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SANDFORD-ON-THAMES NEWSLETTER
Issue 15	January 1989

I have heard talk about the Willow tree which used to stand in the garden of the then number one Church Road, Sandford on Thames. Now, human emotion being what it is, more often than not the facts are somewhat lost amid the passionate feelings we are all now beginning to have as our country environment is slowly eroded by, progress?

However in this particular instance the facts must out:
The Willow tree in question was going to be felled irrespective of whether planning permission for the two new houses was consented. In October 1987 part of the tree was brought down by high winds causing damage to the then bungalow. This collapse revealed that the tree was in fact rotten inside and in a dangerous condition.

Further examination revealed that the root system had established itself to such an extent they were undermining the foundations of the bungalow and actually fouling sewer pipes. Its worth noting that it is a tendency of willows to dry out the surrounding earth due to the tree's high water requirements. This often leads to ground movement, which if close enough can affect a buildings foundations.

I hope that explanation above will satisfy but not deter the obviously strong conservationist feelings which have subsequently given rise to my letter. Concern for our environment is something we should all take seriously and now before its too late! Thankyou.
Name and address supplied

ANONYMOUS correspondence will NOT be considered.

Belinda Nicholls. Editor.

The committee consists of the following members:

Chairperson:	Gina Ashburner.
Treasurer/Advertising:	Carl Reynolds
Delivery liaison:	Anne Addyman.
Editor:	Belinda Nicholls.
Comm. Member:	Mr. Robinson (representing Parish Council).
	Robert Morgan.
	Lisa Kaige.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 17th. Please come along if you are at all interested. You will be welcomed with open arms.

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY MICHAEL! 13TH JANUARY 1989 LOVE FROM MUM

GREETINGS SQUARES £1 each (includes artwork) Contact a committee member or telephone xxxxxx or xxxxxx

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)

CHURCH NEWS

THE CHURCH AND THE COMMUNITY

    Whether we are less religious in the late twentieth century is hard to measure. We have more distractions and some are more pressured, while others have more leisure. But it has always been possible to close one's mind to the nagging questions of what it's all about, where we're going and why. The big change is in social patterns, not personal questions, and this means that many who do seek a religious base to their lives are less dependent on their parish church. That poses a question of who these costly buildings are really for. Christians would mostly be sad to lose them but have managed without in many places. Christianity is people, not plant.

    But the buildings are precious to many of us and not just those who pray there regularly. In some undefined way Sandford church belongs to the village, its past and its future, not just this year's congregation. That is why we have looked beyond the regulars for help in repairing and maintaining the building, and have found a lot of good will. The appeal fund two years ago reached £9,000, and some of the necessary work is in progress.

    Looking to the future we need a strategy for the 1990s. The congregation face big increases in their 'parish share', and also have running costs and appeals to meet. The fabric needs to be cared for on an on-going basis rather than through emergency appeals, spreading the load. An association has therefore been proposed, a 'Friends of Sandford St Andrews', which non- or seldom- attenders are invited to join in caring for the fabric and insurance of the building. If you would be interested to hear more or have suggestions about this please contact either one of the wardens (Mr Jones and Mrs Harris) or myself. Even if your time is in short supply or you are not much in the village you might like to make this a way of contributing to your local community. At present a handful of people who live or have lived in Sandford work hard to keep it in good condition. As we move into the 1990s this is something to be shared.

Robert Morgan

Are we as ready to forgive others as Jesus is in forgiving us?

Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 18: 21-22, when he asks 'Lord how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?' Jesus answered 'Not seven I tell you, but seventy-seven.'

Linda Parrott

ADVERTISEMENTS Your business or service could be advertised here for as little as £1.50 an issue! Half page ads cost £2.50 and a full page is only £5.00. 'Classifieds' are only 50 pence per item. The Link is delivered to 300 homes every month! Ring Oxford xxxxxx or xxxxxx.

The Link - spare copies Spare copies of the Link can be obtained from Anne Addyman at The Manor House, Henley Road. If you would like extra copies, for whatever reasons, they are available on a first come, first serve basis. We usually have between 10 and 20 spare copies each month.

1989 promises to been active year for the for the club. Trips to the Ice Rink, bowling alley at Brize Norton and Cinema are on the agenda, in addition plans are being made for a Summer Trip similar to last years very successful trip to Southsea and at least one trip to France.

With the arrival of goal posts on the recreation field we should be able to hold a few matches in the Summer on a Club Night, possibly challenging other local Youth Clubs if there is enough interest.

Membership of the club boomed in the last half of 1988 to such an extent that this year we will have to restrict the membership to 40, so its first come first served.

Mum's and Dad's please note: We appreciate that some children will not be seven until later in the year when we may be full. If this applies to your child speak to Carl Reynolds who can make arrangements for you.

REMEMBER: If you are renewing you membership it must be paid with your first nights subs. Total £1.70. If you want to come along and see if you would like to become a member you can do so once only for 50p. Visitors who are staying with club members can come along for 50p a session.

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday 11th January.

Carl Reynolds. Club Chairman.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous Meeting were read, approved and signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

Trenching Work

Mr. Robinson said that the action taken by the Parish Council was not within its powers and, therefore, the Parish Council should not have paid for the trenching works from PC funds.

Mr. Leary said that everyone agreed that, it was unconventional but that all members of the PC had been consulted and had agreed to the work being carried out. To date the Clerk had received £305.00 from donations specifically for the trenching works and there were more to come.

Insurance

The Chairman asked whether the Clerk had heard from the Insurance Company. The Clerk said that she had not yet received a reply to her letter.

Dogs

Mr. Norton asked about the type of dog notices required for the wharf and the recreation field.

PC Reynolds suggested that the Council check the parish bye-laws and make provision for a bye-law banning dogs from these areas. Without such a bye-law the Council would be unable to prosecute.

Notice Board

Mr. Robinson said that he had put the notice board back up but that the posts needed concreting into the ground.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Chairman read out the letter from the owner of 1a Church Road and the Clerk's reply in respect of the streetlight and other public amenities outside the property. Contents noted.

Mrs. Boyle, No. 1 Church Road, said that the lamp was a benefit, the corner was very dark and hazardous.

OALC - Membership. The Council felt it unnecessary to become a member at this stage.

ORCC - Best kept village. The Chairman read out the results of the best kept village competition. Mr. Leary said that Sandford would be in a position to enter in a year or so if the village continued to improve its appearance.

ORCC - Grant for village halls. Passed to Village Hall Committee.

SODC - Lead free petrol week. Noted. The Clerk said that the poster had been put on the notice board in the recreation field.

P.J. Lush - Tree Surgeon. Noted.

MATTERS TO REPORT

PLANNING

Blackbird Leys Farm Planning permission granted. Noted.

Cornerways Access

The Clerk confirmed that, according to the planning consent, there were two accesses to the site, the old access serving No. 1 and the new access serving No. lb Church Road.

MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION

PLANNING

Elmslea, Church Road - Planning Appeal

The Clerk reported that the Parish Council's objections would be forwarded to the Department of the Environment by SODC together with the objections/comments from other interested parties. No action, therefore, was necessary at this stage.

7a Henley Road Attached Garage

The Parish Council considered that the building of an attached garage would be detrimental to the occupants of No. 9 Henley Road, whose property would be completely hemmed in by this structure, and unneighbourly towards the occupants of Nos. 11, 13 and 15 Henley Road.

The Clerk was instructed to write to SODC stating the Council's objections.

GENERAL

Village Maintenance

Councillors had met on Sunday, 6th September, to walk round the village and to make a list of repairs, etc. required. The Clerk read out the Schedule of Works and asked for comments for the next meeting. In the meantime, the Clerk would try to establish who is responsible for certain works included in the Schedule.

Mrs. Ashburner was put forward as a candidate and the Clerk was asked to inform the Education Authority accordingly. Proposed Mr. Robinson Seconded Mr. Leary 5 votes in favour.

Tree Planting

Two sites were chosen for the tree planting scheme, the wharf and the area of land on the A423 recently trenched. The Clerk was asked to apply to the Council for a grant.

Gypsies - Letter from SODC

The Chairman read out a letter from SODC in respect of the trenching works and it was agreed that the Council should accept their offer of £75.00 towards the cost of the works.

Minutes in Link

Mr. Leary reported that he had spoken to Carl Reynolds about this matter and that it would cost £15.00 per month for the Minutes to be printed in the Link.

Mr. Reynolds explained that the cost of printing the Link was £26.00 for eight pages. The Church paid £5.00, the Village Hall Committee £5.00 and the Youth Club paid £16.00. If the Parish Council wished to have five pages this would cost an additional £15.00.

It was proposed by Mr. Leary, seconded by Mrs. Ashburner, that the Parish Council pay £15.00 per month for the Minutes of the Parish Council meetings to be printed in the Link each month.

6 votes in favour.

Mr. Reynolds asked that the Council pay £15.00 for the December issue and then quarterly or half yearly in advance as from January, 1989.

Mr. Robinson said that the name of the publisher should be printed on the back page of the Link.

Mr. Reynolds said that this was a legal requirement and would be done in future.

APPROVAL OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

Income	£	Expenditure	£
VAT refund	82.57	British Telecom	24.92
Donations	55.00	Clerk's salary	175.00
for trenching		Travelling Exp.	8.12
		Petrol for mower	8.56

Proposed Mrs. Ashburner Seconded Mrs. Hutton

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Community Policeman's Report

It had been reported that damage had been caused to the Church wall by footballs the swings had been used as goal posts. PC Reynolds asked for permission to erect goal posts on the recreation field.
Proposed Mr. Leary Seconded Mrs. Hutton 6 votes in favour.

Abandoned Car outside No. 7A Henley Road

PC Reynolds said that there had been a misunderstanding and that the vehicle did not belong to anyone in Sandford, it belonged to someone in Headington. The vehicle was now registered as dangerous and SODC had been asked to tow it away.

Mrs. Hutton asked about the three vehicles abandoned in the field by the old tip. PC Reynolds said he would ask SODC to remove them.

Annual Bonfire

PC Reynolds reported that the annual bonfire had been a great success and that co-operation between the various village organisation involved was marvellous. Professor Hall from Littlemore had supplied the "fireworks", the cost of which was £500.00. £150.00 was made on the sale of food, etc. on the night.

Wharf Use by Thames Water

Mr. Leary said that Thames Water had churned up the grass on the wharf and asked why the Parish Council had agreed to allow them access to the river. He would be interested to know why it was necessary to track across the whole area.

The Chairman explained that there was a long standing agreement and that they were obliged to allow them access. Mr. Leary asked that a copy of the agreement be made available for examination by the present Council.

The Clerk said that Thames Water had agreed to put right any damage caused, but that she would write to Mrs. Agulnik, who had negotiated the agreement, informing her of the damage and asking her to contact Thames Water.

Basimer Cottage - Complaint by Neighbour

The owner of the bungalow next door to Basimer Cottage asked the Parish Council what action could be taken to get the owner of Basimer Cottage to tidy up his property. The neighbours were extremely concerned about the safety aspect.

Mr. Leary explained that there was nothing that the Parish Council could do. The Council had, over the years, complained to SODC Planning Authority and Dr. Airs about this but had been told that they were keeping an eye on the situation but that there was nothing they could do.

SOUND

Mrs. Ashburner and Mr. Norton reported on the recent meeting of

Bingo

Mrs. Hutton reported that the Bingo had raised £1500 this year for the Village Hall Fund.

Precept

Mr. Robinson asked when the Council would be discussing the precept for 1989/90. The Clerk said that she had not yet received notification of the penny rate but would let Councillors know as soon as it was received.

Date of Next Meeting - Confirmed for Monday, 12th December, 1988 at 7pm in the Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 9.10 pm.

Signed J Rolston.

12th December, 1988.

Six Councillors approved the Minutes, one against (Mr. Robinson).

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday, 9th January, 1989 at 7 pm in the village hall.

PARISH SKIP

Village Hall on Wednesday, 25th January.

PLEASE NOTE that the skip will be collected on Friday, 27th January.

CABINET MAKER Household furniture designed and made in wood. Other commissions considered. ROBERT YATES TEL: xxxxxx

Sandford House was for many generations home of the Martin family, who were mainly merchants and cornfactors. However, it appears that in years when trade was bad, the family let their house in Sandford to live in Wantage. On November 28th 1767, this interesting notice appeared in the Oxford newspaper:

'Mr. Sutton begs leave to inform the public that he has taken Sandford House, ready furnished situate three miles from Oxford on the Henley Road, which is opened for the receptions of patients, where such persons as choose to be inoculated, are requested to apply.'

The inoculations referred to in the advertisement were of course against smallpox which was virtually endemic in the eighteenth century, accounting for over 10% of all deaths. Mr. Sutton appears to have been the major operator of a form of inoculations introduced into England from Turkey by Lady Mary Wortley Montague in 1721, but this method was rather dangerous in itself, as the serum contained the smallpox virus, but it was either this or risk death or disfigurement.

Sutton claimed a death rate of no more than one in five thousand, but rumour was rife that Sutton had lost many patients. To combat these reports he offered one hundred guineas 'to any person who could prove he had ever lost a single patient by inoculation' but rumour was continued along another line by his detractors and again Sutton replied in the newspaper 'Mr. Sutton denies rumours that patients at Sandford House are infected with the itch'. For two years Sutton continued with his inoculations in the village and in 1769 he advertised that he would 'stop inoculating at Sandford at the end of May', and finally on June 21st 1769, the last episode in the annals of Sandford House appeared:

'Sale by Wyatt of furniture at Mr. Suttons mansion bed guaranteed free from smallpox'.

A final footnote must be made. The Parish Register records no deaths from smallpox over this period, so maybe Sutton, the pioneer, was correct in his claim that he had not lost a single patient by inoculation.

KINGCUP

[Kingcup - more info]

This article originally appeared in the June 1984 edition of The Link, which was then edited by Mr. Lawrence Boyd. It is reproduced here by kind permission of the author.