Issue No 501 April 2020
Diane Bates, Jenny & Simon Haviland (retiring publishers), Richard & Dale Morris (former publishers), Paul Bates
Stonesfield celebrates 500th Slate Stonesfield residents and friends assembled at the St James’ Centre on 29 February to celebrate the 5ooth issue of The Stonesfield Slate. Richard Morris had arranged a display of the Slate’s archive which included every issue since the Slate was started by Gordon Rudlin in December 1976. Additional memorabilia on display included newspaper cuttings, letters, awards and the famous bird box originally used for Slate’s wildlife surveys and later for receiving entries to the Slate (it was located in the Post Office at The Cross). This was an opportunity to thank all the people who had been involved with the Slate over the years. This includes the bundlers who sort the 900 copies into delivery routes and hand them to the 30+ distributors who ensure a copy is popped through your letterbox each month. A number of copies are also mailed out to a variety of organisations including the Bodleian Library, who believe the Slate to be one of the longest running local magazines. Some ex- residents of Stonesfield also receive a copy by post. The occasion was also used to mark the change of publisher. Richard presented Jenny and Simon Haviland with a framed Stonesfield slate (a real one) in recognition of their service as publishers since 2004. Richard also presented Diane and Paul Bates with ‘Provisional Plates’ as they became the new publishers from January 2020. A final thanks goes to all the people who provided cakes etc for people to enjoy.
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 1 Dates for your diary – April 1,8,15 English Folk Dancing Village Hall 8-10pm 2,9,30 Book Break Stonesfield Library 12.30-2pm 6 Monday Coffee St James’ Centre 10-11.30am 6 Climate Emergency Group St James’ Centre 7.30pm 8 Parish Council Meeting Village Hall 7.30pm 9 Over 60's Club Village Hall 2pm 10 Treasure Box Easter Trail St James’ Centre 11am-3pm 10 SSSC Open 12noon 13 SSSC Open 12noon 20,27 Monday Coffee St James’ Centre 8.45-11.30am 22,29 English Folk Dancing Village Hall 8-10pm 25 Plant Sale Four Acres, Pond Hill 8.30-11am
Important note In view of the current Coronavirus COVID-19 advice, any or all of the events listed are liable to cancellation.
We strongly suggest you check with the organisers of all events, and follow government advice, available on www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk- government-response
Publishers Editor for May issue Copy: Diane & Paul Bates, Trish Williams Deadline for next issue 15 April Waterloo Barn, Laughton Hill, (891960) Please email copy to Stonesfi eld, OX29 8DY [email protected] [email protected] (898841) or contact the Editor. slate-pub@stonesfield.online
Editor Printer Advertising: Viv Kendall Windrush Press, Witney Deadline for next issue 10 April (891803) Advertisements to [email protected] ©TheStonesfieldSlate 2020 slate-ads@stonesfield.online
Current and past copies of The Slate available at www.stonesfield.online/slate
2 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate Coronavirus updates
Coronavirus – information and Just call or email and we'll do our best to telephone support help you (no charge). Age UK Oxfordshire is providing advice & Kate 01993 898781 information for anyone worried about Coronavirus, on their website: Anne 01993 891048 www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/about-us/ stonesfield@stonesfieldparishchurch.org news/Coronavirus/. In addition, and importantly for those who Blenheim backs Coronavirus do not use a computer, there is a new, free online Help Hub telephone support service including a Blenheim is supporting a West Oxfordshire friendly, regular weekly call to see how online service that is being created to offer people are and offer advice if needed. The support along with practical advice and number is 01865 411288 – leave a message guidance for individuals who find and an advisor will call you back as soon as themselves isolated as a result of the possible. Covid-19 Coronavirus. The Help Hub has Please note this is not an emergency been set up by Ruth Chaloner and is a free, medical service, so please ring 111 for online service offering emotional and medical advice and 999 in a medical practical help for both medically at risk emergency. and older people who have either chosen, or been instructed, to self-isolate. Helen Fountain Age Friendly Creative Coordinator The Help Hub aims to provide a free Age UK Oxfordshire service for as many people as possible by listening, supporting and helping where it can. Ruth, along with a team of fellow Hello! If you are self-isolating, volunteer therapists and individuals, will we can help… offer their time for free 15-20 minute Our names are Kate Harris and Anne support and help sessions for residents Bowles. across West Oxford via Skype, FaceTime or If you are self-isolating, we can help with: phone.
• Picking up shopping The Help Hub website, designed by Blenheim’s Innovation Team, has been • A friendly phone call created with the potential to be ‘templated’ • Urgent supplies to allow it to be easily replicated throughout the country, should groups of • Posting mail volunteers wish to provide this service in other cities and regions. Without
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 3 Blenheim, this service in West Oxfordshire Stonesfield Voluntary would not be possible. Transport Scheme In addition to building and hosting the It is with great regret that we have Help Hub website, Blenheim is also calling suspended the Voluntary Transport on more qualified/trainee therapists and Scheme until further notice. As you know, individuals to offer their support and this scheme offers lifts for Stonesfield expertise to Ruth and her team of residents to medical appointments in other volunteers. local villages, or Water Eaton Park & Ride To find out more about the Help Hub and for onward travel to the Oxford hospitals. to support its work, please visit Because of the Coronavirus precautions www.thehelphub.co.uk, or find us on brought in by the Government in mid- FaceBook: The Help Hub West Oxford. March, we will not be able to provide this service, to ensure the safety of both our Niamh O’Sullivan (01993 227111) clients and our drivers, but we will Blenheim Palace reinstate it as soon as possible.
Viv Kendall (01993 891803) More information For more links to useful phone number / websites about Covid-19 and how to look after yourself and the community go to www.stonesfield.online
STONESFIELD VOLUNTARY TRANSPORT SCHEME
4 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate Notices & news
From the Chancellor family Margaret Prewitt (nee It was truly wonderful for us to experience McShane) the love and support of so many of our We would like to thank all of our family oldest and dearest Stonesfield friends at and friends for the overwhelming messages the interment of Nicky's ashes at the of sympathy, love and support they have church on 8 March. We give you our shown us following the very sad loss of heartfelt thanks for being with us, and we Margaret on 25 November. Special thanks especially thank Rev Roy for the uplifting to Rev Roy for the beautiful service. It was and reassuring service of committal. Our comforting to see the church packed with most loving thoughts remain with you all, so many people.
Nicky's sisters Aylwin, Judith and Ann, and her Thank you also for the donations received parents Richard and Patricia in aid of Bloodwise, which currently stand at £1,123.15p th Celebration of the 500 We appreciate the kindness shown by so edition of The Stonesfield Slate many and take great comfort in the kind I should just like to say thank you to Dale words they have given us at this very and Richard Morris and all those who difficult time. Margaret will always be helped to organise the splendid party we remembered as a large part of Stonesfield had to mark the 500th edition of The life, and will be greatly missed. Stonesfield Slate. It was nice to be able to Steve, Fiona, Richard and Family thank the many who help to produce the Slate; some of whom have been part of the production and distribution teams since it Thanks for the Yellow Slate! started. It was lovely to see so many at the I was back from Geneva this weekend and party and fun to browse through old was immediately delighted to see the copies. bright yellow jacket of The Stonesfield Slate, sitting proudly on our kitchen The party was the ideal moment to say dresser. This morning, I have sat in a thank you to Simon and Jenny Haviland, sunny warm nook with a cup of tea and who have published the Slate since 2004 read it cover to cover. I've called two of the and who were presented with a framed advertisers about some things, I've read Stonesfield slate, and to thank Diane and sections out to James and I'm about to Paul Bates for taking over the publishing. pack it up and post it to my mother in We wish them well and look forward to Melbourne who is an avid reader too! Well celebrating the 1000th edition. done for 500 issues! It's a valued and Mary Hughes special thing. Janet Kettels
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 5 If you are interested in taking part, tables Important message to Slate are £5 plus a donation for the tombola, contributors please get in touch with Given the common use of email these days, [email protected] who can keep people rarely leave written articles at the you informed of dates village shop. However,the Slate recognises the importance of keeping this option open Jacqueline Carthew (01993 898919) for residents who don’t use email. Could Secretary & Booking Clerk for Stonesfield we ask contributors using this facility to Village Hall kindly telephone the Editor for the next facebook.com/stonesfieldvillagehall edition (who is named on the Diary Dates page and email is below) to advise that an Monday morning coffee article has been left for collection? Our Morning Coffees in the St. James' Slate Editors Centre take place every Monday [email protected] throughout the year, starting at 8.45 am in term time and 10.00 am in holiday time, ending at 11.30 am each week. Anyone can Village Hall News come at any time and we have fairly steady It’s all very unsettled in the world at the numbers, several mothers with small moment, but the SVH Committee want to babies also come having dropped children assure everyone that we are working as off en route, and they all seem to really safely and hygienically as possible. enjoy having that brief time of relaxation at We have switched all cleaning products to the beginning of the week. antibacterial types and have encouraged all More people come later on and it is so good people making regular bookings to wash that there is somewhere where people can their hands on arrival and as they leave, for meet and make friends, especially for any their protection. We are hoping that there new to the village, or for those who live on will not be too great an impact on clubs their own. The variety of lovely homemade and societies, but we will try to support biscuits which are provided each week are them as much as possible. very much appreciated and both coffee/tea We were hoping to get a lot of things done and biscuits are free. over the next year and had decided to We started these coffee mornings nearly introduce a quarterly Stonesfield Village ten years ago, arising out of the idea that Hall Table Top and Craft Sale to raise the church would like to find a way to bless much needed funds for the upkeep of the the village community and we trust that village hall. The first was to be held on this is doing just that. Sunday 5 April. In the light of current government advice this had been For these coffee times we are postponed. always grateful for more helpers, so if you can help (even just occasionally) please contact
Muriel (891479) or Bina (891293)
6 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate Thanks to the SSSC for opening up early Spring clean (litter pick) – and supplying us with tea, coffee, and thank you! bacon baps, and to Richard and Julie Thank you to everyone who supported the Grime for collecting everything in for us. Stonesfield Spring Clean (litter pick) on Sunday 8 March. It was another fantastic Recommendations from the litter pick have turnout, with 45 volunteers tackling the been presented to the Parish Council for village streets/roads, with a further 14 consideration. Stonesfield Scout Group Beavers (and their Thanks again. leaders/parents) tidying the playing fields and playground. We even had litter picking Jess Huband ([email protected]) visitors (registered via the Spring Clean website) from as far afield as Milton Treasure Box Easter Trail Keynes and Leicestershire! The Treasure Box Easter Trail will be on Good Friday, 10 April and everyone is invited to come along any time between 11am and 3pm. Starting at St James’ Centre, you can follow directions to explore 8 different areas. Each area will focus on part of the Easter Story and there will be things to find, games to play and lots of Easter surprises – and more Easter goodies for those who complete the trail! You will be able to come and go throughout the opening times, so allow plenty of time if Overall, there was slightly less litter than in you want to take part in everything. We 2019 but the zone/roads leading out of the will provide tea, coffee and squash in St village towards Fawler and the Common James’ Centre and, if you wish, you are were particularly bad. An interesting find welcome to bring a picnic lunch and take a of 2020 was a toilet (dumped in the hedge break in the SJC garden. along The Ridings)! Along with lots of car parts - some fallen off, some fly-tipped. Some parts of the trail have changed from (The key find of 2019 was a fridge.) previous years – but don’t worry we have kept all the favourite bits! Everyone is welcome to come but please note that children must be accompanied by an adult.
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 7 Bridewell Gardens More about Stonesfield We are a small mental health charity based If you are new to the village, welcome! We outside Witney, supporting people in our hope you will be happy here and perhaps area who have experienced serious mental become involved in some of the many and health problems. Each of these events varied things on offer. helps to raise awareness of our work in the The Slate contains lots of local information area, and to raise essential funds for us to and you can also find about events, continue our work. They are: services, clubs, Parish Council & more via Plant Sale 25 April, 10-1pm www.stonesfield.online Open Days 17 May, 21 June, and The Slate is funded via its advertisers who 2 August; all 1-5pm. are all local business. Please support them Proceeds from the plant sale go directly to with your custom, especially in difficult supporting our work as a mental health times like these. charity, using gardening to help people who have experienced serious mental Publishers health difficulties. For further information please call 01993 848238 or go to www.bridewellgardens.org.
Stuntesfeld Many a local gardener, after backbreaking work digging in our stony soil, has remarked bitterly that this village is very aptly named. In fact, it isn't widely known that the name Stonesfield has nothing to do with stones. The Domesday Book of 1086 records Stonesfield as ‘Stuntesfeld’. The derivation is from an Anglo-Saxon word, and the correct interpretation is 'the field of the idiots' or 'the field of fools'. But don’t tell anyone!
Anne Hamerto
8 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate Politics & local affairs
Stonesfield Parish Council The Agenda for the April meeting is as (SPC) follows: At the last meeting, Jess Huband gave an 1. To receive apologies for absence update on the Spring clean: with about 50 2. To receive declarations of pecuniary volunteers, it went really well. There was a interest (from Councillors lot of fly tipping particularly along the relating to agenda items) Ridings and near Green Lane, including oil 3. Minutes: To approve and sign the which has been reported. minutes of the meeting held on 11th March 2020 The Parish Council will consider the 4. Matters Arising from the minutes purchase of litter pickers’ equipment. The dated 11th March 2020 Council sends huge thanks to Jess Huband 5. Public Participation for taking the lead on organising the Spring 6. Art Project (Proposal) Clean. 7. Questions arising from the Clerk's A SAFER report had been circulated by Cllr report M Heduan ahead of the meeting, and can 8. Planning Applications be found on the website. The Parish 9. To receive reports from Parish Council now has a Climate Emergency Councillors, District & County Working Group. Councillors 10. Finance The next Council meeting will be on • To approve cheque payments Wednesday 8 April 2020 at 7.30pm, in • Grant requests (must be Stonesfield Village Hall. The date planned submitted to council at least 7 for the Annual Parish Meeting is 13 May days prior to the meeting for 2020 at 7.30pm, following a Council consideration) meeting at 7pm. 11. SAFER (Mick Heduan) Due to COVID-19, it is possible that 12. Climate Emergency Working Group meetings will be postponed or cancelled (David Baldwin & Simon Powell) at short notice. 13. Pre-School (David Baldwin) 14. SUSTO Councillors are summoned to the Parish 15. Playing Field Association Council meeting at 7.30pm onWednesday 16. Climate Emergency Group 8 April 2020 in Stonesfield Village Hall. 17. Any Other Business Members of the public are invited to attend 18. Date of Next Meeting Wed 13 May and can make statements or queries by 7pm Council Meeting prior request in writing to the Clerk. This 7.30pm Annual Parish Meeting needs to be done by midday on Monday 6 April 2020. Parish Clerk
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 9 SAFER volunteers would like to thank Community Speed Watch Stonesfield residents who stop and express restarts their appreciation of Community Speed At the end of 2019 SAFER took delivery of Watch and the impact it has on slowing a Morelock ‘Speed Indicating Device’ (SID) down traffic in the village. for use by the SAFER Community Speed Watch team. Now all the team have been SAFER is a Stonesfield Parish Council trained in the monitoring and recording of working group made up of some Parish traffic speeds, in line with Thames Valley Councillors and other volunteers who live Police guidelines. in Stonesfield. A link for volunteering, can be found at www.stonefield.online/safer. Between 1 February and 2 March, traffic was monitored on four occasions at a range Mick Heduan (m.heduan@stonesfieldpc.uk) of locations in Stonesfield; one having been cancelled due to poor weather. Each Stonesfield Community Trust Community Speed Watch session lasts Speaking on behalf of ‘the people who around 90 minutes and the speeds of over founded the Community Trust’, I'd like to 300 vehicles were checked. Of these tell you we did indeed foresee what it could vehicles, six were recorded as exceeding do. We were following the lead of the 35mph in the village and their details Quaker Ebenezer Howard, who founded passed on to Thames Valley Police. Reports Letchworth Garden City in the late 19th of activities are also provided to the Parish century and started the garden city Council at their monthly meetings. movement. We believed that owning some Over the coming months it was planned of its own land, housing and rents would that these checks would take place weekly, empower it to achieve real good for its subject to weather conditions and citizens, and so it proved. availability of volunteers. In view of We supported the Toddler Group, housed Covid-19 these have been postponed. the Pre-school, helped disabled residents SAFER is looking for more volunteers who adapt their homes to be more liveable, are able to give their time to support helped primary school pupils whose Community Speed Watch surveys. This parents couldn't afford for their children to amounts to roughly 2 hours a month, but go on school trips, and so on. Stonesfield SAFER is very flexible and would was the first successful community trust appreciate any realistic offers of help. since Letchworth - indeed we invented the term ‘community trust’ to describe it - and Additionally, SAFER has been reporting it has since been imitated by scores of faulty / damaged signs, roads marking and communities, from Cornwall to Scotland. ongoing hazards to Oxfordshire County Stonesfield is now famous as the pioneer of Council, with some limited success in a movement that has made a real getting rectification. SAFER will continue contribution to remedying the British to pursue OCC; however the Transport national housing crisis. We have every Team have restricted budgets so progress reason to be proud of what has been is positive but slow. achieved.
Tony Crofts
10 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate West Oxfordshire District Other WODC news Council (WODC) Office closures From our District Councillor The WODC Town Centre Shop and main The West Oxfordshire District Council reception (Elmfield) in Witney; also the Budget has been accepted and passed by Burford Visitor Information Centre will all the recent full Council meeting. As I wrote remain closed until further notice. Many of last month, the decisions taken result in the tasks people usually do in person can West Oxfordshire remaining the second be done online at www.westoxon.gov.uk lowest taxing authority in England. This, and all council services are still accessible whilst retaining all services and facilities, by telephone - on 01993 861000. Payments including free parking (the envy of many in can be made using the 24-hr payments line adjoining areas), full retention of the on 01993 861045. system of grants and allowances. Council May Bank Holiday tax itself will undergo a rise of £5.00 at Band D. The early May Bank Holiday is being moved to Friday, 8 May to commemorate The various discussions on the Budget, the 75th anniversary of VE Day. In our always interesting and sometimes fraught, present circumstances (note from Editor) it were this year conducted in an atmosphere seems unlikely that street celebrations will of cordiality. The Labour Group voted in be possible but anyone contemplating favour of the package. The Liberal organising events should consult the Democrats, however, voted unanimously to District Council to check for any necessary abstain. The eventual decision was for licences. what most councillors viewed as an excellent and well-balanced proposal. Budget In late February, West Oxfordshire District This Budget for 2020/2021 has taken as its Council confirmed that the council tax for theme the welfare of residents in the 2020-21 will rise by £5, which is within District and the preservation of all that is Government guidelines. This means the commendable in a local government charge for the average Band D property in financial statement. Further and more the District will be £104.38 or £2 a week, detailed information can be accessed on making it the second lowest rate of council the West Oxfordshire website. tax among shire councils in England. By the time you read this, Easter will be The meeting noted that almost 500 almost upon us. May I wish you all the very affordable homes had been delivered in the best for the holiday period in the hope that District in the last year. Grants to the our dreadful wet weather will be past and community and voluntary sector will be we can look towards a good summer. maintained at current levels, along with Richard Bishop (01993 891414) free car parking, while new priorities such [email protected] as tackling climate change will also receive investment.
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 11 Businesses rates and changes in the Single-use plastics Budget WODC has adopted a set of principles and West Oxfordshire businesses are being a new ‘12 Ways’ campaign to minimise the advised that the business rates bills they use of single-use plastics, much of which received in mid-March do not take into ends in the countryside, waterways and the account changes announced in sea. The Council is to eliminate single use Wednesday’s Budget. plastics from its own offices and services, and is encouraging residents, businesses Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed a range of and contractors in the wider community to discounts for retailers and hospitality and minimise their use. The Council is also leisure businesses, including pubs, for one keen to develop staff and community year as a result of the potential impact of volunteering groups to collect litter and the Coronavirus. minimise plastic pollution in parks and The changes are set to be introduced on 1 open spaces. Recycled plastic materials April but have to be ratified by Parliament, should be promoted as an alternative. and as a result, eligible businesses should Below are 12 ideas on how to reduce continue with the current payment single use plastics schedule until they receive further instructions. They will then be reimbursed 1. Say no to plastic straws and cutlery by the Council in due course. 2. Bring your own reusable mugs for drinks For retail businesses with a rateable value 3. Bring your own reusable water bottle of under £51,000 the discount will be increased to 100 per cent and expanded to 4. Get the free Refill app to find places to include hospitality and leisure businesses refill your water bottles for 2021. Pubs with a rateable value below 5. Use a reusable bag for shopping £100,000 will enjoy a discount of £5,000 6. Take your own containers to rather than £1,000. supermarkets for deli items, fish etc Citizens’ Advice 7. Buy items such as fruit and vegetable loose rather than wrapped in plastics In mid-March, West Oxfordshire District Council was expected to approve the award 8. Consider purchasing items (such as of a contract to Citizens Advice West washing power) in bulk, using Oxfordshire to continue providing the reusable containers from refill stations district with expert support services. 9. Swap plastic bathroom products for Citizens Advice will continue to provide alternatives e.g. bamboo toothbrushes, residents with advice and support on shampoo bars behalf of WODC on a range of issues, from 10. Ditch cling film and bring lunch in a budgeting and financial support to help reusable container with application forms or employment 11. Give up chewing gum and cigarettes guidance. 12. Switch to doorstep milk delivery in reusable glass bottles
12 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate SCRAP campaign to stop fly-tipping Witney. The budget also provides for WODC operatives are regularly called to climate change initiatives, including investigate and clear unsightly rubbish that support for sustainable travel such as has been dumped illegally, often on improving park and ride services on the farmland or roadsides. The SCRAP A40, and the replacement of over 50,000 Campaign, created by the Hertfordshire streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs. All Fly Tipping Group, will be run by WODC budget proposals have to consider the online to raise awareness of the issue and climate change agenda and how the County inform residents and businesses about the Council will meet its carbon neutral target law and their obligations around fly- by 2030. tipping. Dementia-friendly Council This will include guidance for residents on Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) plans to how to dispose of their waste correctly and develop further awareness, understanding how to report a fly tip, while highlighting and support for vulnerable residents and the penalties if caught fly tipping. staff who are impacted by dementia. Follow the Council’s campaign on Twitter The number of people with dementia in the @WodcNews and Facebook at UK is expected to rise to 1 million by 2021. @westoxfordshire. About two in every 100 people aged between 65 to 69 have dementia, and this [email protected] rises to one in five for those aged 85 to 89. Oxfordshire has an ageing population and From our County Councillor the number of residents aged 85 and over Budget is forecast to increase. I am pleased that the budget I outlined in This means that more people in The Stonesfield Slate for March, was Oxfordshire are likely to be affected by passed unanimously. It was an ‘investment dementia, either by having a diagnosis budget’ to reduce neglect, ill-health and themselves or through someone they know social isolation, following resident and with the condition. More people may business consultation. develop dementia while still in Funding for children and adult social employment; others will be combining services will increase by £30 million next work and a busy lifestyle with being a carer year, including an extra £8.1 million from for a person with dementia. the government. The budget also includes OCC aims to help people who live with investment in infrastructure across the dementia to stay independent and live well county, such as an extra £50 million for in their communities for as long as new and existing schools over ten years. possible. The Council’s plans are part of a The County Council also proposes to spend wider Alzheimer’s Society initiative that £30 million in 2020/21 from its capital aims to create a network of four million budget on repairs to roads, bridges, Dementia Friends across the country. drainage and footways across Oxfordshire’s Cllr Ian Hudspeth (07956 270318) towns and villages, with major schemes [email protected] scheduled in Banbury, Abingdon and
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 13 Slate SEP 19.qxp_SLATE MASTER v3.3 22/08/2019 08:04 Page 21
Education & culture
GOURMETood bistro - style - catering Stonesfield!is September Library visit... NorthGood Leigh LibraryGourmet Telephone: 01993 898187 Bloomin’ Good Reads, Oxfordshire’s adult Salon Privé Classic readingUpcoming challenge events atis ourrunning pop-up at restaurant North Revised library opening hours: & Supercar Leigh and other OCC libraries until 11 Due to advice8th from September Oxfordshire Library April. Read6 Sept books, 3-course recommend Bistro – £30 them, and 11 Sept Mid-Week Simple Supper – £20 Services that volunteers should not be in then27 be Sept entered 3-course into Bistro a prize North draw Africa for – £30 the library Maurizioin these difficult Cattelan times, from excellent23 Oct prizes. Mid -Week More Simple information Supper – is£20 on 2 Nov 3-course Bistro – £30 Wednesdayat 18Blenheim March the Palace library opening the OCC Libraries website. hours12th will September be as follows: - 27th October Phil Bloomfield BYO Monday 2.30pm-7pm Friends of North Leigh Library SsangYong See our website calendar for menus and Blenheim Palace Horse Trials Wednesday (alternate) 10am-12 noon www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-details of our new Midweek suppers 19th - 22nd September Saturday (alternate) 10am-12 noon culture/librariesVisit www.goodgourmet.co.uk to see menus and make a booking or call 01993 898614 The libraryblenheimpalace.com will be open on 8 and 22 April, and on Saturdays 4 and 18 April, and every alternating Wednesday / Saturday until further notice. Hedges Decorating and Property Maintenance Sewing & Altera!ons Please remember‘No thatjob too you small’ can renew loans . . . to make that garment fit you! online or via theDaniel library Hedges app. Thank you for Fi!ngs, hem levels, and a varied range of your understanding.;Painting and these Decorating arrangements altera"on and sewing work carried out. will remainGarden in placeand Property until furtherMaintenance notice. Fencing and Repairs Dresses, Skirts, Tops, Shirts, Jackets, Demolition and Removal Trousers, Curtains, Cushions and beyond! Small Carpentry Work Louise Evere"Brown
Mobile: 07957 437347 lou.smiley1@b"nternet.com Email: [email protected] 01993 813873
FoSL: Friends of Stones!ield Library
14 April 2020 21Stonesfield Slate Stonesfield Slate September 2019 Tuesday 14 April: The Oxfordshire Museum, 10.30-11am TOM TOTS – fun for under- Woodstock fives, free. The Art of World War II 2-4pm I just called to say… Learn about A new exhibition of artwork, produced telephones through time and make a during and depicting scenes from the mobile, £2 per child. Second World War, is on display at the Wednesday 15 April: Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, 10.30-12 noon The Magic of Mosaics – Woodstock, from until 7 May. Find out about Roman mosaics in The Art of World War II exhibition has Oxfordshire and make your own. For age been curated from John Noott's personal 8+, £2 per child collection of work, gathered together 2-4pm Gallery Gaming – Play some classic during his career as an art collector and 80’s gallery games. Free drop-in. dealer for more than 40 years. The pieces Thursday 16 April: themselves form a history in pictures of the Pop Star spoon puppets – Big hair, Second World War, but give incredibly shoulder pads and smash hits; make a personal perspectives reflecting a varied 1980s-inspired spoon puppet, £2 per child. range of experiences before, during, and after the conflict. Through the work of Friday 17 April: artists of the time, visitors can see the war Adult drop-in 10.30-12.30 unfold 'as it happened'. Come and explore the artwork ‘Jungle’ by Terry Frost, then create your own art in Easter Holiday Activities paint. Free. Tuesday 7 April: 10.30-11am TOM TOTS – fun for under- Those were the days! Do you fives, free. remember…? 2-4pm ET take home – make a model alien A monthly group for people to meet, and flying saucer, £2 per child. reminisce about the past, bring photos and objects and share memories Wednesday 8 April: 10.30-11.30am Earth from the air – Friday 3 April: What Did We Do Before – Discover how archaeologists use air (smartphones took over the world?) Has photography to uncover secrets from the the world moved too fast? or can you keep past. Age 8 +, £2 per child. up with changing technology? Remember 2-4pm Gallery Gaming – Play some classic queueing outside the phone box and 80’s gallery games. Free drop-in. waiting for your photos? Thursday 9 April: The Coach House 2–3.30/4pm, £1 per 2-4pm Jump and Jiggle, leggings & lycra – person; tea and coffee will be served. make a giggling puppet, £2 per child. For further details, please phone 01865 300639.
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 15 Clubs & societies
Climate Emergency Group experience with solar panels and its Our meeting in March was all about biomass boiler, and the solar panels on his growing things and sharing the produce: own roof. an excellent way to reduce our carbon Caroline Friend footprint. Once again, a good turn-out [email protected] indicated the high level of interest in these meetings, which are open to all: there is no Stonesfield Folk Dance Club group membership or subscription; email me if you want to be on the mailing list. We continue to attract new dancers to our weekly club nights, and average around 20 Genny Early has invited anyone who wants dancers and sometimes 8 musicians. to be involved in the Stonesfield However our Spring Dance in March community garden project to email her attracted 70 or so dancers from other clubs ([email protected]). Please get in in England, who came to dance to the touch with Genny, so she can form a music of Purcell's Polyphonic Band. They working group to take the initiative are one of the best dance bands in the UK forward. The idea is to work on a plot of and we all had a most enjoyable day of land together, experimenting with dance; albeit with the spectre of COVID-19 cultivation techniques, and produce all hanging over us. manner of fruit and veg for sharing. John Sampson is looking into setting up a With dances now being cancelled around produce stall in Stonesfield this summer. the country and dancers being pressured by relatives not to attend, we expect The minutes of the meeting and declining numbers. We hope the crisis is information sheets on plastic-free over by June as we have our big event of gardening, hedge-growing for wildlife and the year – the 48th Stonesfield Folk Dance how to make ecobricks are now on the Weekend. SUSTO page of the village website (www. stonesfield.online/category/sustain/). Please do come and support us on Wednesday evenings – extra soap is Our next meeting is at 7.30 on Monday 6 provided, in addition to homemade April in the St James’s Centre for a baking! discussion on electric cars. We have two speakers: Karl Anders, who has worked in Stewart Nicholls the EV (electric vehicle) industry for many [email protected] years, and David Rollinson, who owns one! www.stonesfieldfolkdance.danceorg.uk Come and ask questions: there is a lot to find out before they become mandatory. We are also going to look at solar panels. Harry Holland will talk about the school’s
16 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate Stonesfield Gardening Club Over-60s Club Our March meeting was an interesting and We met as usual for our meeting in March entertaining talk from Timothy Walker and having greeted each other, settled entitled ‘How to be a 21st Century down to lunch. We had fun taxing our Gardener’. He stressed how important the brains and proving we could remember the soil in our gardens is. We cannot change, alphabet before enjoying a cuppa and only improve, it and that the best way to do cakes. Details of the April meeting were this is by having our own compost heaps given, when the speaker Frank and using a general fertiliser (such as Collingwood will be showing slides and organic 6X) in February or March. It’s talking about the Bus Museum in Long important to choose the right plant for Hanborough. Our refreshments that day your soil: try British native plants and will include hot cross buns and maybe a plant carefully with a good soaking, with mini Easter Egg! We ended our afternoon the aim of not having to water very often, if with the raffle. at all. Thank you all for coming. We hope you all take care of yourselves and keep well; On the hot topic of growing in peat-based Spring is just around the corner. See you in composts he showed evidence that plants April, and visitors are always welcome. grow perfectly well without it. In fact, although gardeners always get the blame Best Wishes, Avis. for the use of so much peat, it is sold in Ireland as fuel and it is that which accounts for much of the use. This has recently been outlawed in order to allow peat bogs to Sports and Social Club recover as they are such good carbon sinks. We are looking forward to April and the On pesticides, we were advised not to use lighter evenings (but hopefully not too them but to consider predators if we need many April showers)! to control pests in the greenhouse, Enjoy Easter with the Club’s extended otherwise let nature take its course! opening hours on Good Friday and Easter We have no formal meeting in April but Monday from 12 noon. Non-members are our annual plant sale will be held at Four welcome. Happy Easter to all from the Acres in Pond Hill on Saturday 25 April. SSSC. This date is subject to government Brian Clarke restrictions so look out for further notices. SGC will look for ways to hold this sale but help you stay ‘contact free’. In the meantime all members are encouraged to get seed sowing!
Diane Bates [email protected] www.stonesfieldgardening.info
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 17 North Leigh History Society A slice of Stonesfield history: On 7 April we will be tripping the light The Sleeping Policemen Club fantastic as Michael Heaney will be giving In 1987 I began a campaign to get traffic a talk on 600 years of Morris dancing. A calming in the old part of Stonesfield. I member of Eynsham Morris Dancers, gathered a few like-minded individuals Michael has researched the history of this together, called ourselves the Sleeping folk art which dates back to the Policemen Club and we met monthly in the 15th century, so there's lots to find out. He Black Head. may even inspire you to get your dancing Each month the meeting was recorded in shoes on and join a group yourself! the Slate, the entry was always “The We meet in the Turner Hall, Church Road, Sleeping Policemen met on ‘date’ at the North Leigh, OX29 6TX at 7.30pm. Black Head“. Correspondence went to and Visitors £4, Members free. Further details fro from Parish Council, where Fred from Diana Power (01993 882301). If you Edgeler was the clerk, District Council want to go on our mailing list, contact where Derrick Millard was the councillor, and Parliament where Douglas Hurd was Robert Kyte [email protected]. our MP. Eventually, in 1990, after pressure from Douglas Hurd, the District Council conceded that sleeping policemen were permissible, but they did not have any money available. I offered to pay for a sleeping policeman which they accepted! I informed Douglas Hurd who promised to come for a drink to the village’s first sleeping policeman. Alas, the sleeping policeman could only be constructed to the council’s design. The design would have to be lit and its dimensions were such that in Boot Street it was longer that the width of the road!! I accepted defeat and the club stopped meeting in 1991 as did the monthly Slate entry.
Graham Rutson
18 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate Sport
Stonesfield Football Club dramatic win against basement boys I know you’ll have heard this before and Witney Royals (4-3), including a Jake you’ll hear it many more times in the Davis hat-trick, they are still clinging onto coming months, but we really are living the coat-tails of Kingham All Blacks, who through extraordinary and, for some, are 4 points above them. It will take a perilous times. This winter people have herculean effort, but they could still do it! had their homes flooded and now we all They are favourites to progress in The face what has become a pandemic. To Supplementary Cup after their 2nd round, report on the fortunes of our football club first leg win (3-0) at home to Bampton, so seems such a trivial pursuit in the face of at least they are fighting on two fronts! these world-wide problems, but I will give So, the trivia continues, and we come to it a go. what could easily be the final Fredo Award Our teams have had games cancelled due of the current season (I hope not). Both to water-logged pitches, and it remains to Carry Rice and Jake Davis are in be seen whether we will be immune to the contention this month. Given that these effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). really are momentous times, I feel that it Despite it all, games have been played! The would be churlish to split it, so the club has Firsts, in 2nd place, are involved in a titanic gone the full hog and bought two Fredos (I tussle for the Premiership and it looks like was accused of panic-buying!) in honour of a three-way contest with Hailey (currently both hat-trick heroes. Well done to both 3rd) and Carterton (currently top). To Jake and Carry; the village salutes you complicate matters there are three both! Carterton teams in the league and our boys On a serious note - keep washing those have had brilliant wins away at the other hands; “stay clean and stay safe” is the two, Carterton R (2-1) and Carterton Town mantra and together we might just A (6-0). The latter match was a masterclass complete this football season. in goal scoring from the Rice brothers, with Raffy scoring 2 and Carry scoring 3! In Tom Flanigan (01993 891979) previous years we’d have been looking forward to a fabulous climax to the league Stonesfield Cricket Club campaign, but we are subject to the Our winter preparations for the 2020 vagaries of virology as to whether we even season have been quite thorough, with finish the season, only time will tell. participation in the Oxfordshire Indoor The Reserves are still in with a chance of Cricket League and ten weeks of indoor net avoiding automatic relegation despite a practice at Charlbury Community Centre. thrashing (7-0) by runaway leaders Jamie Burns again leads the 1st XI in Bletchingdon. However, following a Division 1 for this season, while Jordan
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 19 Newman is the dashing new young captain for a summer sport? Or just want to find of the 2nd XI – as I have stood down after out what happens at a bowls club? three years at the helm. 2019's third place Then come along to an open day and roll was our best 2nds finish for many years, so up a few bowls. The bar will be open. No let's hope Jord can guide the team to some obligation, but you might actually enjoy it silverware. Our first outdoor match is and want to play more! scheduled for Sunday 12 April, when the lads visit Great Tew. All you need to bring is yourself and a pair of flat sports-type shoes or trainers - we On the Youth Cricket front, we are again can lend you everything else you need. running U15s and U13s cricket. Peter Stringer is the charming and charismatic Saturdays 18 & 25 April from 2.00pm coach of the U15s, with talented and Wednesday 13 May from 6.15pm, at batsman Fred Holloway as skipper – but The Oxbrew Bowls Green, 74 Ticknell Piece they urgently need more players for this Road, Charlbury, OX7 3TW. season. If you have a year 9 or 10 boy or For more information please email girl interested in playing, do let Pete know, [email protected] by email on [email protected] or Shaun Morley phone/text 07904 430979. All kit is Treasurer, Charlbury Bowls Club provided and membership is incredibly www.charlburybowls.co.uk cheap at just £25 for the outdoor season, and that covers all the matches and Using Stonesfield playing field training! Dogs, sport and children’s play areas do I will be running U13s training at the field not go well together. again this season on Tuesday evenings Stonesfield’s playing fields have a clear ‘No from the start of May, all things being Dogs’ rule. equal. Again, we could do with more players, aged 10 to 13 – so if your child is People are asked to respect this for the interested in giving it a go do please get in protection of children. This should not be touch. Our U13s group have great fun, a hardship as Stonesfield has miles of dog everything is provided and summer walking paths. membership is just £15. If you are out walking your dog, please Stewart Moss (07866 278685) collect your dog’s poo and dispose of it in [email protected] the bins provided round the village (or take it home). Whatever you do do not bag it Charlbury Bowls Club Open and then throw the bag in the hedge… this Days is the worst of all solutions. Do you enjoy a game of skill, but which anyone of any age can play? Like being outdoors, in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere? Are you looking
20 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate Church news
Roman Catholic Worship meaning in our lives as we face these Lent: Our journey to Easter uncertainties. Lent, as we all know is a ‘period of fasting Church services have been cancelled and abstinence’ to prepare us for Easter by at St Teresa's, Charlbury and St Kenelm's, partially sharing Christ’s own 40 days of Enstone due to the Coronavirus pandemic. fasting in the desert. By briefly denying Please check the St. Theresa’s website for ourselves something that we like and updates about attending mass. enjoy, we are symbolically shedding some of the material weight which holds us back The church will remain open for private from fully engaging with the true purpose prayers between 8am and 8pm. of Easter. However it is also possible to see Confession: Confessions will be when Lent as another form of pilgrimage, if we advertised . consider that pilgrimage is defined as: ‘a journey or search of moral or spiritual Parish Pilgrimage: significance. Typically, it is a journey to Saturday 18 July to St. Chad’s Cathedral, a shrine or other location of importance to Birmingham on the occasion of Deacon a person's beliefs and faith, although Dytor’s ordination. For further information sometimes it can be a metaphorical please contact Suze Mathews, 01993 journey into someone's own beliefs. 891720 or email A pilgrim (from the Latin peregrinus) is a [email protected] traveller (literally one who has come from Father Tony Joyce can be contacted afar) who is on a journey to a holy place.’ on: [email protected] or Wikipedia Telephone: 01608 642703 Lent could be our inner journey towards the deeper meaning of how our redemption For parish updates, any further was achieved by Christ’s sacrifice for us on information and further support, please the Cross. Further, our own ‘journey or see www.stteresaschurch- charlbury.com/ search of moral or spiritual significance’ of or contact Clive Dytor: chair. this inner Lenten pilgrimage could be a stteresaschurchcharlbury@ gmail.com. reflection upon how we are going to change Roman Catholic Community in Stonesfield our lives in response to, and in recognition – KEEP PRAYING of the impact of Easter with its message of universal salvation. And never has it seemed more urgent, with the Coronavirus sweeping the world to such devastating effect, that we have some sort of greater
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 21 Stonesfield Methodist Church New Rector at St James World Day of Prayer Until a new Rector is appointed (in the The WDP Service on 6 March was a very next few months), we will welcome other joyous occasion. Although we discovered clergy to take our services however how difficult life can be for the families of currently all services have been Zimbabwe, we also learnt about their cancelled because of Coronavirus. The resilience and courage and the way God churchwardens will endeavour to keep shines in their lives. Thank you all who everyone informed. came and took part in this special service. The church will always be open during the The donations raised £212 and this has day for private prayer. been sent to the WDP, to be included in the charity grants for 2021/22. For any enquiries, including pastoral support, arrangements for baptisms, Sadly all services are cancelled until weddings and funerals, please contact a further notice. churchwarden: Thoughts and prayers are with this Stonesfield community and far beyond. Kate Harris (01993 898781) Please get in touch with me at any time if Neil Melrose (01993 891566) you feel you would like to spend time in the Combe Longa Church, and it can be arranged. Andrew Hobson (01993 891273 To contact the Church Minister, The Linda Soderberg (01993 891177) Reverend Rose Westwood, Tel. No. 01993 Email: 883614. [email protected] Kathleen Albert (01993 891733) Information about services and other events may be found at: www.stonesfieldparishchurch.org
22 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate then on into Christ the King in November to celebrate with us the wonderful times Church news with its colour of Red or White. of year that we have here in our villages. Why not join us to sing the seasonal I suppose with our food coming from all songs of praise. I know for me, I would around the world to a ‘supermarket near really miss joining in song together and you’, we have lost the marking of the thanking God for all his love, not only Anglican Worship in the Parishes of Stonesfield with Combe Longa passing of the seasons and the foods that shown in the harvest, but right through would have been available to us just at , the year and, of course, for our lives that time of year. Whatever, or however together. you feel about that, the church still indicates the way through the year for us Hope to see you soon, and of course, and I, for one, love the markers that we D.F.T.W. have. Rev Roy Why not join us at St Laurence or St James Parish letter On one occasion Jesus declared: ‘God so This month many people will enjoy a long loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him weekend, known by all and sundry as the SERVICES FOR OCTOBER Easter Weekend (10-13 April), which shall not perish but have eternal life. For From your Parish Priest out your woolly sweaters and warm coats? Sunday 6 October [Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity] begins on Friday, generally known as Good God did not send His Son into the world to I am. I love to crunch around and feel 8am Stonesfield Holy Communion [BCP/said] Friday,Here we and are continuesin Harvest through Festival Easter time condemn the world, but to save the world the crispness underfoot, to look forward 9.30am Combe Longa All Age Worship Saturday,already. Please Easter look Day at (Sunday) the service and schedule Bank through Him.’ to Remembrance and to the celebrations 11am Stonesfield All Age Worship – Harvest Festival Holidayand make Monday. a date to come along and join atThe the Cross end of Christthe year. is also It always a crossroads seems to for us as we celebrate the new harvest and Sunday 13 October [Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity] But how many people nowadays know and meevery that person it gets born more into family this world,orientated at which therefore the food on our tables. We do it 8am Stonesfield Holy Communion [BCP/said] understand the origin and the significance towardshe or she the makes end aof choice, the year either as we to plan accept our traditionally, of course, so if you want to 11am Combe Longa Harvest Festival and the implications of Easter? get-togethersand believe in around Christ ashot our meals only andway warm to be 11am Stonesfield Parish Communion [CW/sung] bring some produce to the services please fires.made right with God, or to reject Him and Easterfeel free. is the greatest and oldest feast of the thus turn our back on His free gift of Sunday 20 October [Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity] Christian Church, when the Resurrection I hope it will be a blessed time for you Before I get into my subject for this forgiveness and eternal life. 8am Stonesfield Holy Communion [BCP/said] of Jesus Christ from the dead, after being through the last quarter of the year. What month, can I thank you all for your 9.30am Combe Longa Parish Communion [CW/sung] crucified, is celebrated. IAt love His about trial, beforethe church Jesus year was is crucified, that we the 11am Stonesfield Communion Service for all ages generosity with regard to the Gift Days at alwaysjudge (Pontius have something Pilate), finding to join no together fault in WhateverStonesfield people and Combe. may think, It is orvery not heart- think, for.Jesus, We asked have the leadersdifferent of coloursthe people on and Sunday 27 October [Last Sunday after Trinity] ofwarming Jesus Christ, to me, He and was, to theand respective is, an thethe fontcrowd, of ‘Whatthe Communion shall I do with Table Jesus and who 8am Stonesfield Holy Communion [BCP/said] establishedcongregations, and thatacknowledged you value historicalthe Parish Lecterns.is called Christ?’ Of course, And in they the shouted,old days ‘Awaythe 9.30am Combe Longa Parish Communion [CW/sung] figure,Churches whose and life their and upkeep. death and It is a joy dressingwith Him! of Crucifythe church Him!’ was more vital 11am Stonesfield Parish Communion [CW/sung] resurrectionto have such are wonderful all recorded buildings in various to than now. Folks did not have as many On one occasion when Jesus asked His Sunday 3 November [Fourth Sunday before Advent] manuscriptsworship in and as wellI am as sure the that Bible. the next ways to tell the time through the day disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ 8am Stonesfield Holy Communion [BCP/said] generation as they come to use them for and the seasons through the year. One The Cross of Christ, by which is meant the They responded with various suggestions 9.30am Combe Longa All Age Worship their weddings, baptisms, and their saying of the indicators was the colours that the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus of what people thought, so He then asked 11am Stonesfield All Age Worship goodbyes to loved ones will appreciate our church was dressed in: Purple for Lent and Christ, the Son of God, is the focal point of them, ‘But what about you? Who do you 5pm Combe Longa Service of Remembrance for the recently departed commitment in our day. Advent, Gold for Easter, Red for Saints history, when God in Christ fulfilled His say that I am?’ And Peter responded: ‘You days, Green for the time we are in now, Mid-week Communion Service [said] planSo do of you Redemption. like autumn? Are you ready to are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ put away your summer clothes and get before we get through our time of Trinity, Wednesdays 9.30am at Stonesfield. Everyone is most welcome. The recording of history is reckoned and When St Thomas met the risen Jesus face referred to in terms of the years up to the to face his response was ‘My Lord and my time of Christ as B.C. (Before Christ) now October 2019 Stonesfield Slate 16 God.’ The question for each one of us is: 17 Stonesfield Slate October 2019 called B.C.E. (Before the Common Era), ‘What will you do with Jesus Christ?’ and A.D. (Anno Domini, the Year of our Lord) now called C.E. (the Common Era). Revd Ian Farrow
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 23 Advertisements For boxed ads please email slate- [email protected] for full details of availability, sizes, requirements and cost. Line ads: Forthcoming Events £2.00 per 30 words. Advertisements should be emailed to Easter Eggstravaganza [email protected] by 10 - 13 April 10th of the month. Line ads can also be delivered by Cecily Brown hand to Diane & Paul Bates, Contemporary Waterloo Barn, Laughton Hill, Art Exhibition Stonesfield, OX29 8DY. 23 April - 15 July All advertisements must be paid for in advance. Jousting Tournament 2 - 3 May Disclaimer Slate SEP 19.qxp_SLATE MASTER v3.3 22/08/2019 08:04 Page 22 The Stonesfield Slate is a village blenheimpalace.com amenity, produced and distributed by volunteers. It can not be held responsible for any of the views expressed in its pages nor does it endorse any of the products or services advertised. Whilst we strive to ensure all information is correct, we are not responsible for anything that Bespoke, handmade curtains, happens as a result of you using the blinds and soft furnishings information. If you find any errors or omissions then please contact the Friendly and professional Publisher and we will endeavour to correct them. service !"#$%&'(%%)*+,''' Support local businesses' Free, no obligation !"#$%&'()*#'+&"# consultations -%'.)/%"'0/1)2' "#*+*+,'34%$*#)*52' !The Slate is funded! by the advertisers you find on these pages. To ensure they ) Tel. 07880 880314 keep going you are asked to support !"#$%&'()*+(#%,"(-".#/-%"01(2/0*&'"01( them where3%//"0(.&4(#*&'"05( possible. As well as ensuring [email protected] we) have a thriving community you will ,-.--)//0-12)be helping continuation of The www.kingfishersoftfurnishings.co.uk 6667-#"/%+-%#)2-#+/8*2+%557$971:'Stonesfield Slate
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April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 27 Slate NOV 19.qxp_SLATE MASTER v3.3 21/10/2019 21:13 Page 22
SCSC Salon Copenhagen 3 Pendle Court,Salon Pond Hill, Stonesfield, Copenhagen Oxon, OX29 8PZ. Tel. 01993 891101 3 PendleUnisex Court,hairdressing Pond salon Hill, for Stonesfield, ladies, gentlemen Oxon, and children.OX29 8PZ All aspects of hairdressingTelephone undertaken 01993 by our 891101 professionally trained stylists, Sally and Donna. We also offer earpiercing and our nail bar is open for OPI Unisex hairdressingmanicures, salon pedicures for ladies, and Gelish gentlemen Polish. and children. All aspects of Wehairdressing are now offering undertaken beauty treatments by our professionally Eyebrow Shapingtrained – Eyelash stylists, and Eyebrow Sally and Tinting Donna. – Facial Threading Facial Waxing – LVL Lash Lift – Manicures and Pedicures using OPI WePolish also oroffer Shellac earpiercing – Quick Dip and Manicures our nail – Makebar is Up open Application for OPI manicures,Please pedicures call 07810 301087and Gelish to book. Polish. Find us on Facebook. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Find us on Facebook. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
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28November 2019 Stonesfield Slate April 2020 22Stonesfield Slate
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April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 29 Slate SEP 19.qxp_SLATE MASTER v3.3 22/08/2019 08:04 Page 31
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- Computer Science graduate mobile: 07944 877437 with over 30 years experience email: [email protected] web: www.thepcbuddy.co.uk Slate SEP 19.qxp_SLATE MASTER v3.3 22/08/2019 08:04 Page 25
Roberts Garden Machinery Ltd WOODSTOCK TAXI SERVICE ·Professional servicing and repairs of !"#$%&'()*")$ 07766 7430 1 most makes of garden machinery Member of the · Chartered Institute of Building New & second-hand machinery supplied ! ·Collection & delivery by arrangement Suriya Express General property 18 years’ experience with LAWNMOWER SALES & SERVICE & Post Office maintenance and Open 8–5 Monday–Friday, 8–12 Saturday high quality DIY 1 Pendle Court, Pond Hill, Stonesfield Unit H5, New Yatt Business Centre, New Yatt, OX29 6TJ ! Tel/Fax 01993 898379 General repairs Tel: 01993 881320 or email: robert.milloini@ btinternet.com • Ai All carpentry S a i - Decorating• Da i Bread & Pastries • H i a Sch • Weddi g P Fine range of Groceries • Thea e Re a a Minor plumbing• Sh i g i Andrew A. Adams FCCA Fruit & Vegetables Our friendl team includes female drivers Prompt, reliable and Chartered Certified Accountant Beers, Wines & Spirits www.townhousewoodstock.co.uk New range of Organic Products recommended service Quality personal service for your No job too small Accounting, Taxation and Business needs Dry Cleaning
Competitive fees agreed in advance Opening hours: Tel: 07876-275300 Free initial meeting Monday to Friday 7am–8pm [email protected] Telephone: 07790 854574 Saturday and Sunday 8am–8pm* 01993 891280 Bank Holidays 8am–8pm* “A job done well” Email: [email protected] *P.O. closed on Sundays & on Bank Holidays
30 April 2020 31Stonesfield Slate Stonesfield Slate September 2019
WILLS ~ PROBATE ~ POWERS OF ATTORNEY INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING Tel. 01993 811 792 Email [email protected]
Woodstock Solicitors - 1st Floor - 32 New Road - Woodstock - OX20 1PB
25 Stonesfield Slate September 2019 A C E Car Repairs and Servicing 01993 700041
SERVICING, BRAKES, CLUTCHES, AIR CONDITIONING, EXHAUSTS, DIAGNOSTICS, MOT’S PREPARED AND ARRANGED
Alan Claridge Engineering is a garage in Witney that has been repairing cars for over 30 years. I now live in Stonesfield and will collect your car from your house and deliver it back free of charge. I service and repair all makes of car so please call me to arrange an appointment.
!"#$%&'(%%)*+,''' !"#$%&'()*#'+&"#' !-%'.)/%"'0/1)2'!"#*+*+,'34%$*#)*52' mike ) chambers !"#$%&'()*+(#%,"(-".#/-%"01(2/0*&'"01( 3%//"0(.&4(#*&'"05( ) ,-.--)//0-12) maintenance 6667-#"/%+-%#)2-#+/8*2+%557$971:'
small area tiling
0 7 9 7 3 6 2 4 7 9 7
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 31 Painting, Decorating &
YOUR LOCAL Tiling With Care STOCKISTS & INSTALLERS OF * Local & Reliable Tradesman GARAGE DOORS House & Home Services & REMOTE OPERATORS * GARAGE DOOR REPAIRS & SPARES INTERIOR DECORATING TILING – ALL TYPES LOCAL RESIDENTS –10% DISCOUNT ON STOCKED DOORS HOME MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE PERIOD PROPERTY EXPERIENCE 01993 778836 / 01865 246444 FULLY INSURED
MANY WORKING DOORS & OPERATORS * ON DISPLAY AT: Richard Buck SHOWROOM: UNIT 24, AVENUE ONE, STATION LANE, Elbie House East End WITNEY, OXON, OX28 4XZ Tel: 01993 880166 !!!"#$%$#&'((%)"(%# Mob: 07791 046583
Jerrams Brothers Funeral Directors 33 High Street Woodstock OX20 1TE (01993) 811491
• Private Chapel of Rest • 24-hour personal family service • Pre-paid funeral plans
As the third generation of a funeral-directing family, Nicholas and Benjamin Tonks believe that at the time of bereavement, compassion and the families’ wishes are paramount. In partnership with the Church and community we endeavour to give the bereaved as much care and support as possible.
32 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate D. J. R. MILES BATHROOM, PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEERS LTD (Company number 4633496) Winner of the: Worcester Bosch environment 2007 installer of the year for sustainable heating and hot water systems • WAI Worcester Bosch accredited installer • Gas safe register engineer: registration: 37123 • Oftec oil fired engineer: registration: C4970/101/105e/600a • Unvented hot water registered engineer • Greenskies solar panel registered engineer • Ground Source heat pump engineer • Air to water source heat pump engineer • Green Source air to air engineer • Underfloor heating engineer • 6084 city and guilds energy efficient domestic heating registered engineer • Part P electrical engineer • All types of central heating services, new energy efficient installations and design service • All types of bathroom installations and design service Address: Polperro, The Ridings, Stonesfield, Witney, Oxon OX29 8EA Telephone: 01993 891904/01993 891314 Mobile: 07860 142230 www.plumbingandheating4oxfordshire.co.uk E-mail [email protected] www.worcester-bosch.co.uk
Suriya Express & Post Office 1 Pendle Court, Pond Hill, Stonesfield Tel/Fax 01993 898379
Bread & Pastries Fine range of Groceries Fruit & Vegetables Beers, Wines & Spirits New range of Organic Products Dry Cleaning
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7am–8pm Saturday and Sunday 8am–8pm* Bank Holidays 8am–8pm*
*P.O. closed on Sundays & on Bank Holidays
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 33 Imagine Life!
if you had your own…!
Gardener! Hypnotherapy Decorator! For help with anxiety, stress, Babysitter! pain control, insomnia, phobias, unwanted habits, confidence and De-clutterer! self-esteem, exam and interview I can help you clear your clutter, nerves. weed out your wardrobe and find new homes for your unwanted items.! Dog Walker! Contact: Linda Flanigan Spring Cleaner! Clinical Hypnotherapist Moving House Help! GHR Registered & Member (Lic.) of National Council for Hypnotherapy House & Pet Sitter…!
all rolled into one!! Tel: 07866 360359 Email: [email protected] For one-off events or regular help www.lfhypnotherapy.co.uk please contact Lindsey [email protected] or call ! 01993 898620 07941 561471
PET MICHAEL PRICE & SON SITTING PLASTERING
Do you go on holiday and worry about your pets? 58 Ticknell Piece Road I am a pet lover and I am offering to look after Charlbury, OX7 3TW your animals (feeding, playing, etc.) after school/ weekends/school holidays. I also ride ponies, water plants and can supply a reference from my Tel 01608 811642 cat sitting job. Rates negotiable. Mobile 07710 170049 Please call 01993 898620 and ask for Tara Taylor.
P. Fletcher GEOFF BOOTH Landscaping · Paving · Walling Painting, Decorating Driveways · Fencing · work & Wallpapering Building maintenance Forty years’ + experience Free quotations Tel: 01993 891945 Tel. 01993 891207 Mob: 07710 628248 or mobile 07884 430300 Email: [email protected]
34 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate
THAMES VALLEY Architectural, Construction, Agricultural & Equestrian Steel Fabrication TREE CARE LTD Services We also provide a full welding service A Stonesfield based company in Steel, Stainless Steel. Aluminium & providing a professional and reliable Titanium, including repairs to Steel, service in all aspects of tree surgery Aluminium and Iron castings and hedge management UNIT 4D FREE no obligation quote ENSTONE BUSINESS PARK ENSTONE, OXFORDSHIRE OX7 4NP Tel: 01993 891381 Mob: 07971018279 TEL: 01608 678267 MOB: 07751 678412 Email: [email protected] [email protected] www.tvtreecare.co.uk WWW.WITNEYWELDING.COM
"#$%&'()!%)#*+($,!
-#./'!0#))1!2!3(+%!45!6'!36.-7!
089:!;!:;<<=!>?8@A!;BC!CAD8B89A@=!BE!F;GHEBI! JA/KA!LAAB!:A@<8BH!M>AG>!;BC!9:A8G!NE?
)4.R!*#*!#.S!TUVWX!VVTWTT!Y!TZZWV!Z[\U\[! ! ELECTRICIAN 0A!NE?A!9E!=EM!J89:!>;?A!C;=!>AGK8NA!8D!
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 35 RuraScape Landscaping & gardens - Patios - Turfing - Fencing - Lawns & grassland - Hedge management - Garden/scrubland clearance Tel 01993 898733 or 07811 598958 Email [email protected]
Roberts Garden Machinery Ltd Bed and Breakfast ·Professional servicing and repairs of most makes of garden machinery at Combe ·New & second-hand machinery supplied For details ·Collection & delivery by arrangement 18 years’ experience with LAWNMOWER SALES & SERVICE please view Open 8–5 Monday–Friday, 8–12 Saturday www.greenclose.net Unit H5, New Yatt Business Centre, New Yatt, OX29 6TJ or call 01993 891223 Tel: 01993 881320 or email: robert.milloini@ btinternet.com
Dog-walking service A. K. P. DIXON Do you work long hours and feel that your Home & Garden Maintenance dog is not getting the attention and exercise & General Handyman that it needs? I run a dog-walking service For all those jobs you need doing for Stonesfield and surrounding areas. I inside & outside – I’m your man! have public liability insurance for peace of mind. Please feel free to call for a quote. Call Ade on 01993 813873 Katrina 01993 891131 / 07824357690 or 07825 631111 [email protected] or email [email protected]
PROBLEM FEET? • NO FUSS• JEM •NO MESS • NAIL CUTTING • CORNS • CALLUS CHIMNEY • NO PROBLEM • PROBLEM NAILS • FOOT MASSAGE SWEEPING Tel: 01865 772996 Treatment in the comfort of your own home SHARON DAVIES MCFHP MAFHP Enjoyable art courses and workshops in (01993) 891132 / (M) 07941843353 community rooms in Stonesfield, Combe and Finstock. Registered member of the British Association For more details contact Gabriele of Foot Health Professionals at [email protected]
36 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate A tree surgery company with the integrity you can trust. Tel: 0845 458 2980 Mobile: 07976 261850 Email: [email protected] www.townandcountrytrees.co.uk
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 37
Stonesfield Based, Family Run Firm
All types of electrical work undertaken, no job too big or small We are fully insured & NICEIC approved electrical contractors nstallations, Kitchens and Bathrooms , Outbuildings & Rewires (Full & Partial) eplacement inding ew or Additional Power Sockets/USB Sockets nstallations & Smoke Alarms
All Work Guaranteed & Certification Supplied when Applicable Call 01993 222444 or Email [email protected] Web www.OxElec.co.uk
WILLS ~ PROBATE ~ POWERS OF ATTORNEY INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING Tel. 01993 811 792 Email [email protected]
Woodstock Solicitors - 1st Floor - 32 New Road - Woodstock - OX20 1PB
38 April 2020 Stonesfield Slate
At Great Experience Travel, the safety and good health of our clients and our staff is our top priority. For this reason, we are no longer seeing clients in our office in Witney, but are maintaining contact by phone and e-mail using the contact information below.
As with so many other businesses, we are dealing with a situation for which there is no precedent, and every day sees some new policy or regulation that impacts on the information that we are giving to our clients about their travel plans. We are striving to keep abreast of every change and pass on what we know as best we can.
We thank everyone for their understanding and kindness, especially when we are having to pass on the bad news that a much needed and anticipated holiday has had to be cancelled or other travel plans are disrupted.
However, we are always looking for light at the end of the tunnel and are rebooking our clients to holidays later in the year, and finding great deals for people making new enquiries.
Until further notice, if you have booked with David, you can call him on 01993-627713; bookings made with Mandy, call 01993-627814, or with Sally, 01993-627712; or e-mail: [email protected].
April 2020 Stonesfield Slate 39 Slate SEP 19.qxp_SLATE MASTER v3.3 22/08/2019 08:04 Page 36
The White Horse, Stonesfield
Bar opening hours Food served Wed – Thursday 5pm – Close Wed – Thursday 6pm – 9pm Friday 12noon – 3pm Friday 12noon – 2.30pm 5pm – Close 6pm – 9pm Saturday 12noon – 3pm Saturday 12noon – 2.30pm 6pm – Close 6pm – 9pm Sunday 12noon – 4pm Sunday 12noon – 3pm
4040 DecemberApril 2019 2020 / January Stonesfield 2020 SlateStonesfield Slate September 2019 StonesfieldSlate 36