Remember—We're On-Line Too!

Remember—we’re on-line too! Autumn 2020

Tim Davie, CBE, incoming Director business style is very results driven and wanted to anchor the family back in the General of the BBC, believes that he has it was in this environment that he honed UK and work for a British organisation. been very lucky to live in Peppard during his commercial skills. He developed his He was, and still is, passionate about the the lockdown. He lives in a beautiful old own management style which is a BBC and it was not a difficult decision house with a large garden and a view. melange of American business, pride in when he was offered the job as Director of Although he has had to go up to London being British and never forgetting his Marketing, Communications and Audi- two or three times a week, he has ences in 2005. Following that, in 2008 he mainly worked from home but he has became Director of the Audio and Music found using a screen for several Division which included responsibility for hours a day quite tough going. While Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4. He was made Acting it has been possible to have meetings Director General in 2012 after George on-line, he does think that nothing Entwistle’s short-lived tenure. beats face to face interaction. Since 2012 he has been Head of BBC One positive though - he, his wife Studios, the BBC’s production arm. Of all Anne, and their three teenage boys the programmes produced during his time would normally only sit down in that role, the one that fills him with together for Sunday dinner but most pride, and there are many, is Blue during the lockdown, this has hap- Planet 2. He thought it was a sensation pened several times a week. and is so proud of the Bristol Natural History Unit that made it. Tim is also, like Almost 15 years ago, they were most people, in awe of Sir David house hunting in a very wide area: Attenborough and the gravitas that he when they saw their current house, brings to any subject. It was hugely suc- their immediate reaction was ‘This is cessful the world over and has had a it’. Originally a ‘townie’, Tim was massive impact. It appealed to all age born and brought up in Croydon, he groups and proved that people do still enjoys the buzz of working in a city watch documentaries. He was also proud like London but absolutely loves the of the team who put together the VE Day countryside around us. He enjoys celebrations and worked so hard to deliver running and has probably run hundreds of South London roots. the programme during lockdown. miles on our local footpaths. For him, During this time, he travelled all over the nothing beats the British countryside and The Davie household does have different world – he estimates around 70 different viewing tastes so their solution is to have he loves seeing all the wildlife whilst out countries. He took up running in order to running. multiple screens but they do occasionally see the cities that he was visiting and as sit down to watch a programme together. As a boy, he won a scholarship to the an antidote to seeing just the insides of With three teenage boys, social media is prestigious Whitgift School in Croydon airports, hotels and conference rooms. almost an inevitability but Tim doesn’t which really pushed him. Having always After this, he just kept on running. He use it much himself: he is not on Twitter. loved stories, when he achieved entry to competed in the 2001 London Marathon th Cambridge it was English Literature that and has now run marathons on every In September, Tim will become the 17 he chose to study. continent excluding Antarctica. Watch Director General, the corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Editor in Chief. His first job was at Proctor and Gamble this space! But as much as he thoroughly where his first marketing campaign was enjoys these organised events, he actual- It is a big role but this won’t stop him for Crest toothpaste – it is still going ly prefers running in the Chiltern Hills. enjoying many sports: he loves football, strong so Tim must have done something Tim greatly admires organisations like especially watching his beloved Crystal right! our Green Gym, the Commons Conser- Palace FC. He explained that his grand- mother’s house was only two or three After this he worked for Pepsi and lived in vators and the Chiltern Society – which roads from the ground so he has been a Connecticut for two years and melded into work to maintain our footpaths. He loyal fan since he was a small boy. Show- American corporate life. It was living believes our network of footpaths are ing respect for the area in which he now there that got him hooked on living in the important and identify who we are – he lives, his second favourite team is countryside and having lots of space describes them as a wonder of Britain! Reading! He was once offered the job of around him. He says that the American After his spell in the United States he Cont’d overleaf Peppard News is a quarterly community newspaper published by Peppard News Publications with financial support from Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council, and is distributed free within the parish of Peppard. Views expressed are not necessarily those of Peppard News Publications or of the RPPC unless stated as such. e-mail: [email protected] www.PeppardNews.co.uk Contributions accepted via e-mail or post to Jennifer Smith, Molehouse, Church Lane, RG9 5JN Advertising: Ian Fraser - phone: 01491 629631 Printed by Herald Graphics Page 2 www.peppardnews.co.uk Cont’d from Page 1 Our Schools watch. The children wrote and performed Head of the Premier League but has no Peppard C of E Primary School some very amusing sketches and sang regrets at not taking it even though he Peppard Common RG9 5JU would have been much better off. some unforgettable tunes. The other year Phone: 01491 628354 He enjoys cricket too and is an avid fan of groups all produced their own offerings, Test Match Special. Last year, he was Headteacher as farewell gifts. It was beautiful. lucky enough to be invited to Lords to Nick Steele On the last day, we went paddle-boarding at Reading lakes. With stunning weather, watch England win during the World Cup Chairman of the Governors final against New Zealand. He is also a the lake was warm which was fortuitous, Emma Turner as some of us spent more time swimming keen skier and absolutely loves being in www.peppardprimary.co.uk the mountains although sometimes he has than paddle-boarding. It seemed like a to swallow his pride when his sons over- great way to round off the year. take him on the tricky slopes. Preparations are now well underway, for Tim has held various trusteeships and The summer term was one that we'll all the reopening of school to all children in recently stood down as Chair of Comic remember for some time. September. Myself and all the staff are Relief. It had been hard work and a big In June three year groups returned to very much looking forward to seeing 100 undertaking but it raised a huge amount of school full-time and the take up was fan- children back on the common, playing money for various projects over the years. tastic! Teachers soon adopted a morning happily at lunchtimes. During lockdown, Comic Relief and Chil- assembly on Zoom that other children dren in Need came together and raised a could join, to improve their sense of be- staggering £70 million. The only trustee- longing. Every morning the immortal ship that he will maintain is that of the Tate words, ‘You're on mute, you're on School definitely hasn’t been school over Art Galleries. He has loved doing all these mute...... bottom left, click on the icon,’ the last few months; keeping the Maiden things but now his time is limited. could be heard in every classroom. Other Erlegh Chiltern Edge staff together via Describing his musical taste as eclectic, he staff were still providing on-line work, Zoom in our twice weekly meetings, enjoys 80s pop to 90s electronic dance for the year groups unable to return. checking the students’ progress via music and a wide selection of classical We also begged, borrowed and eventual- Google Classroom or on Google Sheets or music. What would be his choice for ly purchased gazebos, so that we could supporting the most vulnerable with regu- Desert Island Discs? He couldn’t decide invite other year groups for outdoor les- lar home visits have all presented us with and would have to think long and hard sons. (Apologies again to The Hilliers, a completely new way of working. How- about his eight choices which could be for breaking one of theirs). Robbie Elson ever, I think as #teammece (as we like to anything from Bach to the Chemical came in and provided some excellent PE call ourselves) we have coped admirably. Brothers. lessons and teachers taught maths and The staff have been so positive and flexi- Before he commences as the new Director PSHE (personal, social, health, econom- ble, have adapted quickly, worked togeth- General, the family will grab a break. ics). Parents volunteered to act as toilet er and worked hard to get the school Their destination is the same as it has been attendants, to keep us in line with our through the challenges of lockdown. for many years. They go to a coastal cot- cleaning policy. On some days, we had As a result, our feedback from parents has tage in south west England where they live 75 out of our 100 children present. been incredibly positive which has been a a different life: they sail, go fishing, walk, My favourite days were in the final real boost for the staff during these play games on the beach, potter along the week. The Year 6 assembly was held on months of isolation. shoreline and cook barbecues. Always an the common. Whilst setting up, we had Since 1st June we saw our numbers grow avid reader, Tim will make sure he has some difficulties with the PA equipment in our vulnerable and key worker provi- time to stick his nose in a book. Ever since that we had borrowed. Fiona phoned an sion with over 40 students who spent at he was a student, he has continued to enjoy ex-parent, Guy Ferguson, to see if he least part of the week with us. This was a literature: he enjoys Dickens, James Joyce, could help. He arrived within ten great way of checking welfare and im- some, but not all, of Sebastian Faulks but minutes with thousands of pounds worth proving engagement for some of the stu- his favourite is Gabriel Garcia Marquez. of equipment and set it up for us. (For dents who find school really challenging. We certainly wish him a relaxing time me, that sums up the generosity of the Alongside the on-line lesson provision, before he starts his new role. people around us). The assembly was there have also been extra lessons such as held out on the common. Mrs Mudd re- astronomy lectures, sports competitions turned with three month old Jacob, to SPRUCE MAINTENANCE SERVICE

For All Your Property Maintenance Requirements Decorating inside and out. Carpentry - incl. door hanging & easing Wall & Floor Tiling & Silicone Renewal. Plumbing: leaking taps etc. Hedge Cutting & Patios Maintenance ROB SMITH TEL: 0118 972 4560 WEE-COT SEATING Upholstery, Loose Covers, Replacement Cushions, Day Boat Hire – Passenger Boat and Party Hire Chair Caning, French Polishing and Furniture Repairs Luxury Boating Holidays – River Trips - Moorings and Storage Established over 149 years. LIZANNE SMITH Tel/fax 0118 972 4560 01491 572035 www.hobbsofhenley.com www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 3 Our Young Achievers and Active Leaders leadership courses. th In addition, on 15 June, we welcomed It has been a very strange time for us, as 13 year old Kit Swaddling lives with his our Year 10s back for three hours a day of it has been for everyone! We were family in Peppard. In the autumn he will maths, English and science. Seeing their closed on 20th March and did not reopen be starting at Tring Park School for Per- faces after twelve weeks away was an ab- until 8th June. forming Arts, the UK's most prestigious solute delight and judging by their hard However, during the lockdown period, performing arts school in the UK, having work on that first week back, they were previously been a pupil at the Oratory clearly keen to be on site again. we delivered on-line nursery sessions, which were a mix of phonics, numeracy, Preparatory School in Woodcote and more This time of year is also pivotal for plan- craft activities, storytelling, live register recently Moulsford Preparatory School. ning the next year and over a couple of and cooking sessions and music groups. His mother Jessica said 'Kit has been early June evenings the leadership team The staff all worked really hard to make dancing, singing and entertaining us since hunkered down with several packets of the activities as interesting and he could first walk McVitie’s chocolate digestives as we engaging as possible and the and talk!' worked our way through our plans. I am children loved seeing us all on At the age of five, a so excited by what will happen next for screen and taking part in the teacher at his MECE. activities. The parents were very school spotted his A corner has definitely been turned; we supportive and were thrilled with talent and advised have almost no staff leaving this summer everything we offered. his mum to get and are fully staffed with specialist teach- On 8th June, we returned with extra training for ers for September which is a great measure everyone in two bubbles. We him. Most classes of stability and morale. had spent a huge amount of time are geared towards Our focus next year will be on first rate cleaning all the toys and the girls but, despite teaching, clear and consistent behaviour building and putting in place a that, Kit has systems alongside outstanding pastoral Safe Operating Plan. Our hard worked hard in a and SEN (special educational needs) sup- work paid off as nearly all the lot of classes out- port for those that need it. children returned and we were side school time in completely full! ballet, tap, modern We have improved our relationship with a and acro. number of local primary schools and we It was lovely to see the children Kit Swaddling welcome Rachel Salmons from Sonning after such a long break and it was im- He starred in the Common Primary School in early July to portant for them and us, to be able to Matilda the Musical UK and Ireland tour deliver some training to staff so that they say goodbye to those children beginning in 2018/19. He was a semi-finalist at the are more confident in pushing on Year 7 school in September. International Dance Organisation World Championships in Germany last autumn pupils. I can’t wait to see where we are We are now getting ready for Septem- this time next year! and would have been competing in the ber. We will be continuing with our Mrs IDO European Championships in Mace- Finally, I recently received a wonderful Bun cooking sessions and adding in donia in June this year but this was post- e-mail from a former Chiltern Edge alum- Forest School sessions, along with all poned due to Covid19 and also the Dance nus recalling the late 1970s and the fact our old favourites like music and World Cup in Rome in July which was that the school had two international rugby French. also cancelled. players (including one British Lion!) We also have a lovely new classroom in Kit will be boarding at Tring where he working as PE teachers: it was clearly a our growing garden, which will be used fond memory. will be studying in the mornings and re- for lots of new exciting activities in the hearsing and performing in the afternoons If anyone else has any noteworthy stories coming year. and evenings. Kit's mother said he knows (positive ones!) of their times at Chiltern If you are interested in seeing what we it will be extremely challenging to com- Edge then please do not hesitate to share do, give Gwen a call on 0796 8088641 bine studying and training but having had them. It would be great to keep all these or drop her an email a bit of a practice run when he was on tour together and as we grow again could hope- [email protected]. We are with Matilda, he's ready for the challenge fully help to form an alumni network. now taking bookings for September and can't wait to start. Take care, we’re almost there! 2021! Page 4 www.peppardnews.co.uk The Councils County Council (OCC) and South Parish Council Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) objecting to the bridge. (See the current Acting Chairman: Jonathan Berger It’s been a year since I last wrote on this Tel: 07595 551391 issue of Peppard News, Page 17, on subject for Peppard News and the large e-mail: [email protected] www.peppardnews.co.uk for a longer volume of enquiries I get about it suggests Parish Clerk: Joanne Askin version of this article which includes a readers would welcome an update on the Orchard Gate, Plough Lane copy of this motion) proposed mile-long bridge. Before I do Shiplake Cross, Oxon. RG9 4DE Latest developments: the proposal has this, I will re-cap on the background for Tel: 0118 940 6809 gained significant new momentum over the benefit of those who may have recent- e-mail: [email protected] the last year and the situation can be ly moved into the area. Website: www.rppc.org.uk summed-up as follows: SODC Councillor: Jo Robb Location and traffic route: on the Berk- • A new bid for funding for an Outline shire side, the bridge would be connected 01235 422520 [email protected] Business Case has been submitted by to Reading's Inner Distribution Road the Berkshire authorities. OCC and (IDR) and the M4 via the A3290 & A329 OCC Councillor: David Bartholomew 07769 808773 SODC are participating in order to (M). On the Oxfordshire side, the bridge ‘have a seat at the table’. would land on the A4155 opposite Caver- [email protected] sham Park Road. Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council usually • Reading BC confirmed in its Transport meets on 2nd Monday of the month at 19:30 Strategy Consultation, published earlier Historically, bridge supporters have stated in the Pavilion. Parishioners may attend and this will get 55,000 cars a day out of the this summer, that the bridge remains observe, and may briefly raise issues of one of its top transport priorities. centre of Reading. HGVs and cars arriv- concern to them. All may attend ing on the Oxfordshire side would have intermediate planning meetings as well - see • A government organisation called two main onward options and two second- Transport for the South East (TfSE) has ary ones: applied to become a statutory body with 1. Along the A4155 through Shiplake into its own budget; it shares the ambition Reading Road/Duke Street in Henley. with Reading to create the crossing. 2. Along the B481 through Sonning Com- • Reading BC has come up with a new mon, Rotherfield Peppard, Highmoor, concept called the ‘North Reading Or- Nettlebed and Watlington. bital’ in recognition of the flaws in its 3. Along the A4155 into Prospect Street, earlier proposal (no specified mitigation Reading. measures for traffic arriving in Oxford- shire) – but the solution may just add to 4. Various ‘rat-running’ routes through the problems. local areas to join the A4074 at Cane End. The ‘North Reading Orbital’: despite its name, would be entirely in Oxfordshire. It A parish councillor jokingly, but perhaps would start where the bridge lands at Cav- with some prescience, commented to me ersham Park Road, then sweep around that the proposal could effectively turn the Emmer Green, pass near Kidmore End, B481 into the A481(M) as it would be- then join the A4074 at Cane End. There come the de facto link between the M4 would be three ‘Park & Ride’ sites along and the M40 (see map). the way taking people into Reading. An Recent project history: in 2015, Oxford- ‘orbital’ road of this scale carving its way shire and Berkshire parties agreed to un- through rural South Oxfordshire is caus- dertake a traffic modelling study to under- ing widespread concern. stand the traffic impact of the proposed What’s happening now: at the time of bridge. With no political input from Ox- writing, OCC and SODC are preparing fordshire, the traffic modelling study was their responses to the Reading Transport morphed into a Strategic Outline Business Map of proposed route from bridge to M40 Consultation. These responses will have Case (SOBC) by the Berkshire parties, of been submitted by the time this article is which the traffic modelling study was little interest in the project at that time. published. merely a subsidiary part. Even before the The cost of building the bridge was then SOBC was completed, Berkshire applied estimated at £110m (but is now likely to I will update this article again when there to central government for funding to take be in excess of £150m). Critically, this is more news. the project to the next stage (Outline Busi- excluded the cost of mitigation measures ness Case). The bid was unsuccessful at in South Oxfordshire. The project stalled Oxfordshire County Councillor for Son- that time. in early 2018 when the proponents were ning Common Division and District The SOBC was completed in May 2017. unable to identify funding of £750,000 Councillor for Sonning0118 Common 334 7474 Ward, Its findings were welcomed by Berkshire to develop the Outline Business Case. comprising: Binfield Heath, Eye & Duns- proponents but attracted limited challenge In the autumn of 2019, I successfully den, Harpsden, Shiplake and Sonning from Oxfordshire councils, which had moved a motion at both Oxfordshire Common

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0118 334 7474 www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 5 Know Your Councillor Norway and has discovered that several If you would like more information call generations of one branch of the family our Carersline on 01235 424715 or email Having been invited to join the lived in India over a 150 year period. [email protected]. Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council by He is currently researching the former chairman, Simon Crouch, Joe was Northumberland branch where it has soon allocated the role of Chair of been possible, so far, to go back to the Finance. This was not surprising given his 1500s using various old wills and Did you know that Citizens Advice has financial background: he is a chartered property information made available by advisers who will give free, impartial ad- accountant having trained with Price Durham University. Waterhouse, one of the ‘Big Four’ vice and can help you sign up with a new accountancy firms in London. Recently elected by his fellow council- fuel or electricity company, or switch to a lors as Acting Chair of the Parish Coun- He went on to be Finance Director of the better tariff without steering you to one cil, as reported in the Henley Standard, particular supplier? Panini Group, based in Modena, Italy. his was the only dissenting voice re- Most children are probably familiar with garding his election to this post! Whilst We can help you understand energy bills and various kinds of tariffs, supporting their main product which was football retaining the Finance role, he remains you if you want to switch and calculating stickers. It was a great experience: with committed to ensuring the parish’s rural the savings you might make. If you've his wife and three young children, they nature is protected, including joining were able to enjoy Italy being within easy with other local parishes to contest the fallen behind on bill payments, we can advise you on ways to reduce your debt reach of Verona, Venice, Florence and the Third Reading Bridge and the associat- by budgeting or trying a new payment Apennine mountains. In the two years ed highway that would slice through the scheme, for example. We can also advise there he learnt enough Italian to ‘just get Oxfordshire countryside. He also sup- by’. Subsequently he has attempted to ports the Planning Committee in ensur- on energy efficient measures around the house and how to apply for a grant. learn some French! ing that any developments are properly Following this, he established a company considered and implemented. We offer one-on-one sessions (by telephone at present) and we'll take a close that developed into a large media-based The Election process of the Council has business, running exhibitions in the Gulf been hampered by Covid-19 so Joe will look at your individual situation and, if you have any complaints against your region, India and Egypt. He was then the remain Acting Chair of our Parish current supplier, we can help you resolve Finance Director of Chestertons, the Council until formal elections take them. estate agents, before taking on a similar place in May 2021. finance role at an investment bank in the You can find the relevant information on City of London. our website a Born and brought up in West London, he www.citizensadvice.org.uk/energy or was educated at St Benedict’s in Ealing Snippets phone our Adviceline on 0300 330 9042. where he is now the Chair of Governors. He left there to go to University in Lon- don where he obtained a degree in Chem- If you are looking after a loved one or istry. friend who could not cope without your Paperback books are available from Jenny Joe and his family moved from Maiden- help, the team at Action for Carers Ox- Ward, 22 Lea Road, Sonning Common, head to Peppard about 25 years ago, fordshire are here to support you. RG4 9LJ, Tel. 0118 972 4542: Wednes- initially to one of the houses built on the days, 09:00-17:00. Suggested donation: We have a dedicated team based all 50p/£1.00 for Greenshoots. site of the old Highlands School. The around Oxfordshire who are working main attraction was the good schools in hard to ensure family carers receive the area. They then moved the short long-term specialised support and prac- distance to Kingwood Common where tical advice and we are making sure that they have lived for about 20 years. we stay in contact for a regular chat to Having retired in 2017, Joe’s interests reassure carers they are not alone. And include gardening and he has spent many if someone you have been caring for hours investigating his family’s ancestry – has moved or is moving into residential a time consuming but enjoyable pursuit. care our team is here to help support He has identified the family name as you through the challenging and emo- originating from the village of Berger in tional times.

Kathryn Fell Photography Weddings, Family Portraits, Events, Headshots and Lifestyle Branding 07958 371770 www.kathrynfellphotography.co.uk [email protected] Page 6 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Village ments – at the Health Centre or hospi- tal, etc. The Health Walks continue to be sus- pended during the current crisis while we • befriending residents, via the phone, Did you manage to see the On-Line Only wait to be allowed to meet in groups of who are feeling lonely and isolated. version of the Summer issue of Peppard more than six. This is such a shame when Please get in touch if FISH can help, on News? Without the restrictions of the we’ve been having some lovely weather 0118 972 3986 or printing process, we were able to produce (at time of writing), but I hope you’re [email protected] a bumper issue. It is available to read on- managing to get out on your own or in line at www.peppardnews.co.uk/current family groups to enjoy our beautiful Ox- -past-issues/ or e-mail fordshire countryside. [email protected] to be sent an electronic version. We’ll keep the website updated with Imagine Sam’s and Emily’s shock and news of when we’ll be starting again: surprise to see a White-tailed Eagle gaz- www.sonningcommonhealthwalks.co. ing down on them from the All Saints’ uk. Stay safe – and keep walking! church spire! This huge bird, the UK’s largest bird of Quite understandably, there is a miscon- prey, has a wingspan of up to 8ft (2.5M) ception that common land must surely be and has been reintroduced to the Isle of owned by the people – a national asset Wight. entrusted to the care of the State. Despite the relaxation of some of the lockdown restrictions, there are many They’ve been seen flying across Southern As it happens, common land is always people in the community who are still England during the Coronavirus lock- owned by someone or something. In 1905 unable to get out and shop or pick up down and seem happy enough to soar Robert Fleming, the owner of Nettlebed medication for themselves. with their country cousins, the Red Kites. Estate, set about creating Rights of Com- mon over 560 acres of his land. This was With the winding down of the SoCo enacted by the Nettlebed and District group, FISH has expanded its operation Commons (Preservation) Act 1906, which to cover all medication pick-ups and to this day uniquely governs the use of an delivery, as well as adding to the num- After transferring their allegiance from almost unbroken patchwork of common ber of clients it shops for. Many of our The Dog to The Red Lion in 1976, a land extending from the Peppard and shoppers now regularly shop for the select band of residents from Church Lane Kingwood Commons through to Net- same person. would, every Friday night, over a few tlebed. The land remains, however, in pri- For each of our COVID-19 volunteers pints argue that black was white and even vate ownership with seven of the eight who have now gone back to work, we that the Earth was not round: hence the areas of common still being owned by have received at least one additional formation of the Peppard Flat Earth Socie- Nettlebed Estate and the eighth, Wither- offer of help, including from volunteers ty (PFES). idge Hill, also being privately owned in who were originally with the SoCo In 2013, after striding up to and struggling two separate parcels. In effect, the owners group. back from the pub they decided that the have made the land freely available for FISH has also re-started its car telephone kiosk outside the school needed public leisure and recreation. transport service taking people to hos- some tlc and a complete refurbishment A key provision of the Act sets out how pital appointments with those volun- was undertaken. It is now time for another the commons will be looked after. Accord- teers who feel able to take passengers makeover and this task has been passed to ingly, a board named Nettlebed and Dis- in their own vehicle and follow the the Parish Council, which some years ago trict Commons Conservators was vested required safety procedures. purchased the kiosk from BT for £1. with statutory duty to operate the Act with One area of FISH activity which is still At least one member of the PFES had respect to the management, maintenance, non-operational is the minibus service. been in attendance every Friday night in preservation and regulation of the Com- As you will appreciate, this is a more the Red Lion for the past 43 years. So mons. The following extract from the Act challenging situation bearing in mind what to do once the pub closed? Not neatly captures the Conservators’ man- the current social distancing guidelines. afraid to embrace the latest technology, on date: ‘They shall at all times preserve the However, discussions are in progress -line Zoom meetings continued during natural aspect and state of the Commons’ with a view to beginning a limited ser- lockdown but the atmosphere and banter In all, nine Conservators were stipulated, vice in September. were sadly missing. with two of these positions being perma- To summarise, FISH is still: The Unicorn is now the pub of choice and nently filled by Councillors from SODC the PFES members have received a warm (Henley Rural District Council back in • shopping for residents – local or supermarket welcome as they continue their socially 1906). The Conservators have been oper- distanced repartee in the pub garden. ating on a voluntary basis continuously • picking up prescriptions and medi- since 1906. cation Anywhere on the Commons, you may • taking people to medical appoint- walk, cycle and ride horses, but these free- doms are nonetheless regulated by Byelaws that ensue from the 1906 Act. The current Byelaws were authorised by TANDOORI the Home Office and basically control what you can and cannot do, and what you Connoisseur need permission to do – a summary of key points from the Byelaws can be found on An Emporium of Indian Cuisine our website Fully Air-conditioned www.nettlebed-commons.org Open 7 days a week, including bank holidays Take-away menu - prompt service 21 Wood Lane, Sonning Common - Phone: 0118 972 3104/1054 www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 7 Junior Peppard News

Welcome to our new Junior Peppard News edition. This one is a bit different as we’ve been at home for so much of this year. But we hope you’ll still enjoy this edition which is the last one for both of us.

Being a Year 6 in a time like this has been difficult. For example, the school summer play at the Kenton Theatre has been cancelled and all the leavers’ events have had to be toned down a bit. Needless to say we don’t have plans for the end of Primary School. We have had a mini leavers’ assembly where we performed a series of reflections of our time at Peppard. All the other years presented something as their goodbye to all of us and our parents. Everyone in Year 6 has loved their time at Peppard and I’m sure everyone will be sad to say goodbye. But we all have exciting times ahead of us. We’re looking forward to having new adventures as we part ways to move on to secondary school at Gillotts, Langtree, Chiltern Edge, Wangles, Queen Anne’s and The Dolphin. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time at Peppard and I’m sure we’ll be back to visit it soon.

All of us Junior Editors would like to say some thank you’s. First, we’d like to say thank you to all the teachers at Peppard for everything they’ve done, from keeping us busy home schooling to being super- adaptable as we return to school. Secondly, we’d like to thank our parents and carers for the time they took out of each day to help with home schooling and all the support they’ve given all of us during this strange time. Lastly, but definitely not least, we’d like to thank the NHS workers and all key workers who kept the country going. We can’t thank you enough.

Francesca Keyte Jemima Hall

Junior Peppard News is published by Peppard News Publications with financial support from Friends of Peppard School and Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council, and is distributed free to almost all households in the ecclesiastical and civil parishes of Peppard. It is also available by e-mail. Editors: Max Claridge, Freya Kriefman, Joe Prince and Lola Wilde, c/o Peppard C of E School, Church Lane, Rotherfield Peppard, RG9 5JU e-mail: [email protected] website:www.PeppardNews.co.uk Advertising: Ian Fraser - phone: 01491 629631 Printed by Herald Graphics Page 8 www.peppardnews.co.uk Junior Peppard News cont’d

Congratulations to the two new Junior Peppard News editors; Amber Krief- man and Maisey Neave-Tubb. We are sure they will have as much fun as we have!

Because of lockdown many schools around the globe have had to shut down. But were we getting enough exercise? That was the question. So Peppard Primary School and other schools across the UK were set a challenge where each child had to walk at least a few kilometres each day and try and complete the distance set. At the end of each week the school, or Year Group, who had the most kilometres or kilometres per pupil won. Peppard Primary did very well in these challenges even though we are a tiny school. Our closest rival was our neighbour Shiplake Prima- ry. Here are the results of the three challenges (by distance per pupil): Land’s End to John O’Groats was won by Peppard Primary School! London to Cairo was won by Shiplake Primary School (we came second!) New York Marathon (each child had to walk a marathon or a half marathon) was won by Shiplake Primary Year 1. (In second place were Pep- pard Primary Year 2!) I am so very proud of my school (and my class!) Go Peppard School!

Long distance walker Maria Mangan Morse

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On Monday 15th June we stepped into school for the first time since the beginning of lockdown. Almost three months had passed since we had all been together in Greys class. It was sort of a bit weird when we first came in because we were in a different classroom and we each had our own desks, facing the front (Ruby) and it felt just like the olden days (Lucas). We like having our own trays on our desks because they have lots of different things to play with in. I really like having my own desk and keeping all my things together (Willow). It’s a lot quieter in the classroom without the Year 2s and we do miss having them with us. I miss having all the books around us (Lucien). I miss touching my friends and hugging them but we still have lots of fun playing together on the Common (Sable). We miss the Year 1s that haven’t come back to school but we get to see them every morning on our daily Zoom call. On our morning Zoom call we talk about what we are going to do at school and run through the day’s lessons for all of us at school or at home. It’s lots of fun chatting to our friends on Zoom and listening to what they are doing at home. At 3 o’clock every afternoon we also have a Storytime Zoom call with the whole of Greys class. We get to wash our hands lots and use the hand sanitiser lots too. We still get to play on the Common every day but can only play with our own class, but are lucky enough to be able to see the other classes in their own areas. Since coming back to school we have been learning all about the seaside and reading some great stories like The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch, The Snail and the Whale and the Soggy books. Unfortunately, due to coronavirus we have missed out on our trip to Bournemouth but are looking forward to school trips next year. We are all glad that we are back at school so that we can play with our friends and see our teachers and can’t wait for September when we’ll all be back together again.

Highmoor Nursery School Babes in the Woods Our private nursery is located in the rural village of Highmoor and • Stay and play group at Stoke Row Pavilion, RG9 5PS offers exceptionally high standards of childcare and education. • Wednesday and Friday mornings 9.30am-11.00am • Open Wednesday and Friday during term-time • Soft play, baby area, toys, books, music and outdoor activities • Full and part-time places • Run by Highmoor Nursery School staff, paediatric first-aid • Fully government funded sessions available trained and DBS checked • Children taken from age 2 Please contact Gwen Pragnell for more information on Please send e-mail to [email protected] [email protected] or 01491 642162 or telephone 01491 642162 to arrange a show round. Page 10 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Village cont’d

also just heard from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund that we are The rollercoaster ride continues! The the recipient of an award from The Na- last three months have been hectic and We have decided that this special event tional Lottery Community Fund and the we are very grateful for all the help and will be further postponed until next year. Government to add partitions to the min- support that so many of you have given This won’t come as a surprise to you. ibus making it Covid-19 compliant, so us during these difficult times. We intend to hold the event on Sunday 27th you will see it out and about very soon. The good news is we opened again on June 2021. Please put that in your diaries. th We are making masks and they cost £5. th Monday 29 June. We spent the It will be a celebration not only of the 50 They are pleated, have three layers, the preceding few weeks writing risk Anniversary – but also the return to a ‘new middle one is removeable and they are assessments (then rewriting them as normal’ post Covid19. washable. For an extra £1.50 you can Government guidelines were tweaked!), also purchase a back strap, so you don’t We still hope to have an open house with planning how social distancing measures have to have the loops over your ears. catering and activities for the young and would work, so we could open for train- Do visit: we have more homemade jams, not so young. There will be a display of the ees, staff and customers. We now have a chutneys and a huge amount of honey – history and successes over the years. degree of normality; some still have to our bees have been very busy! And, of Groups such as Green Gym, Health Walks, shield, but about a quarter of our trainees course, plants. Health Cycling and Functional Physio/ are delighted to have returned, with more Pilates and Active Leaders will be invited expected during the coming weeks. As you know, we have had to cancel all to have stalls to display information on our events, but our costs remain, so we healthy activities. desperately need to continue to raise We very much hope that you will be able funds. We would be very grateful for to join us next June; we will provide more any size of donation (gift aided if possi- details next spring. ble), to help us through this pandemic. And if we are able to run any events, we will update Peppard News, our website and Facebook pages. Facebook details: www.facebook.com/ The Trustees hope that Peppard News waysandmeans1/ and readers have kept well throughout what www.facebook.com/greenshoots96 has been a long self-isolation period. Donation details: The good news is that the Trustees have www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com (search for Greenshoots) plans in place for the gradual opening of Robin & Marie-Claire return the hall. Initially we have bookings for Thank you from everyone at Luckily, the weather has been with us – short exercise classes on the lawn area Greenshoots and please keep safe. beautiful and sunny. During the spring, until the main hall or club room is open. we concentrated on sowing vegetable As the community adjusts to the ‘new nor- seeds, because so many of you wanted mal’, we will have procedures to ensure plants to grow at home. Plus, we did not the hall and its surrounds are Covid19 safe. have the capability to do very much else Walk 5K or 10K and remember your Clearly there will be responsibilities on the on site, except water. However, we have loved one this October for Sue Ryder hirer to comply with our procedures: these been blessed that people have found us, South Oxfordshire Palliative Care Hub. will now be part of the hire contract. who then offered their time to help bring Raise funds to help us be there when it some order to the fast-becoming wilder- matters for people facing the most diffi- All the improvements to the hall were cult times of their lives. completed just before the lockdown and ness. However, there remains still much we are looking forward to the community to do! You are welcome to visit, to see Get together with family and friends, sharing the new experience. what we do and see if you might be able choose your distance, your start and finish to volunteer some time. and make it your Walk to Remember on a Please contact Maggie our Booking Man- route that means something to you. ager on 0118 972 4751 for information Some other good news – we bought our about booking the hall. ‘new’ minibus from FISH in June: we Walk any day in October or join hundreds are delighted that they gave us the neces- of others across the country for our offi- sary time to fund our purchase. We have cial Walk to Remember day on Saturday www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 11

17th October. How you can help: entry is free but it’s When will the library be reopening? At your donations and fundraising that will time of writing we don’t know yet but make all the difference. You can fundraise please be assured that the library service £145 as a team or family which could and FoSCL are working hard to make fund a Sue Ryder Nurse for the day or sure that it will be as soon as possible. donate £21 to cover an hour of nursing The safety of everyone is our priority. care. Larger libraries in Oxfordshire have Your donations and fundraising mean so already reopened, including Henley, so much to us and will go a long way to help if you’re desperate for books, go there! others live the best life they possibly can This year’s Summer Reading Challenge, and help Sue Ryder continue to be there Silly Squad, is on-line, for obvious rea- when it matters. You can donate or set up sons. If you haven’t done so already, your own fundraising page. parents and carers can sign their chil- The Butchers’ Arms in Blounts Court Road dren up for the challenge at are really flying the flag in support of the www.sillysquad.org.uk. NHS. On the website, children have been able When lockdown came and the Green- to set their own personal reading chal- shoots’ nursery on Peppard Common had lenge and keep track of the books they Favourite Walks to close, the first batches of flower and have read. They can read books from vegetable seeds had just been planted in I have enjoyed many of the walks featured home or eBooks/eAudio borrowed from in Peppard News the greenhouses. My husband, Fred, is a the Oxfordshire Libraries e-lending plat- trustee of the Ways and Means charity (www.peppardnews.co.uk/my-favorite- forms. As they read, they have been walk-cycle-ride/). and he organised a rota of trustees and collecting virtual rewards. The chal- volunteers to do the watering of the plants lenge will continue until the end of Sep- The walk around Greys Court described and seedlings each day. The weather tember so maybe the participants will be by Sue Howlett is truly lovely and when- quickly became very hot, everything was able to collect some real rewards too ever we have friends to stay that will often growing fast, but how would it ever be from Sonning Common Library. be the walk I choose to show off our local sold and make much needed income for countryside. Sue’s directions are not easy the charity? We came up with the idea of to follow but after a check on an Ordnance bringing the plants home and selling them Survey map, it becomes much easier to work out the route. from outside our front gate. Everything We had our first actual committee meet- was priced and money could be put ing since lockdown in the relaxing gar- We have tried both David and Sylvia through our letterbox. We thought we den of our President, Sandra Rhodes. Overbury’s walks and enjoyed them too. might take a few hundred pounds but the Enclosed by garden hedges, it has been Very recently we did the walk described response from local people was amazing! the site of other meetings, including by June & David Proudler, starting from The garden centres were closed so people those of individual buddy groups, all of Nettlebed and continuing up through the were pleased to find somewhere they whom have enjoyed the opportunity to Warburg Nature Reserve. What a sur- could buy plants and support a local chari- change their usual four walls and, im- prise! It is beautiful countryside – up hill ty at the same time. Some people even portantly, meet friends again. and down dale, and very different in char- donated surplus plants from their own acter to Peppard even though it is so near. gardens to help the charity's funds. As Knitting for Peace is ongoing and we are still collecting ‘family’ recipes for There is one longish, steepish hill that fast as volunteers were planting up back at might put people off but the variety of the nursery we were selling. our cook book. The usual subjects for future plans were discussed, and may woodland, farmland and small villages, This went on throughout lockdown and turn out to have more unusual resolu- with the bonus of a medieval church although the commercial nurseries opened tions, in light of the ongoing uncertain thrown in, makes it all worthwhile. Not ahead of Greenshoots, local people were situation, regarding outings and speak- being familiar with Nettlebed, we made a still buying from outside our gate. Yes, it ers. We welcome members’ thoughts false start as we took the first branch left was hard work setting up the stall outside and input on these matters. which was not mentioned. However, once every day, taking it in at night, keeping we were on our way, it proved to be most everything watered, collecting more stock It is our intention to have a meeting in enjoyable. from the nursery but it certainly kept us Peppard War Memorial Hall in late autumn (Oct/Nov 2020). New Members My only suggestion is that this is a good from being bored during lockdown. By winter walk as it takes in more lanes than the time Greenshoots opened again we are most welcome, to our friendly, encouraging and enthusiastic group. would normally be to my liking so would had taken over £8,000! So, a big thank be a great choice when paths and bridle- you to everyone who bought their plants For further information please feel free ways are muddy. from our pop-up shop, you helped us keep to contact Sandra, our President a precious local charity afloat. ([email protected]) Thank you all for sharing your favourite walks with me. Page 12 www.peppardnews.co.uk Clubs and Societies Junior cricket has also been in full swing with the Under 6s-8s training We were lucky to be one of the first sports every Sunday on Peppard Common, back in action and have enjoyed a warm We are indebted to the phenomenal and matches from Under 9s to Under summer with many families playing to- voluntary Grounds Team for allowing us 19s taking place against other clubs. gether and some busy holiday camps. to hit the ground running as soon as the For more information about us, please We have introduced a new booking system Government allowed cricket to be played contact chairman Gerry Bacon (07785 meaning that members can easily book in July. 771847) or as a junior, Andy Watts courts on-line up to a week in advance. Having missed out in April, May and (07884 931906). If you are keen to join our growing ladies’ and girls’ group, Teach Me Tennis ran summer holiday June, the hard work of the likes of Don camps and will be resuming their popular Townsin, Chris Proudfoot, Ronnie please email Celia Hall on [email protected] term time coaching sessions from Septem- Brock, Ian Halliday, Moya Kimber, Ri- ber. Being outside and with small ratios of aan Ackerman, Ruaridh Scott and others six play- meant the club could start playing games th ers to one as early as 11 July when the green light coach, it was finally given. The good news is that we’re starting is a safe st The 1 XI have been competing in the work again in September. Although it environ- BCMBL Championship, the 2nd XI in will be somewhat different because of ment Division One of the August Cup and the having to comply with Government C- where rd 3 XI in Division Two/Three – full re- 19 regulations. People will have to say children sults will be included in the next edition. if they wish to come and, as things can learn stand at the time of writing, the work and have groups will have to be limited to six. lots of No more cake and coffee and you’ll fun. have to bring your own gloves – most people do anyway. But there’s a lot of The ses- work to catch up on so any new mem- sions ca- bers will be welcome. Look at our ter for website for the latest information children www.sonningcommon.tcv.org.uk. from the age of three and there are also adult Beatrice Wingfield Digby group At the time of writing, we have no idea sessions available, plus individual coach- whether we will be able to start again as ing lessons and our regular bi-weekly club planned in October. We have everything nights which members can enjoy. ready and will be able to go ahead at We are currently arranging some big im- Marcus Laing enjoying a cup of tea fairly short notice if the regulations provements at the club including replacing However, there have been some out- change. all of the court fencing and upgrading the standing performances already with Please keep an eye on our website gates to assist disabled access, as well as a Andy Watts celebrating his 50th birthday (www.peppardrevels.org.uk) or, even replacement storage unit for the equip- with a magnificent 128 for the 1st XI in better, make sure your email address is ment. We look forward to welcoming you. their opening game against Littlewick on our database. Just send your details For information about the Club and mem- Green, the new Maharajahs’ skipper, to Geoff Pitcher at bership please visit Mark Lambert, making his maiden PSR [email protected] We’ll hope to www.peppardtennisclub.co.uk or for century against Eastcote 3rds and Under see you in the autumn but things don’t details about the coaching please contact 19 Marcus Laing making a career-best 77 look very hopeful at the moment. [email protected] for the Unicorns against Ewelme.

Rotherfield Peppard Educational Trust Fund for support of educational activities The Trust supports educational activities undertaken by under twenty- fives from Peppard. It can help with purchase of books, educational visits, special projects, and the like. If you may be eligible, or know of others who may wish to apply, please call: Sylvia Overbury (01491 628245) www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 13

weekend of 15th/16th August. members now than ever recorded. Our objective is to provide affordable Wyfold Riding for the Disabled is very This is going to be a nationwide event tennis for the local community and our slowly, but safely, opening its gates again: in partnership with Virgin Money Giv- courts are available to all members for on Tuesday March 17th we very sadly had ing of whom we are members. We need playing singles and doubles. to close our gates and face an unknown future. Our tennis club is ideal for beginners and The backbone of the young families looking to get outdoors, RDA being to help those keeping fit and having fun. Our two hard who need physical assis- courts are in excellent condition and suita- tance to ride was impos- ble for anyone who wants to simply play sible at a distance of two tennis with their friends or family in a metres. casual and informal environment. However, the horse rac- This week I received an e-mail from a ing world has led the member who rejoined the club and have way and shown us how taken the liberty to extract part of the mes- sport can re-emerge in a sage: ‘We’re back and very pleased to be safe way. We have seen so. We were reminded how lucky we are the jockeys with their to have such a great resource, in excellent face masks on and train- condition, in a beautiful, quiet location on ers social distancing our doorstep and all for £30 a year! Bar- while the grooms keep to gain!!’ their ‘bubbles’. We can Hopefully that says it all, and if you want all learn from them. to find out more about our club then th Tammy getting ready to mount Benny with Lin Fenner holding the please contact us by email at So, on Wednesday 15 lead rein and coach, Jane Havelock, supervising in the background. July, exactly 17 weeks [email protected] or since the beginning of lockdown, we as many supporters as possible to join see www.sonningcommontennisclub.org opened our gates to our first rider with this event in groups of up to six people, strict hygiene and social distancing rules wherever they live, to cycle locally and in place. Tammy, our brave rider, mount- set their own distance. Wheelchair uses ed up on Benny completely by herself. can join in and also those on static This will have to be the case for now, as bikes. Supporters need to register at It was so exciting to let everyone know only riders that we know are able to get on www.myridelondon.co.uk and then set a pony without physical assistance will be that the club is starting a Youth Allot- up their fundraising page at ment up at Kidmore End Memorial Hall able to return. For us it was the first step www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com and and others will follow on from this as we with help from the Parish Council and choose Wyfold as their charity. CECA (Chiltern Edge Community As- slowly manage to build up our organisa- We now have a Facebook page and are tion and once again become the thriving, sociation). on Instagram. So, it’s please, please get successful and popular charity we have We are setting up days when you can on your bikes for the Wyfold ponies! always been. come and join in to help set it all up and Events taking place either side of the get involved. The 17 weeks without income meant that weekend of the 15/16th are acceptable. we have had to use up the money that we Due to Covid-19, the Youth Club hasn’t had ear-marked for refurbishment projects been running, so in starting the Youth and maintenance. Allotment we can enjoy the outdoors At the moment there are no traditional while at the same time being safe and ways of raising money to help feed and maintaining social distancing. Please look after our eight ponies so virtual At the time of writing this I am pleased to email me on [email protected] events are going to be very important to report that many people have enjoyed if you would like to join us. us. Therefore, we have signed up to Pru- playing tennis on our courts during the dential Ride London taking place over the lockdown period, in fact we have more

ALL THE JOBS AROUND YOUR HOME Everything you need for your pets and wild birds MR F1X-IT - Handyman / Property Services Food & Accessories Call or text Tony Goodchild 07794 464273, Friendly personal service with lots of parking or call evenings 0118 972 3004 Southlea House, Blounts Court Road or e-mail [email protected] Sonning Common for a free quote and call out www.mrf1xit.co.uk Tel: 0118 924 2747 (Just at the top of Gravel Hill) Page 14 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Churches meeting will take place on Sunday 25th Rector: Rev’d James Stickings 0118 972 1459 October, after the morning service. A All Saints’ Associate Priest: Rev’d Sheila Walker 0118 972 4861 revision of the electoral roll will take Church of England Churchwardens: Valentine de Haan 0118 972 3806 th th Kathie Anderson 0118 972 2694 place between 6 September and 4 Octo- www.achurchnearyou.com/5977 ber: an application form can be found on our website. It was with great sadness that we learned We were very pleased to be able to hold of the death of the Reverend Canon our first morning service in the middle Graham Foulis Brown in late June. of July. To comply with government Father Graham was the first Rector of the protocol we observed social distancing, Benefice until his retirement in 2015. He left our contact details, sanitised our served as Vicar of Kidmore End and Son- hands and wore face coverings, if ning Common from 1990. There will be wished. Seventeen worshippers attend- a Memorial Service later (keep a eye on ed and this was an encouraging step our website or on Recent months have surely challenged us forward. www.peppardnews.co.uk for details).. all in various ways. As a church communi- We were welcomed by the wonderful With our Blessings to you all, ty, we realise even more how much we playing of our organist, David Butler. It need and value being together; and with was such a pleasure to hear a Bach the privilege of such a beautiful building chorale prelude before the to help inspire worship. Although we were service. During communion given permission to reopen church build- two hymn preludes were ings in July, the logistics have been de- played and the Voluntary manding and ever-changing, and we’re was appropriately called truly grateful to those stalwarts who have Make a Joyful Noise by been engaging with them. Alan Viner. At the time of writing, All Saints’ will be The Reverend Sheila Walker open on some Sunday mornings for a Eu- took our first Eucharist ser- charist service; given the evolving guid- vice. Communion was given ance, it is best to check our website for in one kind only. Unfortu- future developments. nately, the sign of peace Meanwhile, we keep ‘together’ by joining could not be shared, neither on-line services, by phone, socially dis- could we sing any hymns. tanced cups of tea and of course the odd This did not detract from the Zoom encounter, for prayer and discus- significance of the simple sion. service. The church - that is, the Christian commu- On Sunday 2nd August, the nity- is still here! So please do be in touch Reverend Sheila Walker took another if there is any way we can continue to of- Eucharist service at All Saints’. We are The established hydrangeas on the borders fer practical help or prayer, as we trust and uncertain how things will develop in of the church path leading from the lynch pray for better times ahead. September and the following months, gate to the church door have been in full but details will be posted on our bloom for many weeks – a sight to behold. website. In the meantime, substantial remedial Our Benefice Bible study group and work has taken place in the adjacent ‘new prayer meetings continue to flourish churchyard’. The dangerously bumpy path using Zoom. At present we are studying through the new churchyard had become a The Book of Ruth accompanied by a major hazard due to tree roots, etc.; the book written by Mark Greene Ruth – completed work will be much appreciated Drawing on a Deeper Love. by regular visitors. Our delayed annual parochial church www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 15

St Michael’s Catholic Church

Father Michael Sharkey Deacon Brian Theobald 0118 972 2796 Parish Office: 0118 972 3418 e-mail: [email protected] www.saintmichaelsonningcommon.org.uk to tune in. This was made possible by ple were helped with shopping and other volunteers who laid an ethernet cable to needs. the church. Our pastoral visits to the local care homes had to stop and we look forward to when At the time of writing we have just re- When we were allowed to open for private prayer much work went into mak- these can resume. Some residents have opened St Michael’s for the celebration of been able to stay in touch using computer Mass with a congregation. Our capacity is ing the church Covid-19 safe by intro- ducing a one-way system, closing off technology. A number of our parishioners significantly reduced to ensure social dis- have supported the foodbank coordinated tancing. Since the lockdown we have benches, etc. It was worth the effort as people came to the church to spend time by Springwater Church. We were sad to adapted like so many other families and hear of the death of Rev Graham Foulis- community groups. To help us celebrate in quiet reflection. This relied on the generous volunteers who gave their Brown as he was a good friend to St the Easter season as a parish community Michael’s during his time as minister at we created a Zoom group that brought time as stewards while the church was open. All Saints’ and the other local Anglican people together for Lent and Easter pray- churches. ers. This has continued on a daily basis A prime concern has been to keep in allowing us to explore parts of the bible contact with parishioners without the We hope it will be business as usual in the together. Our technology skills moved up a internet and who have had to shield. We not too distant future. In the meantime, we gear when we taught ourselves to live- did this by conducting short services continue to pray for the safety of our local stream on YouTube, enabling Fr Michael over the phone on a regular basis so that community and check our website for the to broadcast his daily Mass to parishioners they were able to maintain their link latest news and developments. and anyone else in the world who wanted with parish life. In addition, these peo-

Kevin and Linsey Potter 0118 972 4519 www.springwaterchurch.org.uk e-mail: [email protected] informal ‘café style’ service which is a The Springwater Food Bank continues to great opportunity to chat and get to thrive. We are always grateful for dona- know each other in small groups around tions and extremely thankful to the won- Our Sunday worship meetings restarted on a table to discuss the topic of the morn- derful volunteers who have given up so 19th July at 10:30. However due to ing over refreshments. The children and much time over the past few months to Covid19 restrictions, the services are a young people are part of the morning pack, sort and deliver. We now deliver to little shorter – 45 minutes to an hour. The gathering. about 25 households which is a few down format is still relaxed in style with some The church has a quiet garden, where from the last time we wrote here. That’s music, although no corporate singing at individuals may sit to reflect. During the obviously good news as it means that for present. time of Covid19, small prayer meetings some work has started back up again. But Visitors are very welcome and can be as- have taken place here. The garden is one we are very aware of the fact that the ef- sured of a safe and friendly environment. of a few biblical gardens in the UK, all fects of this crisis will continue for a while Because of social distancing within the the plants have a relevance to the Bible. and we will continue this for as long as we can. Thank you for all your support! building, numbers are restricted so please To find out more visit our web- let the church leaders (see above) know if site where you will find our you intend to come. online services. As restrictions ease in the hoped-for near future, there will be on a regular basis, an

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SEPTEMBER Tue 1 Peppard School Inset Day Mon 19 RPPC Planning/18:30/contact [email protected] RPPC Planning/18:30/contact [email protected] Sun 25 All Saints’ Annual Church Meeting Wed 2 Peppard School term starts Mon 26 Peppard School Half Term starts Tue 3 Green Gym restarts/advance booking required Fri 30 Peppard School Half Term ends Mon 7 Teach me Tennis coaching starts/01491 728080 NOVEMBER Mon 14 RPPC Meeting/19:00/contact [email protected] Sun 1 All Saints’ Patronal Festival Sun 20 SC School/10:00/onyourbikesonningcommon.co.uk Mon 2 Peppard School Inset Day Mon 21 RPPC Planning/18:30/contact [email protected] Tue 3 Peppard School Inset Day Sun 27 All Saints’ Harvest Thanksgiving Wed 4 Peppard School starts OCTOBER Sun 8 Remembrance Sunday Mon 5 RPPC Meeting/19:00/contact [email protected] Mon 9 RPPC Meeting/19:00/contact [email protected] Sat 17 Sue Ryder Walk to Remember Day Mon 16 RPPC Planning/18:30/contact [email protected] FISH Office: 0118 972 3986 (Mon-Fri, 09.30-11.30) [email protected] Wyfold RDA 50th Anniversary Awards Ceremony postponed till Saturday, 27th March 2021 50th Anniversary Celebrations SC Health Centre postponed till Sunday, 27th June 2021

Full details of all these events can be found on the website: www.peppardnews.co.uk/diary-of-local-events

Sunday Services SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER NOTES at All Saints’ 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 27th September – Harvest Thanksgiving 09.00 Communion ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ X ✓1st November – All Saints’ Day, Patronal Festival 10.30 Communion (sung)  ✓  ✓  ✓  ✓ A   D ✓ A – Benefice Sung Eucharist 10.30 Matins ✓    ✓     C    B – Festal Evensong 8th November – Remembrance Sunday 10.30 Family Service           ✓ ✓ ✓ C – Service of Remembrance 10.30 Sunday School  ✓    ✓   ✓     D – Benefice Eucharst at Christ the King 18.30 Evensong ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ B ✓✓✓ E E – Advent Carols X – No Service

Note: Please check www.achurchnearyou.com/5977 for up to date information

Sunday Services at Springwater Mass at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church (Peppard Congregational Church) ⧫Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 09.30 Thursday 12.00⧫ Family Service: 10:30 - 12:00 ⧫ Sunday School 10.30 - 11.30 Saturday 17.30 ⧫ Sunday 09.00 & 10.30 www.springwaterchurch.org.uk www.saintmichaelsonningcommon.org.uk Unabridged Article develop the Outline Business Case. into Reading. An ‘orbital’ road of this In the autumn of 2019, I successfully scale carving its way through rural South moved a motion at both Oxfordshire Oxfordshire is causing widespread con- It’s been a year since I last wrote on this County Council (OCC) and South cern. subject for Peppard News and the large Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) What’s happening now: at the time of volume of enquiries I get about it suggests objecting to the bridge. writing, OCC and SODC are preparing readers would welcome an update on the their responses to the Reading Transport proposed mile-long bridge. Before I do Consultation. These responses will have this, I will re-cap on the background for been submitted by the time this article is the benefit of those who may have recent- published. ly moved into the area. I will update this article again when there Location and traffic route: on the Berk- is more news. shire side, the bridge would be connected to Reading's Inner Distribution Road (IDR) and the M4 via the A3290 & A329 Oxfordshire County Councillor for Son- (M). On the Oxfordshire side, the bridge ning Common Division and District would land on the A4155 opposite Caver- Councillor for Sonning Common Ward, sham Park Road. comprising: Binfield Heath, Eye & Duns- Historically, bridge supporters have stated den, Harpsden, Shiplake and Sonning this will get 55,000 cars a day out of the Common centre of Reading. HGVs and cars arriving on the Oxfordshire side would have Motion by Cllr David Bartholomew two main onward options and two second- passed by Oxfordshire County Council ary ones: and South Oxfordshire District Council, Autumn 2019 1. Along the A4155 through Shiplake into Reading Road/Duke Street in Henley. Reading Borough Council is proposing to build a vast new bridge to alleviate 2. Along the B481 through Sonning Com- Reading’s traffic problems. It is included mon, Rotherfield Peppard, Highmoor, in their Draft Local Plan as a top priority. Nettlebed and Watlington. The bridge would take off at the Thames 3. Along the A4155 into Prospect Street, Valley Business Park near Reading and Reading. land near Playhatch in Oxfordshire. The Sunday Services SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER NOTES Latest developments: the proposal has 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 th 4. Various ‘rat-running’ routes through only onwards option for traffic would be at All Saints’ 27 September – Harvest Thanksgiving gained significant new momentum over 1st November – All Saints’ Day, Patronal Festival local areas to join the A4074 at Cane through the congested streets of Henley or 09.00 Communion ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓ X ✓ End. the last year and the situation can be along the narrow B481 country road 10.30 Communion (sung)  ✓  ✓  ✓  ✓ A   D ✓ A – Benefice Sung Eucharist A parish councillor jokingly, but perhaps summed-up as follows: through Oxfordshire villages. 10.30 Matins ✓    ✓     C    B – Festal Evensong 8th November – Remembrance Sunday with some prescience, commented to me • A new bid for funding for an Outline Reading and the other Berkshire councils 10.30 Family Service           ✓ ✓ ✓ C – Service of Remembrance that the proposal could effectively turn the Business Case has been submitted by supporting the scheme are focusing al- 10.30 Sunday School  ✓    ✓   ✓     D – Benefice Eucharst at Christ the King B481 into the A481(M) as it would be- the Berkshire authorities. OCC and most entirely on the costs of building the 18.30 Evensong ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ B ✓✓✓ E E – Advent Carols come the de facto link between the M4 SODC are participating in order to bridge and the benefits it will bring to X – No Service and the M40 (see map). ‘have a seat at the table’. Reading. They recognise that the bridge Recent project history: in 2015, Oxford- • Reading BC confirmed in its would have a substantial impact on the shire and Berkshire parties agreed to un- Transport Strategy Consultation, pub- Oxfordshire road network, but blithely dertake a traffic modelling study to under- lished earlier this summer, that the state this will be dealt with by unspecified stand the traffic impact of the proposed bridge remains one of its top transport and uncosted ‘mitigation’ measures. bridge. With no political input from Ox- priorities. This council calls on the Leader to write fordshire, the traffic modelling study was to council leaders at Reading, Wokingham morphed into a Strategic Outline Business • A government organisation called and Bracknell, plus MPs John Howell, Case (SOBC) by the Berkshire parties, of Transport for the South East (TfSE) John Redwood, Matt Rodda and Theresa which the traffic modelling study was has applied to become a statutory May, stating that: body with its own budget; it shares the merely a subsidiary part. Even before the a) In the context of the Climate Emergen- SOBC was completed, Berkshire applied ambition with Reading to create the crossing. cy a car-based solution to a car-based to central government for funding to take problem that would pour thousands of the project to the next stage (Outline Busi- • Reading BC has come up with a new cars and HGVs into Oxfordshire is totally ness Case). The bid was unsuccessful at concept called the ‘North Reading inappropriate and should a new bridge be that time. Orbital’ in recognition of the flaws in built it should be restricted to public The SOBC was completed in May 2017. its earlier proposal (no specified miti- transport, cyclists and pedestrians; gation measures for traffic arriving in Its findings were welcomed by Berkshire b) Notwithstanding the above, if a car- Oxfordshire) – but the solution may proponents but attracted limited challenge based solution is pursued, the bridge and just add to the problems. from Oxfordshire councils, which had necessary mitigation measures, i.e. im- little interest in the project at that time. The ‘North Reading Orbital’: despite provements to the Oxfordshire road net- The cost of building the bridge was then its name, would be entirely in Oxford- work, must not considered as two separate estimated at £110m (but is now likely to shire. It would start where the bridge projects, but as one project so that the be in excess of £150m). Critically, this lands at Caversham Park Road, then benefits, disadvantages and costs of the excluded the cost of mitigation measures sweep around Emmer Green, pass near scheme can be holistically assessed. in South Oxfordshire. The project stalled Kidmore End, then join the A4074 at in early 2018 when the proponents were Cane End. There would be three ‘Park & unable to identify funding of £750,000 to Ride’ sites along the way taking people