A FAVOURITE POEM ?
Have you a poem you would like to nominate for the Grapevine’s Favourite Poem quest? On Saturday 25th June 2005, there will be a concert in St Margaret’s Church entitled “Favourite Poems and songs” with the Festival Choir providing the music and a variety of people reading poems. We would like to include a poem or poems in the programme suggested by readers of the Grapevine so do you remember a poem you learnt as a child or found as an adult which appealed to you?
We have already had requests for poems by John Betjeman, Philipp Larkin, Rupert Brooke and Robert Louis Stevenson. Some of the latter’s verses for children written over a 100 years ago still have a resonance for children (of even advanced age) today. Poetry can often express in a few words what prose may take sentences to achieve and lines committed to memory in the past have a habit of surfacing when a familiar landscape is glimpsed or an emotion experienced.
Do you remember the poem voted the Nation’s favourite by BBC listeners? It was “A Warning” by Jenny Joseph “When I am old I shall wear purple”. We have included this but our talented group of readers (including members of the Oxford University Dramatic Society) would welcome a challenge.
So send your suggestions to me Elan Preston-Whyte, ‘Knysna’, Hill Road, Lewknor. Telephone number 350382. Children’s suggestions particularly welcome and I will get them listed in future editions of Grapevine.
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OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CHILDCARE?
Is there a local need for an out of school childcare facility, to permit parents to work, train or attend classes? If you think that there is, and you would be interested in setting up and running such a facility, advice and funding is available from Oxfordshire County Council. Your first point of contact should be Ally Bull at
childcaredevelopmentteam@oxfordshire.gov.uk
or on 01235 549331
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BENSON 10K ROAD RACE (Bun Run 2!)
It’s time to put those trainers on and get your entries in for the second Benson 10k Road Race which takes place on Sunday 10 April 2005 at 10.30 am from Benson Parish Hall.
Money raised will go towards local charity groups and Asthma UK. £2,500 was raised in 2004. All finishers will receive a medal and a hot cross bun! Please send your entries in asap to ensure a place. Entry forms are available from Benson shops, and
www.bensonbulletin.com.
For more details please contact Les Bond on 01491 838585.
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Domestic Electrical Installations
With effect from the 1st January 2005 all electrical work in homes and gardens (including garages, conservatories, sheds and ponds) has been controlled under PartP of the Building Regulations. This means that one has to be able to demonstrate that electrical installations have been properly designed, installed, inspected and tested. The easiest way to do this is to employ a contractor who is registered with the government approved Competent Person scheme, as they can self-certify their work.
NB DIY work and installations by non-registered contractors or individuals will need to be notified to Building Control at SODC who will arrange inspection and testing, for which a charge will usually be levied. Failure to comply with the correct procedure could result in formal enforcement action,, prosecution, difficulty in selling a property and even insurance problems.
Details of the legislation and associated guidance, including a current list of approved self-certification schemes, may be found at
www..odpm.gov.uk
Further help may be obtained from SODC’s Building Control office on 01491 8237888 or
building.control@southoxon.gov.uk or on their website at www.southoxon.gov.uk.
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MINIBUS TO SURGERY
Patients without transport may book the Watlington and District Care Home minibus to take them to and from the surgery in Hill Road. To book the minibus, patients should telephone the Care Home direct on 01491 613400 between 9.00am and 5.30pm with details of their appointment. They will then be picked up, provided that transport is available. The minibus is able to take wheelchairs.
Patients should be aware that the minibus is not always obtainable as Care Home residents may have hospital appointments in Oxford or elsewhere.
Editor’s note: I have checked with the Care Home and this service does include patients living in Lewknor Parish, but as stated above the minibus must be pre-booked.
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FRIENDS OF LEWKNOR SCHOOL - AUCTION OF PROMISES
Once again the Auction of Promises was a lively and highly successful evening raising an amazing £3,500 for the school. Everthing auctioned was very generously donated by parents, friends and local businesses, so a big thank you to everyone who donated their time, services or goodies, and of course everyone who came along and bought them. The lots ranged from computer and jet-ski lessons; arts, crafts and indulgence hampers, Harry Potter memorabilia, a stretch limo, massages, a Barbie birthday cake and a football signed by Oxford United. The lot that attracted the most interest - and consequently some very tense bidding - was a top chef and butler for an evening.
Thanks must go to everyone who provided nibbles and also to Mr Marvel who did a fantastic job keeping all the children entertained while the adults spent their money!
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LEWKNOR PRESCHOOL UPDATE
Lewknor Preschool is delighted finally to announce the successful result of the Ofsted inspection. The overall outcome of the inspection was ‘good’. This is the highest possible result which can be awarded. ‘Lewknor Pre-school provides good quality care for children. The setting offers a clean, bright and welcoming environment in which children are valued and feel part of the community’.
In summary, ‘The children enjoy and participate in a wide range of stimulating activities which help them to develop in all areas. They are confident and good relationships with staff are evident.. The staff give a high priority to health and safety issues and act as good role models for the children. Partnership with parents is effective and welcomed’.
Hayley and her team are continuing with their hard work and putting into practise the recommendations of the inspection. This includes varying the pace and layout of the sessions to sustain the children’s interest. (An ongoing challenge many parents can identify with!)
Lewknor pre-school were awarded a ‘good’ result owing to the dedication and determination of both staff and committee. This result was particularly impressive as the new team were faced with the daunting challenge of an Ofsted Inspection within months of being appointed. On behalf of all the children and parents a huge thank you to everyone involved and congratulations!
For all waiting list enquiries please contact Ali Griffiths on 01844 352330
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AN AUDIENCE WITH STEPHEN FRY
A big thank you to Elan for organising a fabulous outing for the Lewknor Book Club. We travelled to Bush House in London to take part in Radio 4’s Bookclub programme. The novel under scrutiny was Stephen Fry’s ‘Hippopotamus’.
Stephen was on fine form and we were able to chat with him informally both before and after the programme. This man can certainly talk for England. He has a prolific vocabulary, sparkling wit and his lengthy responses to our various questions were engaging and informative. Stephen Fry deserves to be listed under national Treasures; it was a pleasure to meet him.
The programme will be broadcast on Sunday 6th March and repeated on the following Wednesday.
Tess Cooper
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RECYCLING
There has been some dispute over what does and what does not constitute a proper container to ensure that materials for recycling are picked up by the appropriate collection. They are the green boxes provided by SODC, clear plastic sacks, carrier bags and bins clearly labelled with ‘Recycling’ If you do not yet have a green recycling box (or two?), you really should have. They are free from numerous pick-up points; the most convenient locally are in:
Thame - the Town Hall, during business hours
Aston Rowant - from Mr Knight at the Old Vicarage (call 01844 351315 first)
Chinnor - Parish Council Office, The Village Centre, High Street, 0830-1230 weekdays
Watlington - 1 Old School Place, off Gorwell (call 01491 613867 first)