Winter 2011             Issue 124

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 18th 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: 10.0 a.m.   Parish Communion 6.30 p.m.   Evening prayer

Children's Sunday Options
Football, swimming, away with family, shopping, education, Tai Kwondo and a lot of other possibilities. For families wanting to find space for church there needs to be a choice of slots, and something available every week.
So the new Sandford children's programme invites parents and grandparents to consider whether any of these fit busy schedules: the old pattern stays more or less in place on special occasions - children's services in church at 11.15 on Mothering Sunday, 10.0 Good Friday play, and 4.0 crib service on Christmas Eve - and children are always welcome at adult services (8, 10, 6.30 - though 8 and 6.30 have no music).
On the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month in the Parish Room by the church tower, see below. On 2nd and last Sundays of the month we can join with Littlemore children's church at 4 p.m. in the Village Hall (Railway Lane, Littlemore) - more information on that on www.funchurch.co.uk.

Toddlers Play, Children's Church and Parents' Meeting Point 10.15 on the First and Third Sundays of the month. Those who wish to attend church at 10 can leave during the second hymn and/or come back into church at 10.50 to come to the altar for a blessing and join in the last two hymns. This meets in Parish Room by church tower, which is open from 9.55 a.m. Play area for toddlers, activities for children (singing, drawing, acting, story = 30 mins) and social for adults on drop-in basis - some cannot get to toddlers group on Mondays so this is a further meeting point for young families or grandparents. Volunteers to make tea and coffee, cold drinks, or read a story - please contact vicar, who will co-ordinate a rota.

Welcome  to  Fiona to Fox Furlong  to  Catriona to Church Road  to  Mat and Isobel to Church Road  to  Tom Belshaw and Kate Clarkson, Harry, Joe and Erin, to Church Road  to  Thomas, Becky and Elijah to Pheasant Walk  to  Lucy and John, Kaya and Elsie to Pheasant Walk  to  Chris and Leslie Corfield, and Charlotte, Katherine and Stephanie, to Janaway  to  Andrea and William Cobern to Pheasant Walk  to  Dr Ian Jenkins to Keene Close  to  John Pringle and Naomi Davies to Pheasant Walk  to  Everitt Sanders to Fox Furlong  to  Julie to Church Road  to  Nathan and Charlotte Adams to Church Road  to  Paul Marvin and Simon Cheng to Church Road  to  Chris and Sarah to Church Road (a bit late)  to  Steve and Stuart to Henley Road  to  Alister and Owain to Henley Road  to  Natalie Howard and Stuart Cattell to Pheasant Walk  to  Naomi Hill to Pheasant Walk  to  Walter and Tavita Galtarossa to Janaway  to  Neil to Main Avenue  to  Adrian and Clare Palmer, and Ellie, Molly, Fay to Henley Road  to  Russell Spencer to Main Avenue

Welcome to the world:  to  Riley James Ashburner, born 23rd November, a third for Michael and Louise and a brother for Sean and Finley  to  Bronwyn Sylvia Thompson, born 23rd June, a first for Sarah and Neil and a grandchild to Janet Parchment of the Crescent  to  Evan Benjamin Ward, born on 25th August, a first to Helen and Ru of Church Road  to  Cody James, born on 21st November, a first to James Fenn of Henley Road and Zoe Callaghan, and another grandchild for Sharon and Brian.  to  Logan, born on 7th October, a fifth grandchild for Steph, Kiln Close.

Local Produce and Café

Every Saturday Morning

Winter Opening Hours - 9am to midday

Newspapers & Loads of great local produce

What about local food for Christmas presents -
* Home-made pickles - beetroot, eggs, onions, shallots £2.95
* Sandford Pickled Walnuts
* Home-made Mince pies 6 for £2.95
* Award-winning lemon curd (£2.85), delicious jams (£2.75)
* Honey from bees in Bagley Wood (£4 / £4.25)
* Christmas Cheeses
* Come and meet Compass Brewery on 10th December -
taste their new Christmas Ales

Don't Forget
We're open on Christmas Eve
Order Christmas Food by 17th December
Shop, collect orders &
join us for a Special Talking Shop Breakfast on the 24th

www.talkingshopsandford.wordpress.com

Littlemore Christmas Bazaar to raise funds for the children's centre - Thursday 15th December 9.0 to 12 noon. Littlemore Community Centre, Giles Road Christmas bargains, raffle, tea, coffee, cake. see Father Christmas for 50p. To have a stall and for more info please contact Charlotte Parsons on 01865 716739, charlotte.o'neil @ oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Vale House, Sandford-on-Thames are recruiting now for experienced Care Assistants (day and night shifts available, full and part-time), and also for Domestic staff (full and part time shifts available). Please phone Tricia or Jane on 01865 ******.

Christmas at St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Littlemore Carol Singing Saturday 17th at 2.0 p.m. in Templars Square Shopping Centre. Community Carol Service Monday 19th December at 7.0 p.m. in Littlemore church. Christmas Day Lunch open to all - at Primary School, Grange Road. to book call 01235 200011 or 01865 748003 For more information contact Rev Margreet Armitstead

Dates for Your Diary:
12th December - Public Meeting, Village Hall, 7.30pm - 8.30pm.
17th December - last date for Christmas food orders.
(tel Abi 774661/ orders.talkingshop @ gmail.com)
24th December - Christmas Eve Market & Café open 9-midday.
31st December - CLOSED.
7th January - Back to normal - every Saturday 9am-midday.


Public Meeting
At the last public meeting there was great support expressed for the market & café. Lots of people are enjoying the social opportunity it presents as well as the produce. Volunteers love being involved. Concerns were raised about some prices. All of our produce is local and we sell at the retailers' prices but as we all agreed at the meeting, a central aim of the project is to offer good value for money.
Since the meeting we've been working hard on this - we have started to learn about and stock cheaper cuts of meat, we've changed our jam supplier, we've added to our cheese range, we do a small bacon sandwich (£1.60) as well as the large (£2.90) and we are continually on the look out for good local deals. We also do Talking Shop deals on produce every week. We are learning as we go, we want to get it right for people and we hope you will continue to feedback to us.

Successes
This autumn we won a place on the Lottery Funded 'Look for Local Scheme, giving us the support of a local food adviser and £100 towards raising awareness of local food. We've also just won 4 days business support from the Co-op's Enterprise Hub scheme. We hope that they will help us to plan a sustainable shape for the project's future.

We need your Help
The more successful the market the more work involved! We urgently need able hands and minds to help with the administration of the market in the week so that we can get to work on the project's future. We order and collect produce, count and bank the takings, research and publicise recipes for seasonal produce, find and coordinate guest stall-holders, organise volunteer rotas, update the blog... and lots more.

Just an hour or so in the week from 5 people would make all the difference.

Contact Abi - ****** / contacts.talkingshop @ gmail.com
www.talkingshopsandford.wordpress.com

QUIZ NIGHT 18th February Gather at 7.30 for 8.0 Table parties as usual Tickets from vicar

Christmas Tree Recycling Our nearest places to take Christmas trees for recycling are Redbridge and Notcutts (the latter up to January 14th).

Sporting Sandford: in the next issue we will have reports of Louise Quested's cycle-ride through Vietnam for charity and of Sam from Church Road, currently sailing round the world and writing a blog on www.seamansam.wordpress.com.


Not farewell!
Michelle and Paul and Toby and Jacob of Janaway are only moving across the water so we hope still to see plenty of them, but their relocation cannot pass without remembering Michelle's massive contribution to the village over many years, splendidly supported by Paul - running the Youth Club, the Toddler's group, member of Parish Council, Village Hall, Children's Church, football and much more. Huge thanks, Michelle and Paul - communities need people like you!


My 400k Cycle Through India Challenge
Sally Reynolds of 31 Henley Road writes:
I have set myself one massive challenge for next year to raise money for three fantastic charities: Breast Cancer Care - Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust - Ovarian Cancer Action. In October 2012 I will be joining a group of women on a 400k cycle ride over five days through Rajasthan in India. It will be hot and very humid, we will be cycling through rivers, the roads will mainly be secondary, full of pot holes, hilly, dusty and very dry. Having not been on a bike for 20 years and can only just about run up the stairs, it's going to be quite a challenge.
If you would like to support the charities by sponsoring me, you can do it by text: text SALL47 followed by amount (£1, £2, £3, £4,£5,£10) to 70070 or through JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/Sally-Reynolds1.
Thanks for any help you can give - I'll let you know how I get on!

Chelsea Lakeman Cup

Saturday 27th August brought the annual Chelsea Lakeman Charity Darts Match to the village. The darts match, which kicked off at 8pm at the Catherine Wheel Public House, saw 32 players competing. Each round of the competition comprised of 3 games against a single opponent with the 'best of three' winner progressing to the next round. The event is organised on a yearly basis to raise money for (1) Helen and Douglas House, and 2 (Rosy).

With the darts match in full swing; Laura Earp was busy selling raffle tickets - lots of fantastic prizes were up for grabs thanks to some generous donations, Susan King was on duty selling tickets for the 'MOT' raffle, whilst Rose Lakeman was organizing the 'Guess the Name' of the teddy game. This year Emily King also offered the delights of her homemade jewellery stall.

The final match was a very exciting and tense moment, with last year's runner-up John Loveridge taking the title, and Duncan Howell taking second place. Rose Lakeman presented John with the Chelsea Lakeman Cup trophy.

Barry King was the lucky winner of the free MOT for the second year in a row, and Kerry Earp is now the proud owner of 'Raffa' the teddy bear after winning the 'Guess the name' competition.

Monies raised are as follows:
Entrants to Darts Match and Donations £250
Raffle £157
MOT Raffle £41
Guess the name £58
Emily King's Jewellery £76
Catherine Wheel's Lottery Bonus Ball Donation £100.00
Laura Earp's final whip round at the end of the night £82.00
£764 was raised in total and will be split between the two charities.

The family would like to thank everyone for their continued support each year to raise money for the charities that look after poorly children like Chelsea.

www.helenanddouglas.org.uk
www.rosy.org.uk

Written By Laura Earp

Village Hall news

Link aficionados will recall that this year's autumn edition marked the newsletter's 30th anniversary. The village hall goes one better and celebrated its 31st anniversary in 2011. According to the conveyance document the hall was built to "use for meetings, lectures and classes, and for other forms of recreation and leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants"

. The hall is now busier than ever with activities every day of the week. These range from Thursday night Bingo which has been run by Janet for more years than she cares to remember but still attracts upwards of 50 attendees; to the Saturday market which frequently counts over 100 visitors. Other activities are advertised in the Link and the hall is available to hire for private parties; call Kevin on 07759 890696.

Earlier this year, Steve Daniels (chair) and Eugenie Skelly (treasurer) retired after many successful years running the management committee. Their efforts have ensured that the hall remains fresh and its bank account is in the black. Both Steve and Eugenie are due a huge vote of thanks from everyone who has used the hall the hall during the last six years.

A new management committee has now been formed. We want to make sure that the hall continues to do the things that it is good at but we are aware that 31 years of wear and tear are starting to take its toll. The village has grown since 1980 and our expectations have changed.
The kitchen is dated; the interior is sparse; there is much talk of extensions and the desire to create a "community space". There are many things that could be done to enhance the existing facilities. All of them will cost money but

Drop me an e-mail on tom_g_fox @ yahoo.co.uk or speak to any of the following people: Mick Hills, Vincent Boyle, Catherine Osadizuk, Gareth Burke, Abi Johnson, Charlie Wilson, Bob Morgan, Hamish Aird.
      Tom Fox (Chair, Village Hall Management Committee)

Communities working together for a low carbon future

www.lowcarbonhub.org

Liz Shatford writes:
Please do look up this website when you have a moment. It is not another 'doom and gloom' diatribe but something altogether positive.
It is the web address for 'low carbon hub' which has just launched . Low carbon hub is a new organisation set up to help communities across Oxfordshire who would like to take action on sustainable energy and carbon reduction. The hub has grown from small beginnings as an idea to link the many small groups already working in the county and to provide resources so that wheels don't have to be re-invented too often.. There are groups working on conservation, energy, food, fuel poverty, sustainability, transport, waste and re-cycling.

I went to the launch of the website in the Oxford Town Hall on Thursday November 30 and was impressed by how much is going on in towns and villages in the county; and by the friendly enthusiasm, sheer knowledge and desire to share shown by everyone I met.

AJP Tiling Andrew J Paine: a friendly, local, certified floor and wall tiler Kitchens, Bathrooms, Showers, Conservatories Ceramic & Porcelain, Natural Stone, Terracotta, Tumbled Marble, Underfloor Heating, Waterproofing, Bathroom Re-fits Free Quotation     Competitive Pricing Tel: 07765404741 or 01865-711742 enquiries @ ajptiling.co.uk www.ajptiling.co.uk

Farewell to Emma and Jon and family of Henley Road who have moved to Taunton on Emma becoming a hospital consultant. At least it is nearer Wales - but it does leave the SWSC (Sandford Welsh Supporters Club) short of a prop. Still, having come within a kick of the world cup final with only 14 men and no Priestland Jon surely faces February with quiet confidence... despite a blip on December 3rd.

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	Police phone number A new non-emergency telephone number has been introduced for Thames Valley Police. This new number is 101 and replaces the previous 08458 505 505 - however the old number will be valid for a few months.
	Mobile Library every two weeks on THURSDAYS 2.20 until 2:40 at Oxford Park Homes. Next date December 15th. [more info]
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]
	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! Cath ******

Bingo at Sandford

When the Village Hall opened in 1981 the Thursday weekly Bingo began and became the main source of income. It was run by Mary and alan Butler until 1984/5 when Janet Shepherd (former Chair of the Parish Council) took over and Janet has run it successfully ever since. We missed her silver jubilee but offer belated thanks and congratulations. Between 1998 and 2010 an astonishing £35,200 was raised for the Hall, and this year alone it will be over £4,000.

The average attendance at present is 40+, some from outside the village, and this makes it one of the main social meeting-points in Sandford every Thursday except Christmas (15th December last of this year, restart 5th January), and right through summer. The first call is at 8 p.m., but people gather and chat from 7 onwards, and refreshments are enjoyed. Many buy six books and six tombola tickets = £4 and £1 draw, but one can take fewer, making it an inexpensive way of meeting neighbours and having an evening out.

As more people in Sandford know their neighbours through the Café and Market on Saturdays, more of us might enjoy an occasional visit - and risk becoming addicts since we are all gamblers at heart. But meanwhile thanks again, Janet, on behalf of the whole village and the Village Hall management - and please pass that on to your helpers, including the recently retired helper and community organizer, Hazel Hutton.



Congratulations
to (Auntie to some) Lil Middleton, formerly of Henley Road, on her 90th birthday on 5th December.


Sandford Weir
Our project to build a micro hydropower installation at the 'Lasher' site has been dormant for some time due to land ownership issues. but meanwhile some work has been going on in the background and it now looks as though there are stirrings.
Sandford Hydro C.I.C. has been registered at Companies House and HM Revenue and Customs have instantly spotted it and sent a Corporation Tax form to be filled in. This could be scary but thank goodness for the community hub - some of the members, especially West Oxford Community Renewables, are already well down the path and eager to share knowledge.
Sandford Hydro has joined the hub and looks forward to playing its part in 'Sustainable Sandford' however that may develop.      Liz Shatford

Boundary changes could affect Sandford

At the Council meeting at SODC in November a motion was passed to put forward a proposal to the Boundary Commission to re-name our 'Henley' constituency as the 'South East Oxfordshire' constituency, to reflect more accurately the reality of our rural constituency.
A proposal has also been put to the Boundary Commission which would move Sandford electoral ward (and those of Garsington, the Baldons, Berinsfield and Chalgrove) away from the Henley constituency, where we naturally belong with our neighbouring Green Belt villages, into the 'Oxford East' constituency, sharing the same MP as East Oxford.
There are concerns that at a later date this could lead to a further request, which might not then seem so unreasonable to alter the Local Government boundaries as well, which would bring these villages into the city, and further undermine the Green Belt.
More information from the Boundary Commission consultation website.

ARCH Even in a prosperous area like Oxfordshire there are many children who have trouble reading. ARCh helps hundreds such children each year by finding volunteers to work with them. Volunteering requires a commitment of one and a half hours, twice a week, during school term. You can find out more from www.archoxfordshire.org.uk or talk to a local volunteer, Pam, on 01865 ******, who would be happy to tell you more about what is involved.

The Welsh Male Voice Choir Sandford has had many links with the Welsh Male Voice Choir in the past, and currently one of the accompanists, Geoff Cowan, is St Andrew's church organist, we have supplied them with a long-serving tenor, Phil Bunce, and a former organist, Philip Palmer, is their musical director. They will celebrate St David's Day next year by joining with the Chepstow and Maesteg Male Choirs at the Wesley Memorial Church on Saturday 25th February from 6.30 p.m. They invite us to join them to hear some wonderful singing, and for traditional Welsh refreshments. Tickets £10 from Philip Bunce (01865-775246) or at the door.

Free parking days before Christmas
The times when you do not have to display a parking ticket are:
Wallingford - all day Thursdays 1, 8, 15 and 22 December
Didcot - all day on Tuesdays 6, 13 and 20 December
Goring - from midday onwards on Saturdays 3, 10, 17 and 24 December
Henley - from midday onwards on Saturdays 3, 10, 17 and 24 December
Thame - from midday onwards on Saturdays 3, 10, 17 and 24 December



Zumba at the Dominic Barbari Hall, Littlemore
Mondays 6.30- 7.15 (Zumba and Toning); Mondays 7.30 - 8.30 (Pure Zumba);
Tuesdays 6.30 - 7.30 (Pure Zumba). Tamara Selaman (07725) 403199
info @ truebalance.biz or www.truebalance.biz

PILATES: PERSONAL TRAINING For further details, please contact Alex Horgan 07958 474230 01865 748956 alexhorgan @ tiscali.co.uk

W.Cooper Affordable Landscapes and Tree Care Trees and Hedges , Landscapes, Fencing, Turfing, Slab Work, Gravel, Wood Bark All Green & Garden & Waste Removed, Free Estimates & Advice Given Tel: 01865 747194 or 07748 867025 Satisfaction Guaranteed

John Howell MP writes...

In my regular newsletter I try to give a factual report of the key things going through parliament and summarise the aim of particular pieces of legislation. These are not party political reflections - simply the stated aim of the Bill. I welcome letters and emails from constituents. There is more information on www.johnhowellmp.com

Bills and Debates in Parliament
The Pensions Bill received Royal Assent in November, becoming the Pensions Act 2011. The Act equalises men and women's state pension ages to 65 by 2018 and accelerates the increase in state pension age to age 66 for both men and women by 2020. The Energy bill also received Royal Assent, including key provisions on The Green Deal. The Armed Forces Bill, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill and the Sovereign Grants Bill also reached Royal Assent.

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill finished it first stages in the House of Commons and passed to the Lords. The Bill seeks to redefine the scope of civil legal aid so that it is more focused, effective and sustainable; implement proposals to restore proportion to "no win, no fee" Conditional Fee Arrangements; and reform of sentencing legislation to ensure that offenders are properly punished and rehabilitated.

There were also some key debates including a moving debate relating to the disclosure and publication of the documents relating to the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster. One of the key debates was on the National Planning Policy Framework. Given the media attention on this it was good to have the chance for a debate. The Localism Bill completed all its Parliamentary stages and has now passed to Royal Assent to become an Act. The Bill introduces neighbourhood planning, abolishes Regional Spatial Strategies such as the South East Plan and provides a number of new rights for communities and their councils.

September Recess Village Tour
Whist the House was in recess I took the opportunity to undertake a 'Village Tour', visiting 80 of the smaller villages and hamlets in the constituency - I was amazed at the range of issues on people's minds which showed the many different subjects of concern to constituents and indeed the many different views on some subjects. Some of the recurring topics were on planning, immigration and broadband.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all constituents a Happy Christmas and my good wishes for the New Year.

Rest in peace

Jim Smith   born 22 January 1927, died 10 September 2011, aged 84
Jim was born near Reading, into a large family of 8 boys and 8 girls and had a hard up-bringing. He married Amelia and came to 10 Acre Park, Sandford, 36 years ago. His business was market gardening, but he also did farm work and scrap metal and made pegs. Locally we appreciated his Christmas wreaths.
Amelia died some years ago and was buried in St Andrew's. The last four years were very sad for Jim and his family as he buried two of his sons, the eldest Jimmer and the youngest Maurice. But he was well cared for by his daughters Lil, Ivy and Molly, his surviving son George, and loved his 17 grandchildren and 20- odd great-grandchildren. The whole family was devoted to him. As was said at his funeral on 20th September, he was 'the main man'. He enjoyed a drink at the Catherine Wheel and was always warmly welcoming.
We offer our sympathies to all the family and will keep good memories of Jim as he rests in peace.



Bob Barlow   born 3 September 1922, died 29th September 2011, aged 89
Bob was born in Littlemore but lived most of his life in Cowley where he worshipped at St James. He married Joan, a Roman Catholic, and they had one daughter, Christine, whose tragically early death in 2003.was hard for them to bear.
After war service in the Royal Navy Bob spent most of his working life at the Cowley Works. In retirement he and Joan moved to Kiln Close in 2002 where Joan died in 2009. Recently he moved first to a home in Banbury and then to Fewcott House, Bicester, where he was well cared for. He was a passionate dancer, a keen member of the British Legion, and well-liked by his neighbours and carers, who appreciated his wicked sense of humour. His ashes are due to be placed with those of Joan in the Garden of Remembrance at Sandford.
At his funeral we sang the sailor's hymn, 'Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm hath bound the restless wave', with its concluding prayer:
'O Trinity of love and power
Our brethren shield in danger's hour
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land to sea.We offer sympathies to his three grandchildren, Helen, Paul and David, and six great grandchildren.

Michael Naish   born 3 July 1932, died 22 October 2011, aged 79
Gerald and Michael were only sons of Kit and Tom Naish - one of the large family of Naishes in the Mill Cottages. They lived nearly all their lives at 71 Henley Road. Michael won a scholarship from the village school and went on to work in the car factory and also as a barman at the Randolph and elsewhere. He lived a private life but got on well with his neighbours and enjoyed visiting the third and fourth generations of his cousins at 3 Henley Road.
When Gerald died in January '04 Michael got out a bit more and was a familiar figure in his spectacles and raincoat, a bit like the former Labour leader. A large slice of the old village, including family from as far afield as Suffolk, was at the funeral and sang Abide with me with gusto.
Our condolences go to the spread out family, especially cousins Jenny Tinson, Alan Beecham, Eileen Naish and Sharon Fenn among the current St Andrew's congregation, and Chad and Margaret Pitson who grew up next door but one to their cousin, and all the others, including the departed who many of us remember and some have revisited in the family Bible. We'll miss Michael too.



Keith Naish   born 22 October 1932, died 15 November 2011, age 79
Keith lived practically his whole life in Henley Road, first with his parents whom he helped look after to the end and latterly with his brother Owen, and Rene. He went to school in Sandford, and on to Littlemore ('Cardboard College', now the Academy) and worked for Beecham's coal firm, and in the office as the sewage plant was rebuilt, and at Grove Crane's till he was made redundant and took early retirement. He was a stalwart of the lunchtime congregation at the Fox and carried on playing darts after his outstanding cricket career for Sandford was over (he kept wicket like Godfrey Evans).
A solid part of the old village, he will be missed and we offer condolences to his family, especially Owen and Rene and their children Martin, Joe and Anna - Marie and their children. After the service in St Andrew's he was buried there - a stone's throw away from where he spent his life.

Littlemore Mental Health Shop is open Monday-Friday 8.0 - 3.0

www.sandfordonthames.co.uk www.sandfordchurch.org.uk will both be relaunched in the spring...

SANDFORD ON THAMES PARISH COUNCIL

Extracts from meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday October 3rd

Grass cutting/maintenance schedule: This had been amended in the light of improvements suggested and sent to contractors for pricing.
Some tidying up at Henley Rd/A4074 junction was needed.

Church Road recreation ground: Clerk had been approached by some ex members of the youth club with a list of maintenance items noted and a request for a new piece of equipment, preferably of the 'roundabout' variety.
Geoff Surman had agreed to carry out the small items of maintenance work and clerk would investigate equipment. If litter bins were provided inside the ground then they would have to be put out on to adjacent highway weekly. Clerk to get costs for buying and installing bins and an arrangement for emptying them would have to be made - possibly through VHMC.

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.

The annual playground inspection report had just been received and clerk would study it and report to next meeting for budgeting for any necessary work.

Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge: This item had been returned from last month's meeting due to poor attendance at that meeting. Savills (on behalf of Magdalen College) had not yet replied to offer sent in July on behalf of the parish council to purchase the Church Road recreation ground. The sum agreed with a council valuer in SODC and likely to be accepted by the District Valuer had been reported in the appendix to July's meeting minute.
Notwithstanding the delay from the landowner it had been resolved at the August meeting to make an application for loan approval from the PWLB. Approval would be sought for a larger loan than the valuation price because it was not possible to go back and ask for a greater sum but the whole agreed amount did not have to be taken up. There would also be legal costs to be borne. In order for the loan sanction form to be filled in correctly (through OALC) it was necessary for the parish council to make a resolution in the following words:-
The Parish Council authorises its sub group to continue negotiations with Savills and to conclude the purchase of the site (subject to satisfactory terms being agreed); and
b. Resolves that an application be made for borrowing approval in relation to the site over 25 years via the Public Works Loan Board, to the DCLG through the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils and
c. Resolves to make its own funds available from the cash reserves, for the balance of any purchase to a maximum of £5,000 This resolution was agreed on the understanding that the figures set were for preliminary loan sanction purposes only and would be subject to revision if a satisfactory agreement with Magdalen College was reached and it was decided to proceed with a purchase.
If the parish council wished to apply for a grant for improvement work to the recreation ground (for sums up to about £25,000) from the QEll Fields Trust then it was necessary to own the land in the absence of a long lease on it.

Village hall: Parish Councillors had been notified that S Paine had received an email from the village hall committee chairman notifying him that the committee had resigned. Therefore management of the hall had devolved back to the Parish Council as Custodian Trustee. It was resolved

to form a subcommittee which would manage the election of new Charity Trustees to form a Village Hall Management Committee. A public meeting would be advertised and held as soon as practicable so that an election could be held and new members appointed at the meeting. Meanwhile, day to day running of the hall would be managed by the subcommittee who would meet at 7.00pm on Monday October 10th in the Welch Room.

Village Plan update: S Paine said he had been investigating 'Leader' funding which would be available again next year for community initiatives which may be applicable to issues identified by the Village Plan team. The team's next meeting was due on October 19th



Extracts from meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday November 7th

District Councillor's report J Cotton asked whether councillors had any comments to make about the draft SODC Corporate Plan and he recommended that comments be made soon if there were any. He spoke about grant moneys which would be forthcoming for next financial year and said that bids should be in early in the new year. There was an ongoing debate as to whether it was better to give fewer large grants or more smaller ones throughout the district. Grants generally were on a 50 or 60% basis.
He mentioned the NPPF which would be ratified in about 6mths and said it should give more 'say' to parishes if they had a neighbourhood plan. It was unclear whether a Parish Plan would suffice or whether there would need to be a specified form for it to qualify. He recommended that councillors attend the SODC Parish Forum (22Nov)

Additional litter bins and emptying arrangements. There were problems in providing additional litter bins in the recreation grounds because contents would have to be put out where the bin men would collect them. Not everyone would use a bin and in the past there had been a problem with bins being set alight and it was thought that extra costs would outweigh the convenience.
Clerk to investigate getting another dog waste bin to be installed at the top end of the footpath through Four Pillars grounds.

Grass cutting/maintenance schedule 2012: report on tenders received. The lowest tender was from BCB our regular contractor, their price reflecting the small amendments made to the old contract. They had offered to meet councillors at any time to discuss requirements. Next Spring was suggested.

Village sign: Clerk would investigate getting this re painted.

Preliminary budget 2012/2013: A discussion was held and it was decided that councillors would consider prospective spending next year based on essential costs plus setting reserved funds for future spending such as the village hall and village plan.
It was resolved to get two new items of play equipment for Church Road recreation ground this year and then all playgrounds should be adequate for some time. Money should be set aside for maintenance and possible renewal of safety matting.

SODC corporate plan: as circulated: This had been discussed under District Councillor's report.

Village hall:A successful meeting had been held on the previous Tuesday and there were now 10 new trustee members of the village hall committee.
The parish council wished to express its gratitude to the retiring committee and thanked Steve Daniels and Eugenia Skelly (ex Chair and Treasurer) for all the good and hard work they had put into running the hall, keeping it in such good condition and building it up to a sound financial position .It was hoped that the hall would go from strength to strength.

Village Plan update: S Paine reported on the most recent meeting of the Plan committee which was well attended by about 10 interested parishioners and Anton Nath from ORCC. Another meeting was to be held on 9th November and plans for wider publicity and consultation were being made. Owain Hegarty who works for BBOWT had volunteered to lead a 'get to know your village' walk if anyone was interested.

Emergency planning: flooding was the risk most likely in some areas of the village and there was little that the parish council could do in advance of that. The church knew where elderly and disable people lived who might need help if deep snow came again

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

Matters arising: Geoff Surman had not been able to dismantle the sleeper planter bin at the south end of Henley Rd. Ground maintenance contractors to dismantle and possibly re-install at the entrance to Church Rd. A new dog waste bin will be installed at the Church Rd at the end of the footpath down to the Henley Rd.

Matters for consideration:
Budget 2012/2013 The Budget for next year was agreed and it was resolved to Precept £25,000.00 as last year.

Jubilee/Village sign: The village sign (commissioned for the millennium celebrations) is in a poor state of repair. It was decided to hold a competition next year for a design for a new sign.

Village hall: the new chair of the VHMC had sent a summary of the meeting held on Nov 30 which S Paine read out. The hand over to the new committee had gone smoothly and two steering groups would be formed, one for day to day maintenance including the replacement of the entrance gate, storage and floor cleaning; the other for hall development.
S Paine congratulated the new committee on their good start and offered the cooperation of the Parish Council when needed. It was reported that having a larger committee with members eager to help was beneficial and it was hoped to keep an open, informal and transparent dialogue between all village community groups.

Village Plan update: Steve Paine reported on the last meeting held which had planned the successful 'stall' at a recent Saturday Market. The aim of that was to increase interest in the village and to widen the base of those who had replied already to questionnaires. The final report is provisionally aimed to be out in draft by next March for comment and reaction.

Matters raised: Steve Paine was having an informal meeting with Jonathan Oldroyd, new manager of Four Pillars.
A Hackett commented on the huge number of builders vehicles along the road and involved with Vale House. The contract is nearing an end now so there will be many trades involved. Opening should be in January and local recruiting is starting. The Clerk has a notice about this for parish boards.
E Burrell asked about salt provision. The Clerk had tried without success to find out when the grit delivery for the village hall car park would come and would try again.

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