Spring 2007             Issue 105

CHURCH NEWS
Ministry team: Robert Morgan (Lower Farm, 748848) priest-in-charge; Licensed lay ministers: Brian Andrews (777011);  Liz Shatford (772598). Church Wardens: Mrs Marjorie Harris (24 Henley Road) and Ray Lee (93 Henley Road). Director of Music: Christian Bradley.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES Palm Sunday   1st April: Distribution of Palm Crosses at 10 a.m. service. 11.15 a.m.   Family service Maundy Thursday   5th April:   Lord's Supper 7.30 p.m. Good Friday   6th April: 10.0 a.m. Special children's service 2.15 p.m. Service of devotion Silent meditation in church from     12.0 - 2.15 - opportunity to drop in. Holy Saturday   7th April 8.0 p.m. Confirmation at Littlemore church EASTER SUNDAY   8th April: 8.0 a.m. Holy Communion 10.0 a.m. Parish Communion 6.30 p.m. Evening prayer

Mothering Sunday March 18th 10.0 a.m. Parish Communion 11.15 a.m. Family Service

Rest

On 25th March at 6.30 p.m. Mozart's Requiem will be sung in Sandford Church, meaning 'Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord', and several of us will hear it in the same spirit as the All Souls memorial service in November, lovingly thinking of someone who is still very precious to us though no longer with us in the flesh.

But the focus of this holy time of Lent and Holy Week, climaxing in Good Friday and Easter Sunday, is on the Son of Man who represents us all and whose human suffering can help us come to terms with bereavement and with our own mortality. We learn that our life is a gift and we celebrate it by living it to the full depth and height that God's good creation makes possible, and true teaching allows us to understand and appreciate.

The times of dryness and emptiness can become a time of growth - 'he leadeth me beside the waters of comfort'. There is not much room for sentimentality as we learn to find God in a human life and death, in the sharing of a symbolic meal and in joining together to sing praises (even those of us who sing badly and dance worse can be infused by the warmth of other people's participation - one reason we come together).

The building - a holy place - has become foreign to many whose life-style has no room for it, but the quiet of the peaceful Garden of Remembrance is still accessible to anyone to make time and space in their life to 'be still and know that God is God', and know that God has the whole world in his hands, including those dear to us - into God's merciful keeping we commit them.

The invitation for the 25th is for everyone, not only those who are already learning to respond to the mystery of God's love that surrounds us, and that we will attend to most intently on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.




Church Accounts

The 2006 accounts were received by the Church Council at their February meeting. Special thanks to Mr McKisack for all his work as treasurer, and to Mrs Eugenia Skelly for again acting as auditor, and to all who ensured that the building stands firm as a house of prayer for all people and the churchyard is kept well-mowed.
The congregation has remained supportive of several local charities and initiatives, including Cruse bereavement counselling, the Schools Reading project, other counselling services, John Henry Newman School, asylum welcome, Tanzania, Children's Society, Jerusalem Eye Hospital (through St John's Ambulance), Cheshire Homes, Church Urban Fund, industrial chaplaincy, British Legion etc.
The report will be formally received at the Annual Meeting on 25th April, when Church Wardens etc. are elected.

and welcome
Our welcome to Lisa and Malcolm to the King's Arms is a little late due to computer failure, but it allows us to comment from experience on the great job they are doing making our bit of the river among the very best eating places in the area. Alongside the Fox and the Catherine Wheel and the varied attractions of the Four Pillars, Sandford is now clearly the place to come to and we congratulate Malcolm and Lisa on their huge contribution to the local facilties

and again welcome
to the Fox - to Peter who is managing it for the time being for John Westendort of Quiz Night fame (and the General Elliott in South Hinksey). We wish them well and say farewell to Mark who bridged the gap with great character following Graham's promotion.


Congratulations
Nice to see Sandford celebrity Eleanor Glynn (alias Miss Oxford and Miss England) on front page of the national newspapers (Feb 13th) as well as The Link and TV news, putting her fame to good purpose by taking a moral stand against the catwalk's preference for ultra-thins.

Environmental playschemes in the Easter holidays:
Naomi Crawford writes:

Just to let you know I will be running one playscheme and one family day at the end of the Easter holidays. Try to book early if possible so I can plan helpers, etc in advance. The woodlands will still probably be very muddy, so wellies are still a definite!!
      Thursday 12th April - Family Day, any age, accompanied by an adult,
      max 4 children per adult, 10am - 3pm, £7 per child.
      Friday 13th April - Playscheme, 8-13 years only,
      10am - 3.30pm, £10 per child.
Email or call me to book, Naomi Crawford, Peers School, Countryside and Environment, Hinksey Heights, South Hinksey, Oxford, OX1 5AB.
Tel: 07941 312 654 email: hinkseywarden @ yahoo.co.uk
[Naomi's playschemes have been running for several years now and have been much appreciated by several Sandford families - highly recommended - Ed.]

YOUTH CLUB is up and running in the Village Hall on Tuesdays in term time from 4.0 - 6.0 p.m. for 6 - 11 year olds. Leader Michelle Robson, 15 Janaway. Telephone 748257. Football/pool/air hockey table, lots of crafts, board games and music, with Snack Time and then Team Games. Full term programme of activities and crafts. End of term trip, disco and Jamboree. Donations of unwanted books, games etc. gratefully received. Membership places available - please contact Michelle.

TODDLERS GROUP     Mondays 10 - 12 in the Village Hall     Run by Rebecca (717414) . Mums and Dads etc.  very welcome.		ELECTIONS: advance warning There will be local elections this May and a new Parish Council is to be elected, so please keep an eye on the noticeboards for the announcement and do not be afraid to put your name forward. Information from the Clerk, Liz Shatford 772598.
Brighten up the winter evenings with BINGO in the Village Hall every Thursday 7.0 for 8.0 in aid of Village Hall funds.
Junior Tae Kwon Do Every Monday 5.30 - 6.30 p.m. and Thursday 5 - 6 p.m. in the village hall: come and join a mixed and friendly group and learn integrity, courtesy, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit in a martial arts context. Ages 7 - 17, but any 5 yrs or above in the village will be welcome. Information from James on 772883 or 07721 712734.	Mobile Library every two weeks on THURSDAY at 2:25 until 2:35 by The Fox. [more info]
	VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS Bookings phone: 07759 - 890696 £5 per hour for Children's parties (under 12 and before 18:00) and £10 per hour for adult events. Friday and Saturday nights (from 18:00 to 24:00) are a fixed fee of £60 in all cases. [Village Hall - Info]

Village Hall

This is the first of what will be a periodic report to the Village via The Link.

The Village Hall has run very well over the last year and I would like to thank Ben Goodger, Eugenia Skelly, Jacqui Bartlett, Michelle Robson, Mick Hills, Paul Daglish and Tom Fox for all their efforts. Each of them has given up considerable amounts of time and also taken on the obligations that go with being a Trustee recognised by the Charity Commission. Tom and Michelle have had to step down due to other commitments, in Michelle's case to run the Youth Club, so our best wishes to her for that.

Those of you who have used the hall recently will have seen that we are in the midst of a renovation programme that will see a complete new look by the end of the year. We are also looking at the feasibility of a conservatory style extension to the building for smaller meetings and groups. Should you have thoughts or opinions about this you are welcome to give me a call etc. or to come along to our AGM on Monday April 30th at 20:00.

We are very pleased to be able to report that much of the above work is being funded from a positive balance on the year's turnover, and from our reserves, which allows us to continue to subsidise activities requested by residents in the village. During the year, we have also been able to set up a number of new activities originally requested during the 'Parish Planning' that took place 2 years ago.

Key to making the Hall attractive to hirers has been its high standard of cleanliness. For that we have to thank Hazel Hutton who has given many, many years of faithful service. Hazel has now taken the decision to 'retire' from this 'retirement job'. We thank her for everything she has done over the years and wish her many more years but this time with her feet up !

Jacqui Bartlett, our current bookings secretary, will shortly be relocating to Garsington - no doubt to do up another house along the way ! We wish her all the best too.

However, this means we have vacancies for both a Hall Cleaner and a Bookings Secretary. The work involves a few hours a week in each case and both tasks can be timetabled to fit in with other commitments. An honorarium goes with each task and they would suit village residents who are anyway required to be in the village during the day. If you think this might suit you do please contact me.

Steve Daniels - Village Hall Committee Chair [via the hall bookings phone on 07759 890696]

Spring bank holiday rubbish and recycling dates On the Easter, May Day, and Spring Bank Holidays the rubbish and recycling collection will be one day later than usual, i.e. normal Monday collection will take place on Tuesday etc. There will be a normal collection on Good Friday, April 6th. [ See SODC web site under: Environment - Rubish Collection ] The Oakley Wood, Redbridge and Drayton waste recycling centres (tips) will open as normal on Good Friday and the Bank Holiday Mondays (8.0 - 5.0). For more information, call 01491-823416

Hazel Hutton would like to say thank you very much to all those family, friends and kind neighbours who have been so supportive during her recent bereavement and hospital stay. It is much appreciated. Thank you all.

Attention all Parents Bookstart - Free Books for Children!!!! Do you know that Bookstart provides three different gifts for 3 different age ranges containing books and other goodies and it's all free. The Bookstart Baby pack is available for babies aged up to 12 months. Your baby will be given a pack by the health visitor at the 8 month health check The Bookstart+ pack is available for toddlers between 18 - 30 months and can be collected from the library or the health visitor if your child has a 2 year check. So please go to the library and ask for your toddler's Bookstart+ pack. My Bookstart Treasure Chest is for 3 year olds and is delivered to your child's pre-school. If your child does not attend a pre-school collect your Treasure Chest from the library. If you run a pre-school and have not given the Bookstart co-ordinator the number of 3 year olds in your setting, please contact her as soon as possible to ensure delivery by August 2007. For more information contact the Bookstart Co-ordinator for Oxfordshire on 01865 810243 or visit the web site at www.bookstart.org.uk

DIARY DATES QUIZ NIGHT 5th May LEWIS CARROLL EVENSONG with Alice sermon Sunday 27th May SANDFORD RIVER RUN 2007 Saturday 30th June SANDFORD FETE AND FLOWER FESTIVAL WEEKEND Saturday/Sunday 14th/15th July SANDFORD FUN IN THE PARKS Sunday 26th August 12.0 - 5.0.

Henley Road, Sandford on Thames, Oxford OX4 4GX Telephone: (01865) 334444 . Fax: (01865) 334400 WEB http://www.four-pillars.co.uk Email: enquiries@four-pillars.co.uk Set in 30 acres of glorious parkland on the banks of the Thames. Open to non residents for drinks, light meals and riverside dining. Carvery lunch on Sundays. Conferences, Weddings (including Ceremony) and private parties. Telephone 01865 334444.

Rest in peace

Mrs Mary Jackson   born 11th August 1932, died 8th January 2007, aged 74

Mary's father was a docker and secretary of the local union. In 1941 she was evacuated to North Yorkshire but returned to a 1950s youth with much dancing and finally marriage to George Stevenson (d.1991) and the birth of Stuart in 1958. They moved to Oxfordshire so that George could work at the car factory (British Leyland). Debbie was born in 1962 and Michele in 1968. Andrew was born in 1974, the family having moved to Sandford in 1972-3, to the old police cottages.
Mary was latterly unable to get out much but enjoyed reading and was happy in her home with Debbie and (over her last nine years) a beautiful granddaughter Elizabeth. She was proud of how well Michele had done up in York and thrilled to have a second granddaughter Olivia in 2004. She was laid to rest in Sandford churchyard on 18th January and the congregation sang her favourite hymn, I vow to thee my country...
      'And there's another country, I've heard of long ago
      Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know
      And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.'
May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Our sympathies to all the family. And there's some corner of the Sandford field that is forever a memorial garden.



Mr Michael Millard   born 3rd December 1938 died 21st February 2007, aged 68

Mick and Margaret came to Main Avenue in 1968 in the Mr Crapper era, and then returned in 1988. Margaret came from Kent and met Mick when he was in the army (Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry - Mick had enjoyed National Service so stayed on for 13 years) stationed at Gravesend. They swiftly resolved to sell his car (£75) and buy him out of the army instead of moving to Ireland. They married in Oxford in 1968.
Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 25 years ago he worked on as a groundsman with Isis Accord until he was nearly 65. Latterly his health gave serious cause for concern, but he coped with quiet heroism and was wonderfully looked after by Margaret and fortunate in their two daughters being fairly local, since for him his family was the most important thing.
After the cremation, the Garden of Remembrance at Sandford provides a good final resting-place and memorial. We extend our sympathies to Margaret and to their daughters Debbie and Marie and all their families, especially the two older boys - the latest grandchild is only a few weeks old. Mick's sister Rose died a few years ago.

Mrs Lilian Bennett   born 7th June 1897, died 23rd February 2007, aged 109

Mrs Bennett was the oldest woman in Britain when she died after a fall in her nursing home at Kidlington, a few weeks short of her 110th birthday. She had left Penn Cottage, Church Road, aged 100 to live with her daughter Maureen and Barrie, who cared for her devotedly until it became necessary to move her to the Glebe, where Maureen works.
Her husband, Tom, People's Warden at St Andrew's, had died in 1994. Lilian was originally from Cheltenham but when Tom retired as police inspector in Walsall they came to Oxford and to Sandford in 1954, having married back in 1931. Lilian worked in various shops, in particular in the accounts department at Boots, and her many visitors would find her knitting or doing crochet.
She was in her late 90s a familiar figure on the Tesco bus, calling the driver, a witness, Jehovah, and the store did a small party on her 100th birthday - and the Catherine Wheel a disco. She and the late Mrs Webber looked after the clothes stall at the Parish Fete. Her humour and fighting spirit lasted to the end. Latterly she on occasion said that growing old was no fun, but to well past 100 her own life contradicted that claim.
She was a delight to know and a faithful member of the congregation. Her departure cuts our last living link with Queen Victoria's reign. As we celebrate her life (singing Lord of the Dance in church at her funeral, which was appropriate for such a fun-loving person who had done a lot of dancing when younger) we extend sympathy to Maureen and two grand-daughters and four great-grandchildren, but above all thanks for the privilege of knowing her.



Mr David Jan Harris   born 13th February 1975, died 26th January 2007, aged 31.

David lived with his mother Peggy on Kiln Close, and gave up his job to help nurse his father, Dave, who died a year ago. He was the fourth and youngest of the family and full of mischief and fun. After school in Marston he tried being an apprentice chef at one of the colleges, but music was his great love and from the age of 19 was a DJ in and around Oxford, while also working on coachdriving and road maintenance.
He supported Manchester United keenly and will have been sad to miss their this year's triumph. He also enjoyed pool, clubbing, ten pin bowling, ski-ing, ice-skating - and won a trip to Colorado to ski. He enjoyed visiting America, especially his sister Jane in San Antonio. He was a social man but also loving and caring and generous.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Peggy in her bereavements, and to Jane, and to his brothers Kevin and Stephen and their families. Remembering his love of dancing Lord of the Dance and Morning has broken were sung at his funeral, which was well attended.

Lewis Carroll The annual Choral Evensong at which we remember Charles Dodgson's visits to Sandford church in the 1860s by the Alice sermon on or in Wonderland will be at 6.30 p.m. on the 27th May, Whit Sunday 1862 being the occasion of his first sermon here.

TRAVEL TOKENS SODC are changing the way travel tokens are distributed: from 1st April they will be sent out direct to people's homes by recorded delivery. If you received travel tokens in 2006, they will send you a simple renewal form to sign and return. If you are applying for the first time you will need to complete an application form and give evidence of residency and age or disability, if relevant. If you are disabled or aged over 70, you have a choice between £20 worth of travel tokens or a free bus pass, but not both. Disabled residents and companions are also eligible for travel tokens. If you are 60 or over and a permanent resident in South Oxon, you can apply for a free bus pass. More information from Julia Leppard, 01491 823124, or Julia.leppard@southoxon.gov.uk Or take a look at the SODC website, www.southoxon.gov.uk, which is full of interesting local information.

If the person who sent in a baby-sitting ad reads this, I am very sorry but my computer crashed just after it came in and I couldn't contact you as I didn't know who sent it. Please get in touch again.

Barry and Barbara welcome you to the Catherine Wheel FREEHOUSE 38 Henley Road Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford OX4 4YP Tel: 01865-778340 Hot and Cold Bar Food Traditional Sunday Roast Lunches     Real Ales Large Garden     Ample Car Park Parties and Outside Functions catered for

Dorchester Festival
Will take place this year from 22nd June to 1st July. Last year was a brilliant mixture of things for everyone, from world-class performances of orchestral music and contemporary dance to murder mystery and poetry readings for under-fives. Highly recommended. More information in due course from www.dorchesterfestival.com or steph@forman.org.uk or from the Abbey.



Harcourt Arboretum Study Mornings:
Tree and Shrub Pruning
Learn the principles of pruning trees and shrubs and when to carry out pruning tasks in your own garden. The morning will also explain why we prune and recommend the best tools for the task.
Monday 16th April, 10.30am to 1.00pm

Care of Woodland
Take a look at our woodland and how it has been managed in the past. We will then focus on our current management techniques and what we do to encourage woodland habitats for wildlife.
Monday 14th May, 10.30am to 1.00pm

Care of Meadows
Managing a meadow for wild flowers is often a daunting prospect. The morning will focus on how to improve the diversity of flora in a meadow whilst preventing weeds from taking over.
Monday 4th June, 10.30am to 1.00pm

The Oxford Conservation Volunteers
is a voluntary organisation which has been carrying out practical work conserving the wildlife and traditional landscape of the Oxford area since 1977. The group organises work parties every Sunday and undertakes a wide variety of nature conservation work. This can range from the traditional craft of hedgelaying to the thoroughly modern practice of fence building; from creating new hedges by tree planting to conserving chalk grassland habitats by scrub clearance.
If you want to find out more about Oxford Conservation Volunteers you can ring Paul on 07812494164.

PARISH COUNCIL

Extracts from meeting held on Monday January 08

Matters for consideration:
The children's party at Christmas had been a great success, it was hoped that more children from the village would attend next year when it would be a finale for the youth club autumn term. The re-opening of the youth club on Tuesday evenings was welcomed.
J. Howell noted the prompt appearance of the traffic survey readings and had requested a guide to what they meant. The only other item to report was that area reviews between parish councils and parents would be held to look into making village schools more sustainable. A report recently circulated by ORCC was overly alarmist in that it indicated wholesale closures of schools. This was not accurate.
Play areas: A letter had been circulated from SODC inviting bids for lottery funding for play areas or facilities in villages. M. Robson would work with clerk to put in a bid - possibly to include a youth room extension to the village hall.
Traffic survey: the parish council congratulated Peter Ronald on getting the survey completed. Cllr J. Howell had volunteered to ask him to provide an explanation of the results and method for alleviating problems highlighted.
Handrail at bridge over to lock: Clerk had spoken to the lock keeper regarding the broken handrail on the lock bridge. He had said that the Environment Agency couldn't take responsibility because it didn't stand on their ground. Clerk to contact the Brewery to see what could be done.
I. Reveco asked about the broken bench down at the lock. This was the responsibility of the Environment Agency who would no doubt repair it at some time.

GARDEN WASTE SERVICE SODC have given out 10,215 brown wheelie bins to date, but have lots more: order yours from 01491 823416 or email public.amenities@southoxon.gov.uk

Extracts from meeting held on Monday February 05

No reply from brewery yet re mending lock bridge handrail.
Sympathy was expressed for Mrs H Hutton, in hospital and it was hoped that she would be back on her feet as soon as possible.
Matters for consideration:
Application for SODC play funding:- this was preliminary notification to SODC indicating interest in future application for new equipment as they had a fund to be distributed. M Robson had got the form in in time.
Traffic survey: P. Ronald was unable to attend a Monday meeting until at least May. J. Howell had suggested that a date in the next couple of weeks might be arranged on another night but this was not possible for parish councillors so Clerk to write to P. Ronald and request a written translation of the survey findings with ideas for traffic calming.
Letter re. Littlemore pumping station and associated land. A copy of a letter sent to Thames Water by a Sandford resident complaining of various issues to do with the pumping station was sent to the P.C. and discussed. The council agreed with all the points raised and would take up the matter with Thames Water and the Environment Agency.
Matters raised: The fence posts between the Church Rd rec. and the burial ground were rotting. G. Surman to be asked to repair.
Representatives of Littlemore parish council attended after the meeting closed for an informal discussion of matters of mutual interest.


Extracts from meeting held on Monday March 05

Matters arising: Littlemore pumping station: Thames Water and Environment Agency had this in hand
County Councillor's report: J. Howell reported that OCC staff had been given a day's holiday as reward for achieving 4star status. He would speak to Peter Ronald about the traffic calming. The EIP into planning etc had started and City and others had made various cases
District Councillor's report: The Council met on 22nd February to agree a budget and set the Council Tax for the coming year. The ruling Conservative group's proposal for a budget giving a nil increase in the District Council Tax was agreed after the defeat of a Liberal Democrat amendment which would have enabled a 1.27% reduction.

Apart from reducing the Council Tax the Lib. Dem budget would, among other improvements, have prevented the spending of a large sum for the use of a call centre located in Coventry to deal with residents enquiries, and would have restored bus tokens to pay for alternative transport in villages where there are few, or no,buses. The District element is a relatively small part of the total Council Tax .Oxfordshire County Council have increased their portion by 4% and the Police Authority by 4.99%. There has also been an increase of 3.09% in the Parish Precepts. The overall average increase in Council Tax for the coming year is therefore 3.71% which will impose still more hardship on many residents.
The E.I.P.(Examination in Public) at Reading began on 28th February. The District Council's view is that the area south of Grenoble Road at Oxford is not acceptable for Housing development and Didcot is to be preferred. My view is that no further development is acceptable anywhere until a major improvement to the roads network is undertaken.
Park Homes.
There are still some outstanding matters which need resolving with the Park Owner but a new problem has arisen following the issuing of a new Rent book to residents. This includes the statement "no residents under the age of 45". As may be imagined this has caused considerable concern and I discussed this and the other outstanding matters on 1st March at a meeting with Paul Holland and Craig Miller of the Environmental Health Department. They will convene a case meeting with other officers of the council since other departments such as Trading Standards and Housing may have an interest. Before such a condition could be imposed a consultation exercise must have been carried out and 70% of residents would have to support it.

Matters for consideration:
Janaway play area: The bid has gone in to SODC recreation dept.
Lock bridge: The Spirit Group brewery had not yet replied to Clerk's letter requesting action.
Matters raised: Michelle and Cathy were congratulated on the new youth club which was proving a great success and popular with 15 village children so far.

Volunteer Reading Help Badly needed for children who need one-to-one help. Free local training could you help? Contact Hilary Burr, 0845-4500329

If you have access to the internet . . . please take a look at [web site no longer active] and www.SandfordOnThames.co.uk Both websites are packed with Sandford information.

001 TAXIS City centre waiting room 50 yards Carfax Central heating Light refreshments 24 hr service Zero meter No surcharge outside city Phone 240000 108 ST.ALDATES, OX1 1BU BEHIND BULLDOG PUB OPPOSITE TOWN HALL