to the 80s! Disco & Dinner – Sept 23rd
Due to lower than hoped-for ticket sales, we have reluctantly cancelled this event. If you have paid for tickets, we will be in touch to arrange a refund. - The village hall committee.
Back Lane Roadworks, July 2023
The parish council has received notice of planned roadworks on Back Lane in July.
Noise Action Plan by East Midlands Airport
East Midlands Airport is consulting on their 5-year Noise Action Plan and are seeking your views to help shape the plan. They say, "We are committed to minimising the impact of airport operations on neighbouring communities. The plan includes a range of actions and...
Update on Prestigious Road Race through Willoughby
**Updated 16th June** The East Midlands Road Race Championships, which will include the West Midlands Women's Championships, is set to take place on the roads in and around the villages of Willoughby and Widmerpool. This highly anticipated event is scheduled for...
Electric Cars – advice on switching.
The parish council has been made aware of a new resource which offers advice about switching to electric vehicles. Electric Car Guide is a guidance site for new EV owners. It supports owners with educational guides and resources to helps them transition from petrol...
Tree Planting Scheme – grants available!
Do you want to leave a positive lasting impact on your land by planting trees? If so, Trees for Climate will give you the tools to put down roots in your local area that will last for generations. Your trees will stand as a positive legacy for a brighter future, a...
Safari Sale, 29th April 2023
The popular Safari Sale returns on Saturday 29th April, 10am - 1pm! What is a safari sale? People lay out their goods for sale on their drives and gardens in a similar manner to a car boot sale. How do I take part? If you'd like to take part, please email...
Runaround Supper, 20th May: Tickets on Sale!
Willoughby's Runaround Supper is finally making a welcome return after a COVID-enforced break! It will take place on Saturday 20th May, from 6.30pm.Click here to download a PDF order form. You can then print out the form and deliver it to Jane Watson at 51-53 Main...
Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan Consultation
You are invited to have your say about the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan. Comment by Tuesday 14 February 2023 The Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan will guide development in Rushcliffe, Broxtowe, Gedling and Nottingham City up to 2038. The ‘Preferred Approach’...
Planned Roadworks in Willoughby – Feb 2023
The local council has a number of roadworks planned for Willoughby in the new year - on Chapel Lane, London Lane and Church Lane, For full details click here to download a PDF. Wednesday 8th February 2023 to Friday 10th February 2023 Chapel Lane, Willoughby on the...
Christmas Fair 2022!
This year's Christmas Fair was a great success, raising £630 for village groups! Many residents and locals came to support the event; we had a wide range of stalls - some new for this year, plus festive games and refreshments. The children were excited to meet Santa...
Consultation: Devolution for the East Midlands
You are invited to have your say about the proposed devolution deal for the East Midlands. The consultation will run until 9 January 2023 and all residents, businesses, voluntary and community sector and other stakeholders are encouraged to give their views. You can...
WOW Breakfasts are back!
After a COVID-enforced break, many of us were happy to see the return of this village favourite earlier in the year! The WOW Village Breakfast turns 10 in October 2022 - come along to celebrate! It takes place every second Sunday of each month from 9.30am - 11.30am in...
Bowls club & bar open to all, Friday evenings!
The bowls club has successfully applied to extend their licencing hours. Villagers and friends have enjoyed getting together at the club, which has seen a surge in membership and has recently held a few ticketed social events. Everyone - including non members - are...
Open Gardens 2022: Sunday 19th June
The beautiful and varied gardens of Willoughby on the Wolds will once again be open to the public for this year’s Open Gardens event. The event is always well attended and popular both with locals and with those who come from further afield – everyone is very welcome!...
Zipwire at Willoughby Community Park!
A message from Willoughby Community Park Association: We are still raising funds for the ZIPWIRE at Willoughby Park. If we can raise just £1,000 more over the next few weeks we will be able to buy and install it in July, ready for the Summer holidays! Thank you so...
A History of Bailey’s Croft, Willoughby
The Wolds Historical Organisation has published an interesting history of Bailey's Croft in Willoughby. The research looks at the Bailey family and the land and buildings associated with the Baileys from the 18th century to the modern day. Click here to download a PDF...
A new chapel roof!
Our chapel, which houses the historic 13/14th century alabaster tombs of the Willoughby Family, has been re-roofed at a total cost of over £30,000. This work, completed in December 2021, has only been possible due to charitable grants from: The Lord Middleton...
Resident post: My expedition to Rockall in 1971
In 1971, as a newly qualified geologist, Willoughby resident Dick Merriman was given "a dream start to his career". He was chosen to be part of a team that would land on the uninhabited islet of Rockall, with the purpose of attaching a flashing navigation beacon to...
2022 Footpath Report
Village resident Rob Bowyer acts as our Footpaths Officer; below you can read his annual report. Notts County Council Rights of Way officers are beginning to get back to normal on their work, having asked everyone to bear in mind, that because of the COVID-19...
Willoughby’s plans for the Jubilee weekend!
Make this a celebration to remember! Plans for Willoughby's celebrations of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee are detailed below. We will celebrate a unique milestone in our history - Her Majesty The Queen’s 70th year as our Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth - her...
Children’s Writing Competition
The children of Willoughby have been invited to enter a fun writing competition! The parish magazine - the Church and Community News - has set up a competition for budding young writers. The closing date is 14th March. All the information you need can be found below.
Queen’s Jubilee Mugs Available for Residents
In June next year Her Majesty The Queen celebrates 70 years reign, making her the longest serving monarch in the World and also, at 95 years, the oldest. The parish council are mindful of having a celebration China mug produced bearing a colour picture of the Queen...
Remembrance Service | 14th November
We will remember them - a service of Remembrance. This will be a Covid-cautious service – please wear a mask. When? 10.45, Sunday November 14th. Where? St Mary and All Saints, Willoughby on the Wolds.
Harvest Festival 2021
On Sunday 3rd October, come along to the family service, followed by coffee and cake at Willoughby's church - St Mary and All Saints.
Big Vax-the-Nation Weekend 25th – 28th June
Walk-in Covid-19 jabs for all adults will be available from Friday 25th to Monday 28th June in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire as part of Nottinghamshire’s Big Vax-the-Nation Weekend for vaccinations. All eligible adults can come and grab a first or second jab from...
Protect your Pooch with the Neighbourhood Watch
In response to the increased fear of pet theft, Neighbourhood Watch has launched our PROTECT YOUR POOCH campaign. You can support the campaign by acting on their advice & you can help make pet theft a specific criminal offence by signing a petition or writing to...
Thanks for supporting the Safari Sale!
Thanks for coming out to support the FOWS Safari Sale on Saturday 24th April! Lots of villagers and people from further afield came along to browse, buy and have a chat with their neighbours. It was a really lovely day - good weather, lots of stalls and a chance to...
The Duke of Edinburgh – book of condolence
The Duke of Edinburgh | 1921 - 2021 It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle. Click here to sign...
Church Newsletter & Easter Day Service
It's almost Easter and whilst we can't be together to mark it, our village church has been busy! On Sunday 4th April at 9.45am you'll find an Easter Day service available to watch here. You can also download the latest church newsletter by clicking below: April...
Do you want to be a Parish Councillor?
Willoughby on the Wolds Parish Council needs you! The current four year electoral cycle of local parish councils is drawing to a close. New parish councils will be elected in the Willoughby on Thursday the 4th May, 2023. If you are 18 or over and feel you could make a...
Have you completed the census?
Census Day is 21st March, 2021. Visit the government's census website to find out how to complete it. You must complete the census, by law.
Autumn 2020 News from Willoughby Wood
Willoughby's beautiful Millennium Wood is maintained by a wonderful team of volunteers. Now led by Dick Merriman - and before that for many years by Brian Thornally - the team looks after the trees, maintains the pathways and sees that any jobs that need doing are...
Community Post | Where in Willoughby? A Village Trail
I've taken pictures of interesting features around Willoughby - can you find them all? Trails 1 - 3 cover West Thorpe, part way down Main Street and round the back of the school! You don't need to go on any private property and it's fun for adults & children :-)...
Community Post | Family Friendly Activities
Below is a range of family and kid-friendly activities, some great for home-schooling, others just for general interest. Resources spreadsheet: this spreadsheet includes 5 tabs but the second may be especially useful - Kid Stuff! Family Zone: this website, from...
Community Post | Hedgerow Foods: Nettle Soup
This is the ideal time of year to make use of hedgerow foods. The present shortages will challenge our skills in making food stretch further. When going for your daily walk around our wonderful countryside, take a plastic bag and a pair of rubber gloves. The nettles...
Local Businesses Delivering To Willoughby
During the Coronavirus pandemic, there are a number of local businesses who are delivering supplies to Willoughby. Below is a list of the ones we know of so far but please let us know in the comments if you there are others. Please also note that the situation can...
Community Post | Music Quiz Round!
Willoughby loves a quiz and with the planned Church Fun Quiz now postponed, the church team has released its music round for your entertainment! Below are an mp3 file (that should play on most devices) and a sheet for your answers, plus some instructions....
Community Post | Volcano Experiment
This is a great science experiment to try with your parents' help! (please note to maintain privacy we have used children's first initial rather than their first name) H firstly created his volcano using news paper, glue and water. He moulded the paper around a...
Coronavirus: Community Support
A message from Willoughby Parish Council Willoughby-on-the-Wolds Community Action: Who is your neighbour? During the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, some people living in our parish may feel the need to self-isolate for reasons of age, illness or vulnerability to...
Notts County Council app released
Nottinghamshire County Council's mobile phone app - 'MyNotts' - is now available for residents to download. The MyNotts app will make it quicker, easier, and more convenient for local people to access council services. Residents can download the app on android or...
FOWS can Recycle your Stationery!
Friends of Willoughby School has signed up to the BIC writing instruments recycling scheme to encourage our children and you to recycle, and to raise funds for the school! This is an ongoing scheme; we need to get 15kg together to make each shipment, so anything from...
Tea Party & Bake Off 2019!
The Willoughby Tea Party & Bake Off has become a hotly anticipated village event. Come for the all you can eat cakes, savouries, tea, coffee & soft drinks and stay for the Bake off competition! When? Sunday 15th September, 2.30pm - 4.30pm Where? Willoughby...
Willoughby Playgroup goes from Strength to Strength!
Willoughby on the Wolds Pre-School Playgroup has been running for over 40 years and shows no sign of going anywhere! The Pre-school runs every weekday except Friday, and makes full use of its facilities and the benefits of being in a rural, village community. No...
Willoughby’s “Outstanding” Primary School
Willoughby Primary School is one of the elite group of the county’s schools to have been assessed by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’. As of November 2017, out of all 337 schools in the county, 15% of Nottinghamshire’s primary schools were ranked as outstanding. The School’s...
Willoughby’s Open Gardens Success!
Our Open Gardens event this year was a huge success. Thank you to all our visitors and to everyone who opened their gardens or helped with other many other activities to make it such a great afternoon (and thank you to the weather too!) We had nearly 600 visitors and...
Festive Cheer at the Christmas Fair!
Willoughby's annual Christmas Fair signals the start of the festive period for many residents! Held in the church at the end of November, there was a variety of stalls selling homemade cakes, jams and chutneys, Christmas cards & wrap, toys and gifts, art work and...
No Soggy Bottoms at Willoughby’s Tea Party & Bake Off!
Many thanks to everyone who attended the now annual Tea Party & Bake Off in September! The event was a great success, raising inexces sof £500 for the villages Pre-School Playgroup. The floral bunting, vintage crockery and the flowers from Wysall's Flower Farm...
Grasses in Willoughby – so much to see!
There is a whole world of grasses at our feet waiting to be explored and appreciated as part of the scenery and of our rural environment. If we count the cereal crops, which we should include because botanically and genetically they belong amongst the grasses, then 26...
Churchyards as Time Capsules
The thought that a church yard is full of echoes of the history of its parish and of rural England is deeply embedded in our culture, and I feel conscious of it whenever I sit on the seat for a rest and a think, or cut the west hedge. The sentiment appears in...
Wildlife of Willoughby
Willoughby has no formally designated wild flower gardens, though some gardens are semi-wild by default, including mine. In its wildness some cowslips mysteriously colonised my front lawn many years ago, and with no encouragement beyond taking care to avoid them with...
Birds to Spot in Willoughby
I think I have identified over 40 species of bird in Willoughby in recent years, but I dare say that there are many residents, far more expert in ornithology, who could name many more. Of all the vertebrate wild animal life, it is probably the birds which attract the...
Signs of Autumn in Willoughby
“To autumn” by John Keats (1792-1821) must surely be one of the most quoted poems in English, with its “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”. But what of our local natural history in autumn, and of its fruitfulness? As drivers we’re not always pleased to see the...