Summer 2007             Issue 106

VILLAGE FETE and FLOWER FESTIVAL Weekend July 14th/15th (see pages 2, 10 and 11) SANDFORD FUN IN THE PARKS Sunday August 26th (see page 5) SANDFORD RIVER RUN Saturday June 30th (see page 5)

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.

one of the best in Oxfordshire Weekend of July 14th/15th in St Andrew's church open Saturday 10.0 - 6.0 and Sunday 11.0 - 6.0 with Choral Evensong and Green sermon 6.30 p.m. on Sunday 15th

Children's Church
The 11.15 all-age service on Sunday 24th June (Nativity of John the Baptist) will be followed by a birthday lunch in Lower Farm garden (weather permitting) and the inauguration of the football ground, for those who wish to stay on - please let the vicar know if you plan to come (748848) or Link email = back page) so that arrangements can be finalised. Hockey players welcome and a tenor needed.

The 1st Sunday of the month Children's Workshop service at 11.15 on July 1st will celebrate the Trinity with the traditional cakes etc. On July 29th families will be invited to renew their baptism promises and help host the babies being baptised at that service. In August children join adults at 1.0 or 10.40 (no 11.15) and September 2nd and 30th, October 7th Harvest Festival and parish lunch.

Welcome
to	Fiona and Sam, and Jenny and Simon, to Church Road
to	Bob and Jane Wyatt to the Crescent
to	Sarah and Manley, and Jaganath and Pinky to Pheasant Walk
to	John, and to Andrew Chariton, to the Crescent

Welcome into the world
to	Sophia Darsham Finn, on March 7th, a first to Mark and Janet of Church Road
to	Vibhav, born August 22nd to Jaganath and Pinky of Pheasant Walk

Congratulations
to	Michael Norton on his election as President for 2007-8 or the Society of Master Saddlers in Cheapside. He has been Vice-President in 2006/7
to	Steve of Main Avenue and Pauline of the Crescent on their engagement
and	to Brian of the Crescent on the birth of his seventh grandson, Freddie Brian, on the 8th March

EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FETE Sandford Road, Littlemore Saturday 30th June 12.0 - 2.0. All welcome. Lots of stalls, activities, toys, plants, books, bric a brac etc.

Nigel Northcott writes:
	Today (5th June) the parish clerk and chairman of the parish council met with the Oxford Preservation Trust who now own the land between Broadhurst Gardens playarea and the river and they are keen to explore with the parish the best use for the land. Importantly their ownership will mean it will be kept as countryside and not be developed (built on!). If you have ideas for its use, please advise the parish council.
	Might I also remind residents in Broadhurst Gardens that dumping garden refuse on the play area and beyond and on the Preservation Trust land is illegal fly-tipping which could lead to prosecution; or the parish having to pay to have it removed. The South Oxfordshire council offer a recycling service for garden waste - or compost it yourself at home - but please don't dump it on our land - it doesn't simply rot away - it sits in an ugly pile for months!
	Also a reminder that the police provide policing based upon demand which is measured by the number of reported crimes - if we don't report crime we don't get policing! We need to ensure villagers ring 08458 505 505 for non-urgent, or 999 for urgent, crime related matters.
Nigel, Chairman, Parish Council

The Sandford History
The history of Sandford and its church penned by the parish clerk and lay minister Liz Shatford will be launched on 15th July. It shows all the professionalism of the trained architect as well as some historical research into what is known of Sandford since it appeared in the Doomsday Book in 1086 A.D. So not quite a thousand years of Sandford, but getting close.
It has been written partly to fund the preservation of our ancient church building, so all who would like a pre-publication copy (signed or unsigned) to mark their generous donation to this cause is invited to contact the Link office (748848 - or email on back of Link).
Knowing a bit about our history will help preserve our identity as a village, and the public buildings are part of this. The work is a preliminary part of a larger project as Liz takes on the mantle of the late Bob Crickmay ('Kingcup' to readers of the Link) our esteemed late local historian. Our gratitude to Liz for her hard work and a labour of love.

Sandford Fun in the Parks Sunday August 26th   12.0 - 5.0 Come along to the Recreation Ground and enjoy an afternoon socialising with your fellow villagers. Bring your own picnic and rug/chairs. Entertainment to cater for most ages and to include a conjurer. Please see noticeboards for more information nearer the time.

YOUTH CLUB Tuesdays in the Village Hall (term time only) from 4.0 - 6.0 p.m. for 6 - 11 year olds. Leaders Michelle Robson (748257) and Cathy Dennis. This term has seen 6 new members - only 1 space available, to take the total to 20 children. Membership forms or further details from Michelle. This term has included lots of outside games: volleyball, basketball, football. Also training for the River Run - we hope 16 members will run to raise funds for the Youth Club. There will be usual end of term trip. Thanks to all parents on the parent rota, to Sue for the River Run training, and to Michelle and for inspired leadership.

SANDFORD RIVER RUN Saturday June 30th 5.0 p.m. start (registration 4.30) on the recreation ground. 3 or 5 miles along the riverside Sponsorship forms available from the vicar or Michelle (above). [More information on the River Run]

The Sandford Passion Play

Congratulations to the Sandford Singers for their outstanding rendition of Mozart's Requiem on Passion Sunday, the high point of the Sandford musical year - without singling out brilliant individual soloists (it was also a team effort) special tribute must be paid to Christian Bradley as choirmaster, and it was good to welcome back Philip Palmer on the organ.
Also well done a bunch of children (and parents and others) who at 10.0 a.m. on Good Friday gave the Sandford Passion Play its trial run. This new tradition lasts half an hour, unlike Oberammagau, but it packs a lot in about 'there was no other good enough' and 'he died to make us good', and the lessons from the cross - about forgiving people, caring for your mother, and enduring hard times.
The Sandford Pontius Pilate got some stick for being a ray of sunshine, when he was actually responsible for the miscarriage of justice. Special thanks to Erin for playing God, and when Jesus died making him into something more than an angel and taking him into heaven, out of sight, stopping at the Lord's table (which is a bit of heaven on earth) en route, and to Tobias and Jacob whose equipment reminded us that crucifixion was nasty and still is.
Following the Resurrection/Ascension (which kind of coincides with his death - further details at the St John's Gospel study group), the friends of Jesus sang with the gusto of the Life of Brian
      'He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
      He talks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way...
      He lives within my heart'
and so we celebrated Easter with joy, and a beautifully decorated church building, and primroses in the Garden of Remembrance where 'the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep' - to rise in glory.

Tandem a local mental health befriending scheme New training course for volunteers starts 26th July * have you got an hour to spare a week?   * are you able to support and encourage people?     * interested in mental health + well being?       * like to share activities and interests? Tandem provides support and friendship to people isolated as a result of mental health problems. Volunteers get an excellent free training, regular support, and expenses. Interested? Ring/email us to find out more: 01865-724225 or email kris@tandem-oxon.org

Sandford Parish Council May elections: There were some changes at the recent District and Parish Council elections. Sandford is very sorry to have lost two longstanding parish councillors. Michael Inston has retired after more than ten years service, during several of which he served as chairman. We wish him and Joan well in their retirement and hope to see them attend future meetings in an 'interested parishioner' capacity. Michael Norton, who has served as Vice Chairman for many years, also did not stand for re-election due to pressure of work. A councillor from the early seventies, Michael helped to run the youth club during that time and then in the eighties was a school governor village representative. Unfortunately the parish election was uncontested which means that we had two vacancies. Fortunately Stephen Paine of Heyford Hill Lane offered his services and was unanimously welcomed as a co-opted member so there is now one vacancy. If there is another public spirited person with a little time to give who would like to join the parish council, please contact the clerk, Liz Shatford (772598). We also have to bid farewell for the moment to John Stimson whose hard work on our behalf we have enjoyed for the last dozen years. John was first elected to represent Sandford ward on SODC in May 1995. For much of the period 1995 to 2003 he was chairman of the Western Planning Sub-Committee. Planning has always been one of his main interests and one of his principle objectives was to prevent villages like Sandford being swamped by urban development. Another interest was Licensing and he was a vice-chairman (one of three) of the new Licensing Committee set up following the 1995 Act. John also managed to make the whole District Council aware of the problems experienced by Park Homes residents throughout the District (not merely in Sandford)

Environmental Playscheme at Hinksey Heights Highly recommended by several Sandford users - for summer schedule and enquiries, please contact Naomi on 07941-312654 or hinkseywarden@yahoo.co.uk

LITTLEMORE FETE Saturday 23rd June 2.0 - 4.0 at Littlemore Village Hall, Railway Lane. All welcome.

Fitness Pilates Class Suitable for all levels Fitness Pilates strengthens the abdominals, improves posture, spinal strength and flexibility. Monday nights at 6.30 p.m. £4 at the Blessed Dominic Barberi Church, Littlemore Bring a drink and a mat Please contact Kim Barresi on 07918 180392 or email kim.barresi @ talktalk.net	Mobile Library every two weeks on THURSDAY 2:25 until 2:35 by The Fox. [more info]
TODDLERS GROUP     Mondays 10 - 12 in the Village Hall     Run by Rebecca (717414) . Mums and Dads etc.  very welcome.	Junior Tae Kwon Do Every Monday 5.30 - 7.0 and Thursday 5.0 - 6.30 in village hall: 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 5 yrs or over in the village welcome). Contact James 01865 772883 or 07721 712734
Brighten up the winter evenings with BINGO in the Village Hall every Thursday 7.0 for 8.0 in aid of Village Hall funds.	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 23:30) are a fixed fee of £60 in all cases. [Village Hall - Info]

Quiz Night

ELITE ELECTRICAL SERVICES For all electrical work, ring Martyn Akrigg 01235 811657 07771 781947

Another successful quiz night was recently held in the village and a total of £376.00 was raised for local charities. Once again, numbers were down but a fun time was had by all.
The split of the monies raised was as follows: Disabled Lunch - £176.00; Sandford Church - £100.00; Tai Kwon Do - £100.00 The raffle raised £146.00 with Terry Robinson and Maurice Earp deserving a round of applause for providing (with a little help from Monsieur Lidl) 49 out of 51 raffle prizes. The £1.00 draw for a meal for four at the General Elliot raised another £40.00. The remainder of the funds raised was made up by the entrance money.
The winners of the Norton Cup were The Asbos, closely followed by Kidnapped. Regrettably, the remainder of the team totals have been lost due to a problem with my ISP, but the Squad think it came third.
Once again we are indebted to The General Elliott Pub for not only the provision of the bar, but also the donation of the meal for four. Thanks also to Janet for her usual expertise on the raffle, and to Lynda for her adjudication, and other helpers.

VILLAGE FETE Saturday July 14th at 2.0 p.m.
Test yourself or beat your friends on the GREAT BUNGEE RUN

And again this year, by popular demand, Make a model from recycled materials - everything you use has to have been used before. Anything you like - a building, jewellery, a robot, a spaceship: see how imaginative you can be, and bring it along to the Fete at 2.0 - the judges will award prizes for children and for adults.

COULD YOU HELP WITH THE FETE?
If you would enjoy doing an hour on one of the stalls on the day, please ring Prue on 748848. In addition please could you help us by giving:
	BOOKS to Liz Shatford, The Old School (772598) not before June 30th please
	PLANTS to the recreation ground on the morning of the Fete (or ring Prue on 748848 if that is not possible). If you can label plants it is much appreciated, or maybe put together a hanging basket?
	CAKES, JAM, MARMALADE, BISCUITS to the recreation ground on the morning of the Fete (ring Prue 748848 if that is difficult).
	TOMBOLA PRIZES to Leslie and Angela (778475)
	RAFFLE PRIZES to Marjorie (777900)
	BRIC A BRAC to Kate (712621) not before June 30th please.

COME AND ENJOY . . . MAJORETTESGRAND RAFFLESILVER BAND KARATE DEMONSTRATIONCOCONUTSICES BRIC A BRACPENALTY SHOOTOUTPLANTS BEER TENTBARBEQUEFACE PAINTING BOUNCY CASTLE AND TODDLERS FUN BOOKSTEA TENTTOMBOLA TUG OF WAR GREEN WATCH FIRE ENGINESUPERB CAKES FORTUNE TELLINGFLOWER FESTIVAL IN CHURCHTUG OF WARLOADS OF GAMES

Jazz in a Summer Meadow
at Harcourt Arboretum, Nuneham Courtenay on Saturday 28th July, 7.0 p.m. Bring a picnic, your friends and family and enjoy Mim Grey and the Tim Dawes band performing swinging jazz and funky soul in the lovely meadow. £12 adult, £6 child, £30 family (2 adults and 2 children). Info and booking: 01865 286690 or postmaster @ obg.ox.ac.uk.
This event is in aid of the Palmers Leys appeal for the purchase of 50 acres of land, known as Palmers Leys, which lies adjoining the Arboretum. It was once part of the original Nuneham Park estate and is a unique opportunity to restore the land to deciduous woodland and species rich meadow and save a piece of precious Oxfordshire countryside.


Dorchester Festival
The 2007 Dorchester on Thames Arts Festival programme includes music, dance, drama, art and book readings to suit all tastes and ages, with no less than 34 events packed into the period between Friday 22nd June and Sunday 1st July. As well as enjoying all the entertainment, this year's audiences will be helping to support the work of Helen & Douglas House, with 50% of event profits going to the charity.

St Birinus Pilgrimage From Church Knob to Dorchester, Sunday 1st July, picnic 12.15, depart 1.0, BBQ 7.15. Join anywhere on the route, www.stbirinuspilgrimage.org.uk or ring 01865-340007.		Green Fairy Godmother is a new local business whose website has a wide range of items all of which are ethically sourced, environmentally sound and (where possible) suitable for vegans. Home, clothing for adults, children, babies, food and wine, books, jewellery, toys and games, beauty etc. Well worth checking out www.greenfairygodmother.co.uk
The Oxford Passion 1 August - 8 September Castle Garden "Who do you say I am..?" A man born out of controversy, a political prisoner betrayed by a friend and murdered for his beliefs. Sinner, saviour or Son of God? The Creation Theatre Company takes the traditional street theatre of the Mystery Play and transforms it into a striking contemporary production featuring a large community chorus.

Rest in peace

William Henry (Bill) Talbot
born 9th November 1916, died 1st June 2007 aged 91

Bill and Phyllis moved into Heyford Hill Lane in 1967 and remained regulars at St Andrew's on moving to Eastern House on Bill's retirement in 1981. He was brought up in South Oxford and Drayton and worked at Pressed Steel until the outbreak of war when he joined up with the Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry, becoming a corporal.
With the 8th Army in North Africa his brigade was then almost wiped out in the Italian invasion so as a survivor he was transferred to the Argyll and Southern Highlanders, wearing a kilt for the rest of the war and still serving in the front line, often driving colonels and on occasion saving their lives by knowing where not to go. He found time to marry Phyllis in 1942 at Churchill (near Chipping Norton) and they had two children, Wendy and Peter.

After the war he became a maintenance engineer at the Warneford and at Littlemore. He was a keen sportsman (soccer, cricket) and a great gardener. Sandford Harvest Festivals will now be short of a marrow. His last instructions from his hospital bed included planting the leeks in the trench he had just dug. This was done.
He remained a faithful member of Littlemore British Legion, on parade each Remembrance Sunday. And he had a wonderful sense of humour. He will be sorely missed and we join in sharing our sympathies with Wendy and her family, Peter and his, as well as Phyllis. Burial in Sandford churchyard was preceded by tributes from Wendy, her daughter Andrea and Lucy.



Clifford Vincent Langsbury
born 9th February 1908, died 27th April 2007, aged 99

The death of Cliff Langsbury, aged 99, cuts a link with the old Sandford. The picture of him and Charlie Pitson at the Mill with over 100 years' work there between them (and no pension) in The Changing Faces of Littlemore and Sandford, p.96, recalls another age. Cliff was brought up in the Mill Cottages (now River view) one of seven children (Ben the oldest still remembered seen regularly walking to the Fox from the top of Henley Road), Maud, Alice, Sid, George, and Chrissie).
He sang in Sandford church choir as a boy, left Sandford school at 14 for the mill, married Rose at Dorchester Abbey in 1930, brought up their girls, Pam, Janet and Avis in the right way, moved to Littlemore from 57 Henley Road in 1983. He was a keen pigeon racer, and worked his garden to the end, able to continue living at home in Champion Way thanks latterly to the caring of Donna as well as Avis. He was a homely man, happily married for 55 years (Rose died in 1985), lived simply, loved music, enjoyed cycling, dancing and sport

- he played cricket and football for Sandford when we had good teams, till he was 44. Incidents still remembered are his saving a couple from drowning in the lock and dancing on the cottage's roof on VE day. He dug the Kings Arms vegetable gardens (now the car park) and helped unload the coal barges which were still coming up the river in the 1940s.
He was hospitable to the Italian and German prisoners-of-war here (and Alice's daughter Lila married Karl Grossman). At his funeral in Sandford church his grandson-in-law John, down from the Shetlands, spoke movingly about him as the family knew him, his quiet authority and strong gentleness, and great-grandson Christian read a poem he had written about him. John also read Christian Rossetti's sonnet, Remember:
    Remember me when I am gone away,
    Gone far away into the silent land;
    When you can no more hold me by the hand
    Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay...
    Yet if you should forget me for a while
    And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
    For if the darkness and corruption leave
    A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
    Better by far you should forget and smile
    Than that you should remember and be sad.



Jim Dale born 2nd July 1939, died 28th March 2007, aged 67

Born in East Sussex at East Grinstead, at 15 or 16 Terence Clifford Dale joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice engineer and the Chief Petty Officer asked him his Christian name. On being told he said, 'We've got one Terence already. You're im'. And so it was, and so (reinforced by Mrs Dale's Diary) it remained. Jim stayed 25 years in the navy and saw the world before spending 2 years in the Merchant Navy getting his Chief Engineer's certificate. He then left to work as an engineer at Jet, the power station near Didcot. In 1962 he had married Marion and their children Geoff and Eleanor were born. In May 1965 they came to Sandford from Weymouth. Well-liked, a good natured and jovial man who got on with everyone and enjoyed his pint at the club (when it existed) and then at the Catherine Wheel, Jim is remembered and missed.
He had been a keen swimmer (water polo player for the navy) and rugby player and marksman and enjoyed good health until lately heart problems and then cancer made his last months difficult. But with fortitude he accepted and bore it, more concerned for his wife than for himself, and the end came suddenly. In the funeral at St Andrew's church Geoff spoke movingly about his father and Eleanor read Masefield's Sea Fever knowing how Jim loved the sea as well as his house and garden and car, as well as reading.

The lines of Tennyson are also appropriate:
   'And let there be no moaning at the bar
    When I put out to sea'.
   'He who would valiant be'
was an appropriate hymn at the funeral.



Barbara Lynch September 1938 - May 2007

While not a Sandford resident, Barbara was a close neighbour, living in Kempson Crescent for many years where she tended her beloved garden and that of her friend and neighbour Mrs Hall at Beenhams. Most of us will have seen Barbara travelling on her bicycle daily to the small holding on the north side of Orchard House where she kept a small menagerie of animals and poultry. Apart from her family Barbara's great loves and interest in life were horses, her animals, gardens, the countryside - and related to that, the Archers (she never missed an episode.) Barbara died suddenly in her own garden and she will be greatly missed especially by Hazel, her neighbour in husbandry and friend and helper.

Sandford Garage In November Tim Hall took over the Garage Workshop in Henley Road. He has made a number of improvements, in particular managing to have the MOT Station re-instated. If anyone requires repairs, service or MOT the garage will be happy to oblige - vehicle collection/delivery can be arranged and out of hours appointments for MOT. T.J.Hall and Son Ltd, The Garage, 46 Henley Road, Sandford on Thames, OX4 4YP   01865-777344

Ride or Stride Saturday 8th September A sponsored event to raise money for the church of your choice and the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust. Sponsorship forms available from Ray Lee, 93 Henley Road. Meet outside the church at 10.0 a.m. www.ohct.org.uk/bike.htm

SANDFORD ON THAMES PARISH COUNCIL

Extracts from meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday April 02
Matters for consideration. Traffic calming - possibility of speed cushions. Peter Ronald could not attend the parish council meeting but had agreed to a meeting at 6.00pm on Monday 16th April. This would be held at the Old School because the hall was in use. He would explain the options available with costings. The meeting would report back to the Parish Council. Options mandated by the Village Plan were:- mini roundabouts, Church and Henley Rd junction, traffic calming between road bridge by hospital and Littlemore Brook bridge, possibility of cushions on straight stretches of Heyford Hill Lane and Church Rd.
Matters raised: The vandalised youth shelter was irreparable. G Surman would be asked to build a replacement at a cost of approx. £150.
At the Kiln Park Residents Association annual meeting, H Hutton had stood down as chairperson but was still IPAS representative. M Hills said that the bus shelter wall was peeling and needed some remedial action. N Northcott would ask G Surman. The Village Hall AGM was scheduled for Monday 30th April at 8.00 pm.
Appreciation: M Norton and M Inston had not stood for re-election this time due to pressure of work and retirement. They had both given many years of service to Sandford, M Inston was a past Chairperson of the council and M Norton had been Vice Chairperson for many years. Their long contribution to village affairs was much appreciated.
John Stimson, our SODC councillor for many years was also thanked in his absence for all the work and time he had given us and for his advice and the fruits of his experience so readily given. The Kiln Park residents especially will miss him.

If you enjoy gardens and gardening, consider a visit to BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS an award-winning charity based in a walled garden and five-acre vineyard at Wilcote, near North Leigh. The garden will be open on Sunday 15th July and Sunday 9th September with refreshments and entertainment. Bridewell is a place to fall in love with - in a beautiful setting near Wilcote, it combines vegetables and flowers, blacksmithing and beekeeping, a vineyard, hens, wheelwrighting and more. For directions ring 01993-868445 or look at www.bridewellorganicgardens.co.uk

Extracts from the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday May 14
Risk assessment - the annual insurance for the parish had been paid and ongoing playground maintenance work undertaken. Contractors would be asked to undertake ongoing inspection and maintenance prior to inspection set for July.
Audit return 2006/2007 - the accounts were accepted and the annual governance statement approved and signed.

Traffic - Traffic movements through the village had continued to increase especially at the morning rush hour time - sometimes until 10.00 o'clock and when there was a full capacity crowd at the stadium overflow parking was still a hazard. A meeting with Peter Ronald had been held at which he explained that the traffic survey had shown no significant problems with speeding traffic.
If traffic cushions were installed it would possibly inhibit buses and would certainly split the village.
A flashing speed warning device might help in the short term but only where placed - and this had to be on either side of the road for most effect and near a source of electricity. They were very subject to vandalism and the parish would be responsible for any future repairs or replacements.
There had been many complaints about the recent work to the Church Rd junction with Henley Rd. which was now more dangerous than originally. The Clerk was asked to write to Peter Ronald requesting that the junction be modified to comply more closely in alignment with original drawings which showed the Henley Road narrowed at that point to form a 'pinch point' and to add another 'pinch point' and 'gated entrance' near to the Heyford Hill junction.
Vandalism - was increasing in the village. The operations manager for the group homes in the village said that there had been many incidences of theft and vandalism recently and the police didn't seem interested. Litter bins had been set on fire and the youth shelter systematically destroyed. People reported seeing small gangs, both male and female wandering around, it was thought that they were using the railway at different access points to move around.
The advice previously given by a community policeman was reiterated - to report every incident, using 999 if necessary, and to get a crime report number.

Parkinson's Disease Society Maggie Wainwright is the Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) Community Support Worker for Oxford and surrounding areas, and can be contacted on 01865 865827. The Oxford branch provides local support to people affected by Parkinson's. Run by volunteers, often people with Parkinson's and their families, they offer support, information, social activities and practical help. They meet at North Hinksey W.I. Hall, North Hinksey Lane, the 1st Wednesday every month at 7pm for 7.30pm. The branch welcomes all people with Parkinson's, their carers, family and friends.

It was only by the police having officially reported incidences on their files that crime figures would be perceived in any real way. Clerk would contact the Community Safety Officer, Hilary Green, at SODC to see if any help would be forthcoming.
Fox Furlong rec. - M Robson would bring some ideas for an action plan to the next meeting. There had been no progress on Janaway play area, clerk would pursue with Persimmon.
For information. There were some complaints about the latest building at the Science Park which had a shiny black end wall and was intrusive. It was suggested that complainants visit the Park or contact Magdalen to see what plans for landscaping there were and suggest that these be carried out as soon as possible. M Hills would investigate the possibility of grants for tree planting on the Sandford side of the road.
H Hutton said that she had contacted the bus company with a view to having a pedestrian standing area laid at the bus stop near the Park Homes. She once again reported how dangerous it was for residents to cross the road due to the speed and amount of traffic using Grenoble Road. The road isolates the 150+ residents of the site from the rest of the village and many of them are elderly and have no cars.
The matter of ownership of the bridge at the lock/Kings Arms was being investigated by the Environment Agency, repairs were becoming urgent.


Extracts from meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday June 04
County Councillor's report: A biker had been prosecuted for doing a speed wheelie through Nuneham Courtenay and this had a deterrent effect. The longlist for possible mineral extraction sites had identified one area whose northern boundary was at Sandford.
District Councillor's report: Cllr P Tomlinson was unable to attend this meeting but had offered to meet the parish council informally one early evening if a mutually convenient time could be found.
Matters for consideration
Councillor's declarations. The declarations of acceptance of office were completed, signed and witnessed by the clerk
Vandalism - There is a policeman who occasionally patrols the village on foot. He may be identified by his height and the yellow jacket he wears.
Traffic - the 'village gateway' signs had been ordered and were expected to be installed in about 6 weeks time.
Fox Furlong recreation ground. It was decided to have the existing sub- standard equipment removed so that residents could be asked for their opinions as to what should replace it on site and then money could be budgeted for expenditure next year.

Revised Model Code of Conduct - It was resolved that the mandatory provisions in the Model Code of Conduct set out in Statutory Instrument 2007/1159 be adopted as the Sandford on Thames Parish Council Code of Conduct, to be effective from 1 July 2007, subject to the inclusion of the "general principles" as an Annex to the Code for members to have regard to the principles; and the addition of paragraph 12(2) of the Model Code, but excluding the words in brackets each as recommended by the Standards Board for England and South Oxfordshire District Council; and the Clerk be requested to notify the Monitoring Officer of South Oxfordshire District Council of the passing of the above resolution.
Matters raised The possibility of tree planting to obscure encroaching science park buildings would be investigated closer to the Autumn planting season subject to costings and availability/suitability of trees. The fence beside the gate at the wharf site had been damaged, it would be repaired as soon as possible.

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.

Age Concern If you have a spare hour or two a week to visit an older person for a friendly chat, Age Concern has a home visiting service which is looking for volunteers. Training given and expenses paid. Contact Alex Ivey on 01235 849400

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