Village Voice The Newsletter of Stanton Harcourt and Sutton July/August 2011
West Oxon’s recycling rate almost doubles West Oxfordshire has almost doubled its recycling rate over the past six months, with over 66% of the District‟s waste now being recycled. The rate stood at 34% before the new waste and recycling service was launched. Cllr David Harvey, West Oxfordshire District Council‟s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The Council had hoped that the previous 34% recycling rate would be doubled within the first year of the new service. We knew that this was an ambitious and demanding target, so we are absolutely delighted that this has almost happened within the first few months.” “Residents in West Oxfordshire have responded extremely positively to the new service,” he added, “and we are very grateful to them – this impressive increase would not have been possible without their fantastic support.” The new service, which involves more than 45,000 households, gives residents more opportunities to recycle and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. In addition to the long-term environmental benefits, it will also save the Council over £500,000 a year, which will help it to keep Council Tax bills low. With the new arrangements and vehicles, 1,656 tonnes of food waste have been collected Clowning around on Festival Day from homes so far and recycled into electricity and fertilizer for farmland at a processing plant in Festival Week 2011 Cassington, instead of being sent to landfill, where it would have produced the harmful Thanks from the Chairman greenhouse gas methane. In addition, the new Despite the weather this year, Festival Week vehicles have separate compartments for turned out to be a great success. I would like to different materials so that more materials can thank everyone who staged events and opened be recycled. gardens during the week. One or two were May Gurney, the Council‟s waste and recycling washed out, but generally people turned out contractor, said: “We‟re very pleased to have regardless. helped with increasing recycling in West On Gala Day itself, it was amazing to see so Oxfordshire and would like to thank local people many people, and simply unbelievable that you all for their support.” stayed and weathered the showers! Residents can find out more about waste and Thanks also to those who helped in so many recycling collections by calling 01993 861025 or different ways (too many to mention but you know online at www.westoxon.gov.uk/waste. who you are). Paul Cross, Chairman
Thanks to the Village Oxford Theatre Company presents: A big thank you must go to all the organisers of the festival, the people who opened their gardens, and The Jungle Book those many people who were seen helping out at all A family show combining theatre, songs and puppetry the events throughout Festival Week. The week as Adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s stories by Neil Duffield usual was a tremendous success crowned by Festival Saturday 24 September at 7.00 pm Day itself which, despite the rain, was well attended in Stanton Harcourt Village Hall and well organised. More people this year were Tickets will be available in September dressed up, and a big cheer must certainly go to the School and Bounce who put on those dazzling displays in the rain. Thank you for all your efforts, and Alice’s Day – Saturday 9 July for the resultant funds raised. It could not have happened without the support of the Village, and what You can join the Mad Hatter, the Red Queen and other a great Village we have! colourful characters for tea as Oxford celebrates the On a personal note, thank you to all who came for first telling of Alice in Wonderland. There will be cream teas at The Willows and to the many helpers storytelling, street and promenade performance – who pitched in. The weather let up for us and, with the including the Jabberwocky in the Botanic Gardens – trains running, it turned out to be a happy and talks, walks and many other activities. See profitable day with £400 going to the Church. www.storymuseum.org.uk/alice for details. Liz and Peter Strange Eynsham Emporium
Jazz Picnic CLEARANCE SALE STARTS Sunday 17 July, 12.30–3.30 pm Saturday 23 July at Parsonage House Join our mailing list for a preview invitation Music from Judy Eames and the We offer cookware, party paraphernalia, cake Kaminsky Connection decorations and tin hire, cards and individual gifts, Tickets: Adults – £10; 12 to 18s – £5; under 12s – free. traditional children‟s toys and gifts, and flowers, Please contact Bronwen Buckley on 01865 883704. as well as coffee, cream teas and light lunches! Bring a picnic. Wine and soft drinks available. Open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Saturday Proceeds to St Michael‟s Church. Easy disabled access • Easy Parking • WiFi Take Away • Opposite the Post Office in Mill Street 01865 731717 • www.eynsham-emporium.co.uk Thank you
Mrs Violet Eden would like to thank each and every Birthday thanks! person who kindly attended the funeral of her son, Peter, and to everyone who sent messages of Penny and Antoni Swiergon would like to thank condolence. Please accept the thanks of Violet and everybody who came to Antoni‟s surprise 50th party her family. and made it so special. Huge thanks also to Jo, Derek and Donna for making the chilli and running the bar. And finally thank you for all the presents (mostly Blackditch Bunnies Pre-School alcohol related ...)!
Job Vacancy for a
Pre-School Supervisor Council tax scam warning Residents are urged not to give out personal information The pre-school offers education and care to children following reports of scam phone calls and e-mails in our from the age of 2½ to 4 years. We hold morning District offering either refunds of overpaid Council Tax or sessions, Monday to Friday in term-time from 9.00 am asking for payment of an underpaid bill. If you are unsure to 12.00 pm, in the Partnership Foundation Stage Unit about the validity of a call or e-mail, please contact WODC at Stanton Harcourt CE Primary School. on 01993 861040 or at www.westoxon.gov.uk/online before giving out any information. The deadline for applications is Friday 8 July 2011.
This post starts on Wednesday 7 September 2011. Candidates should be at least NVQ Level 3 or PM visits the Village equivalent. The appointment is subject to a successful The Prime Minister and local MP, David Cameron, was CRB check. For further information, please contact in Stanton Harcourt on 17 June to open the new Myrna Rickards at [email protected] development of 16 affordable homes in Blackditch.
The development comprises two flats and fourteen 2-, 3- or 4-bedroom houses for people with local Next Village Market – 2 July connections to the Parish. Welcome to everyone who 12 noon to 2.00 pm at the Village Hall has already moved in!
Vandalism in Parish Council Updates Stanton Harcourt and Sutton Grant: The Parish Council will be discussing at their monthly meeting on 4 July a grant of £10,000 they have been Jo Wilby and Suzy Miller awarded as a Section 106 payment in respect of planning for We are sure that some of you will be aware that there has a „piece of art‟ in the Village. All ideas welcome. been a rise in the number of incidents of vandalism Tar Road Travellers’ Site: The second Public Inquiry in happening within the Village, and it is on the increase. response to Daniel Delaney's appeal against WODC's We have realised, talking to several people during the refusal to grant consent for “change of use from agricultural course of Festival Week, that these are no longer isolated to gypsy site to include the stationing of 8 mobile homes and incidents. We would like to bring some of the unpleasant 8 utility/dayrooms (part retrospective)” has been postponed. events to people‟s attention in the hope that we can put an Originally due to start on Tuesday 5 July, it will now start on end to the acts of mindless vandalism within our small and Monday 17 October and run until Friday 21 October. It is close-knit community. hoped that it will take place in Stanton Harcourt Village Hall Our theory is that the more people know about such goings- but this is yet to be confirmed. on, the more likely we are to find the thoughtless people who Parish Councillors: There have been two approaches for are committing them. the position of Parish Councillor. The PC hopes, therefore, to Some of the incidents that have been mentioned to us: have a full set of councillors again by the middle of July.
Festival scarecrows damaged or completely destroyed Cars broken into in Sutton and items taken Berks, Bucks and Oxon Tyres slashed Signage for the Festival, pubs and shop „relocated‟ Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and/or damaged BBOWT protects local wildlife across Berkshire, The Village Hall constantly damaged through vandalism Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and organises activities Fencing around the children‟s play area at the Village from bat-tracking to badger-watching for members. The Hall damaged Trust also maintains a network of nature reserves with no Flower pots removed from graves at the Cemetery (the core funding from the government. For more information very lowest act of vandalism) about BBOWT and how to become a member, call 01865 Cars driven around in fields of crops – hundreds of 788 300, or look at www.bbowt.org.uk pounds-worth of damage done in fields at the bottom end of Sutton Litter left by the river after swimming sessions. WODC Allowances Panel And some of the responses we have received: West Oxfordshire District Council is looking to appoint three “A huge increase in vandalism on the old airfield and farm local people to be members of a Panel which reviews buildings ... windows smashed and doors kicked in ... graffiti allowances payable to councillors. Ideally the Council is ... things stolen ... endless rubbish being dumped ... the shed looking for applicants with a good understanding of local near the water tower is being used as a loo!” government or public services. They should possess the “We have had two „raves‟ recently at Tar Farm ... I spent relevant knowledge, skills and abilities that will enable them hours collecting bags of rubbish, bottles, cans, food to make a meaningful contribution to the allowances wrappers, fag packets, broken glass etc. Out-of-control dogs process. Applicants cannot be elected members of the running about; during the nesting season, I found two District Council or any town or parish council in West women down by the Thames the other day, dogs rampaging Oxfordshire. The closing date is Friday 8 July 2011. For about chasing and killing baby ducklings ... when I further details and an application form call 01993 861521 or remonstrated with them, they said, “'Oh, they're not doing look at www.westoxon.gov.uk/panelmembership. any harm, just having fun!'”
Our thought is that if the whole Village works together as one, we can try to put a stop to it. All we are suggesting is The Fox Village Pub and Café that if you hear an odd noise at night or something sounds Alex and Gabe would like to say goodbye and thank you to unusual, don‟t ignore it, turn on your outside lights, open the all our customers over the past 3 years. We wish the new door and have a look. If we make the people responsible feel tenants, Dean and Julie, all the best for the future at uncomfortable, unwelcome, and aware they are being The Fox. We‟re now at The Strickland Arms in Ducklington: watched and looked out for, we can start to stop it. www.thestricklandarmswitney.co.uk If many pairs of eyes are watching out, then we have more The Fox Charity Account has been closed and distributed to chance of finding out who is spoiling our Village and all we different Village charities and organisations. do within it. All names passed on to us or anyone else will be forwarded to the police. Stanton Harcourt and Sutton used to be quiet, charming places. Sadly, we are afraid it is very different now. Village donations The Fox Charity has kindly given donations to the School mosaic project and the Thursday Club. Very many thanks to Wychwood Forest Fair Alex and Gabe Fallon and to all those who supported Village charities events at The Fox. We wish Alex and Gabe well for th The 12 Wychwood Forest Fair will be held on Sunday 4 the future.
September at Southdown Farm, Witney, off the Hailey Road. Stalls and activities include: local foods; rural crafts; St Michael’s Church 200 Club conservation groups; the Wychwood Project; tourism; recycling; competitions; a fun fair; educational organisations; June draw arts and crafts; storytellers; second-hand books; Morris 1st 150 C Burch 3rd 172 B Brown Dancers. For more info visit www.wychwoodproject.org. 2nd 108 G Burden 4th 177 D Osman
ORCC working to support the Sutton Methodist Chapel Digital TV Switchover Programme: Contact: Rita Stockill 01865 880200 information and help scheme July 3 3.00 pm Mr I Prince This September, the analogue television signal will be 10 10.00 am Local arrangement, Family Service switched off and replaced with a digital signal. TV equipment 17 10.00 am Mrs S Bristow, incl. Sunday School will need to be digital-compatible, otherwise it will display a 24 3.00 pm Rev R Donoghue, incl. Holy Communion totally blank screen. Oxfordshire Rural Community Council 31 3.00 pm Mr I Whiley (ORCC) is working with Digital UK, an independent not-for- profit organization formed by broadcasters, to assist Wed 6 July and 3 Aug: Coffee morning, 10.00–11.30 am. Oxfordshire consumers in the conversion. There are two All welcome – if anyone would like to come and requires a lift Switchover dates for Oxfordshire. 14 September (BBC2) to Chapel and home afterwards, please call 882051. and 28 September (all remaining analogue channels – Wed 20 July and 17 Aug: House Grp at Chapel, 9.30 am. ITV, BBC1, Channel 4, Channel 5). August A Switchover Help Scheme has been set up to make it 7 3.00 pm Local arrangement easier for older and disabled people to switch to digital TV. 14 10.00 am Mr M Bucknell, Family Service For more information about the switchover and how you can 21 10.00 am Local arrangement help to spread the word, please contact Jayne Bullock at 28 3.00 pm Mr A Richards ORCC on 01865 883488 or via [email protected]
The Catholic Church of St Peter What’s on at The Harcourt Arms? Fr Martin Flatman Tel: 01865 881931 07719 646790 [email protected] A HUGE thank you to all who helped to get The Harcourt Services: Sunday Mass 10.00 am Arms ready for Festival Week and Day. Friends, family and Saturday (for Sunday) 7.30 pm; Monday 5.30 pm; Tuesday staff worked tirelessly to make the day and evening a big 7.30 pm; Wednesday 9.30 am; Friday 6.00 am. success. The band „The Limitations‟ performed to a rowdy St Peter’s Church: Open for prayer every day at Abbey bunch who enjoyed dancing the night away. A generous Street, Eynsham, OX29 4HR. Tel: 01865 881613 £250 was raised from the raffle and is going towards the Website: www.stpeterseynsham.org.uk School. The Family Quiz was well attended, and won by the Tomlinsons. As for us, it‟s business as usual now with the Quiz season And finally … finished until the autumn. Tuesdays ~ The Sausage Club (no quiz at the mo) £7.50 Crazy clowns rule the Day! Wednesdays ~ Fish „n‟ Chip night £9.95 with a pint of beer With loads of clowns rioting around on Festival Day, it‟s not or glass of house wine surprising that they are all over this year‟s Festival montage Thursday ~ Steak night from £8.95 with a free pudding! and made the front page too. Thanks to David Vaughan, as Early Bird Menu ~ Runs Tuesday to Friday, 6.00–7.15 pm ~ ever, and special thanks to him for taking great shots of the kids get a meal, soft drink and ice cream for £5 performances despite the rain. We hope you enjoy the pictures and, on that note, we‟re going to sign off for the Sunday Lunch ~ 1 Course £9.50, 2 courses £12.50, all summer – we‟ll be back in September with the next issue of 3 courses £13.95. Children on half portions pay half price. Village Voice for you. Reservations needed to avoid disappointment. 1st Friday ~ 1 July ~ For the Blokes ~ Lots of serious Parish Council information banter and intelligent conversation (gets better the more beer they drink!) All official communications should be addressed to the Parish Clerk: Trudi Gasser, 5 Woodlands, Standlake, Oxon 3rd Friday ~ 15 July ~ For the Girlies ~ An evening when OX29 7RA. quality wine is quaffed 01865 301720 [email protected] www.harcourtarms.com Parish Council website: http://www.wospweb.com/ site/Stanton-Harcourt-Parish-Council
St Michael’s Church Thank you to this month’s contributors. Material for Rev. Sarah Sharp Village Voice can be sent by email or put through Phil 01865 880249 [email protected] and Linda’s letterbox. Please include your name and phone number in case we need to check anything. July 3 9.30 am Parish Communion with Sunday School 10 10.30 am Benefice Communion in Standlake Deadline for the September issue: 17 10.30 am All Age Worship Monday 15 August 2011 24 8.00 am Holy Communion 31 10.30 am Benefice Communion in Yelford Published on behalf of Stanton Harcourt Parish Council August by Phil and Linda Loder, 25 Bury Mead, Stanton 7 9.30 am Parish Communion, no Sunday School Harcourt, OX29 5SD. 14 10.30 am Benefice Communion in Stanton H‟court 01865 883016 [email protected] 21 10.30 am All Age Worship 28 8.00 am Holy Communion While we try to ensure the accuracy of information in Village Voice, readers use the information at their own risk. Thurs 11 Aug: Bishop John will visit St Michael‟s Church Opinions expressed are those of the contributors and not at 10.30 am as part of the Pilgrimage Project. All welcome. necessarily those of the Editors or the Parish Council.