Winter 2009             Issue 116

A very happy Christmas and Ney Year to all Link readers - starting with children's carol-singing around the village on Thursday 17th December. Meet at 6.0pm at phone/post box at top of Church Road.

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 Mick Hills (18 Rock Farm Lane). Director of Music: Christian Bradley. Organist: Geoff Cowan www.sandfordchurch.org.uk

CHRISTMAS SERVICES SUNDAY 20th DECEMBER 6.30 p.m. CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE CHRISTMAS EVE 4.0 p.m. CRIB SERVICE A crib service for parents, grandparents, small children, friends 11.30 p.m. MIDNIGHT MASS CHRISTMAS DAY 8.0 a.m. HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) 10.0 a.m. FAMILY COMMUNION

Compline by candlelight A 15-minute plainsong service held in Advent in St Andrew's Church on Wednesdays in Advent at 7.15 p.m. (December 2nd, 9th, 16th). All welcome.

Joy to the world

It is not hard to find places where joy is in short supply. Parts of the world have a grim future - maybe all of us, or our grandchildren. Planet earth in 2010 is very different from 1950 and 2050 will be very different from today. Better or worse? That will depend on how we live and how we organize ourselves in the meantime - which puts huge responsibility on our leaders and a fair bit on all of us as we develop new life-styles to adjust to realities we can no longer sensibly deny or hide from.

The celebration of Christmas in a religious way repeats familiar stories and carols to spin a web of meaning over and around the lives of those who join in - a strong structure for some who shape their lives through the year and the years with the help of this pattern, a faint memory of something learned long ago for others. We may continue to teach it to our children - and/or perhaps expect others to teach them at school - or we hope they will find out enough somewhere to be able to decide how to live their lives. Strip away the tinsel and the Christmas story speaks of simplicity and joy in the heavens, and on earth, some brutal realities but joys too.

The birth of a child is always a signal of hope, even in communities surrounded by despair - as Palestine or Zimbabwe today. The invitations are going out in this parish this week - to think again, and perhaps even to participate at a level which can enhance the other good things we do over the Christmas season - our friendships, our celebrations, gifts and greetings, music and song. And at the heart of it: the mystery that surrounds our life embraces us and enfolds us in a person and a message which is good news, glad tidings of great joy to all humanity.   O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Christmas past and present

Most people find time to be neighbourly at this time of year. As well as visiting each others' homes we are in Sandford assured of a warm welcome from Barry and Barbara at the Catherine Wheel, and Malcolm and Lisa at the King's Arms, and Rameth and all his staff at the Four Pillars. And some of us with memories intact will look back to mass jollification at the Fox on Christmas Day. Joyce will be remembered at the Carol Service and Nigel and all his friends greeted too.

Sandford Youth Club
As the Youth Club goes into temporary abeyance on account of staff shortages, all who have been involved over the past few years give a huge vote of thanks to Michelle Robson for her brilliant leadership. Those interested in the next stage of its history should speak to a member of the committee, contactable through the Link office. Watch this space...


In the meantime... the Littlemore Senior Youth Club,
for those aged between 13 and 18, is now up and running at 6.30 on Monday evenings at the village hall in Railway Lane. It is run with the help of two youth workers from Oxfordshire county Council and benefits from the hall's recently-resurfaced car park, which doubles as an all-weather play area, and general refurbishment of the hall. For more information call 01865 712766. And by the end of the year Littlemore hope to have a junior youth club for pre-teenage children.

Welcome to Rachel and David to Broadhurst Gardens to Felicity to Pheasant Walk to Dr Stanley Ng and Dr Eva Pilka to Pheasant Walk to James Carter and Anne-Marie Hewitt to Church Road to Mark and Helen, Tom and George Wolstenholme to Heyford Hill Lane to Daniel and Sinead Begley to Pheasant Walk to Peter and Maxine Malin to Main Avenue to Kathleen to Rock Farm Lane (and farewell to Colin Dougan - we remembered Betty at the All Souls service).

Welcome to the world: to Ava Alice, another daughter for Helen Daglish, formerly of Keene Close, and John Townsend, a sister for Freya and Ella, and a delight for happy Sandford grand and greatgrandparents and uncles, Alice and Paul and Marie and Tom and Matthew.

Congratulations
and best wishes to Kelly Caffel on her marriage to Tim Don in Cape Town on 29th December and bon voyage to all Sandford parts of the family making the trip.
And also to Gillian and Travis of Pheasant Walk on their marriage here in St Andrew's on 26th September.

Sandford musical scratch ? Would anyone be interested in an occasional 'musical scratch' session? Perhaps once every 4 to 6 weeks on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon in the village hall we might have a musical get-together for all ages, all instruments -- a bit of light/classical music for all levels, beginners to the very best? Please let Jane Jackson know (****** or janejxn @ talktalk.net) if you'd like to take part - which instrument at which level (low, intermediate, high, professional) or even more important - whether you are a conductor or leader! If there's enough interest we could get some music copied and have a go together at the first meeting.

Sandford 2010 play reading group: those interested please contact our chief Sandford Thespian, Sophie (748134) or the Link office.

VIVALDI'S WOMEN women sopranos, women altos, women tenors, women basses... Music at Christmas Vivaldi: Gloria Arvo Pärt: Littlemore Tractus and music from Handel - Messiah Bach - Christmas Oratorio as seen on BBC FOUR and SKY St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Littlemore Sunday 20th December 3.0 p.m. Suggested donation £9

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]
Emmaus Emmaus is a community in Temple Cowley which offers homeless people both a home and also the opportunity of employment and the chance to take responsibility for their lives They also collect and recycle furniture, electrical appliances and other household items. Call 763698 or email furniture@emmausoxford.org
	LITTLEMORE COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE Monday 21st December 7.0 p.m. All welcome

Report from the Village Hall Chairman, Steve Daniels:

The management committee held one of its bi-monthly meetings recently and reviewed the present position of the Hall, which is very positive. I'd like to take this opportunity, on your behalf and that of the Parish Council to whom we report, to thank Eugenia Skelly, Mick Hills, Ben Goodger and Kevin Welsh for all that they do. However, without the efforts of Colin Colbeck, as Caretaker, and Kevin Gleeson, as Bookings Secretary - who both do a splendid job - it would all be for nothing.

Although there are still a few gaps, the hall is in use every day and most weekends, providing a range of services including Bingo, Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Yoga (see the ads in this issue). Apparently, we are one of the best around.

We continue to make a reasonable annual surplus and this year we have been able to get the hall decorated externally and the toilets refurbished, as well as re-equip the kitchen. Our future plans are to re-hang the village picture (honestly), replace the gate and renovate the patio. Then it will be the car park and gardens. It's all go !!

We therefore hope that the hall is both visually pleasing and a prized asset. Do please let us know if you think otherwise !

Elsewhere in this issue of 'The Link' (page 9) you will see an advert for 'Peach Boy: The Adventures of Momotaro' on February 13th. These shows are put on in answer to the request originally made in the Parish Plan 5 years ago. They are proving a lot of fun, but we don't run them for profit as we only seek to 'break even'. To do that does require a reasonable turn out, so we hope to see you there...
Steve Daniels 07970-****** (not for bookings please - see advert on page 6).

Littlemore Community Christmas Lunch from 1.0 - 4.0 p.m. on Christmas Day at the John Henry Newman Primary School, Grange Road. Traditional lunch, bingo, raffle, carol sining. Suggested donation £2.50 per adult, £1.50 per child. Transport can be arranged. BOOKINGS: Caroline Gale on 01235 200011, ideally by 18th December (please indicate any special dietary requirements - vegetarian option available).

Harcourt Arboretum Closed over Christmas from 22nd December until 3rd January.

Rivers of Life Community Church meets in the Village Hall, Sundays 11 a.m. All welcome

Six Nations

This is the last Link before February, so time for a punt? Well, the Autumn internationals were fun for some - especially in the South Pacific or Oceania, and those who like to see the celtic fringe (France etc.) battered. On that evidence we predict a grand slam for England who showed a glimmer of what they are capable of and plan to do to the underdogs at Twickenham in February - as they have done to them for 800 years at Westminster. And may Ireland thrive - and special thanks to Andy Robinson for giving Scotland something to pray for. Sandford also is dedicated to St Andrew.



VLCs - Vibrant Local Communities?

There has been news in the press lately of a 10% cut in paid clergy (like the Post Office the Church has a bit of a pensions back hole). Reactions include what some of us have been arguing for over 40 years - more unpaid clergy and more lay leadership. The local church fabric in every parish is cared for by a handful of local people supported by many more who chip in.
The clergy have a more shadowy role as they become less visible - seeing that regular worship continues, trying to discover who are being called, ensuring that everyone has the chance to respond and learn the basics for a joyful and ordered life, keep a watchful eye out for those in need (usually tipped off by a neighbour), and offer what help and support they can when this is desired). We have inherited ways of doing things which seem quite foreign to those who have not grown up with them.
The result is that most congregations are mainly mature adults, that leaves a challenge to the 30s generation - whether to take up their heritage, take charge, or let it go and miss a generation, in the hope that the next generation will rediscover treasures of human experience gathered over many exemplary lives and with much to teach each new individual and family. Meanwhile the over 50s are happy to hold the line and wait.
Religion is largely about waiting and hoping and trusting and loving and sharing - so the invitations continue to go out. Some will get the messages, others respectfully decline.

More family entertainment in the Village Hall:

Following on from the very successful summer show, our next village family entertainment is as follows, and an Ideal Family Christmas present perhaps????

Peach Boy: The Adventures of Momotaro When an old washerwoman goes down to the riverbank to scrub clothes, she sees a giant peach bobbing towards her! When she takes the peach home and cuts it open out pops a baby boy with superhuman powers. So starts the incredible story of Momotaro - the Peach Boy, and his struggle to find his place in a world that no longer believes in heroes. Accompanied by Dog, Pheasant and Monkey (and his mother's miraculous dumplings) they must go on a quest to save the village from dastardly demons and marvellous monsters. This new production promises to delight audiences of all ages with its wonderful range of characters, fusion of puppetry and live performance, movement and design, all inspired by the East. 'Peach Boy' is a thrilling epic of growing up, idealism, friendship, heroism, daring deeds and comic misadventures.

Recommended minimum age 6

Saturday 13th February 6.0 p.m., Sandford on Thames Village Hall

Tickets: Adults £8, Children £6, Family of 4 £22, from 07941 430817

Nearest Farmers' Markets
Abingdon:	Market Place, third Friday of the month, 8.30 - 1.30.
Appleton:	Village Hall, second Sunday of the month, 10.0 - 1.0.
Headington:	London Road/Kennet Road, fourth Friday of the month, 8.0 - 12.30
Oxford:	Gloucester Green, first and third Thursday of the month, 8.30 onwards
Oxford East	East Oxford Primary School, Union Street, every Saturday 10.0 - 1.0
Wallingford:	Market Place, third Tuesday and fifth Saturday of the month, 8.30 - 1.0
Wallingford:	Local Producers' Market, The Regal Centre, St Martin's Lane, every Saturday 10.0 - 1.0

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock     "Now they are all on their knees," An elder said as we sat in a flock     By the embers in hearthside ease. We pictured the meek mild creatures where     They dwelt in their strawy pen, Nor did it occur to one of us there     To doubt they were kneeling then. So fair a fancy few would weave     In these years! Yet, I feel, If someone said on Christmas Eve,     "Come; see the oxen kneel, In the lonely barton by yonder coomb     Our childhood used to know," I should go with him in the gloom,     Hoping it might be so.                 "The Oxen."   Thomas Hardy.

ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children) is a local registered charity which operates in Oxfordshire Primary Schools to help children who are struggling with reading. Could you help a child and change their life forever? You don't need any qualifications, just patience, enthusiasm and kindness. Full training is given. www.archoxfordshire.org.uk or ring 01869 320380 or email info@archoxfordshire.org.uk

Saturday Morning Yoga Workshop January 23 with Jo and Rebecca in the village hall Start the New Year with a whole morning of Yoga learning the main poses of the Astanga 'primary series'. This class will include breathing (pranayama), physical poses (asanas) and relaxation. Bring a vegetarian dish to share and socialise during 'Yoga Brunch'. Tickets (£15 in advance) are available from Jo or Rebecca, or cheque and sae to Jo Zaremba at 4 River View, Sandford on Thames, OX4 4YF. Also classes every Monday 7.15 - 8.30 in the village hall. 07920 ******     www.jogajo.wordpress.com

Welcome to Vale House

At last the future for the Orchard House site is becoming clearer and it is looking good. The new owners of the site are the Botley Alzheimer's Home, Vale House.
In November, the head of home, Tricia O'Leary, the directors and the architects, gbs architects, invited Sandford residents to a meeting in the village hall to talk about their plans. The meeting was well attended, with refreshments and a time to talk, meet people and study the architect's plans before Tricia spoke and told us a brief history and hopes for the future of Vale House.

"The philosophy of Vale House is that of hospice care for terminal mental illness. Because of this philosophy of care, the skill and training of its staff, and the widespread local appreciation of its special role, Vale House is able to accept people who suffer dementia in its severest and most difficult forms, and support them to the end of their lives.

They were sad to have to leave Botley because the 'home' there had become indeed a home for the residents and a much loved and integrated part of community life in Botley. However, time passes and the originally purpose built design was now not up to modern standards internally, there was no garden and demand for the 20 beds has led to long waiting lists.
Vale House thought that the Orchard House site would be ideal for them when it was first vacated but the plan has taken several years to come to fruition. Vale House, Sandford, has been designed to occupy more or less the same 'footprint' as the existing building. It will house 40 residents in two wings spreading out from an attractively designed central entrance area.

Vale House hopes to become embedded in our community as they have in Botley and will welcome links to local societies and friendly visitors as well as volunteers. Sandford looks forward to welcoming our new residents and will be watching the new building works over the next two years with interest.

BIG BREAKFAST DAY: Saturday 30th January 2010 Streetprayer are organising this event throughout Oxfordshire: more information from www.streetprayer.org

Christmas holiday:

Extra recycling?
	If you have extra recycling that won't fit in your green bin over Christmas, place it in clear sacks, plastic bags or cardboard boxes and leave it by the side of your recycling bin for us to collect. Please note, however, we will not pick up extra rubbish next to your grey rubbish bin.
	All recycling centres close at 3pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day (1 Jan 2010). All other days the sites are open as normal.
	Put your 'chopped up' tree in your brown wheeled bin. Trees left beside the bin will not be collected for composting. Or you can return your tree to a number of local garden centres, or you can also take your tree for composting to one of the County Council Waste Recycling Centres.
Free parking
	South Oxfordshire District Council is providing free parking in all its pay and display car parks in the run up to Christmas. Starting on Saturday 5th December, all council car parks will be free in the afternoons from 12 midday, every Saturday up to Christmas Day. There is no need to buy a ticket, although the maximum stay still applies.

Sandford websites:     http://www.sandfordonthames.co.uk/   http://www.sandfordchurch.org.uk

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

THANK YOU
Once again, very many thanks to James Kumar and Michelle and their helpers for organising a Christmas party in the Village Hall on December 12th - we are sure that, as usual, a great time will have been had by all.

Au revoir but not adieu
to Angela of Pheasant Walk and thank you for your contribution to the parish life - coffee will not be quite the same, but we trust you to keep in touch.

Faringdon is not Australia.
Correction:
Roman Sebastian Lubos of Pheasant Walk was born on 14th June 2009.

QUIZ NIGHT The next annual Quiz Night will be held on Saturday 6th February at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall. Some neighbourhood teams will contest the Norton Cup which will allow extras on to the table to make Neighbourhood Parties. Tickets from the vicar, £4. Tel 748848 mornings or late evenings.

SANDFORD TODDLER GROUP We meet every Monday from 10.0 til 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!

Rest in peace

Mrs Betty Woodward   b. 7th June 1927, d. 3rd November 2009, aged 82
Betty came to one of the new houses in Keene Close with her son Alan in 1994 from Clevedon, Bristol, following the death of her husband Gerry. She was an Oxford woman, born in Old Headington, the fourth of eleven children, and married Gerry in Littlemore church in 1948, having worked in a shop in Rose Hill. She loved her family, was earlier a keen golfer, and was a shy and private but caring person.
At the service of Committal on the 11th November, the two minutes' silence was observed at 11 a.m. with medals of her family from the Somme and other military service. This was followed on 17th November by a service of thanksgiving for her life at which Alan led the tributes, Geoff Cowan played Tchaikovsky, You'll Never Walk Alone and I vow to thee, my country was sung, as it had been a few days earlier at the same place on Remembrance Sunday. Given the Welsh connections (the family had lived in Swansea) Guide me, O thou great Redeemer was also sung.
At the Carol Service on 20th December, one of its evocative moments will be when, after those in need and those who mourn, we finally 'remember before God all those who rejoice with us but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no-one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for everymore are one.' In that faith, that hope, that love, we shared our farewells and offer our sympathies to Alan and all Betty's wider family and celebrate her years with us in Sandford.


Dorothy Adams   b. 27th July 1930, d. 24th September 2009
As a girl Dorothy was well educated at the Central Girls School and then, when she left, the Bodleian Library where she worked in one of the reading rooms. She met Tony and they were married and lived for some years in Leopold St where Paul was born and where Dorothy gained a reputation as an intrepid cyclist, pedalling around with toddler in infant seat on back and dog in basket in front and tangling with buses in Cowley Road. In 1963 when Paul was about 7 they moved out to Sandford, to Church Rd.
Dorothy was a brave and determined lady, uncomplainingly putting up with many physical problems while bringing up Paul, joining in church life and steadily advancing in her library work to become Librarian at Redefield Community Library until she retired about 20 years ago. There followed a happy and new life with Tony in retirement and the joys of becoming grandparent to Theo and Colette. Deepest sympathies to Tony and Paul and family.

Audrey Rockall (née James)   b. 18th April 1927, d. 18th September 2009
In September Audrey 'came home' to the village where she was born and now rests in the churchyard. She was born to Edie and George at 6 Council Houses, Nuneham Road (as 81 Henley Road was called then). She was sister to Brian and Christine and, until he died, Terry. The family moved to Shillingford to Pear Tree cottage and then back to '14 Council Houses' or 97 Henley Rd as it is known now, where Brian still lives.
Before she met Bill Rockall, Audrey worked locally, not in the mill but out at White's (Lower) farm and also at the King's Arms and as a waitress. Audrey and Bill made several moves in their married life following Bill's work with horses until they moved finally to Tackley where Audrey became a leading light in local life and where Bill still lives. Our sympathies to Bill, Brian and Tim.


Bill Croker   d. 27th September 2009, aged 77.
Bill Croker, who was born in Gateshead but lived for many years in The Crescent, was an engineer who, in the early 1990s, moved by the situation in the former Yugoslavia, gave up working as a magistrate and became a volunteer for the Bosnian Aid Committee of Oxford.
With Laurence Boyd and Bob Oliver, also of Sandford, he frequently risked his life to deliver aid in trucks to remote areas. In total, he made 16 trips to the war-torn country in eight months, once being held in jail for four days by the Croatians. His obituary in the Oxford Mail described him as 'a man of mercy, moved by war'. Our sympathies go to Bill's daughter, Annie Bates.

Cecily's Fund was set up in memory of Cecily Eastwood, an Oxfordshire teenager who, in 1998, was tragically killed in a car crash while on her gap year volunteering with orphans in Zambia. Amazingly, the Fund currently supports nearly 10,000 children and young people in school and college. Gift cards for the Fund make great Christmas presents. Call Helen or Sabita on 01993-869005.

P. EVANS Local builder, carpenter. Extensions, doors, windows, flooring, decking etc. No job too small. Call for free quotation 01865 774592 Mobile 07502 390005

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 October 5th 2009

County Councillor's report:
The Oxford Green Belt:   following five separate legal challenges to the South East Plan, the Secretary of State has conceded that insufficient consideration was given to reasonable alternatives to the proposed urban extension in the Oxford Green Belt south of Grenoble Road. Although details are still unclear, since this portion of the plan will now have to be reconsidered by the legal system, and a sustainability appraisal conducted by South Oxfordshire District Council, it is likely that the current proposal for 4,000 houses south of the City could fail. The County Council supports the protection of this part of Oxford's Green Belt, and local opposition to the development has been strong and united.

Matters discussed :
Police:   K Cooney had been unable to attend a parish council meeting for some time but he presented the figures for July - September. Sandford is a very low crime area at present though there was a spike over last winter.
Youth Club:   K Welch would investigate possibilities for paid worker. M Robson said that storage was a problem for getting more equipment for older children.
Village Hall:   patio repair work - to be decided by Village Hall Committee.
Walnut trees in Church Road recreation area:   these are suffering from Walnut Blotch which can be treated by removing leaves when they are all down and spraying with Bordeaux mixture when new leaves appear. (This may only be possible on smaller trees). Clerk would ask BCB for a quotation.
P09//W0828 demolition of bungalow & erection of four terraced cottages 40 Henley Rd: Clerk had received several complaints from villagers regarding this application and so the parish council unanimously considered it should be

refused on the following grounds: 4 houses are too many, Houses very small for modern living. Site planning v. tight and intrusive to neighbouring property. Access drive very long and narrow. Car parking too tight and would lead to parking on the road. Visitors would have to park on already congested road. Land taken from Catherine Wheel car park so ditto with pub parking. Siting and character of proposed housing is not sympathetic to village character. Dug out car parking would cause disturbance to surrounding vegetation.
Following the success of 'Professor Bumm' K Welch has booked the Oxford Touring Theatre Co. for 'Peach Boy' for Sat 13th Feb. 2010. The cost will be £410.00 but there will be an interval and so an opportunity to sell refreshments.
Bus services review: this was to be undertaken by the OCC soon and the evening service would be reviewed. The other services would remain for the time being. K Welch took the document to study. He would be attending a NAG meeting on Wednesday and would raise concerns re. Park Homes at that. The chairman of the Park Homes Resident's Association had delivered a report on the current position and would keep the parish council updated as necessary.
S Paine commented on the poor state of pavements in the Sandford area but it was thought unlikely that any work would be undertaken because funding was covering emergency work only.
It was decided to invite the new owners of the Orchard House home to a council meeting to wish them well and ask what was being planned.
There have been complaints of excess speeding along Heyford Hill Lane and concern for the safety of children and others crossing the road to get to the play areas. There was one individual identified and S Paine volunteered to have a word with the family.



Extracts from meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday November 02 2009.
Grass cutting and grounds maintenance scheduling 2010/2011:
This was agreed as per plan and schedule appended but the contractor would be asked to pay some more attention to the area of ditch just outside the village hall grounds.

Agree updated financial regulations (document appended). These were approved by the council.
Annual risk assessment and review of effectiveness of internal audit: All items had been assessed and reviewed as appended and agreed. Bank reconciliation at half year was presented and agreed to balance.
Draft budget for 2010/2011: This was agreed (subject to receipt of grass cutting quotation following this meeting) The precept would be 25,000.00. (to be finally agreed at December meeting)
Use of Welch Room for meetings: this appeared successful so far and the yoga group appreciated being able to use the village hall every Monday without break so clerk would ask the church whether the arrangement could continue.



Extracts from meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday December 07
Two parish councillors and the clerk had attended the Vale House meeting in the village hall last month. It had been well attended and successful. It was agreed to carry on using the Welch Room until next summer and then review again. The yoga class appeared to be doing well.
County Councillor's report:
The results of the speed monitoring through the village were now collated and showed that there was a high incidence of speeding in the Orchard House area. Clerk would write to Peter Ronald requesting the proposed second phase of traffic calming measures be implemented and for him to attend the February meeting if possible to discuss proposals.
Matters arising:
M Robson said that final youth club meeting was to be Dec 08 because no new leader had come forward but she had requested that the booked village hall time slot be held as long as possible in case someone was found. The parish council expressed regret but also grateful thanks to Michelle for all her hard work over the last three years.
On Saturday Dec 12 there was to be a joint Youth Club/ Tai Kwon Do party in the village hall, free for all village children.