The Grapevine MagazineOctober 2005 Issue No 205 |
Annual Fete |
The Friends of Lewknor School would like to thank everyone who helped and participated at the Horticultural Show, even though it wasn't the best of days the number of people who came was as high as ever. As usual the skittles and wellie wanging caused much competition amongst families, and all the stalls did really well.
Our music man was Vic Smith, who lives in Chinnor, and he played bravely on throughout the drizzle with the help of a customized umbrella! The auction raised lots of money as usual, even with the compulsory marrow! Many thanks to Myles for doing a brilliant job, and of course thanks to Susan Watt for the use of her lovely garden and barn.
The Horticultural show and the Best Kept Gardens Competition have been running for over 30 years now and are the only annual events which involve all three villages in the civil parish of Lewknor. The organizers think it would be a very good idea to take a fresh look at these events to make sure that they continue to involve as many people as possible and provide occasions which everyone can enjoy. It would be really good if we could get a 'Villages Committee' together to take responsibility for these two events. Please contact Christine Smith (01844 353283) or Gill Bindoff (01491 612663) if you are interested in joining the committee or if you have some good ideas to put forward.
The following trophies were awarded at the Show:
The Middleton Cup awarded to:
Mrs C Smith for gaining the highest number of points in the show.
The Ridone Cup awarded to :
Mr K Witney as the runner up
The Scott Cup awarded to:
Mr R and Mrs K Anderson for the highest number of points gained by one family
The Rose Bowl awarded to:
Mrs G Coles for the best flower arrangement in the show
The Junior Shield awarded to:
David Greensmith for the highest number of points gained by someone 15 years old and under.
BEST KEPT GARDENS COMPETIITION
was this year judged by Theresa Clark, from Kingston Blount. Whilst sending us the results, she writes:-"I have spent a very pleasant day, with Jackie Graham guiding the route, viewing the gardens in your area, and considered it an honour to have been asked.
This season has been particularly difficult with our lack of rain, to maintain the gardens in good condition.
In all the 30 gardens that I visited there was still a very high standard throughout.
My criteria for judging the garden was, mainly best kept, then maintenance, tidiness, imaginative ideas, but not the greenest best kept lawn, with this years terrible drought in fact, I considered a green lawn as a bit of a minus.
I found it very difficult in making a decision as in many gardens there were areas worthy of a prize. So after great consideration I award:
1st Alabaster Cup - best overall garden Tricia and Paul Smith 25 Weston Road, Lewknor A beautiful garden, well thought out with some imaginative ideas, and I look forward to seeing the future planned projects!
2nd The Trotman Cup Mr and Mrs McCulloch, Wheatfied House, Lewknor Very well kept, not a weed in sight. Lovely shrub planting and good attention to plant care.
3rd The Desborough Cup Mr and Mrs Dulake Wyckham House, Lewknor Many well thought out quiet corners, a garden to relax in with a glass of wine, when you have time! I particularly like the area with the view of the fields beyond, very peaceful.
Highly Commended Mr and Mrs Witney 4 Beacon View, Lewknor Nicely laid out with recreational areas and well done for growing many of your own plants.
CONTAINERS COMPETITION
1st The Rose Bowl Mr and Mrs Coe Elm Cottage, Box Tree Lane, Postcombe Once again a first for you, with your large quantity of unusual containers applying detail to colour schemes and mixed planting of veggies and flowers.2nd Honeysuckle Cottage, Hill Road, Lewknor Small, but the best hanging baskets that I saw today. Lovely small front garden.
3rd Mr and Mrs Nias, 14 Watlington Road, Lewknor Love your large variety of canna lilies.
Highly Commended Mr and Mrs Denham, 24 Watlington Road, Lewknor Imaginative planting with containers all around the garden.
After an amusing introductory speech by our colourful MP Boris Johnson, we all went on a tour to meet all the dogs and cats. There aren't any rabbits just yet, they hope to house them soon, but the renovated kennels are as pleasant as they can be for a true assortment of canine mixtures. I think our group's favourite was the three legged lurcher, and all the helpers can tell you their stories and from where they came from.
They are given as much attention as possible, but they can always do with more volunteers to play and walk the dogs. You can also volunteer to play with the cats, and many of them crave attention. The cattery is brand new and blends in really well with the rest of the site. There is a vet's room and even a small operating room. The vet is on site at least once a week.
The staff explained that some of the animals come from owners who can no longer cope, or from dog pounds. They try very hard to match suitable new owners, and help with any behaviour problems afterwards.
Visitors are welcome every day between 11am and 4pm, however the centre is closed every Tuesday. If you have any towels, blankets, duvets or newspaper (for litter trays) that you don't need, they would be grateful for them. I believe you have to be over 14 to volunteer.
May I congratulate out Parish and County Councillors for the fine representation on behalf of their constituents on this matter. For anyone who feels an improved road surface or noise barriers could be beneficial I suggest you visit www.M40-Chilterns.org.uk and join a group that has managed to get Junction 2 to 5 recognised as a problem."
Our main topic this term is 'Learning through the senses'. We will be looking at the five senses and enjoying lots of related activities and stories, while linking them to each area of learning in the national curriculum.
We are very sad to be saying goodbye to Hayley at the end of the term. We are urgently looking for a replacement to start in January. The suitable person must hold NVQ3 or equivalent and be able to work five mornings a week. They will be greatly supported by a fantastic team of staff and dedicated committee. Please do ask friends and family if you know of anyone who may be interested. Please speak to Freya or the pre-school team as soon as possible if you yourself or you know of anyone who may be interested.
Fundraising Again an enormous thank you to all those who continually support our fundraising events. The Safari Supper evening was enjoyed by all and raised an outstanding £540 for Pre-school. Thank you to our hosts for staging and supplying the event - without you the event would not have been possible. The July Fun-Day was great fun and raised £437.40. thank you to the children who raised the sponsorship money (with the help of the devoted parents)! Thank you also to those who helped on the day. Requests Unfortunately the Village Hall has thrown away our big pink carpet. This was not only invaluable for indoor activities, but also helped to reduce the sound in the hall. Therefore we would be extremely grateful for any carpet donations. We are also extremely grateful for any drawing paper and art and craft materials. Stephanie London
I think the author Boyd most resembles is Evelyn Waugh as the book is a mixture of black tragedy and laugh aloud farce and we felt that on the whole we could recommend this book to others.
Our next book is 'Tulip Fever' by Deboah Moggach for October. She has recently written the screenplay for the new film version of 'Pride and Prejudice' in which Basildon Park is the 'stand-in' for Mr Bingley's country house 'Netherfield'.
Elan Preston-WhyteMany of the people who have supported Lollipops over the past couple of years no longer have toddlers and so it is time to move on, myself included. However, there are many more toddlers in the village and the Lollipops provides a useful meeting place for parents and carers, and hopefully will go on from strength to strength.
Sarah has kindly offered to act as a contact for the group and hopes to re-start it again in the near future. Details will be in the Grapevine, so watch this space or contact Sarah on 01494 483221.
Thanks to Sarah and to everyone who has enjoyed Lollipops in the past.
Gerry ColesEveryone is invited to come to the service which will be part of the national celebrations to commemorate our most celebrated naval victory, which on 21st October 1805, scuppered Napoleon's plans to invade Britain. Sadly, the ferocious battle off the Spanish coast cost Nelson his life and brought his courageous career to an end. It will commemorate the life of Nelson and will also serve to remember the crews from both sides that fought and died in the battle. The church bells are to be rung that day.
Nelson's Prayer This famous prayer was written in the Great Cabin aboard HMS Victory in the hours before the Battle of Trafalgar.. "May the Great God whom I worship grant to my country and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may no misconduct in anyone tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature of the British Fleet. For myself individually I commit my life to Him who made me, and may this blessing light upon my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To Him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. Amen. Amen."
The card of the Madonna and Child is a detail from a window in the Chancel photographed by Peter Mackinnon. Every card sold will support the continuing restoration of the church.
This is a safety Jumble Sale Come along and have your property security marked by the local police
The local Fire Brigade will also be available to check the installation of child safety seats.
In aid of the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust
The lucky winner of our competition to win a £750 professionally fired display was Mr Hine of Cuddington, who kindly donated the prize to the Cuddington Village, New Year's Eve Celebration. We look forward to seeing you all, either at our shops or at the Lambert Arms , bonfire night spectacular on the 4th of November
While we can do little about most noise, we can do something about the M40 and that is one of the main tasks of the Environmental Group. It is pushing the Highways Agency (responsible for the M40) to speed up its road surface renewal programme between Junctions 3 and 7 in advance of its 2011 completion date. The problem is that the current road surface is old and not up to modem noise reducing standards and there are few worthwhile noise barriers along its length - you only have to stand on any adjacent footpath to fully appreciate this!
Statistics (those things that go with lies and damned lies!) show that much of the noise is generated by fast moving vehicles. If you don't believe me, go and stand on any motorway bridge and listen to the different amounts of noise generated by a car rocketing along the outside lane at 80+ versus a car travelling at 70 in the centre lane and a heavy lorry travelling at 60 in the left lane. The outside lane generates more noise than the other two put together. Go and listen!
Are you one of the 25,000 people affected by the M40 between Loudwater (J3) and Milton Common (J7) and miles either side? Is the background noise in your garden not one of birdsong but the continuous drum of traffic?
Most of us think that we can do nothing to change any of this but we can. The Group has just published a very interesting pamphlet entitled Making the M40 a better motorway through the Chilterns. It is very well worth reading for it explains what can be done, if we care enough to get involved to take back our peace and enjoyment of the Chilterns.
If you want a copy, or you want to become involved in seeing this task progressed to reality contact, in the first instance, Dr. Ken Edwards on 01494 881266 or, for those of you with a web connection, go on-line to M40 Chilterns Environmental Group on www.m40-chilterns.org.uk.
A final thought, if we all reduce our speed to 70 mph, we are generating less noise for the benefit of others as well as saving on our fuel bills!
Further details of individual Planning Applications are available on-line, as follows. Open SODC's Home Page at www.southoxon.gov.uk. In the left hand column of the Home page, click on 'On-Line Services'. On the window that opens, scroll down to 'On-Line Planning' and click on the highlighted 'Planning Register'. When the next window opens, click on 'Search by Reference Number' (on the left) and then find the specific application that you seek.
| Ref No | Remarks | LPC Comment | SODC Status |
| P05/E0758 | Pippins, Box Tree Lane, Postcombe - two extensions | NSV | Granted |
| P05/E08403 | Weston Cres, Lewknor - 2-storey extension | NSV | Current |
| P05/E0850 | Adwell Farm Cottage, Box Tree Lane, Postcombe - extension to provide wheelchair access/facilities | NSV | Current |
| P05/E0976 | 8 High St, Lewknor - 2-storey extension & conservatory. | NSV | Current |