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March 1996             Issue 61

Holy Week and Easter
Mothering Sunday March 17th 11.30 a.m. Special Service for Children			Palm Sunday March 31st 6.30 p.m. A service of Passiontide readings and anthems

CHURCH NEWS

Religion in Middle Age

To many of us (for obvious reasons) the interesting transition is from stage 2 to stage 3, when most of our kids leave home, and (if we are still in work) retirement is in sight, and the Sandford River Run becomes a bit of an effort. It is at this point that many reach what Jung calls individuation - discovering who we are, having time to take stock of our life etc., and it is at this point that some discover the importance of spiritual values and practices, and undertake a journey inwards, learning to pray and meditate, joining a group who do this regularly, and making new

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Rest in peace

The Wall of Remembrance

Thanks to those who have contributed through the Quiz Night. Help in preparing this site will also be welcome, along with help in building the adjacent parish room, as already reported. We hope all will ready for the Bishop of Oxford to consecrate at 11.15 a.m. on Sunday 12th May, after the Parish Communion, confirmation, and other festivities.

Burglaries

New arrivals

New House - New Baby

Neighbourhood support also welcome. And it is good to ritualize our gratitude for safe delivery, by creeping into St Andrew's at 10.40 and bringing him or her up for a blessing with the rest of the congregation, and to meet some of your neighbours over coffee afterwards. All welcome. Also on Tuesday mornings in the Village Hall (see p.5) and Meeting Point (see p.10).



Dear Link,
On December 21st Jo, Nikki, Amy, Lindsey, Laura, Aline, Georgie, Maris, Richard and James all went carol singing around the village. We would like to thank all the people who donated money. £62 went to Orchard House minibus funds.

The kids ended up at Orchard House and they sang some carols for the people, and then had crisps, biscuits and drinks there. Hopefully we shall do it again this coming December. Many thanks, Yvonne and Carol.

Dog of the Month: ELSA a datchund aged 16, living at 23 Main Avenue. Travels all over the country with Keith and Christine, and rides on Christine's moped in the basket. Elsa was accidentally poisoned by weed-killer two years' ago, and had a stroke. She fought back wearing a bead necklace. Being so old she was joined by Phoebe, and this rejuvenated her - they play in the field together by Park Homes. We hope you'll be with us some time yet, Elsa!

Most areas were well maintained with relatively little litter. The village did however seem to divide itself into two distinct areas. Church Road area was significantly cleaner and tidier compared with Henley Road in spite of liberal supplies of litter bins. The recreation field obviously receives a lot of tender loving care. Both the church and village hall were well kept although there was some vandalism at the village hall with a broken window and broken roof tiles.

There was a liberal supply of litter bins all of which appeared to be well used. The telephone kiosk was clean and in good working order. The public noticeboards were in fair condition and contained mostly official public notices with virtually nothing relating to village activities. The bus shelter would benefit from a clean out and there was litter around it.

The areas around the three public houses were all clean, tidy and well maintained. The garage was also well maintained but one car for sale was parked on the pavement which made it awkward for pedestrians to pass.

Reference was made in the entry form to verges on the field side of Henley Road being left for the purpose of conservation but unfortunately they have just been cut prior to the judges' visit. There was little evidence of areas being set aside deliberately for reasons of conservation/creation of wild life. Perhaps it is considered that the river and areas around and along it provide enough.

Quiz Night

Tim James writes: £522 was raised and was allocated as follows: Toddlers, Coffee morning, Youth Club, Meeting Point £80 each Garden of Remembrance and St Andrew's Church Building Fund £100 each Parish Council for flower bulbs £2

The Role of Honour reads: The Squad (winners), followed by, in order of merit, DLO STRAF, The Locals, Brian's Wolves, Thunderbirds, The Untouchables, Little Gems, The Last Resort, Aggies Aunties, The River Rats, Lancs/Yorks United, Team 1901, Home and Away, Us Lot, The Chilterns.


Sandford Youth Club
Offers of help welcome - please contact Vicky Charlton at la Church Road.


Welcome to Sandford
Chris and Valerie Bunce


Meeting Point
12.30 lunch in the Village Hall, on Fridays 8th March, 12th April, 10th May, 14th June. All welcome.

They visited in two consecutive groups for six nights each, with everybody accommodated by Sandford families. From all accounts we have heard back, everybody had a great time here and sends their thanks and best wishes to all the Sandford residents they met on their brief stay.

Passage through these locks was always difficult and dangerous, involving either the process of removing paddles from the lock and either pulling or hauling boats through, against the strong stream, or 'riding the flash' on the downstream journey. Such a lock also meant a great loss of water, often leaving the upper reaches dry or low in water for days. Boats then had to wait until the water had risen again enough for further passage.

Clearly, with the increase in traffic, these conditions could not continue, as not only was the water-born traffic slowed down - perhaps for days on end - but it also caused the mills on the river to cease working, due to lack of water. Under the Oxford and Burcot Commission, the modern Pound Lock, having upper and lower mitre gates, was introduced to the Thames, firstly in three places: Swift-ditch near Abingdon, Iffley and Sandford, which was probably the first around 1632.

The site of this old lock has now been filled in, but its position can still be seen alongside the present lock. Originally it was 87 feet in length, but in 1793 it was lengthened to 120 feet. If one looks on the upstream side of the footbridge the position of the upper gates can still be seen in the stonework. A new lock on the present site was opened in September 1836 and much of the original structure of that lock was removed to build our present lock in 1972-1973.

Kingcup

[Kingcup - more info]

Sandford on Thames Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 15th January at 7 pm in the Village Hall, at which six members were present.
The minutes of the December meeting were taken as read, having been previously circulated, and approved.
Matters arising: None
Correspondence None

Matters for consideration General:
Precept/Budget 1966. Approved. The Clerk requested that some money be set aside for the purchase of two new noticeboards.
Transfer of Land to St Andrew's Church. Agreed
Review of Mooring Fees. Mooring fees to be increased to £30 per calendar month with effect from the 1st April 1996.
Road Signs and Other Highway Matters. Clerk reported that the road signs would be installed shortly. Mrs Shepherd reported that vehicles parking too close to the junction adjacent to the Garage were hazardous to other road user. It was agreed that the Clerk would speak to the Community Policeman. Mrs Shepherd reported that the junction at Kiln Park was dangerous in icy weather. It was proposed that the Clerk ask Highways to grit the junction or position a grit bin on the junction.
Plant and equipment. Defer to meeting of Land Management Committee.
Vandalism and car theft. It was agreed that the Community Policeman would be asked to prepare an item for the Link. It was also suggested that the Neighbourhood Watch may wish to make a quarterly report in the Link.
Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2011. Sandford had seen extensive re-development during the last ten years - Heyford Hill Lane and Rock Farm Lane - and had almost doubled in size. It was felt that further development would be inappropriate.