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CASSINGTON & WORTON NEWS News and views from the parish of and Worton September 2006 – Issue 351

From the team Firstly, we would like to apologise for the late arrival of this month’s CAWN, which has been delayed by our summer holidays. So, if you read nothing else, you might be grateful for notice of more immediate events - the Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 7th at 8.00pm, and the Cinema in Cassington presentation of The Constant Gardener, (certificate 15) on Friday 8th at 7.30 ... one is a web of political intrigue, the other is based on a novel by John Le Carré. Top news for Cassington in an otherwise quiet August is probably being shortlisted for the Village of the Year award. We hope to bring you the result next month, but whatever the outcome we should be pleased to have got this far and thank Olaf, Fiona and Jan for presenting to the judges, and everyone else who provided support. One not quite ‘Village of the Year’ piece of news I notice is a report of trespass and potentially antisocial behaviour at Acrey Pit. Keep those fingers crossed I wonder if these were the same drinkers who disposed of an empty Stella Artois bottle by throwing it over the fence into the area As reported in last month’s CAWN, Cassington has been around the school swimming pool? short-listed for the Oxfordshire Village of the Year award. Thankfully the broken bottle was spotted and cleared away before it was discovered by a Unlike the Best Kept Village awards, rather than judging how well we bare foot. If you live with someone you feel maintain our environment the Village of the Year award recognises the village may be capable of this level of dangerous as a community of people. The final involved a small team from each village irresponsibility, perhaps you could point this meeting with the judges in Village Hall on Thursday 10th of August. out and ask them not to do it again? Time was short but, following a good response to the call for support made Have a good month. last month, Olaf Rock pulled together a team and presentation to make the case for Cassington. Olaf takes up the story ... Advertising rates Your team (Fiona Thornton, Jan MacDonald and I) duly attended the Local ‘what’s on’ and fund-raising stuff is free. Community Competition on 10 August in Eynsham Village Hall and did our Simple local services, ‘for sales’ etc, are now also thing. I take this opportunity to thank Jan MacDonald and Fiona Thornton free on noticeboard. Suitable commercial business are invited to for taking part. support our community by buying advertising space ... The sixteen shortlisted villages (eight small, eight large) were: Appleford on Thames, Cassington, Checkendon, Cropredy, and , 1/8 page, £5 (£50 per year) 1/4 page, £8 (£80 per year) Islip, Steeple Aston, Wendlebury, Blewbury, Brightwell Cum Sotwell, Cholsey, 1/2 page, £12 (£120 per year) Deddington, Kennington, Shipton under , Stanford in the Vale, Full page, £20 (£200 per year) and . Some of these had been successful previously in this Technical details for artwork available on competition and the ‘Best Kept’ competitions in the past. request. All material included at the discretion of CAWN. Profits will be passed to the Cassington CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 Parochial Charities to support our community.

Contributions should ideally be provided by email (in the body or as a Word attachment) to: [email protected]; delivered on floppy disc, or (as a last resort) typed or clearly handwritten, to Kevin Hinton, Mill Lane House, Mill Lane, Cassington, OX29 4DL, by the 20th of the month. We look forward to hearing from you. Rotary News NEWS FROM THE PEWS OF ST PETER’S Charity events raise over £11,000! END OF TERM SERVICE The end of term service Two events this year organised by The Rotary Club of for St Peter’s School was held in the church on 20 July. North have together raised over £11,000 for As well as a good time of celebration and thanksgiving, it was an opportunity to say farewell to charity. In March at we organised a the young people who are moving on to secondary four-mile charity walk for Sight Savers and over £6,200 school. They were able to share memories of their was raised for eye camps in India. time at St Peter’s and Revd Morey Andrews presented In June our first attempt at running a dog show was held them with bibles and certificates. at Stratfield Brake in Kidlington, to raise money for WEDDING The wedding took place on Saturday 5th Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. Our thanks go to all the dog July of Sean Osgathorp and Emma Clarke. owners who turned up to the show and fun day and BAPTISM Erin Humphris was baptised on Sunday helped us to raise nearly £5,000 for this worthy charity. 6th July. If you would like more information about Rotary, please FUNERAL The funeral of Shirley Mapson took place contact Peter Astall, Press Officer, on 01865 372637. on 8th July. Jan Macdonald AWARDS AVAILABLE FOR SPORTS OR ARTS ACHIEVERS The Friends of St Peter’s Cassington WODC is giving residents aged 14 and above the chance to be rewarded for their achievements in sports or the arts. The deadline for applications is 27 September 2006. Cash awards of from £50 to £1500 are available to those Harvest Flower Festival - Nature Preserved who can demonstrate commitment and dedication in their chosen field from sport to dance, drama, music and Presented by Windrush Flower Arrangement Club in art. The higher awards are for those already achieving St Peter’s Church excellence, usually at a national standard. For further information or to request an application form Friday 29th September (6.30 pm - 8.30 pm) Special please contact Leisure and Tourism on 01993 861080 or Preview Evening email [email protected] Tickets for this special evening are now available from Ninon Linnell (tel 881330) - £7.50 to include wine, refreshments and live music. Numbers are strictly DO YOU NEED MORE DRAMA IN YOUR LIFE? limited so please apply without delay to join us for the The Bartholomew Players invite you to an OPEN EVENING launch of the Flower Festival. on 13 September, 8.15-10pm, in the Village Hall, Back Lane, Eynsham. Find out about our friendly drama group (age 16+) Saturday 30th September & Sunday 1st October that puts on two plays a year with an audience of 200 plus If you cannot make the Preview Evening there are for each. Become involved in acting, directing, costume, open days for viewing the Festival on Saturday 30th make-up, props and more. Refreshments. September 10.00 am - 5.00 pm and Sunday 1st Visit www.eynsham.org/players.html for more October 11.15 am - 5.00 pm. Admission by information about the group. programme £1 at the door. Cream teas will be available on both afternoons in the village hall and there will be a ‘home produce’ stall adjacent to the hall. Donations for the stall of home BURLEIGH FARM made cakes, pastries, preserves etc would be greatly Traditional Farmhouse appreciated - please contact either Ninon (881330) or Bed and Breakfast Accommodation Liz Henman (881303) with details of what you can provide. Please help us to raise funds towards the Contact Jane Cook – 01865 881352 continuing repair of our beautiful Norman church by Burleigh Farm, Road, Cassington supporting this event.’ Oxfordshire OX29 4EA Visit www.oxfordcity.co.uk/accom/burleighfarm If you haven’t joined us yet please pick up a blue for more information leaflet from the church. St Peter’s Church

ST PETER’S CHURCH, CASSINGTON SERVICES SEPTEMBER 2006 Church Office: Eynsham Village Hall, Back Lane, Eynsham Mon–Thurs 9am–1pm Tel: 01865 883362 email: [email protected] Revd Morey Andrews: 45 Acre End Street, Eynsham, Oxon OX29 4PF Day off: Friday Tel: 01865 881323 email: [email protected]

Sunday 3 September Sunday 17 September 8am Holy Communion 8am Holy Communion Revd Andrew Atherstone Revd Andrew Atherstone 10am All-Age Worship 10am Morning Worship Kingdom Values Kingdom Values: Right Relationships Margaret Thornton Revd Andrew Atherstone

Sunday 10 September Sunday 24 Septemeber 10am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion Kingdom Values & Kingdom Blessings Focus on Mission Revd Morey Andrews Jo & Paul Murrell 6pm Evening Prayer Roger Aston

There is a service of Holy Communion at 9.30am on Tuesdays and a prayer meeting at 5pm on Thursdays.

Our Sunday Club for children and Soul Living (11+) recommence on Sunday 10 September, starting in the church at 10am.

JOIN THE WORLD’S BIGGEST Have you seen COFFEE MORNING Superman Returns? Support people living with cancer I went to see it with our son and two CASSINGTON VILLAGE HALL grandsons (a sort of male bonding thing). FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2006 Superman has been away for five years searching for remains of his home planet. 7am – 12 noon In the mean time girlfriend Lois Lane has coffee, tea, croissants, biscuits, won a prize for her newspaper article “Why cakes, home produce the world doesn’t need Superman”. Why not join us for breakfast On his return Superman meets Lois on the before you go to work or balcony of the ‘Daily Planet’ newspaper bring the children before they building. In a rather heated exchange go to school? Lois shouts “We don’t need a saviour and neither do I”. Superman replies, “Everyone needs a saviour”.(Discuss) Macmillan Cancer Relief Registered Charity Number 261017 Rev’d Roger Aston parish notes

CASSINGTON PARISH COUNCIL Paul Wilson said that Vehicle Activated Signs appeared to be fairly MEETINGS Held on 24 July and 9 August effective, in the right locations. Physical measures were very effective. Geoff Barrell said that one of the main criteria now was accident (The draft notes below are subject to confirmation by the Parish prevention. Council on 7 September.) On long roads and areas without street lighting, both of which applied 24 July 2006 here, Paul Wilson recommended 30 mph repeater signs and carriage- way roundels. Road narrowing had worked well in Church Councillors Clive Wilkinson (chair), Iwan Hughes, Kate Cropper, Olaf . Paul Wilson agreed to provide up-dated quotes for road Rock and Shelia Nelson attended, plus representative of Oxfordshire narrowing in Cassington at the Nursery and the Old Vicarage if County Council Paul Wilson and Geoff Barrell, three members of the required. public, Cllr M Stevens (West Oxon) and the clerk Liz Bickley. CW asked about costs for two Vehicle Activated Signs, one along the Traffic Calming Eynsham Road and one at the other end of the village. Geoff Barrell quoted £6000 which included a sum for on-going maintenance and Paul Wilson explained that previously the County Council held a power supply by the county council. Proposals were made and votes budget for small local safety schemes (up to £5000 matched funding taken on roundels and VASs and the council decided to order two per parish scheme). Since April 2006, as advised in S Howell’s letter to Vehicle Activated Signs, one for each end of the village, plus carriage- Parish Councils, the budget had been cancelled. The Government way roundels. required capital programmes to follow Local Transport Plans. Oxfordshire’s local transport plan (2006 – 2011) set criteria for CW suggested obtaining details from Hansons of their grant fund. funding schemes. Any larger traffic calming measures would need external funding. If external funding was available locally (e.g. developer funding, Better Planning Ways To School), parish schemes may be allowed. The council had been consulted over: Councillors noted that if the parish had to pay itself for a traffic calming scheme such as narrowing the road, the precept would have to • Sandhurst, Bell Lane: extension of existing conservatory. Mr and be increased by a very large amount. The chairman asked about the Mrs Teal. 06/1275/P/FP cost benefit analysis of different options, as it was important for any • Cresswell Field, Worton Farm: Recycling of construction and precepted money to be spent wisely. Traffic calming was controversial demolition waste and vehicle parking area. Worton Farms Ltd. OCC and needed to be carefully considered which was why a scheme for ref. JOD/TP/8.5/4611/2. Cassington had not yet been ordered.

Blenheim Car Sales & Servicing Ltd. AT BLENHEIM SERVICE STATION

• CAR SALES • SELF DRIVE CAR & 7 SEAT MPV HIRE • SERVICING & REPAIRS FOR ALL MAKES OF CARS • COURTESY CAR AVAILABLE (NO COST) • FULL CAR VALETING FACILITIES • WINDSCREEN CHIP REPAIRS • INTERIOR TRIM REPAIRS •PAINTLESS DENT REMOVAL • BODYWORK & PAINTWORK QUOTATIONS • COLLECTION / DELIVERY POSSIBLE Nice Place ... Nice People ... Nice Prices Contact Martyn Wilson, Ross Gore or Mike Authers on 01865 372923 / 379108 93 Woodstock Road . Yarnton . Oxon . OX5 1PT www.blenheimcarsales.co.uk . e-mail: [email protected] The council RESOLVED that it had no objections to these. Further Information on vehicle activated signs. The clerk would circulate details from Oxforshire County Council. Planning permission had been granted by WODC for 3 Elms Road (erection of 2 storey rear extension including new bedroom within loft Ivy at the churchyard. Cllr Rock reported on the specialist who was space above - retrospective. 06/0959/P/FP). recommended by John Hemingway and the council agreed to pay for his survey and work to cut back ivy and other vegetation in the church Other consultation meetings over the summer would be arranged as yards. This would not occur until September, and volunteers would be necessary. The council suggested making contact with Yarnton Parish required to help clear up the cuttings. A skip may be needed. Council. Questions Other Business Mr Charles asked whether a cul-de-sac sign could be erected at Elms The Village of the Year competition was discussed. Cllr Rock agreed to Road as many cars turned into the road. It was agreed to write to OCC be the parish council representative and organise a team and display about this. There may be other signs needed. on 10 August. The council thanked him for undertaking this. The Village of the Year competition as taking place on 10 August and 9 August 2006 unfortunately there was no public admittance. Cllr Wilkinson said he had asked the police whether they had any film of Bike Night but it Councillors Clive Wilkinson (chair), Iwan Hughes, Kate Cropper, Olaf had been destroyed. Rock and Shelia Nelson attended, plus one member of the public, Cllr M Stevens (West Oxon) and the clerk Liz Bickley. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Planning applications had been received from WODC for parish The next meeting will be on Thursday 7 September 2006 at 8.00 p.m. council comment: in the Village Hall. Coffee beforehand –all welcome! • 11 Hollow Furlong - erection of single storey rear extension. By Mr Liz Bickley, Clerk. 01865 884496 D’Costa and Ms Farncombe 06/1352/P/FP. The council had no objections. • The Chequers - Erection of fascia and pole mounted illuminated signs. By Young & Co Brewery 06/1369/P/AC. After discussion and When there are problems ... taking votes, the council decided There have been incidences of damage or anti-social behaviour in - To comment that intensity of lights used for illumination of pole sign Cassington. These were discussed at the parish council meeting in and fascia should not be greater than current levels, and light focus August. should remain the same to avoid leakage to the area and nearby homes - To object to the picture proposed for the pole sign – the traditional It is good to nip problems in the bud, and the local plain chequerboard was preferred. No objection to Young logo /name Neighbourhood Action Group is keen to know of problems. It on the pole sign to replace Free house can help – representatives of the community, the police and the - To object to adding the Young logo to the fascia – external wall district council are involved. If you want to let them know of or signage. discuss any issue which is giving you concern, you can contact our - “The Chequers Inn” lettering on the fascia was proposed in sans serif police officers – PC Gordon Richardson or PC Richard Conner or script, in black instead of gold. To object to sans serif lettering which call at the Eynsham police office. (Phone numbers below). appeared out of keeping. Alternatively, contact WODC Community Safety Office and the • RAF Upper Heyford draft supplementary planning document and anti-social behaviour team who can provide mediation with sustainability appraisal report (Cherwell DC). The Council discussed parents etc and try to stop bad behaviour before it became more the content and agreed to support the proposals, especially the use of serious. The aim is to provide a helpful and constructive redundant runway materials on-site, by recycling into hardcore etc. response, not to blow things out of proportion. • Worton Park Improvements to junction and road widening. By WODC: Bill Oddy 01993 861631 Worton Farms Ltd 06/1398/P/FP. The council had no objections. Community Safety Officer Cllr Margaret Stevens is also available to offer advice 01865 Finance: The council agreed to pay the following invoice 882384 Cassington Village Hall, hire June – December 2006 £88 Eynsham Police Office Trees overhanging (Pound Lane, Church Lane).Cllr Nelson said that PC Gordon Richardson and PC Richard Conner: shrubs had been planted on a patch of land which was not believed to Tel. 0845 8 505505 if not an emergency. Email: be owned by any property. The shrubs were now overhanging Pound [email protected] Lane, opposite 1a Church Lane. It was agreed to ask Richard Brown to trim the shrubs back. Village Hall, Back Lane (off Spareacre Lane), Eynsham Oxon OX29 4QW Chequerstone footpath – Oxfordshire County Council had recently 01865 883008 – see opening hours below agreed to improve the footpath surface itself, ready for adoption. Open :- Anti social behaviour. A comment had been received by the clerk Monday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (exc. Bank Hols) about incidences of damage and anti-social behaviour by young Tuesday 9 a.m. – 12 noon people. Cllr Stevens said that the District Council had a strong team Wednesday 9 a.m. – 12 noon working to challenge anti-social behaviour, together with the local Thursday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. police. She recommended any incidences were reported as the Friday closed Community Safety Officer would work as a mediator with parents etc Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 noon and address bad behaviour before it became more serious. Spread the word … Ever wondered how you could make a real Book banks,provided by the Salvation Army, are the difference? latest addition at six of the recycling centres across West Do You … Oxfordshire. This means residents can recycle their books • Enjoy meeting people? alongside textiles, shoes, plastics, cans, paper, cardboard • Like being part of a team? and glass. •Want to make the world a fairer place? • Enjoy helping people? Good quality books are resold, whilst other books may be •Want to develop new skills? sent abroad to help education programmes. Paperback • Like solving problems? books unsuitable for resale will be recycled into •Have a regular time available? newsprint. •Want to be part of a vital service at the heart of your local community? “These book banks extend the range of materials that can be taken to our recycling centres,”said Cllr David Harvey, Answer - Join the Citizen Advice Cabinet Member for Environment. “Recycling books Bureau! makes sense. It reduces the demand for new copies to be The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their printed, books can be re-used and a charity is supported legal, money and other problems by providing at the same time.” information and advice, and by influencing Local books banks can be found at: policymakers. Back Lane car park, Eynsham Last year the West Oxfordshire Bureau dealt with Sainsbury’s, Witan Way, Witney 20,000 problems across very many enquiry areas- Welch Way car park, Witney debt, housing, benefits and employment.

Both paper and hard-backed books are accepted. Our clients say: “I was extremely happy with the CAB. To be truthful they saved me from a nervous breakdown. I will always Yellow Pages Recycling Winner be grateful for their help”. One lucky householder from has won £50 in “I am just writing to thank the CAB for helping me sort out my debt problem. For the first time in eight years I West Oxfordshire District Council’s summer prize draw can sleep properly at nights. I can’t begin to tell you by recycling her Yellow Pages in one of the eight what that means to me ”. designated recycling banks this August. Ms Shelagh Scott of Dancer’s Hill, Charlbury recycled her Yellow Pages at Our volunteers say: the recycling bank in the Spendlove Centre and it was randomly selected. “ The work itself is quite challenging and it is rewarding to be learning all the time. I think volunteering at the Householders still have time to recycle their Yellow Pages CAB is fantastic for making you feel a valued member and could be the lucky winner of £50 in September. of the community, and it’s fun to be part of an active Locally, the special re-cycling banks can be found at: team. You never know what kind of query will come Eynsham (Back Lane), (Reily Close) through the door next which makes it very exciting!” Witney (Welch Way), and Woodstock (Hensington Road) “Having never worked in an office, I am pleasantly All the old directories collected will be recycled into surprised to find that office small talk and coffee making newspapers and magazines. does not pass without some form of gentle ribbing or banter breaking into proceedings. I feel that I’m not just an adviser, but a member of a family that’s constantly progressing with the challenges that visit the bureau DIRTY CARPETS? UPHOLSTERY? CURTAINS? every day.”

CALL Liz Pride, our Recruitment and Training Officer thinks that the root of our volunteers’ satisfaction lies in the fact that the CAB offers the rare and rewarding GRIMEBUSTERS opportunity “to make an immediate and lasting YOUR LOCAL PROFESSIONAL CLEANING FIRM difference to the quality of an individual’s life within www.grimebusters.co.uk just a few minutes”.

QUALITY WORK • COMPETITIVE PRICES • DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL If you would like to find out more about joining our STAIN PROTECTION • ORIENTAL RUGS • PRE/POST OCCUPANCY CLEANING team of volunteers please contact Liz on 01993 FLOOD & FIRE CLEAN-UP/DRYING • INSURANCE WORK UNDERTAKEN 775805 or drop in for a chat at 33a High Street, For free estimates or advice, please call: Witney,or email us on Oxford (01865) 726983 Abingdon (01235) 555533 Witney (01993) 868924 [email protected] OXFORDSHIRE VILLAGES OF THE YEAR COMPETITION – SHORT LIST Continued from front page was provided and was intended and drew attention to the link between St. Peter’s and St. Leonard's in Eynsham. The results of the competition were due two or three I explained that CAWN was the major communication weeks after the event but have not yet arrived. channel in the Village being provided free by the Parish Our display generated a fair amount of interest not only in Council and delivered to every house in the Parish. The the judges but also in most of the other exhibitors. It fund raising reputation of the Village was pointed out and included a large number of photographs (including ones shown on the display (including acquisition of Village from the air), the last twelve editions of CAWN, and Hall,Tsunami Appeal, Play Group accommodation). The information about all the Village organisations and judges asked about the proposed ‘Your Turn’ meetings and activities we could find. Compared with other people’s I will follow this up. displays we suggested activity relating to a small town The judge’s final enquiry was in the event they awarded rather than an (officially) small village. When not being Cassington a prize what would we do with it. We has judged a fair amount of fraternisation went on between anticipated this and mentioned several things we would competitors like to introduce or improve including provision for 15 -18 The judges were friendly and asked us questions for about year olds, road safety, tree health, support for sports fifteen minutes based on the topics listed in the entry activities, IT benefits (particularly in relation to older information. The questions started with what young people) and equipment for our Village Hall,. persons did in the village and what was available for them. Talks with others competitors showed a widespread Fiona Thornton (from St Peters and St Bartholomew’s and concern with affordable housing, falling school classes and now at university) responded amongst other things provision for younger persons. There were a number of mentioning the link between the Cassington and Eynsham ideas of interest for example Islip runs a profitable schools. The activities for young people like Dream ‘community shop’ manned by volunteers (they had Studios and their weekly numbers clearly impressed the premises available). judges. The interests of older people were touched on very briefly. There were questions about the Churches links with the community and Jan MacDonald outlined what Olaf THE CHEQUERS INN

FUN QUIZ EVERY MONDAY NIGHT The fun starts at 8pm Monday 18th September

Come in for a think, a drink and a laugh with enough friends to make a team of four, and pit your wits against Quizmaster Croc

Entry £1 per person * Cash prizes and drinks round * Bar food available

The Chequers Inn, Cassington is open 7 days a week and offers a lunch menu and both à la carte and bar menus in the evening from Tuesday to Saturday, and a cracking Sunday lunch. Food is not served on Sunday evenings or Monday lunchtimes. Monday evening is bar menu only. Quality en-suite rooms with breakfast are also available. For information or reservations, please call 01865 882620. what’s on?

CASSINGTON ART CLASS CINEMA IN CASSINGTON The new term for the Cassington Art Class begins on The next Cassington Village Hall film presentation will be: Monday 18th September (7pm) and Tuesday 19 September (10am). It will be our third year. We look forward to welcoming back old members and would The Constant like to welcome new ones. If you would like to learn Gardener but feel you lack drawing ability you may be surprised at what you can achieve, we have a great Friday 8 September at 7.30pm teacher, and as well as acquiring or improving your Doors open 7.00pm creative skills the classes help increase your enjoyment in looking at things. A British diplomat's wife is brutally murdered in northern Kenya, while her travelling companion, a doctor, mysteriously vanishes. Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz star in this gripping adaptation of Le Carre’s best selling novel. Certificate 15 JOIN THE WORLD’S BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING Tickets on sale now, £3 each from Carolyn Hinton 884458 or Amanda Fancourt 880581 Support people living with cancer

Cassington Village Hall films are provided by “Movies on the Move” - a project run by Theatre and West Oxfordshire District CASSINGTON VILLAGE HALL Council with funding from the European Community Leader Plus initiative. FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2006 7am – 12 noon coffee, tea, croissants, biscuits, cakes, home produce Why not join us for breakfast before Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust you go to work or bring the Sponsored Ride or Stride children before they go to school? Saturday 9 September 10am-6pm. Macmillan Cancer Relief Registered Charity Number 261017 Bicycle or walk around Oxfordshire to raise money for our church and for the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust. The Friends of St Peter’s Cassington This is a great way of exercising and is a good day out for the whole family. Sponsorship forms are available in St Peter’s Church or contact the church office on 01865 Harvest Flower Festival - Nature Preserved 883362 or email [email protected] Presented by Windrush Flower Arrangement Club in St Peter’s Church

Cassington Bookworms Special Preview Evening At the last Book Club meeting, after shaing books we enjoyed Friday 29th September (6.30 pm - 8.30 pm) reading recently, we had some discussion about We have to talk Tickets available from Ninon Linnell (tel 881330) - £7.50 about Kevin by Lionel Shriver and we hope to come back to it to include wine, refreshments and live music. when more people have read it. For the next session we have chosen Memoir by John McGahern,now in paperback. Open Days Saturday 30th September (10.00 am - 5.00 pm) & John McGahern tells the story of his childhood, his mother’s Sunday 1st October (11.15 am - 5.00 pm) death, his fathers baffled anger and his beginnings as a writer Admission by programme £1 at the door. bringing us vividly and movingly a portrait of his mother, the Irish landscape, his sometimes painful growing up and his Cream teas will be available on both afternoons in the liberating discovery of literature. village hall and there will be a ‘home produce’ stall adjacent to the hall. Even if you have not read the book, do join us on Tuesday 26th September at 8pm at the house of Margaret Bonfiglioli (The Old Manor, Bell Lane, Cassington). Please help us to raise funds towards the continuing repair For further information call 01865 880709 of our beautiful Norman church by supporting this event.’ CASSINGTON WI Happy Baby and Child Fayre THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 7.45 pm Langdale Hall Witney Oxfordshire THE VILLAGE HALL Saturday 30th September 2006 ‘The Hat’ 10.00am - 4.00pm • Free Entry • Free Balloon Modelling Speaker: Celia Crook VISITORS WELCOME • Free Face Painting • Free Portrait Photographs •Free Demonstrations and Shows • Charity Prize Draw with Fantastic Prizes to win! Meet the experts face to face, enjoy the shows and raise money for local charity This is a fun family day out not to be missed! For further information, please call: Garden Gallery 6th August – 15th October Balraj Khanna Maxine - T. 01993 703627 Atmospheric paintings epitomising cross fertilisation of cultures www.maxexposure-online.co.uk and artistic influences by this distinguished painter known for his use of bright acrylics and dreamlike shapes.

Treasures Gallery 20th May – 8th October Oxfordshire Baskets – then Support for Green Gym project Exhibition of the County’s basketry collection The new Green Gym Project in Chipping Norton is run by Picture Gallery the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), and 8th July – 8th October Parish Churches of Oxfordshire offers communities and individuals a range of regular Drawings and paintings by Steve Empson. outdoor activities. Meeting on a fortnightly basis these could Museum Garden include dry stone walling, clearing footpaths and woodland 15th July – 10th September Sculpture in the Garden management. Strong links will be developed with the Abstract and figurative sculptures made from scrap metal, Wychwood Project. bronze, stone and steel by the Oxford Sculptors Group. All for sale and suitable for outdoor display. Green gyms are all about local people getting together and taking part in conservation projects that make a real Craft Case difference to the environment. The sessions will be flexible Oxfordshire Craft Guild members’ display of work for sale. and open to everyone and the aim is to ensure that all those taking part will benefit from healthy outdoor exercise. Children’s activities Family drop-in activities on Tuesdays 2-4pm during school The District Council has agreed to contribute £4,000 over a holidays. No need to book FREE three year period towards the funding of a part-time BTCV Arts and Crafts Kids’ Club officer who will lead the various sessions and ensure that on Wednesdays during school holidays. those taking part complete a short warm-up and cool-down For children aged 8-12 years - booking essential routine and do not over-exert themselves. Participant will also receive practical training on health and safety as well as Back Packs, Trails and Craft Cart learning specific skills relevant to the conservation projects. Fun activities for use in the museum galleries. Free. For further information, contact Carys Davies or Olga Joven Finds Surgeries (in the Learning Centre) on 01993 861615 Bring your finds along to the Museum on the first Wednesday of each month 2pm – 4pm for identification by Kate Sutton, Finds Liaison Officer for Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Please telephone 01993 814111 to confirm that a session is Leigh Edwards & Co www.leighedwards.com being held before travelling. divorce and family law specialist The Museum Learning Centre (on the first floor of the Museum) The opening hours are Tues - Fri. 10.30am – 1pm for your own research. pre-marriage and living together agreements ~ cohabitation issues divorce separation and children disputes Friends Meetings 6th September – Writing up History – Carl Boardman weekend and evening appointments available ~ friendly sensible advice 4th October – Sundials: the greater picture – David Harbor easy parking

Meetings take place in the Museum on the first Wednesday of for a free intial consultation call each month starting at 7.30pm. Visitors are always welcome (£2.00). 01865 378243 Regulated by 41 Rutten Lane Yarnton Oxon The Law Society For further information, call 01993 811456 More of Roy’s Ramblings ... No.28 – gravel pits

Derek and Len Steggals were very often up at Tuckwells yard by Second World War began by a firm called Feltham Sand & Gravel 6.00am. This morning they were there, and as usual the trucks were Company. Ian Waters, Dereks brother, has given me some of the going out of the yard and the tippers going to Radley pit out by history. He worked there as the lad and had to check all the levels – Abingdon. Now, some of the lads had used to race to see who got there engine oil, fuel (petrol in those days), and tyres – then work in the first. They would go down Botley Road mainly together, but when they workshop during the day. He had a good rate of pay as the company got on to High Street one would go round East Gate Street round was London based, 9 pence per hour. working for a big London Merton Road then through Blue Boar street on to St Aldates, the other company he was well off in those days, I was on about 4 pence as an would go up to the traffic lights and turn left down St Aldates. This apprentice. The Company were put on war work, the land belonging to morning they were called into the office and asked to go to Blue Boar Blenhiem Estate was commandeered, the road from the entrance to street, where this driver had come to grief – vehicles were allowed Purwell Farm was widened down to the junction with the Cassington down these streets then – he was racing down there and hit one of the Yarnton road, just about over night, this is why it is a bit wider than the stone bollards outside one of the colleges, Christ Church we think, this road from the railway bridge to Bladon. knocked the back axel back breaking the U bolts, twisting the other Ian said they ran 1934 AEC Matador trucks. They had 12 of these, side U bolts and pulling the propshaft apart. It all took a bit of rescuing they never let them down. Bedford were commandeered from the RAF as the road is very narrow. As usual they got over the job. & Ford trucks, these AEC Matadors were the forerunners of the AEC One Saturday Derek and Len were working late, about 9.00pm, in Matador four wheel drive Army Gun Tractors, which had diesel Tuckwells yard. They packed up, got to the gates in the old land rover engines, like our old matador we had as a wrecker. These early tucks EUD 309 only to find every one had gone home and locked them in. only had rear brakes, two pairs of brakes shoes in each rear brake Luckily one of Tuckwells older employees was walking by and went to drum, we always reckoned that the only brake on a Ford truck in those a phone box and rang Mr Ted Tuckwell, who lived up Bayswater past days was your neck. The Bedfords were not too bad, they had some the Crematorium, who came and let them out. After that we had our Dodges commandeered from the RAF, they were a bit rough. All these own keys. vehicles had petrol engines Following Dereks history of the gravel pit that Tuckwells dug that When the Ford rear axle shafts broke the axle had to be partly he and Ian his brother own, I think that I did mention that the land I stripped to get the bits out. The AECs had petrol engines with a developed the Truck Centre in, which seems to have got the name of magneto, the self starter was a bit of heavy bent rod, a starting handle, Partridges Yard, was a gravel pit dug out by my Uncle Ivor, Dads a good job men were tough then. The Bedfords & Fords had starter younger brother. I have a photo of Harry Booker who worked for me motors, they were only 6 volt and not all that reliable, so they had for a number of years, he worked for my Uncle as a lad, he was drivers starting handles also. mate. As Derek said, the loads were shovel loaded then shovelled off. When all was ready they moved a lot of machinery in, all the top Harry is stood by a Foden steam truck, I can’t remember the names of soil was removed by Caterpillar D8s, which in those days were a big the driver and the other men, Harry is still alive and kicking we always bulldozer, I think the blade etc would have been raised and lowered by reckoned he could roll the thinnest cigarettes ever, we reckon he cable, as hydraulics had not come into use by then – any we dealt with smoked more paper than tobacco, maybe that is why he survived way back were cable operated – they pulled a scraper which was about smoking as Harry must be late eighties. This gravel pit extended to the 8 cubic yards. These then stock-piled the soil. The Bulldozer and north side of the A40, and eventually got abandoned as they ran into a scraper dug a trench so that as they dug the gravel it could then be lot of pot holes of dirt etc, as it was being dug by hand which now with loaded by what is called a face shovel, a Ruston Bucirus with a 14 cubic diggers it would have been easy. foot bucket. With this machine the bucket slid up the front of the jib, More gravel pit history: The land east of 57 Eynsham Road, where then swung round, the bottom of the bucket opened letting the gravel Geoff Barrell lives, down to the semi detached 41 Eynsham Road, that drop into the truck body. The drag line pulled the bucket towards itself Ray Bowerman lives in, was an old gravel pit. The top ground had been then swung the bucket out over the truck and tipped the bucket into filled in years ago. When we returned to Cassington Dad purchased no. the truck. By this time the trucks had tippers, some hydraulic and 57 as it is now, I don’t think the houses were numbered then, this was some with a big screw at the front of the body which had to be wound 1937/38 also the land between that and Ray, Dad eventually filled in up by the driver, they had big muscles. that old pit. Most of this material was transported to RAF Westcott between Mr Tolley of Bladon dug a gravel pit, I think it went through to Aylesbury and , and RAF Barford between Deddington and Marlborough Pool which was mainly dug out to build the A40 bypass. Bloxham. We think the USA are till using this site. Ian says there were a I think Smiths of Bletchington finished the digging. After this the lot of very dated skeletons dug up, they unfortunately went into the gravel pit along the side of the Mill property was dug out by Smiths of concrete on the airfields. Then he was moved down to East Anglia they Bletchington. had 25 shillings subsistence for lodging – he says that’s another story. At Purwell Farm there is the remains of another pit which you will remember I have spoken a lot about which Mr Jack Brown, a very good Until next month, Roy customer of mine, finally worked out. This was begun just as the

A message from the owners of Acrey Pit Acrey pit ceased to be a used for unauthorised tipping around 30 years ago. It isn’t a recycling depot now, either. For those of you who insist on partying on this area of land, you might at least take your (28) empty beer bottles away with Need a skip? Why receive an empty one? Have it you afterwards – particularly the broken ones. filled with COMPOST, SOIL or MULCH and… Causing damage on private land is considered to be TRESPASS. Trespassing is a punishable offence and in certain Reduce * Recycle * Reuse circumstances, so is underage drinking. Anyone seen in Acrey Pit causing a nuisance or creating a danger to others, will be reported to the police. noticeboard

Village Dates for DREAM STUDIOS Village Hall Bookings

your diary DRAMA - DANCE - MUSIC Unless shown, events are in the Village Hall MASKS - SOUND RECORDING VIDEO - SHOWS September 2006 PROFESSIONAL TUITION Friday 8th September, 7.30pm AFFORDABLE FEES The Constant Gardener – film AGES 6-14, ALL WELCOME For information and to book the Certificate 15 Village Hall, contact: Nicky Copelin Thursday 21st September, 7.45pm 01865 880476 FOR DETAILS The New House, The Green, Cassington The Hat - speaker, Celia Crook www.dream-studios.co.uk Tel: 01865 881813 Cassington WI Email: [email protected] Tuesday 26th September, 8.00pm Cassington bookworms The Old Manor, Bell Lane GOOD HOME WANTED Baby and toddler group Friday 29th September, 7.00am - 12 noon for elderly but sprightly, female cat. Join us for a drink and a chat World’s Biggest Coffee Morning Once a rescue cat she needs a calm and alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays Friday 29th September, 6.30pm - 8.30pm loving owner with no other cats or dogs. Lisa Grosso 880619 Harvest Flower Festival for more information please ring for more information Special Preview Evening 01865 884008 St Peter’s Church Saturday 30th September, 10.00am - 5.00pm ODD JOBS Harvest Flower Festival Open Day Willing 16 year old male available St Peter’s Church Please note changes to Eynsham police office opening hours: Sundays and school holidays 2 do Sunday 1st October, anything from gardening to babysitting. 11.15am - 5.00pm Monday 10 am – 1 pm If interested, please contact me: Harvest Flower Festival Open Day (exc. Bank Hols) John Horgan, on 01865 881480 St Peter’s Church Tuesday 9 am – 12 noon Wednesday 9 am – 12 noon Tickets for films and shows from: Thursday 6 pm – 8 pm Carolyn Hinton (01865 884458) Friday closed Do you know there is a free Amanda Fancourt (01865 880581) Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 noon service to Cassington residents that will take you to 01865 883008 the doctors’ or hospital? Eynsham Village Hall Visit Cassington Back Lane (off Spareacre Lane) community web site ... Eynsham Oxon OX29 4QW www.cassington.info (Wheelchair access)

This is run by volunteers and is available by phoning: Pretty hand-made Pam Turner 880492 or AVON cards Pat Vereker 880693 CALLING In a variety of mediums using real pressed Please give us as much flowers, 3D images, painting on acetate, notice as possible Hello! My name is Julie Perrin and paper flowers, ribbon and glitter etc. I am Cassington’s Avon Lady! Cards made for all ages. If you would like a friendly and convenient Special occasions and orders can be made. door to door service for all your toiletries, Prices vary from approximately noticeboard ... make-up and luxuries, please contact me any £1.80 to £4.50. For local services, ‘for sale’ or similar weekday morning on 01865 881371 for your Carol Baldwin, Silver Birches, Yarnton Road free catalogue. notices, please send copy (by email if Cassington Oxon OX29 4DY possible) to the usual address. I will be pleased to add you to my round. Tel. No. 01865 881454 E-mail:[email protected] Julie Perrin, Red Lion Appropriate notices are FREE, but will only be placed at our discretion.