PARKING This issue has been raised on several occasions but the situation is getting worse and the Parish Council is concerned that if villagers do not start to park their vehicles in a responsible manner, there will be a serious accident. Nobody wishes this to happen but the parking on Sibford Road during the morning and afternoon school run is often inconsiderate and illegal. None of us wish to see an accident happen to our children but we all have a responsibility to park sensibly and this means not close to road junctions or anywhere which may restrict the vision of other drivers. Please act responsibly for the sake of everyone. It is salutary to note that more children are killed being taken to or collected from school than in any other form of road accident. Other areas where parking is particularly bad are Mobbs Lane and the junction between Queen Street and Osney Close. However, parking too close to road junctions is common in the village and residents should remember that drivers making a left turn are not expecting to be confronted by another car overtaking a stationary vehicle.
PARISH COUNCIL
Two new councillors have been co-opted to bring the PC to full strength and they are:
Rob Bartlett, 4 Old School End, OX15 5QU
Archie Bullard, Police House, The Bourne OX15 5PB
TETRA PAKS
Many residents throughout the county have expressed concern that one item in daily use which cannot be recycled with the fortnightly collection is the tetra pak. Oxfordshire County Council has informed us that it has now put in place special collection bins for tetra paks at the recycling centres at Grove Lane, Chadlington and Alkerton.
AUTUMN LEAVES It was reported at the Annual Parish Meeting that certain paths in the village can be particularly slippery late in the year due to an accumulation of leaf fall. We have reported the complaint to Cherwell District Council, who tell us that they do try to keep busy paths clear, but if residents do notice a particular problem they should report the matter to CDC on 01295 221940.
RECYCLING – BLUE WHEELED BINS As residents are doubtless aware the new recycling scheme has been a tremendous success with Cherwell moving from being one of the least effective areas to eighth in a national league table. Cherwell District Council is keen to continue building on this success and one way of doing so is to recycle more plastic and paper products. The small blue boxes are somewhat limited and CDC would like more residents to buy the blue “gwheelie” bins. These cost ?20 each but, if you order through the Parish Council, 25% of the cost will be returned to the PC as a commission, thus helping us to fund projects within the village. Application forms for the blue wheeled bins can be obtained by contacting the clerk, Ken Porter, on 01295 758352 or kenneth_i.porter@virgin.net. PUBLIC BENCH
We have received one or two requests to provide another public seat in the village and one suggestion was that it should be on The Bourne on the corner leading to the Sports and Social Club, which would perhaps be handy for elderly patients visiting the surgery. However this site is very close to the surgery and we are not sure that it is the most convenient or appropriate. If any resident has views on this issue can they please notify the clerk on 01295 758352 or, if you have access to a computer, an email would be more convenient to kenneth_i.porter@virgin.net.
ST PETER'S CHURCH
As autumn comes around again, it’s a fitting time to spend some time thanking God for the wonderful creation of His earth and all its harvests, and perhaps rather than rue the passing of an all-too brief summer (whatever happened to that, this year), be also thankful to our farmers and land-workers, who produce the food that we take so much for granted.
Unfortunately, many farmers in developing countries don’t get the same ‘fair deal’ for their goods that our producers demand. We hear how some of the larger supermarkets are driving small UK farmers and other manufacturers out of business, but unfair trading is a huge issue on a global scale, as producers in the developing world are simply not given ‘fair prices’ for their goods.
St. Peter’s has always supported the FairTrade (www.fairtrade.org.uk) movement by buying through TraidCraft(www.traidcraft.co.uk), a Christian-based charity and trading organisation which builds lasting relationships with suppliers from around the world, challenges injustices in trading structures and practices, and engages in a wide range of charitable projects. All our tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits are purchased through the village’s local TraidCraft representative, and we also hold a TraidCraft food stall in St. Peter’s, twice a month after the Sunday morning service.
To add even further support, St. Peter’s is now holding a TraidCraft stall in both the monthly Swerford Hook and Norton markets. The stall stocks all manner of TraidCraft groceries (from dried fruit and jam, to hot chocolate and tissues), and a wide range of gifts, including bags, jewellery, china, glasswear, cards and trinkets. It’s the perfect opportunity not only to stock up on some staples, but also to buy birthday presents and, with Christmas coming up, purchase advent calendars, gifts, stocking fillers, and order cards and wine. Please come and support us at the markets. With the mention of Christmas (well, it had to happen, I suppose), please put November 3rdin the diary, as the date for this year’s St. Peter’s Craft Fair (see separate ad. in this newsletter). Organised again by Jan Hughes (many thanks, Jan!), this year’s craft fair will feature some exciting new craftspeople, so don’t miss it.
The craft fair will also have St. Peter’s 2008 Nature Calendar sale. The A4-sized calendar includes enough space to write notes for each day, and each month features a stunning seasonal nature photograph taken by Patrick Fox. Priced at £5 each, the calendars are also available to purchase at church on Sunday mornings, or from Patrick and Sophia directly. A number of people have also requested prints of some of the photographs, and this can also be arranged. All monies from calendar sales will go to St. Peter’s.
The process for replacing the rickety pews in St. Peter’s with comfortable upholstered wooden and metal chairs is still ongoing. We have already received many kind donations to help cover the cost of the new chairs, and any donation, however small, would help considerably, and can be gift-aided by tax-payers. Each wooden chair is going to cost £75, and if anyone would like to donate the cost of a ‘whole’ commemorative or memorial chair, we would be very grateful. A simple brass plaque inscribed with a name and date can be added to commemorative chairs, if requested. Please speak to Keith or Sophia for more details.
And finally, start of the next Alpha course, takes placethe home of Janet Collins, is to be postponed ‘til the New Year, and places are still available. Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed and low-key setting, and the 10-week course at Hook Norton takes the form of an informal meal, a short DVD and discussion time. For a general overview, please have a look at the Alpha website, on http://uk.alpha.org, or speak to Janet Collins, Jan Hughes or Sheila Acreman. Diary dates:
Jesus and Me (JAM) club: Hook Norton Primary School study centre, every Wednesday, 3.15-4.15 pm during term time, for keystage 1 and keystage 2 children (not nursery).
Wheelers and Squealers: Our regular get-togethers for the village tots, tinies and their parents/carers. 11.00 am at St. Peter’s, every second Thursday of the month (see posters for confirmation).
Sing-to-the-Lord: at St. Peter’s Hall, every second Thursday of the month, 8-9 pm. A chance to learn new contemporary worship songs.
Benefice Prayer meetings: Every third Wednesday of the month. Please see noticeboard in church porch or the website for dates and venues.
Font Café: 10.00 am ‘til 12.00 noon, every Tuesday and Saturday morning at St. Peter’s. Fresh coffee, tea and biscuits, served free of charge. It’s an opportunity to meet with friends, relax and enjoy a chat. Children and well-behaved dogs welcome! If anyone would like to help out as a Font Café volunteer, even on an occasional basis, please speak to Jan Hughes for more information, or pop along during opening times and speak to any of the helpers on that day!
Harvest Festival: St. Peter’s Church, September 30th, 10 am.
HOOK NORTON BAPTIST CHURCH
It was utter devastation! The place where I normally serve teas, coffees and light lunches on a Saturday and Monday was scarcely recognizable. Chairs, tables, shelves, even a refrigerator, had been tossed around like toys. On the floor was a watery sludge, and the china on the top shelf bore a dirty water mark which matched those on the other 3 walls, high above my head. Outside, two caravans had floated away and been smashed to pieces, a garden chair and a tub of pansies had been swept approx 100 yards from the back garden to the road, and, saddest of all, every sheep in a neighbouring field had drowned. It was the day after the July 20th floods, and the water had been at least 6ft deep in the coffee room and adjoining book shop and library at Greenhills Christian Centre ( more commonly known as “The Mill”), near Shipston on Stour. In the two neighbouring houses, one of which housed managers, Fran Wilson and Judy Faulkner, the water had risen to 4 ft. Their furniture and many personal belongings were lost.
Then began the long clean-up operation. Sodden equipment,.stock and furnishings had to be hauled out, lists made for the loss assessors, and then disposed of. Groups who had been booked in for retreats, conferences and away-days had to be cancelled. Insurers contacted, electricians, plumbers and professional cleaners brought in to do emergency work, a temporary home to be found for Fran and Judy,and umpteen other essential things to be attended to. You would expect anyone facing all that to be more than a little downhearted, wouldn’t you? But as we sat down for a makeshift lunch that first day, this was Fran’s prayer, “Thankyou, Lord, that you are going to bring good out of this, for we know that all things work together for good, to those that love God.” (Quoting from Romans 8 verse 28) In the days since then, their positive outlook and faith in God’s goodness has been paramount, as they look forward to the day when a re-furbished mill would be open for business again.
That day seemed to be drawing nearer when disaster struck again. On the nights of Sept 11/12 and 12/13, fires broke out in the upper floors, destroying much of what the floods had not reached, including the remainder of the stock that had been saved from the bookshop. That re-opening day will now be a lot longer coming. Even so, the faith of these two ladies is not diminished. They remember how a Biblical stalwart called Job lost everything except his faith in God, and was eventually richly blessed. They look forward to seeing what good things God will bring out of these calamities.
Disasters will happen, but facing them with faith, fortitude, and an unswerving trust in God’s goodness, can make an awful lot of difference!
Holiday Club. August saw another great holiday club, and we are grateful to all the folks who contributed towards helping to make it so. We would also like to register our appreciation for the gift of £400 from the Lee Stratford Memorial Fund to help with expenses.
Set-down area. You may have noticed that the set-down area to enable cars to drive right up to the hall door for loading and un-loading, is nearly complete. We hope this will be particularly helpful to the Day Care Centre users. Future dates Harvest; Oct.7th. Speaker; Peter Grant, International Director of Tear Fund
Ray Gill, former HNBC pastor, preaching Oct 14th
Jam club service, Oct 21st, 10.30 am
United Ecumenical Service (Wiggington Methodists, St. Peters. Chippy Catholics and us) Nov 4th at 6.30pm in honour of Father Frank’s 60 years of ministry.
Look out for notices of other events as and when they are arranged. Meanwhile, you are always welcome at Sunday services, 10.30am and 7pm. Housegroup Wednesdays at 8pm (tel. church office to find out venue), or Saturday morning prayer meetings, 8am.
Dorothy Smith. John Taylor
Boosting recycling, supporting local groups
What is Cherwell’s blue bin fundraising scheme?
Following a trial period, Cherwell District Council would like to push its blue recycling wheelie bin fundraising scheme with Parish Councils further, to encourage more householders to use bins. By supplying more blue recycling ‘wheelie’ bins, Cherwell hopes to promote further recycling.
These wheeled containers means that householders have more space for their recycling, keeping it securely out-of-doors and making it easier for it to be moved to the pavement on collection day. Bins are available at the cost of £20; when provided through a Town / Parish Council or other not-for-profit group. Of that, £5 will go to the Parish Council or group to spend as they wish as a commission payment from Cherwell District Council.
Mixed dry recyclables from your blue bin or boxes – that is food/drink cans, plastic bottles and containers, paper and card, newspapers, directories and magazines and aerosol cans – can be taken for recycling, rather than dumped in landfill tips.
Please do get in touch if you’d like more information from Cherwell District Council; email customer.service@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or call 01295 221940.
ARE YOU A PARENT THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM CHILDCARE?
Oxfordshire County Council are undertaking a countywide childcare assessment of the supply of and demand for childcare. The assessment will identify where there are gaps in the market and through the views of parents, providers, communities and employers, how to address and support Childcare provision.
If you wish to complete the parental questionnaire please go to: www.oxoncis.org.uk or email childcare.survey@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Alternatively, telephone 01865 815630. A draft report of findings and recommendations will be available for public comment in January 2008.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Liane Low - Project Manager- Managing the Childcare Market
Macclesfield House Oxford, OX1 1NA (01865) 810 517 Liane.Low@oxfordshire.gov.uk HEALTH WALKS
Health Walks continue to take place every Thursday in school term - 2 walks from the Surgery in Bourne Lane. Meet at 2.00pm for either a 1 mile walk or a more demanding 3 mile walk [both on pavements or roads] with the option of a cup of tea at the Surgery afterwards.
OXFORDSHIRE 2007’S FINAL SEASON www.oxfordshire2007.com
Oxfordshire 2007’s millennium celebrations reach new heights this autumn when the Dancing Ox logo takes to the skies, painted on the tail of one of RAF Brize Norton’s DC10s. Meanwhile, on the ground, there’s an exciting programme of events taking place in towns and villages countywide, not to mention rumours of a special festive ale from Hook Norton Brewery.
The county’s residents prepare to look the world in the eye in Faces of Oxfordshire, a series of events telling the stories of Oxfordshire people past and present. The Spoon Race Marathonat Modern Art Oxford (opens 11 September) serves up a spread of 1,000 faces famous and not so famous – all on wooden spoons. And there will be more faces – gazing out from just about every kind of object imaginable – in Who is Who? A Thousand Years of Oxfordshire Faces, which opens at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock (from 22 September) before touring the county.
If looking at all those faces stirs the imagination, there are plenty of opportunities for adults and children alike to make their own contribution to Faces of Oxfordshire in The Big Draw (starting 2 October). Meanwhile, Oxford’s OVADA Gallery takes a look at Oxfordshire life from some different perspectives. Witney’s famous blankets are the subject of Journey of a Blanket, an ambitious schools project to be launched at a public event at Cogges Manor Farm on 27 October.
International links are also to the fore in Big Village’s Special Settingsconcerts, which bring some the best names in world music to unusual venues countywide. For lovers of Chinese music and food there’s a special treat in store as the world-renowned flautist and chef, Guo Yue, dishes up a tasty combination of concert and Chinese cookery at the Abbey, Sutton Courtenay (3 November). Meanwhile, the villagers of Ramsden are preparing to welcome the gifted Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate, who will be at the Memorial Hall (10 November).
There’s a host of other things countywide, see the list on page 49 for just some of them. Looking ahead to the end of 2007, plans are well in hand to bring this 1,000thbirthday to a spectacular close. Winter Light in Oxford, Henley and Chipping Norton; White Nights in Oxford. Abingdon and Bicester are also planning their own exciting millennium farewells.
www.oxfordshire2007.com
Contact Cath Nightingale, Oxford Inspires
for more info: 01865 816392
Testament to a Trade
04 October 2007 - 06 October 2007
Dynamic cross-cultural theatre project examines the origins and impact of the slave trade in Oxfordshire. Touring Oxfordshire Banbury Canalside Folk Festival
12 October 2007 - 14 October 2007
A folk festival that everyone can enjoy, with a special Oxfordshire Folk and History Day on Sunday, covering a thousand years of Oxfordshire music with all-local bands. Oxford Lieder Festival
12 October 2007 - 27 October 2007
The UK’s only significant, large-scale Festival of song. Oxford Big Village Special Settings: Guo Yue
03 November 2007
World renowned Chinese flautist and chef delights audiences both musical and culinary. Sutton Courtenay Abbey Faces of Oxfordshire: Hidden Faces
10 November 2007 - 17 November 2007
Innovative video art from people with learning disabilities. OVADA, Oxford Faces of Oxfordshire: West Ox Arts Gallery
23 November 2007 - 16 December 2007
Exhibition celebrating 1,000 years of Oxfordshire faces. Bampton Common Threads 30 November 2007 - 01 December 2007
Textile exhibition plus concert with internationally renowned gospel choir Black Voices celebrates Oxfordshire’s diverse communities. Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, Oxford Behind the Facade
1 December 2007- through 2008
Artists brook and black explore life behind the University of Oxford’s famous museums. Ashmolean Museum, Museum of Natural History, Museum of the History of Science, Pitt Rivers Museum White Night 7 December 2007
Oxford’s museums and galleries stay open late with festive entertainment and street theatre, plus giant illuminated cones from French company Airvag. Oxford Winter Light November/ December 2007
Look out for closing events around the county, with Airvag and other festive treats with a 1000-year flavour. Abingdon, Chipping Norton, Bicester, Henley, Oxford
With the mention of Christmas (well, it had to happen, I suppose), please put November 3rdin the diary, as the date for this year’s St. Peter’s Craft Fair (see separate ad. in this newsletter). Organised again by Jan Hughes (many thanks, Jan!), this year’s craft fair will feature some exciting new craftspeople, so don’t miss it. 
Boosting recycling, supporting local groups
