The Grapevine Magazine June 2010 Issue No 252 Other Issues Home

Council News Schools Nursery Tips

LEWKNOR FETE & HORTICULTURAL SHOW

There will be a meeting on Thursday June 24th at 7.30 pm in Lewknor School, to discuss arrangements for this year’s show.

We will decide which local good causes should benefit from the profits – last year’s profits paid for the great new tables and seating at the Red Kite playground in Lewknor.

We shall also plan the stalls & activities for this show. We would really welcome your thoughts or offers of help. Many hands make light work, so please come to this meeting, or ring Christine on 353283 with your ideas.

Grapevine readers in Postcombe – urgent!

Denise Harrington and her friend Dot have decided to retire after many years of delivering the Grapevine. I know you would want to join me in thanking them and wish them every happiness in the future.

85 copies of the Grapevine are delivered in the Postcombe area, and Denise and Dot, to their credit uncomplainingly did this between them, which I believe takes around ¾ of an hour. If we had more people from Postcombe who were willing to deliver 10, 15, or 20 copies, in their particular road or area, this would not be a big task.

I know from the letters I receive how many of you appreciate and value the Grapevine, however please understand, from next month, unless we get some help, it will not be possible to deliver your Grapevines.To offer help please contact - Beatrice Ellis 01844 353123

Note from the Editor

It has been suggested that there might be some merit in expanding Grapevine's reporting of current local planning applications.  This would involve monitoring the SODC website (where all relevant documentation relating to every application is readily available and easily accessible), extracting whatever information is considered to be significant, editing it into a suitable format and submitting the finished article to Grapevine for publication.  Anyone interested in taking on this commitment is invited to contact the editor at beatrice.ellis@btinternet.com (01844 353123)

The Bookclub at Lewknor.

The Street Philosopher by Michael Plampin provided a novel with a well- researched account of the Crimean War which did not pull its punches. The story revolves around three men, two war correspondents from the London Courier and a younger more naïve illustrator who provides the images to accompany his colleagues’ reports. However, there are two separate time frames between which the author cuts, an earlier one set in 1853 in the Crimea during the war and a later one after the war in the Manchester of 1857. In Manchester we are introduced to the Norton family newly enriched as the result of a lucrative manufacturing contract obtained during the war.

The two main protagonists, Cracknell and Kitson, are contrasting characters: the former Irish and devoid of any honourable intentions, the other a more cultured man whose character seems rather colourless. Styles, the illustrator, is destroyed physically and mentally by his experience of the war – his disturbed mind reflecting the horrors of the battlefield which the reader shares. No-one in the novel except Kitson behaves well, the noble lords and most of the officers who lead the army are incompetent, the soldiers are ill-equipped, ill-fed and ill-clothed and fight as best as they can.

The looting of art treasures is considered legitimate booty of war but Cracknell is determined on revenge for losing his job with the Courier for attempting to disclose the theft of an important Raphael painting. In Manchester he sees his opportunity to achieve this at the Art Treasures Exhibition which Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are to visit. The author is obviously happier in relating the story of the war and the Art Exhibition than the love story between Kitson and the young widow, Jemima James, whose father is the industrialist, Norton. He has attempted War and Peace but lacks Tolstoy’s talent to make his story really come alive.

We have an interesting number of books to discuss in the coming months. In June we have the first part of the trilogy by Stieg Larrson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo then The Beacon by Susan Hill. The others on the list are Xinran’s Sky Burial,  

Barbara Pym’s Excellent Women and lastly, Joan Barfoot’s Getting over Edgar.

As always, we are happy to welcome new recruits to the group which varies between seven and eight members.

Elan Preston-Whyte.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Football Fun!

Last week we enjoyed a very relaxed game of football after school, where adults pitched their skills against the children. The final score was 3-2 to the children and the experience was really positive and fun. We hope to repeat the event in the not-too-distant future. Thanks to the parents who organised the event, the mums who baked and served cakes and squash at half time and all those adults who didn’t mind the physical challenge and light-hearted banter!

Auction of Promises
Many thanks to everyone who turned out for our Auction of Promises last Friday evening. A total of just over £3,000 was raised, to go towards enriching the teaching and learning here in school.

Topic Theme
We have started our topic on Famous People. Among those people being researched are Roald Dahl, Florence Nightingale, James Cook, John Lennon and Michael Jackson. We have a school trip scheduled for later in the term, where we will be going to the Roald Dahl Museum in Aylesbury.

Maypole Dancing
What a shame about the drizzly weather on the day we scheduled our Maypole Dances! We braved the light rain and managed two dances…but then the heavens opened and we had to abandon plans for further dances! Thank you to everyone who turned out to show their support and to cheer on the children. Fingers crossed for better weather next year…..

Kingswood Residential Trip
Just before the Easter holidays I took our Years 3 and 4 to a residential education site in Staffordshire. We enjoyed a fabulous few days, undertaking outdoor challenges and learning new campfire songs. We all attempted new challenges, as we zip-wired at great height, learnt to use a bow and arrow in archery, drove a Quad Bike and learnt to problem solve in teams. It was memorable not just for these things but mostly because this is the FIRST year that everyone in our group was asleep before 11.30pm!!!!!

SCHOOL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Lots of notice, I know, but…

Thursday 15 July: Summer Music Concert in the Village Hall.
Monday 19th July: Sports Day 1.30-3.30pm.
Thursday 22 July: Leavers’ Assembly in the church 9.15am
Thursday 22 July: School finishes at 1.30pm and recommences on Thursday 2 September

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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

Councillors keep in touch with the Parish Council on issues relating to the different Councils and try to attend meetings on a regular basis. We are happy for residents to contact us directly on specific personal issues whenever necessary.

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

Two sports opportunities:

For tots to teens:
The River & Rowing Museum in Henley is inviting local people to take part in free sports sessions by providing top coaches and instructors to help improve your swing or score a hat trick. Hosted by local sports clubs and South Oxfordshire District Council's Go Active initiative, everyone, from tots to teens and beginners to pros, will be able to have a go at a range of exciting sports including cricket, rugby, hockey, golf and indoor rowing.

Where: River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames
Date: Sunday 20 June
Time: 11am - 4pm, drop-in at any time

Registration will take place in the Museum foyer. Free parking is available in the Museum car park for participants and visitors.

The sports taster sessions are part of the Museums special exhibition Our Sporting Life – Henley, exploring our national relationship to sport and our sporting heritage. The exhibition celebrates sporting moments, heroes, objects, photographs and experiences that have inspired the people of Henley. All participants will qualify for FREE entry to the Museum on the day of the taster session. Once you have visited the exhibition, you will be invited to fill in a postcard and share your sporting memories and inspirations with us.

For the over 50s:
Nexus Community Leisure, in partnership with the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) and Age Concern have secured Big Lottery funding to run a series of free swimming lessons in Thame, Berinsfield and Didcot.This new opportunity will run as a series of 8 x forty-five minute lessons at each location. The course will start with a gentle introduction to the leisure centre, the teacher and some goal setting to ensure everyone achieves their own personal aim for the course.  The lessons are an introduction to the basics of swimming and water confidence and this project has been set up in order to increase the number of people enjoying swimming regularly as part of a healthy lifestyle. Swimming is a great activity, particularly for older people as it is non-weight bearing, therefore puts little pressure on joints, swimming can also be enjoyed at any level.

Thame Leisure Centre - Tues 8 June, 9.15- 10.00 am (contact 01844 215607)
Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield - Tue 8 June, 3.15- 4.00 pm (contact 01865 341035)

New powers for fly tipping crackdown:
Fly tipping is a concern in the District as it not only creates and eyesore but also costs money to clear. South Oxfordshire District Council now has the power to issue on the spot fines of up to £300 for fly tipping. Officers can issue £300 fines for traders who break the rules by carrying rubbish without being registered.  The new powers also allow a £75 penalty for smaller first time incidents of fly tipping involving small amounts of household rubbish.  More serious offenders also face going to court, where fines of up to £50,000 or a two-year prison sentence can be imposed.

Reporting fly tipping:
If you witness fly tipping or wish to report dumped rubbish, please provide the following information where possible - date and time, name of person/company, vehicle registration, location, type and quantity of waste. You can report the problem using our online reporting service on the council website (see below). You can also phone 01491 823416 or email environmental.services@southoxon.gov.uk

Police Community Support Officer Update for May

Here is the latest Watlington neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Diane Greenwood (www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds). The Watlington PCSO also covers the parishes of Britwell Salome, Cuxham withEasington, Pyrton, Stoke Talmage, Shirburn, Christmas Common, Wheatfield, Adwell and Lewknor.

“This month there has been a few burglaries in the area where the offenders have entered the properties from the back of the house and stolen jewellery and electrical items. I would like to stress how important it is to ensure you are securing your property, making sure that doors are locked and secure. If you think about how you would get into your property if you had lost the door key so could a burglar. If any residents do see anything suspicious please contact the police with any information.

Following a series of distraction burglaries during the end of last year a description was issued of a Citroen Saxo that was suspected of being involved. This resulted in two men from Hertfordshire being arrested in April and charged with 19 offences connected to these distraction burglaries, five of which were in the Thame sector.

Motorcycles on the Ridgeway, which is a restricted byway for all motor vehicles, is an ongoing problem, with an increase of reports coming in, which we are dealing with by issuing suitable advice. In one case, where the offenders decided to ignore this advice and returned, they were issued with a notice to prevent them from using any vehicles again in an anti-social manner and given a fixed penalty of £30.

Indication Device (SID) during April around Watlington. Speeding drivers received warning letters and any repeat offenders will be picked up by road policing who will take further action. This device has provided us with an indication of the average speed in this area. Use of the SID will be planned each month, monitoring different locations in the rural and town. As a pre-warning there is also a number of road policing operations set up within the area during the up coming months.

It is hoped that we will be able to use the device in the Parish soon, as indications show that traffic is still not respecting our speed limits. Please remember to think when you are rushing home, that walkers and riders are likely to around the next bend!” Diane Greenwood PCSO

Lewknor Parish Recreation Ground & Hall Committee

The Trustees are disappointed to have to report, again, of the theft of a substantial quantity of oil from the hall’s tank. This occurred on Friday night/Saturday morning and has been reported to the police. If anyone saw or heard anything suspicious or unusual please contact the person below or the Trustees.

Calling all dog owners; with the opening of the new Playground it's been noticed that dog owners are trying their best to clear up after their animals, this means the sides of the recreation ground as well. Lots of the children from School will be playing rounder’s, football & athletics over the Summer, so please think about where they will be running into.  PLEASE can the owners who put dog faeces bags into the rubbish bins NOT do this, there are 5 expensive DOG WASTE bins in our Parish, and with the hot weather coming this really is disgusting for the Verdant workers. Kathleen Anderson kathleenanderson85@msn.com

HOME INSULATION FOR £99

Under a scheme that is being promoted and supported by both SODC and OCC, local folk could begin to realise savings on their energy bills within 12 months of taking up a new home insulation offer.

The offer, which is available to both homeowners and private tenants, involves the provision of cavity wall or loft insulation for a standard price of £99 each, which could save up to £115 a year on your heating bills. Over 70s and those with means-tested benefits may even get the work done free.

The £99 deal is subject to funding and offered on a first come, first served basis. In some cases, you may have to pay more, such as if your loft access is restricted.

The offer is being managed by Cocoon. To find out more call 0800 8048 777 and ask for the ‘Oxon Deal' or visit their website at www.cocoonyourhome.co.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
P09/E1296	Oxford Lodge, London Rd II – extension and demolition	Appeal	Current
P10/E0085	Moorcroft Barn, Weston Road – extension & change of use	Object	Current
P10/E0179	Church Farm, Lewknor – erection of three dwellings & ancillary development	NSV	Current
P10/E0439	27 Barley Close, Lewknor – erection of porch	NSV	Current
P10/E0534	Peel House, London Rd, Lewknor – replace extension & conservatory & erect garage	NSV	Current

The Chilterns Awards - Could you be a winner?

The beautiful landscapes of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are a product of a great deal of activity every year by thousands of individuals, communities, organisations and public bodies. A huge amount of high quality work is carried out, whether it is conserving wildlife habitats, removing obstacles like stiles on footpaths or sympathetically restoring traditional buildings.

To recognise all the good work going on the Chilterns Conservation Board runs an annual awards scheme, The Chilterns Awards, and is looking for great projects and outstanding people to reward. There are three categories of awards:

The Chilterns Wildlife and Landscape Award
Recognising innovative work that benefits the conservation of the natural environment of the Chilterns, for example, restoring a pond or managing a wood for wildlife.

The Chilterns Understanding and Enjoyment Award
Encouraging projects that increase the use and understanding of the Chilterns by new and varied audiences. These could include special events, new information displays or education projects. The Chilterns Outstanding People Award
Rewarding individuals or groups that have made an outstanding contribution to the conservation of the Chilterns or raising awareness of the area.

The closing date is 30th June. If you know of a person or project which deserves recognition get in touch! Entry forms, more information and profiles of past winners can be found at www.chilternsaonb.org/caring/chilterns_awards.html or contact Cathy Rose on 01844 355 506 or crose@chilternsaonb.org Awards will be presented at the Chilterns Annual Forum in November.

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News from Newington Nurseries

Fragrant Lavender

Lavender has been grown in the British Isles since the Middle Ages and is probably one of the most used plants in British gardens. It’s a versatile and adaptable plant making it a favourite in many a garden situation.

Lavandula is part of the mint family and there are over 30 species within the genus. However, whilst the French and Spanish varieties (eg. Lavandula dentata, stoechas and latifolia) produce rather beautiful foliage and flowers, it’s the English varieties that are most suited to our climate. Lavandula angustifolia is the hardiest and most long-lived but Lavandula x intermedia (a cross between L. angustifolia and the more tender L. intermedia) is also another option. L. angustifolia cultivars reach around 60cm in height whilst L. x intermedia types will get to nearer a metre.

Lavenders can be used in traditional cottage garden designs but are also suited to block planting schemes or drifts. Lavender can also be used to make wonderful scented hedges along pathways or used as edging plants around formal borders. The fragrance of lavender is of course part of its appeal and this can be used to great effect to deter garden pests from other plants. For example, planting lavender around roses will help to fend off aphids. Lavender itself does not suffer from pests or diseases although the sight of ’cuckoo spit’ (caused by the green capsid bug in spring) may initially cause some alarm but it doesn’t harm the plant.

Try any one of the following Lavenders which are deemed to be the traditional hardy and reliable types. Lavandula angustifolia can be rather a thug in the garden unless space isn’t a problem. The flower spikes can get to around a metre and a half in height and the foliage to some 60cm plus. If a smaller habit is required, try the entirely dependable L. angustifolia Hidcote. This produces dark purple flowers on robust stems and gets to a height of some 50 – 60cm. L. a. Munstead is another reliable choice producing blue-purple flowers on upright stalks. If pink or white is preferred, then try L. a. Rosea or L. a. Alba respectively. Both grow to around 50 – 60cm. A good ground cover option is L. a. Miss Muffet with its spikes of violet-blue flowers.

There are some rather lovely Lavandula x intermedia plants. Try L. x intermedia Edelweiss – it forms a perfect dome that is smothered in white flowers. It will reach around 75cm in height. L. x intermedia Grosso is a profuse and fragrant flowerer hence its use in lavender oil production. It’ll also get to a height of 75cm and fan out into a giant globe. L. x intermedia Dutch Group (formerly Vera) has a nice, low-spreading habit and, unusually, flowers well into October. Lavender responds well to hard pruning which should be done around August-time when the flowers are starting to fade. Ideally, remove around a third of the plant, not just the flower stalks. This can be done with either shears or a hedge trimmer. Once pruned and whilst the weather is still warm, there will be some new growth before dormancy sets in. This will leave the plants looking neat and tidy during the winter months.

When pruning L. x intermedia Dutch Group however, cut only the flower spikes back when the blooms are starting to fade then cut the plant itself back the following spring. Lavenders will thrive in warm and sunny situations, in both plants beds and containers, provided that the soil is very free draining. Their natural habitat is the Mediterranean region where the soil is generally rather poor quality – stone, chalk and sand – yet they flourish in that environment so heavy, rich soils are not an ideal planting medium. Of course Lavender is said to aid relaxation as well as physical and mental well-being. So plant some near the patio and enjoy its fragrance whilst relaxing on the sun lounger!

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