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The Grapevine Magazine October 2002 Issue No 174
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HRH The Princess Royal visits Lewknor Volunteers for Churchyard Tidy-up Watlington Hospital League of Friends
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Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal Visits Lewknor Princess Anne, driving a black Range Rover and accompanied by Mrs Fielding, her Lady in Waiting and her private detective was delayed in Oxford on her way to Watlington and so her visit to Lewknor started half an hour late on the 23rd September (there were one or two models who were very grateful for the delay!!). The children from Lewknor School greeted Princess Anne at the door to the hall, waving their Union Flags. The Princess was presented with a beautiful posy made by Charlotte Rose. William Notley and Louise Hjorth were chosen to represent the school with the presentation and have since featured on the pages of the Henley Standard. Hugo Brunner, the Lord Luitenant, presented Gill Bindoff to the Princess, who admired the line up of 1950's cars outside the Hall…a Jaguar XK120, a Morris Traveller and Betsy, a big yellow 1952 Buick Convertable. Inside, the Princess was presented to Mavis Shepherd from the Chief Executives Office. Mavis organised the three events that the Princess attended on Monday. Tina Slater, past chairman of the Hall, Paula Dormer and Caroline Notley who both organised the event at Lewknor were also then presented to the Princess, who was very interested in the photographs of the hall on the notice board. Princess Anne entered the Hall to a warm welcome from the villagers who had by now been waiting an hour for her to arrive. To a musical accompaniment by Rhian Lewis-Stott, who teaches piano to many of the children in the village, Princess Anne was treated to a fashion show of 1950's outfits, mostly lent by people in the parish. Garsington Opera, when they heard what we were doing, very kindly lent us some wonderful period accessories including jewelry and spectacles. The main prop, a 1950's juke box was very kindly lent by Claremont Automatics at Chinnor, who even delivered and collected it for us! The stars of the show were undoubtably Joy and Jessie. Joy who celebrated her 84th birthday four days before the show, wore her own coat from the 50's and waltzed along the catwalk with Stuart Marvin. Jessie received a resounding cheer as she mounted the platform, which brought a tear to more than one eye at the event! The models, who all came from the parish, wore be-bopper outfits, daywear, cocktail dresses and evening gowns. The dresses were wonderful and transformed our models into the epitomy of 50's elegance with their lovely long gloves and period shoes and bags. We even managed to persuade three little girls to go down the catwalk and how transformed they too looked in the 1950's dresses. After the fashion show, Gill gave a short talk and the Princess was invited to unveil a plaque to mark her visit. Following the quickest lunchbreak we have ever known, the Princess met representatives of the Parish, including the Jubilee Hall Committee and Trustees, the PCC, Parish Council, School Governors, Krakatoa and of course, the models who were all still in their outfits when they talked to the Princess. The newly acquired visitors book was signed by Princess Anne before she left the hall to move onto her next engagement. Many of the people who were involved in the day have already been mentioned, but there are many people who worked behind the scenes to make the day so memorable. Many thanks to all the following: the cooks, for providing such a delicious lunch; Caroline Notley's parents, for working so hard on the buffet and preparing Princess Anne's lunch; Neil Allen and his team, for collecting and returning the staging to Watlington Primary School; Penny McCullock and her team for making the flower beds look so beautiful; Sue Greensmith for putting up such a lovely display of 50's memorabilia; all the people who lent items for the display; Robert Witney for taking the photographs; John Hollywood for doing the video and chauffeur work; Tracey Collins, Charlotte Rose and Gill Bindoff for doing the flowers; David Carroll, Justin Williams and Murray Graham for putting up the bunting; Bill Dormer and Robin Notley for becoming carpet fitters on Sunday afternoon and Robin for organising all the china and cutlery; Tom Bindoff and friend for all their hard work outside; Amanda Kotvics for making the most wonderful celebration cake; the Leathern Bottle for providing the salsd; all the people who lent clothes and accessories; the models (who were SO professional); the hairdressers, Tracey from Sophisticuts and Heidi from Brothers who gave their time to make the models look so in period; Lisa Cummings for making up the models in 1950's make up; the dressers and helpers; the clearers up and washers up after the event; Lewknor School for their participation; the committee and finally, an enormous thank you to Judith Marvin from Wheatfield, who organised and trained the models so fantastically. Anyone who made Jubilee Chicken and still needs to collect their dishes will find them chez Notley -at the Old Post Office.
The new term is well under way and has got off to a great start at the Jubilee Hall. The children have very quickly adjusted to the new surroundings (and after a couple of minutes of trepidation - so have the adults!). We are all enjoying the extra space which enables us to tackle bigger projects. The topic for this half-term is about our senses, encouraging the children to explore different textures, colours and sounds; which is involving a lot of creativity. The end result we hope to be able to display for all the parents to see. The new equipment is proving a huge success, particularly the climbing frame - which is a great way of using up any excess energy!
VOLUNTEERS FOR CHURCHYARD TIDY-UP SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER Can you spare some time on Saturday 12th October from 10.00am to help tidy the Churchyard for the winter? Machines will be provided but bring your own secateurs, pruning shears, wheelbarrows and rakes. Please contact Robin & Caroline Notley on 354237 if you have any queries. It would be great to see as many people as possible! Refreshments will be provided.
Thame & District Citizens Advice Bureau The Thame CAB is looking for Trustees for its Management Committee. If you are interested in joining them, contact the Bureau Manager on 01844 217186.
SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER At 7.30 pm Venue: Jubilee Hall, Lewknor Admission: £6.00 Adults, £4.00 conc. £2.00 children Ticket sales: 01844 352622 Promoted by Lewknor Parish Recreation Ground & Hall in association with SODC
The Show was a very enjoyable event, as usual, this year and succeeded in raising about £1,000 for the Jubilee Hall funds. The show entries were a little down in some classes but the judges thought a good effort had been made overall with some very good classes. The high quality of the individual roses made it a very difficult class to judge - almost everyone gained a certificate! The organisers would like to thank everyone who supported the Show, especially Susan Watt who generously allows her barn at Knapp Farm to be used each year. It is a particularly lovely setting for the Show. The Thame Concert Band played throughout the afternoon and people enjoyed listening to their music as they had tea and wandered around the stalls and sideshows. It seems that a celebrity visitor also enjoyed the event - Penny Smith mentioned how much she had enjoyed the Show on the GMTV programme the following day. Apparently she was delighted with the fruit and veg she bought at the auction and thought the whole occasion had been rather 'quaint'. The trophies were awarded as follows:- THE MIDDLETON CUP: for the overall winner of the Show Caroline Notley THE RIDONE CUP: for the runner up Ken Witney THE GIFKINS CUP: for the best entry in the Show Bill Dormer The trophy was awarded for his high quality photographs THE SCOTT CUP: for the family with the highest combined no. of points Ken and Beryl Witney THE ROSE BOWL: for the best flower arrangement in the show Christine Smith THE JUNIOR SHIELD: for the winner in the Junior section(under 15) Sarah Greensmith
The full results of the competition, with judges' comments, are as follows: 1st Prize - ALABASTER CUP - best overall garden Mr & Mrs Bishop 1 The Glebe, High Street, Lewknor VERY SKILFUL SELECTION AND CARE OF PLANTS. CONTAINERS SKILFULLY BLENDED INTO OVERALL GARDEN EFFECT 2nd Prize - TROTMAN CUP Mr & Mrs McCulloch Wheatfield House, Lewknor Close, Lewknor AN EYE FOR PLANT COMBINATION AND DESIGN 3rd Prize - DESBOROUGH CUP Mr & Mrs Notley, Old Post Office, High Street, Lewknor HUGE PROGRESS. NOW A WONDERFUL GARDEN HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mr & Mrs Scott, 34 Watlington Road, Lewknor MAGNIFICENT LAWNS & WINTER BORDER, EXCELLENT SUMMER BEDDING AND VEG Mr & Mrs Witney, 4 Beacon View, Lewknor FINE LAWNS, DENSE, WELL PLANTED BEDDING & PERENNIAL PLANTING Miss Donne, The Garden House, South Weston WONDERFUL STRUCTURE, VIEWS, TREES & PLANT COMBINATIONS Mr & Mrs Ritchie, 21 High Street, Lewknor INTERESTING PLANT SELECTION & COMBINATION, LOVELY VIEW DOWN GARDEN COMMENDED: Mr & Mrs Coe, Elm Cottage, Box Tree Lane, Postcombe AN EVOLVING & INCREASINGLY EXCITING GARDEN Mr & Mrs Gordon, The Leathern Bottle, Lewknor LONG LASTING COLOUR, WELL THOUGHT OUT & PUT TOGETHER Mr & Mrs Slater, 1 Beacon View, Lewknor NOTABLE COMBINATION OF FLORAL & VEGETABLE PLANTING Mr & Mrs Dulake, Wyckham House, Lewknor MANY ROOMS & SURPRISES. HEDGES SPECIALLY COMMENDED CONTAINERS COMPETITION 1st Prize - THE ROSE BOWL Mr & Mrs Witney, 4 Beacon View, Lewknor WINTER CONTAINERS ESPECIALLY COMMENDED HIGHLY COMMENDED Mr & Mrs Notley, Old Post Office, High Street, Lewknor UNUSUAL PLANTS, VERY PLEASING COLOUR COMBINATIONS Mr & Mrs Ritchie, 21 High Street, Lewknor SKILFUL & VERY VARIED PLANT SELECTION Mr & Mrs Dulake, Wyckham House, High Street, Lewknor SOME UNUSUAL LONG-CHERISHED SHRUBS COMMENDED Mr & Mrs Woodruffe , Houndsmead, Lower Road, Postcombe Mr & Mrs Scott, 34 Watlington Road, Lewknor Mr & Mrs Gordon, The Leathern Bottle, Lewknor Mr & Mrs Graham, Beech Farm, Salt Lane, Postcombe
League of Friends of the Watlington & District Community Hospital The League of Friends Committee has continued to meet during the summer and would like you to know that we are alive and well and functioning! The league in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation has provided two defibrillators, one for Watlington and the other for Chalgrove Surgeries. You will also find us providing coffee and biscuits when you arrive at Watlington Surgery for your flu' jab. If you have any enquiries do please contact either our Chairman: Ursula Clissold (01491 612361) or our Secretary: Terry Bacon (01491 614332).
Friends of Lewknor School are holding a 'KIDS STUFF' SALE SATURDAY 12th OCTOBER 10am - 12noon NEARLY NEW CLOTHES, TOYS & BOOKS CAKES, REFRESHMENTS & RAFFLE Please bring your nearly new things after School, Friday 11th, or contact Caroline on 352720
Here are some reminiscences of Mrs Houseman, compiled in 1974 - of course some of the comments may not be relevant now but I'm sure this record will be of interest especially to residents of Postcombe. POSTCOMBE The old school on the top left hand corner of Box Tree Lane was very much used in the past, and the old residents seem to regret it not being used any longer. Its ownership seems to be in dispute, as one lady said it was given to the village people by a lady from Tetsworth, and the Church took it over, so it would be interesting to see any deeds or documents relating to it. Mr Belgrove now seems to be its owner. The land on the road on front of the school was the village green together with some common land on front of the garage and on the corner of box Tree Lane and Lower Road. Mrs Bird tells me that the village had an event known as "The Postcombe Feast", which was held on the last Saturday in July. A fair came and stalls were set up along the A40, and a good time was had by all. The school was used regularly for village events, such as whist drives, concerts etc. To attend school the children paid 6d a week. It seems the school was closed around 1920. The children had a youth club in the school, and Church services and Mothers Union meetings took place there also. The village children also had a good football team, which practiced in Mr Belgrove's orchard field. The A40 was so quiet then that the villagers used the roadway for playing marbles, rounders etc., and the children could play on it safely. Games of Marbles apparently took place on Good Fridays. Mrs Bird also remembers being taken to school in the winter by an old coal merchant form the locality, on his coal cart. There were quite a number of children crossing the fields to school in those days. On Coronation Day the villagers had a big celebration. Mr Belgrove gave a sheep, which Mrs Matthews cooked at the Feathers. The Feathers had a wall surrounding it which enclosed the pound. Stage coaches changed horses there on the way to London, and apparently it was an important stopping off place for people on the way to Stokenchurch Fair with geese and horses. The house on the opposite side of the road from the school was built not so long ago on the foundations of a chapel and butcher's shop (burnt down). Locals remember the shop quite well. The cottages further down the lane called "Bankside" are very old, and were once used to store hops for a brewery. They were once five cottages but are now two dwellings. The house called "Poplars Cottage" was once two brick and flint cottages which has been stuccoed over and altered to make one dwelling. They were probably farm cottages attached to Poplars Farm. The brick and flint wall once went right the way past Poplars cottage. Parts of Poplars Farm date back 300 years. The Belgroves have been there about 80 years. An adjoining barn was pulled down in 1972 and most of the farmyard was used to build the three bungalows on the front of Poplars Farm. The barn was 100 years old at least.
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