The Grapevine MagazineApril 2010 Issue No 250 |
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN LEWKNOR
Between 4pm and 7pm on Monday, 26 April – immediately before the Annual Parish Meeting – site plans and drawings, relating to the affordable housing that is proposed to be built on a plot of land adjacent to Barley Close/Weston Road, will be displayed in the Jubilee Hall. Representatives of the Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership will be on hand to answer questions. This is your opportunity to familiarise yourself with the proposal and to make your views known.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – 24 APRIL 2010
This year’s Annual Parish Meeting will be held at 7.30pm in the Jubilee Hall on Monday 24 April and will, as usual, provide an opportunity to update everyone on the activities of the Parish Council over the previous twelve months. In the past we have usually been fortunate enough to persuade our local County and District Councillors to say a few words of local interest as well and it is hoped that they will be able to attend this year too.
You are invited to the launch of : ‘Make it Wild’ - the latest book by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield and ‘Lets Go Wild’ – Natural England’s Family Engagement Programme Come along to Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve on Friday 16th April 2pm-4.30pm....and find out how to get your children having fun out-doors! Bring your family to celebrate the launch of these exciting projects and take part in a number of different and innovative activities including making a clay puppet and weaving a willow insect! Or simply enjoy the sights and sounds of nature on one of England’s most spectacular national nature reserves! Free Event by Natural England and Frances Lincoln Publishing.
Please park at Cowleaze Wood car park. For more information call Jenny Crook on 01844 351833 or email jenny.crook@naturalengland.org.uk www.naturalengland.org.uk
Red Kite Park
Now that the weather has cleared (somewhat) and the mud has dried out, the grass will be seeded (hopefully before the end of March). The play area has been inspected by an independent body and the equipment has been deemed safe to use. All we ask is that children (and their families) stay off of areas that are fenced off and look out for signs noting areas to avoid whilst the seed has a chance to take. Picnic tables and benches have been ordered and will be installed soon and signs will be put up soon. The birds nest swing will be installed once the grass has grown in.
Another plea – could dog owners please keep unaccompanied dogs off the play area and, in the event that they escape, please pick up after them. Members of the community have already noticed and cleaned up dog mess in the bark under the equipment. We are very excited to have our own play area in the parish but the fun will quickly fade if dog mess is a constant problem.
We will be putting up signs asking dog owners to ensure that dogs are on lead and accompanied in the play area at all times. Until the signs are up we are asking for your co-operation.
We still plan to hold a grand opening celebration in May when (hopefully) everything is much greener than at the moment. More details to come…Thank you
| Shannon Heiberg | Heather Weston | Victoria Balls |
| 01844 355 904 | 01844 350 040 | 01844 354 277 |
CAN YOU HELP? AN APPEAL FOR MEMORIES FROM STUDENTS OF OXFORD POLYTECHNIC AND THE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
While ‘The Poly’ and the older College of Technology no longer exist in Oxford, their value to Oxfordshire is still clear. Students of both institutions have gone on to live and work here, benefiting local businesses and communities with their knowledge and expertise.
Oxford Brookes is rightfully proud of its roots in the Polytechnic and the College of Technology, and the achievements of former students of all our past institutions have reinforced the university’s reputation for producing skilled and well-rounded graduates.
In 2015 Brookes celebrates its 150 year anniversary. We believe the celebrations should include and involve all alumni, whether you studied at the College of Technology, Oxford Polytechnic, Dorset House, Lady Spencer-Churchill, Westminster, Oxford City Technical School or the university itself.
To achieve this, we are appealing for memories from all former students of all our past institutions. By sharing your anecdotes and photos with the Alumni Office you can help to illustrate the shared history of the entire Oxford Brookes community, and make 2015 an unforgettable celebration for everyone.
We are especially keen to hear from alumni with personal memories of John Henry Brookes for a biography celebrating the life of the university’s spiritual founder.
Please email your memories and photos to alumni@brookes.ac.uk. We can also answer any questions you have about strengthening your relationship with Oxford Brookes, from updating you with news and events to helping you enjoy the many benefits available to all our alumni.
SCHOOL NEWS
News from Krakatoa
It’s been very exciting up at the hall lately with the work on the new play area and the storage extension– we’ve had a great time watching all the progress and machinery. We are looking forward to being able to use the new play area and the new acoustic panels that have been installed are wonderful – they make a real difference -- the echo has disappeared!!
This term we have been talking about animals – farm animals, animals in the wild, animal homes, pets and dinosaurs and have been having a great time. Now that it’s starting to warm up we are able to do more outside activities which the children enjoy.
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./www.krakatoa-preschool.org.ik 07919081088.
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 | 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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| P09/E1280 | Copcourt House – refurbish, convert & demolish barns | NSV | Current |
| P09/E1281/LB | Copcourt House – refurbish, convert & demolish barns. | NSV | Current |
| P10/E0179 | Church Farm, Lewknor – erection of three dwellings & ancillary development | Current | Current |
| P10/E0085 | Moorcroft Barn, Weston Rd – new extension & change of use. | Object | Current |
News from Newington Nurseries
Magnolias herald the arrival of spring
.The Magnolia, a signature plant of this time of year, is one of the most primitive of flowering plants. It’s named after Pierre Magnol (1638 - 1715), Professor of Botany at Montpelier University and also Director of the Royal Botanic Garden in Montpelier. Magnolias are native to North America, East and South-East Asia including the Himalayas where the plants are valued for their fragrant blooms and handsome foliage. It’s rather difficult to believe that this beautiful shrub evolved before bees. The showy flowers originally developed to encourage pollination by beetles. The result is that Magnolia flowers are tough so as to avoid damage by crawling and eating insects. .
Most species of Magnolia produce flowers in spring, often before the leaves appear, and are usually followed by attractive cone-shaped and colourful fruits. Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia) is the perfect choice for container growing, bearing abundant white or delicate pink blooms depending on variety. M. stellata ‘Rubra’ has large dark pink flowers and M. stellata ‘Waterlily’ white flowers up to 12cm across. Magnolia ‘Susan’ produces glorious purple-red flowers with the added bonus of fragrance and is another great option if space is limited. Take the time to choose an attractive pot that will be big enough to accommodate the shrub as it grows. With more space in the garden, you might consider planting directly into the ground. Magnolia x loebneri is a wonderful shrub or small tree for the garden, producing masses of star-shaped blossoms, 8-13cm across. Look out especially for ‘Leonard Messel’, which produces pale, lilac pink flower heads or ‘Merrill’ which bears white flowers. For large goblet-shaped blooms that come in mid to late spring, look to Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia). ‘Rustica Rubra’ is a beauty, its purplish red flowers being reminiscent of red wine. Alternatively, go for ‘Lennei Alba’ with its pure white flowers. Magnolia campbellii, a fairly large tree, would be great if space allows because it bears those intriguing ‘cup-and-saucer’ shaped flowers. ‘Darjeeling’ or ‘Charles Raffill’ are also really lovely, producing dark pink and purple-pink blossoms respectively. Magnolia grandiflora (Bull Bay) is worth mentioning despite the fact that it flowers in autumn. This species is a stunning evergreen tree whose leaves are a beautiful glossy green. Large, creamy coloured and very fragrant flowers appear late summer to early autumn and these are followed by fascinating, rose-coloured and candle-shaped fruits. .
Magnolias really can be the showpieces of the 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. In spring, mulch with manure or leaf mould, particularly if the soil is dry. .
SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Animals and birds are waking up now. Birds getting ready to lay and mammals that are soon to give birth will be on the look out for any extra food they can get – help them out if you can. March/early April is the ideal time for pruning. Prune shrub and climbing roses, heathers and mahonias. This time of year is also perfect for planting and replanting. Pick out which perennials flowered less last season – these can be divided and separated to give them a new lease of life. Nutrients are also very important for a healthy garden so definitely don’t forget to fertilise now.
Newington Nurseries, Newington, Nr Stadhampton, Oxon, OX10 7AW TeI 01865 400533www.newington-nurseries.co.uk Top