The Baldons and Newsletter

BALDONS ARTISTS EXHIBIT AT ART IN THE GARDEN (see page 111111)11 )))

May 2013 2 TALKING POINT BY CANON SUE BOOYS (R ECTOR OF DORCHESTER )

There has been much in the news recently to get me thinking about the Welfare State. I grew up with health and education provision made for me as a matter of course; I remember vividly attending child health clinics and coming home with a beverage we called clinicorange (definitely all one word to a five year old!). Like Mrs Thatcher I benefitted from State Education at a Grammar School and a University Education which (though means tested) was heavily subsidised, so I acknowledge myself a child of the welfare state and know that I am inclined to celebrate rather than challenge it.

Popular images in recent months have offered two contradictory ideas; on the one hand the needs of women in the East End portrayed in Call the Midwife are a clear testament to the importance of health and welfare provision, especially for the poorest in our society, whilst the much publicised Benefits - funded, bullying lifestyle of Mick Corrigan has called aspects of our welfare system into question.

I wonder how much of the truth we really know? Do we question the pictures that the media present? Do we hide behind stereotypes of poverty and indigence like our Victorian predecessors? Are we so tied up with our own concerns that we don't have real time for the grinding poverty of our neighbours? In a recent television report I was stopped in my tracks by young parents, both out of work, describing how, in order to feed their baby, they lived on supermarket 'Basics' batter mix. They were not out of work through choice and I imagined what it must be like to shop in a supermarket for food when you could not afford to eat.

A recently published report called 'The Lies we tell ourselves: ending comfortable Myths about poverty' looks at the way in which the comfortable half of our society understands the poor so that we allow ourselves not to pay attention. I'm proud that it was a report published by a group of Christian churches working together to highlight poverty in our country and sad and ashamed that those sponsoring the report did not include the Church of England. Here are some of those myths: They - • Are lazy and don't want to work • Are addicted to drink and drugs • Are not really poor -they just don't manage their money properly • Are on the fiddle • Have an easy life on benefit • caused the deficit.

The carefully researched report cites evidence and tells stories about real people in our towns and cities who do not deserve to have these lies told about them. You can read it on the internet http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Truth- And-Lies-Report-smaller.pdf

Of course this is Christians involving itself in politics and when Church of England Bishops raise such issues in public and particularly in the House of Lords they are frequently castigated for 'interfering'. But politics and religion DO need to be spoken about in the same breath. How else do we put into practice the great commandment to 3 love others as we love ourselves? When we allow ourselves and others in the world to believe these myths we are in danger of becoming less than human and both faith and humanity require of us that we ask hard questions and do our best to live up to the answers. The Welfare State as it was envisioned was, in its time, a response to doing just that.

In the years since I enjoyed my 'clinicorange' our society has become increasingly individualistic and this is not only the fault of politicians and government but all of us who have fallen into the trap of saying "It's not my fault" and therefore "It's not my responsibility". It is. The report ends "Collectively we have come to believe things about poverty in the UK which are not grounded in fact. We need to ... understand ... the depth and breadth of UK poverty ... and ... we need to match the language of public debate with the reality of people’s lives.

CHURCH IN THE BALDONS

We thank everyone who is helping during the interregnum. Advertisements, interviews etc are taking place shortly, so that we should know who is to be the new team vicar for the Baldons and Nuneham Courtenay, shared with Drayton St Leonard and by the summer.

Saturday 13th April saw the first of a number of weddings planned in the two churches, with congratulations to Emily and Iain. We were pleased to see everyone at the Mothering Sunday service and over Easter, which kept the children busy, making Mother’s Day posies, arranging the Easter garden and enjoying the Easter egg hunt – they even had us all making paper chains, even if this is not usual at this time of year!

Finally, please come to the concert on Sunday May 19 – it will be fun, and as we have just had a survey of St. Peter’s carried out so that we can keep the Church in good repair, it is all in a good cause. My contact details are 341323/07860 160900, Ian Gillespie is on 341398, and both our thanks go to Jennifer Morton, Verger, (343302) who is coordinating services, wedding funerals etc.

Debbie Dance - Churchwarden

ITEMS FOR THE NEWSLETTER Items for June 2013 newsletter by 16 th May please Any villager is welcome to send items for publication in the newsletter - this can be anything from articles, poems or pictures, to publicising your event. In addition, if you have an image you would like us to consider for the cover, do send it in! If you would like to receive a reminder e-mail each month for newsletter contributions please let me know. Natasha Eliot: [email protected]. Alternatively I can be contacted on 340562 or at The Barn House, Baldon House East, . For advertising queries, please contact Sheila Harris on: [email protected] or on 340403. 4 COME AND JOIN US FOR THE SUMMER TERM OF TODDLER GROUP !

We are a friendly group of parents and toddlers who meet every week during term time in Marsh Baldon village hall. We welcome newcomers (and old faces) with children from any age from newborns to pre-school. Sessions are casual, children can play with craft gear or our extensive hoard of toys including many ride-ons, or run around outside and explore. We also serve snacks and drinks.

Sessions run from 9.30 till 11.30 every Thursday, and cost £3 per family. Note that Toddlers will be closed on 2nd May (election day) and 30th May (half term). For any queries, call Lucy on 07810 490024.

BALDONS VILLAGE HALL

As regular users of the hall will have seen, we are part way through the upgrade of the village hall, with new lighting installed and redecoration having taken place. Works to the floor will be undertaken shortly, and again we hope to achieve this without disrupting our regular users.

To book the hall, please contact Ali or Darren on: 01865 340264 or [email protected]

Christian Aid Week 12 – 18 May Your gift will help people living in poverty out of poverty, for good.

I would also like to ask for assistance from the village in collecting the envelopes during the week. This should not amount to any more than one hour's work for any individual. If you are out when the collector calls and would like to give to Christian Aid, could you please leave your envelope with Matt at the Seven Stars and I will collect it from there. Ian Gillespie – Churchwarden - 341398

5 BALDONS PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

Village Green As we approach spring (a bit late arriving) and hope to see the village green growing and in bloom again for us all to enjoy it is worth reminding villagers of the rules that govern the village green and also mentioning a few things relating to the care and the management of the green in which you can be helpful.

The Rules of the Green are set out in The Law and Property Act of 1925 and are displayed on the notice board overlooking the green near the cricket pavilion. The green is formally owned by Queens College, farmers have rights over it, and the Parish Council is responsible for maintenance.

The Law that covers all common land and village greens and incorporates the 1925 act is the Commons Act 2006. The village green is there for all to enjoy as a public amenity with rights of access, and the size and beauty of our green is well known. However the rules do prohibit certain activities including amongst others: • Driving and parking • Dumping of rubbish and refuse • General injury or disfigurement the land or interference with its use as a public amenity.

Recognising the realities of modern life and dependence of villagers on cars for transport the parish council has always tried to be tolerant of cars around the green but it is important that villagers are aware that driving or parking on the green is not a right and in fact can cause most of the damage. We need villagers to respect the green and help to maintain and protect it.

During the last few very wet months there has been increasing erosion and damage to the edges of the green from cars, 4WDs, and other vehicles particularly outside the school and on road side verges throughout the village. Cars are an essential part of village life but we do need everyone to respect the green and to drive and park with care. Some of the damaged areas will recover naturally but need to be given time and rest from driving and parking, but areas that have been significantly eroded may not fully recover or be able to be repaired. The Parish Council will be discussing with the school the problems adjacent where parents are parking.

Dog poo on the green is an on-going problem and although many dog walkers now pick up and take it home there have been instances reported to the council where bags of poo are being left on the green. This is just as unpleasant as leaving the poo where it lies and results in complaints of the risk of infection for children. The council will periodically review the need for dog poo collecting bins but are not convinced that dog walkers would go out of their way to use them.

Garden rubbish and grass cuttings should also not be dumped on the green or in the surrounding hedges and ditches. We make this plea to householders round the green every year; farmers take the grass off the green in the summer for feed and are concerned 6 that dumped garden cuttings etc. damage the underlying grass. Please use a garden waste bin from SODC if you have no other way of disposing with your garden waste.

Village clear up Thank you to everyone who turned out on Sunday 7 th April to help clear the village of rubbish. It was a sterling effort and there are particular thanks for those of you who heaved tyres and other large pieces out of the ditches. As usual there were plenty of bags left for SODC to collect the day after but as usual it wasn’t long before someone threw something out of a car window!

Planning Applications The council has been consulted on the application for housing development on the Brewers site in Nuneham Courtenay. Whilst not directly affected by the development we have indicated support in principle for housing on the site to SODC without commenting in detail about the design considerations. Councillors have indicated concerns about the adequacy of the sewage and waste water infrastructure to cope, and urged that should the plans be approved by SODC measures are taken to avoid the development overloading the existing sewage system and adding to the flooding problems that affect residents in Baldon Lane.

Date of next meeting The Annual General Meeting of the Council is on Tuesday May 14 th at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.

FILM NIGHT AT NUNEHAM COURTENAY VILLAGE HALL

Yes my friends next film night is Les Miserables (sorry Johnny!). This is a really fine adaptation of the musical based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel.

We have had a request to do Saturday evenings so we are trying it for this event to see how people feel.

So mark your calendar for Saturday the 18 th of May. Doors open at 7:30.

Tickets can be reserved by calling Jenny on 01865 343459 or by e-mailing [email protected].

7 NUNEHAM COURTENAY PARISH COUNCIL

Apologies for the cancellation of the Annual Parish Meeting on 9 April. The Chair was unavailable for personal reasons. The meeting will have been held by the time this note appears. The proposed meeting for May is also cancelled. The next formal meeting is to be held on 9 July 2013 at 7 pm. However please feel free to contact us in the meantime.

Planning Brewer’s Garage. Revised drawings for the Brewer’s Garage redevelopment were submitted to SODC after the last newsletter article was written. Thanks to Jasminder many attended the drop-in session on 8 April and their responses were delivered to SODC. Our thanks also to parishioners who have continued to take an interest and express their views. Obviously there is a wide range of views, but many are supportive of the development. The Parish Council has considered its original response in the light of these changes and comments from parishioners. We were not unanimous in our views, but a majority agreed that, on balance, the benefits of the proposals outweigh the potential ‘harm’, and that the Parish Council should not object to the proposals. We do have reservations (which have been expressed previously and stopped us recommending approval) but believe these can be controlled by condition.

Arboretum barn and composting toilets. The application has been approved by SODC.

Bird scarers. Concerns about the noise and timing of the use of bird scarers was raised again recently. We had the opportunity to talk to the farmer concerned. He acknowledged that one of his ‘gas guns’ was going off early and had adjusted it, but would check to try to ensure this was not causing a nuisance. It should be noted that the farmer has been receptive to comments, and we’d encourage you to let us know if there are problems – if we don’t know the extent of concerns it is difficult to pass these on the sense of nuisance caused. The farmer has indicated that he follows the NFU Code of Practice (which can be viewed online). There are formal reporting arrangements via Environmental Health and we know they are aware of concerns and have been in touch with the farmer directly. However we feel it is preferable to deal with the matter by direct contact. We should also be aware that this has been a difficult winter for farmers and that the slow rate of growth of crops and the need to re-drill saturated land has meant that scarers have been in use for a longer period than might normally be the case.

Community Governance Review SODC has now issued the timetable and draft terms of review for its consultation on parish councils in the district. The Parish Council has the opportunity to comment on matters such as the size of the Parish Council, the boundaries, number of councillors, etc. The letter and terms are available on the PC website or from councillors. In 2009 parishioners indicated that they wanted to keep a Council of local people that reflected Nuneham Courtenay and various residents have put themselves forward since then to keep the Council going. However this is an opportunity for you to let us have your views. Comments have to be made by 28 June.

8 Contact details: Councillors: Frank Casey, Suzanne Deakin, Colin George, Jasminder Love, Tara Love Chair/acting Clerk: Colin George, 01865 343767 [email protected] Parish e-mail: [email protected] Parish website: www.nunehampc.webs.com

Baldons Garden Group

SPRiNG PLANT SWAP & SALE

Sunday 26 ththth May, 10:30 ––– 12.12.30303030

MARSH BALDON VILLAGE HALL

Swap or buy veg plants, herbs, flowers, perennials and shrubs.

OR just come along and have some delicious drinks and homemade cakes

All welcome

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‘Lunch on the Green’ 15 th June 2013 A Chance for the Village to Get Together

Complimentary drink on arrival Lunch Live music Children’s Entertainment Bar

KEEP THE DATE FREE - TICKETS ON SALE SOON!

THE SEVEN STARS – A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW LANDLORD

Hi All - And a HUGE welcome to the newly re-opened Seven Stars!

Firstly many thanks to all who helped paint, clean, shift furniture, cut grass and sometimes just be there to make tea! Too many to name and you know who you are. Thanks again.

So we opened and I didn’t really believe that we could get that many people in the pub! Packed out to say the least and we have followed up the initial launch with a new Sunday Roast menu, the ever popular Tuesday night Steak Night (launched on the 16 th April and available every Tuesday) and a fortnightly Wednesday pub Quiz from 17 th April.

Our bar menu is available every day 12-9 and Head Chef Alan Benge adds some excellent Specials for the evening. We also run a Gluten free menu and excellent vegetarian options. Ask many of our new customers and I believe they will say his desserts are to die for!

Coming up we have the return of Aunt Sally to the garden, more quiz nights and watch out for our new fresh fish menu.

I look forward to catching up over a glass and entertaining you all for lunch or dinner soon.

All the best, Matt 10 WOODFUEL PROGRAMME BULLETIN

As ash trees come into leaf, it will become apparent if they have chalara (ash die-back). Signs include wilting leaves and browning of young stems. Forestry Commission advice is not to fell ash trees unless they are ill. The felled wood can be used as firewood. See www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara. This is the time to buy firewood and store it for next autumn, and also to think about installing a wood stove or boiler . See www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk for advice. There will be woodfuel themed study visits on 15 April, 1 June and 8 June. The first and last of these will each involve a visit to a woodland, a wood processor and an interesting wood boiler. The 1 June event is at a Ministry of Defence woodland, and involves tasting wild rabbit and taking away firewood if you want. More information is at www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/woodfuel-site-visits. We have had five successful 'logs for labour' events this spring, and will run more next autumn. If you are a woodland owner who could use some free help with woodland management, or you would like to work outdoors in return for some firewood, please see www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/logs-for-labour. The Oxfordshire Woodfuel Programme is setting up a quality standard for firewood called 'OxLogs'. OxLogs suppliers will clearly state the volume, type, length and moisture content of their wood. Please ask your supplier if they provide OxLogs. Riki Therivel, [email protected], 01865 243488

ARTWEEKS 2013 --- ART IN THE GARDEN

This year three artists from the Baldons are exhibiting together at Artweeks.. Caddy Attewill, Lesley SchillingeSchillingerr (Ladies who Lunch)Lunch) and Sarah Marchant are exhibiting their paintings, jewellery and ceramics at 59 Abingdon Road, DorchesterDorchester----onononon----ThamesThames from May 11 ththth to 18 ththth ...

Please come along and visit us, there is easy parking and at the weekends we will be serving teas in a lovely garden setting. Oxford was the first county in the country to organise an Artweeks Festival which gives everyone the unique opportunity to visit artists’ homes and studios to view, and perhaps purchase, their work.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our exhibition in Dorchester.

Our opening times will be 12.00 to 6.00pm at weekends and Wednesday 15 th , Thursday 16 th and Friday 17 th . For more details please ring 01865-343815. 11 OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL NEWS

Historically, the Nuneham and the Baldons have been represented by two different County Councillors, Lorraine Lindsay-Gale and David Turner respectively. The County Council is holding elections on 2 nd May, with the number of councillors being reduced from 74 to 63. As part of this change, the Baldons will join Nuneham as part of the Dorchester and Berinsfield Division.

Lorraine Lindsay-Gale says: It has been an extremely difficult time for the County Council which has been faced with finding close to £200 million of savings to help clear the national debt. So far we are on track to do this while protecting front line services such as Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, the Fire Service and our Libraries.

We are proud that Oxfordshire has the most efficient Fire Service in the country, and that it is the top recycling county in the country. Other good news has been that I have been able to fund the improved access to primary school, equipment and a storage facility for the Nuneham Courtenay lunch club, stage lighting for the Greet Hall, , a sound loop for Dorchester Village Hall and give contributions towards the new youth shelter at Berinsfield, plans for the redevelopment of the Village Hall at Sandford and work on the Village Plan at .

David Turner says: Highway & Pavement Maintenance. The Government allocated more money in the form of a specific £3,000,000 grant for highway maintenance which has improved the situation, although many people would say that they have not noticed the difference. The bad winter with flooding and frost has added to a backlog of pressing repairs to be done. For this financial year the £20,000 Locality fund for local projects (the vehicle survey came from this together with support for the Watlington--Oxford bus service) which I as County Councillor recommended has been replaced by £20,000 for additional highway maintenance which the local councillor will be asked to prioritise.

Bus Services. The services from Nuneham Courtenay and Garsington to Oxford still exist although it is not easy for the Baldons residents to use them. The good news is that now at long last has a “Dial-a-Ride” service for mobility impaired and frail people.

High Speed Broadband. The County Council are targeting May 21 st of this year to sign agreements with the private sector to provide 90% of Oxfordshire with 24Mbit/sec broadband by the end of 2015. Villages with schools in their area should be in the first phase of 24M/bit/sec systems as the County Council has to replace the system which it put into schools many years ago as it is costing a lot of money to maintain.

This year will be the last annual County Councillor’s report that I will be making as I have decided not to stand for re-election this year: may I thank you for the courtesy extended to me by the Parish Council and the residents of the Baldons.

12 SAFARI SUPPERS

A number of people have expressed an interest in hosting a course for a Safari supper in aid of church funds. We all know that these events are very popular and I propose to hold one in Marsh and one in Toot some time in June and July. We are asking for volunteers to host a course in their gardens with the help of BEC's equipment. Any people willing to do this should contact me on 341398. Many thanks, Ian Gillespie Churchwarden

ST PETER ’S GARDENERS

We are calling a meeting of St Peter's Gardeners in the Seven Stars on Sunday 5th May at 6.00pm. We need to discuss the work that needs to be done there and how and when it can be carried out. Any persons interested in helping should attend. This should involve no more than two hours every two months working as a group.

Ian Gillespie

DORCHESTER TEAM NEWS

Ascension Day 9th May

There will be a service for the Team starting at 7pm at the top of Wittenham Clumps – please meet at the top, or at St Peter’s Church, , if wet. This is the perfect place from which to view the area the team covers, and to pray for it. It is also an opportunity to remember in a tangible way the Ascension.

Festival Sung Eucharist at Dorchester Abbey, 12th May at 10.15am

We are delighted that Terry Waite CBE has agreed to join us at Dorchester Abbey as the preacher for our Festival Service. Many will remember his role as the Assistant for Anglican Communion Affairs for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, in the 1980s. As an envoy for the Church of England, he travelled to Lebanon to try to secure the release of four hostages, including the journalist John McCarthy. He was himself held captive between 1987 and 1991.

His current interests include being president of Y Care International (the YMCA's international development and relief agency) and patron of AbleChildAfrica and Habitat for Humanity Great Britain. He is also president of Emmaus UK, a charity for formerly homeless people.

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SERVICES FOR MAY 2013

5th May 9.30am Holy Communion 9th May 7.00pm Ascension Day Wittenham Clumps Holy Communion if wet St Peter’s Little Wittenham 12 th May 6.00pm Evening Prayer Toot Baldon 19 th May 9.30am Holy Communion Marsh Baldon 26 th May 8.30am Said Communion Marsh Baldon 9.30am One4All Marsh Baldon 7.00pm Taize@7 Dorchester Abbey 2nd June 9.30am Holy Communion Toot Baldon

Morning Prayer in St Peters: Every Thursday at 8.15am

Fellowship Group: 2 nd and 4 th Mondays at 7.30pm Venues and further details from Jennifer Morton 343302; email: [email protected]

SIDESDUTY Marsh Toot 5th May 9.30am Ron Hewitt 12th May 6.00pm Sonia Hobbins 19th May 9.30am Richard Barnett 26th May 9.30am Tom Saw

FLOWERS Marsh Toot 5th & 12 th May C Attewill & L Barnett J van Dijk & S Hobbins 19 th & 26 th May W Barclay& V Sandilands H Maskell & J Knight 2nd & 9 th June L Martin & I Wright N Wells & V Bowler

14 NUNEHAM COURTENAY VILLAGE HALL NEWS Nuneham’s Got Talent… and a small group of young performers demonstrated this brilliantly on Friday the 12 th of April. We have had a request to run this event again and hope to do so in the autumn. The piano in the village hall got its first real use in a long time. Thank you to both the performers and supporters!

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