The Grapevine MagazineMarch 2008 Issue No 229 |
The village is certainly looking lovely with all the daffodils and there is a real sense of spring in the air as Easter approaches. As ever, there are a wide variety of events being organised in March from a Victorian evening at the School to Ferret Racing and James Bond evenings at the Jubilee Hall; as well as some special events planned around the Easter weekend.
Hopefully there will be something for everyone to enjoy. We wish all of you a very Happy Easter and hope the Easter Bunny is kind to you.
Louise & Beatrice
It is with sadness that again we have to report more instances of mindless vandalism at the Jubilee Hall. In addition to further damage to the hall itself, the equipment in the Krakatoa play area has also been targeted – breaking the windows of the play house. Not only is this distressing for the children, but the broken glass around the hall and in their play area could cause a nasty injury to one of the children. It is so disappointing that equipment and facilities that have been provided through village fundraising activities and from parish funds should be so wilfully damaged.
The Police are investigating this recent incident, so if anyone has any information our PSCO would like to hear from them either by calling the non-emergency number or at the Police Surgery. The Hall Trustees have looked into the benefit of CCTV in the past, and may need to again with this ever increasing problem.
We have been made aware of increased burglaries in the Chinnor area, mainly opportunist theft in daylight hours when people have their doors open and valuables are easily seen. So please be aware of any unexpected house calls, and always ask for identification.
You can report any suspicious behaviour, or, any non-emergency crime on the "Thames Valley Police" Non-Emergency Number, this is charged at local call rates. Our local Police do urge you to report any theft or crime, as every little piece of information helps to build up a picture of activity in a wider area. They will give you a reference number, and it only takes a couple of minutes:
This is an opportunity to speak, in confidence, with local officers about any issues – from neighbourhood disputes to problems with litter, graffiti and speeding – which affects you and your quality of life.
If you are unable to attend this local surgery, there will be another opportunity on 16 April at Watlington’s Parish Council Office, again between 4pm and 7pm.
Police Non Emergency Number: 0845 8 505 505
Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards team is alerting the public to a shopping scam aimed at the elderly which surfaced recently.
The warning follows incidents in Henley-Upon-Thames and Wantage involving telephone calls from someone claiming to work for South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC).
The caller asked to carry out shopping as part of a special service offered by the authority. On both occasions the intended victims became suspicious and contacted Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards. Trading Standards Officers have since contacted SODC, which confirmed it was offering no such shopping service. Oxfordshire County Council does offer a home shopping service, contracted to a company called Montclair. However, Montclair do not cold call clients in this way.
Head of Trading Standards Nigel Strick said: “Luckily both gentlemen who received the calls sensed something was wrong, but other members of the public could still be at risk from this scam. “
“We would like to urge people never to deal with anyone who calls or knocks at the door without an invitation.”
For further advice contact Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards on 0845 051 0845
Oxfordshire residents are being urged to put the squeeze on scam merchants by sending in suspicious mailings to Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards team.
As part of a national “Scamnesty” campaign, members of the public are being asked to drop off any potential scam mailings they have recently received at designated 'Scamnesty' bins or send them to Trading Standards.
Scammers currently fleece around £2 million from an estimated 30,000 victims in Oxfordshire each year. Elderly and vulnerable people are most likely to fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and dodgy get-rich-quick schemes.
Evidence gathered from mailings collected in 'Scamnesty' bins is expected to help close the net on scam merchants.
Scam mailings can be dropped off at: County Hall New Road Oxford, Thame.
For alternatives, please phone 01865 816310 or visit the web site at www.oxfordsire.gov.uk/tradingstandards
Or post to: Ian Marriott,Trading Standards, County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND
Email scams can be forwarded to trading.standards@oxfordshire.gov.uk
South & Vale Carers Centre in Didcot are starting a new project and are looking for volunteers. Would you be interested in helping out someone caring for a relative in their own home? You would be introduced to a household where the carer and the cared-for person are living, and asked to stay in the home while the carer took some time off: perhaps an hour a month, perhaps an afternoon a week.
This would all start off with an interview for you, and references sought, and then a short training course to equip you for any situation and send you free from anxiety into your future as a volunteer! We will take care in matching volunteers and cared-for people, and you would have constant support by phone when you need it as well as ongoing face-to-face meetings with colleagues and with Chris Elliot, the co-ordinator of the scheme.
Chris is waiting to hear from anyone interested, and has much information to give. Please email her at the Carers Centre on chris@svcarers.org.uk, or phone her there on 01235 510212. She will be delighted you’ve called!
"The Spell of Winter" by Helen Dunmore, was a very suitable book to read in January, the novel containing some beautifully written passages describing the countryside in wintertime. The story was of an intense relationship between a brother and sister brought up in a decaying county mansion before the First World War by their grandfather, after their mother had left and their father had died in an asylum. An evil governess spies on the teenagers as their relationship becomes an incestuous one and the novel becomes a dark and sombre one but ending with a ray of hope for one of the characters.
So to sum up, a well written book but not a bundle of laughs. Perhaps someone could recommend for us a book which might offer a chuckle or two.
One of us was part of the invited audience at the BBC for a discussion with William Hague on his biography of William Pitt the Younger. The broadcast of the recording can be heard on Radio 4 on the first Sunday in March and the following Thursday at 4.00pm. Hague was a relaxed and entertaining commentator on his book. He even didn't mind Jim Naughtie reminding him that he was now the same age as Pitt was when he died having been the leader of the government in the House of Commons (the title prime minister did not exist at that time) almost continuously since the age of 24.
This month we are reading Anne Enright 's " The Gathering" which won the Mann Booker prize in October and then for the first time we have a book of short stories " Runaway" by Alice Munro in March. After that we are reverting to childhood with "The Warhorse" by the children's laureate, Michael Mapurgo.As usual if anyone has a book to recommend (see above) or would like to join our group, I can be contacted on 01844 350 382. Elan Preston-Whyte
One of the (many!) distinctive features of Lewknor school has, for some time been its topic-based curriculum. For many years, pupils' learning has been planned around whole-school, often history, geography or arts based, topics. This has meant that the many different subjects the school is required to teach in addition to the core of English, Mathematics and Science, such as art, design and technology and music are threaded together through a web of activities all based on the given topic.
This approach will often lend itself to very 'hands-on' and practical learning experiences. Other key benefits are that pupils are usually very enthusiastic and engaged about their learning and that classes are able to work together as a whole school for workshops in school or to attend outside visits. Staff at the school have recently reviewed the curriculum and have been keen to implement a number of improvements
A three year cycle of nine topics will mean that pupils can go into far further depth and, under the guidance of their teachers, can take more responsibility for their learning.
The new long-term plan means that pupils will only follow one main topic for each long school term, but still allows time for special days and weeks to study topical events, such as the Olympics or World Book Day. It also means that teachers can plan to make stronger links to the texts styles they are studying in Literacy and can utilise IT more frequently.
The current topic is entitled Children in Victorian Britain and is proving to be a really fascinating and totally 'hands-on' topic. The beginning of March will see the children visiting the Victorian Experience at Reading Museum and Friday 7 March will be this year's transformation evening. Everyone is welcome to come along and experience for themselves something of life in a Victorian Home (below and above stairs!), a Victorian School Room and a Victorian See-side Resort. So pack you bathing drawers and visit the school any time between 6 and 7:30pm. We hope to see as many parents and friends there as possible.
forthcoming topics include Sustainable Living, a mini-topic on sculpture, Egyptians and Greeks and Rainforests. Do contact the school, if you feel you could contribute to these in any way.
LEWKNOR C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL 01844 351542The children have been busy with many exciting activities, including lots of cooking! This next half term we are going to learn about opposites, diversity, spring time and what grows under the ground. We will also celebrate World Book Day and Easter.
Don't forget that the Ferret Racing Evening will take place on Friday 14 March. Tickets are almost sold out so please get in touch quickly if you would like to attend. It promises to be a fun-filled evening!
To purchase tickets or to provide sponsorship, please contact:
Ali Brook: 07799 728 251
Cathy Hawkes on 07803 256 380 Thank you!
Shortly before Christmas both the District and County Councils finally received notice of how much funding they would be getting from central government for the next three years. The announcement was late in the budget planning cycle and was not good news. For this year both councils received increases which were well below the rate of inflation. The increases for the following two years reduce even further. This means that budgets will be tight and that more money needs to be raised from local taxation. Both Councils have struggled to keep increases to a minimum without having to cut back too much on services provided. For the year 2008-9 the tax increase for the County Council will be 3.875% and for the District Council a 3.5% increase is proposed. At the time of writing the District Council increase had still to be approved at the Council meeting on 21st February.
Despite tight budgets careful financial planning has enabled the County Council to allocate much needed funds for some key buildings in South Oxfordshire. Thame, Berinsfield, Watlington and Wallingford are set to benefit from Oxfordshire County Council's plan to provide replacements or facelifts for several buildings from which crucial council services are provided. Wallingford and Berinsfield Youth Centres, Thame and Watlington libraries and Thame Fire Station will each be allocated a part of the money that Oxfordshire County Council is to spend in coming years to upgrade buildings.
Locally we benefit with a total of £1.5million allocated or the replacement of Thame Library; Watlington Library will receive £100,000 to enable a new extension to be constructed; and a total of £1.5 million funding has been made available for a new Fire Station at Thame.
The Childcare Act 2006 requires every local authority in England to conduct a childcare sufficiency assessment, the aim being to provide (in our case) Oxfordshire County Council with the information it needs to identify gaps in the market and plan the steps to secure sufficient childcare. This means having the right type and volume of childcare to meet the needs of all parents and carers in the local community, but with a particular focus on meeting the needs of families with disabled children and those who are in work or who are seeking work.
A draft report of this childcare market assessment is now available for public comment until 14 March. These comments will then be collated and a final report will be published before the end of the month as an annex to OCC's Children and Young People's Plan (CYPP).
The Report is available on-line at: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/childcaresufficiencyassessment (Rather than attempting the full report, the four-page 'Executive Summary' may well prove adequate.)
If anyone wishes to comment this may be done by email to childcare.survey@oxfordshire.gov. uk or telephone: 01865 810 517.
From 1 April 2008 if you are over 60, or eligible disabled, your bus pass is changing. If you already have a free bus pass, your new one should be sent to you automatically, but it will not be accepted until 1 April so, until then continue to use your old one.
The new pass will allow you to enjoy free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England (not Scotland and Wales) from 9.30am (9.00 am within South Oxfordshire) to 11.00pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays.
Buses travelling from Oxford to London will not be classed as 'local' journeys so you will not be able to use your card on the Oxford Tube, National Express or the Oxford Express.
In London the pass will be accepted on London Transport buses but not on the London Underground.
If you are entitled to a companion, your bus pass will state this and this will guarantee free travel for one additional person. This only applies to travel within the Oxfordshire County area, however, so, if you require a companion whilst travelling outside this area, you will need to check with the relevant local authority.
If you have a bus pass, you are not entitled to travel tokens. However, if you would prefer travel tokens and are eligible, you can return your bus pass (after a 12 month period) and apply for travel tokens instead. For further advice go to www.southoxon.gov.uk and click on 'bus pass and travel tokens' followed by 'new 2008 bus pass' or call SODC's Concessionary Fares office at 01491 823413.
The recent acquisition of new staging has rendered the previous facility redundant. It takes the form of a number of substantial plywood boxes, very roughly metre-cubes, which are available for disposal – free of charge. Someone just needs to take them away. A few are currently stored outside the Hall, some others are still indoors. Access to the latter may be arranged via Gill Bindoff (01491 612663). If no one claims these items they will gradually be ferried to 'the dump' for recycling.
SODC's Standards Committee is responsible for promoting, maintaining and monitoring the conduct of its own councillors and of those of the town and parish councils within the district.
As an independent representative, you would be involved in local government without any of the demands of political life. There is no salary, but you can claim expenses. The closing date for applications is 14 March 2008. For more information email Jennifer Thompson at jennifer.thompsonsouthoxon.gov.uk or call her call on 01491 823619 If you would like an informal discussion about the role before applying, please call Margaret Reed on 01491 823656. RECENT LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONSEntries 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 is the most usual and is often amplified by specific recommendations and/or reservations. 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/E1231/RET | Beech Farm, Salt Lane — siting of ISO Containers. | N/A | appeal granted | |
| P07/E1166 | Church Farm — convert barn to office and erect four new dwellings | Approval | Current | |
| P07/E1167/L8 | Church Farm – demolish existing farm buildings, convert barn to office and erect four new dwellings | Approval | Current | |
| P07/E1263/CA | Church Farm — demolition of existing farm buildings | Approval | Current | |
| P07/E1458 | Mellon Place Std, Tetsworth – improve facilities | NSV | Current | |
| P07/E1603 | 12 Weston Rd, Lewknor – extended porch & detached garage | NSV | Granted | |
| P07/E1668 | Hill Barn Cottages, Adwell Road demolish /build new dwelling | NSV | Current | |
| P08/E0030 | Copcourt Lodge — replacement dwelling. | NSV | Current | |
The funeral of John Fane, took place at St. Margaret's Lewknor on Tuesday March 4 mat 11.30am. John served St. Margaret's for over 20 years as Churchwarden and member of the PCC. Amongst his many and diverse contributions to the local community he served as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. The Fane family has for many years been owners of the Wormsley Estate with close associations with Lewknor and St. Margaret's church. St. Margaret's remembers their contribution to the local community in the plaques and tombs of the family to be found in the church. John was interred in the family vault in the churchyard. May he rest in peace and be raised in glory.
We welcome all to our celebration of Mothering Sunday at St. Margaret's. This is not only an opportunity to celebrate our Mums but also the display of daffodils in the churchyard planted by the children of Lewknor C of E Primary School last October.
The Palm Sunday procession will take place at St. Lawrence Church, South Weston at 4.00pm not at St. Margaret's, Lewknor. All are welcome to this tradition celebration at the beginning of Passiontide, marking the last week of Jesus life. We will be assembling at Manor Farm, South Weston for the procession to St. Lawrence.
Lewknor Chiltern Gateway, which is the new A Rocha project in Lewknor requires a volunteer to help with communication. The volunteer would need: Excellent written skills & attention to detail; IT skills, although training can be given; Organisational skills; care for the environment and an interest in environmental issues. If interested, please contact Jane Pendlenton do The Vicarage, 46 High Street, Tetsworth, Thame, Oxon OX9 7AS. Or phone 07974 018482 or 01844 281827
As mentioned in last months Grapevine, we held a Staff Action Group meeting on the 7th February to discuss our goals between now and the Summer term.
Work has already started on the garden, and a work party is gathering on Saturday, 23rd February, to dig over two small plots and supply some manure! We will be drawing up a sowing plan and a system of maintenance. Details of our progress in next months Grapevine.
About 15 of us gathered on February 1st to watch a very inspiring documentary: 'The Power of Community', about Cuba's transition to a low-oil economy. We had a discussion afterwards, with two local farmers providing us with expert viewpoints as to the struggles involved in local and organic food production. There were some very hopeful messages, and we discussed the possibility of holding a local food market in Lewknor, perhaps using St. Margaret's as a base.
If you would like to borrow the film (DVD) please get in touch.
On Saturday 23'd February (in the past at time of print!) we will be gathering to help lay the hedge at the Northern Edge of the Churchyard, with assistance from expert hedge-layer Julia Morris. In time this will become a richly diverse ecosystem and 'wildlife corridor'. The hedge includes native species of bush and tree: field maple, buckthorn, hawthorn, dogrose and hazel. On the same day, volunteers will be gathering to dig over and manure the new school gardens in readiness for planting.
BLUEBELL SUNDAY: 27th April 1pm onwards Together with Natural England, we are planning an 'Eco trail' up on the Aston Rowant reserve, to enjoy the beauty of the bluebells. This will be suitable for children and adults. This will be followed by a short outdoor service at around 3.30pm. Do come for both or either part, all welcome.
KNITTING PROJECT: knitting sessions Wednesday March 12th and Thursday March 13th there will be sessions in St. Margaret's (or outside if sunny) between 3.15-4pm where knitting tuition will be available. We will be knitting squares for the blanket mentioned in last month's Grapevine, and help will be available from expert knitters if you need a reminder of the basics, or help with more complicated stitches and techniques! Children welcome, please bring No. 10 (3.25mm) needles and some double knitting wool if possible. We hope to have on display a fleece from Aston Rowant's very own sheep flock. We would also welcome any spinners living in Lewknor, Postcombe or beyond who would be interested in teaching spinning to the children at Lewknor School and to adults to get in touch.
CONTACT
If you would like to be involved in a small group looking at conservation issues in and around Lewknor, and discussing ideas such as a Local food market, or environmentally themed events, please do get in touch. Please also contact us if you have any queries or comments about our work.
Phone: 01844 281 827/ 07974 018 482
Address: Jane is now based at St. Margaret's and Lewknor C of E School on a full time basis. Postal contact can be made to Revd. Brignall at the Vicarage, 46, High St., Tetsworth, OX9 7AS
Motoring journalists, when casting around for an expression to denote absolute dependability of a particular car have been known to remark 'as reliable as your mum'. And let's face it, however wet the morning or however dreary the day, you know your mother will be firing on all four, just for you. Now is your chance to show her that you do really notice what she's done over all the years – buy her a beautiful magnolia for Mother's Day.
If her garden is on the small side, choose one that will thrive in a good-sized pot. Magnolia stellata is perfect for this, profuse flowering in spring with white or delicate pink flowers, depending on variety. Magnolia 'Susan', which produces glorious purple-red flowers with the bonus of fragrance, is another great option if space is limited. Then do the work of potting it up and positioning it for her so it's even less effort than putting a bunch of flowers in a vase. If she's got more space, get a bigger specimen delivered and planted for her. (It would be a good idea to liaise with your dad on this one!)
Now, if you are a mum, go out and spoil yourself – you deserve a treat! Here are a few pointers: Magnolia x loebneri is a wonderful shrub or small tree for the garden, producing masses of star-shaped flowers, 8-13cm across. Look out especially for 'Leonard Messel' which produces pale, lilac pink flowers or 'Merrill' for white flowers. For large goblet-shaped flowers that appear in mid and late spring, look to Magnolia soulangeana. 'Rustica Rubra' is a beauty, its purplish red flowers being reminiscent of a good glass of wine. Alternatively go for 'Lennei Alba' with its pure white blooms. Magnolia campbellii would be great if space allows (it is a bigger tree) because it produces those intriguing 'cup-and-saucer' shaped flowers. 'Darjeeling' or 'Charles Raffill' are two good choices.
Magnolias really can be the showpieces of a garden. Put the big ones in prominent positions or with other trees in woodland garden situations. Most prefer soil tending towards acidic, although some, including Magnolia stellata and Magnolia x loebneri, are happy in alkaline soils. They are very light on maintenance, needing nothing more than a trim in late winter to remove any untidy shoots that spoil the framework.
They do in fact personify what mums everywhere dream of: something beautiful that gives loads of enjoyment and asks for almost nothing in return! Newington Nurseries, Newington, Nr tadhampton, Oxon, OX10 7AW Tel 01865 400533 www.newington-nurseries.co.uk
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