The Grapevine MagazineFebruary 2006 Issue No 208 |
Bus Stops |
War Memorial M40CEG Ridgeway Shuttle Bus Garden Waste Recycling Planning Mobile Library Recipe Corner Housing Strategy Dementia Web |
This term the focus of the children’s work is ‘Toys’. They will be exploring how toys have changed over the centuries (fond memories of life before X-boxes and Playstations!) and how toys work and are made. The Foundation Stage and Year 1 children had a very enjoyable visit to Banbury Museum last week where they learnt more about Toys. We would, of course, welcome any contributions/loans of old/interesting toys and would welcome visitors to speak about toys in their childhood.
We are grateful to St Margaret’s Church for its availability for our school assemblies. We continue to welcome visitors to our Friday morning Celebration Assemblies.
We welcome Mrs Karen Garrard and Mrs Anita Osborne to the school this term. Mrs Garrard will be job sharing with Mrs Needham in our Year 3-4 class, whilst I carry out some focused teaching with Year 6 children. Mrs Osborne will be working with the foundation and Year 1 children for one morning a week, to give Mrs Morgan her planning and preparation entitlement.
If you would like to visit us regarding a school place for your child (for 2006 or beyond), we will be holding an open day on Friday 10th March from 9.30 to 12 Noon. If this is not convenient, or you would like to contribute in any other way, please do hesitate to contact me at the school.
Jonathan Walker
Headteacher, Lewknor C of E Primary School
Telephone 01844 351542
E-mail: office.3184@lewknor.oxon.sch.uk
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The cars parked here mean that buses cannot pull off the carriageway and we feel increase the risk of a pedestrian being involved in an accident with fast moving traffic on the B4009.
We are considering that in the Watlington bound bus stop all parking will cease by making it illegal to park in the stop. In the Chinnor/Oxford Bound direction our thought is to simply ask the bus companies to use the Oxford Tube stops. It only adds a small distance to walk but has the advantage of lighting and a shelter. Cars could continue to use that stop as a parking area.
Before we do anything we thought residents might care to comment or make suggestions to the Lewknor Parish Council. An obvious concern is where the ‘displaced’ cars will park. Your views can be passed to Tim Bowie on 01844 281899 or at timbowie@hotmail.co.uk
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Christmas Events
The Christmas season saw a number of very successful events in the life of our Church.1st December - Coffee Morning
The season started with a very successful Bring & Buy Coffee Morning, which was hosted by Joanna Gordon at Home Farm. There was a larger attendance than usual, probably brought about by the 8.45am start and, as a result, we raised £315.00! This splendid result was entirely due to the hard work of Joanna and all he helpers. I would like to thank them all for this excellent result - the best for quite a long time!9-11th December - Festival of Christmas Trees
This event was most successfully organised by Brenda Lambourne in her own inimitable style! More than a dozen Christmas trees were set up in the church, fully decorated by the individuals who had applied to participate and fitted with battery-powered lights. The effect was stunning and I have never seen the church look more beautiful. Many people visited and enjoyed this magnificent event, which was a magnificent start to our Christmas events. Trish Smith obtained the largest number of the visitors’ votes for the best-dressed tree and for her winning was awarded the prize - a bottle of Champagne.11th December - Carol Service
More than 100 people attended the annual Carol Service and the singing was led by the Festival Choir under the direction of Sarah Hodge. Their solo contributions were “The Lamb” by John Taverner and “The Cowboy Carol”, which was arranged by Sir Malcolm Sargent. This is a fun piece in which the various sections of the choir simulate with their voices banjo playing in the background!24th December - Crib Service
This annual service was held at 4.30pm and was attended by nearly 70 adults and children. The carols were enjoyed by all and the Vicar involved most of the children in the thoroughly enjoyable recounting of the story of Christmas with a star that was eventually changed into a crown. This is a very popular event and we hope even more families will join us next year.Midnight Mass - 24th December
Traditionally this is the best-attended service of the year and this year was no exception! Nearly one hundred people joined us for the best start one could possibly have to Christmas Day and all participated lustily in the singing of carols!
Wasn’t it marvellous for all this to take place in a church that was warm!
Ian Orr-Ewing,
Churchwarden
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Trustees
The Committee and Trustees of the Hall are keen to recruit further trustees.The Trustees roles are to provide a ‘voice’ for the various organisations in the Parish and to ensure that the Committee act in the Hall and Parisioners best interests.
Meeting are held once every 2 months – usually on a Monday evening.
For further information please contact:
Jeff Jefford - 01844 281449
Gill Bindoff - 01491 612663
Penny McCulloch – 01844 353727
Caretaker
A caretaker is required, who would commit to checking the hall on a monthly basis.This would consist of checking oil levels, light bulbs etc and notifying the committee if anything needs doing.
At present this will be on a voluntary basis but ideally, funds permitting, there would be a small allowance paid.
For further information please contact Gill Bindoff – 01491 612663.
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Winter Glow with Cornus
If you really want to put heart into your home in winter, a real fire is the way to do it. The primitive energy of the flames takes us back to a time when warmth wasn't available at the flick of a switch. It's the same in the garden. A winter garden with vivid reds and oranges will be rewarding whatever the weather but especially on those fabulous days when the winter sun just peeps over the trees and rooftops.Wonderful allies in creating a beautiful winter garden come from the Cornus family. Two great choices of Cornus, or Dogwood, for winter stem colour are Cornus alba, including 'Sibirica', and Cornus sanguinea including 'Winter Flame'. However hard the weather, Cornus will still perform. In fact, the winter stems of these Cornus are enjoying their moment of glory right now which makes them a real asset when most of your plants are having a rest!
Dogwoods are ideal plants for a focal point in a place that catches the sun. They also work well in a waterside garden, by a pond or stream, where reflection can double ornamental impact on calm days. Contrasting underplanting will also emphasise stem colour. Cornus combines well with hellebores such as Helleborus foetidus. The bright stems of the Cornus stand out against the apple-green flowers of the hellebore without obscuring them.
Cornus don't only offer winter value. White flowers appear along the stems in spring followed by mid or dark green, oval shaped leaves in summer. By autumn, the foliage turns fiery-red when berries (inedible) also develop, black, white or blue tinged, depending on variety.
Tolerant of a range of soils, these fully hardy Cornus varieties do best in moist, well drained conditions. You'll get the most impact from the coloured stems if they're planted in a sunny position. Dogwoods need to be pruned hard (within two or three buds of the base) in early spring to guarantee vivid new shoots in the coming winter. When left to grow, they'll achieve a height and spread of up to 3m.
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In December we read “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant. This book had gained popularity by “word of mouth “ recommendation after it was published in the States. It was the first novel of a woman journalist who had previously written mainly for Jewish publications. It was set in the Biblical time of Isaac and his immediate descendants (so prior to Moses and the Ten Commandments) initially in the land of Canaan and then in Egypt near Thebes (modern Luxor). It takes a single chapter in Genesis describing the marriage of Dinah ( who is the narrator in the novel) to Shalem, prince of the city-state of Shechem. Dinah’s brothers, however, believing they are upholding the honour of their family slay not only Shalem but everyone in the city despite the fact that all the males in the kingdom including the king and his son have agreed to follow Hebrew custom and be circumcised. A case of adding extreme insult to injury!
The book club members were divided in their opinions of the book between those who had enjoyed the detailed description first of nomadic life in the desert and then the more sophisticated lives of the well-born in Egypt. Others found the endless descriptions of confinements which filled the first 100 pages mind-numbing and the sense of being cheated when the author revealed in a postscript that the rituals of the
Red Tent (i.e. the ceremonial tent to which all menstruating women retreated) were lifted from African literature as no record exists of the traditions regarding this in the Middle East. This seemed an interesting use of “research”.
For the New Year we are reading“ My Sister’s Keeper” by Justine Picoult and “Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell which was shortlisted for the Mann Booker Prize in 2004. If you are interested in joining the Book Club but would like to find out more first then I can be contacted on 01844 350392. Elan Preston-Whyte
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The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust sponsored walk is taking place in Oxfordshire in 2006 and for the first time this year it will be held in partnership with the Friends of Wychwood Forest. Funds raised will go towards the important local conservation work carried out by both charities. The date for your diary is Sunday 14 May.
The start and finish point for the walk will be the stately Blenheim Palace near Woodstock. A variety of routes have been planned to suit all abilities, starting with a short three-mile amble suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs and going up to a major 37-mile hike along the entire Wychwood Way. In between there are routes of around five, eight and 17 miles. So whatever your level, there is a walk for you.
All of the routes take in at least some of the grounds of the palace and there is plenty to see along the way. Pretty villages, meadows and woodland are dotted along the route and walkers should be able to enjoy all the sights, smells and signs of spring. To help children and the young at heart get more from their walk there will be special quizzes and activities.
It’s a great way to get out and about and enjoy the countryside, and you will be raising money for local charities at the same time. Contact the Wildlife Trust on 01865 775476 for a registration pack. As an additional bonus, everyone who raises £50 or more in sponsorship monies will receive a free copy of the national 'Wildlife Walks’ book, worth £12.99
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We are used to seeing them in France but here in Lewknor! Have there been any other sightings?”
To Jean Read
From Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals
I am writing to thank you very much for the donation of £150 to SSNAP which you and your granddaughter delivered to the Special Care Baby Unit recently. I was very pleased to meet you and I am extremely grateful for such a generous donation.
I understand that the money was raised by Paula Dormer at her fabric sale – I would be grateful if you could extend my thanks to Mrs Dormer for fund raising for the SCBU.”
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Barbara Mullins
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A few of the villagers thought it would be a fine idea to get a piano for the Jubilee Hall.
If anyone knows of anyone who would like to offload a piano (must be playable and of a reasonable quality), please contact the committee to arrange delivery.
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I would like to say thank you so much to all who decorated trees which which were admired and appreciated by all. I would also like to say thank you to Alan Saw from Chinnor for providing trees on loan and to buy – truly a wonderful gesture and much appreciated.
The Best dressed tree:Because of this, an article received recently on ‘grass verges’ will not be printed in Grapevine. However, we have passed it on to the Parish Council for their consideration.
We are delighted to welcome Chris Selby as the new supervisor of Lewknor Pre-school. Chris brings a wealth of experience having worked in a nursery setting for thirteen years, nine of which were spent running her own nursery in Princes Risborough. We wish Chris all our best and welcome her to Lewknor as a valuable member of the community.
Our topic this term is shapes and numbers. The children will enjoy looking at both 2D and 3D shapes and work hard at learning numbers 1-10. Art and craft donations are always welcome to help with topic work.
For waiting list enquiries please contact Ali Griffiths on 01844 352320.
Stephanie London
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Dementia Information Resource for Oxfordshire
Dementia Web is an all-age dementia information resource for Oxfordshire. It aims to help people with dementia, their friends, family and carers and health professionals find information about dementia and the support and care services available to them in Oxfordshire. Please visit: www.dementiaweb.org.ukDementia Web is a local collaborative project involving the Alzheimer’s society, Age Concern Oxfordshire, Guideposts Trust, The Dementia Information Service for Carers (DISC), SPECIAL (Specialized Early Care for Alzheimer’s) and the Clive Project.
If you do not have access to the Internet at home, you might want to explore one or more of the following ways to access the information on DementiaWeb:
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Registration involves completing (as fully as is possible after an eighty-five-year interval) a questionnaire seeking an assortment of details. Much of the information required is available but we would like to know the following:
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It is important to know the views of those who are suffering from this problem before decisions on surfaces or barriers are made BUT who exactly are you and where do you actually live?
To find the answers, we want to carry out our own noise monitoring, without having to rent expensive equipment or stand on windy footpaths or bridges for hours on end. In fact, our sort of monitoring can be done at the front door or in the garden, day and night, and you can involve your neighbours too – the more results, the better!
We need to plot the relative M40 noise levels throughout the whole of our parishes, not just adjacent to the motorway itself. It may be unscientific but even a wholly subjective judgement will tell us a great deal about the actual extent of this noise problem.
Here’s how it works.What happens then? We collate the results received from the various parishes affected and draw up our own ‘noise footprint’ map showing the areas of most and least noise. We then compare our findings to those from the Highways Agency to get an overall picture of the problem.
Hope to hear from you!.
The Police Authorities co-ordinating the patrols aim to intercept motorised vehicles driving within Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) areas of the Trail, and take enforcement action upon all users found contravening the order and driving illegally (without insurance, MOT, licence plates displayed). Those found driving within the signed TRO locations will have their licence details recorded, with fixed penalty notices being issued for contravening the TRO (issuing a £60 fine, with 3 points on the driving licence). Repeat offenders found driving illegally and without due care and attention, will be served with a ‘Section 59 warning’, potentially leading to the confiscation of the offender’s vehicle, using powers under The Police Reform Act 2002.
The Ridgeway will be regularly monitored throughout the TRO period by National Trail Office staff, volunteers, representatives from user groups along the whole of the Trail and through regular police patrols. In addition to written evidence reported by the monitoring, vehicle counters are collating evidence of actual levels of use, with cameras being placed at key locations along the Trail if vehicle use continues, to provide actual photographic evidence to be used to take forward prosecutions. Similar operations have been implemented in Kent and North Yorkshire Policing Authorities, with fines of up to £1000 being issued to those driving illegally.
PC Peter Hale of Thames Valley Police said, ‘We are now including the policing of The Ridgeway as part of our very successful operations against Hare Coursing throughout Southern Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.’
‘Some people are choosing to ignore the Traffic Regulation Orders, ignoring the Traffic Regulation signs. The Ridgeway is a public highway and drivers must comply with the same laws applying to this and any other public highway. The penalties for driving illegally on public highways remain the same, whether it’s The Ridgeway, or an alternative highway. So far we have recorded over 26 people found contravening the Traffic Regulation Order, one of whom has been issued with a formal notice under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002, with any further reports of inconsiderate/careless driving leading to the seizure of the machine.’
For further information/amplification, the National Trails Office advises, without prejudice, that the following should be contacted:
Traffic Regulation Orders – the Oxfordshire highway authority: Keith Wheal: 01865 810202
Alternative off-road driving routes:
All Wheel Drive Club – www.awdc.co.uk
Trail Riders Fellowship – www.trf.org.uk
Green Lane Association – www.glass-uk.org
Land Access Recreation Association – www.laragb.org
Auto Cycle Union – www.acu.org.uk
For motocross practice tracks in your area: www.mxtrax.co.uk
To report damage to the Trail and/or TRO signs: the National Trails Team – 01865 810224.
To report illegal use: Thames Valley Police: PC Pete Hale –Monday to Friday – 01235 556820 or pete.hale@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk. At weekends contact police headquarters on 0845 8505505.
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| Ref No | Remarks | LPC Comment | SODC Status |
| PO5/E1036 | Salisbury Lodge, S Weston - reprovide conservatory | NSV | Granted |
| PO5/E1086 | Adwell Farm Cottage, Box Tree Lane, Postcombe - extension to provide disabled access/facilities | NSV | Granted |
| PO5/E1142 | 6 Lewknor Close - Erect conservatory. LPC agreed to express no strong views | NSV | Granted |
| PO5/E1160 | St Margaret's Church - provide oil tank | NSV | Granted |
| PO5/E1230 | Mill House, S Weston - New stables and hayloft | Refusal | Withdrawn |
| PO5/E1233 | Mill House, S Weston - new garage plus porch extensions | NSV | Granted |
| PO5/E1334/RET | Beech Farm, postcombe - storage containers | NSV | Current |
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WINTER WARMER SOUP
3 tablespoons olive oilAdd the chopped onion and the diced bacon to the pre-heated oil in a large saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes.
Add the diced potatoes, carrots and celery; continue to cook, stirring from time to time, for several more minutes.
Pour in the chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, stock, wine and season with salt and pepper. Cook very gently, with pan half covered with a lid for 40 minutes.
Liquidise if a smooth soup is required. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
(By permission of Judith Payne and Aston, Kingston and Crowell parish notes)FIZZY ORANGE CAKE
Quick and easy to make – a firm favourite for the children to do.
You will need:What to do:
Set the oven to 200?C/400?F/gas mark 6When baked, sieve icing sugar over it and cut into slices
Just the thing for a half-term activity!
February 2006 No. 208