The Grapevine Magazine May 2009 Issue No 241 Other Issues Home

Council News Schools Chiltern Gateway Project Nursery Tips

Lewknor Chiltern Gateway

Local volunteers from A Rocha Chiltern Gateway together with a team from A Rocha and Natural England dug into a new plot to establish a colony of juniper grown from cuttings taken from existing trees on the reserve. The cuttings have been carefully nurtured over the past few years at the local Waterperry garden centre and at Springfield open prison in Aylesbury. Their progress will be carefully monitored over the next few years to make sure they thrive in their new home and we hope make a good addition to the population on the reserve.

The sun shone and we were ready with spades and juniper saplings ready to be planted. A Rocha’s juniper expert or ‘nut’ as he prefers to be called instructed 54 enthusiastic volunteers on the history and value of the native juniper tree. As one of only 3 native conifers it is important to conserve this endangered tree in one of its remaining strongholds at Aston Rowant. Numbers are down from over 3000 when last surveyed in the 1960’s to less than 1000 today. We were able to add another 135 to that total.

Following all our hard work it was time for a cream tea with scones and jam at St. Margaret’s. We would like to Thank Peter Woods from A Rocha UK, Jenny Crook from Natural England, and Andy Lester, A Rocha UK for their hard work in organising this event. Well done everyone!

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

The Bookclub at Lewknor

Our reading for April was “The Post-Birthday World” by Lionel Shriver. We had read her previous novel, the startling “We must talk about Kevin” which we had all enjoyed and admired, so we selected her new novel with a certain degree of anticipation. Maybe this was the problem, our expectations were too high.

The basic premise for the book is whether the leading character, Irina, (it’s difficult to call her the heroine) decides whether to kiss (or not) a famous fictional snooker player, Ramsey Acton on his birthday. If she does then she embarks on a steamy affair with the said Ramsey, if she doesn’t then she stays with her rather nerdy but still attractive husband Lawrence. Both these scenarios are played out in alternate chapters, initially a very confusing format until the reader recognises the author’s intention.

None of the characters are particularly attractive so it is difficult to begin to identify or sympathise with any of them and even for anyone moderately interested in the world of snooker, it would not entertain. Rachel Cooke writing in The Observer, however, guarantees it will be one of the key contenders for the Bad Sex Book prize rather than the Mann Booker which may be a recommendation of sorts.

We have had to postpone our next book “The Dig” by John Preston, a novel about the discovery of the Sutton Hoo treasure trove, until June. Our book for May, therefore, is “The Outcast” by Sadie Jones which won the Costa Prize for a first novel in 2007 but was pipped to the post for the Orange Prize by Rose Tremain.

Elan Preston-Whyte.

Become a mentor for young people in Oxfordshire

 Oxfordshire County Council's Youth Mentoring Service is looking for volunteers to help troubled young people turn their lives around.

 The service recruits, trains and supports people from the community to become mentors to young people who face negative peer influence, have educational or employment difficulties, family problems or who commit or are at risk of committing crime.

 The mentoring has many aims, including raising young people's self-esteem, integrating young people with the wider community  preventing and reducing offending.   Mentors from a variety of backgrounds

 People must be 18 years old to become a volunteer mentor. Current volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and bring a variety of qualities and skills to the young people who they assist.

 All mentors are required to attend training, which covers four basic units:

• Mentoring Skills
• Youth in Society
• Equal Opportunities
• Interpersonal Skills and Young People at Risk

The training, for which travel costs are covered, takes place at Oxford's County Hall.

  Mentors are carefully matched with an appropriate young person once trained. Volunteers receive support, supervision and the opportunity to attend more training sessions.

Valuable experience for all

 Councillor Louise Chapman, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "Becoming a mentor can benefit a young person in so many positive ways by giving them a real sense of support and assistance early on in their lives.It can also be extremely rewarding for the mentor themselves. I hope that lots of people will come forward to offer a few hours a week to help young people in Oxfordshire."

  The next round of mentor training begins in June.
People interested in becoming a mentor can call 01865 848181 or email oyms@oxfordshire.gov.uk for more information.

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SCHOOL NEWS

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News from Krakatoa

Spring is finally upon us and we are looking forward to enjoying more and more time outside with the children. Everyone is refreshed and ready to tackle summer term. Our topic for the first half term is favourite television programmes, which will feature “Thomas the Tank Engine”, “Dora the Explorer”, “Peppa Pig” and “Fifi and the Flower Tots”.  This covers a whole range of learning throughout the curriculum.  We will also be celebrating May Day with dancing around a maypole.

Neil Manning (Emily’s father) has generously donated a laptop for the children to use and we are currently looking for pre-school aged educational software. If anyone has software their children have outgrown, donations are always gratefully received!  We will also be purchasing a laptop for primary use by the staff and committee from a grant received from Oxfordshire County Council.  This will be a great tool in helping keep paperwork and records organized.

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

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News from Newington Nurseries

Orchid Care

Orchids are not difficult to care for despite having a reputation to the contrary. Actually, it’s said that once you have an orchid, you have it for life. So just follow a few simple rules and you’ll be successful. The basics are light, temperature and water

The easiest orchid to look after is the Moth orchid It enjoys bright conditions but not direct sun light though it’s happy on a south-facing window sill during the winter months. Moth Orchids are best located in an east or west-facing window, preferably with double-glazed properties so as to avoid draughts. Kitchen and sitting room window sills are two favourite locations as they’re usually warm and bright. Another ideal spot is the warm and humid bathroom. Phalaenopsis are happy too in conservatories but keep an eye on the intense summer light and heat between May and August.

Optimum temperatures are 60oF/15oC at night and 70o – 80oF/20o – 25oC during the day although lower day-time temperatures (spring and autumn) will help promote new flower spikes. However, it’s important to keep the plant away from draughts and varying heat levels (too low or too high) as these will cause the buds to turn yellow then drop.

Moth Orchids do not like to be over-watered nor do they like standing in water. This is the most common cause of orchid death! Phalaenopsis seem to be at their happiest if they are slightly neglected in fact. This means watering once a fortnight or so during the winter months when light levels are low and indoor temperatures vary day and night. During the summer, water once a week when the days are longer and warmer. There are two watering options; either use rain-water that has been brought into the house and allowed to acclimatize or run a sink tap until the water is only tepid, no warmer. Hold the pot over the sink and allow the water to drain through. Once the water has drained away, place the orchid pot back onto its saucer or into its plant pot.

Orchid leaves can be periodically misted but not the flowers. Also remember to keep the leaves clean, using a damp cloth or a natural leaf shine (such as almond oil). Phalaenopsis like their aerial roots to be exposed to light hence the use of clear plastic pots. If you’re going to repot you orchid – and its good practice to replace the orchid bark every 3 years or so – use the same pot having thoroughly cleaned it first. Don’t repot however until the orchid has finished flowering. Cut the spent flower spike back to the node below the last flower on the stem. Sometimes the stem will remain green and produce new side shoots. At other times, the stem will die back; this is normal and nothing to worry about. Simply cut the stem right down and eventually a new flower spike will emerge from amongst the leaves. People worry about rainforest environments and humidity when it comes to caring for their Moth Orchids. Don’t! You can create your own microclimate by simply placing the orchid pot onto a saucer containing small pebbles. Ensure the pebbles are kept moist and this will allow the plant to draw up moisture into its root system.

Phalaenopsis should be fed periodically with a balanced liquid fertilizer such as a seaweed extract. If you use this, dilute the feed to at least 4 times that indicated on the bottle. Otherwise, use a specific orchid feed. Feed when the plant is in active growth – generally between March and September – and do this every third to fourth watering, allowing the fertilised water to drain away.

Phalaenopsis are really more than happy in the home environment and quickly adapt. It’s as easy as that!

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

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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

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