Spring 2009             Issue 113

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: Geoff Cowan www.sandfordchurch.org.uk

Sandford Passion Play: Good Friday (April 10th) in Sandford church. Children wishing to be characters please contact the vicar.

Welcome  to  Kerry Steele to Church Road  to  Thomas Dahnhardt and Ilaria Graziani, and Juhi to Church Road  to  Bernie and Debbie to Main Avenue  to  Greg and Caroline Trotman to Church Road  to  Helen Charlett and Graham Neal to Pheasant Walk  to  Sarah and Mohammed Galan to Pheasant Walk  to  Paul Rainford and Oonagh Melarkey to River View  to  Andrew and Sue Cockton to Henley Road

Welcome to the world:  to  Ella Elizabeth Akrigg, born on 21st December, a first for Martin and Ruth and 6th grandchild to John and Marlene of Henley Road  to  Harry, a son to Karen and Michael Cork and brother for Jack, born on 9th Feb., and another grandchild for Judith, Peter, Ken, Debbie  to  Rylan Daniel Coyle, a first for Rebecca and Andy Coyle and first grandchild for Alison and Nigel Richards of Henley Road.   and congratulations (a bit late) to Rebecca née Richards of Henley Road and Andy Coyle who married in Barbados on 5th November 2007 - news travels slowly from the Windies

LENT, HOLY WEEK and EASTER SERVICES   Wednesdays in Lent (11th, 18th, 25th March, 1st April) 7.0 p.m. Compline 7.30 p.m. Lent course at Littlemore on St Paul (St Dominic Barberi)   29th March 6.30 p.m. Passion Sunday Service of Bruckner's Motets, prayers and readings.   Palm Sunday 5th April: 8.0 a.m. Holy Communion (BCP) Distribution of Palm Crosses at 10 a.m. service.   Maundy Thursday 9th April   Lord's Supper 7.30 p.m.   Good Friday 10th April 10.0 a.m. Children's Passion Play (30 mins) 2.15 p.m. Service of devotions till 3.0 p.m. Silent meditation in church from 12.0 - 2.15 - opportunity to drop in.   EASTER SUNDAY 12th April 8.0 a.m. Holy Communion 10.0 a.m. Parish Communion 6.30 p.m. Evening prayer   Sunday 26th April: Easter Vestry (AGM) 11.15 a.m.

Street lighting in Sandford

Climate change is perhaps one of the most significant issues facing the world today. Oxfordshire County Council (and Sandford residents) have both a responsibility and a key role to play in tackling this problem. OCC is aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by 18% by 2012 and the action plan looks at making reductions in energy used in council properties, street lighting, work related fuel use by council employees and cuts in waste going to landfill.

Street lighting at the moment produces 19% of the council's carbon emissions and so OCC is consulting us to see whether any improvements can be made.
Initiatives being examined at present include:-

	Reducing the number of illuminated signs, where legislation permits this and where it is safe to do so;
	Installing photo-electric cells in bollards in order to switch them off during daylight hours;
	Replacing older street lighting lanterns with more energy-efficient models;
	Switching off selected lengths of lighting on rural traffic routes from around midnight to 5.30 a.m., where it is safe to do so;
	Replacing tungsten lamps in Zebra beacons with light-emitting diodes (LEDs);
	Using LEDs for signal lights instead of tungsten lamps when refurbishing traffic signal installations.
	Using more energy-efficient lighting on future new developments, and specifying the use of part-night lighting where appropriate.

The County Council is considering changing its policy of keeping street lighting on all night in rural areas and, instead, switching off the lighting from about 12.30 a.m. to around 5.30 a.m.. This reduces carbon emissions by about 35% for each light that is switched off between these hours.

The County Council would like our views as residents of Sandford to see if there is any scope for change in the older part of the village: Henley Road, Rock Farm Lane, Church Road, Park Homes, Brick Kiln Lane. If we consider that there are any lights which we would like to see switched off between about 12.30am to 5.30am the County Council will seek the views of the police regarding each area before making any final decision.

Please think about this and it will be discussed
at the May Annual Parish Meeting (7.00 p.m. May 11)

[ The Fair Trade Lunch has been postponed ]

STEPPIN' STONES the East Oxford centre providing day long support for homeless and vulnerably housed people wanting to move forward in their lives. Donations of food etc. can be left in St Andrew's church porch for collection or at other times by arrangement. They need all kinds of tinned food, sauces, coffee/teabags etc., and at the moment would particularly appreciate toiletries, disposable razors, cooking oil.

SUTTON COURTENAY INCINERATOR There is a proposal to build a massive incinerator, to burn 300,000 tonnes of waste a year, just north of Didcot Power Station, and there is much local concern about its close proximity to Didcot A and B power stations and the Harwell incinerator, and the likely accumulation of pollution. More information and online petition opposing the proposal on www.scai.co.uk

CBT GROUPS Oxfordshire Mind run cognitive behavioural therapy groups to help people learn to cope with anxiety or depression, build self-esteem or learn assertiveness techniques. In May 2009 there will be an evening group in Oxford on depression and a group in the day in Abingdon on self-esteem. Information from ellie.raikes@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk or 01865-263734.

Oxford Green Belt Way Walk and Rally, Sunday, 19 April. Come and join the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Oxfordshire Branch, on a short walk along the Oxford Green Belt Way. The walk will commence at Shotover at 3.00 pm, and be led by TV personality Wesley Smith (Regional TV presenter). It will finish at 4.00 at Horspath Village Hall, where there will be refreshments and a short rally to be addressed by John Howell MP, Elizabeth Gillespie, SODC Councillor, and Ian Scargill, Chairman, Oxford Green Belt Network, outlining current threats to Oxford's Green Belt.
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 - 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
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]
	Mobile Library every two weeks on THURSDAY 2:20 until 2:40 at Oxford Park Homes [more info]

Village Hall Committee - Report for The Link - March 2009

Village Hall Bookings and Enquiries: 07759-890696

It has been a couple of 'The Link' issues since my last report, in which time a lot has been happening, all funded from revenues and reserves i.e. without having to ask the Parish Council for any subsidy!

Nearly three years ago, when the Parish Plan exercise was undertaken, village residents listed a number of activities they would like to see offered. Since then the available activities have grown steadily and recently yoga classes - suitable for beginners - commenced on 3 Mondays a month. Early numbers are already good but we encourage you to try it out.

Not ones to rest upon our laurels though, the Village Hall Managemnt Committee are hoping to bring occasional performances from professional groups to the village hall over the coming months. Possible shows include plays, music and shows specifically for children, all at very reasonable prices. So look out for posters and leaflets soon, or you can get more information from Kevin Welch.

Our programme of works to enhance the hall are very nearly complete. When we took the picture down, a few concerns were raised. Having now given it a good clean, we will re-hang it in a frame suited to the new hall colours. The challenge is getting all 2.4 metres of it to the framers in Thame. If you have a van (bigger than a Transit though) do give me a call. We will pay mileage!!

The next projects, to start very soon, are a revamp of the toilets and a refresh of the outside panelling and window frames & grilles. That will be complemented by a new gate and fresh tarmac underneath it. After that it will be the kitchen (that already now has place settings for 40 in its cupboards) and the gardens around the hall.

Your committee were very happy to hear from Oxford Rural Community Council's Village Hall Advisor that our hall is one of the best around and certainly the best value for money. If you've not tried it yet then keep us in mind for your next family party!

Finally, it will be our AGM on Wednesday 6th May at 20:00
when we will be able to report very healthy finances.
If you would like to offer help or have questions,
we would be pleased to see you there.

Wheelie Bins are coming

SODC is making substantial changes to rubbish collection arrangements which will involve each property having wheelie bins. If you think this will cause an insurmountable problem please contact parish clerk ASAP on 772598 giving your address and description of the problem. I will then tell SODC and they will visit the property and make a decision on what can be arranged.

Examples of potential problems are:-
Locations that have steep inclines or declines to the property's curtilege.
Terraces that have absolutely no frontage, side or rear access.
Properties that face directly into a road with no pavement.
Properties with more then four steps at the curtilege
Communal properties with bulk facilities.
Access or locations that traditionally bulk their waste.
Properties that are not served by an adopted road/remote properties.
Nb. Curtilege is the boundary edge next to public footpath or nearest adopted road.

Toddlers Group Every Monday from 10-12. Open all year round, apart from Bank Holidays. 0-4 year olds. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers welcome, Craft activity every week. £1 per family, first session free! Lucy Edgar 714704

Sandford 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. Enquiries to Michelle.

Start snapping... By popular request, we are holding another photography competition to be judged at the Fete this year. Prizes for adults and for children. Details for entry in the next issue of the Link, at the end of June, on posters on the village noticeboards at the same time, or from 748848 nearer the time. We could do with more good entries in the 11-18 age group, as somebody has to stop Joe Davis sweeping the board again (he won so many categories last year we still owe him one prize).

BUSES - travel helpline 0871 200 2233 - timetables at stops
Thames Travel - Bus: 105 & 106 (hourly Mon-Sat) - 01491 837988
Heyfordian Travel - Bus 115/116 (hourly Mon - Fri) - 10869 241500
Stagecoach Oxfordshire - Bus: 5C (evenings) - 772250
Tesco Bus service - Tue & Thu 10am - 0845 677 9524


CHEMISTS
Superdrug Pharmacy Templars Square, Cowley Centre. - 779299
Sainsburys - in store pharmacy - Heyford Hill. - 777663


CHURCH
St. Andrews - Church Road. - Rev. Robert Morgan - 748848   www.sandfordchurch.org.uk/
Every Sunday: 10am Parish Communion; 6.30pm Evening prayer
First Sunday of the month: 8am Holy Communion BCP
First Sunday of the month: 11:15am Family service.


CLUBS:

Sandford Runners - Details from Sue - 773569
All runners welcome; turn up ready to go - every Tuesday 1930 and Thursday 1900.
King's Arms car park for a steady paced 30-45 min run.
Bingo - Janet or Hazel at the village hall Thursday evenings 7pm.
Just drop in for a friendly night out, eyes down at 8:00   Proceeds in aid of hall funds.
Oxford Karate Academy - Paul Coleman - 341110
Fri 4.30-7.30 at the village hall - adults all grades and junior classes.
Reading Group - Pam Andrews 777011
Yoga - Monday (not 1st in month) 1930 - 2100 joga@jonandjo.   www.f2s.com/joga


YOUNGSTERS:
Tae Kwon Do - James -772883 - Mon & Thu 5.00-6.30 at the village hall.
Junior classes for 6 - 16 year olds, both boys and girls.
Youth Club - Michelle - 748257
Tue 4-6pm at the village hall - for 6-11 year olds during term time.
Toddlers Group - Lucy Elgar 714704
Mondays 10-12 at the village hall, for Mums, Dads & carers with small children.
Massage School Tues 7-10 Mark Higgins

HOSPITALS
NHS Direct - 08 45 46 47
Littlemore Mental Health Centre - 778911


HOTELS
Oxford Thames Four Pillars - open to non-residents - 334444


MOBILE LIBRARY
Visits on alternate Thursdays from 14:25 until 14:35,
stopping in the layby next to The Fox pub. - 810240


NEWSAGENTS & SHOPS
Small shop on the corner of Littlemore Hospital, Mon - Fri 8 to 3.
Sainsbury's - 771146


PARISH COUNCIL
(meets first Monday of the month in the village hall - villagers welcome)
Chair - Nigel Northcott - 773569, Vice-Chair - Michelle Robson Clerk - Liz Shatford - 772598,
members: Hazel Hutton, Mick Hills, Irene Reveco, Michelle Robson, Kevin Welch, Stephen Paine.
Parish Council notice boards: corner of Church & Henley Road;
Opposite River View and by Janaway on Heyford Hill Lane.


DISTRICT COUNCIL
Councillor Pamela Tomlinson, South Oxfordshire District Council,
Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford 01491 823000


COUNTY COUNCIL
Councillor John Howell.
Oxfordshire County Council, County Hall, New Road, Oxford. 792422
M.P. Henley-on-Thames constituency: John Howells. 01491 612852


POLICE
Emergency: 999 Non emergency and enquiries: 08458 505 505
Community Support Officer Ken Cooney ken.cooney @ thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk - or use the police non emergency number to leave a message


POST OFFICE
Enquires - 0845 722 3344
Sub Post Office, 40 Cowley Road, Littlemore.


POST BOX
Week day collections 11am & 5:15pm
By Janaway on Heyford Hill Lane.
Post box at Park Homes by the Main Avenue entrance.
By the phone box on corner of Church & Henley Roads.

PUBS
The Fox - currently closed
Catherine Wheel - 38 Henley Road - 778340
The King's Arms - Church Road, by Sandford Lock - 777095


RECYCLING
Redbridge Recycling Centre - 721464
Green recycling boxes & bulky waste collections - 01491 823416
(green box can be put out first thing Monday morning - except bank holidays
with normal rubbish - council will take paper, cardboard, tins, cans and plastic)


RIVER
Salters' Steamers -
which stops at the lock (seasonal - to Oxford and Abingdon) - 243421


SCHOOLS (Littlemore)
Emmanuel Christian (Independent preparatory school) 395236
John Henry Newman (C of E Primary School) 772495
Oxford Academy (previously Peers) (secondary comprehensive school) 774311


STADIUM & OZONE - Grenoble Road.
Oxford United - 337500
Multiplex Cinema - 08712 240 240
Bowlplex - 714100
Gala Bingo - 774477
Frankie & Benny's - 778309
Ozone Health & Fitness Club - 0870 443 1234
Jamboray children's' activity centre 712846
OXY - Chinese buffet style restaurant - 749 888


VILLAGE
Sandford Service Centre (garage) - 777344
Dick Rudman - security services - 711369
Stuart Smith - Carpenter - 749443
Geoff Raynham - Painting & decorating - 395133
Theo Becker - odd jobs, plumbing, kitchen fitting etc 07909 535785
Iris Hayter House (care home) - 749560


VILLAGE HALL
Various clubs and activities - enquiries 07759 890 696
The Conditions of Hire have recently been revised and are available from the Bookings Secretary on the above number.


WEBSITES
http://www.sandfordonthames.co.uk/ (includes back number of the Link)
http://www.sandfordchurch.org.uk

Compiled as a result of the Village Appraisal,
and developed as part of the Parish Plan.

Please report any errors or omissions to Nigel Northcott - 773569

Quiz Night   21st February 2009

The annual Village Quiz night had Andy Middleton as Quiz-master. His employers at Oxford Castle also contributed a tourism prize, which was much appreciated.

Eleven teams scored highly and 3 or 4 were mentioned in dispatches. The Norton cup was won by the Church Road team, Partners (Matthew, Julie, Louise, Digby, Jane, and Genius) on 99%. Silver was shared by Ben's Young Fogeys (youngest ever) and Jim and Jackie's Terriers (90%).
Keith and Lucille, Colin and Diane and Guests Clacked next = 86, Jane's 7 = 85.5, Brian/Pam, Alan/Carol, Peter/Marilyn 85, Wild Horses (Vince/Siobhan, Clive/Deirdre and Guests 83, Stormers (Broadhurst Gdns - Sue, Doug, Leigh, Katherine, Marion, Annie - also 83 - all these too close to call given the margin of possible error.
Grins = 78 (Elvira, Nicola, Prue, Penny, Anthony, Philippa), Foxes Furlong = 73 (Roger, Heikki, Tina, Aidan and Charley Davis, H.H. Gardens (Max, Jackie and Thomas, Kate, 65. All these received due honour.

Three other teams were not recorded on account of being virtual. Thanks to Parish Clerk Liz for scoring and adding up and to Jackie bringing Canadian charm to the presentation of the trophy, and Jim for organizing a sound system. Most of the teams were neighbourhood parties - planned that way this time. Food and drink was plentiful - thanks to all who brought and shared.

Unable to compete with the former year's generosity of Maurice, Terry and their friends donating 20 raffle prizes, and Gina's admin, and Tim's auction, this year was more belt and braces, without frills, and the evening ended at 10.30 in cheerful state.

Servicing to all makes     MOT testing       - petrol and diesel cars       - light commercials     Full diagnostic facilities     Minor and major mechanical repairs         Air conditioning     Engine rebuilds     Cam belt changes

T.J. Hall and Son Ltd     Motor Engineers       Vehicle Collection and Delivery Service     Traditional Values - Modern Methods     Ask about our late night     opening for MOT testing     We also offer a roadside repair service     plus 24 hour breakdown recoveries     The Garage, 46 Henley Road,         Tel 01865 777344     Sandford-on-Thames, OX4 4YP

The Scandalous History of Littlemore Priory

On moving to Greater Leys in 2006, I wondered what the original use of The Priory pub was, suspecting that it might have been a medieval monastic building. A little research turned up the Priory of St Nicholas, which Liz Shatford has also mentioned in her excellent booklet, The Parish Church of St Andrew, Sandford on Thames. Beyond its foundation as a house of Benediction nuns by Robert de Sandford in the twelfth century, and some subsequent gifts of land, very little is known about the life of the priory, but two visitations by officers of the bishop of Lincoln, in 1445 and 1517, do tell us something of its sad history.

In 1445, Dr John Derby found that the seven nuns could not sleep in their dormitory for fear it might fall in, but they had no money to repair the house. Still, they had broken their rule by eating meat every day in the refectory. Even worse, a Cistercian monk and a secular priest drank regularly with the prioress, and three lay women boarded in the house. Dr Derby ordered that Oxford students should not visit the house and that each nun should have her own bed. In 1517, Edmund Horde found that the prioress had an illegitimate daughter by a priest from Kent, Richard Hewes, who still visited regularly. The prioress had taken some of the domestic goods of the priory to provide a dowry for her daughter. Quite recently, another nun had had a child by a married man in Oxford.

The prioress put the nuns in the stocks when they chided her for her evil life, and a woman who had considered testing her vocation at Littlemore went away in a state of shock. So, when Cardinal Wolsey dissolved the priory in 1524, he was probably justified in citing the priory's lack of discipline. The assets of the property were amongst those applied to the institution which would soon become Christ Church, Oxford. None of this encourages us to take pride in the history of the religious life in the parish, but perhaps we can feel sympathy for those whose failings clearly made the life of the house far from happy.

Rest in peace

Derek Hooker   died 23rd February 2009, aged 63
Derek and Cherie came to Main Avenue from Wood Farm four years ago but recently fulfilled a long-standing ambition to retire to the Mediterranean and had relocated to Cypus, where Derek has suddenly died. He had worked at BMW and made good friends here too. Among many good things he was (like many discerning punters) a loyal Liverpool supporter and the red flag went into the burial.
We offer special sympathies to Cherie, his 30-year friend and dearly loved wife, and also to the rest of the family, including his son Vince and Sandford sister Sylvia.

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Sandford School

At the beginning of March the hot topic for many people is education - or more specifically, 'I wonder whether my child has been allocated his/her first choice of school?' Only 50 or so years ago that wouldn't have been a problem in Sandford because there was no choice. We had our own school; but I wonder how many of today's parents would have chosen it?

Of its kind and type it was a perfectly adequate establishment and sometimes very good; an inspectors report from 100yrs ago said "This is a quite exceptional village school. Mrs Bolt has inspired the children with her own keenness and energy and has shown how much it is possible to do with material that is in no way extraordinary. It would be an extremely valuable lesson for teachers who declare that it is useless to expect intelligence in arithmetic from country children to witness a lesson in this subject at Sandford on Thames."

During the earlier decades of the 20th century the curriculum had gradually widened from the rote learning of the '3R's' + Religion to include some rudimentary geography, science, gardening, sewing and cooking which were doubtless more fun for most children and hopefully of equal use in later life.
The school was managed well by a group of people who mostly lived in the village and would have known most of the local families; they were in charge of spending the limited funds available to keep the fabric in good repair, to hire and fire staff and to defend the school against the County Education officials when necessary.

Reasons for not choosing Sandford school (if there had been a choice) would probably have included the sanitary facilities: as the School Inspector noted 'Water for the school, from the pump. Usual offices, buckets, no earth but clean.' Gas (for lighting) came fairly early but mains drainage wasn't put in until 1953 - perhaps as a Coronation celebration? Heating was by coal stove and the children were allowed to bring in a hot potato and keep it warm on the stove.

The windows then were still the original high up ones until 1956 - the inspectors had frequently noted that the schoolrooms were dark and needed better ventilation.

All the infants up to the age of 7 were taught in one room by one teacher and the rest of the children until the age of 11 in another, large, room by two more teachers. No wonder strict discipline had to be maintained and the teachers must have been exhausted by the end of the day.
Up until the first world war it was common for country children to miss school at times of harvest but this was frowned on by the authorities and attendance was compulsory except of course for when notifiable disease such as whooping cough or scarlet fever struck. It was a punishable offence to send a child to school when infected. Personal hygiene must also have been a problem and at times the inspectors recommended that 'the older girls be trained to instruct the young children in basic cleanliness'

However, most people had happy memories of their schooling in Sandford; advantages would have included good teaching (mostly) being able to walk to school easily in all weathers and learning with a group of peers who had in the main been known from very early childhood.

(Any memories, corrections, comments, please tell Liz. The Old School 772598)

LICENSING ACT 2003     Application for a Premises Licence. To whom it may concern, take note that the Village Hall Management Committee give notice that they have applied to South Oxfordshire District Council for a Premises Licence for: The Village Hall, Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford. OX4 4YN in respect of: to allow occasional performances by specially invited professional groups who will then be able to provide plays, films, live music and dance shows at the hall for village entertainment, between the hours of 08.00 and 23.30 and under exceptional circumstances over New Years Eve may extend to 01.00. Anyone wishing to object to these variations should give notice in writing to The Licensing Officer, South Oxfordshire District Council, Bens Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxon. OX10 8NL before 23 March 2009 where a copy of the application can be inspected between the hours of 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m Monday to Friday. It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application, and a person convicted of such an attempt an offence will be liable to a fine up to £5000 based on a summary conviction.

St Birinus Pilgrimage Sunday 21st June Full details www.stbirinuspilgrimage.org.uk or 01865 340007

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.

SANDFORD ON THAMES PARISH COUNCIL

Extracts from meeting
of the Parish Council held on Monday Jan 5th 2009

Matters discussed: The broken plank on the Kings Arms bridge over to the lock had been repaired by a concerned local resident. Clerk had informed the pub and written to the brewery but had had no response. The road works at the wharf were completed and tidying up in progress.
There was a problem at the new mini roundabout in Henley road due to a large van and other vehicles being parked on the pavement and causing an obstruction of vision, also sometimes and obstruction of the pavement. Vehicles parked on grass verge adjacent and opposite to the village hall were churning up grass and making it difficult to cut it in the season.
No items for consideration had been tabled so following discussion it was decided to try and think of improvements which could be made to the appearance of the village for the benefit of residents and visitors.
Reports were received from CPC Ken Cooney and the hall committee.
The village hall committee reported that the hall was doing well financially and was in good shape physically. Comments of appreciation had been received from users and congratulations were offered from the parish council on behalf of the village. A yoga group was making a trial over 3mths on Monday evenings except for the first Mondays in the month. The large picture was being re-framed and would be put back when it was finished. N Northcott would forward contact details of a group which put on cultural events in village halls.



Extracts from meeting
of the Parish Council held on Monday Feb 2nd 2009

Matters discussed:   Playground repairs:- estimates were evaluated and it was decided to accept that of Safe and Sound Playgrounds (subject to discount) for the Broadhurst Gardens area on the grounds that it would match existing surfacing and provide a permanent solution so that no more work need be undertaken in that area for some considerable time.
Village appraisal:- this had been analyzed and good progress had been made in areas where village input was possible. Some more work to provide planters would be undertaken and M Robson said that the youth club would be doing another litter blitz on Tuesday 24th March.
Oxford flood strategy:- there had been a preliminary consultation meeting organised by the Environment Agency: M Hills had attended and the

E.A. were hoping to organise a further meeting in Sandford at some time in April. There had been a letter from SODC regarding flooding in South Oxfordshire and asking for parish groups to form working groups to produce plans. The clerk would write and ask for clarification.
A letter had been received from the Park Homes Residents Association complaining about the new footpath crossing Grenoble Road at Brick Kiln Lane. The parish council had not been informed or involved at any stage in the planning or construction of the path.
OPT had started work on their land behind Broadhurst Gardens



Extracts from meeting
of the Parish Council held on Monday March 2nd 2009

Matters discussed: NAG, main issues mentioned by 35 people questioned were speeding, litter, vandalism. These to be put to next NAG meeting and K Welch to invite K Cooney to May annual parish meeting to discuss the results.
Oxford flood strategy exhibition would be on display at start of April. Meeting and a brief discussion could be held at start of meeting. Environment Agency would then quietly pack up and go.
Electronic consultation on planning applications. Clerk to decide and will reply pro. tem. to consultations of a straightforward and minor nature without consulting whole parish council if there was a time constriction.
Invitation to visit UKAEA at Culham Science Centre. I.Reveco, M. Hills, K Welch and clerk would go.
Clerk would write to D Buckle (SODC) with copies to P Tomlinson and J Howell regarding ongoing and longstanding concerns of residents of Oxford Park Homes about management issues.
K Welch was expecting a proposal from 'Live and Local', the mobile performance company, shortly and it was hoped to arrange something in village hall when a performance licence had been arranged with SODC.
It appeared that work at Broadhurst Gardens wildlife conservation area was complete. M Hills would make a survey and schedule of work to trees needed in the Heyford Hill area. No news of Orchard House yet.
N Northcott would arrange for planters to be bought at a cost of approx. £250 from 'Restore' Planters to be placed at south entrance to village under highways sign and at verges in centre of village.