The Grapevine MagazineApril 2008 Issue No 230 |
In February we read Anne Enright's "The Gathering" which won the Mann Booker prize in October 2007 surprisingly beating Ian McEwan's "On Chesil Beach" which had been the hot favourite. It was a disappointment to find therefore that, once again, a prize-winning book was not necessarily a great book to read.
Enright describes the gathering of a large Irish family at the funeral of their brother who has committed suicide by walking into the sea at Brighton. The narrator, one of the sisters, has an obsession with sex so there is rarely a scene without some form of sexual act or thought to lower the tone rather than heighten the action. Maybe, authors and publishers might consider that too much of anything be it violence, sex etc, does not necessarily help to sell books.
Later in March for the first time we are reading a book of short stories "Runaway" by Alice Munro. After that we are reverting to childhood with "The Warhorse" by the children's laureate, Michael Mapurgo which has recently been dramatised to great acclaim at the National Theatre and following this "Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky. As a result of my plea for suggestions for more cheerful reading, I now have "The Undomesticated Goddess "by Sophie Kinsella on the list. Any other ideas will be very welcome.
It is being held to raise funds for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance based at RAF Benson.
For details visit www.abingdonfayre.com/tickets.php
Support Kidney Research UK by walking London's famous bridges
Enjoy a great day of sight-seeing and support Kidney Research UK by walking eight of London's Bridges on Sunday 6th July 2008. The London Bridges Walk starts and finishes at the newly refurbished Potters Fields Park on the south side of the Thames near Tower Bridge. Walkers will cross eight bridges between Tower Bridge and Westminster, including London and Millennium Bridges. Last year, over 1600 people joined the procession, and for many it was their first introduction to the capital.
It costs £8.00 per person to take part and this price includes a special event t-shirt. There is no minimum sponsorship required but walkers are encouraged to raise as much sponsorship as they can. We have a massive target of £100,000 this year — we need your help to reach it!
Community Fundraising Manager, Metin Tilki, says, "The walk is a wonderful opportunity for a great day with friends and family in the world's greatest city. The route takes you past many historical sites along the Thames and offers great views of London.
"2008 marks the fifth year of this event and we are looking forward to making it the biggest and most exciting London Bridges Walk ever. Be a part of something special and make a real difference by helping us fund research to save lives!"
For more information or to take part in the London Bridges Walk please call Kidney Research UK on 08456 12 12 26, or visit www.kidneyresearchuk.org
March has been a busy month with two successful fundraising events: the Ferret Racing evening on 14 March and the Easter Egg Hunt for the children on Easter weekend.
Not only were they well attended and good fun but the money raised will allow us to buy new equipment for the preschool as well as much needed equipment storage. We would like to extend a big thanks to everyone who participated in and supported these events.
Our next big event will be the annual Safari Supper on Saturday, June 28. Please don't forget to mark your calendars.
As there are quite a number of children in the village who will be of preschool age over the course of the next six months or so, we will hold an open house/coffee morning for parents/carers and their children on Wednesday, 14 May from 10 to 11:30am. Everyone is welcome to this drop-in session to get a better feel for the setting and to chat to the staff and some of the current parents. Of course, anyone interested in visiting the preschool at another time can always contact Jeannette Portnall direct on the Krakatoa number: 07919081088. Thank you!
While the internet can be a useful learning aid and a popular social medium for children. its uncensored nature means there can be potential threats; especially if they use chat rooms or messaging services. In order to avoid these dangers the followinq suggestions will help:
The two most important things are open family communication and up-to-date technology.
Some child-friendly search engines are: Ask Jeeves Kids, Yahoo Kids
Most common search engines such as 'Google' have settings to filter unwanted content. These can be found by clicking on 'Preferences' on the web page. For further suggestion on your particular software requirements, take a look at http://kids.getnetwide.org/tools/
So, set some rules, talk to your children, and prepare yourself by looking through these sites.
Other Useful Websites www.thinkuknow.co.uk - the site of Child Exploitation and Online Protection has detailed advice about how to stay safe online and on mobile phones.
BBC Safe Surfing Tips
The Internet Watch Foundation is where you can report illegal content
www.getsafeonline.org
www.younqpeoplesafeonline.com
| County Councillor | Roger Belson | 01491 612091 |
| District Councillors | Rodney Mann | 01844 281426 |
| Rev'd Angie Paterson | 01491 614033 |
A free event for Oxfordshire children age five and under, organised by Oxfordshire County Council's Early Learning and Childcare Service, is back for its seventh year. More than 2,000 children aged under five and their parents and carers are expected to attend the Oxfordshire Early Years Fun Day in Cutteslowe Park, Oxford on 26 June between 10am and 3pm. There will be a variety of entertainment provided from fairground rides to a traveling farm! Tickets for the free event will be available from 5 March by calling 01865 815535.
This is a very popular event and places are limited. Parents are asked to bring their own packed lunch and plenty of drinks. There is no entry without a ticket.
Work to replace the bridge over the M40 at junction 7 is due to begin in April. However the exact date is yet to be confirmed as at the time of writing UK Highways, who are undertaking the work were still awaiting confirmation of Traffic Orders - without which they cannot start. The M40 itself will not be closed (apart from a few overnight closures) but the bridge will be closed for a substantial period of time. Local diversions will be signposted and will not take people far out of their way. (Details in last months issue of Grapevine) Work at junction 5 will not begin until the work at junction 7 has been completed.
Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards is warning the public to beware of energy salesmen who use aggressive tactics and misleading information to brow-beat people into changing their suppliers. Reports have been received of salesmen trying to claim that they have the right to see people's utility bills, investigate a recent power cut or examine customers' gas or electricity meter. These cold-callers have no such rights and these are simply tactics which they are using to try and persuade people to change energy supplier. OCC's Trading Standards team is advising residents that if they wish to change energy suppliers they should check the information available on the Internet and then approach the company themselves.
The District Council has developed a new Design Guide and before it is adopted would like to get feedback from residents. This important guide helps shape what the district will look like, by setting out principles for good planning design. It provides guidance for new building proposals from small household extensions and alterations, to major housing estates. The guide identifies the special characteristics of local buildings and sets the tone for building across the District. It also gives advice and ideas about building sustainability, particularly important given the challenge of climate change on the environment. The council will encourage developers and local people to use the guide when preparing development proposals and planning applications, and ultimately lead to good quality designs for new development. For people considering extending their house, following the guide will be useful in helping them to get planning permission. The guide can be viewed at www.southoxon.gov.uk/designguide and the Council is encouraging feedback particularly on whether it is easy to use and understand, and if they think it will help improve the sustainability of buildings in the district. The consultation period runs up until 10th April.
South Oxfordshire District Council's website is in the top 10 percent of council websites in the country according to an annual survey published this month.
The survey, carried out by the Society of Information Technology Management (SOCITM), assesses how useful, usable and used council websites across the country are, and places them in one of three categories, Standard, Transactional or Excellent.
According to SOCITM, our website is easy to use, offers a good range of interactive services and provides up-to-date information. They praised the website for its online payments, particularly the one council's website achieved high praise, good website practice. Last year the and for the council's garden waste scheme which it highlights as an example of this year it has improved even further achieving an excellent rating for its content. SOCITM ranks it as one of the top 16 district council websites nationally out of a total of 238. It also has a very high level of user satisfaction, ranked fourth nationally out of 77 that use the SOCITM monitoring system.
Adult Learning courses run by Oxfordshire County Council are filling up fast – but it's not too late to enrol on a range of exciting courses. Hundreds of leisure and qualification courses are on offer, giving people a chance to make new friends, learn a new skill, acquire and interest or gain a qualification. The courses offer a wide variety of opportunities from skills qualifications to unusual activities which give people the chance to try something different. For more information or to enrol, visit the County Council adult learninq paqes or call 0845 353 0646
Complied by Angie Paterson
Season ticket prices have been slashed this Easter, as Cogges Manor Farm Museum opens its doors for the 2008 season. The reductions have been made as a gesture of thanks from Cogges and Oxfordshire County Council to the museum's supporters. Following a period of uncertainty the museum is looking forward to an exciting year - with an action packed events programme, including something to appeal to all ages.
The Victorian working farm will open on 22 March with reductions to the 2008 season ticket price The new prices will be as follows.
Adult season ticket now costs £18, when compared with a 2007 price of £27.50
Children can buy their season ticket for £7.50 (half the price of the previous £15 ticket).
Season tickets with concessions are now £15 (down from £18)
The family season ticket has practically halved to just £45 from an original price of £80.
Councillor Jim Couchman, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for social and community services, said: "A season ticket will earn you your money back in three visits. "I hope families will drop into Cogges Farm on a regular basis, to have a picnic in the orchard or tea in the Tea Room or just to wander around the grounds and the farm. Cogges Manor Farm is a unique attraction in Oxfordshire."
Easter Weekend will kick off the season with activities such as an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday 2; March, trails and craft sessions followed by old favourites such as New Arrivals (5 and 6 April where children can hold a duckling, meet the piglets or bottle feed a new born lamb. A new Children's Farm Area will also be launched this weekend with lots of special activities. Other forthcoming events include Peter Rabbit, Cogges Music Festival, and Threshing and Harvest
There will be a special "Kids Out" programme running throughout every school holiday: Tuesdays Recycling Workshops, Wednesdays - Baking sessions, Thursdays - Farm Fun, Fridays - Family crafts.
In addition to the themed weekends, there are the regular attractions including butter making, hand milking and Victorian cooking. One thing is certain, it's going to be a very busy time on the farm this spring. For full details please visit www.cogges.org or telephone
the museum on 01993 772602.
Emma Midgley Tel: 01865 810190 Mobile: 0782 5521526 Fax: 01865 247805
Email: emma.midgley
We are looking for keen volunteers to assist with the delivery of our education programme to visiting primary schools and community groups throughout spring and summer. We will provide full training in working with schools and you may choose to take a supporting or leading role, whichever you feel most comfortable with. Past experience of working with children is preferable but not essential. Visits are on weekdays and variable, you can do as many as you are available for, no regular commitment is needed, just sign up for days you can do. Call Jenny Crook on 01844 351833 or email jenny.crook
| Normal collection day | Revised collection |
| Tuesday 6 May | Wednesday 7 May |
| Tuesday 27 May | Wednesday 28 May |
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 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 | P07/E1166 | Church Farm — convert barn to office and erect four new dwellings | Approval | Refused |
|---|---|---|---|
| P07/E1167/LB | Church Farm — demolish existing farm buildings, convert barn to office and erect four new dwellings | Approval | Refused |
| P07/E1263/CA | Church Farm — demolition of existing farm buildings | Approval | Refused |
| P07/E1458 | Mellon Place Std, Tetsworth — improve facilities | NSV | Granted |
| P07/E1668 | Hill Barn Cottages, Adwell Road — demolish and build new dwelling | NSV | Granted |
| P08/E0030 | Copcourt Lodge (in Ast'n R't)— replacement dwelling. | NSV | Granted |
| P08/E0276 | 10 Watlington Rd — single storey extension. | Current | Current |
| P08/E0300 | 6 High St, Lewknor — complex extension | Current | |
At the March Parish Council Meeting, Anna Kennedy of the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC), presented the results of the recent Affordable Housing Survey conducted in-Lewknor (including Postcombe & South Weston).
In short, over a quarter of resident households responded with a mix of views. Interestingly, not all respondents were in favour of a scheme, there being some concern that if housing were to be built it would go to applicants from outside the parish. Local people do have priority. The present indications are that six one- or two-bedroom homes might be justified. 54% of residents who responded would definitely support a small development of this nature. Full details of the survey are available via Anna at the ORCC.
This project has the firm support of the Parish Council which has asked ORCC to proceed to the next stage, which is to consider the location of a suitable site for building. Assuming that such a site can be identified – and that it can be made available – and that there are no complications, it is possible that the houses could be completed in about three years, but this is a best case scenario and, at this very early stage, it is not even certain that the project will prove to be a viable proposition. Members of the Parish Council would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
This is being advertised to A Rocha supporters country wide but everyone is very welcome. If you are interested in coming along, please contact Simon on 01844 281 827 or simon.brignall
Come to watch this controversial film and to learn more about the most pressing environmental issue (or issue) of our time. There have been differing opinions about this film, but the majority of people who have seen it are glad to have done so. We will be following the film with a discussion at which Dr. Martin Hodson, lecturer in Biological Sciences at Oxford Brooke's University, and co-author of the recent book 'Cherishing the Earth', will be on hand to answer all your questions, scientific or otherwise. We will be focusing on having a positive and realistic attitude to this Issue and on the ways in which we can all make a contribution and feel inspired rather than dispirited. Do come along. Refreshments provided.
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. The trail will take place at 1-3pm. Meet at the main Aston Rowant Nature Reserve car park, off the old A40, at 1pm. For further details please contact Jenny Crook on 01844 351833This will be followed by tea and cakes in the churchyard at St. Margaret's, Lewknor, at 3pm, and a short service of celebration at 3.30pm. Do come for both or either part, all welcome. If you need more details, contact Simon on 01844 281 827.
Work began on our school kitchen garden in March, with the ground cleared, dug and weeded, and horse manure added to feed the new plants. Our first school gardening session was on Friday, 14th March. Several groups of children came to help prepare the soil, sow some spinach, and plant some herbs. They also learnt that it was most probably the Romans who introduced gardening to Britain, and that they also brought rakes! We would gratefully receive any donations of seeds, cuttings, or any plants suitable for a kitchen garden. Please drop them off at the school office or in the church porch with a note attached.
The Nature Club has met this term to have fun and learn about badgers, migrating birds, marine life, environmental organisations, global warming, bats and many other topics!
We have our first visit to the Nature Reserve of 2008 on March 31g, when we will be learning about dormice and putting up special nesting boxes to help monitor this shy and elusive animal. After the Easter holidays we will be starting our Summer programme, with mini beast hunting, wildflower orienteering, learning about trees and soil, and many other activities. We hope that the Nature Club will contribute towards an Art weekend to be held at St. Margaret's on the 5th and 6th July, where we plan to make a moveable Nature Mural for the Northern wall of the church, with the help of a group of A Rocha artists.
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
Email: jane.pendlenton
Herbs have played an important role in human societies for centuries — in romance, religion, health and food. So why not grow your own herbs and enjoy the delicious taste and fragrance of your own plants? Your produce will be so much fresher and tastier than that bought in the supermarket. Herb growing is also an ideal way to introduce children to the world of gardening. They'll delight in watching their own special plants growing into edible leaves ready for their home-made pizzas!
Creating a herb bed just outside the kitchen window or back door will make it easily accessible to the kitchen as well as being a wonderfully sensory area. Herbs can be planted directly into the ground or grown in a selection of terracotta pots. The ideal plan is to do both. You can even recycle old and chunky hardwood timbers by constructing a raised bed; the edges will be perfect for relaxing on at the end of a gardening day (and drinking a Pimms with some home-picked borage!).
There really are some 'must have' culinary plants for the herb garden. Fresh bay (Laurus nobilis) leaves give a casserole a wonderful flavour. Bay likes to be in a sunny and protected position but otherwise is hardy throughout the winter months. Lower growing and equally essential hardy herbs include oregano (Oreganum vulgare) and sweet marjoram (Oreganum marjorana) as well as a selection of thymes such as Thymus Silver Posie and Thymus Doone Valley.
Chives, French tarragon, garlic, parsley, rosemary (try Mrs Jessopps Upright in the bed and Prostratus in a pot) and sage (green and purple varieties) are other hardy musts. One of the most flavoursome herbs is basil which can be planted out in the summer but must be dug up and over-wintered in a pot in the conservatory or on the kitchen window sill. All are perennial except for basil which is an annual and parsley which is a biennial.
And don't forget mint, another necessity but a rampant one so is best planted in a large pot, at least 30cm across, and partially plunged into the ground to help retain the moisture. Keep cutting the mint during the summer to ensure it remains lush. Try growing Mentha spicata (garden mint, ideal for cooking with new potatoes) and Mentha spicata var. crispa 'Moroccan' (perfect for mint sauce or mint jelly).
For fragrance, plant chamomile, chocolate mint, curry plant, lavender, lemon balm and pineapple sage. Brushing against these plants will produce a heady aroma which is at its most pungent during early summer evenings.
Herbs really require very little maintenance. They're easy to grow and rarely suffer from pests and diseases. They like to be in a sunny position and planted in very well drained soil that isn't too fertile. Of course some fertiliser can be added to the new bed during preparation but after that, all your herbs will need is watering when the ground becomes too dry.
Make sure you keep them healthy and bushy by regular trimming and of course those fresh leaves can be used straightaway either in cooking or around the house for bursts of summer fragrance. Of course it isn't going to be possible to use all of the leaves during the summer so once picked, simply rinse them, dry with some kitchen roll and freeze in bags or plastic containers. They can be used straight from the freezer during the winter months to flavour warming soups and casseroles – and to remind you that summer is just around the corner!
Newington Nurseries, Newington, Nr Stadhampton, Oxon, OX10 7AW TeI 01865 400533
www.newington-nurseries.co.uk