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The Grapevine Magazine March 2002 Issue No 167
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Junction 6 Bus Stops The parish council has recently been consulted on a scheme to improve safety at the bus stops and has given the scheme its support. New roundabouts would be provided on the B4009 at either side of the M40 where the slip roads lead on and off the motorway in the London direction. The off slip from Oxford would be realigned to allow for a bus lane and stop and there would be a new layby to provide an improved stopping place for the bus to Oxford. In addition to this there would be space for cars to drop off and pick up passengers at each of the bus stops. No decision has been made yet about addressing the problem of long term car parking but it is hoped that the provision of a taxibus service from local villages to the stops will reduce the need for people to access the bus service by car. Local parishes have got together to discuss the scheme and all give it their broad support. The County Council is responsible for the scheme and has to allocate funds for it. Some funding will be available from the Government. It is expected that work on the scheme is unlikely to begin until next year so there will still be a long wait until access to the bus service becomes safer. In the mean time the parish council is pressing for improvements to the highways maintenance programme so that the footpath and vegetation are kept in good order so that the path can be used safely. The parish council is also urging the County Council to repaint the road markings at junction 6 as another safety measure. The body responsible for maintenance of the M40 is also being asked to look at the improvement of safety on the stretch by Postcombe where two articulated lorries have crashed through the barrier and gone over the embankment in recent months. Details of a replanting programme along the embankments have also been asked for by the parish council. Bus Shelter at Postcombe The parish council has recently carried out a survey of the notice boards and bus shelters for which it is responsible in order to ensure that it is meeting its responsibilities for the health and safety of residents. Unfortunately it was found that the bus shelter at Postcombe was in a dangerous state and was beyond repair. Because it posed a risk of injuring users it was decided to remove it as soon as possible and Latimer kindly agreed to carry out the demolition and removal. In order to assess whether a replacement bus shelter is needed it would be very helpful if Postcombe residents contacted the parish council to give details of which bus services they use and how often they use them. The parish clerk is obtaining information about a range of shelters but it looks as though the replacement costs could be around two thousand pounds. If you would like to contribute your views please contact the parish clerk: Jeff Jefford - 01844 281449 or Gill Bindoff - 01491 612663.
The council provides a weekly kerbside recycling scheme to all residents of the district. The following materials can be recycled through the scheme:- Paper - e.g. Newspaper, junk mail, magazines, catalogues, phone directories and writing paper. Cans and tins - drink cans, food and petfood tins. Plastic bottles - e.g. Milk, pop, cordial, juice, cleaning, bleach, shampoo and toiletry bottles. Plastic packaging - e.g. Yoghurt pots, fruit punnets, ice cream and margarine tubs. The Council provides FREE recycling boxes for residents to collect these materials. If you have any additional material please place these in a carrier bag or cardboard box next to the recycling box. To obtain a free recycling box or obtain further information about the kerbside recycling scheme please call (01491) 823416, or visit www.southoxon.gov.uk. Recycling collections commence at 7am on the same day as the refuse, please ensure your recycling box is out ready for collection by this time. Recycling Banks - There are also a number of recycling banks around the district where residents can recycle material. The following materials can be put in these banks:- Glass banks - Glass bottles and jars Plastic and Can Banks - Plastic bottles, plastic packaging, tins and cans Textile Banks - Clothes, shoes, blankets and bedding Shoe Banks - Shoes, boots and wellingtons Book Banks - Any unwanted books. To find out where your nearest recycling bank is please contact the Public Amenities Team on (01491) 823416, or visit www.southoxon.gov.uk.
If you compost your garden waste you will not only minimise your waste but also reduce the amount of peat and artificial chemicals you use, saving yourself money and trips to the garden centre. In order to get you started we have negotiated a special deal with Blackwall Ltd, which will allow residents to buy a reduced price composter. For more information please contact (01491) 823416.
Krakatoa Pre-School : A NEW CHAPTER The completion of the Parish Hall is a very exciting project for us all in the Parish and especially for Krakatoa, as we will be holding our pre-school sessions there from September - this year. We would like to thank the Recreation Hall and Ground Committee for making this opportuntiy available, enabling Krakatoa to increase the number of sessions held per week and to extend the range of activities available. We will, of course, be maintaining our very strong bond with Lewknor School, through over-4's still being held on Mondays at school and various activities throughout the year. Our thanks must go to Clare Hague and her team, who have cheerfully and willingly accommodated the pre-school, even when we've been taking up much-needed classroom space! With your help and support, Krakatoa will continue to flourish and grow, providing our children with an environment that is stimulating, fun and safe. If you have any queries, or would like to put your child on the waiting list please contact: Penny McCulloch 353727, or Denise Harrington 281367
The 'Friends of Lewknor School' are holding their seventh Art Show at Lewknor Primary School on Saturday 9th March 10am - 5pm, and Sunday 10th March 11am - 4pm. Set in the attractive grounds of St Margaret's Church, our thatched village School is an excellent location for local artists to exhibit around 130 original paintings, photography and pottery. There will be demonstrations of hand built 'slab' and 'coil' pottery during the weekend, and refreshments will be on sale, including lunches and cream teas. There is a catalogue charge of £1, children's entry is free. For more information or last minute entries please contact 01844 352720.
From: Patrick Hodgson Moorcourt, Lewknor "My younger son recently moved into a small village in Norfolk, which like Lewknor, is not connected to a gas supply. He was amazed to discover that the village had formed an informal cooperative to buy fuel oil supplies. One individual in the village establishes which houses require more oil and on agreed delivery dates obtains quotes for the total amount required. By using this large quantity they get very competitive rates. For example his last delivery, last week, was at 14p per litre, my last delivery this week was at 17.9p per litre. Deliveries are made to each individual tank for a stated quantity and the invoices paid individually. All this work is done by one individual who has established who uses oil in the village and has coordinated regular deliveries. I think this is a great idea! I have no clue as to how many of us in the village burn oil but it must be quite a number. The only small problem is that I am not volunteering to do the work! I regret that my movements are such that I would not have the time. Is there anyone in Lewknor who would be interested in putting this together and then say twice a year obtaining a list of quantity and obtaining quotes for delivery? I do hope someone in the village will take up this challenge."
From: Patricia, Sue and Carol, Midge Howlett's daughters "We would like to thank everyone who left donations in the church, totalling £234.70, also the donations sent to me, Sue Denham, totalling £135. A grand total of £369.70. £179.85 was sent to the Radcliffe Informary and £189.85 was sent to Marie Curie Cancer Care. Thank you all once again. Mum would have been so proud. In her letter of thanks the Sister of Kilner Ward, Radcliffe Informary, wrote:- "I am writing to thank you for the generosity shown in gifting us with cheques to the sum of £179.85. Staff here on Kilner remember your mother with fondness and empathise with your loss. We hope at this sad time you can reflect on the good times your mother generated and be comforted by these. The money will be used well and be of benefit to the patients." The letter from Marie Curie Cancer Care said:- "Thank you very much for your generous donation of £189.85, made in memory of your late mother, Mrs Howlett. Please accept our sincere condolences at this sad time. We appreciate your kindness in thinking of us in this way. Your generosity will help us to continue our work in helping people with cancer and their families."
The Lions Clubs of Oxfordshire are sponsoring a new scheme designed primarily as a 'safety net' for those who live alone. The idea is that you fill in a form recording your doctor's name and surgery address, details of any medical conditions; names and addresses of persons who should be contacted in an emergency; details of any pets living on the premises and so on. The form is put in a plastic bottle (supplied) and the bottle is kept permanently in the refrigerator. A special label, identifying you as a member of the scheme, is stuck on the door of your house and on the fridge so that the emergency services know where to look. Anyone interested in taking advantage of this scheme should contact Jan Taffley on 01844 201000.
In the December issue of Grapevine I told you about two enquiries from Australia, via the Web page, trying to trace ancestors who had resided in the parish - both were very successfully resolved. Since then we have had three more enquiries:- A lady having lunch at the Leathern Bottle with a friend, wanted to know about 'walks' to take round the Lewknor area afterwards. We very easily suggested several for them to choose from. Could this be a useful addition to our web page - "Walks around the Lewknor Area"? Is there someone in the parish who would prepare this for us? - we could all contribute our favourite walk. The next enquiry was from a lady trying to trace a long lost cousin, whom she thought was living in Lewknor. He was! - so another success. The latest enquiry, also from Australia, also regarded an ancestor who came from Lewknor. So far I have had no success with this one so please can anyone help? "Mark Holmes is the gg grandson of Reuben King, born in Lewknor c 1824, to John(?) King and (?). Reuben was a carpenter by trade and migrated to Australia c1855 and settled in Adelaide, South Australia. Many decendents stayed in the Lewknor area. Any assistance would be much appreciated." If you can help contact me, Kay H, 353783 or call 2A Hill Road.
Watlington Hospital Charitable Trust In spite of stormy weather, there was a full house of over 175 people for the performance of "Violet" in aid of WHCT at Magdalen College on 3rd February. In a wonderful gesture of support, Jeremy Irons, Lucy Fleming and the renowned harpsichordist Maggie Cole gave their services free, and over £4,000 was raised. On the 14th January Chris and Kate Barber generously held an event to mark the opening of the White Hart at Nettlebed in aid of WHCT. This raised the splendid total of over £7,000, and the trustees are very grateful. The money raised through the hard work of our Appeal Events Committee led by Julia Orr, and others who have organised local activities now exceeds £100,000. As the time approaches to sign the contract, the trustees have asked that all donations previously pledged be paid in, and most important among these they have now received the very substantial contribution of £150,000 each from the League of Friends and from Watlington Poors Allotment Fund. Funds to purchase the site are therefore now less than £50,000 short of the £1.4 million required, and the Trustees can turn to the establishment of the £600,000 Patients' Fund. The purpose of this is to ensure access for local people who need the services provided, when the hospital opens. The formal agreements with SODC planners, the NHS and the general practitioners are now being completed, and both the Trustees and the NHS are anxious to sign the purchase contract as soon as possible. The temporary surgery building will be coming shortly, once a slight change in configuration to allow it to be manoeuvred on to the site has been accepted by SODC as a minor amendment to the planning consent. Building work will start on the main hospital site as soon as staff have moved into the temporary accommodation, and the main hospital and care home will open in 2003, as planned. Readers who enjoy opera: please make a note of our next major event Cosi fan Tutte at Great Hampden House on Sunday 19th May. Details will be available in March.
Children's Church on: Saturday 16th March 4.30 - 5.30 in the school All pre-school age children are welcome to come to this fun activity. There are stories, craft, modelling and adventures to be shared with Eileen and Andrea. Parents are welcome to stay but not required to. Do come along and give it a try - it's FREE! Friday March 8th at 9.10am - school assembly in St Margaret's to celebrate Mothers Day. Sunday March 10th at 10.30am - Mothering Sunday in St Margaret's A special welcome to all who have had their children baptised in St Margartet's or indeed have been baptised themselves there. Join in afterwards for a cup of coffee and a celebration cake. All further details about services on the noticeboard outside the church or from 01844 281267. Simon Brignall
The Friends of Lewknor School are delighted to report that together with Krakatoa Pre-School they raised £390 at the Toys and Clothes Sale on Saturday 23rd February. The money will be divided between the School and Krakatoa Pre-School. A big thank you to all who contributed and also to those who came along to support us.
SODC's 'Funder Founder' Facility SODC have developed a computer-based means of identifying trusts, companies and the like which may provide funds for your group or its pet project. If you wish to explore this avenue you will need to fill in a form, copies of which can be obtained from Joyce Scarth of SODC's Leisure and Countryside Team on 01491 823417. The information on the form will be used to identify any potential source(s) of cash but actually applying for financial assistance will then be the responsibility of the project sponsors.
On Friday February 22nd a film crew descended upon the peace and quiet of Lewknor to shoot some scenes for a forthcoming film called "Flight of Fancy", starring Jason Flemyng, Julie T Wallace, John Sessions and Maureen Lipman. Carnaby Films have their production office base at the Lambert Arms, so when the script required a country church interior and exterior as well as a schoolroom, the proximity of both in the village made Lewknor the perfect choice for the Location Manager. Paula Dormer, as churchwarden, arranged for the access to the church and Mrs Hague did likewise for the school. Seven of the older children at the school were used as "background" actors. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience but quickly learnt that filming means a lot of hanging about before a short spell of activity. Huge trucks appeared outside the school carrying all the cameras and sound equipment as well as the lights and lighting screens for the shoot and it was exciting to watch them building a high camera crane, used for high wide shots of the scene. Apart from equipment trucks, a film crew also needs mobile toilets, dressing rooms, make-up caravan, artistes' rest rooms and with approximately 120 people to feed, a mobile catering truck. There was even a paramedic ambulance standing by in case of any emergencies. It was an exciting day for all and next time you are passing the Lambert Arms, take a moment to look at the lighthouse that the film company have constructed towards the back of the hotel!
Wildlife on our Doorstep - 16 March People wanting to join or find out more about local wildlife groups are invited to come to a free event between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Saturday 16 March at Oxford Town Hall where there will be stalls, displays, a quiz and talks, including special events for children and teenagers. The event marks the centenary of a similar meeting in 1902 organised by the then Lord Mayor George Claridge and is being organised by a group of societies including the Ashmolean Natural History society.
Once may be considered plucky but a second attempt begins to look like stupidity! Last year - thanks to the generosity of friends, family and neighbours - I was able to raise over £1,200 for the R.S.P.C.A. This year, on Sunday April 14th, I shall be running for Children with Leukaemia, the official charity for the Flora London Marathon 2002. Leukaemia kills more children in our country than any other disease. Children with Leukaemia is the leading charity dedicated exclusively to the research and treatment of childhood leukaemia and to the welfare of leukaemic children and their families. If anyone would like to sponsor me and help raise money for Children with Leukaemia, please contact me on 01844 354325. Thank you very much. Paul Martell, 4a Watlington Road, Lewknor p.s. If you haven't seen the London Marathon before, why not come along and watch on Sunday 14th April - it's a great day out. I look my best during the first couple of miles!
The County and District councils are trying to encourage as many people as possible to recycle kitchen and garden waste by home composting. However, for those with small gardens or little time this is not always practical, nor is getting to one of the eight waste recycling centres in Oxfordshire. The answer must lie in community composting, an initiative currently being promoted by the County Council. All it needs is an area of land where a compost site can be located, some willing volunteers that want to do their bit for the environment and residents that want lots of lovely rich compost! If you are interested in finding out more then please contact Fay Dashper, Compost Development Officer, on 01865 815499.
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