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We have a very exciting term ahead of us this term starting with the news that the Pre-School is going back to its original name of Krakatoa! It was decided by the Committee and Staff that the Pre-School needed a bit of a face lift and so many people still remember and fondly refer to the Pre-School as Krakatoa that it made sense to revert it back to its original name.
We waved a fond farewell to Mrs. Selby at the end of last term due to retiring but we are very lucky that Jeanette Portnall has recently qualified to take over and we welcome her and her unending enthusiasm to Krakatoa. This term we will be looking at Spring and all that it brings as our project.
Term dates: Wednesday 18th April - Wednesday 25th July Half term - Monday 28th May - Friday 1st June
Please note there will be no school on Monday 7th May (Bank Holiday) and Thursday 3rd May (local elections and the hall will be used as a polling station)
Fund raising events to put in the diary;
Krakatoa, as you know is a charity run organisation and therefore, we need to fund raise as much as possible. Please help us to spread the word and should any of you have the following in your house taking up unnecessary space then we would be very grateful to relieve you of it!!
KRAKATOA'S WISH LIST;Finally, thank you for taking the time to read this and to perhaps note any way you can to help us keep such an important part of the village alive and well! Should you have any queries do not hesitate to call the Krakatoa staff on 07919081088.
THANK YOU from Shirley Moore
I would just like to thank everyone for all the lovely gifts I received at the end of last term. I very much enjoyed my time at Lewknor School and really appreciate all the good wishes from everyone.
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Oxfordshire County Council has launched the summer edition of its Adult Learning brochure - stuffed with Courses workshops and summer schools.
Enrolment with Oxfordshire Adult Learning Service starts 16 April and term begins on April 23 with a discount for anyone who enrols online.
Some of the more exotic new courses this term include: Flamenco dance in Spanish; Tui Na Chinese massage & acupressure; manicure - and Bag Yourself a Hat, a course that involves making colourful felt and then designing and fashioning your own hats and felt bags.
They are just a few of the hundreds of leisure and qualification courses on offer, giving people a chance to make new friends, learn a new skill, acquire an interest or gain a qualification.
For more information, a brochure or to enroll call 0845 351 0646 or visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk /adultlearning. Alternatively pick up a brochure from your local library or adult learning centre.
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A new health walks booklet has been launched by Oxfordshire County Council - after the number of schemes in the county more than doubled in just three years.
The Directory of Health Walks Schemes in Oxfordshire lists contact details for the organisers of walks in 24 places across the county - compared to ten schemes when the first Directory was launched three years ago.
Health Walks - described as purposeful, brisk walks undertaken on a regular basis - are free and are a popular introduction to keeping fit for anyone in need of regular exercise. Usually about one or two miles long, they also provide an opportunity to meet people.
Where can I find a health walk scheme?
Health Walks are organised in Benson, Henley, and Thame
Brian Conroy, a community development worker with Oxfordshire County Council, responsible for developing the Health Walks initiative across the county said: “Health Walks have mushroomed across the county, so we have had to do a new booklet, but I’m not surprised. Walking is fantastic exercise and the Health Walks are a great way to make new friends.”
For a copy of the Directory of Health Walks Schemes in Oxfordshire, please call Brian Conroy, on 01993 704007 or email brian.conroy@oxfordshire.gov.uk
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In April, we read “Old Filth” by Jane Gardam which interestingly, despite its title, turned out to be a beautifully written book with querky characters and an intriguing story. We all liked it and would read another by the same author.
Two of the group went to London this week to take part in a recording of a Book Club programme for Radio 4 with Germaine Greer. The book under discussion was her seminal feminist book “ The Female Eunuch” which she wrote as a young woman 35 years ago. James Naughtie introduced Germaine and then Jackie Graham, who had been primed prior to the beginning of the recording, asked the first question wondering whether men as a result of the book enjoyed a more stimulating female companion. This set off the discussion and an hour later it was still going strong!
For anyone interested in listening to the edited programme it will be broadcast at 4.00pm on Radio 4 on the first Sunday in July.
The May and June books are , “The Master “ by Colm Toibin and “Human Traces” by Sebastian Faulkes. In July we are reading “Restless” by William Boyd which someone has said ‘is difficult to put down’ so perhaps this is a treat in store.
Elan Preston-Whyte
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Big blooms for small spaces
Do you love the idea of bringing colour to your garden this spring? Have you got guests coming or simply want to achieve some instant impact for the family to enjoy? The answer is easy! Get into rhododendrons!
Let's start with the dwarf varieties. Perfect for pots and containers, these will flower year after year with only a small amount of basic attention. If your soil is acidic, either dwarf or bigger shrubs will thrive in the ground. To find out, get a testing kit from the garden centre, ask neighbours or simply look at the kind of garden plants that seem to do well in the locality - magnolia, pieris or heathers are indicators of an acid soil. Many rhodos are evergreens and these offer the added benefit of green foliage during the winter.
Potted dwarf rhodos are perfect for people who have to move house frequently as well as making an impressive gift - unlike a bouquet of flowers, they last for years! They're also great if your outside space is restricted to a patio or even a doorstep. They're a great way into gardening – looking after them is easy and removing the dead blooms after flowering, a little bit of pruning plus feeding and adding compost early in spring will give a sense of fulfilment and help to build confidence.
If you're making a shopping list, some possibilities to include might be 'Blue Tit'. This bears grey-blue flowers and makes a great choice for a rock garden. Another attractive choice is Baden-Baden with its cherry-red flowers. Each of these are compact evergreens and won't exceed 1 - 1.5m in height and spread. For exceptionally free-flowering varieties, go for 'Scarlet Wonder' which bears bright red flowers in mid-spring and reaches 1.2 - 2m in height and spread. 'Shamrock' is a little star at only 75cm fully grown. It's very hardy, tolerates sun and drought and bears pale yellow flowers in profusion in early to mid-spring. 'Moerheim' is even smaller at only 60cm. Flowers are violet-blue and profuse in mid-spring.
Another very hardy little shrub, it is happiest in full-sun.
If you're buying plants that aren't already potted, make sure you pick up ericaceous compost (for acid-loving plants), put stones or broken crocks in the bottom of the pots to aid drainage and water regularly until plants are established.
If you thought it was too late to enjoy a fabulous flower-filled garden or patio this spring, then check out the options from rhodos and prepare to be surprised.
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| Previous Year | Current Year | ||
| RECEIPTS | |||
| 14050.00 | Precept (see Note 1) | 4150.00 | |
| 195.23 | Bank Interest | 148.20 | |
| 26.25 | NALC Bursary Scheme | 0 | |
| 634.63 | VAT (inc Petty Cash items) | 801.64 | |
| 0 | Grants | 3932.00 | |
| 14906.11 | TOTAL RECEIPTS | 9031.84 | |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| 2275.00 | Salaries | 2386.92 | |
| 1679.09 | General Admin | 1733.14 | |
| 1164.28 | S137 Payments (see Note 2) | 963.40 | |
| 400.00 | Grants | 400.00 | |
| 128.32 | Grapevine | 122.85 | |
| 971.08 | Open Spaces Maintenance | 827.28 | |
| 3684.16 | LPRG&H Grant | 3477.32 | |
| 786.81 | VAT (See Note 3) | 1103.60 | |
| 0 | VAT (Petty Cash) (See Note 3) | 18.35 | |
| 0 | Gateway Project | 4563.49 | |
| 11088.74 | TOTAL PAYMENTS | 15596.35 | |
| RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS SUMMARY | |||
| Balance brought forward 1 April 2006 | 13117.36 | ||
| Petty Cash brought forward 1 April 2006 | 15.64 | ||
| Add Total Receipts | 9031.84 | ||
| Less Total Payments | -15596.35 | ||
| Balance carried forward 31 March 2007 | 6568.49 | ||
| Funds represented by: | |||
| Combined balance on the council’s accounts | 6687.51 | ||
| Less one unpresented cheque (810) | -129.54 | ||
| Plus balance on Petty Cash account | 10.52 | ||
| Total | 6568.49 |
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OCC’s periodic review of subsidised bus services has recently been completed and the new pattern will be introduced on Sunday, 3 June 2007. Timetables have yet to be finalised but, in brief, the changes are expected to be as follows:
275 (Oxford – High Wycombe via the A40) – Cancelled.
124 (Henley – Watlington – Thame) – To become daily, Monday-Friday (but not Saturday). Four journeys each way (except Tuesday when there will be only two), one of them via South Weston, the others via the Lewknor interchange, The Lambert Arms, Postcombe, Tetsworth and The Three Pigeons.
M1 (Stokenchurch – Reading via Lewknor interchange) – Reduced to one service per day (vice two) – expected to call at Lewknor at 09.05 with the return journey leaving St Mary’s Butts at 12.45.
‘Line 40’ – a new service (replacing the 231/232 and connecting Thame with High Wycombe via Chinnor, Aston Rowant and Stokenchurch), Hourly, Monday-Saturday
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About us
Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust provides mental health services to people living in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. This includes:One in four of us will experience a mental health problem during our lives. For every person who is ill, the lives of their family, friends and colleagues are also affected. It is at this time when we rely on help from our local health services.
Mental illness covers a variety of conditions to which we can all relate. It could be a young mum who is suffering from post-natal depression, a child with an eating disorder or an elderly relative with dementia. Whatever the illness, we all want local services that we can trust and rely on when they are needed.
Becoming a Foundation Trust
We want to provide the best services for our local residents. As a Foundation Trust, with your help, we can decide what services we need and what we spend our money on.
Bringing together the thoughts and ideas of staff, patients, carers and local residents will help us to become an independent and strong trust.
Getting involved
Join our Foundation Trust and have a stronger voice. Becoming a member is free and easy. Either fill in our application form online at www.obmh.nhs.uk or call 01865 782180 for an application form.
You can become involved as much as you like. Whether you want to simply receive regular updates on our developments or stand for election as a Governor who sits on the Foundation Trust council, the choice is yours. Whatever the level, your contribution will be really valued.
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Entries in the LPC (Lewknor Parish Council) Comment column will normally be confined to one of three options: ‘Approve’, ‘Object’ or ‘NSV’ (No Strong Views), the latter being the most usual. Entries in the SODC Status column will be ‘Current’, ‘Appeal’, ‘Withdrawn’, ‘Granted’ or ‘Refused’; all of which are self-explanatory. Further details of individual Planning Applications are available on-line, as follows. Open SODC’s Home Page at www.southoxon.gov.uk. At the top – click on ‘On-Line Services’. On the window that opens, scroll down to and click on ‘Use online planning services’. Then click on ‘View planning applications via the Planning Register’ and follow the instructions to find the specific application that you seek.
| Ref No | Remarks | LPC Comment | SODC Status |
| P06/E1179 | 9 High St, Lewknor – change to roof design of approved new garage. Appeal against refusal of permission. | Object | Appeal dismissed |
| P07/E0270 | Blue Cross Centre – erect ‘barn’. | NSV | Current |
| P07/E0426 | Adwell Farm Cottage, Box Tree Lane – replace obscure glazing. | NSV | Current |
| P07/E0432 | – Copcourt Lodge (in AR) – New stable block. | NSV | Current |
We shall have a new Parish Council on 3 May – 3 old faces, 3 new ones, so will need to update contact details next month.
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The May Launch
We hope that you have received an invitation to our official project launch, on Friday May 11th, from 7-9pm at St. Margaret’s. All are invited, but we must please have confirmation by email or phone, as soon as possible. There will be a limit on numbers that we can accommodate and cater for.May Launch: Request for offers of Cakes or desserts!
Would anyone in the village be able to supply a homemade cake or two for the launch? We are trying to use local ingredients where possible, and use recipes with rhubarb, as this is the only fruit in season at this time (although we stand to be corrected!). Any variety and shape and size however, would be very much appreciated.
If you would be willing to make a cake, or indeed any other food, please could you contact Jane as soon as possible, and by Thursday May 3rd at the latest. Contact Jane on jane.pendlenton@arocha.org or by phoning 01844 281 827 / 07974 018 482. We’d really appreciate your help. We hope to see you there on May 11th!
Ecoclub and Ecoschools Programme
As mentioned in the last issue, the Eco/ nature club begins on Monday 23rd April. We are prepared and ready to go, and hope to give you some feedback from the children in the next edition of Grapevine.
The school is also keen to get started on working towards a nationally recognised scheme called Ecoschools, which helps schools to work towards ecological awards recognising the good work that is already going on, and encouraging more work towards using energy and resources better and reducing waste. The children are at the centre of the scheme and it encourages their involvement and inspiration. The programme has a very clear website www.eco-schools.org.uk Updates on this to appear soon. If you would like to get involved, please contact us.
Environment Sunday, June 3rd 4-6.30pm- join for as long as you wish
Following on from the May launch, we have an outdoor and indoor service planned for ‘Environment Sunday’ on June 3rd. This is being supported and planned with SAGE, Oxford’s Christian Environmental group. The service will be in two parts. The first part will be held outdoors from 4- 4.30pm, at the Aston Rowant Reserve, just across the road from the Cowleazes Wood carpark. We’ll then make our way to the churchyard for tea and cakes, from 4.30-5.30pm, before an indoor service from 5.30- 6.30pm, where Revd. Dave Bookless from A Rocha will be giving a sermon: ‘Stewards of Creation’. For more details, do contact Simon on 01844 281 827, or look at the Sage website at http://www.sageoxford.org.uk/calendar.htm , or just feel free to come along.
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Lewknor Taxi Bus Saved
Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to provide funding for an innovative community transport scheme that will see the Lewknor Taxibus continue to run. The service, which has been under threat for some time, will be run by a community-based group. The group put in a bid for a County Council subsidy when it became clear that the cost of the commercial contract was too high. The service will be maintained partly by volunteer effort.
The community transport initiative was started by Angie Paterson in 2005 when the service first looked under threat. A small group are now establishing a Community Interest Company to provide the taxibus service. The bus will run to a timetable in the morning peak, but will revert to a demand-responsive evening peak service, which will also run later in the night (to 9pm) to make the service more useful to office workers who find themselves working late in London. Detailed negotiations are also underway between the community group and the county council over what other services they are able to provide.
Action plan to help address rural transport issues and needs in the district...
The South Oxfordshire Partnership (SOP), which includes representatives of both County and District Council, has agreed an action plan to help address rural transport issues and needs in the district, including concessionary fares and access to health services. A transport review group analysed large amounts of existing research and data and has identified a number of needs and issues affecting people in the district. Among the 23 new actions agreed to start to address the issues that had been raised were:
How good is your broadband connection?
South Oxfordshire District Council is carrying out a survey to find out how many residents have a problem receiving a satisfactory broadband connection. The Council wants to identify areas of the district where broadband provision is a problem, with the aim of eventually influencing broadband service providers to improve the situation. Whilst the district council cannot force service providers to tackle this issue, if it can identify areas where there is a problem it will be in a better position to talk to them and hopefully influence improvements. At present, it has no up to date information on the situation which hampers discussions with internet service providers on improving the situation. The project is part of the objective to ensure equality of access for all. To take part in the survey click on ‘Have your say’ in the ‘quick links’ column on the right hand side of the District Council website home page (www.southoxon.gov.uk)Local pub is first to get a Healthy Choice Award
Shepherds Hut, Ewelme, is the first pub in the district to win South Oxfordshire District Council’s Healthy Choice Award. The Council presented the pub with the award for its high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen, which were above those required by law. Healthier options are available on the menu everyday, and customers can enjoy their meal in a smoke free environment. The Council has run the Healthy Choice Awards since April 2005 and has given out 44 awards so far to local businesses, such as restaurants, takeaways and schools. The award is designed to promote businesses with excellent standards of food hygiene, which also help to protect the health of staff and customers by having a smoke free environment and offering healthy foods on the menu. Compiled by Angie Paterson.