Of the village, by the village, for the village June/July 2013 80 FinstockServing Finstock, Fawler, Wilcote, Mt.SkippettNews and Finstock Heath
Events: Gardens open; Forest Fair; Toddlers �������� 2 Wine column; Buglife; Solidarity...... 8 Village Hall; WOOF; FoFS; Congratulations ������ 3 FFF; Girlguiding; Cornbury; Ramsden...... 9 Parish; District councillor; Cogges Manor Farm � 4 Shop; Post Office; Lowland search & rescue...... 10 Healthwatch; ORCC; First Responders �������������� 5 Scouts; Transport; Maundy Man...... 11 Conservation: recycling; free trees; woodfuel ��� 6 Gardening; Blenheim; Bridewell; ChOC...... 12 School news; Woodpeckers ������������������������������ 7
instock is going to get very busy in the near future. Major plans are underway to revamp the existing Village Hall to make it brighter, safer, more functional and attractive. We will need to raise plenty of money for all of the necessary work and we hope that in the process of raising money all of the village will enjoy the quiz and bingo nights, village BBQ, and the first ever Finstock BeerF and Folk Festival. Please see page 3 for all the details. We can also look forward to our annual Finstock Festival in mid-July and the School Fête on June 15th! Congratulations to Rodney Rose who has been elected as our new County Councillor! Phone 01865-810419; email rodney.rose@oxfordshire.gov.uk. FINSTOCK FESTIVAL 2013
The Finstock Festival will begin on Friday July 12th and finish this opportunity to represent themselves at various stalls within on Saturday July 13th. The Festival starts Friday afternoon with the marquee. Saturday night is Big Band night. the children’s party at the Village Hall. On Friday night in the Again any help would be gratefully received on Thursday marquee we will have several bands. Saturday afternoon fun and Friday during the day and evening to erect the marquees, starts at 2pm with many field events: tug-of-war, welly-wanging, etc., and on Sunday to dismantle and pack away everything. egg throwing and many more activities. There will be various Remember it’s your festival so let’s all make it a success. stalls and a BBQ. We hope the different village groups will take See you at the festival! Renewed Village Hall A well-attended meeting was exit in the side wall. held on May 14th in the Village 7. Windows will be added at the Hall, which allowed villagers to front overlooking the view and, look at the drawings and discuss with added skylights, will give the proposed changes to the hall. more light. Derek Bennett, Parish Council 8. Insulation and improved representative and Trustee on heating will make the hall warmer. the Village Hall Committee, Note: solar panels are unsuitable; outlined the background (see the roof would not support the previous issue of the Finstock weight, and income from surplus News) and explained that in line electricity is not available to with preferences expressed at the charities. Open Meeting, the Committee 9. The existing front will be faced would proceed with renovation with artificial stone and external to the existing building. rendering painted to match. Peter Bramley, Chairman of The architect, Peter Smith, remarked that when it was built the Village Hall Committee explained that most regular users are our hall had been “a very fine shed” but it was now in need of satisfied with the size of the hall but modifications are necessary. refurbishment. He believed the improvements could be made for These include:– £300,000 and assured us that there would be as little interruption 1. Urgent re-wiring and a new fuse box. as possible to continuing use. 2. Removal of ladies’ WC providing space for a meeting room. Sensible comments from those present and concerns raised by 3. The kitchen will be pushed back and modernised. neighbours will be addressed in the development. 4. An extension to house improved WC’s, storage and a lobby Shaun Morley explained plans for fundraising (see p.3) and will also provide a more accessible entrance at the side. noted that money raised or donated will be kept in a separate 5. A foldable stage can be let down when needed, which will charity account. BP extend space in the hall. See www.facebook.com/FinstockVillageHall?ref=hl 6. The present entrance with steps, which could be dangerous in and the Finstock Yahoo Group for plans. case of panic, will be used only as a fire escape, with another
June 2015 is the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. www.sustainweb.org The alliance for better food and farming. 0 . VILLAGE EVENTS 0 . Finstock Local History Society the Friends of Chadlington School and all Friday June 21st Green Leaves versus Golden Pavements: The Life and Work of proceeds will go to the school. There will Barbara Pym. In celebration of her 100th birthday on June 2nd, Clemence Schultze, be 21 ales to enjoy, a selection of wines of the Barbara Pym Society, together with colleagues, will discuss the life and work and ciders, Pimm’s and soft drinks. There of Barbara Pym, focusing on “Town and Country” in her novels. will also be an all-day BBQ, with food served through to the evening. www. Finstock Church Garden Party Saturday July 6th at 2.30pm chadlingtonbeerfestival.com. The location is Horace Holifield’s lovely garden on Mount Skippett. Live Music, Morris and Maypole Dancers. Do come and enjoy a summer afternoon with Pimm’s, Forest Fair stallholders cream teas, strawberries, stalls and of course a bouncy castle – plenty to entertain This year’s fair will be held on Sunday everyone. September 1st at Foxburrow Wood. For Teddy Bears’ Picnic all stallholder enquiries please contact the “If you go down in the woods today....” On Sunday June 9th the Wychwood Project Forest Fair Coordinator, Michael Drew, will be hosting a teddy bears’ picnic, to encourage families with young children to visit 702624, [email protected]. Foxburrow Wood and explore the site for themselves. All other enquiries please telephone 01865-815423. Special Event at Asthall Manor Join us on Saturday June 15th from 6pm to 10pm, for an evening of music, art, poetry Down on the Farm at Cogges and fine food at Asthall Manor, all in aid of the Wychwood Project. Entertainment will on Saturday, June 8th include the Burford Chamber Choir, folk music by Tom Dyson and friends, displays Join experts from Oxfordshire Buildings by local artists and a ‘posh picnic’ of fabulous local food. Book a table, bring a friend. Record and learn how to survey and date Tickets £20 per person from the Project office [email protected]. Tel. structures at Cogges building. Course 01865-815423/815424. (With thanks to Rosie Pearson). fee £30 includes lunch and refreshments. 10am-4pm. Booking required. www. Ramsden Gardens Open obr.org.uk. Sunday June 23rd 2-6pm. Beautiful gardens, orchards and woodland walks and a chance to see the new meeting room in the Memorial Hall. Refreshments include tea Stonesfield Pre-school and After and a Pimm’s tent, plus stalls for plants, books and pottery. School Club will be running a Summer Holiday Club July 22nd to August 2nd Sculptures at Dean Gardens from 9am to 5.30pm for children aged A rare opportunity to see a selection of sculptures by the celebrated Dutch 3 to 11 years. £26 full day, £14 half sculptor Marjan Wouda in one of the most beautiful gardens in Oxfordshire. This day (reduction for second child). Please event supports ROSY – Respite Nursing for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters. contact Mrs.Z.Rozee on 898012 for Dean Manor, Dean on Sunday June 23rd 11am-4pm; admission £5. Teas and registration forms or further details. cakes for sale. Toddler Group Chadlington Beer Festival The 10th Great Chadlington Beer Festival takes place on Saturday June 1st, from 12 noon to 11pm in the village. The Beer Festival is the chief fundraiser for N.RANDELL HANDYMAN & HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES Finstock Toddler Group re-opened its Electrical, Plumbing, Flooring, doors in April, and since then has gone Decorating, Tiling, Woodwork from strength to strength. Each week we have enjoyable activities, a range of messy No job too small play stations, lots of toys, music time and most importantly for us parents, cake! Dog walking All jobs considered Families from all across the area are Cat home visits Locally based coming and finding it a really enjoyable, Dog home boarding friendly session; anyone out there with Quality finish Small animal boarding children, come along! You can search for Finstock resident us on Facebook or alternatively call me, For a free quote call Insured and police-checked Caroline Stevenson on 868430. 01993 868725 We are based in Finstock Village Hall on Wednesdays during term time, from 07717 878323 10am to 11.30am. See you there! 2 SUPPORT THE VILLAGE HALL WOOF - (Walkers of our Footpaths) An open meeting was held in May More helpers are needed for events, to share the plans for the Village Hall but especially people who will take As I write we have had four weeks of redevelopment. Whilst we hope much responsibility for organising one. We minimal rainfall and the deluge of 2012 of the cost will be secured from grants, have a list of 73 fundraising ideas to seem like a distant muddy memory. Our it is essential that Finstock demonstrates choose from, or plan one of your choice. local footpaths have returned to normal. financial and other support for the If you are interested in helping contact Wilcote have made good the path that project. A series of fundraising events are Shaun on 868134 or morley.shaun@ runs west from Wilcote Manor; and we planned for the next two years to raise a gmail.com. await the installation of the two new dog substantial amount: around £50,000, plus We have a new Finstock Village poo bins, one opposite Strange’s Farm and hours in kind by volunteers organising Hall Facebook site which will give you the other near the Plough. and helping. The following events have updates on the development of the Julian Stewart Tel: 868517 been confirmed, and all events are at the hall. Fundraising and other events will Friends of Finstock Village Hall at 7.30pm with a licensed bar be posted there as well as circulated School (FoFS) unless otherwise stated. Details of each elsewhere. www.facebook.com/ event will be posted around the village FinstockVillageHall. The sun is now out and I am hoping it nearer the time. will be when you read this article! Thus far Congratulations Coming Soon: this year FoFS has raised money through Friday June 14th Quiz night with fish to local couple the Ladies Pamper Night; a Green token and chip supper. A competitive but fun collection at Waitrose; an Easter Egg Hunt quiz night. for the children in school; and, of course Saturday June 15th Bingo night. the Friday cake sales. We would like to Sunday June 16th, 4pm Well Hill say a big thank you to everybody who Barbecue: a family event to celebrate the supports us. conservation work carried out in Well Hill Coming up is the School Summer during the past year. Bring the family and Fête on Saturday June 15th 2-4.30pm enjoy a picnic atmosphere on Finstock’s on the Playing Field. All the usual fun village green, Well Hill (bar open in the Giles and Ellie Hill run a music festival and games, including Maypole dancers; Village Hall). food stall called Paelleria. They won the barbecue; cakes; plant sale; many stalls for the children and the races and egg For the diary:– UK Festival Award in the Best Concession throwing! Please do come along and Friday August 23rd Film in the Field 2012 category as voted for by festival enjoy, at the same time raising funds to – the showing of a spectacular film on goers. They are a Spanish, event-catering enhance the learning experience for all a large screen in the playing field, film company specialising in paella! our children in our local school. starts c.8pm. www.festivalconference.com/this-years- Karen Williams, FoFS Friday to Sunday September 13th – 15th uk-festival-awards-winners-unravelled/ The Finstock Ale: a Beer and Folk festival. The Oxfordshire Museum in Thames Water is asking for comments on A weekend festival with twenty firkins of Woodstock is holding an exhibition whether customers would like to have a water beer and additional ciders focusing on of photographs entitled Mummers, meter installed in their homes. Ends June Oxfordshire producers. There will be folk Maypoles and Milkmaids: A Journey 26th. Comment at www.thameswater.co.uk/ and acoustic music to entertain you. This through the English Ritual until July 28th. haveyoursay; or Freephone 0808-178-9055. is Finstock’s first beer festival. Sponsors for the festival are sought for either a specific firkin of beer or for the event Harris Thompson beer notes. Should you wish to support & Finstock Village Hall in this way, please PAINTERS AND DECORATORS email or telephone to confirm. Shaun Morley 868134; email: thefinstockale@ Harris & Thompson is the premier Painting and gmail.com. Decorating company based in the heart of the Cotswolds. Website: thefinstockale.wordpress.com We have a reputation for producing and delivering Friday October 11th Ags Connolly exciting and high quality workmanship. and friends, a music evening with Whether its a small room or commercial Property Finstock’s own Ags playing original music or even a country home, Harris & Thompson Are in traditional country style with various first choice for all your decorating needs. We offer a 12 months guarantee on all our work. guests Friday November 22nd Quiz night Tuesday December 31st New Year’s Telephone : 01993 868540 / 01608 811484 Eve Party www.harrisandthompson.co.uk
3 Parish Council News – The Annual Parish Meeting District Councillor Liz Leffman Each Parish Council has a statutory refurbishing the Hall. It was reassuring duty to hold an Annual Meeting to that we will be able to keep the football I’m conscious that every time I write present an account of progress to pitch and changing rooms in reasonable for the Finstock News, it’s about the Parishioners. This year’s meeting order: hopefully we will be able to proposed recycling site at Greystones, followed the April Parish Council provide facilities for visiting teams and or at any rate the lack of it. I am very meeting. revitalise our own football club. sorry indeed that I am writing about it The Chairman reported on what the Our Police Community Support again, as by now it ought to have been PC had been doing over the year; the Officer was on hand and it was up and running. But we find ourselves County Councillor (Neil Owen) spoke reassuring to learn that we are in one at an impasse. Chipping Norton Town about the developments at County of the safer areas of the country; though Council and West Oxfordshire District level that have affected us and told he did warn us to beware of vehicle Council are as far apart as ever over rent us of developments in the pipeline; crime as there has been a spate of thefts for land on the access road to the site. I the District Councillors (Hywel Davies of catalytic converters from higher have been told by the Leader of WODC and Liz Leffman) described their wheel base SUV’s and of number plates that negotiations are still in progress and achievements at WODC level. Also, a – apparently stolen number plates are the ball is in Chipping Norton’s court. report was provided by the Parochial often used on vehicles to steal fuel I can’t say, and nor can anyone else, Church Council on how they were from petrol stations, evade speeding when the site will finally be opened. spending the grant the Church receives fines, etc. Discussions are under way regarding from the Village to help with the The Parish accounts for the year the Wilderness Festival at Cornbury upkeep of the building and graveyard; 2012/13 were presented and accepted. where music will be playing on Thursday night, as the licence allows. the Chairman of the School Governors Mike Woodfield spoke with great enthusiasm about the I have reminded officers that Friday is exciting developments at the school. Cogges Manor Farm Open a working day, and any audible sound It was especially good to hear more of Season until November 3rd; 11am- in the small hours of Friday will be the Village Hall Committee’s plans for 5pm, Tuesday-Sunday and Bank unacceptable, but a lot depends on the Holidays. Manor house open weekends direction of the wind. Last year several THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE and Bank Holidays, tours every Friday people in other villages were disturbed, Andy Compton 868271 Member though not in Finstock. Let’s hope we Sean Connolly 868561 Member at 11am. Season tickets available. The Nicky Higgins 868425 Proofing Café at Cogges opens 9-5 Tuesday- have some good weather, no wind, and Tony Hirtenstein 868600 Layout Friday, 10-5 weekends and Bank that the Festival is as successful as it Joy Murphy 868575 Editor Holidays. Cogges Manor Farm, Church was last year. I shall certainly be there. [email protected] Lane, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 3LA; Liz Leffman Barbara Wells 868776 Distribution www.cogges.org.uk. [email protected] John Wells 868776 Advertising Tel: 01608-810153 Photographs thanks to staff members and Free funding advice others. WODC - www.westoxon.gov.uk/ Fixmystreet.com – report Read the Finstock News online at sites. living/grants.cfm those potholes! google.com/site/finstocknewsonline; join the Finstock Yahoo group – groups.yahoo. The Foot Clinic com/group/finstock; or write to us at 63 THE WHITE HORSE Surgery Home Visits High Street, Finstock Oxon OX7 3DA. THE RIDINGS – STONESFIELD – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finstock Freehouse & Restaurant For all aspects of foot health Parish Council Finstock village website: www.wospweb.com/site/finstock-online/ Closed – Monday Nail cutting Callus & Corns index.htm. Tuesday-Thursday – 5.00 Close Thickened Nails (Hard & Dry Skin) Fungal Infections Friday – 12.00-3.00; 5.00-11.00 In Growing Nails Plan ahead – Know the deadlines (Athletes Foot) Saturday – 12.00-3.00; 6.00-11.00 Diabetic Assessments Verrucae Issue Deadline Sunday – 12.00-3.00 Feb/Mar First of January Tasty Home cooked food April/May First of March Real Ale and Fine Wines - Fiona Cann EN. MCFHP. MAFHP June/July First of May Pretty Beer Garden Tel: 01993 704260 August/September First of July Folk Music Nights every 2nd Mobile: 07790 475314 October/November First of September Wednesday of the month Email: info@@onafootclinic.co.uk December/January First of November www..onafootclinic.co.uk Now serving lunch Friday, Saturday & Sunday Please keep articles short. As space Dinner available Friday & Saturday is limited, the Editors reserve the Barn & Skittle Alley available for Hire right to shorten long pieces in the interest of balance. Finstock News For reservations and enquiries please phone does not necessarily share the views Angela or John on 01993 891063 expressed in readers’ letters. 4 SMALL ADS (All numbers start with 01993 unless otherwise stated) Decorator & Tradesman - House & Looking for Childcare? Maraedy Hair Co, Sheep Street, Home Services Call Finstock Childminder, Caroline Charlbury OX7 3RR Painting and Decorating. Maintenance Stevenson on 868430 Ladies, gents, little ones and not so little and Repairs. Help around the home. Excellent Ofsted report is available on ones, Call us for your next appointment Reliable Local Tradesman. request or online. Tel: 01608 819269 Richard Buck, Elbie House, Elbie House Bed & Breakfast East End, North Leigh, OX29 6PX OFSTED registered childminder Accommodation available in Finstock Tel: 880166; Mob - 07791-046583 Four Star Silver Award Please contact Amy Crockford 868617 Kings Cleaning Services (Est. 40 Lovely ensuite rooms to accommodate Use the Village Hall for your next years) your visiting friends or family. Windows – gutters – UPVC event. Contact Sue Salter on 868647. frames – fascia – Specialist equipment Mandy Buck, East End, for conservatories, including roofs. Also North Leigh OX29 6PX Parties catered for, weddings, domestic house cleaning. Fully insured. www.cotswoldbreak.co.uk; mandy@ birthdays, suppers, etc. Ring 882727 for a professional and cotswoldbreak.co.uk Contact Marvina George Tel. 868190 reliable service. Tel: 880166; Mob - 07791-241905 Line ads are charged at 20p per word, payment in advance. Please contact: John Wells on 868776. We will no longer be accepting inserts for the newsletter.
Healthwatch Oxfordshire The Public Involvement ORCC Bulk Oil-buying Scheme Oxfordshire Rural Community Council Network (PIN) Details of prices and savings are on the (ORCC) has been appointed for an interim (publicinvolvementnetwork.oxfordshire. ORCC website, along with membership period to run Healthwatch Oxfordshire gov.uk) will be working closely with application forms. www.oxonrcc.org.uk/ for its first year. Healthwatch is the new Healthwatch Oxfordshire and is keen to home/bulk-oil-buying-scheme. Contact independent ‘consumer champion’ for ensure two-way feedback between the Christine Bartle on 01865-733214. people of all ages in relation to health and public and the Boards. (ORCC) social care issues. To find out more and People can use the PIN to raise their join Healthwatch you can register on their issues and concerns to the Partnership Oxfordshire Dial-a-Ride, which website at www.healthwatchoxfordshire. Boards; and the Health & Wellbeing Board covers the whole county, is a door-to- co.uk. will consult PIN on strategies and work door, pre-booked service for disabled related to the Board’s priorities. and mobility-impaired people that Email: healthwatchoxfordshire@ have registered to be a member. www. oxonrcc.org.uk; Facebook: www. The Family Information Service is a new oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/dial-ride-0 facebook.com/HealthwatchOxfordshire; directory website making information for The minibuses, operated by our Twitter: twitter.com/HealthwatchOxon. parents easier to find: www.oxfordshire.gov. Transport Services between 9am-5pm, uk/cms/news/2013/feb/launch-new-family- have to be booked in advance. information-service-online-directory. First Responders CroCkford Builders The Finstock Community First Responder 35 sChool road, finstoCk, oxon OX7 3DN Team hopes that you have a lovely summer. We hope to see you at many of the local EST 1973 events in the next few months. We are volunteers, trained by the ambulance New builds, Extensions, Renovations, service, to attend certain types of 999 Dry or mortar stone walling, calls in your community. We hope you won’t need us, but we are here to help Groundwork, Hard landscaping, the local community when needed. You Natural Stone slate specialists, can find out more information at www. southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/our-services/ Re-roofing, communityresponders.ashx. We also General Maintenance. collect any old mobile phones or unwanted (new or used) printer cartridges to recycle All building work undertaken Domestic & Commercial and raise funds for the charity. These can be dropped into the village shop or Call William on please contact me (email saraanscombe@ btopenworld.com) and I will collect them. 01993 868 617 OR 07817248329 Many thanks Sara 5 COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION Live in each season as it passes. Henry David Thoreau Where does Oxfordshire’s recycling end up? Visit www.cagoxfordshire.org. their local managing authorities and uk and click on news archive to see where your recycled materials go – click on on challenges ahead, such as declining the links to find other sources of information. (Resource Futures) standards, loss of facilities or reduced Charlbury CAG is now Charlbury Green Hub – charlburygreenhub.org.uk commitment to maintaining activity programmes. For more information Free trees for your local area visit loveparksweek.org.uk. Community groups, youth groups and schools can apply to the Woodland (GreenSpace SE update, 21 Feb) Trust for packs of free trees and shrubs for delivery in November 2013: www. ONCF woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/moretreesmoregood/about/Pages/about.aspx. The Woodland Trust aims to help support small woodland creation. The packs come Oxfordshire Woodfuel in a variety of themes including small copse, small hedge, wildlife, year-round Programme colour, wild harvest and wood fuel. They have 4000 packs to give away and Saturday June 1st 10am-4pm is you have until the September 13th to apply for November delivery. a unique opportunity to see MOD Discarded bikes at Dix Pit Household Waste Recycling Centre have helped Bicester Garrison’s woodland, try disadvantaged youngsters learn how to refurbish them, including a full safety wild rabbit, and take home as much check, and the students get to keep the bikes at the end of the project thanks firewood as you can fit in your car. £30. to local charity Trax. (Resource Futures) Contact Gary Beckett at gbeckett_13@ btopenworld.com, 07810-756110. The new TVERC website is www.tverc.org. Tell them what wildlife you’ve seen; share your wildlife sightings and photos. By increasing their knowledge of Saturday June 8th 9:40am-3:40pm which species are where, they can help protect wildlife and improve our natural Thrupp Wood near Kidlington, environment for the benefit of us all. ONCF Sustainable Kirtlington’s woodfuel production, and Manor House Stoves. Butterfly survival blueprint Starts and ends at Water Eaton P&R. Butterfly Conservation has shifted much of its effort to conserve our most £25. Contact Fiona.Danks@oxonrcc. threatened species from a focus on single sites to targeting networks of sites org.uk, 01865-883488. across a landscape. This new approach was a response to scientific studies of The woodfuel programme has how butterfly populations behaved in our fragmented countryside. Butterfly received several offers of unseasoned Conservation published a report drawing together our experience gained from logs at a good price. It is mostly willow delivering conservation at a landscape-scale. The report describes twelve case and would require cutting into lengths studies from around the UK, including project delivery mechanisms, funding and storing under cover for at least one sources, land management changes and the impact on target species. We summer. If you have woodland that believe this report is ground-breaking because this is the first time a wildlife could use some help, or are happy to organisation has been able to produce evidence that landscape-scale conservation work in woodland in return for logs, really works. A number of common themes emerge from these case studies; please see www.oxonwoodfuel.org. lessons which we believe are applicable to conserving all wildlife. The report uk/logs-for-labour. Woodland owners can be downloaded from the website www.butterfly-conservation.org/landscape. who need to put in roads to extract (Biodiversity News, Issue 60) “We really are so woodfuel can get a grant that covers NHS Forest evidence (nhsforest. pleased with the up to 60% of the cost. org/evidence) shows that an estimated photographs you have Contact programme manager: Riki £2.1bn could be saved in healthcare taken - Tonia said they Therivel, manager@oxonwoodfuel. were the best wedding costs if every household in the country org.uk, 01865-243488; www. had access to quality green space; yet photos she had seen” oxonwoodfuel.org.uk. recent research (www.green-space. org.uk/csrsurvey) by parks charity Thames Valley Country Watch Informal, professional GreenSpace indicates a 30-40% cut in is a free, two-way communication Wedding Photography spending on green space in some areas. with the police; a messaging service In the light of this, Love Parks Week designed to keep you current with “You did a great job and the photos are 2013, taking place from July 27th to information on rural crime, events magnificent - August 4th, will work to empower and security marking. Members of the everyone looked communities to become confident local public can receive updates relevant to great and really champions at the heart of protecting, them and their community and share natural” conserving and improving their local any concerns they have and intelligence Call David Burton - 07799 471499 green space. Training, resources about suspicious activity with their or email [email protected] and networking will equip volunteer local neighbourhood officers. Visit For samples see: groups across England with the www.thamesvalleycountrywatch.co.uk http://davidburton.zenfolio.com/weddings knowledge they need to work with for more information and to sign up. 6 FINSTOCK SCHOOL HAS THE LOVE BUG
After starting our last correspondence about time travel through planned curricular around the school. Charlotte has kindly with a mention of our very own Bug links in the classroom, children have started agreed to provide us with a copy of Hotel, we started this term in love. Our to explore this theme creatively through her research findings which will be very children reflected on what love is and why Plan-Do-Review. Children had the choice to beneficial to us when we are planning how it is important to love each other as well as explore time travel through drama, sewing, to best use our school grounds in the future. loving ourselves. Our value for May was mosaics, collage, painting, sketching, music I wonder how many of our current pupils courage. Let’s hope that we can encourage composition, cooking and gardening. We will travel back in time and return to us in our children to have the courage to think for look forward to the results of this very the future? themselves and not let the noise of other creative process in Term 6! We are currently collecting Sainsbury’s people’s opinions drown out their own Forest School continues this term with vouchers. Please tell your friends and inner voice. some of our youngest children. Enjoyed by neighbours that we would be very grateful Exterminate! Our curriculum theme for all, the programme really helps to equip all if they would donate their vouchers to the the Summer Term is Time Travel. As of our children with the skills and knowledge school. well as learning to reach their potential and helps them to We look forward to seeing you all soon make informed decisions about themselves at our annual School Fête on Saturday June and their environment. Again, a huge thank 15th – let’s hope the weather is kind to you to Lord and Lady Rotherwick for giving us. Please visit our revised school website: us part of Cornbury Park to use. www.finstock.oxon.sch.uk. We were pleased to welcome back one Best wishes from us all, of our past pupils, Charlotte Stringfellow, Clare Pike – Deputy Headteacher this term. Charlotte returned from university School summer holiday: July 22nd – 3rd to do some valuable research. Her research September focussed on the well-being of children and where children feel ‘safe’ and ‘included’ The batteries were given Woodpecker Pre-school out free of charge. We are now in term 6; the last term of When they move on it is a little hard; at no cost to you every time you shop at the school year. Nine of our children are although we do still see them and we still Amazon, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, M&S, Body starting to think about moving into ‘BIG’ get the occasional hug – even when they Shop, Argos, John Lewis, Tesco, Ebay school in September. We are happy to see are in Y6! and hundreds more, and there are also how excited the children are to continue We had lots of fun last term. We held discounts available. Donations range from their learning and developmental journey a small sponsored ‘bike/scooter ride’ 1% up to 15% of the purchase price. The in the classroom next door, but we are also which the children were fabulous at doing. webpage is www.easyfundraising.org.uk. sad to see them go. Part of our role is to The wind and threatened rain moved the You need to create a user ID and form an attachment with the children and venue to the race track in our back garden then select your good cause in this case their families to help them to bridge the area. Some children managed to clock up ‘Woodpecker Pre-School’ (we are the gap from home environment to school. 25 laps and could have done more if they first Woodpecker Pre-school that comes hadn’t been stopped. up) this creates an account. The website We made a spider’s web to go on will give you the option of creating a the wall, with lots of interesting spiders cookie; if you select it your computer will attached to it. We have been learning automatically tell you every time you visit about the bravery of St.George and the a website registered with Easyfundraising. Dragon. We have tasted different foods, Alternatively you can log into your retailer from proper Irish Cake to exotic fruits. You via the Easyfundraising website each time might also have seen us as we enjoyed you shop. walks in Finstock; or more likely heard us. Many thanks once again for all your There is a lot of talking during our walks: support. questions to be asked and answered by Lesley Dore A tree surgery all; and the children make connections company with the when they see ‘things’ which trigger off Our opening hours are 8.45am to 12 interesting snippets of what they have noon, Monday to Friday. We are situated integrity you can trust. been up to. We all enjoy these trips out; at Finstock School, School Road, Finstock. All combined aspects of Arboriculture especially if the sun is shining too. For further information, or to organise Do you shop online? As you know a visit, please, contact Lesley Dore on Tel: 0845 458 2980 we are always looking for ways to raise 868280. (Please look on the ‘OFSTED’ Mobile: 07976 261850 money and have joined an online site website for details of our excellent recent Email: [email protected] called Easyfundraising. You could help report or telephone Lesley and ask for a www.townandcountrytrees.co.uk raise money for Woodpecker Pre-school copy.) 7 ‘Waiter, there’s something in my wine!’ Community Solidarity
‘A whiff of what the French call ‘pipi de parties began to motor down from Paris Many people from Finstock are chat’ (cat’s pee) is present in many Loire for lunch. They liked the sharp, tangy making sterling efforts around the village Valley sauvignons.’ Winophilia whites that they drank on the riverbank, to improve the quality of life for all of us, This cat’s pee aroma is thought so they took some back to Paris where for which we should be very grateful. by some to be a classic tell-tale sign they quickly became chic. It is unlikely There is such a range of activities going of Sauvignon Blanc. A New Zealand that it was cat’s pee that attracted them. on, far too long to iterate here, but producer even named his wine “Cat’s The Loire has a rainy and cool climate one area I would like to highlight is the Pee on a Gooseberry Bush.” Some which results in inconsistent harvests. All refurbishment of the Village Hall. winemakers say that it gives added serious Loire winemakers will tell you The recent Village Survey indicated complexity, and people who should that sorting, sorting and more sorting a desire to update the facilities available know better claim that it signifies a good is necessary to separate the ripe grapes to the village hall, to make it fit for a bottle. This is a myth. capable of making memorable wine. This broader range of uses, a more suitable Take Sancerre for example. It is is much more easily done if the grapes are community centre for the 21st century. restrained compared to its New Zealand picked by hand. Only 10% of vineyards Many options were considered and it cousins, bone dry and full of sharp now do this. was decided that a refurbishment was distinctive aromas of freshly-mown grass, The next time someone tries to tell the best available. Plans have been gooseberries and lime. No scent of cat’s you that cat’s pee aroma is natural for a drawn up and were presented at a pee is required here. Sauvignon Blanc you can tell them that public meeting; the District Planners Sancerre and its neighbours used this is rubbish. It occurs because the have been consulted; and a group has to be unknown country wines from a grapes were not fit for wine-making – a been formed to run fundraising events. place known as ‘France’s Garden’. They sure sign that they were harvested before Grants will be needed, but these will first became popular in the 1950’s when they were ripe. It is as simple as that. only be forthcoming if we raise funds for Osiris ourselves. The estimate of what will be Buglife - Conserving needed is roughly £50k. A tough task the small things that WODC is using social media but if the whole village gets behind this run the world to communicate with local residents fundraising campaign we will succeed. Buglife is the only organisation in on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ If anyone wishes to be involved Europe devoted to the conservation of westoxfordshire; Twitter: twitter.com/ directly or has an idea for a fundraising all invertebrates, and we are passionately WodcNews. If you do not use social event, please contact me and I will committed to saving Britain’s rarest little media, however, please be assured that direct you to the relevant people who animals, everything from bees to beetles, we will continue to add information to are spearheading the whole campaign. and spiders to snails. Today bugs are our website www.westoxon.gov.uk, send Please get involved where you can. under threat as never before, so help us to you copies of press releases and continue The Big Society has proved an easy secure a diverse and wildlife-rich planet with our residents’ newsletter, to ensure target for the cynical; but it is alive and for future generations. that all residents have the chance to gain well in Finstock. www.buglife.org.uk. access to the information we issue. You will have read about the threat to the main Post Office in Witney, which To find out about supporting people with dementia in their own is being stoutly resisted by the District community, call ORCC on 01865-883488 or email [email protected]. Council. However, we all know that post offices have been under threat for some time with competition from new technologies. We will sorely miss them if they go. Please support our local Post Office in the Village Shop as it makes a considerable contribution to what makes Finstock a great place to live. Finally, I hope the weather improves and we can enjoy a great summer. After this foul winter, I feel we have earned it. Hywel Davies District Councillor 868004; [email protected]
If you take a laptop computer for a run it could jog your memory.
8 FUNDS FOR FINSTOCK (FFF) News from the Cornbury Park Team Thank you so much to everyone for through the Year”, please submit your This June (15th/16th) The Morris taking part in the Spring Garage Sale in pictures now; the deadline is July 1st. Minor Owners Club are hosting their April. I hope you all had a profitable day! You can also email pictures to me in JPG International Centenary in conjunction FFF made £240, which has been banked format at [email protected]. with their National Rally at Cornbury for future use. Last year’s calendar successfully raised Park. Further details of how to register The day was as big a success as last £550, enabling us to give £200 to the can be found at www.morriscentenary. year with plenty of people descending Woodpeckers Pre-school, £200 to the org.uk. on Finstock from neighbouring villages School, and £150 to the shop. We’re delighted to be welcoming back and further afield. The weather was We would like to say thanks again for the multi-award winning Wilderness kind to us and everyone seemed to be all the support that everyone gives. We Festival to Cornbury, running from having a lovely time. We would like to say hope you will give the same support to August 8th-11th. Wilderness continues thanks to the lovely people who donated refurbishing the Village Hall; please see its support for local causes. Once again their takings to us. And, thanks to the p.3 for fundraising details. festival organisers are asking for donations Brownies and Guides who provided the Funds for Finstock towards the Charlbury Community teas and cakes in the Village Hall, along Carol, Nicky and Pat Centre Appeal from those people buying with face painting by a local resident. PS A small bracelet was found. tickets online. Charlbury Pre-school The next fundraiser for FFF is the Speak to the volunteers in the Village is running the ever popular Hog Roast Finstock Calendar 2014. If you would Shop for details. whilst Charlbury and Finstock Primary like to contribute any photos for “Finstock Schools are selling their much loved tea and cake. This year Whittard are Girlguiding – Finstock Brownies – girls in the lead donating the tea to support the fundraising Written by the Brownies themselves! At the Finstock garage sale, Megan, efforts. Substantially discounted tickets Brownie Adventures until July 2013 Lily and Zoe helped with tea and cakes are available to OX7 residents from Straight after Easter, 33 Brownies went in the Village Hall; we raised £82.97 for Charlbury Post Office or online via www. on an amazing Pack Holiday with fun our funds. wildernessfestival.com. and games, Easter crafts and a muddy, We are doing our Dancers Badge this And finally, a safety reminder for evening adventure walk in the woods at term and Lise Harris kindly came to show walkers. Please keep away from the Stansfeld in Oxford. us some contemporary dance moves to river and stick to the official footpaths music which inspired us to make up our at all times, keeping dogs on leads, for own routines. everyone’s safety. Recently a walker MARK BILLINGE Countryside code, Green cross code nearly lost her terrier to badgers when CHIMNEY SWEEP and water safety was a challenge for all of it vanished into a sett on the Estate. us to see how much we could remember Thankfully it returned, but only after For a clean and efficient service at the end of the evening. several worrying hours. Dogs off leads Tel.: 01367-243052 Our evenings, until we break up for the can also cause great distress to the deer summer holidays are maypole dancing, and grazing stock. We wish you all a safe rounders against each other, a sponsored and happy summer. Finstock walk to help with our unit funds and Follow us on Twitter@CornburyPark Father’s Day craft. and at Facebook.com/CornburyPark, or cattery All the girls are looking forward to a get in touch by emailing us at: estate@ Proprietors Julie & John Stoney splashing time at Windrush Leisure centre cpark.co.uk, phoning on 01608- and then followed a week later by line 811276, or signing up for alerts at www. cornburypark.co.uk. *LUXURY BOARDING dancing to complete our Dancers Badge. We will go out and about at the The cycle route through Cornbury Estate linking Charlbury and Finstock is *SPACIOUS HEATED PENS beginning of July on a Finstock Trail and then round off the end of term with a now open until the end of October. *PERSONAL CARE BBQ at Brown Owl’s house, which is always a fun and exciting experience. Little Owl’s baby is due in July and *INSPECTION INVITED we all wish her well and look forward to Ramsden Fête – Saturday meeting our new member soon. June 8th 1pm-4pm 8 Wards Lane, Finstock, Oxon OX7 3BP Brownies – Meet on Mondays from filled with fun including the Companion 6-7.30pm and also Wednesday from Dog Show, Morris and Maypole dancers, Tel: 01993 868413 6 -7. 30 p m. Pimm’s, teas and cakes, pig roast, tapas, Caroline Booth – 07890-629001 or bouncy castle, water slide and coconut [email protected] email [email protected] shy. 9 NEWS FROM FINSTOCK SHOP Post Office It has been a busy month and we are quantities, and all at the same price you Many people now realize that you can grateful that so many of you have been could buy them direct from Upton. The withdraw cash from your accounts in our using the shop. shop management committee had a Post Office, including HSBC customers. The Easter egg raffle raised a fantastic ‘tasting session’ the other evening and Most bills can be paid here too. £55 for Finstock School. everyone declared all the items on offer As I am sure most of you know the We are planning to bring in some new ‘just wonderful!’ The next few weeks Post Office has recently changed their stock for the summer months to help should see an amazing array of delicacies criteria for sending parcels. If this is in with picnics and hopefully, lunch outside. available in, and from, the shop. Also, any way confusing to those of you sending With BBQ season nearly upon us there don’t forget a nice bottle of red or white parcels please do come down and I will will be delicious sausages made locally wine to top that ‘special occasion!’ endeavour to enlighten you! at Callow Farm and And then why not To finish, I would like to say a huge Shop opening hours:– a variety of salad pop into our very thank you to all of you who support our Weekdays 8-6 (Friday 8-7) dressings, our stock own Post Office Post Office, without you we could not Saturdays 8-1 of mustards from and send a note to keep going and in today’s climate we Sundays 9-11.30 Shaken Oak and your friends, telling need our village post offices so please do Shop Telephone Number – plenty of relishes. Do them all about how keep up your support. Orders Taken: 869096 come and explore we have a fantastic Karen Williams the shop to see what we have in stock. village shop here in Finstock! Post Office Opening Hours: To accompany the new food, there is a The more observant among you might Monday-Friday 9am-1pm special offer on wine: if you buy a case have noticed a yellow notice outside the of six Oxford Wines bottles, you will be shop stating that planning permission has entered into a draw to win another six been applied for an extension to the rear Oxfordshire Lowland Search bottles of the same value. Thank you to of the shop. If this goes ahead it will mean and Rescue is on call all day, every Oxford Wines and Jon Oldham of the that we can stock more goods and Mo day; helping vulnerable missing people in Royal Oak, Ramsden for supporting this and Sue will be able to work in just a bit Oxfordshire. In our county of Oxfordshire, promotion. more comfort. Look out for more on this. we have over 1,000 square miles of The new stock mentioned above will And finally... we still need more rolling chalk downs, farmland, historic include a range of really nice bread and volunteers. The Village Shop is a fantastic towns and cities; it is home to almost other confectionery from La Parisienne place to be if you feel the need to make 650,000 people. With a high proportion Bakery, one of the best bakeries for miles more friends, or maybe you feel you of vulnerable people, each year more around; three types of superb cheeses might like to help the village in general. people go missing here than anywhere manufactured locally at Southdown Remember, only Mo, Sue and Karen are else in the Thames Valley. Oxfordshire Farm; and a fantastic range of products paid: no one else receives a penny, but Lowland Search and Rescue was set up from Upton Smokery to include Smoked any profits made are to be ploughed back to help those individuals, but to do that Salmon and Trout, Chicken Breast, Trout into the local community. Why not give it we need your help. Your donation will Pate and also smoked Venison Pâte. a try, and ‘do your bit’ for Finstock! keep us active. www.oxsar.org.uk. There is a large range of other delicious Mo, Sue and the volunteers look delicacies available to order in small forward to seeing you in the shop soon.
Andrew A.Adams FCCA Chartered Certified Accountant Quality personal service for your Accounting, Taxation and Business needs Competitive fees agreed in advance Free initial meeting Telephone: 07790 854574 01993 891280
10 GETTING READY FOR SUMMER Local man awarded Maundy Money As we move into summer term, our and archery. focus is on camps and outdoor activities. We recently spent the evening at We have the County “One World” North Leigh Common building shelters; camp in July at Thame showground this was a successful evening with some where the scouts get to spend a whole great and varied shelters being built. weekend doing different activities from Other activities this term include the Crafting to Zorbing. It should be great local hike, axe and saw work and two fun and I will report on it in the next kayaking sessions as well a couple of newsletter. We are also looking at our evenings swimming. The senior Patrol summer camp on Exmoor. Again we are working on a pioneering project Frank Schofield, author of The Falklands have the normal hikes and pioneering that will culminate in an end of term Watcher, was chosen for his work as a activities to work on but the scouts will troop project with the seniors teaching Churchwarden of a small church in The also get the opportunity to learn about the rest of the troop the skill they have Vale of White Horse where he helped raise and fly hawks and owls at the Exmoor been learning. We will also continue £50,000; serving as Chairman of Ramsden falconry centre as well as discovering with our nature theme and do some Royal British Legion for four years; and Bats at Dunster Castle. Other planned basic nature study as well as some currently as the Poppy organiser for Finstock activities include a day at Wimbleball simple, safe foraging and field cooking. and sideman at the Church of St James Lake kayaking as well as high ropes Andy Compton Ramsden. Frank was invited to be present at Christ Transport Church Cathedral Oxford on Maundy Thursday to receive Maundy Money from Stagecoach bus fares rise by 11.5%; Charlbury and Chipping Norton are Her Majesty the Queen. The last time the the cost of a term ticket for students is under new contracts until June next ceremony was held in Oxford was in the now £87 and an annual term ticket will year. sixteenth century during the reign of King cost £270. The most popular weekly Charlbury is the busiest rail station Charles I. unlimited travel Oxford mega rider will between Oxford and Worcester cost £14. A special two-for-one off- and shows station usage at 250,970 peak day return ticket for passengers passengers for 2011/12. Finstock is travelling into Oxford on the Charlbury the quietest station in the county with S3 bus from 9am Monday to Friday and 1,982 passengers last year. (Figures from all day on Saturday is £6. Office of Rail Regulation.) Go-Ride will continue to operate The First Great Western timetable the Cotswold Line railbus servicing for our area (number 19) can be Charlbury railway station. The C1 downloaded at firstgreatwestern.co.uk/ timetable is slightly modified to improve Train-times-and-tickets/Train-times/ Originally Maundy money was intended connections with trains at the Charlbury New-timetables-from-May-2013. for the poor but in recent times it is intended station. Other West Oxfordshire routes to show the Queen’s gratitude for those such as the X9 serving from Witney to who have given outstanding service to the NICOLA MORGAN DC MMCA community. The Oxford ceremony was THIS YEAR, exclusively for those over eighty. There Registered Chiropractor – BE A NAME, were 87 men and 87 women who received McTimoney Technique NOT A NUMBER Maundy money on that day; 87 being the Kimber Cottage, Holly Tree Cottages, Queen’s age. The Queen was followed by At Eynsham Hall Health & Fitness Club, it is Woodstock Rd, Earls Lane, our objective to welcome our members into an the Yeoman of the Guard who handed the Charlbury OX7 3ET Deddington OX15 0TQ environment of informality and relaxation. two purses to the Queen from a large brass Tel: 07968-381335 Our membership packages are designed with platter who then in turn handed them to the flexibility in mind for our members. There is I have almost 30 years’ experience in this not a requirement to commit towards recipient. The picture shows a newly minted gentle, effective manipulative therapy, which a long term contract. £5 coin and a 50p piece which were in a is suitable for many conditions and ages. I We are open between the hours of 6:30am to red purse and plastic wallets containing 87p 9:30pm,during the week and from 7:30am to offer very flexible appointment times in two 7:30pm at the weekend. in special Maundy money in a white purse. locations. Congratulations Frank! See www.chippingnortonchiropractor.co.uk Full Membership is available Provider for BUPA, PPP, WPA and all major from just £34.50 per month! (figure based on full dual membership) health insurance companies FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO RESERVE Local Area Network Member of the General Council & Register for YOUR MEMBERSHIP, Chiropractors and the McTimoney Chiropractic PLEASE CALL 01993 885 207 in Australia: The Association. OR EMAIL: [email protected] WWW.EYNSHAMHALL.COM LAN down under. 11 AN AGELESS GARDENER WRITES… Spring (finally) the flowers, held back by a very cold with much worse than that and come arrived on April 15th. March, have been protected from the through two cold winters without The potatoes went in worst of the weather and certainly protection. Speaking of fragrant a week before (two late frosts can ruin the newly opened plants, taking over from the Daphne old favourites, Foremost and Wilja, blossom very quickly. One of our I mentioned last time and planted and three more unusual varieties – biggest specimens, the purple-pink only a metre from it is the equally Juliette, Sarpo Mira and Yetholm Gypsy). Galaxy (which, interestingly Hilliers “deliciously” scented viburnum carlesii A week later – on the only genuinely says needs a lime-free soil) has grown Aurora – “one of the most popular of warm day so far – the shorts came rapidly and flowered from quite a all shrubs”. Is it in your garden? out and I’m currently not enjoying young age. The other m.soulangiana We’re at present looking for a house the experience! The cold March has grown enormous despite being in to buy, probably in Herefordshire, to seemed to prolong the flowering of what must be a fairly dry spot in the move to when we leave Gardener’s the spring bulbs: snowdrops were corner between two Cottage later this year. No-one still just flowering early this month high walls: this is chooses a house because of the and the daffodils and scillas are just about to flower. pH of the soil; but a more acidic still looking good at the end. No Most magnolias garden would enable me to liberate sign of bluebells yet. The biggest are one-season my pieris from the twenty-five-year surprise down the orchard was the plants though some do produce very confinement of its pot – and to plant appearance of several snakeshead strange (slightly rude) looking fruits. a stewartia, one of the most beautiful fritillaries, both purple and white. If Caerhays Castle in Cornwall is the of small trees. these have flowered in that position place to see them. Richard Pollard before, I have never noticed them; A few years ago I bought a very and I might not have this year if little plant at Finstock Village Hall Blenheim Palace Flower Steve hadn’t pointed them out. I and planted it by our front door: it Show – June 21st-23rd certainly didn’t plant any bulbs there didn’t do much and I lost the label. Bridewell Organic Gardens but, interestingly, Christopher Lloyd Since then it has flourished and says that, being a native of water last year I recognised the name in and Vineyard 2013 meadows, they flower best in the an article: zaluzianskya ovata (night Bridewell is situated in Wilcote, spring following a wet spring the phlox, if that’s easier!) A native between North Leigh and Finstock. For previous year. I did plant a hundred of South Africa, this forms a low, more information, please telephone fritillary bulbs at the top of the evergreen dome; ours is 10cms high 864530 or 868313. All Open Afternoons orchard soon after I came to Wilcote: and 50cms across. The maroon buds run from 2-5pm and will offer teas, plants about five came up in first year and open white early in the day, close in and Bridewell organic wine for sale. were never seen again. Late news: the hottest part and open again in Open Afternoons: Sunday June 2nd; fritillary count at Iffley Meadow, the the evening, giving off a rich, heady Sunday July 14th; and Sunday August third highest ever. perfume. It seems to be regarded as a 18th. Magnolias seem to be doing plant for containers and described as Community Afternoons are open particularly well this year, perhaps half-hardy to -5°C. Ours has put up from 2-4pm on Monday June 17th; Wednesday July 3rd; Thursday July 25th; and Friday August 9th. Refreshments hilltop garden centre available at all events.
is a popular one-stop-shop for keen gardeners in Oxfordshire CRAFTS ChOC Charlbury’s Own Cinema With over PlAnTS extensive plant range, Sunday June 9th Argo Memorial Hall, 2,500 products Charlbury 7.30pm, doors and bar open gardening products, in our Crafts inspirational home 6.45. Cert 15. Duration 2hrs. Tickets and gift ideas department £5 on the door. A tense but humorous political thriller, among the best. Relax in The Flower CHildRen Pot Café, famous Sunday July 14th Untouchable A moving with locals for tasty and heart-warming French film. Children can play on our breakfasts, lunches outdoor Fort and wander Memorial Hall, Charlbury at 7.30pm, THe CAFé and home baking around the nature trail doors and bar open 6.45. YOu’ll Find uS More at www.chocfilms.info. on the Witney Road Hilltop Garden Centre, Witney Rd, Ramsden, Oxon, OX7 3AS between Charlbury Tel: 01993 868403 www.hilltopgc.co.uk and Witney. Open 9 - 5.30 Monday - Saturday, 10.30 - 4.30 Sunday. Greenmetropolis.com - online Our café closes half an hour before the garden centre. charity bookstore. 12