The Grapevine MagazineSeptember 2005 Issue No 204 |
Church Clock |
It seems that many people , including some long term residents of the village are unaware of the beautiful time piece housed in Lewknor Church tower.
I suppose its most noteworthy feature is the 35 foot long pendulum, which I’m told is the longest in the land! It swings back and forth at three second intervals in the wooden case against the south wall of the tower. Curiously , a 5 foot deep pit has been dug in the tower floor to accommodate the great length, as the clock itself is as high in the tower as it can be beneath the belfry.
After winding, the clock weight takes 2 weeks to reach the pit floor and the chime weight one week. I think the pendulum bob weighs about ¾ cwt. (I refuse to use Bonapartes measures in connection with this clock – may he rot in hell).
The clock is accurate to within I minute a week, although it may not have been extensively cleaned or dismantled for a very long time.
However, it seems to have no mechanism to maintain drive power during winding – which takes about 30 seconds. Therefore we attempt to run it about 15 seconds fast each week to make up for this.
Here follows a reasonable translation of the Latin inscription from the front of the movement:
“His Very Reverend Edward Dean, Bachelor of Civil Law, Fellow of the College of All Souls,
Patron of the inhabitants of this parish, has caused this remarkable clock to be set up in honour of the Holy Saint, from his Father Richard B Dean Esquire, on account of which it was brought from London especially, in year of our salvation 1843.”
I’ve written this in my capacity as trainee attendant, and am no clock expert of any sort, just very pleased to be one of the long line of winders and regulators. I’ve tried to learn more about the clock from All Souls College and by asking around and if anyone knows any history, I or Grapevine would love to have it.
On Wednesday 5th October the talk will be about ‘ferns’ by Alistair Urquhart, Wednesday 2nd November the subject will be ‘clematis’ by Mike Brown who holds the National Collection. Wednesday 7th December is our Christmas social. In the summer we visit gardens of particular interest, very often related to our winter talks.
Annual subscription £10, guests and visitors £2 per session. Why not come along as a visitor and see if you would like to join and also to find out what out programme has in store for the New Year.
Further details from Jane Kilroy, Club Secretary,‘THE RIDE AND STRIDE’ Sponsored Cycle Ride and Walk Annual Event
in Aid of the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust (OHCT) and YOUR PARISH CHURCH Saturday, 10th September 2005 Dig the bike out of the shed, pump up the tyres, check the brakes and oil the chain! Once again, this year on Saturday 10th, you and your children can cycle or walk (or even go by car!) to the churches around Oxfordshire and, with the help of your sponsors, raise money for the maintenance of the fabric of Oxfordshire Churches. Remember, 50p in the pound of what you raise goes towards saving YOUR OWN PARISH CHURCH of St Margaret, here in Lewknor.This year, St Margaret’s received a grant of £10,000 from OHCT to help us in our project of re-roofing our church and making it watertight. Indeed, we are likely to receive more grants during the next few years from this charity towards the necessary on-going repair and renovation work. So please do your best to support OHCT by participating in this event. We benefit from every penny you raise!
Sponsorship forms are now available from:
Elizabeth Orr-Ewing, Icknield House, 12 High Street, Lewknor Tel 01844 353600
If anybody could spare an hour to sit in the church during the day between 9am and 6pm on Saturday 10 September, please contact Elizabeth on the above number.
We are looking for community minded people who want to help others. The CAB in Thame is going from strength to strength, planning extra hours and outreach services, but we can only do that if we train more volunteer advisers. From body-piercing to benefits and builders and bankruptcy (and that’s only the ‘b’!), this is your chance to learn about a huge range of social issues and help people in the community know about their rights and responsibilities. Training is free and leads to a nationally recognised qualification. We are planning to start a new group of trainees in October. The deadline for applications is 30/09/05.
For more details, contact Sarah on 01844 217186 or 01491 574508 or write to Thame CAB, Market House, North Street, Thame, OX9 3HH, or e-mail Sarah on thamecab@cabnet.org.uk and come and join the charity for your community!
I cdnuoit blveiee taht I cluod aulacity uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitil raed it wouthit a porbelm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt.
(Found in the July 2005 issue of the Launton Lines)
Small trees for a small garden
Every garden should have one! The right tree can transform a garden into something very special. They provide focal points in lawns or borders as well as framing gateways and entrances. They are also useful as wind or sound breaks and as part of a scheme for screening or hedging.Robinia pseudoacacia (False Acacia) is a super option with attractive oval leaflets that grow along a stem to make up the leaves (up to 30cm long). In mid-summer, these trees produce delicate white flowers which are sometimes fragrant. ‘Umbraculifera’ is the perfect little tree for a small garden - it reaches a height of around 6 metres.
The ornamental cherry family has a wide range of small trees to choose from. Prunus ‘Cheal’s Weeping’ has arching branches which curve downwards giving the tree a dramatic look. At its most showy in spring, clusters of pink blossom cascade along its branches. Its glossy green leaves are oval and slightly serrated. It grows to a height of approximately 4 metres and a spread of about 3 metres.
Also look out for choices from the Catalpa and Crataegus families. Foliage, blossom and flowers are all part of the attraction with these trees. Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ (Midland Hawthorn) is a popular choice because it has lots to offer with its clusters of dark pink flowers in spring and summer followed by small red (inedible) fruits in autumn. This is a tough tree ideal for an urban garden or an exposed or coastal location. It reaches a height of around 6 metres.
Overall, ornamental trees are remarkably adaptable in their uses in the garden. Grow in any moist, but well drained, moderately fertile soil and a sunny position. Ideally, plant between autumn and spring. Plant Robinias in a spot sheltered from strong winds. Each of the trees mentioned is fully hardy and require little maintenance. Why not treat your garden and plant a tree this weekend?
`The positive result of reading the book was the stimulus for me to find out more about the Japanese invasion of China and the conflict in the Chinese ranks between the Nationalist Government of Chiang Kai Chek and the Communists led by Mao. It explains the rancour which still exists between the two nations. However, the narrative of the main character resulted in one of the group labelling him ‘a prat’ and certainly we couldn’t recommend the book as a ‘good read’. As a matter of interest Ishiguro’s latest novel is in the long-list for the Booker Prize for this year. Hmm!
Our next two books are “Armadillo” by William Burroughs for September and “Tulip Fever” by Deborah Moggach for October. If anyone would like to join the group you would be very welcome – we have heard a whisper we are known as ‘the intellectual group’ but with a glass aof wine we spend a very convivial evening!
Elan Preston-Whyte Tel 01844 350382