The Grapevine MagazineNovember 2008 Issue No 236 |
Improvements for the Future Purpose and Function of our Church
ST. MARGARET’S QUESTIONNAIRE:Be involved & have your say at the village meeting on Thursday 4th November
St. Margaret’s church continues to be a place of worship on Sunday as it has been for the last 900 years. We have also started over the last year, through the Gateway project, to use the church at other times throughout the week; for events with a theme of caring for the created world, for school activities, and as a place where visitors to the nearby Aston Rowant Nature Reserve can come to learn more about the wildlife and countryside and have a sit down and cup of tea. St. Margaret’s is also used by other groups like the Festival Choir for concerts, and on occasions by Natural England for meetings.
Using the church in these different ways to benefit the whole community could be said to be a form of worship complementing the Sunday worship offered by the congregation of St. Margaret’s.
To make further activities possible, and to ensure the upkeep of this beautiful Grade 1 listed building, we need to make some improvements to the facilities on offer: toilets, better heating and lighting, and a dedicated space for group meetings for example. Plans are therefore at an early stage for a‘re-ordering’ (internal improvements and upgrading) of the church, by a local architect Jeremy Bell of JKS Architects, Adwell.
If you would like to have your say and be part of the ongoing plans for the future of St. Margaret's, please make your views known by filling in the questionnaire on the next page.
There will be a Public Consultation Meeting: Thursday 4th November at St. Margaret’s, 7pm to discuss the results of the questionnaire, and to hear more about the architect’s plans and brainstorm further. Please do come and contribute your views and ideas, whether you have filled in the questionnaire or not. All welcome. Your views and opinions will be included in the discussions with the project architect.
There will also be a village consultation towards the end of the year at which the results of this questionnaire will be considered. Members of the electoral roll at St. Margaret’s will also shortly be sent a separate letter of consultation. The Parochial Church Council hopes that the final proposals for reordering the church building will enable our church to offer a place of worship, recreation and work for the whole community.
The questionnaire is below: Please write your answers with the number of the question clearly marked and post to Revd. S. Brignall, The Vicarage, Tetsworth, OX9 7AS, or email them to jane(.)pendlenton(@)googlemail(.)com.
There will be a bottle of wine for the first reply drawn out of a hat, so please mark your name and contact details clearly.
QUESTIONNAIRE: St. Margaret’s- Question 1 - Sunday School: Would you like to see a separate area for Sunday School and other activities?
- Question 2 - Toilet Facilities: Do you see a need for toilets?
- Question 3 – Seating Would you be in favour of a more flexible seating system?
- Question 4 – Refreshments: If you are a regular visitor to the church or churchyard, would you like the opportunity to have refreshments in warm surroundings?
- Question 5 – Other Uses for the Church: Are you in favour of the church being available for other functions: for example a regular Farmer’s market, small group meetings, concerts, dramas and film screenings?
- Question 6 – Other Comments about the uses of the Church: Are there any comments you wish to make concerning the church building and the various ways in which it could be used?
SCHOOL NEWS
Starting School September 2009
If your child was born between 1st September 2004 and 31st August 2005, you must apply for them to begin school in September 2007. ‘Starting School’ booklets have been distributed through pre-schools and further copies are available from school. Applications must be submitted by 14th November and can be made on line at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/admissions or through the school.
Applications to join in any other year group can be made through the school office at any time.
The school in Lewknor was built in 1836 and it continues to play a central role in the life of the community. The children use the church a number of times a week and use the village hall and sports field throughout the year. The school plays host to the parish council and Friends of Lewknor School (FOLS) events are attended by people from a variety of people from around the village who are keen to show their support.
There are currently 77 pupils on role and the school is well staffed, allowing the children to be organised in 4 classes for English and Mathematics lessons (with average group sizes of less than 20) and allowing for a PE specialists to deliver additional high quality PE and games.
2008 has seen all the pupils begin to work the land in the school’s new organic kitchen gardens, which are already helping the children to have a ‘beyond the supermarket shelf’ understanding of healthy eating and diet. In September the school started Greenkidz after-school and holiday childcare which is already proving popular.
If you are interested in a place at the school this year or for a child starting school in September 2009, please contact the school for more information, to arrange a visit or to obtain a copy of the ‘Starting School’ booklet.
School Book Review
Thea, Year 6
Title: Broken Horse
Series: The Saddle Club
Author: Bonnie Bryant
Main Characters: Lisa, Stevie and Carol
Setting: The book was set in a riding stables in Australia.
Synopsis: The main storyline is that the girls find a horse that’s almost dead and nurse it back to health.
What did you like about this book? I liked the way the book builds up the suspense and that there is also humour.
How could the book be improved? The book would have been better if the horse’s injuries hadn’t been so drawn out.
Grade: Excellent
LEWKNOR C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL - 01844 351542 : www.lewknor.oxon.sch.uk
The children are busy at usual at Krakatoa, currently learning about autumn colours as we watch the trees change.
On 10 November at 10am, the pre-school will host a coffee morning for parents and carers in the village. If you are interested in getting together (with or without children) for coffee, cakes and a chat, please come along! Jean Senior has very kindly offered to host. If this proves successful, we hope to make it a monthly event with rotating hosts.
We are also in the process of developing a website for the pre-school. We are woefully short of technical expertise and if anyone has experience, a bit of time and is willing to help out, please let us know! Thank you, Krakatoa Pre-school 07919081088
Lewknor Chiltern Gateway
ECO SCHOOLS
The garden is now being cleared to make way for soil improvement- namely the addition of well rotted manure kindly donated from Mrs. Davies’ horses! We will also be sowing some ‘green manure’ to grow over the winter months. The children are able to garden on Friday afternoons and some lunch times. If you could spare an hour on a Friday or indeed at any lunchtime to help more children take part in the gardening, please contact the school office or Jane on 07596 713 642. No experience of gardening necessary.
At our first Eco School Action meeting this term, we agreed to work towards:
- An energy saving of 5% on last year. We are able to compare our weekly readings with those from
- the same time last year, and so far, we are achieving our target!
- Encouraging pollution free safe travel to school with ‘Cycle to school’ days
- Improvements to the school garden
- A toy and game ‘swap shop’ to be held at the school in the second half of Autumn term
- Obtaining loft insulation for the school, using sheep wool if possible.
Thursday November 27th 2008, 7.30pm: Practical advice on making your home an ‘Eco-Home’ at St. Margaret’s
Come to St. Margaret’s for a fun evening hearing from individuals who have ‘eco-renovated’ their homes in many ways both big and small. There will be plenty of practical advice, opportunities to ask questions and investigate solutions from grey-water recycling to sheep’s wool insulation. Free refreshments.
We are organising this evening with Oxford University project ‘Climate-X-Change’ which is working with communities throughout Oxfordshire to take positive practical action on combating climate change. They have been involved in ‘Open Eco-Homes’ throughout Oxford & Oxon- see http://ecovation.org.uk/
Sunday December 7th, 4pm: Christingle at St. Margaret’s followed by Lantern Walk led by Natural England
Advance notice of the Christingle service and Lantern Walk. This was a great success last year and much enjoyed. Come to enjoy the traditional Christingle service followed by a Lantern lit ‘Eco-trail’, returning for hot refreshments back at the church. All welcome.
Discovering Juniper!
Join us for an afternoon of Juniper at the A Rocha Chiltern Gateway Project!
Saturday 8th November 1-4pm at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve and St Margaret’s, Lewknor.
- Learn all about the juniper from A Rocha’s juniper expert, Peter Woods, and all about the conservation work at Aston Rowant from Natural England. Understand more about the important place of juniper in the British landscape, and why it is in decline and needs our help.
- Come and help this struggling species by planting a sapling in the A Rocha 25th Anniversary Juniper Plot! ‘Sponsor’ a sapling (£2 each) and plant it yourself. In years to come you can return and see how it is getting on.
- Join Rev. Simon Brignall as he leads a short dedication of the new junipers, and return to the church in Lewknor for tea and cakes after a job well done!
Tools and junipers provided by Natural England.
Please bring sturdy footwear and waterproofs.
Refreshments provided.
Booking essential by 31st October 2008. All proceeds will go to St. Margaret’s and the Lewknor Gateway Project.
For more information or to book a place call Jenny or Bob on 01844 351833.
CONTACT FOR GATEWAY:Phone: 01844 281 827/ 07974 018 482
Website: www.chilterngateway.org.uk
Email: jane.pendlenton at googlemail.com , simon.brignall at arocha.org
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
The Bookclub at Lewknor
“The Other Boleyn Girl” by Philippa Gregory proved to be a very different book to last month’s read. It was very long for a start (over 500 pages) and we all agreed it would have been a better book if it had been shorter. The “other” in the title is Mary, the younger sister of Anne Boleyn who, like Anne after her, is used by her family to further the fortunes of the Howard family in Henry Vlll’s England. She becomes one of the king’s mistresses at the age of 14 even though she is already married.
Her sweet nature, however, makes her Henry’s favourite until Anne comes on the scene determined to wed the king before he beds her. The novel weaves known and less well-known facts about the Tudor court and its conspicuous consummation into a richly presented story with Queen Katherine, Thomas Moore & Wolsely appearing and eventually disappearing as Henry challenges the Pope’s supremacy in religious matters. Anne keeps Henry tantalisingly in an agony of anticipation with all manner of wiles (Mary obligingly providing detailed information on how to accomplish this) until eventually Henry bludgeons all and sundry to agree that his marriage to Katherine was illegal and, therefore, he can marry Anne. However, while Mary has given birth to two healthy children for Henry, Anne manages only to give birth to a daughter and, failing to produce the heir Henry is desperate for, suffers a worse fate than her predecessor by being accused of witchcraft, adultery and incest (the latter with her brother George) and is beheaded.
Mary manages to remain on the periphery of events although her close relationship with Anne and her brother means she is always in danger, ultimately, she finds happiness away from the Howards and no doubt there is a sequel somewhere in Phillipa Gregory’s plans for us to find out what happens to her subsequently.
The film of the book has the same name but a grossly shortened narrative. It is watchable for the beauty of the actors who play Anne and Mary but why oh! why did they cast an actor with dark hair to play a golden- haired king?
In December, we are reading “Redemption Falls” by Joseph O’Connor, author of the best seller “Star of the Sea”.
Elan Preston-Whyte.
County's military history under spotlight
People are being urged to come and see two exhibitions at Oxfordshire Museum celebrating the county's military history.
The exhibitions at the Oxfordshire County Council-run museum in Woodstock will focus on 100 years of the Territorial Army (TA) and the part played by two Oxfordshire regiments in shaping the county's history over the last 250 years.
Titled Part-Time Defenders: 100 years on, the TA Centenary exhibition will explore the county’s territorial links with the full time army, and the reasons why young men put on a soldier’s uniform after a full day’s work to serve in their local unit.
Alongside this, Bugles and Busbies will examine the role of The Oxfordshire Yeomanry and the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.
The exhibition will feature serious and humorous paintings, official souvenirs, personal items and trophies to show how the local men who joined their county regiments lived, and sometimes died, in the service of the nation during the last 250 years.
Proud traditionsCherry Gray, curator of the Oxfordshire Museum said: "Many people in Oxfordshire may not be aware of the county's proud military traditions and fascinating history. The exhibitions should offer something for everyone and I would urge as many people as possible to come and check them out."
Both exhibitions will be launched on October 25th.
Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm.
Admission is free. For further information please call 01993 811456
M40 CHILTERN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP (M40CEG) AGM – 24 NOV
The M40CEG is the pressure group that is lobbying actively for noise reduction measures to be implemented on the stretch of the M40 between Loudwater and Milton Common (J3-J7). They will be holding their AGM at the King’s Hotel in Stokenchurch at 7.30pm on 24 November. The guest speaker will be Giles Parker, a consultant from Sound Barrier Solutions who will talk about Reducing Traffic Noise in the Chilterns & South Oxfordshire. All are welcome to attend.
You might also been interested in reading a recent report, ‘Traffic Noise in Rural Areas’ published by The Noise Association, which has a section specifically dedicated to our area. An ‘electronic copy’ (pdf file) of this document can be obtained via email on request to this address: info@ukna.org.uk
Crime Reduction Advisor, Julia Wheeler, offers some tips to avoid being tricked this Halloween:
Halloween is a great time for children, youths and some adults to dress up and go out into the night to knock on doors to play “Trick or Treat”. The majority of your callers will be harmless and will be happy even if you say ‘no thank you’. However there are a handful of callers who may throw eggs or flour at you home, if they don’t get what they want. This action causes alarm and distress for people who live on their own and for those who are elderly or vulnerable.
Following a huge reduction in the number of incidents of nuisance and criminal damage last year, the police in South Oxfordshire are working in partnership with local shop keepers and schools to reduce the incidents at this time of year still further. Please help us to help others by not sending your children along to the local shops to buy items, like eggs and flour, that may cause a nuisance to others over Halloween, and ensure they don’t take these items out of the house. Some shops will be displaying posters this year stating that they reserve the right not to serve anyone under the age of 16 with such items. There will be extra police patrols employed over the Halloween and Bonfire night period specifically to target those people who cause criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. Always remember that those intent on going out at Halloween to throw eggs and other substances at houses and cars could be committing an act of criminal damage, which is an offence – they could be arrested. My advice to residents is as follows:
- If you don’t want to be disturbed, display a Thames Valley Police Card that says “no trick or treat” available from local police stations, libraries, town and parish council offices or download it from www.thamesvalley.police.uk
- Don’t open your door if you are unsure who is there. Use your spy hole, look out of a window, and use your door chain if you decide to open your door.
- Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour to hand by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them.
- If you feel threatened or vulnerable call the police on 08458 505 505
- If you are in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme let your co-ordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween. Likewise, if you are a co-ordinator you can identify people within your scheme that may be vulnerable, and offer them some reassurance.
- In an emergency phone the police on 999
We also recommend that children out trick or treating should follow these safety guidelines:
- Always take an adult with you or tell an adult where you are going.
- Never knock on a stranger’s door.
- Never go out on your own; always go with friends or family.
- If someone says no thank you or doesn’t open the door to you they are probably frightened, so walk away and don’t be a nuisance to them.
- Don’t disturb someone displaying a notice that says “no trick or treat
- ”Never accept an invitation to go into house.
- Avoid dark and lonely places.
Oxfordshire Communications Team 01865 266030
OXFORDSHIRE NHS PRIMARY CARE TRUST STRATEGY 200809
The County’s NHS Primary Care Trust wants to talk to people about its vision for our future health services. A series of public meetings, 7.00-8.30pm, is being held at:
Oxford on 4 November
Henley on 18 November
Banbury on 27 November and
Wantage on 2 December.
If you might be interested in attending one of these, for full details and to register a place, call Cathy Dyer on 01865 336791 or email at public.involvement@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk
News from your District and County Councillors
| County Councillor | Roger Belson | 01491 612091 |
| District Councillors | Rodney Mann | 01844 281426 |
| Rev'd Angie Paterson | 01491 614033 |
Councillors keep in touch with the Parish Council on issues relating to the different Councils and help work through local issues. We also try to attend Parish Council meetings on a regular basis. In addition we are happy for residents to contact us directly on specific personal issues whenever necessary.
COUNCIL CONTACT DETAILS| Council | Council Website | Main Switchboard | |
| Oxfordshire County Council | www.oxfordshire.gov.uk | 01865 792422 | online@oxfordshire.gov.uk |
| South Oxfordshire District Council | www.southoxon.gov.uk | 01491 823000 | info@southoxon.gov.uk |
RECENT LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Entries in the LPC (Lewknor Parish Council) Comment column will normally be confined to one of four options: ‘Current’ (ie recommendation still pending), ‘Approve’, ‘Object’ or ‘NSV’ (No Strong Views); the latter is the most usual and is often amplified by specific observations 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 here
In the box on the right, click on ‘Planning’. Then click on ‘view applications via the Planning Application Register’ and follow the instructions to find the specific application that you seek.
| Ref No | Remarks | LPC Comment | SODC Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| P08/E0805 | Church Farm, Lewknor – modifications to buildings plus four newbuilds | Approve | Current |
| P08/E0806/CA | Church Farm, Lewknor – demolition of redundant buildings | Approve | Current |
| P08/E0807/LB | Church Farm, Lewknor – modifications to listed barn | Approve | Current |
| P08/E0957 | ‘Highfield’, Lower Rd, Postcombe – newbuild 3-bed dwelling | Object | Current |
| P08/E1045 | Land to rear of 1-3 Salt Lane, Postcombe – erect pair of semi-detached houses. | NSV | Current |
| S.15/08 | Lewknor School – erect ‘Group Room’ to rear | NSV | Current |
LOAF FAIR 2008
We were blessed with a beautiful Autumn sunny day for the Loaf Fair. The church was transformed into a market place and became a busy showcase for some of the finest local produce. Stoakes barbeque was so successful that they ran out of buns!
Charles' fruit and veg sold well and Robin from the Pantry in Watlington and Chris from the Britwell Salome Farm Shop both said what a useful day it was for meeting new customers and marketing their local goods.
Jaxon demonstrated his fantastic butchery skills with a venison that went from whole beast to beautifully prepared joints and streaks ready for the oven. Oxford Wood Recycling, Fairtrade and autumn bulbs were also represented and a big thanks to everyone who made the day a great success.
The Loaf Fair's most important message was to launch the new Lewknor Farmer's market which will take place in the church grounds every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 2pm to 4pm. The first Farmer's market will be on FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7TH so remember to come along and stock up with your organic vegetables, Fairtrade supplies and Stoakes meats.
LOAF FAIR DOG SHOW
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended (especially the 4 legged entrants).
Results are as follows;
| Class | Category | Winner |
| 1 | Best puppy | Dolly and Janet |
| 2 | Best senior dog | Poppy and Emma |
| 3 | Child handler | Thea and Bizzie |
| 4 | Waggiest tail | Leyla and Jolly |
| 5 | Best trick | Jade and Summer |
| 6 | Best rescue | Ali and Rose |
| 7 | Dog who most resembles its Owner | Barbara and Doris |
| 8 | Best in show | Barbara and DORIS! |
Well done to all those who entered! And a big thank you to Nicola from The Blue Cross for judging, Sara Pagett and Ali Gordon-Creed for stewarding/ entries and Lizzie and The Kennel shop for providing rosettes and first place prizes.
Hope to see you all next year! Heather Weston.
Parish Swap Shop and barter market!
Do you have something you would like to exchange or a service you would like to offer? This month we begin our Parish Swap Shop. Contact the telephone numbers listed for any of the items listed below for information about the goods and services offered.
If you have any goods or services you would like to exchange or barter then please send details to elisabeth at innervoice_demon_co_uk for the December edition of Grapevine.
Lizzie Wingfield.
| Wanted: | |
| Handyman / painter | 07879 442 440 |
| Chest of drawers | 01844 355 228 |
| Small chest freezer | 01491 613 259 |
| Small chest freezer | 01844 354 857 |
| Cleaner needed | 07879 442 440 |
| To sell, give or swap | |
| Pine child’s wardrobe £40.00 | 01844 350 040 |
| Pine bed 5ft - £20.00 | 01491 614 580 |
| Oak table 3ftx5ft | 01844 281 310 |
| Babysitting | 01494 483 480 |
| Babysitting | 01491 614 328 |
| Climbing frame and slide | 01844 355 263 |
| Childs desk | 01844 351 561 |
| Horse trailer | “ “ |
| Animal chiropractor | 01844 351 561 |
| Dining table + 6 chairs £100 | 01844 354 868 |
| Homeopathy – barter available | 01494 483 480 |
| Greenhouse 8x10 – free and in pieces and ready to take | 01844 281 021 |
| Big cream armchair £50 | 07711 606 980 |
| Epson printer – free | 01491 614 580 |
Alternative Harvest Worship Services
| Date | Time | Village | Service | Leader |
| 2nd November | 9.00am | South Weston | Holy Communion CW | Rev. Simon Brignal |
| 4th before Advent | 10.15 am | Tetsworth | Parish Communion | Rev. Simon Brignal |
| 4.00pm | Lewknor | Shoe box Service | Rev. Simon Brignal | |
| 6.30pm | Stoke Talmage | Evening Prayer BCP | John Wilson Brown | |
| 9th November Remembrance Sunday | 9.00am | Adwell | Holy Communion BCP | Canon Keith Weston |
| 10.45 am | Tetsworth | Remembrance Service | John Wilson Brown | |
| 6.30pm | Stoke Talmage | Holy Communion BCP | Rev. Simon Dickinson | |
| 16th November 2nd before Advent | 9.00 am | Lewknor | Holy Communion BCP | Rev. Julian Dunn |
| 10.15am | Tetsworth | Family Time | Heather Moore | |
| 6.30pm | South Weston | Evening Worship | Graham Choldcroft | |
| 23rd November Christ the King | 9.00 am | Adwell | Holy Communion BCP | Rev. Tom Farrell |
| 10.15am | Tetsworth | Family Communion | Rev. Julian Dunn | |
| 6.30pm | Stoke Talmage | Evening Prayer | John Wilson Brown | |
| 30th November | 9.00am | Lewknor | Holy Communion BCP | Rev. Simon Brignall |
News from Newington Nurseries
Plant a Tree:Trees are powerful symbols of life in many parts of the world and planting them is a statement of commitment to the future. This month we are urging everyone to plant a tree. In your garden, at your child’s school, on the village green or community space – look about you and decide where would benefit from a new tree. Now is the perfect time for tree planting, even better than spring, because trees planted now will have all winter to settle into their new homes before bursting into life when longer days and higher temperatures return. Try to pick a time when the ground is drier because although trees (like all plants) need to be watered-in, most don’t like being waterlogged!
So you’ve decided on the place where your new tree is going, what’s it to be? Sorbus aucuparia otherwise known as European Rowan or Mountain Ash is a brilliant choice for a whole range of locations. A vigorous, hardy, deciduous little tree that is native to most of Europe, the Mountain Ash looks wonderful in many different situations. As well as being a beautiful shape, this tree bears attractive flowers in spring followed in late summer by glorious berries that ripen as autumn approaches. If you get to them before the birds (redwings, fieldfares, thrushes and blackbirds find them irresistible), you can make a delicious tart jelly that is the perfect accompaniment to lamb, venison or game. It goes without saying that the Mountain Ash is hardy – look at where it comes from. It’s very tolerant of cold and is often found at high altitude in the mountains. In France it can be found as high as 2000 metres. It can also do well on thin acid soils – look at how it grows out of cracks in rocks. But what comes as a surprise to many is the excellent pollution resistance that this tree has, making it a superb choice for urban situations. On the history of the tree, our forebears regarded it as the possessor of anti-witching qualities and planting them around a garden or village was believed to ward off evil spirits. The wood of the Mountain Ash was also used for making bows and more recently for tool handles, mallet heads, bowls and platters – any purpose requiring a hard wood. The Mountain Ash can attain a height and spread of approximately 15 metres by 7 metres respectively although it can be pruned to keep it within desired dimensions. It requires very little maintenance.
Newington Nurseries, Newington, Nr Stadhampton, Oxon, OX10 7AW TeI 01865 400533
www.newington-nurseries.co.uk