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The Grapevine Magazine March 2001 Issue No 157
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The death of Rachel MacKinnon has robbed Lewknor of one of its best loved figures. The funeral service, led by the Rev Simon Brignall and assisted by the Rev Timothy Mogg (nephew) was held at St Margaret's, Lewknor on Monday 19th February. The church was beautifully decorated with lilies by the flower arranging team. A full congregation heard the Address given by Rachel's elder son, Peter. After the burial everyone was invited to the Old Fox for refreshments and to meet the rest of the family who had flown in from Australia. Rachel went as a young bride to Australia in 1936 with her husband Neil whose career was spent in the Australian Navy. This was in itself quite an adventure at that time but it was one that she faced with typical enthusiasm. Twenty five years ago she and her husband moved to Lewknor and she at once made her presence felt in a variety of ways. It is no exaggeration to say she had a genius for making friends of all ages. This gift lasted with her all her life. She always made one welcome at the Old Fox and became a familiar sight in the village with a small dog at her heels. She served for many years on the Lewknor Parochial Church Council; regularly provided teas for Watlington Hospital; organised the annual house to house Red Cross collection; worked in the Age Concern Drop-In Centre in Watlington; organised the knitting of sweaters for children in Africa, as well as for Bosnians and Kosovans. She delivered over 1,000 garments to Oxfam in Thame. She was responsible for setting up the working party to replace the church kneelers and indeed worked on several of them herself -- and who can forget the annual summer church Bring and Buy Coffee mornings with auction at the Old Fox which raised substantial sums. Many of us enjoyed her lovely garden on those happy occasions and she worked very hard to prepare for the event. She was also an active participant in the British Legion, the Watlington Gardening Club and Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust. She was a devoted Christian, a staunch patriot and our lives are richer for knowing her. A sweet and gentle person, she will be most dearly missed. Peter MacKinnon writes: Dear Grapevine Rachel MacKinnon Lewknor has given dear Rachel a wonderful farewell. On behalf of her family, I thank our many friends who made her twenty-six years in the village such a happy time. We are particularly grateful for the many expressions of comfort and condolence that so many of you have given us - thank you all. JUMBLE SALE SATURDAY 17th MARCH 10am - 12noon HOME MADE CAKES RAFFLE Any Jumble will be gratefully accepted after 3.30pm on Friday 16th, not before please. Any problems contact Caroline on KB 352720 At the beginning of the month Lewknor School was visited by members of the British Skipping Team and with their help lots of children purchased ropes and learned the difficulties of mastering a 'full kibbutz', 'cross skipping' and even backwards skipping! Following on from this a sponsored skip took place in the playground, with some children skipping for 45 minutes to raise money for the British Heart foundation and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. We shall let you know how much we raised. On February 16th the whole school "flew to Egypt" for the day! This was the culmination of the half term topic learning all aspects of ancient Egypt, and, after the school assembly in church the 'Egyptians' showed us around temples, pyramids and the Sphinx all created in the classrooms. Miss Stoker's classroom held the banquet with traditional foods such as dates, figs, rice and chick peas. It was a wonderful experience for everyone. On Saturday 17th March the 'Friends' will be holding a Jumble Sale at the school from 10am - 12noon with lots of home made cakes and a raffle too. Any jumble will be gratefully accepted after 3-30pm on Friday 16th, not before please. Any problems contact Caroline on 352720. Some of the pupils from Lewknor in year 7 went on an organised trip to the ski village of Aprica in northern Italy over half term week. From what we have heard so far all 16 pupils had a fantastic time, the weather was quite settled for most of the week and there was enough snow even on the lower slopes. Morning and afternoon lessons were all included and in the evening they all went skating, swimming, bowling and had a disco. The parents of those who went would like to say a big thank you to Miss Shrimpton and Mr Maguire for their time and effort. Our focus this term is on creative development and finding ways to communicate by using colour, shape, texture, and movement and by retelling and acting fairy stories. Some of the ways we will achieve this are by making musical instruments and moving to match sounds heard and by making masks and acting out the story of the Three Little Pigs and comparing weights between straw, a twig and a brick. The children will also be painting to music and exploring their imagination with clay and will create their own individual masterpieces! We have already had a visit from our local postman and the children had great fun looking inside his van and finding out about his job. They were also relieved to be assured that the postman always knows where to deliver any parcels or letters addressed to them. Shrove Tuesday was celebrated with some delicious pancakes made by Denise and St David's Day by making lovely colourful and smelling daffodils. The playgroup have also had great fun making a thank you card for Lucy Picton-Turbervill who has stepped down as Chairperson of Krakatoa after 3 years of much hard work and dedication. Lucy was also presented with some farewell gifts from the mothers and Playgroup helpers in appreciation for her time and commitment. Many of you who remember the Rev Henry Brierly, previously vicar of Lewknor, will be sad to hear that he died in the John Radcliffe on Monday night 26th February. Following a heart attack, he was admitted to the JR on Thursday 22nd and died of pneumonia, surrounded by his family, aged 70. A service of thanksgiving for his life was held at St Mary's Thame on Friday 2nd March at 3pm. From 1 April 2001 residents of pensionable age, the disabled and necessary travel companions of the disabled will be able to choose: EITHER £20 0f National transport tokens (£10 for disabled children under the age of 15) OR a free half-fare bus pass. The grey plastic travel tokens currently in use will not be valid after 31 March 2001 and must not be used after this date. The Bus Pass offers travel at half the standard fare within the district and to certain destinations outside the district (Abingdon, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Oxford, Princes Risborough and Reading). The pass can be used after 9am on weekdays and at any time at weekends and public holidays. The Travel Tokens have a value of 50p each and may be used on local journeys by bus, train, and taxi or on voluntary transport schemes. Neither passes nor tokens are valid on tours or excursions. This Travel Scheme applies throughout the district and does not affect any travel concessions that your own Parish council may offer. Guidance Notes are now available which explain the Scheme in more detail and tell you how to apply for a bus pass or travel tokens. Copies are available from the parish representative, Alison Ellerton (01844 352419). Grapevine is delivered to every house in the parish, free of charge, each month (with the exceptions of January and August). The publication is largely funded by the parish council but over the years we have contributed towards the cost with revenue from the Adverts. At the moment we are very short of adverts and would like to increase the number. Our charges are very low, compared with other publications and we deliver to approximately 270 houses. Would you be interested in helping us by advertising in Grapevine?
(Scandinavian Meat Balls - by kind permission of Caroline Hjorth) 3 Tblsp soft white breadcrumbs 1 Tblsp plain flour 1 grated onion 2 Tblsp milk (or water) 2 Tblsp cream Nutmeg and/or allspice Salt and pepper Chopped parsley Meat: 225g lean pork mince 50g lean beef mince Mix together all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Leave to stand for ½ hour before shaping mixture with 2 desert spoons into flattened balls. Slowly fry in butter, checking to see when cooked on both sides by pricking with a sharp fork and seeing that the juices run clear. Keep warm on a plate, and serve with "lingonberry sauce" (traditional) or sauce of your choice. Have you got a favourite recipe? Let us have it and share it with your friends.
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