SANDFORD ON THAMES VILLAGE MAGAZINE ON LINE
	THE LINK MAGAZINE    LOCAL DIARY     PARISH COUNCIL     VILLAGE HALL     VILLAGE APPRAISAL        N H W       THE RIVER RUN    LOCAL LINKS     SITE MAP     SEARCH SITE     SITE INFO     COMMENTS        HOME				THE LINK   OCTOBER 1988   ISSUE 12    ISSUE 12 INDEX   ISSUES INDEX   SUBJECT INDEX  The Link Magazine COPYRIGHT © 1988 by The Link Committee. Reproduced with permission.

SANDFORD-ON-THAMES NEWSLETTER
October 1988	Issue 12

      After what seems to be an eternity of requesting the S.O.D.C. to do something (apart from cleaning the Site after each group pulls off so the following group have a tidy site), the Parish Council decided to take the unconventional step of bringing in our own contractor to clear the site of literally tons of debris (including the human kind), and to trench and bank the area.

This is not the complete answer. With damage to the ground and trees, the area needs re-landscaping. Now this is where the parishioners come in. The Parish Council have only very limited resources to maintain the village and the work carried out on this Site was not budgeted for and not sanctioned by Highways. The Parish Council is asking for contributions towards the cost, so if you would like to donate (no matter how small), just send a cheque or cash to:

      Parish Clerk Mrs. C. F. Leary
      xx River View
      Sandford on Thames
     
or give it to any member of the Parish Council.
      Remember, we need money to replace what the Parish Council has spent and to improve the site. Thankyou!

A special thank you to Mr. Cooper, new owner of Oxford Park Homes (previously known as Kiln Park) for his generous donation to the above.

The next Parish Council meeting is at 7pm on 10th October 1988. Please try to attend.

CHURCH NEWS

Priest-in-charge: The Rev. Robert Morgan, xxx Iffley Road. Tel.xxxxxx

SERVICES IN OCTOBER

Sunday 2nd October Harvest Festival
8 a.m.	Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10 a.m.	Family Communion (Alternative Service Book)
6.30 p.m.	Evensong
Sunday 9th October
10 a.m.	Sung Eucharist (Rite B) and Baptisms
6.30 p.m.	Evensong (Rev. Peter Mayhew)
Sunday 16th October
10 a.m.	Sung Eucharist (Rite B)
6.30 p.m.	Evensong (last of summer)
Sunday 23rd October (clocks back)
10 a.m.	Sung Eucharist (Rite B)
Sunday 30th October
10 a.m.	Sung Eucharist (Rite B)

BAPTISMS:	11 September:	Joseph Potter
	9 October:	Michael Beaver and Jessica Sellwood

      Firstly it is a matter of THANKSGIVING. If religion starts in wonder, amazement that there is anything, and that we are here at all, it soon passes into joy and gratitude. That is formalized in public worship when "we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul" (Prayer Book Evensong).

      Religion gives us a vocabulary for being thankful, responding to the givenness of life, and teaches us to use it with reverence. Without reverence, human life is trivialized. We can feel it becoming shallow and meaningless.

      The reverse side of this worship of God is the recognition of our imperfections, and (quoting again from Evensong) "that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy".

      Such sentiments sound strange in a secular society. They express feelings and needs less obvious than the spontaneous act of giving thanks. But on reflection there is as much to be sorry about as thankful for at Harvest time, even if much of it is outside our control. The sheer waste of the fruits of the earth, while so many go hungry, is wicked. So we need a vocabulary that recognizes and regrets our involvement, and motivates and directs our generosity. It seems as though greed has become our national vice. It is even dressed up as economic virtue. A better balance in our personal and social ecology is offered by placing our lives in a religious context under the judgment and mercy of God.

All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above. Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love.

	ANNOUNCEMENTS Have you something you would like to announce? A wedding? A new baby? An anniversary? Just telephone xxxxxx with the details or drop them in at xx Henley Road. (Please include your address or tel. no. so that we can verify the announcement)

      It was generally agreed that although the recent produce show had been organised at the last minute. (due to the demise of the Community Association and their anticipated summer event) it was in fact most successful, with over £400 being banked.
      This success was greatly assisted by Hazel Hutton and Janet Shepherd with their well organized Dog Show.
      The garden seat, the main raffle prize, was won by Mary Hill of Bicester, and Bob has delivered this to her as she was not present at the show.
      We hope to continue with a similar show next year and to promote a sunflower festival with every home growing sunflowers (seeds to be provided by the Committee). For further details see next issue.
      The next event is to be a joint event With the Youth Club, a bonfire and fire- works party on November 5th.
      A final thanks to all who helped with both entries and assistance at the produce show.
      (A list of winners of the various classes is printed in this magazine.)

      Now that the Summer is fast departing and the garden gets ready to sleep for the winter much of what has given us all pleasure through the season will be sadly awaiting disposal. Traditionally that means for most of us a good old bonfire, lovely, nothing better for a cold Autumn weekend and anyway whats left is good. for the garden Im told, however take heed of this bit of information and you may well avoid burning your fingers;
      This week apparently the Environmental Departments of some local councils are sending out letters and leaflets urging gardeners to take care least they unwittingly fall foul of the law.
      Under Section 16 of the Clean Air Act 1956, it is an offence to cause smoke nuisance from a garden bonfire PLUS in addition as from July 1986 it also became an offence punishable by a fine of up to £1,000 to light a fire that allows smoke to drift across a road. The latter being bought in due to several road accidents which were caused by smoke drifting across a road from stubble burning in farm fields.
      Dont misunderstand. The law applies to ANY fire at ANY distance from a road, so before you apt for the bonfire disposal method have a little consideration for your neighbours and the smoke you will produce then all that will get burnt will be garden rubbish.

      If you have any problems which you think may concern the Police you can contact me by ringing Oxford xxxxxx. and ask for Extension xxxx where you can leave me a message. I will get back to you A.S.A.P, Thankyou.

Carl Reynolds
Community Beat Officer

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

Jesus loves the sinner. He is waiting for all who turn to him with a repentant heart and ask his forgiveness. Jesus says in St. John Chapter 6 verse 37, 'And whoever comes to me I shall not turn him away.'

Linda Parrott

SEPTEMBER'S SOLUTION CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. High buildings or jet planes? (11) 6. A cold dessert that sounds like I cry out in fear. (8) 7. Dine badly to make a girl appear. (4) 8. Army knife for the Alps? (5) 11. Goes with Chinese sweet. (4) 12. Going inside sounds as though it's dividing. (4) 14. Lazy sounding graven images. (5) 16. Every one aches strangely without a point. (4) 18. Sped nakedly (8) 19. Positive quality of someone undergoing cardiac surgery? (11) DOWN 1. Less stain in mixture of goodness. (11) 2. Bags that sound like a jazz instrument. (5) 3. Ear abscess with Middle Eastern people inside. (5) 4. Colourful curve. (7) 5. Run had ended in chaos -- how deceitful! (11) 9. Not out! (2) 10. Protrude at gunpoint? (7) 13. Reversed on negative. (2) 15. Go 50/50 in the Netherlands. (5) 16. One of the flight. (5)