The Grapevine Magazine February 2009 Issue No 238 Other Issues Home

Church Re-ordering Council News Schools Chiltern Gateway Project Nursery Tips

James Daniel Senior: 9th December 1932 – 6th December 2008

The funeral of James Daniel Senior on 16th December 2008 was moving in its quiet dignity and beautiful presentation.

It began with a fitting East End funeral tradition of an etched glass horse-drawn carriage. A spectacular sight with the two superb black horses, bearing on their heads their stately black plumes, varnished hooves and shining black coats and manes

Jim grew up in the East End of London. During the war he was evacuated to Cornwall, and throughout his life continued to love Cornwall, visiting it almost every year.

A self-made business man, he started his ‘business career’ at the age of 12 when he sold the wooden floors from the bombed houses in the East End for firewood at 6p a bag. Later he trained to be a cabinet maker in the furniture industry but left when a serious accident nearly cost him the use of his right arm. Typically undaunted, and using the compensation from this, he began another career in the grocery trade, building a large successful business in Wycombe.

Moving to Lewknor four years ago with Jean his wife of 36 years, Jim at last felt settled, and gave up his ambition to retire to Cornwall. In Lewknor he enjoyed special friendships and loved giving parties. His happiness in Lewknor reflected in his generosity towards the village, especially towards the children. Jim was at his happiest when he was treating ‘the kids’ to something. Tragically, Jim died just a week before Christmas which was significant as he was, and always will be Lewknor’s own ‘Father Christmas’. We will all miss him dearly.

Lewknor Activity Open Day

On Wednesday 21 January, Lewknor hosted a 50+ activity open day at jubilee hall in the village.

The day was organised in partnership with Age Concern, Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire District Council and SOLL leisure and consisted of a range of activities to benefit the health of adults aged 50+.

The activities started with some New Age Kurling, developed from traditional curling on ice to take place inside and then 4 instructor led courses followed – Pilates, soft and gentle aerobics, Tai Chi and the Nia technique (dance healing and martial arts).

The open day took place to gauge interest in setting up a regular 50+ activity session in Lewknor. South Oxfordshire District Council has secured funding through Age Concern to run an 8 week free taster course for physical activity and as a result of this open day the activity will be selected. For more information or to register interest for future activities in the village please contact Lisa Darnell on 01491 823128 or email lisa.darnell@southoxon.gov.uk.

Lewknor’s ladies are taking it off for nature

Some of Lewknor’s woolly ladies have doffed their coats to help local meadows. A flock of Beulah Speckled Face sheep from Aston Rowant Nature Reserve has provided fleeces for a new nature conservation project. ‘The Nude Ewe’ is a partnership between the Wildlife Trust and BedsLife, a Bedfordshire-based environmental coalition.

Sheep are used in nature conservation to maintain grassland and heath land habitats. The sheep eat bramble, shrubs and other rough vegetation. Without this grazing our lovely hills and fields would become covered by scrub. Livestock keep these areas open. In doing so, they create habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species.

Sheep must be shorn every year, which costs about a pound per animal. But the fleeces are almost worthless and often just go to waste. Now the fleeces from some of Aston Rowant’s ‘nude ewes’ are being spun into beautiful white yarn. The yarn will be sold, with proceeds going back into the grazing Programme to offset shearing and husbandry costs. The Nude Ewe project started a year ago with a single flock of Hebridean sheep. Since then we’ve grown a bit so we can offer a variety of yarns. The original dark brown ‘Heb’ wool is still available. Nude Ewe ‘Wes’ is due back from the mill any week now. Wes is from a flock of white Wensleydales, the softest sheep in Britain! And thanks to a grant from the Chilterns Conservation Board we’re spinning up more Heb to meet the demand.

The Aston Rowant flock is our first foray into Oxfordshire. Nude Ewe ‘Speck’ will be available in the New Year at a price of £3.50 per 50g ball. Check it out, and knit up a piece of Oxfordshire!

For more information on the Nude Ewe, check out the project website: www.bedslife.org.uk/nude-ewe.

The Bookclub at Lewknor

In December we read “A House Unlocked” by Penelope Lively which is part autobiographical but mainly a memoir of the country house in rural West Somerset which the author knew as an adolescent and young woman. The book charts the changes that life in post-war Britain brought to the countryside and the subjects she reflects on such as hunting and church-going are very relevant to rural Oxfordshire even though our county was never as remote from the city as the West Country. We enjoyed the book as it provided us with an insight into the gap which exists between the attitudes of differing generations- Penelope Lively has a very different mindset to her grandmother’s generation and is able to escape from this very privileged way of life after going to university in Oxford. However, she writes perceptively of the kindness and generosity which her grandmother and aunt showed to refugees and evacuees during the Second World War and she respects the discipline and courage that enabled these two women on their own to organise their lives and others despite the privations and dangers brought by the war.

The other book we have read since the last edition of Grapevine was “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. It proved to be an interesting revisiting of a book we all felt we knew well but had new relevance in the light of the recent television programmes describing the dealings of the leaders of Allies during WW2 in which the duplicity and brutality of Stalin was made explicit.

My edition of the book had an appendix in which Orwell reveals how the book was rejected initially by four publishers in 1943 before Martin Secker & Warburg were brave enough to publish it in 1945. The Ministry of Information when asked to comment on the book felt that the fable follows….’so completely the progress of the Russian Soviets and their two dictators it can only apply to Russia to the exclusion of other dictatorships. Another thing it would be less offensive if the predominant caste in the fable were not pigs. This is a slur on pigs as an animal rather on Stalin as a human being’.

So, two very different books but ones which made us realise how lucky we are to be living in (a more or less) democratic country rather than a quasi one such as Russia.

Our book choices for 2009 are “The Suspicions of Mr.Whicher” by Kate Summerscales and after this “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” by John Boynes (now a film directed by Mark Herman). Also lined up, are The Post- Birthday World by Lionel Shriver (of “We must talk about Kevin“ fame) and “ The Dig” by John Preston, a novel based on the discovery of the Sutton Hoo treasure.

Elan Preston-Whyte.

Top

SCHOOL NEWS

Top

News From Krakatoa

The staff, parents and children from Krakatoa Pre-school would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! December was a busy month with preparations for our Christmas Play – “Mrs. Overall Organises Christmas!” I think everyone who attended would agree it was a great success. Well done to the staff and children for all of their hard work.

We had a very chilly start to the new term and were greeted with snow on our first day back which gave us a great opportunity to play and build a snowman! It was certainly good fun.

We are planning another fun-filled fundraising event for early March. On Friday, 13 March we will host a Horse Racing Race Night at 7:30pm in the village hall. Tickets will be sold for £12.50 and will include a hot meal, pudding and a chance to disprove the myth that Friday the 13th brings bad luck! Tickets can be purchased by contacting the pre-school. More details to come very soon so watch this space!

We would once again like to thank everyone for their continued support for Krakatoa as strong support from the local community is key to the ongoing success of the preschool. Krakatoa Pre-school 07919081088

How being in the blue can make you happy!

Are you feeling down; sort of post Christmas and freezing New Year suicidal?You should try being in the blue!

Blue has for a long time been associated with being negative, but a recent study has found the colour can send self confidence soaring, cut stress and boost happiness. Researcher Dr David Lewis said: “By introducing more colour into our lives at this time of year, we could help banish winter blues”

This feel-good-factor is thought to have its roots in our evolution; our ancestors linked the colour of the afternoon and evening sky to the feeling of a day well spent and the prospect of a good night’s sleep.

Researchers from the University of Sussex have found that blue can also make our minds sharper. They recently exposed volunteers to a range of colours and lights. They then tested the volunteer’s memory, reaction time and physical strength. Those exposed to colour completed tests up to 25% quicker, even in the strength test.

These tests revealed: blue promoted calm.
Purple was also relaxing – but only for women,
Blue and green made the men feel happier, Blue, purple and orange raised female spirits.
Red was the colour least likely to make people feel happy

A Post Christmas Pick-you-up.

“Feeling in need of some nurturing during the freezing weeks of January, I visited the Lambert Arm’s new ‘Ella Bache’ Spa for a facial and was very pleasantly surprised!

There are just 2 treatment rooms sharing a central shower area. The whole experience is calming and relaxed, and the staff and are very helpful and knowledgeable. My ‘Radiance Facial’ lasted over an hour and included neck and shoulder massage, and plenty of moisturizing after beautifying mask and eye contour patches.

The treatments are from £30, but until the end of February there is a 25% discount. So it makes a lovely present for someone, or just to indulge you. They are open from Tuesday to Saturday.

The Spa will have its own website soon, but until then they are on 01844 351496. You are invited to drop in and see the facilities, which are through the courtyard in the central area of the Hotel, so no need to go through the Hotel reception. It was the perfect "pick you up" after a lot of Christmas celebrating!

Really worth a visit.”

Caroline Hjorth

Top

Lewknor Chiltern Gateway

Project Update: February 2009

The Chiltern Gateway Project continues to provide a focus for environmental education and practical efforts linked to St. Margaret’s. The regular Farmer’s Market continues to run on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month, from 2.30-4.30pm, at the Lych Gate outside St. Margaret’s. It has been successful so far and a good place for meeting others. Please do give your support.

The work with the school continues with Nature Club every Monday and gardening and other Ecoschools work on a Friday. Anyone who would like to get involved in planning the garden for this season and helping out occasionally to get the children involved would be very appreciated. Please contact Jane. She is now working two days a week on the project and can be contacted on jane.pendlenton@gmail.com or 07596 713642.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

There will be a number of seasonally focussed services at St. Margaret’s with a theme of caring for creation, in addition to regular services. All welcome.
Further details in subsequent Grapevines:

May 3rd, 4pm: Spring Lambing Service, South Weston.
June 6th, 6.30am: Dawn Chorus at Aston Rowant Reserve followed by breakfast and sunrise service at St. Margaret's.
July 19th, 4pm: Summer Fruits service, South Weston.
October 11th, 2- 4.30pm: 3rd L.O.A.F., ‘Local, Organic, Animal friendly, Fairtrade’ fayre, St. Margaret's

CONTACT FOR GATEWAY:Phone: 01844 281 827/ 07974 018 482
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

Church Udate

Top

St. Margaret’s Re-ordering Proposals

Responses to the Questionnaire in the November Grapevine were gratefully received. Following the Village Consultation Meeting in December, a response from St. Margaret’s PCC has been drafted and appears as follows:

The working group of the PCC has taken into account the views expressed by those who have returned questionnaires given out in last months Grapevine, and are grateful to those who have contributed in this way. Respecting the views of the villagers and users of the church, the PCC has revised the aims and caveats for any proposed reordering of St. Margaret’s.

Summary Points

• Using the church regularly will generate a regular income for the upkeep of the building.
• Using the church regularly will breathe new life into the church and enhance its role in the community.
• Using the church regularly for visitors and community groups will provide a real service to the village.
• Using the church regularly will familiarize people with the building and help them to feel comfortable in it.
• Using the church regularly will ensure its future for generations to come. As always the words ‘Use it or lose it’ are true, and apply even in the case of a church building.

Aims:

• To create a building that can be used throughout the week, complementing and cooperating with existing facilities in the village, especially the Village Hall.
• To open up the space in the building so that it can be used flexibly.
• To create a ‘Community space’ with kitchen facilities that can be used for small meetings and the ‘After School Club’
• To locate a disabled toilet in a discreet place in the building.
• To create a lighting system that enhances the architectural beauty of the building.
• To bring the building up to present building standards and disability regulations.
• To create a place for welcoming visitors and worshippers.

Objections received to reordering proposals.

• Present reordering proposal would spoil the beauty of this historic building.
• Present reordering proposals would create another village hall and compete with it for events.
• Present proposals would distract from primary role of church building as a place of worship and quiet reflection and prayer.
• Chairs would be ugly and not able to accommodate large numbers of special occasions.
• Money would be diverted from scarce church funds to finance the reordering. Church funds should be used for the spiritual needs of the community.
• Present proposal to reorder the building can be achieved without the large expenditure required by reordering scheme.
• The PCC should be spending its time on ensuring adequate pastoral care of the village not building programmes.
• We love the Pews.

Comments received in favour of reordering proposals.

• Present proposals would ensure the future of the church building.
• Present proposals would not compete with the village hall if there is careful consultation with village hall trustees about bookings.
• Sensitive use of the building need not distract from its primary purpose as a place of worship.
• Present proposals would enable the whole community to use the building, both those with a faith and those of no particular faith.
• The church building is a major community resource that should be used more often.
• Kitchen and toilet facilities would allow much greater flexibility in the use of the building.
• Pews are not a practical possibility if we are to use the church building flexibly. Provision of chairs essential.
• One of the best events I remember attending was the harvest supper.
• A space at the back of the church building is a good idea for community use and children work.
• Proposals to reorder the church building for Community use of the building is a very positive development.

With these comments in mind the reordering scheme will ensure that it does not:

• Replace or compete with the Village Hall facilities.
• Use church funds to pay for this project, other than those designated for the building. Funds would be raised through existing community grant funding targeted at such buildings.
• Alter the primary purpose of the building as a place of worship.
• Change in any way the sacred character of the building, by the inappropriate use of the building.
• Change in any way the commitment of the Parish Church to serve the spiritual needs of the community, as a place for the celebration of important ‘Rites of Passage’.

Lewknor PCC

Vicar: Rev Simon Brignall	Chairman and Churchwarden: Ian Orr Ewing
Churchwarden: Neil Allen	Convenor of Fabric committee: Nigel Burnam and
Verger: Ernestine Denham	Hon Sec: Jane Pendlenton
Treasurer: Jen Beale	Members: Terry Calcutt and Paul Weston

Indoor Plants

At this time of the year it can be frustrating to look at our gardens waterlogged or frozen; although for most of us our outside garden extends a little into the house.

Whether you are skilled with indoor plants and therefore have a small jungle of them covering every conceivable shelf and windowsill or possess just a single, sad specimen gathering dust in a forgotten corner, houseplants are an important feature in any home. They are in fact beneficial to us. Scientific research has confirmed that houseplants remove harmful chemicals from the air, increase feelings of calmness and happiness and, like pets, help lower blood pressure and impart a sense of well-being. Nevertheless, there is not going to be a great deal of pleasure in growing indoor plants unless we learn how to avoid plant problems.

Looking after indoor plants can be a little trickier than some of us expect, leading us to believe we cannot keep them alive for longer than a month or two. The most important issue to consider when choosing a houseplant is where it is going to be placed. A plant can’t thrive in the wrong environment, but you can dramatically improve its chances of survival by choosing carefully and deciding where you want to display it. The garden centre or shop selling your plant should be able to give you some basic advice on feeding, watering and suitable position for it.

Most houseplants will flourish in a draught-free well-lit position, out of direct sunlight. This can actually be quite difficult to find in most homes, especially if you wish to have more than a couple of varieties in your collection. If you want flowing plants or ones with variegated leaves, these will need more light than plain green foliage plants. Ferns can survive in darker conditions but hate being kept dry so would do well in a bathroom as long as there is some natural light. Another factor to include in your choice of plant is how you look after them. Do you forget to water them for days or even weeks on end or do you kill them with kindness by watering them every time you pass? Choose plants to suit your particular life style and habits.

For those of you who consistently forget to water, try cacti, Mother in Law’s Tongue (particularly good around computers for removing static air) bromeliads or any fleshy-leaved succulent. If you are still not convinced you will be successful with houseplants choose an ivy or aspidistra – also known as the Cast Iron Plant for its strong constitution.We live in a hard-water area and this can cause problems for many plants, so water with bottled soft water if you can, I have personally had success using the cooled left over’s from the tea pot, which seems to be good for plants, but it does leave horrible stains on plant-pot holders.

Some key points for caring for most indoor plants follow, but of course, this won’t necessarily apply to all species, so check the label against a good book; for example, ‘The House Plant Expert’ by Dr D.G. Hessayon, is an in-expensive book found in most good garden centres or bookshops. At the back of this book there is a catalogue illustrating common problems and possible causes. Soil Dryness – most plants can survive infrequent watering in the winter months, so wait until compost has almost dried out before watering. Tip out any excess water as more damage is done to the plant if left to stand in water. The plant does however need a little more in the growing season. Signs of dryness will be leaves wilting or dropping, shrivelling, curling and browning. Over watering – the most common killer! The leaves begin to droop and we immediately think it must need more water. Also, for yellowing foliage: Take the plant out of its pot and examine the roots if they are brown and mushy you would be better throwing the plant away. If the roots are still firm and white then leave the plant out of its pot for a couple of days to dry out. Trim off any brown roots and replace it in its pot lightly watering with ‘Benlate’ solution.Regular Feeding - using a good plant food (Baby Bio or Homebase indoor plant food) I personally have never had any success with ‘pills and stick’ plant food. Again check the specific requirements for your plant, for example, orchids require specialist food. Hot dry air – Most indoor plants benefit from a humid atmosphere around them, heaters or air conditioning will dry the atmosphere – so its important to spray the plant or sit it near a dish of water (not in a dish of water, unless the bottom of the pot is sealed). Cold nights – especially harmful if the plant is in a hot room during the day. Frost is fatal and would affect plants on window sills. Strong sun shine- Pelargonium’s thrive in this condition but many plants will suffer direct sunlight especially if placed on windowsill of south facing rooms. Try the plant for a few days and if it shows signs of suffering (curling and browning on edge of leaves) move it to another spot.

Draughts – fluctuations in air temperature, for example in doorways or windows can cause problems.
No light – generally leads to pale, weak growth and no flowers. Dark passages corners of large rooms, hallways – if you want to keep plants in these places routinely change them and give them a period of light. If growth is pale and spindly, move the plant to lighter spot.
Plants grow healthier with clean leaves; so keep them looking respectable by removing dead flowers and cutting off damaged or yellowing leaves. Also remove dust with a soft damp cloth, or leaf shine.

Prevention better than cure

2. Don’t bring trouble in with the compost always use specially-prepared compost never un-sterilised soil.
3. Don’t buy plants without inspecting them carefully first
4. Act promptly when there are signs of distress.
5. Only use a plant insecticide spray which is recommended for houseplants. Spray outside if possible or near a window. If white fly or aphids have invaded one of your plants, spray neighbouring plants.

The Editor

Garden Lecture Series

The Winter Lecture Series

Our unique series of evening lectures brings together leading gardeners and garden designers to give us their perspective on gardening.

Thursday 12th February ‘The Creation of the Garden at East Ruston’ Alan Gray (Garden Owner)
When Alan Gray and Graham Robeson moved to the Old Vicarage at East Ruston in Norfolk it was a blank canvas. Come along and learn more about the Garden they have created.

Thursday 19th February ‘Herbs for Senses and Scents’ Jekka McVicar (Nursery Owner and Writer)
Jekka states: “When one brushes past a lavender bush, the aroma alone soothes the spirits, and when it flowers and becomes covered in butterflies it is a sight to gladden the eye”.

Thursday 26th February ‘There are No Right Ways to Garden, Only Alternatives’ Mirabel Osler (Gardener and Writer)Mirabel Osler will talk to us about the ephemeral qualities of gardens and how there are no right ways to garden only alternatives.

Thursday 12th March ‘Aberglasney Gardens: The Restoration of an Elizabethan Garden for the 21st Century’ Graham Rankin (Garden Director) Graham will share with us about the restoration of Aberglasney, its gardens and its magnificent house, back to its earlier glory.

Thursday 19th March ‘The Power of Creative Planting’ Chris Marchant (Nursery Owner) An exploration of how beautiful planting can be, not only a feast for the eyes, but may also change the way we feel about a place, or even how we behave towards each other.

Lectures take place at 8.00pm in the Nelson Mandela Auditorium at the Said Business School. Tickets cost £10.00 (includes a glass of wine) or £45.00 for the series.
To book a ticket please call: 01865 286690.
Louise Allen, University of Oxford Botanic Garden Rose Lane Oxford OX1 www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk

Top

News from Newington Nurseries

Perfect Start

Once the decorations have been packed away for another year, it’s time to get your gardening head on again. Early season planting is a great way of getting everyone in the family into the spirit of the growing year. If you can, get to work outside, otherwise spread some newspapers out on the floor and get ready to plant. Visit the nursery for containers, compost and some beautiful plants for potting-up. Children will love the idea of ‘indoor gardening’ and planting containers will be a fun and rewarding activity for them if the weather is against you. Erica, or Heath, is the ideal choice of plant. It’s an evergreen shrub, similar to Heather (Calluna). However, unlike Heather, many species and varieties of Erica will tolerate both acid and alkaline conditions, allowing them to be used in a wider variety of garden situations. And if you want to grow them in containers, you can manage the soil conditions to suit those species that must have acid soil.

Check when you buy and get the right plants for your situation. Erica carnea (Alpine Heath or Winter Heath) is an excellent choice for getting maximum benefit right now. Flowers may be reddish-purple, pink or white, and foliage is generally mid to dark green but can also be yellow, golden or even orange-red. Look out for Erica carnea ‘Ann Sparkes’ with its rose-pink flowers and dark golden foliage or ‘December Red’ with its pink to purplish flowers. The flowers of ‘Springwood White’ are fabulous as is its bright green foliage. ‘Foxhollow’ is another winner - the colder it gets, the more interesting its foliage becomes. During mild winter weather, foliage is yellow with bronze tips but as temperatures drop, it becomes orange-red.In their native habitat, Ericas grow on sunny slopes bordering pine forests but they are also tolerant of deep shade. Growing them in full sun however enhances their foliage colour. They are extremely hardy, being able to grow in extremely cold and snowy conditions, their flower shoots popping up through blankets of snow. Aftercare is easy. The plants should be pruned immediately after flowering. This can be carried out by lightly trimming with a pair of shears. Simply cut back the flowered stems. This will ensure compact bushy plants.

Heathers make excellent partners for dwarf conifers, either in borders or in large containers. Alternatively, grow them with others of their own kind for a delightful display. They’re easy to care for and will give years of enjoyment. Establishing evergreen shrubs and conifers is also a fantastic way of doing your bit to improve air quality. Evergreens have been proven to be effective at removing particulates so that’s another powerful reason to get planting. Colourful, tough and even potentially beneficial to our health (Heaths are very pollution tolerant), evergreen shrubs certainly earn a rightful place in our gardens. The weather can throw anything at us but we all want to kick-off the New Year with some colour and fun. Erica is just the plant for this.

Newington Nurseries, Newington, Nr Stadhampton, Oxon, OX10 7AW TeI 01865 400533
www.newington-nurseries.co.uk

Top

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

COUNCIL CONTACT DETAILS

Council	Council Website	Main Switchboard	E-mail
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/E0300	6 High St, Lewknor – complex extension	appeal	Awaiting decision from Planning Inspectorate
P08/E0957	‘Highfield’, Lower Rd, Postcombe – newbuild 3-bed dwelling	Object	Current
P08/E1045	Land to rear of 1-3 Salt Lane, Postcombe – erect semi-detached house	NSV	Current
S.15/08	Lewknor School – erect ‘Group Room’ to rear	NSV	Granted
P08/E1289	1 Town Farm Close, Lewknor – two-storey extension	NSV	Granted

Top