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  SANDFORD ON THAMES  
VILLAGE APPRAISAL

COMMENTS
SECTION F




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Village Appraisal
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
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Village Appraisal
Comments and Suggestions - section F


With many people having interesting things to say, we have received over 790 comments and suggestions which has resulted in a fairly long list. A reasonable attempt has been sorted them in to the various topic areas contained in the questionnaire. For completeness all comments have been included, even those of a more general nature, but note that some can refer to more than one topic area.
The following sections are given as an index:

  STATS  SECTIONCOMMENTS
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  General Information  
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  Housing & Development
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  Working Life  
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Traffic, Travel & Transport
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  Environment  
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  Village Life  
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l       Y      r
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  Young Voices  
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Each comment also has a "stats" link back to its original question.






SECTION F - Village Life



F1. What do you most like about Sandford on Thames? From 1, most, down to 5, for as many as you wish.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. As a resident of Sandford I feel we are all fortunate and privileged. Realistically, with the constraints of local and national government, I feel it is difficult to think of any improvements that can be made.
  2. Sandford is lovely it should be kept small.
  3. My major concern is the retention of "village Life" ie. The resistance of 1,000 houses. The leader of Oxford City Council has previously indicated to me that it will not be long before the City boundary encompasses Sandford. This is my greatest fear as I told him at that time.
  4. [Note added next to 'Other'] "Access to countryside & country"
  5. All of these things, that is why we live here.
  6. I live in a modern shoe-box in the 'new' part of the village, so I do fee separated from the 'proper' village. I rarely visit, except on rare occasions to take a walk by the river.
Suggestions
  1. The village should stay a village and the green belt should be preserved to achieve that.



F2. In the last 12 months have you suffered from? Please tick all that apply.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. "After the previous 2 years NOBODY can under stand our change"
  2. Late night (after midnight) noise sometimes a problem at the village hall - need an efficient means of moving people on.
  3. [Vandalism and noise] Associated with the King's Arms and drunkenness
  4. Noise from motorbike in field.
  5. Parents to be more concerned about what their kids are up to. We paid £500 between our neighbours to put gates up to stop teenagers smoking and drinking in our parking area.
  6. I have had three cars scratched. Car crime is a huge problem here and the police do nothing!



F3. We are already in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Not sure
  2. ? Don't know ?
  3. Don't know
  4. Ours needs more contact / meetings. - none for years!!
  5. Not sure if still active
  6. [Data entry note: F3 not ticked - but a big question mark added - may be significant that they just don't know?]
  7. Is it still operating ?
  8. Though relatively inactive



F4. We would like a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in our village area?
STATS
   
Comments
  1. There is an informal network.



F5. Would you help start up such a Neighbourhood Watch scheme?
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Possibly but we both work & sometimes late in the evening



F6. What other measures do you think are needed to reduce crime? Your top five, from 1 down to 5.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. What crime?
  2. [Data entry note: every option was ticked!]
Suggestions
  1. CCTV is needed to cover the King's Arms pub car park
  2. Appended note to "Other" - You seen to know what is wanted already!!! More advice on personal & property protection
  3. Suggest a litter awareness campaign in local schools. I would be willing to set this up.
  4. Fine the parents - may them pay
  5. Sandford could benefit with more lighting and CCTV to stop crime and vandalism. Otherwise it is perfect.



F7. When the Leisure Centre opens at the Stadium, this will be a great benefit.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Both probably ['Agree' & 'Disagree' were both ticked]
  2. If Kassam fulfils his promise to provide parking, well and good.
  3. Young people need it.
Suggestions
  1. Kassam stadium + other facilities would be a benefit rather than inconvenience if good footpath + lighting was available all the way there.



F8. Sandford on Thames is an excellent place to live.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. The residents of Heyford Hill are part of Sandford on Thames yet our address is given as "Littlemore". This is unacceptable, we want to be recognised as being part of Sandford, it would also improve the value of our properties.
  2. No opportunity for young people to live in Sandford. Houses too Expensive
  3. Village is very Pleasant, tranquil. Out of the Rat Race
  4. Leave Village alone
Suggestions
  1. The sign for Sandford needs to be moved to include Heyford Hill Lane. At the moment the implication is that the lane is not in Sandford when it presumably is.



F9. We would be prepared to provide help to, and keep an eye on, an elderly neighbour.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Could offer minimal support.
  2. Have done much of this in past years. Now old myself. Help where I can, but NOT full responsibility, now.



F10. Residents of Sandford are mostly friendly and show that they care.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Propose Bob Morgan for MBE or CBE
  2. Pheasant Walk does not sometimes appear to have a village atmosphere (although people do talk at the bus stop) we behave as if we are just in another suburb of any city for the most part.



F11. Crime and vandalism has significantly worsened over the last few years.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Don't know



F12. We are comfortable reporting incidents to the police
STATS
   
Comments
  1. "Waste of time"
  2. In August 2003. Reported to Police Unwanted callers. No reply from them. Sept 2003 Caller stated he was checking the Water supply? Police did not check this out



F13. Policing arrangements in the village are good.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. SODC meeting hopefully, to improve now new organisation told us
  2. Lack of Policing. Parents be made more responsible to their childrens Yobbish behaviour. Sandford Speedway track noisy. Police not dealing with Problem
Suggestions
  1. More Police reqd. Make Oxford our Police station
  2. A genuine community policeman who regularly visits the village. When police are required they respond not from Thame but from Oxford.



F14. Contacting the police to report petty crime is not easy.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. [data entry note: question crossed out with a question mark]
  2. I wasn't in Oxford



F15. The Neighbourhood Watch in our part of the village is effective.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Don't know
  2. Didn't know?
  3. Was one which was good - no longer in place.



F16. We are satisfied with the maintenance and safety of the playground equipment and street furniture in our area of the village.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. don't know
  2. Park Homes play area is totally over grown
  3. Children use electric scooters unsupervised and dangerously from Rock Farm Lane to youth club at village hall. Nb last week.
  4. The new gates on the Church road playground are excellent I can get the double buggy through.



F17. If more playground facilities were provided for 7-10 year olds, we would use them.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. If more facilities. . . " we would have used them"
  2. I am 52, but I'm sure the 7-10 year olds would!
Suggestions
  1. younger children are also intimidated by teenagers sitting on the childrens playground equipment. A sign to say it is for the use of children under the age of 12 and no mopeds, motor bikes to be ridden there.



F18. The facilities for young people are not adequate for the village.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Don't know?
  2. The proposed leisure centre should provide opportunities
  3. Good and Bad impact on jobs., in the Village.
  4. Under 16s have nowhere to go and over 16's become a bike nuisance Both groups when just hanging out are very fertile to drug dealers as weve seen on the play area at fox furlong
  5. We need more for the young.



F19. Not having a GP's surgery in the village is a problem.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Starting up a car scheme. This need to be an arrangement ideally with a doctor's surgery to provide transport for elderly people who can no longer drive or who have no relatives to drive them around. The transport is provided by volunteer drivers taking patients to hospital or doctors surgeries.
  2. As I said previously a GP surgery & village shop rather than more houses is what Sandford needs.



F20. If there was a village school in Sandford, I would send my children there.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Too late for us
  2. My grand children would.
  3. Very difficult to answer some questions. Eg If I had young children I might like a village school yet I have put disagree based on my circumstances.
  4. There are several schools
  5. If it was good enough.



F21. The Village Hall needs to be radically changed to meet the village's needs.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Don't know
  2. Don't know
Suggestions
  1. Hall "needs to be bloody moved!!!"
  2. Village hall Committee should plan ahead for changes/wider usage
  3. Stop using Village Hall as a Night Club. Let people have annoying Parties at their Homes. Use Village Hall for Activities only.



F22. We are actively involved in activities held in the Village Hall.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Not Now
  2. I do not encourage anything there
  3. Unable to run things. Pleased to attend Baby/Toddler groups to meet people
  4. Yoga/Toddler Group reqd
  5. Training Courses and Learning needs reqd Do not want to pay more Tax as not value. Due to Poor Policing etc
  6. What activities?
Suggestions
  1. Access to an IT café for people without access to or want to learn
  2. Local Yoga or Pilates Class reqd. As Village get bigger and busier, It seems inevitably difficult to get involved with Village
  3. Youth Club. Football play Area. Kids Activities



F23. The Parish Council is doing a good job of defending our interests.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. [data entry note: question crossed out with a question mark]
  2. To the best of our knowledge
  3. In so far as their remit goes, the often complain in that higher officials fail to respond to their communications.
Suggestions
  1. Need to meet you more - people traditionally wont attend a meeting but you need to come to them
  2. Don't know if PC look after our Interests. Annual report would be useful in the Link.



F24. Publicity about council decisions and activities is effective.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. [data entry note: question crossed out with a question mark]
  2. It's great that the vicar visits - perhaps parish councillors could too.
Suggestions
  1. P/Council could request local businesses to advertise to residents of Sandford 1st



F25. Village services over the internet would be very useful.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. We have a web site.
  2. Computer Classes for the Elderly



F26. The Link, Village Noticeboards and Sandford Web Pages are important services.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Great survey - are the results going to be published in the link or on the web.
Suggestions
  1. A notice board by the village hall bus stop may be useful - nearest one is Church rd which we seldom see.



F27. We would be prepared to pay more tax to get more services.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Depends on how much more!
  2. Can hardly afford tax at the current rate
  3. Within reason, if these effective.
Suggestions
  1. More Tax if it was spent only on Policing



F28. If there was a village shop in Sandford we would use it regularly.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Will use the Shop.
  2. Newsagents reqd
  3. Small Shop reqd



F29. The mobile library is an important part of village life.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Don't know
  2. "not mine"



F31. How important is St Andrews Church to you for the following? 1 most, down to 5 least, as appropriate.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. St Andrews church is more than a "facility" - you appear to equate it with a village shop.
  2. Don't know yet!
  3. [data entry note: question crossed out]
  4. It's great that the vicar visits - perhaps parish councillors could too.
  5. [Data entry note: all options were ticked]
  6. The only reason that I don't use the church is that it is the wrong denomination for me, but I feel it is a very important part of the village.
  7. Rating F31 1-5, I cant fill this in because I don't find it important to me for activities mentioned.
  8. Thanks are due to Rev Bob Morgan for trying to organise various events that are to village life - Fun Run, Quiz Night, Flower Festival & Fete - without these events village life as a community would scarcely exist. I think that the Parish Council should do much more
  9. Very important to village life
  10. I hope no Public Money is given to the Church
  11. I do think the vicar is an absolute poppet (although I am not a church-goer)
  12. The vicar is a lovely man. I am a catholic so I worship elsewhere.
  13. The vicar coming around is very important - he is my only link with Sandford.



F32. What proportion of your weekly shopping requirement would you be prepared to make at a 'Village Shop'?
STATS
   
Comments
  1. A small shop / post office / newsagent near the hall would be lovely.
  2. A village shop would be great - if only for social & community reasons.
  3. Littlemore hospital shop opens 'til 3pm Monday to Friday
  4. If prices were comparable to co-op or a convenience store (I.e. would be prepared to pay a little more than big supermarkets).
  5. Village community facilities are also important; shop, GP.
Suggestions
  1. We do need a local shop, I would definitely use for news papers, milk, bread etc but if sold farm, local & organic produce I would try & do most of my shopping there.
  2. Particularly if local organic produce
  3. Bus to Sainsburys would be useful.
  4. We would like to see a village shop.
  5. There should be a local shop in Sandford for the increased housing, perhaps a Post Office.
  6. Village shop/post office GP needed



F33. How often do you visit the Village Hall? Please tick.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Only 3 times in 15 years, 2 relating to this Appraisal.
  2. Youngest attends youth club.
  3. Used to every week!
  4. "As least as possible but some family events have to be attended."
  5. [Data entry note: "other" box filled in with "3" - may mean 3 times a year?]



F34. Have you ever hired the Village Hall? Please tick.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Tried to hire it in January - rung mobile & left 2 messages & my calls were not returned for over a week!!! Needless to say I booked somewhere else!



F35. Are there any other clubs, training or learning groups that you would like to see provided in the village hall? If yes, please expand in the box on the following page.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Probably would like to have clubs to use, but do not yet know what there already is
  2. Because we are 2 working adults with 2 young children, we do not have much spare time
  3. The traditional village activities such as fete, quiz, river run, flower festival and harvest lunch are good
  4. Don't really know what is there already
  5. Youth 13-17 yrs No where to meet
  6. Play group for under 4 years old.
  7. Maybe a football team.
  8. Fitness class after 7:30pm
  9. It would be lovely for there to be more "village" activity - though there is some, doesn't necessarily appeal to everyone.
  10. As I live opposite the thing and have to put up with the noise, mess, anti-social behaviour and as someone who has had to clear up the mess and report excess behaviour to the police, I am not that enamoured with the place. BUT there needs to be more things planned to bring villagers together & I guess this is the only place to do it.
  11. Community activities are important.
  12. Art classes (still life / costume life)
  13. Keep fit for everyone (battle against obesity)
  14. Interesting idea re: village hall. I don't know what type of activities are currently done. No current ideas my self.
  15. It would be lovely to have a monthly social at the village hall in Sandford. I feel we are cheated out of this necessary function of village life. It seems we are the only village denied this in Oxfordshire (please help).
  16. Exercise groups - pilates or yoga
  17. There should be more available to the teenagers of the village, to save them hanging around and annoying people in the village.
  18. Activities for children between 7 - 12, scout groups, cycling rides, treasure hunts etc. Also organise more events/occasions where village people can meet and socialise.
  19. Yes but it would depend on the needs and interests of a viable group of like minded individuals.
  20. Club for the 10-16 year olds to stop them congregating on corners in Broadhurst Gardens and on Cowley road Littlemore and to stop mopeds up and down Broadhurst Gardens and on the green in better weather.
  21. If the village hall facilities were improved it might be possible to have more illustrated talks and learning groups. The excellent talk on Roses given by Mr John Mattock, was very well attended, but a greater degree of comfort would have been appreciated.
  22. Keep fit classes in day time
  23. Evangelising meetings seem good so more of them would be ok.
  24. To get a sense of community regular events are very important.
Suggestions
  1. Youth Club
  2. Local Cubs & Scouts
  3. Brownies & Guides
  4. Occasional social get-togethers in the evening or sporting events e.g. football round robin would be good too. Would the Four Pillars be prepared to enter into different leisure arrangement with the village e.g. build another tennis court and operate a 'pay per session' arrangement, using their changing facilities.
  5. Hobbies group ie. Model trains etc.
  6. Yoga, aerobics or other fitness classes
  7. Summer play scheme - which was brilliant for the children & very popular.
  8. Brownies / cubs etc
  9. Maybe a younger youth club 5-10 approx
  10. Holiday / play schemes of after school club in village hall could be useful
  11. Boys football club
  12. Exercise class
  13. Exercise classes at times convenient for working people - perhaps at 4 pillars if not the village hall.
  14. Village hall - lets have regular wine tasting sessions! Is there keep fit? Self defence might be fun. Drama?
  15. More fetes (once a year is not enough) / village parties
  16. Local business could provide "service" days / open days
  17. Meet police more there on open days & MP (who?) & service providers etc
  18. Local pubs could provide "family" events based there (daytime!) with themes / around certain events etc.
  19. Table top & boot sales attract everyone.
  20. Local cricket team
  21. Keep fit & drama classes I might attend (Morris dance team for Sandford! joking!)
  22. Folk club
  23. Local history talks
  24. It would be necessary to find out peoples interests within the village. There are a number of art & craft workshops or courses I would be interested in attending.
  25. Snooker / pool for kids / adults
  26. How about a Badminton club
  27. Classes for pensioners ie keep fit
  28. Play schemes for summer holidays
  29. Youth club 13-16 year olds.
  30. Cubs, brownies & scout clubs
  31. A book club, an outdoor activities club, (ie walking, climbing, canoeing etc), T'ai hi, yoga, a singles club for 25-35 year olds!
  32. I'd like to see a yoga & meditation class run in the village hall. If a teacher can be found then I'd look into opening and closing village hall for the event.
  33. There should ?? be at least one tennis court, and more courses and events at the village hall.
  34. Village dance disco for teens etc.
  35. Village dance for middle ages
  36. Weight Watchers after work?
  37. Clubs for Bridge, Brownies
  38. Whist drives, afternoon teas (weekends) to raise funds for St. Andrew's Church. Flower Arranging classes.
  39. Over 50's clubs
  40. Scouts
  41. Other parishes seem to hold the occasional car-boot sale. This seems a good way to raise money at £5-£8 a pitch without being a burden. Maybe a discount for villagers. It's also environmentally friendly recycling of unwanted items.!
  42. Something adult for youth e.g. car and bike maintenance, computer club, meaningful construction projects.
  43. Patchwork and languages.
  44. Monthly community social event. Live music.
  45. Yoga
  46. Some kind of exercise class - yoga etc
  47. Evening classes at the hall (Yoga, dance, art subjects and general interest)
  48. Hold social, educational and cultural events.
  49. Bridge club, amateur dramatics
  50. Would like art classes, bowling green and dancing classes.
  51. Disco dancing for kids, Yoga classes, Tai Kwon Do, Football club
  52. Ballroom Dancing, Line dancing, country dancing, Discos etc
  53. A drop in for older teenagers would be worth considering
  54. Village Xmas party. Street Party/village green area
  55. We should have regular village events - I love organising such things.



F36. If these groups were to be set up, would you help run them?
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Lack of time
  2. Possibly
  3. We love living in Sandford, although due to long (& odd) working hours we don't 'really 'take part'.
  4. "may be..."
Suggestions
  1. Book Club
  2. Yoga would be nice
  3. CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES



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Last update: 31 December 2004 http://www.sandfordonthames.co.uk/appraisal/candsf.htm
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