Winter 2004             Issue 96

CHURCH NEWS
Ministry team: Robert Morgan (Lower Farm, 748848) priest-in-charge; Lydia Cook (01491 833242) associate priest. Licensed lay ministers: Brian Andrews (777011);  Liz Shatford (772598). Church Wardens: Mrs Marjorie Harris (24 Henley Road) and Ray Lee (93 Henley Road). Director of Music: Christian Bradley.

Since the Link is published after the Council meeting, to give up to date village news, by the time it is delivered the four Sundays of Advent are half over, but there's still time to catch up on what it's about - preparing our hearts and minds for Christmas and the celebration of the Coming of Christ. We are all busy preparing some quite important things - cards, presents, food and drink - but there is more to Christmas than that and the deeper things challenge and invite.

One way Advent advises us to prepare is to turn around, turn to God, remember we are responsible for our lives and face God's verdict on us (judgment). And none of us knows how long we've got to sort our lives out. We are challenged to live as pilgrims on a journey whose end does not coincide with our physical decay - its fuller significance can only be expressed in the visionary language of heaven and hell - life with God and in God - or outside of and without God. We are invited to a life brimming over with love, experienced as sheer gift, or grace. In the powerlessness of a new-born baby a total re-orientation is offered, and ultimately transformation.

Hard to grasp? St Augustine put it: Give me a man in love - he knows what I mean. Give me one who yearns; give me one who is hungry; give me one far away in this desert who is thirsty and sighs for the spring of the eternal country. Give me that sort of man - he knows what I mean. But if I speak to a cold man, he just does not know what I'm talking about . . .

CHRISTMAS SERVICES SUNDAY 19TH DECEMBER 11.15 a.m. CHILDREN'S CAROLS 6.30 p.m. CHRISTMAS CAROLS SERVICE CHRISTMAS EVE 4.0 p.m. CRIB SERVICE A candlelit service for parents and small children 11.30 p.m. MIDNIGHT MASS CHRISTMAS DAY 8.0 a.m. 10.0 a.m. Holy Communion (BCP) FAMILY COMMUNION Sunday December 26th 10.0 a.m. Parish Communion (No 11.15 Service) 6.30 p.m. Evening prayer Sunday January 2nd (No 8.0 a.m.) 10.0 a.m. Parish Communion 6.30 Evening Prayer At Littlemore church: Sunday 12th at 5.0 p.m. CHRISTINGLE SERVICE Monday 20th at 7.0 p.m. COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE

I am hoping to be able to carry out all the planning and meetings early next year, hopefully setting up the two clubs in September, or if at all possible sooner. Ring me for information on meetings and updates on progress.

I am very keen to make sure that people are genuinely consulted before government - whether local or national - introduces changes which affect them. Over the last few months, I've arranged for a representative of the Environment Agency to come to the parish council to talk about the ideas for a new river channel to run parallel to the Thames from Godstow to Sandford, and we should shortly have Richard Dix from the County Council coming to explain the issues over traffic calming in the village.

Keeping our wits about us, our eyes open and our leaders to account will be crucial in 2005. There are a number of big public consultations planned - such as for the South East Plan - which could have considerable impact on us. My aim is to make sure your views count on these consultations.

Grenoble road - examination-in-public: congratulations to all those who helped with the superb campaign to stop excessive development at Grenoble Road. Baldons Parish Councillor, Elizabeth Gillespie, led on the day of the inquiry in Oxford for the villages in the area. Many supporters also turned up to lend support to your case including SODC leader Ann Ducker and myself. However, debate in the local press and nationally about the government's projected housing numbers for Central Oxfordshire has continued.

TUTORING Kip McGrath, in Cowley Road, offers extra English, Maths, Spelling and Reading tuition in small groups. Ring 402950 or look at www.kipmcgrath.com

Despite the County Council agreeing that housing growth in the county should be no more than current levels and that building should not take place in the green belt, SEERA (the South East England Regional Assembly) rejected our advice even before we had sent it. At the moment, therefore, SEERA is seeking to impose a 25% hike in new house builds every year for the next 20 years and to review the Oxford green belt. The fight goes on.

I am very happy to hear from anyone in Sandford who has a problem I can take up with the County Council. Please contact me on john.howell @ oxfordshire.gov.uk or on 07889 646845.

TODDLERS GROUP Mondays 10 - 12 in the Village Hall Run by Michelle (748257) and Jackie (776598) Mums and Dads etc. very welcome. Taking a Christmas break but back in action in early January.		BABYSITTER available Contact Helen 774178	VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS Private functions: £10 per hour Bookings phone: 07759-890696 [Village Hall - Info]
		Barry and Barbara welcome you to the Catherine Wheel FREEHOUSE 38 Henley Road Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford OX4 4YP Tel: 01865-778340 Hot and Cold Bar Food Traditional Sunday Roast Lunches     Real Ales Large Garden     Ample Car Park Parties and Outside Functions catered for
in the Village Hall every Thursday 7.0 for 8.0 in aid of Village Hall funds
Mobile Library outside the Fox 11.55 - 12.10 every other Tuesday   [more info]

ELITE ELECTRICAL SERVICES Electrical contractors Martyn Akrigg 07771 781947

Hosted and organised by Terry Robinson with help and support from Janet (table layout and raffle), June and Sylvia (food preparation) and Nigel and Clair on the bar, not forgetting Maurice who ran ragged to ensure the auctions were fully supported.

The evening started with a rush, and by 7.45 we were trying to find enough tables to accommodate the arriving teams. The final count was 17 teams. The quiz started at 8.0 sharp and finished at around 11.0. During the interval Janet took charge of the raffle and raised £142.

Maurice was appointed to put up two bottles of vintage Sloe Gin - the bidding was fast and furious and after an ever increasing amount the hammer fell at £130. A Dutch auction was instigated for Children in Need, and Maurice was once again pushed to the limit to collect the many bids flowing in - the hammer fell at £83.

Once again a vote of thanks to all who attended, to Nigel and Clair for the Bar and a generous donation to funds, to all contributing prizes for the auction and raffle, and to Rose and Lynda for keeping the scores and acting as judges.

The donations are as follows to local groups:   Children in Need £100;
Old Folk Christmas Lunch £100;   Mothers and Toddlers £100;
Youth Club £100;   St Andrew's Church £100;   Orchard House £50;
Judo Club £50;   Village litter picker £30.   Total donations £630

Team scores:   What no Vicar 86;
Sandford Rose 85;   Mill Mob 84;
Geoffs Harem 80;   B & Qs 79;
The Outsiders 78;   Henley Mob 78;
Main Liners 78;   Stooges 76;
Book Binders 76;   Only Fools and Keith 76;
Molls Mob 74;   Ready or What 70;
Late Comers 62;   Team 1901 58;
The 4 Bs 52;   Bentley 39.

The next Quiz Night will be on 26th February;
all teams will be on a first come basis, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Terry Robinson

This set of meetings took place over three weeks in October and the Oxford Green Belt Network took part, together with other amenity groups and one or two parish councils, on 14th October. We argued for the Green Belt to be kept intact, housing and other needs being met by use of brownfield sites and by development beyond the Green Belt. We were opposed by firms of developers, representing local landowners, who argued for development not only in Sandford Parish (south of Grenoble Road towards the Baldons), but also at Radley, Kennington and Sunningwell, around Horspath and Garsington, at Kidlington, Yarnton and Begbroke, in Shipton-on-Cherwell and elsewhere.

Now we must wait for the report of the two inspectors, expected in the New Year. They may or may not suggest that the case for development in the Green Belt has been made out. But the County Council is not obliged to accept their recommendation, whatever it is, so there may be need to lobby county councillors again in 2005.

Remember that, with other organizations, we were successful last year in persuading the County Council to delete its plans for development south of Grenoble Road from the Structure Plan. So writing letters and speaking at meetings really does count.


South East Plan

Oxfordshire is part of a huge region covering the South East of England, with its administrative headquarters in Guildford. There is a Regional Assembly known as SEERA (South East England Regional Assembly) which has 111 members, none of whom are elected, and it is due to publish a Plan for the South East in January 2005. The plan is widely expected to propose a huge increase in house-building. And the Oxford area has been designated a special growth area within this wider region. It is known formally as the Central

Where would all this extra development go if SEERA has its way? Officials of the County Council have said they would like a major share of the development to be in Bicester and Didcot, i.e. beyond the Green Belt. But their opposite numbers in the City of Oxford want most of the building to be on the edge of Oxford, which means in the Green Belt. This raises the prospect of a vastly increased scale of development south of Grenoble Road and, in addition, the likelihood of development in some or all of the other places that were being put forward at the recent EIP into the Structure Plan (which would be superseded by these new proposals).

How has this new and greatly increased threat to the Green Belt come about? The simple answer to this question is that it is driven by central government which is seeking to impose hugely inflated housing targets on local authorities. For that purpose SEERA acts as an agency of central government. Its 111 members are appointed, not elected, as stated above. Some are members of County or District Councils but others represent the business community with an obvious interest in development. It is undemocratic and it undermines the role of local government at Parish, District and County levels.
We think it should be opposed and we seek your help in opposing it. Decisions that affect local areas should be taken locally and not by an anonymous body in Guildford. SEERA will not go away because of the recent vote taken in the North East of England. That was a vote against an elected assembly. Regional Assemblies are here to stay, to do the government's bidding, not yours.

What Can be Done?
We would like to suggest that the Parish Council or Meeting discusses the threat to the Green Belt posed by the forthcoming South East Plan and the implications which this has for the parish. We are aware that some parishes are already very organized in response to earlier threats and on the basis of their experience we have put together some suggestions for action in the form of an Organisational Framework (see next page).

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 very last finishing touches are being added to the Parish Plan, developed from the community wide consultation taken earlier this year. After its adoption by the Parish Council on the 6th December and printing, a copy will be delivered to all households in time for Christmas ! Further information can also be found in the appraisal section of the web site: www.SandfordOnThames.co.uk

Encouragingly, a couple of initiatives from the plan are already underway:

Village Directory and Sandford Portal
This project, intended to list lots of useful information, for both old and new villagers alike, will cover topics from activities at the village hall, to the Tesco bus times. Sponsored mainly by the Parish Council, this will be delivered to all village households in the spring.

The directory will endeavour to include details, contact numbers and web links for all local groups and village services. This will include activities run by local people, along with a 'young persons' section; if you wish to be included please contact Mick Hills on ******. Advertising space will be available to businesses wishing to promote their presence in the village. Alongside the directory, and as its 'virtual' cousin, it is hoped to expand the SandfordOnThames.co.uk website into a comprehensive portal to cover a more extensive range of resources.


Neighbourhood Watch
One positive step resulting from the appraisal has just taken place, when many interested people came along to the Neighbourhood Watch meeting organised by the Appraisal Group at the village hall.

The area administrator, Carol Rudd, gave a very interesting presentation and explained what a neighbourhood watch is and how they can work to the benefit of our village. It seems on average that the likelihood of being burgled is about 1 in 35. This drops quite significantly to 1 in 344 when your home is covered by an active scheme, and drops further to 1 in 1350 with a deadlock fitted to your front door. On this basis many insurance companies offer an insurance discount of 2 - 10% for homes covered by an active scheme.

PC Brian Price, who covers the area this side of Wheatley and has been our local beat officer for the last few years, gave a summary of the local crime figures and answered general questions on policing matters. Everyone was pleased to hear of the low local crime rate and of the high detection rate, around 1 in 5 crimes.

The South Oxfordshire district continues to have the lowest levels of violent crime in the county and is also well below the average level for crime and burglaries in the southeast. In order to get a higher police presence in the village, the requirement, as dictated by government policy, must first be proven. This is best done by us all ensuring that all crimes are reported to the non-emergency number 08458 505 505.

Brian was accompanied by one of the two new community support officers, who will be conducting random patrols in the area and also helping with checks on non-urgent crime reports.

Our existing local watch co-ordinators were pleased to hear of the continued improvements to the system and encouraged by the level of support shown at the meeting. Several villagers put their names forward to help or expressed interest in launching new watches, so (with your help too) this may result in a new watch group being set up in your area.

Terry Walker born 10th March 1947, died 12th September 2004
Terry was brought up in Barton and worked for Tappin coaches. He was a keen Speedway fan at Blackbird Leys. He and Maureen were married in 1980 and came to Kiln Close from Kennington quite recently, as Terry was already ill, and became a welcome addition to Park Homes. Terry will be missed and we extend sympathies to Maureen and to their children Gary, Julie, and Ian, and to Josh (2) who must miss his Grampi a lot. Also to Terry's mother at Iffley House, and his two sisters.


The Green Sermon

The Green Sermon is preached annually at St Andrew's church on the Sunday evening of the Flower Festival weekend. This year, Charlie Owen spoke very eloquently about her job working for the Environment Agency as a watercourse and wetlands officer. She obviously takes great interest and joy in her work, which involves applying a deep knowledge of the ideal ecologies of wetland loving species to the flawed environments which we frequently create.

The environment around us is all a product of humankind's perpetual desire to build, to 'improve' our surroundings. This is no bad thing, but allied with a frequently found impulse for neatness and tidiness, can lead to sterility and the decline of many species through starvation, if not instant death through the application of pest and weed killers, or by cutting grassy banks and hedgerows at the wrong time.

It will be for our own benefit if we take time to look and see what surrounds us, the richness of the natural world which we share with so many other living beings. We can all do something and make a contribution to help maintain our own very small corner of the universe. We can leave rough areas in the garden for insects, feed and water birds in tough times, plant trees and host plants for butterflies and moths, encourage bats and bees.

No one species on this earth can live independently of the others. We as human beings cannot survive on our own; we are all small parts of a great interdependent sphere of creation. The more we recognise this and take time to learn what is around us and to take care of it for its own sake the richer our own lives will become.

Extracts from meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday October 4 2004.

Rock Farm field: FPD Savills had told clerk that they had omitted to inform the tenant of the Rock Farm field that they were transferring the lease of the land to the parish council. They apologized for this and said that the present agricultural tenancy is agreed on such terms that it would be very complicated to terminate. The clerk had pointed out that the field had not been well maintained in the past and that the council would no doubt press for improvements in this respect. Savills had said they would write to the pc to explain the conditions of the tenancy.

County Councillor's report: J Howell had followed up the parish council's long standing concerns about traffic speeding, parking etc with Richard Dix. It had taken some time for a reply but one had arrived this am. It offered no hope of any measures being taken in the near future especially in the case of any moneys being forthcoming from Kassam. He suggested that the best way forward would be to set up a meeting with Richard Dix to include himself, the chairman and one other councillor. M Hills volunteered.
The timetable for the SEERA plan had accelerated and the first draft was expected in November.

If you have access to the internet, do visit the Sandford website [web site no longer active] it's constantly updated and has loads of really interesting information about Sandford. Also the old 'Link' web site is moving to a new location, so why not have a look at the new 'Sandford On Thames village magazine on line' which can be found at www.SandfordOnThames.co.uk Here you can find past editions of The Link magazine, along with information about the parish council, the latest news on the village appraisal, a diary of local events and even details about the village hall and the annual river run.

Village Hall - new railings. M Robson had obtained a proposal for new railings to make the patio area of the hall safe for toddlers. Clerk would write to Mr Hedges and accept the quotation with the amendment of lowering the height to 1.5M and omitting the decorative rosettes.

Annual playground inspection - report. M Robson had surveyed this and found no urgent matter for attention. She requested further time to familiarise herself with all the play areas mentioned in the report .

Village grass cutting (present schedule appended to previous minutes) The present schedule was discussed and it was agreed to make amendments as follows:- The roadside grass verges to be mowed monthly (8 times at present), the gutters and village hall railings to be weed treated bi-monthly and not up to 4 times as at present, and the wording of the item referring to the ditch in front of the village hall to be amended to 'clear up to and around ditch to front of village hall and car park.

Audit 2003-2004 had been completed. The annual return was approved and accepted by council.

Matters raised H Hutton had recently complained to Mr Payne at SODC about the continuing trouble with the drains on the Park Home site and also the very poor state of the recreation ground. She had had no response so had taken the matter to Mr Lally and informed J Stimson who had visited and agreed that the ground was in a poor state. He would take the matter further. H Hutton had circulated copies of the amended housing bill around the site.
Dog signs, N Northcott told I Reveco to ask that they be delivered to G Surman at 10 River View. He would warn Geoff.
Correspondence had been received regarding litter bins, sustainable development, Housing strategy and notice of the OGBN annual meeting.

District Councillor's report The Park Homes task group had produced a report in draft which would be presented at a meeting to be held on 16th November. With J Stimson's assistance H Hutton would table questions arising from the draft to which written answers would be requested to be copied to the parish council.
With regard to the integrated transport study, SODC had moved against any further development in the county until sufficient infrastructure especially roads was in place. Full Council had agreed to spend £40,000 on underground glass recycling containers. Recycling generally was still under review.

County Councillor's report J Howell had followed up with Richard Dix who would attend the next parish council meeting if possible. In the recent EIP the Grenoble Rd day had gone well also the gravel extraction day. At a regional level, OCC has had to produce its initial response to SEERA. Council was recommended to oppose any change to the current level of growth in the county, and whatever the level, development should not take place unless the back log and new infrastructure were in place first. As to location the county would continue to recommend against an urban extension to Oxford but for development to happen as already recommended at Didcot and Bicester.
With regard to the proposal to remove the fire and rescue service for the county to Guildford, a meeting was to be held to include the unions, fire service representatives and 40 parish council representatives. The Deputy Prime Minister had been invited to send a representative but had declined to attend 'a parish meeting' however his representative had apparently arranged to meet union reps privately later in the afternoon.

Matters for consideration Budget 2005/2006 The draft budget was approved to be brought to the next meeting to be adopted
Standing orders - These were unanimously adopted and M Hills thanked for his work in amending them.

Matters raised H Hutton said that the landscape people had been inspecting the stream which ran adjacent to the hospital land she rents and they were going to be clearing it out to improve flow.
N Northcott produced a copy of an Oxford City Council document setting out an A-Z of council services. It was felt that it would be helpful if SODC could produce something similar for distribution to the public.

District Councillor's report John Stimson reported from the SODC Overview committee held on Nov 16 regarding the Park Homes Site. Only one question had been allowed each person and unfortunately the question he had drafted went astray. Councillor Tomlin had been unable to complete a tour of the site because of harassment from the site owner - she said she had felt unable to continue. The Council Cabinet had compiled a list of recommendations which Cllr Stimson would email to the clerk. He suggested that the parish council endorse the recommendations and invite Cllr Mrs Dawe to a meeting at Sandford in about 3mths. SODC has appointed an enforcement officer for the sites in the District.

Candle-tree Blessed, altar-like, Gloria, rejoice. England's horse-chestnut, the candle tree, blessed, altar-like, Gloria, rejoice. Roger Phipps

County Councillor's report J Howell regretted that Richard Dix had been unable to attend tonight but he had promised to attend the January meeting. A public meeting had been held in Oxford Town Hall regarding the Fire Service and a representative from the office of the Deputy Prime Minister had attended. They had said that the business plan would be reviewed and abandoned if unfeasible. SEERA had met with local councillors to prepare ground for issue of SE plan next year. Some concessions had been wrung from them but would no doubt be overturned later from central government.

Matters for consideration
Village Appraisal: S Daniels and M Hills introduced the final draft of the document and it was unanimously adopted by the parish council. It was intended to get it agreed by the Countryside Commission and then published and distributed before the end of January. The parish council thanked all those who had worked so hard on the appraisal. Budget 2005/2006 The budget for 2005/2006 was agreed unanimously, to include a precept request to SODC of £15,000
There had recently been a meeting of about 26 people to discuss neighbourhood watch and about 6 had said they would take an active part in forming schemes.