SANDFORD ON THAMES VILLAGE MAGAZINE ON LINE
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The Parish Council on your behalf will make representations to the Boundary Commission that Sandford-On-Thames remains outside the City and under the control of the S.O.D.C. It is also asked that everyone who feels that we should stay as we are also write. In the Commissions publication of draft proposals they state; "the overwhelming majority of residents, local organisations and commercial organisations who have written to the Commission, had indicated that it was their wish to remain in their present district and not to be transferred to the City of Oxford, their objections were many and varied." (End quote)

I have read the draft proposals many times, the only reason I can see that the city wishes to extend its boundary is its greed for more land, its wish to destroy the green belt and to be able to build without reference to anyone. The reasons given by the City really describe what sort of council they have at Oxford City. Excuses such as they need land for development, they face difficulties if they want to acquire land, it makes local government more efficient or most people Shop or work in Oxford. If we look at these reasons in more detail we can see what rubbish they are, over land for development, where did some of the land for Greater Leys come from? The Parish of Sandford and the S.O.D.C. Difficulties of land for development. This is called the right to be consulted about what happens to the environment; in other word democracy. where we work and shop? How many of you next year will not shop in Oxford but at the new super store at Heyford Hill Round-about, as for more efficient local government, what a joke! Have you ever tried dealing with Oxford City Council?

At least with S.O.D.C. they will put you through to the right department and even phone back.

On the subject of housing the City claim that a number of people on the area are on their housing waiting list,most of these people are also on S.O.D.C. who have a much shorter waiting list.

In the street the other week, a woman said about her rates being £1000 per year, if we go into the City her rate will become £2000 per year over night. This alone must be worth the price of a letter and stamp.

People have passed the comment that there is nothing we can do and the Commissions proposals will go through. WRONG. If you care to look at the Commissions and the number of recommendations that have been accepted, you will realize if we all pull together we stand a chance. Don't leave it to the Parish District and County Councils, the more letters we send, the more chance we have, Parish District and County Councils are all against these proposals. Write to the Commission at:-

You must quote ref no LGBC/H/31/3/2/5/4 and all letters must arrive by 9 JANUARY 1986.

Send a copy to your M.P. as well, he is on our side in this matter, his address is:-

THE RIGHT HON. MR. M. HESELTINE
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
WESTMINSTER
LONDON.

Please urge your friends and neighbours to write, we must fight this change for the sake of our village our environment and the money it will cost us to live in the City of Oxford.

All the above views are the editors but as the Commission says, it is the views of "the overwhelming majority of the residents."

COMMENT ON DRAFT PROPOSALS FROM THE COMMISSIONS REPORT

1. The Commission invite comments on the boundary in the areas under review and on their draft proposals for changes. Anyone wishing to make comments is asked to take account of the following points:-

	a.	it is helpful to the Commission to have reasons why their draft proposals are being either supported or opposed;
	b.	if the reasons are already contained in earlier documents in the possession of the Commission it will be sufficient to refer to these although additional material can of course be included with the letter; otherwise the letter should itself contain the fully reasoned argument;
	c.	if comments take the form of suggestions for an amended or alternative boundary line they should be illustrated by map or diagram, and by the relevant figures of any electorate, affected, wherever possible.

REASSESSMENT OF DRAFT PROPOSALS

2. The Commission will reassess their draft proposals in the light of all the written representations they receive, on which they will, if need be, seek the views of the local authorities involved by further consultation. If they find that they then have sufficient information to reach a conclusion they will formulate their final proposals which will be included in a report to the Secretary of State for the Environment. If they consider that additional consultations are required, they may arrange for a local meeting to be held first to discuss the draft proposals in general or particular aspects of them. In that event they will arrange for all the relevant representations about the draft proposals to be placed on deposit for inspection at the district council offices.

Our warmest thanks are due to Mrs. Hutton and all who supported her ingenious meat raffle, which brought us a handsome gift of £60.

Our great family festival is at hand: may it be a joyful season for all. The joy will be deeper than mere enjoyment if we are able to see, through the tinsel and clutter of Christmas, the real meaning of the word. We keep 25th December as the day of celebrating the birth of THE CHRIST (our anointed Saviour) by a special MASS (the old word for Holy Communion). It is a time for children's delight because of our delight in this child, in whom God himself became one of us so that we may see Him in each other. Our presents are signs of His presence among us, enabling us to be for others.

Our service on Christmas Day are at 8 am and 10 am.

PHR

Forget-me-nots Club

The Christmas programme for the senior members of the village.

December 3rd. Christmas Bingo at 2.30 pm
December 17th. Christmas Tea at 2.30 pm
The Forget-me-nots Club will then close until February 4th 1986, when a belated Christmas Lunch will be held. At any of these meetings new members will be made most welcome.



Guys & Dolls

Marjorie Harris has arranged for the American Air force from Upper Heyford, to visit the Village Hall sometime in January for their production of Guys &Dolls. Details will be circulated when arrangements have been finally made.



Sandford Link

May I take this opportunity of thanking everyone for their generosity in contributing to the running costs of the Sandford Link. I would like especially, to mention the Parochial Church Council and the owners of Cumberland Estates for their very generous donations. I would also like to thank everyone who has helped deliver the Link, and those who have written items, and especially thank the advertisers for their support during the past year. Sam my new secretary has taken over where Libby left of and puts in a lot of work each month on the typewriter, and finally my wife Beryl, who is general factotum.

There will be no Sandford Link in January, all contributions for the February issue to be in by January 20th please.

May I take this opportunity of wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

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The last Keep Fit class this year will take place on December 10th. It will commence in the new year on January 7th 1986, when you will be able to "work off" the extra pounds you have gained over Christmas.



Youth Club

Due to the problems experienced by Linda Waterfield, it was decided to close the club for a while. Although Linda did tender her resignation it is hoped that she will reconsider if enough adults can be found to give her support even on a rota basis. A letter will be circulated to the parents of the present members inviting them to attend a meeting in the New Year.



Village Directory

For the February edition of the Link, I am in the process of preparing a village directory, it will include details of the Village Hall Committee, Parish Council plus all the societies and clubs in the village. I would be grateful if the secretaries will let me have details or put the relevant information on paper and put them through the letter box of 24. Henley Road, to enable me to make it as accurate as possible.



Bingo

Christmas bingo will take place Thursday December 19th at 8 pm. Books will cost 50p each as there will be special prizes. Entrance for REGULARS will, be the usual 10p and to newcomers and people just wanting to attend for the evening, the entrance will be 50p. Everyone will be made most welcome. Bingo will then take a break and restart February 6th 1986.

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*	DAVE & KIM HARRIS WELCOME YOU TO	*
*	THE CATHERINE WHEEL	*
*	SANDFORD-ON-THAMES,	*
*	Food Fun & Friendliness	*
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A large number of the public attended the meeting on 11th November, and Mrs. King and Mr. Farrell were also present. Most of the meeting was taken up by discussion of the latest paper from the Local Government Boundary Commission on the proposed extension of Oxford City. All those present at the meeting wished Sandford to remain within S.O.D.C.. The Commission's argument is difficult to follow. They state that Oxfordshire County Council, the three District Councils and all the parishes concerned are opposed to the boundary change. They go on to say that although they felt Oxford's claim to need so much land was open to question they recognised that authorities without developable land within their boundaries faced difficulties if they wanted to acquire and develop land outside their district to accommodate additional population, and that our arguments were not sufficient, in the context of the interests of effective and convenient local government to over-ride the greater part of the case put forward by Oxford City. In other words they considered the interests of Oxford City in preference to all those others concerned, but they gave no reasons or arguments to support their case. They seemed to ignore the fact that Oxford City's need for so much land was in any case open to question.

The Commissioners go on to state that they initially had doubts about including the whole of Sandford in the City. 'However, having satisfied themselves that there was no real gap in development between Oxford, Littlemore and Sandford villages, they concluded that it was right to include the parish within the City boundary, with the proviso that it retained its parish status and council.'

It is clear that Oxford City's main aim in wishing to acquire extra territory and the Commission's reason for agreeing to it, is so that they can build on it without opposition from District Councils. Sandford has already conceded a large area adjacent to Blackbird Leys and the City Boundary as part of S.O.D.C.'s contribution to housing in the area. We agree that it would be suitable for this urban area to be included in the City. We have also agreed to development on the Sandford Mill site. Neither of these developments means that there is no real gap in development between Littlemore and Sandford. In our view, it should be part of the task of the Commissioners to see that gap is preserved, not eliminated.

The Chairman of the Parish Council and at least two others will be visiting our M.P. Mr. Heseltine on 6th December, to put our point of view. It would be very helpful if as many people as possible wrote to him and to the Boundary Commission to explain their objections. They are interested in reasons, not just feelings.

CLOSING DATE FOR COMMENTS: 9th January, 1986.

Address:The Secretary,
Local Government Boundary Commission for England,
Room 123, 20 Albert Embankment,
London SE1 7TJ

The full proposals and map may be seen by appointment with Mrs. Heery at 73, Henley Road.

IF THE ANSWER TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS IS YES, CONTACT :-

MRS. M. HARRIS OXFORD 777900 AND HIRE THE VILLAGE HALL.
IT COSTS ONLY £15 FOR THE EVENING.



DISTRICT COUNCIL

"For those of you, who were unable to attend the Parish Council meeting on the 11th November, please write individual letters to the Boundary Commission. It is most important to keep Sandford within the South Oxfordshire District, and I will be giving my full support on this matter. May I wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year."

NIKKI KING.

A letter from our County Councillor

"The Sandford Link does a splendid job as a Community Newspaper and, is as your County Councillor, it gives me great pleasure to use it to send you all my best wishes for a happy Christmas and peaceful New Year, undisturbed, I hope by Boundary Commissioners".

CHARLES FARRELL

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RICH DUNDEE CAKE

6 oz margarine
3 eggs, size 1
8 oz plain flour
1 teaspoon mixed spice
2 oz chopped blanched almonds
8 oz sultanas
2 tablespoons milk
6 oz caster or soft brown sugar
1½ level teaspoons baking powder
2 oz chopped cherries
2 oz peel
8 oz currants
2 oz split blanched almonds to decorate

Cream margarine and sugar until soft and light. Gradually add the beaten eggs. Sieve dry ingredients together. Mix the chopped almonds, floured fruit and peel together. Stir in the flour with enough milk to make a dropping consistency. Lastly mix in the fruit. Put into lined 8" tin. Place in pre-warmed oven for 15 mins to enable mixture to flatten out and form a slight skin on top which will prevent the split almonds sinking into the mixture. Arrange split almonds on top of the cake and quickly paint them over with egg white left in egg shells with a pastry brush and return to oven and complete cooking time. Test in usual way and cool slightly before turning cake onto cooling tray. Cooking time 2-2¾ hours at gas mark 3 or 325F.


CHRISTMAS WINE CAKE

6 oz sultanas
6 oz raisins
4 oz currants
3 oz glace cherries
3 oz mixed peel
¼ pint sherry
6 oz butter
6 oz soft brown sugar
4 standard eggs
4 oz self-raising flour
4 oz plain flour
pinch of salt
½ teaspoon mixed spice
1 oz ground almonds

Cooking time 1 hour at 325F, gas mark 3, and 1½ hours at 300F, gas mark 2.

About a week before, mix together all dried fruit, cherries and peel. Pour over sherry, mix well, leave to soak, stirring frequently, Keep covered.

Grease and line an 8" round (or 7" square) tin with double layer of greaseproof paper. Cream together butter and sugar until soft and fluffy, gradually beat in eggs. Fold in flours, salt, spice and ground almonds.

Drain off any liquid from fruit and keep. Mix fruit into mixture, stir well till blended. Put into prepared tin, smooth top, bake in oven for 1 hour. Cover with foil and cook until firm to touch. Leave to stand in tin till nearly cold. Remove from tin, prick well over and pour over liquid from dried fruit. Wrap in foil or greaseproof. Leave for 6-8 weeks to mature.

You will find in the Sandford Link an invitation for drinks and refreshments with the Sandford Village Hall Committee. Please try to come along where you will be made most welcome. Remember it is on December 10th starting at 7.30 pm.



LIGHTS

Now that the dark evenings are here, please make sure that everyone checks their lights, not only on their bicycles but also on their cars. Cyclists should remember that if they have no lights and wear dark clothing the car behind them may not be able to see them if there is a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Jubilee Silver Band Will give a concert of Christmas music on:- FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6TH AT 7.45 PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL There will also he carols to sing, wine and mince pies Tickets are available from: Barbara Hobbs (Phone 779715) or at the door COST £1 IN AID OF THE VILLAGE HALL FUND AND CHURCH Come along and get into the festive spirit