Spring 2007             Issue 109

will be sung in St Andrew's church on Sunday 16th March at 6.30 p.m. All are welcome Quiz night see page 5 Photography competition for all ages see page 7

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. Organist elect: Geoff Cowan

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES Palm Sunday 16th March: Distribution of Palm Crosses at 10 a.m. service. 6.30 Stainer's Crucifixion Maundy Thursday 20th March: Lord's Supper 7.30 p.m. Good Friday 21st March: 10.0 a.m. Children's Passion Play (30 mins)  2.15 p.m. Service of devotion till 3.0 p.m. Silent meditation in church from 12.0 - 2.15 - opportunity to drop in. Holy Saturday 22nd March: 8.0 p.m. Confirmation at Littlemore church EASTER SUNDAY 23rd March: 8.0 a.m. Holy Communion 10.0 a.m. Parish Communion 6.30 p.m. Evening prayer Low Sunday 30th March: Easter Vestry (AGM) 11.15 a.m.

Holy Week

Easter comes early this year in the West. Flowers too. Some want a fixed date - others like the variety. It means that the Link can't be out for Mothering Sunday - but there are plenty of reminders for that ('order your flowers' etc.). It must be delivered by Palm Sunday (16th March) to invite people to the 6.30 performance of Stainer's Crucifixion and to invite children to volunteer to take part in the Sandford Passion Play on Good Friday at 10.0. Or Bad Friday?

Isn't it a bit odd to invite them to play-act such a terrible violent event? One way of learning the bad from the good? Stretch their imaginations? In fact our local play builds in the Good News of Easter - that God can bring good out of the worst things we can do. Can bring life out of death. Springtime. Religions do not deny the harsh realities of suffering and death. They teach us how to live through them and they give us hope.

Good Friday is an invitation to 'cast all your cares on him who cares for you' and to stand by him who stands by you, now in the hour of his most bitter passion and to rise with him in Easter joy and celebration. And to do that with the rest of God's people - some of them your near neighbours and some perhaps friends - all of them willing to lend a hand or an arm when needed because while faith, hope and love last for ever, the greatest of these is love. As we often read at weddings (1 Corinthians 13), 'love is patient, is kind, and envies no-one; is never boastful nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offence; keeps no score of wrongs... '.
So a holy Holy Week and a happy Easter to all.

For your diary... April 6th, May 4th, June 1st, July 6th   11.15 Children's Church April 12th Quiz Night May 11th Whit Sunday 6.30 Lewis Carroll Evensong June 28th River Run   4.30 on register on Recreation Ground, 5.0 start.   Awards at 6.0. July 12th/13th Village Fete and Flower Festival July 13th 6.30 p.m. Flower Festival Evensong

Village Hall News

Hall Extension
Activity in and about the hall continues on a steady basis. With a membership of 4, the committee has a more limited capacity than before, so our ambitions have been moderated to suit. Should you fancy getting involved to make a difference, do please give me a call.

The discussion in the previous Link, regarding a conservatory like extension and additional activity suggestions that would require it, obtained such little response that we have concluded that there is not a present requirement. The only comments we received related to possible noise nuisance and concerns about providing an attractive target for vandalism. We will however, keep the idea in reserve for the future.

Instead, the reserves that the Hall Committee have built up will be invested in new kitchen equipment, an updating of the toilets and probably the buying of new chairs. There have been some requests for a more 'industrial' cooker. However, catering at the Hall (as against essentially minor food preparation, warming and serving) takes us into more areas of licensing, regulation and checks that we cannot sustain. Let us hope for a relaxation of some of these aspects of the 'governance' that public facilities now labour under.

Additional Hires
Recently, the Dance Rhythms group relocated to another venue. This has released to us Tuesdays and Sundays. The latter will clearly be more available now for baptism receptions and for children's birthday parties.

But should you have a club or event, or know of someone who does, that can make use of Tuesdays, do please let me know. Even though our surveying shows that our rates are cheap, working with the Parish Council we can help you get started if necessary.

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

Welcome
to	Isobel and Robert Bain to Yeftly Drive
to	Eddie and Maureen to Buckler Close
to	Ed Burrell and Rebecca Murcott to River View
to	Kelvin and Joan Harris and Joseph to Main Avenue

Welcome to the world - and congratulations and thanksgivings
to	Holly Louise Painton, born on January 10th, a second to Neil and Rachel of Yeftly Drive and sister to Jake
to	Harriet May Burrell, born on 12th February, a first to Ed and Rebecca of River View
to	Erin Annabel Wood, born on 19th January, in this parish on the way to the JR, to Jon and Emma of Henley Road, a sister to Adam

Saturday 12th April   Bar    7.30 for 8.00 start in Village Hall Raffle Donations for raffle gratefully accepted. All money raised to be distributed to village charities. No food will be provided - please feel free to bring your own. Cost of tickets £3.50 each, maximum of six per team, available from the vicar, or from Maurice (41 Henley Road), the Fox, or on the door.

FETE MEETING This year the Fete and Flower Festival will be held during the weekend of 12th/13th July. There will be a planning meeting on Thursday 10th April in the Welch Room, next to the church. We hope all involved last year will be able to make it, and anyone willing to help this year. If you can help but can't make the meeting, please register your interest with 748848.

Easter rubbish and recycling Rubbish collection on Monday 24th March will be on Tuesday 25th March, and collections return to normal on Monday 31st. Collection time may vary. The Redbridge waste recycling centre will open as normal on Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday (8.0 - 5.0).

Littlemore Mental Health Shop is open Monday-Friday from 8.0 - 3.0 and is our nearest source of newspapers, milk, bread etc.

SANDFORD YOUTH CLUB
With new members joining for the new term we currently have a total of 23 members - that is our full complement, but anyone wishing to join can contact Michelle on 748257.
Last term ended with the Sandford Christmas Party, and good fun was had by all the children that attended. This term we ran a YC poster competition that was won by Ellie Beecham so new posters will appear on the Parish boards shortly.
Many thanks again to Cathy and to all the parents for their continued support.    Michelle Robson


SANDFORD TODDLER GROUP
We meet every Monday from 10.0 till 12 noon, and are open all year round, apart from Bank Holidays. Suitable for 0-4 year olds. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers welcome and older siblings welcome in school holidays.
Craft activity every week plus themed parties throughout the year, e.g. Easter and Christmas. £1 per family, first session free! For more info contact Rebecca Henry on 717414


JUNIOR TAE KWONDO
Every Monday 5.30 - 7.0 and Wednesday 5.30 - 7.0 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 772883 or 07721 712734

Photography Competition At the Fete this year (July 12th) there will be an exhibition of photographs. There will be three categories: photos of Sandford, photos of people and/or animals, and photos of anything else, including landscapes. Prizes will be awarded for adults and for children. Details for entry will be in the next issue of the Link, which comes out at the end of June, or ring 748848 nearer the time, but please start snapping now. If anyone knows of an appropriate judge, preferably someone who knows something about photography, suggestions gratefully received on the number above.

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]

READING GROUP We now have vacancies for anyone interested in joining the local Reading Group. We meet usually once a month on a Tuesday at 8.0 p.m. Each member chooses a book in turn. We meet in each others houses for a lively and friendly discussion. If you would like to know more, please ring Pam Andrews on 777011.

Mobile Library every two weeks on THURSDAY 2:25 until 2:35 by The Fox. [more info]

The Joan Shepheard Memorial Loop

We are now all in the loop. On Mothering Sunday (March 2nd), following St David's Day (1st) the Church Loop system was blessed, launched, inaugurated, celebrated - and experimented with (we are learning to switch on), along with its spin-offs designed to help audibility at Children's Church. This has been long in process, but the final push came with the funeral of Joan who had been long active in the deaf centre and whose many friends from there noticed that we hadn't got one.
We have now, so those with gadgets can benefit. Years of peace, not hearing the vicar's sermons, will be rudely interrupted. But seriously, thanks to a very generous anonymous donation, and to others who gave in Joan's memory. We thanked her daughters Julia and Mavis on Mothering Sunday, and rememberd Joan along with our own mothers, living and departed. The children's church arrived early to sing their song and distribute handmade flowers to the 10.0 congregation before their own service at 11.15, collecting daffs for Mums.



Government Financial Health Warning

The April 2007 budget took the tax threshold from 22% to 20% as from 6th April 2007. Good news for some - more cash in pocket - bad news for charities, including churches. It means that Gift Aid will now be reclaimed at 25 pence in pound instead of 28 pence. This will hit Oxford diocese churches including Sandford (in addition to non-Anglicans) - to the tune of half a million pounds. While thanking those who give generously in this way and in other ways we warmly invite others to help revive the Friends of St Andrews and build for the future.

SANDFORD ON THAMES PARISH COUNCIL

Extracts from meeting of Parish Council held on Monday January 7th

Matters for consideration:
Traffic calming: speed signs had been ordered and mini roundabout consultations started.
Dog mess: The bin at the lock was now installed and no problems had been reported. There had been a lot of dog fouling on the children's playing area at Broadhurst Gardens. This was unacceptable and it was considered that people irresponsible enough to allow their dogs to foul public spaces without picking up the faeces would be unlikely to use a bin. The parish council would organize a leaflet drop within the next few weeks if matters did not improve.

Matters raised:
M Robson reported that the Christmas children's party had been a great success with 52 children attending and 31 of those from Sandford. There had been several incidents of vandalism, a burglary and an attempted arson over the holiday period.
BCB would be asked to trim back weeds on bank at Brick Kiln Lane next season.
Dog sign were now ready and I Reveco would drop them off with G Surman for re-installing as soon as possible.

Extracts from meeting of Parish Council held on Monday February 4th

Matters for consideration:
Traffic calming: - there was no further to date. roundabout consultation was with Thames Valley Police
Community policing - there had been further incidents of vandalism and Ken Cooney would be asked to attend a parish council meeting.
Meeting dates for 2008/2009 These were agreed and clerk would book the hall for:-
2008: April 07, May 12 (annual meeting), June 02, July 07, (Aug 04), September 01, October 06, November 03, December 01 2009: January 05, February 02, March 02

There was a discussion as to whether to hold a meeting in August and it was decided to see whether business would warrant it.

Matters raised:
Repairs and replacements for vandalised items in Church Road rec. had been ordered. When the fencing had been replaced a prickly hedge would be planted along it in the next planting season.
Dog signs were in process of being reinstalled. They would be distributed more widely over play areas.
Litter bins - clerk had asked for replacements and some had arrived. More were needed - or possibly none as some of the existing ones were misused, eg. by people dumping a whole load of domestic waste or even bags full of bottles in them. This was illegal but difficult to enforce.
The condition of footpaths and roads continued bad as it did over all the county. People were asked to report potholes directly to OCC on 0845 310 1111
The bus shelter by the Catherine Wheel was getting rickety. N Northcott would ask G Surman to see if anything could be done.

Extracts from meeting of Parish Council held on Monday March 3rd

Matters for consideration:
Ken Cooney, community policeman, was in attendance. He should be assigned to Sandford for foreseeable future, and Sergeant Chris Hazell at Thame police station, Greyhound Lane, Thame OX9 3LD is his superior officer. Ken reported that over the winter quarter there had been 54 logged calls made to the police regarding incidents. The improvement in reporting had led to Sandford being given 'tasking' status which means that police patrols are obligatory. The incident rate has now dropped and the status is 'Community Police Patrol Plan' so we should see a heightened community police presence. Two trawls to catch under age drinkers had been carried out and trading standards were monitoring the situation. Similarly, speeding was being monitored.
The parish council re-examined the parish plan and concluded that matters were well in hand.

Small Pilgrim Places From May to September St Andrew's plans to join the national Small Pilgrim Places network and will open the church during the week. To welcome those who come, the church will be open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons from 2.0 - 5.0 hospitality will be offered but the main purpose is to provide a place of silence and peace for people who are on their own spiritual journey. There will be leaflets available of guided reflection for those who would like to use them. For those who also want to make a physical pilgrimage, the routes suggested are along the towpath stopping at Iffley church, or up Rose Hill, possibly including the leper chapel (St Bartlemas) on the Cowley Road (open by arrangement) and the Newman Shrine in Littlemore. There is also the Benedictine Priory at Minchery Farm and the burial of the remains (minus head) of the Oxford-Sandford martyr George Napier of Holywell Manor at the (now) Four Pillar's barn, formerly the chapel of the preceptory of the Knights Templar at Sandford. Pilgrim lunches planned at the King's Arms and Four Pillars. More details in the Sandford Church History, on www.smallpilgrimplaces.org.uk and forthcoming.

Lewis Carroll at Sandford
The annual commemoration of Charles Dodgson's association with Sandford, preaching his first sermon here on Whit Sunday 1862, will be on Whit Sunday, May 11th 2008 at 6.30 p.m. choral evensong. The Alice sermon, on some aspect of Wonderland and Looking Glass, will be by Revd Dr Paul Fiddes, Principal of Regent's Park College, Oxford. Those wishing to follow the pilgrim route from Christ Church along the towpath should gather under Tom Tower at 4.30 or 45 (fast walkers 5.0...). If lift needed contact vicar.

Question Time for Gardeners Exeter Hall, Kidlington 7.15pm for 7.45pm start Wednesday 19 March Chairman: Janet Cropley (Everyday Gardener) The panel of experts: Val Bourne (Garden Writer); Bob Brown (Plant Collector and Nurseryman); John Graham (Nurseryman). Tickets £8.50 to include refreshments and glass of wine For tickets contact: Bridewell Organic Gardens 01993 868445 or Sue Bedwell 01869 350155 email: info @ bridewellorganicgardens.co.uk

Spring Into Life at Harcourt Arboretum

Tuesday 8th & Tuesday 15th April:
See all the new growth at the Arboretum. Learn how to identify the trees, and make your own duckling to take home. 12.0 - 4.0   this drop-in session is free with Arboretum entry.

Tuesday 27th May:
Meadow Mobiles
Come and enjoy our wild flower meadow, learn about the variety of wildlife it contains and make your own meadow mobile.
12.0 - 4.0   this drop-in session is free with Arboretum entry.

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th August:
Woodland Festival
A celebration of woodlands: watch the demonstrations, have a go at the activities, admire the crafts, and do some shopping!
10.0 - 5.0   this event is free with Arboretum entry.

Walk in the footsteps of St Birinus from Churn Knob to Dorchester

The St Birinus Pilgrimage takes place every year on the first Sunday in July, this year the 6th. Hundreds of people assemble at Churn Knob, a hill 7 miles south-west of Dorchester where Birinus is said to have preached. From there the pilgrims walk cross-country to Dorchester Abbey for a packed and joyful united service, followed by a barbeque in the grounds of the Abbey. Information from 01865-34007.

More warmth for your home You may be able to claim a Warm Front Grant of up to £2700 from the Government to make your home warmer and healthier. Some homes that need oil central heating may receive a grant of up to £4000. And even if you are have received a grant before, you may still qualify for extra insulation and heating work. If you would like to find out if you qualify, contact Field Services Dept, Freepost RRAB-GTZB-YRTS, Advanced Total Energy Care Ltd., 1st Floor, Richmond House, The Watermark, Gateshead, NE11 9SZ.

If you could spare a little time for volunteering but don't know where to start... you can make an appointment to visit the office of Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, who hold information on current volunteering opportunities in Oxford City and South Oxfordshire. There is also a confidential area for volunteers to have a one to one interview. The office is in Floyds Row, St Aldates, Oxford, and is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm. For more information, please contact Frances Duggan, tel: 01865 251946 or email vol@ocva.org.uk.

Reminder from our Council: All are welcome to parish council meetings. Please come and you will usually have a chance to make a contribution if you wish to. The Annual Meeting will be held this year on May 12th.

Community website A useful website to explore is www.communityfix.co.uk Use this web address to report abandoned cars, fly tipping, vandalism, potholes etc. Items will be automatically passed to the correct council department and hopefully action will be taken.

Life After The Break An eight-week course for people coming to terms with the ending of a relationship The end of a relationship or marriage can be a difficult and painful experience, leaving people feeling confused, lonely and lacking in confidence. Feelings of betrayal, guilt or rejection are common. Anger, sadness and confusion are often intense. Moving forward can be hard when trust, self-confidence and self-esteem have been shaken. In these eight weekly evening sessions we look at how relationships work and why they sometimes go wrong. We consider ways of managing our own needs as well as those of family and friends, and of increasing the skills and confidence needed to build new relationships in the future. Life After the Break gives an opportunity to meet others in similar situations, have the chance to share experiences in a confidential group and make new friends. Run by Relate, 33 Iffley Road   01865 242960

Six Nations: as the Link goes to press we are not counting our grand slam chickens but are quietly confident the newly awake world cup finalists will give the Scots the treatment that has historical precedent.

If you are involved in a community group... OCVA is running a training session to allow community groups to create a free website. You do not need any computer experience to participate but places are limited. Central Library, Westgate Centre, Oxford on Friday 14 March from 1-4pm. Please contact Chris Deeney on 01865 251946 or email: chris.deeney @ocva.org.uk to reserve your place.

Challenging Depression: a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group will start at Mind in Abingdon, Charter Complex, Broad Street, Abingdon, for ten weeks from 24th April on Thursdays 6.0 - 8.30 p.m. To book an assessment, call Oxfordshire Mind on 01865 551702.

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.

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 109 ST.ALDATES, OX1 1BU BEHIND BULLDOG PUB OPPOSITE TOWN HALL