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The Grapevine Magazine October 2000 Issue No 153
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HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST - STRIDE AND RIDE SATURDAY 9th SEPTEMBER This was good fun! The idea behind the day is to raise money for a church of your choice and the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust, which gives grants to maintain old churches. Many churches locally were open and it is a fun thing to do on your own or as a group. It can be enjoyed on many levels, simply for the chocolate biscuits in each church to replensih energy levels, to marvel at the huge variety of styles of architecture, to keep you fit, or to beat last year's total. It was a glorious sunny afternoon this year and we had a lovely time catching the last of the summer as we started at St Margaret's Lewknor, quickly followed by South Weston and Adwell then we free-wheeled down to Wheatfield, arguably the most beautiful church in Oxfordshire. We tolled the restored Millennium Bell in Stoke Talmage. Pyrton was most welcoming and this year managed to dilute the neat orange squash which had rather blown our socks off last year! We had delicious fish and chips in Watlington and scored three churches in one village wondering whether St Edmund Campion really qualified as a historic church. Then on to Cuxham and Brightwell Baldwin finishing by a whisker at 5.59. Fortunately for us the Admiral Nelson opposite opened at 6! All this without touching the dreaded B4009 though if you were feeling brave it is a good day to see Shirburn Church. You don't have to be a church-goer to take part. You don't have to commit to raising millions. As of this year you don't have to bicycle, you can walk; all you have to do is enjoy a day out in the fresh air with the added bonus of helping to keep our churches in good repair. Keep an eye out for next year. George Draper lived in Lewknor for many years. He came from Devon and lived with relations at the Old Bakery, Church Road (the Alley) until he married Ellen Lane from Benson. They moved into 2 High Street and had one son, Brian. George worked at Mundays Stores in Watlington and then at the car factory in Cowley. He was very much a community minded person and was Church Warden at St Margaret's for some years. In 1977 he moved to Little Milton looking after Ellen who had multiple sclerosis. George died in the Churchill Hospital at the weekend of September 10th. Our thoughts and sympathy go to Ellen, Brian and the family. Ellen at the moment is in The Triangle Nursing Home in Wheatley. BL From: Christine Allsopp, 5 The Cottages, High Street, Lewknor "I would like to support the main content of Ivan Nelson-Piercy's letter in the July/August issue of Grapevine. Although I was unable to attend the meeting, I sense that the PC has got its head in the sand and refuses to see creative, environmentally sensitive solutions to the "Oxford Tube - Junction 6" issue. I for one refuse to be affected by the scare mongering about what would be required by "regulations" in terms of development to make the bus stops safe. It sounds like an unnecessary sledgehammer to crack a nut to scare us off. Well I for one don't buy it! I think it is about time that a meeting or series of 3 meetings entitled "Creativity, Imagination and Solutions with regard to the Oxford Tube Issue" should be called. The purpose: to find the ways in which the practical needs of keeping the service can be met by resources to keep it safe and attractive. At the risk of sounding the big "I am", I have to say that as a make-up artist in the film industry I continually see the most amazing results and solutions that convince, please and delight the eye. I'm very disheartened often to find the solutions of council bureaucrats and planners, are by comparison, unimaginative, clumsy and mean. For all its faults, the film industry could show local government and architects a thing or two when it comes to imagination and design. I am sure, with the wealth of talent we have in this village, we could put forward a practical and pleasing plan. Reactionary villagers who barely ever set foot outside this community do not have the right to dictate to those of us who wish to use the Oxford Tube and are required to travel. I am quite able to cross the road. All the B4009 needs is some traffic calming, imagination and common sense. Let's get with it, wake up and taste the coffee!!" From: Joan Baxter, 3 Barley Close, Lewknor "As a visitor to Lewknor for about three months now, I would like to say a big Thank You to all the people here in the village and those like Margaret and Simon whom I met here. The kindness and friendliness of you all helped enormously in my recovery from a debilitating illness that held up earlier travel plans. In particular my thanks to Gerald Brandes for suggesting I come to Lewknor to recuperate in the first place. It certainly worked over and above anything I could have imagined. In fact initially I didn't even want to come, but for so many reasons I couldn't then see, it was surely meant to be and I am grateful for that. And all of those reasons concerned the people I met and my surroundings. The Wednesday evening meetings, individual meetings, lively coffee mornings at the Leathern Bottle with a great bunch of giving and fun loving neighbours, community events, the Barn Dance, fancy dress and games, Horticultural Show and so on, I've enjoyed them all from the pub to the Church... each giving necessary sustenance through the people involved. I am tempted to mention everyone by name but I have restrained myself, and then I'd have to say something about each person and that - compelling as it is to do - would make a letter a mile long. So I'll just say THANK YOU to Lewknor friends, you have done me no end of good on all the right levels, so that I feel much better. Thank you too Gerry, for inviting me - it surely was good therapy. As I leave now to resume my postponed travels, you have my warmest wishes and thanks." From: Ivan Nelson-Piercy, 3 The Glebe, Lewknor "It was singularly perceptive of Ms Kathy Heap (letter September Grapevine) to deduce that those residents in the parish who wish to retain the Oxford Tube Junction 6 stops, are users of the facility. The suggestion that it is somehow reprehensible to argue for that which is convenient for one and unacceptable to criticise those seemingly anxious to remove such a facility, is both illogical and irrational. Ms Hemp's second para is melodramatic fantasy. Also stated (excessive emotions apart) is that the Parish Council has worked and should work for the benefit of the majority. Ms Hemp is again in complete error: a Parish Council like the Government, has a responsibility to all. (If the Government followed the majority we would reinstate capital pumishment and flogging to name but two). The Parish Council obviously recognises this fact. I welcome the statement in Grapevine under the heading 'Lewknor Parish Council'. If Ms Heap has read it she had noted, I hope, the essential thrust of that statement: ".....looking at ways to maintain and improve the service at Junction 6. It is clear that the stops are valued by many local residents...." and, ".....the County Council has agreed to develop proposals at Junction 6 in conjunction with the Parish Council....." I trust that this latter will be aired to the not so few who use and greatly value the Junction 6 stops. Ms Heap muses on the driver who may run down one of Grapevine's correspondents crossing the road. If this should become a reality I for one shall most certainly not ponder on Kismet, I shall, I promise, curse the driver concerned." It was very heartening to see how pleased the Children were to see each other again after the long summer holiday. We are welcoming several new faces with the beginning of the school year. Firstly I must thank Barbara Scott for very kindly volunteering to help at the Over 4s on Monday. We are very grateful and hope she enjoys the mornings. We also welcome Thea Gordon-Wingfield, Nicholas Greaves, Owen Hargrove and William Notley. We hope they too will enjoy Krakatoa and gain lots from their time with us. The Topic for this term is NUMBERS. Luckily we are all born with a natural abacus to help us learn with one head (usually!) 2 hands, 5 fingers, 10 toes etc and we intend to put these to good use with craft activities, music, and dancing to help us learn our numbers and perhaps more importantly, have some insight into why numbers are useful. Tuesday 17th October 9.00am - 4.00pm in Chalgrove Tuesday 31st October 9.00am - 4.00pm in Watlington The Department of Health has recommended that we offer vaccination against Influenza to all our patients over the age of 65 and also to patients who suffer from a 'high risk' condition, regardless of their age. All our patients in these two groups will receive an invitation to attend our 'Flu Vaccination Days' in either the John Hampden Hall in Chalgrove or in the Day Room in Watlington Hospital. Due to the expected large numbers of patients who will be coming for vaccinations, there will be GPs, District Nurses, Health Visitors and Practice Nurses all vaccinating at the same time in order to, hopefully, eliminate waiting time. The League of Friends in Watlington and Age Concern in Chalgrove have, very kindly, offered to provide refreshments during the course of the day. We have also invited Age Concern, the Citizen's Advice Bureau, the Police and the Fire Brigade to take part by manning stands in both venues to offer advice and information on issues specifically relevant to older people such as benefits, fire precautions and personal safety. Patients are welcome to attend either venue regardless of which surgery they usually attend. Drs. Neale, Nicholson, McManus and Gregory It has long been recognised that walking is good for you. It can improve your physical health and mental well being but going for a walk alone is not always appealing. The British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Commission have joined forces to encourage HEALTH WALKS. Health Walks are group walks which are led by trained Leaders. The walks are of different lengths with a range of difficulty and occur at various times of the day. The intention is to provide something to suit everyone, young and old, whether they have just 'let themselves go', put on weight, are recovering from an illness or simply want to get out and about. Would you like to be a Walk Leader? Do you have knowledge of the walks around Watlington? Could you help HEALTH WALKS - WATLINGTON get started? There will be training and support to get this exciting initiative started early in the New Year. If you would like to know more before then, please phone me at the Surgery. Gerry Davidson, Practice Manager, 01865 890760 Icknield Community Education Centre The new term for the Adult Education Centre started on Monday 18th September - please enquire about courses running and places still available. Brochures can still be obtained from the Library and the Post Office, or we can send you one in the post. As well as courses starting in September, new courses start throughout the year - Short Mat Bowls from October 2nd, illustrated talks on environmental and other topics (Red Kites, National Parks, Hearing Dogs and Chiltern Wildlife) from October 9th, a free course on 'How to get that Job' from October 30th, Colour in your life from October 31st, Introduction to Desk Top Publishing from November 2nd, Didgeridoo and Circular Breathing from November 2nd, Feng Shui also from November 2nd. Other courses start later in November, December and January - more details of these courses at a later date or from the brochure. We are pleased to be able to offer a series of courses using up-to-date computers - some of these courses offer opportunities to take Pitman qualifications, but others can be undertaken just for interest. Other courses leading to qualifications are Bookkeeping and Accounts, Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster course and a basic First Aid course. Ways of contacting us are as follows:by post to Icknield community Education Centre, Love Lane, Watlington OX9 5RB, phone 01491 613004, fax 01491 4873, e-mail icknield.cec@oxfordshire.gov.uk Sheila Bruce, Area Head of Adult Education On the morning of the show we were beginning to get concerned that there wouldn't be many entries this year but by the time the judges arrived the barn was looking colourful and full. The entries in the vegetable sections were well down on the usual turn out but the flower and domestic sections were very well supported. The children had made a good effort and there were some really lovely gardens on plates. The photographic classes also had some good entries and the judges found it quite difficult to choose the winners. The overall winner of the show, with a total of 920 points was Mrs E Hodgson and she was awarded the Middleton Cup. Mrs Hodgson was also the winner of the Gifkins Cup for the exhibit in the class for 6 mixed vegetables which was judged to be the best entry in the show. Mrs C Smith won the Ridone Cup for the runner up and had a total of 610 points. The Scott Cup for the family with the most points was awarded to the Anderson family. It returns to them after their wins in 1997 and 1998. The Rose Bowl for the best flower arrangement in the show was awarded to Mrs W Nias for the second year running and Kelly Anderson won the Junior Shield which she has also been successful in winning before. Very many thanks to everyone who brought along entries for the show and congratulations to all the trophy winners. The trophies are currently being engraved and will be presented to the winners when they are ready in the next week or two. We were very fortunate to have such a lovely afternoon for the Show and were very pleased to see so many people enjoying themselves. Lots of people stayed on for the auction at the end of the afternoon and bidding for some of the items was very keen. Neil Allen managed to do his usual magic as the auctioneer and the proceeds raised well over £100. The stalls were well supported too and a grand total of £850 was raised. The event is a very popular parish occasion and it is always nice to be able to hold it at Knapp Farm. Susan Watt kindly welcomes the show each year and also raises a significant portion of the proceeds by running the book stall. The money from the show is going towards the provision of a hard playing area at the parish playing field to combine with a basetball post and net donated by the British Basketball Association. The cost of the project is £3,600 and so far the sum of £2,000 has been raised. Very many thanks to the people who have made generous donations towards the cost. £1,600 still needs to be raised. If you would like to make a donation please pass it to David Picton-Turbervill at Crossways, Watlington Road, Lewknor, who is the Treasurer to the Trustees of the playing field. If you would like to give a cheque please make it payable to the Lewknor Parish Recreation Ground which is the full name of the charity. The project is very worth while and will provide a good resource for the younger members of our community. There is already a similar hard area with basketball post at Tetsworth which is very popular with local youngsters. Hopefully there will soon be one at Lewknor as well. The full results of the competition, with judges' comments, are as follows: 1st Prize - ALABASTER CUP - best overall garden: Mr Cobb, Adwell Farm Cottage, Lower Road, Postcombe WE COULD HAVE STAYED HERE ALL DAY! 2nd Prize - TROTMAN CUP: Ms A Donne, The Garden House, South Weston CLEVER PLANTING GIVES A PLEASING VIEW WHEREVER YOU STAND IN THE GARDEN 3rd Equal - DESBOROUGH CUP: Mr & Mrs Dulake, Wyckham House, High Street, Lewknor CHARMING, WELL THOUGHT OUT WITH SOME UNEXPECTED SURPRISES and Mr & Mrs Ritchie, 21 High Street, Lewknor VERY GOOD COLOUR, INTERESTING PLANT SELECTION HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mr & Mrs Coe, Elm Cottage, Box Tree Lane, Postcombe EXCELLENT VISTA DOWN SLOPE TOWARDS THE HOUSE Mr & Mrs Scott, 34 Watlington Road, Lewknor DELICIOUS SCENT IN AIR OF BACK GARDEN AND SPECTACULARLY COLOURFUL FRONT BEDDING DISPLAY COMMENDED: Mr & Mrs Hazlewood, 2A Hill Road, Lewknor EXCELLENT FRAMING MAKES A CHARMING GARDEN ROOM Mr & Mrs Scambler, Bankside, Box Tree Lane, Postcombe WORK OBVIOUSLY STILL IN PROGRESS - LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR CONTAINERS COMPETITION 1st Prize - THE ROSE BOWL: Mr & Mrs Ritchie, 21 High Street, Lewknor HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mr & Mrs Graham, Beech Farm, Salt Lane, Postcombe Mr & Mrs Nias, 14 Watlington Road, Lewknor Mr Cobb, Adwell Farm Cottage, Lower Road, Postcombe Mr & Mrs Dulake, Wyckham House, High Street, Lewknor COMMENDED: Mr & Mrs Scott, 34 Watlington Road, Lewknor The Leathern Bottel, High Street, Lewknor Mr & Mrs Bishop, 1 The Glebe, Lewknor Quick and easy to make - a firm favourite with the children. FIZZY ORANGE CAKE You will need: 1 measuring cup or jug 2 eggs 275g plain(all purpose) flour 2 teaspoons of baking powder 175g sugar 125ml cooking oil 150ml fizzy orange drink (eg Tango) ½ teaspoon vanilla essence 2 tablespoons of icing sugar 1 low sided baking tin What to do: Set the oven to 200c/400f/gas mark 6. Grease the tin with margarine or butter. Put all ingredients, except icing sugar, into a large bowl, stand the bowl on a cloth so it doesn't slip, beat the mixture until there are no lumps. Pour it in the tin and make sure it is spread out evenly. Bake for 20 minutes. When baked sieve icing sugar over it and cut into slices. George came to Lewknor before the war and stayed with relations. He got a job as a Bakers boy and went round the villages with basket and bike. From what he said of those days he was very popular with those golden curls and rich west-country accent. The girls found him very appealing. His wife Ellen came fron Benson and they lived in High Street, Lewknor for over 20 years. They were married in 1939 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year. He was a great wine maker, and one had to proceed with caution when sampling them, and more than caution if you were lucky enough to get a bottle. George worked at Cowley for many years and had as travelling companions Mick Mullins and Titch Nunn. You could set your clocks by the men in the village, leaving for work and returning home. His outstanding contribution was devotion to family and of course Ellen - a more faithful husband you never would see. He spent many years as Churchwarden with often onerous tasks piling up on him, but he coped wonderfully. My fond recollection of George was having a beer with him and Bill Nelder in the "Bottle". There we put to rights the trouble of the village and the world, the main ingredients being laughter. He served his friends and his god with equal love. Stephen Harper On Sunday 19th October, at 10.30 a.m., All Saints' Day, we will be remembering all those who have meant so much to us during their lives and whose memory lives on with us. A special memorial service will recall the names of those in our memorial book who have died in the past two years. If you would lkike the name of a loved one read out in the service at St Margaret's, please get in touch with The Rev Simon Brignall, tel. 281827. Barbara and family would like to thank everyone from the village and beyond who sent cards, letters, messages and flowers on the sudden death of a loving husband, dad, grand-dad, father-in-law and brother-in-law. Everybody has been so kind and supportive, and £195 was sent to the Cardiac Unit at the JR. Very many thanks to all. Dinosaurs This half term we are studying dinosaurs, and we're going to turn our whole school into a dinosaur museum! We're going to the University Museum in Oxford and we're going to study prehistoric plant life at the Botanical Gardens. Hill End We had a very enjoyable time at Hill End and we followed the theme 'Native North Americans'. Margery Barber came from the BBC and told the children some of their folk stories which the children enjoyed. It was very worrying the week leading up to this year's Art Show at the school, as without fuel we wondered if people would still come to visit us. We needn't have worried at all though everyone's support was fantastic, and many people commented on the superb selection of paintings, photographs and pottery on display. When we finally sat down on the Sunday afternoon there were 40 exhibits sold, especially popular were our local artists, James Scutt, Derek and Pam Pepper, tina Hammond and photographs by Geoff Taylor. With the proceeds from the raffle and the wonderful lunches and cakes, our grand total is £1300. It would be difficult to name everyone involved with the setting up and running of the Show, so thank you to everyone, we couldn't have done it without your contribution however large or small. So watch this space for news of next year's Lewknor Art Show. ICKNIELD STUDENTS IMPROVE AGAIN Icknield Community College has continued to make steady upward progress with results this year. We have improved by 5% in our A-C grades and 44% of the youngsters achieved 5 or more passes at A-C. There were of course some notable individual achievements with Laura Brown gaining her 10 A-C passes a year early along with a Year 9 student who gained an A* in French. All but one student in the year group was entered for GCSE and gained at least 1 pass. Girls outshone boys with the most outstanding results coming from Katie Phillips with 8As, 2A* and 1B, Cara Evans with 5As, 2A* and 4Bs and Donna Mackenzie with 3A*, 4As and 4Bs. If you have seen the Thame Gazette you will also have seen that the three girls who gained the top A Level scores in Lord William's Sixth form were also all Icknield pupils and one of them has a place at Cambridge! Congratulations must go to all the pupils, parents and staff who worked so hard to achieve all this. The Key Stage 3 results have also been excellent this year and this augurs well for the future. This September pupils in Year 9 will also begin their GNVQ courses in Information Technology. This will give them a head start when it comes to their turn to take their GCSEs. Paula Taylor-Moore, Headteacher GRAPEVINE - and I am sure all villagers, send our best wishes to all the pupils from Lewknor now in Year 7 at Icknield Community college.
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