DORCHESTER NEWS

February 2015

FREE TO EVERY HOME IN THE PARISH

Talking Point In this issue I am writing this the day after the desert. The date 2 February also A tale of two trees 13 - Abbey Calendar 32 shooting at the Charlie Hebdo offices had significance in pre Christian Arias at the Abbey 2 25 in Paris. With 12 people shot and Britain as it lies half way between Benson Choral Society 25 killed, it is a horrible way to start the the winter solstice and the spring Chiropodist 15 New Year. The killings in Paris are a equinox. On 2 February, winter is Chitty Chitty auditions 25 terrible crime, they are not an act of half over. It may still seem dark but Concert for Nasio Trust 3 faith and they do not honour any God; the light is coming. Culham Horticultural Soc. 5 they dishonour our shared humanity DADS’ next production 11 and our thoughts and prayers are very The biblical story in Luke chapter 2 Delicious Dinners 25 Denise Boaden 20 much with those affected by this trage- is a wonderfully moving story where Simeon and Anna, who have waited D’chester Abbey Bellringers 11 dy and continuing violent situations Dorchester Abbey Education 7 elsewhere in the world. Perhaps our years in the temple, meet the infant Jesus and Simeon is moved to say, Dorchester Historical Society 5 equivalent magazine is Private Eye. I Dorchester in the media 15 think Ian Hislop spoke for many when “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant Dorchester News online 23 he said, immediately following the depart in peace: according to thy Dorchester W.I. 9 attacks, ‘Very little seems funny to- word. For mine eyes have seen thy Douglas Jupp 5 day’. Events such as this are a re- salvation; which thou hast prepared Earth Trust 27 Festival News 2015 4 minder that despite our Christmas before the face of all people; to be a light to lighten the Gentiles; and to Fishmonger 11 celebrations, there is still much dark- Focus on…the Co-op 19 ness to dispel. I am reminded of the be the glory of thy people Israel.” These are the words of the Nunc Football Club kit sponsorship 9 saying that ‘it is better to light a candle Football Club Quiz Night 5 than to curse the darkness’. Ultimate- Dimittis, which we use at evensong. From your County Councillor green 2 ly it is only light that will dispel the I find these words very moving and I From your MP green 2 dark. like to imagine Anna and Simeon Gilbert Symonds 21 holding the infant Christ and seeing Hempcroft Allotments news 9 Hurst Water Meadow Trust 27 At Christmas we celebrate Jesus the him as the light to lighten the Gen- tiles. They waited a lifetime for that Lent lunches 5 light of the world coming into the world Lent talks 3 in the way we all do as a baby. He is moment. We too are called to see the light of the love of God shining in Lighting work in Abbey 3 the light shining in the darkness and Logs for labour 25 even on the darkest of days his light is our parishes throughout the year. Mobile library 5 still visible. Christmas and New Year With the dark news of the last few My child's not well 23 celebrations may seem well behind us, days and many people in our parish- Parish Council notices green 1 yet in church we are very much still in Parish Registers 32 es facing difficult financial and per- Planning update green 1 the Christmas season. Christmas in sonal circumstances, let us be mind- Pre-school news 17 the liturgical calendar continues until ful that for many people the dark- nd Ray Nichols 23 2 February; and the feast of Candle- ness is very pervasive. Yet let’s Royal British Legion 5 mas. hold on to knowing that we can only Science and Christianity 3 get rid of darkness by shining a light; Selina Townsend 21 Candlemas comes 40 days after ‘it is better to light a candle than to Special Abbey Services 3 Christmas Day and is the day for ob- curse the darkness’. As we move St Birinus School news 17 serving the presentation of Jesus in Surgery car scheme 5 towards lighter days and prepare to Swimmers wanted 27 the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus was say goodbye to the Christmas sea- Talking Point 1 taken to the temple by Mary and Jo- son let us pray about how we can Village Carol Singing 11 seph. There they met Anna and Sime- trust in the light that is Christ and Village Hall AGM 5 on (Luke 2:21-40). Forty is a very follow him. I pray that we, like Sime- Wallingford Art Club 29 significant biblical number; Moses on and Anna, may know the glory of Wallingford Corn Exchange 31 wandered forty years in the wilder- the Living Lord and reflect his light in Wallingford Country Market 29 ness; Jesus spent forty days in the Wallingford Gardening Club 29 the year ahead. Wallingford Historical Society 29 Revd. Caroline King Wallingford Museum 29 Wallingford Photo Club 29 Wallingford U3A 31 Your Parish Council 9 1 Dorchester News February 2015

A&E Dorchester News The nearest A & E units are at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Editorial Team Oxford (01865 741166) and the Royal Berkshire in Reading Ian Brace, Kathy Glass (01183 225111) Distribution Co-ordinator Rosemary Day Health Centre—Berinsfield

Copy Deadlines for Dorchester News Telephone number 01865 340558

March edition 6 February Clifton Hampden Surgery April edition 13 March Telephone Number 01865 407888 May edition 10 April

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Those items in electronic form may be sent via e-mail attachment to functions, meetings, exhibitions, etc, should contact Hilarie Rogers on 01865 340007. [email protected]. Please name your attached file and subject line of e-mail with the title of Hire of Dorchester Village Hall your article or organisation name, not ‘Dorchester News’! To hire our Village Hall, please contact Brenda Edwards; Anything people would like sent to newsletter editors for other [email protected], or telephone 01865 343062. churches in the Team should be sent to admin@dorchester- Please telephone at least 24 hours in advance to arrange abbey.org.uk by the 9th of the preceding month. collection of the key.

Magazine Advertising Costs The Communal Lounge at Belcher Court Why not use this parish magazine to advertise your business, The communal lounge at Belcher Court is now available for rent. service, function, etc? There are ten issues per year with double Contact the Scheme Manager, Caroline Major, on 01865 343128. issues in July/August and in Dec/Jan. For an eighth of a page the cost is £11.75, for a quarter page £23.50, for a half page Street lighting - fault reporting £35.25 and just £47.00 for a full page. Report any problems with a street light to 0800 317802, which is available 24 hours a day. Callers will be asked for the address All charges are put towards the cost of the paper, printing and of the site and the nature of the fault. postage of copies being sent outside the village. You may supply your own advert or we can produce the advert and Complaints about highways and footpaths artwork for a fee. Ring Oxfordshire Highways on 0845 3101111, available five days a week, with a 24-hour answering facility. Complaints can Should you wish to incorporate a logo or artwork, please supply a copy, also be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. preferably via e-mail: [email protected]. One-time adverts, please send a cheque, payable to ‘Dorchester Blocked Drains? Abbey PCC’, to Nick Forman, Willoughby House, 73 High Street, Ring Thames Water for blocked drains on 0800 316 9800. Dorchester-on-Thames, OX10 7HN. Callers will be asked for the postcode of the address where the drains are blocked. Editorial Refuse collection I always feel that I should dread February as it approaches. The glow and warmth of Christmas and New Year that have kept me Any residents whose household rubbish is not collected on the due date (see page 25) should contact the contractor direct. The going through January have all gone, along with the remains of the Christmas cake. Only the grey skies of February lie ahead; number to call is 03000 610610 and the website www.morerecyling.co.uk but I am usually wrong. The snowdrops push their way up and tell me not to forget that Spring will return; and it is not too far Berinsfield Library away. Moreover, in odd-numbered years the ads start Green Furlong, Berinsfield 01865 340771 appearing for the Dorchester Festival, promising untold delights. Free Internet access. DVDs can be ordered. 2015 is one of those years. So we can look forward with eager Opening hours anticipation to the first ten days of May, when we will be Mon - closed Tues, Wed, Fri 10.00 am –12.30 pm entertained, we will participate, and we will learn in glorious Tues 2.00–7.00 pm Weds, Thurs 2.00–5.30 pm style. In 2013 more that 150 people contributed in one way or Fri 2.00–5.00 pm Sat 10.00 am – 12.30 pm another to the running of the Festival. Just as many will be needed this year. If you can make a contribution or want to get Village Bus Services involved in any way, see the ad on p4 which tells you how. Bus services are provided by Thames Travel: two 97 services to Didcot and Wallingford (M-S) and two 114 services to Abingdon We also have a little bit of looking back in this issue, to a busy and Wallingford (M-F) and Whites: (1 service to Didcot M-F).97 December when Parish Council members made it into the news To Didcot Parkway Station dep. 07:25, arr. 08:12; return from media; royalty visited, twice; and there was much carol singing Didcot Broadway dep. 15:30, arr. 16:10. Other timings are and other Christmas festivities. The Bellringers tell us about shown at the bus stops and also on line at www.thames- New Years Eve, and we start a new series looking at village travel.co.uk and 01491 837988 and www.whitescoaches.com institutions, starting with the Co-op. and 01865 340516. Information about bus services, both local and national, is available from www.traveline.info, and 0871 200 So come on February: do your worst! 2233, which also provides information about trains, London Ian Brace Underground and Overground and ferries throughout the UK.

Oxfordshire Dial-A-Ride Useful Information Door to door minibus service for shopping trips. For information Contacting the Police please contact 0845 310 1111. To report a non-emergency crime, or to give information to Thames Valley Police, please call 101 Alternatively, call Shopmobility Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. In the event of Free loan of wheelchairs and electric scooters to people who an emergency dial 999 need them for shopping in Oxford. For information please ring Direct Line to Urgent Local Health Services 01865 248737. Dial 111 to access urgent local NHS health care services. The NHS111 team will, where possible, book you an appointment or Contacting the Parish Council transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to or send The Parish Clerk is Geoffrey Russell of The Pigeons (next to an ambulance if they think you need one. (For non urgent The Fleur de Lys), High Street, Dorchester on Thames OX10 health needs you should contact your GP in the usual way) 7HH; 01865 340759 (during normal office hours, please, unless an emergency); [email protected]. More Minor Injuries information about the village is available at: The Minor Injuries Unit at Abingdon Hospital, Marcham Road, is www.dorchesteronthames.co.uk available every day from 10.00 am to 10.30 pm: 01865 425161.

Dorchester News February 2015 2

From the Rectory Special Services Science and Christianity 5pm 8 February Dorchester Team and the Churn Benefice Science Mis- On Sunday 8 February at 5pm, there will be an evening sioner, together with Ripon College Cuddesdon present Eucharist in which the music will be led by the Thames the first in a series of public talks on Science and Christi- Consort (directed by Abbey organist Jeremy Boughton). anity. The musical setting of the Eucharist will be the Mass for Speaker: Revd Dr Joanna Collicutt, the Karl Jas- Five Voices by William Byrd with anthems of the Tudor pers Lecturer in Psychology and Spiritu- period. ality, Ripon College, Cuddesdon Topic: God, the brain, and the person: What do Sunday 15 February Christianity and neuroscience have to say to one another? On Sunday 15 February, the Choir of Dorchester Abbey will be augmented by extra singers, mainly drawn from the Venue: Dorchester Abbey choir Schola Aquae Sulis for a Festival Evensong at the Date Wednesday 4 February 2015, 7.45 usual time of 6pm. Music by Howells, Sumsion and Batten (doors open at 7.30, refreshments will be directed by Abbey organist Jeremy Boughton and available) accompanied by Mervyn Williams All Welcome!

About the speaker: Joanna Collicutt has a longstanding Ash Wednesday interest in the relationship between science and theology, 18 February especially in the area of neuroscience and understand- There will be services of Holy Communion at 9.30am at ings of the human person. This interest was developed Berinsfield and 7.30pm in St Birinus Chapel, Dorchester when she was the head psychologist for services to peo- Abbey. ple with brain injury and neuro-disability in Oxfordshire in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and has been maintained in her current role as Oxford Diocesan Advisor on Spiritu- al Care for Older People. Her academic background is in Dorchester Team experimental and clinical neuropsychology and she has Lent Talks 2015 carried out research in the area of natural theology. Revd Dr Michael Lakey: Understanding St Paul and his Epistles Lighting work in the Abbey The writings of St Paul have been immensely signifi- There will be some disruption to the life of the Abbey for cant for the theology and practice of the Church for the next few weeks as the lighting is replaced and re- most of its history. From St Augustine reading Ro- newed. If it is likely to affect something you are doing, a mans, to Luther reading Galatians, and beyond, St Paul member of the Abbey community will talk to you. If you can be found, just below the surface, in nearly all West- have any questions, do ask. ern Christianity. However, though he is everywhere, St Paul is sometimes not read as much as he could be. Partly this is because we favour the Gospel read- ing, but can also be because St Paul’s writings contain Concert in Dorchester Abbey for much that is difficult (whether for ancient or modern the Nasio Trust. readers). Saturday 28th February 7.30 pm Following their highly successful fundraising concert for These five short Lent talks in Dorchester Abbey on the Nasio Trust in 2013, Berkshire Brass, Didcot Com- Sunday evenings (35 minutes + questions and discus- munity Gospel Choir and Dorchester Abbey Choir return sion) aim to offer an introduction to some of the issues by popular request for another joint Nasio fundraiser this and ideas that might help us to understand and appre- February. The programme ranges from Baroque to Gos- ciate St Paul better. When and where did he pel with something for everybody in between! Entry is free write? How ought we to think about his transformation with a collection at the end of the concert which goes from persecutor to apostle? Why did he write the way to the Nasio trust (after expenses). he did? What were his views about God, the World, salvation, men and women? You do not need to be a The Nasio Trust is a registered charity based in Oxford- specialist! They will be followed by a short act of com- shire and Kenya. In just over 10 years The Nasio Trust pline-style worship (apart from 22 February and 15 have built two day care centres in Western Kenya, offer- March). ing support to over three hundred orphaned and vulnera- ble children. At the centres, the children are given food, 1. 22 February 6pm - Paul on the Damascus an education, medical care, support and of course lots of Road : from persecutor to apostle love. In the UK our unique youth programme offers young Followed by Taize@7 for those who wish to people the chance to take part in a life changing experi- stay ence. Through fund raising and sharing in positive activi- ties, local young people can volunteer to work on our vari- 2. 1 March 6pm - Paul and the Galatians ous projects in Kenya. The two-way relationship enhanc- es both communities.

3. 8 March 6pm - Paul and the Corinthians This concert is the first of many fund raising events which will culminate in a group of about 20 teenagers travelling 4. 15 March 6pm - Paul and the Romans (this talk to Kenya in February 2016. The group will be made up of will be part of the regular Evensong) children mainly from all over South Oxfordshire. For the first time we shall be working with a school from inner city 5. 22 March 6pm - Paul and Resurrection London who will also make up part of the group.

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Dorchester News February 2015 4

Douglas Jupp Dorchester A most sincere thank you for the wonderful cards and Village Hall letters of sympathy and support I have received following Douglas’ death. I also thank so many of you in the village AGM who, over many months, kept a watch out and the occa- Monday 16 February at 7.30pm sional rescue, when Douglas was on his numerous walks In the village hall around the village; he loved the greetings and little chats Everyone welcome. he had with you. If you are interested in joining the management Susan Jupp committee please contact Keith Russell on 01865 340838. Lent lunches 2015 The Ecumenical bread and cheese lunches will be held Dorchester on Thames on Fridays, at the following addresses: Historical Society Wednesday 25 February at 7.30pm in Dorchester Vil- 20 February 12-30pm-2pm Joan Blackwell's lage Hall (back room) when there will be a talk by Kemble The Gatehouse, Croft ‘All the World’s a Stage: the history of our theatres Beechcroft, from Shakespeare’s Stratford to West End Musicals’. High St Visitors and new members are always very welcome to 27 February 12-30pm-2pm Julie Taylor's our talks and outings. The Manor House, Gail Thomas Overy Chairman 6 March 12-30pm-2pm Margaret Edmondson's 8 Monks Close Football Club 13 March 12-30pm-2pm Carolyn Oakley's Quiz Night 24 Bridge End The Football Club will be holding another general 20 March 12-30pm-2pm Honor Juniper's knowledge quiz soon … not too serious and lots of fun ! 34 Watling Lane Quiz Night on Saturday 7 March Bar and hot food 27 March 12-30pm-2pm Dawn Dudley's Teams of 6 to 8 people Church House, £6 per head Queen St 7.30 p.m. start in the Village Hall 3 April 12pm-1pm The Abbey Guest House. To enter a team please contact Mike Stimpson Good Friday Meg Fisher Tel 340385 email [email protected]

All are welcome to come and enjoy a sociable lunch and have an opportunity to donate to a worthwhile cause. Culham & District Horticultural The Charity chosen this year is Save The Children with a wish that the money be sent to war torn Middle East Club Meg Fisher Meetings at the Abbey Guest House, Dorchester-on- Thames at 7.30pm

Royal British Legion Wednesday 18 February ‘ Poppy Appeal In search of plants in Southern Africa’ by Ken Burras The Poppy Appeal raised £2,161.20 from Dorchester, (former Director of the Oxford Botanic Gardens and Chair- Burcot and Clifton Hampden. Thank you to all our poppy man, Culham Horticultural Club). sellers who go out in all weathers to raise funds. Thank Membership is open to all those who have a keen interest you to the committee and all those who bought poppies. in horticulture (annual subscription £15) and visitors are

welcome at the meeting (donation £2). For more details Annual Christmas Draw. contact 01235 850381 or [email protected]. Successful Christmas Draw which raised over £400. The star prize the Christmas Hamper, was won by Joan Black- well who lives in Beechcroft. Thank you to everyone who Surgery car scheme bought tickets and/or donated prizes, especially Sean at This service is organised by volunteers for use by Dor- the White Hart, Lian at the George and Margaret at Hair. chester residents who are registered at the Berins- field Health Centre, who do not have their own transport Thank you again to the branch committee who make all to go from the village to Berinsfield or who do not feel well this possible. enough to drive. The service operates on Wednesday Simon Madden. mornings for appointments at 10 o’clock. Chairman This scheme was set up in 1970 thanks to the enthusiasm of the Women’s Institute (celebrating its centenary this year!) and the local doctors at the time the surgery moved mobile from Dorchester to Berinsfield in response to the expan- sion of Berinsfield in the 1960s. LIBRARY Alternate Thursdays, 10.40–11.15 am Currently there are twelve volunteer drivers on the rota. If Lay-by opposite the War Memorial you would like to help as a volunteer, or if you would like 5 February, 19 February to use this service, please ring Rosemary Day on 01865 340090 for further details.

5 Dorchester News February 2015

Dorchester Abbey Education

Children taking part in an Anglo-Saxon Experience Day run by Dorchester Abbey Education.

Dorchester News February 2015 6

Dorchester Abbey Education Autumn Term 2014

Autumn term 2014 for Dorchester Education proved to be Michael Gove changed the primary curriculum in Sep- a very busy one indeed! The busiest I’ve seen since I tember 2014 to focus on history up to 1066. Further- started working at the Abbey! We had six visits from Sep- more the curriculum also requires schools to incorpo- tember to November, whereas in the past we generally rate local studies and consider change through time only have one or two visits at the most during this period. beyond 1066. This increase in numbers was largely due to the interest in our new Anglo-Saxon Experience Days and the changes Thus the Abbey offers schools fantastic scope, as they in the National Curriculum. Perhaps you spotted us wan- can place its impressive three stage history (i.e. cathe- dering around in historical dress as part of our Anglo- dral, abbey and parish church) in the context of three Saxon role play? The children certainly had a great deal highly significant historical events: firstly, the Anglo- of fun dressing up and engaging in the various activities Saxons and the Early Christian missionary movement; too – see a selection of their thank you letters below! secondly, the impact of the 1066 Norman invasion and finally the impact of the Reformation. Half of our Michaelmas term school visits came for the Anglo-Saxon Experience day and the other half to exam- We’re looking forward to another successful year in ine the Abbey from a broad historical and religious con- 2015! If you are interested in supporting us or being text. Our first Anglo-Saxon day was piloted in the Sum- involved in our visits, please drop me an email or pop in mer Term, April 2014, with the Hurst Water Meadow and for a chat. they have since proved very popular. These study days are particularly welcomed by teachers, due to the fact that Margaret Craig, Education Officer, [email protected]

7 Dorchester News February 2015

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Dorchester News February 2015 8

Your Parish Council What do we do?

The work of the Parish Council falls into three main categories:  Representing the local community  Delivering services to meet local needs  Striving to improve quality of life in the parish.

We have a broad range of powers and duties covering provision of amenities, planning and other local services, from youth projects to traffic calming measures, grass cutting, and general local maintenance of, for example, the Recrea- tion Ground and Cemetery. Each Councillor is responsible for certain areas within the village and these can be viewed on the village website.

Community events, such as the Village Fete and Jubilee Party, have a power to bring about a lasting and positive dif- ference to the village and this is something we are keen to develop. So, if you have an idea for something new, please let us know!

Sue Graney

Hempcroft Allotment news We are sad to report the recent death of Gil Symonds (see p.21 for tribute). He had been ill for some time but still continued his interest in his allotment and his activi- ties as a Committee Member of the Allotment Society. He was a very experienced and dedicated gardener and Wishing all WI members and friends a very Happy 2015 he was always willing to share his deep knowledge with and hoping to see many of you at our meetings. Remem- anyone who asked. I have very fond personal memories ber new members are always welcome. of the time when I started my allotment and the helpful advice that Gil gave to me. Thursday, 12 February 2.30pm in the Village Hall. Valentines with Christine Bloxham. Have any members I was asked a question recently; are marrows just big got special Valentine cards that they are willing to share or courgettes? I am sure that Gil could have answered it unusual experiences to contribute to the meeting? immediately but I had to do a bit of research. There are four species of the genus Cucurbita that are commonly Thursday, 12 March 7.30pm in the Village Hall. referred to as pumpkins, gourds and squash. These (Back to evening meetings as it gets lighter) plants came from America and the English settlers took AGM and Bring and Buy stall in aid of ACWW. It's fine to the generic name “squash” from the Algonquin Indian bring items to sell to the meeting and please bring your word askutasquash. The species we are familiar with in money too! Britain is Cucurbita pepo which includes pumpkins, gourds, courgettes (or zucchinis) and marrows. True Any member willing to serve on the WI Committee please courgettes, designated C pepo var. cylindrical are dark contact Linda Hender on 01865 340032. skinned and cylindrical. If allowed to grow large they will resemble marrows but they have much thinner skin and Towards the latter part of the year we held a successful tend to be more bitter. A large courgette does not have Christmas Decorations Workshop attended by members the same flesh and texture as a variety bred specifically and friends with an enjoyable shared lunch. It was great as a marrow such as C pepo fastigata. The word fun making the time to make a decoration of your own. “marrow” refers to its pulpy texture similar to bone mar- Our meetings were as usual informative and fun. Towards row. the end of January we held our New Year lunch at the Fleur which was a lovely occasion. Finally, it is the intention to put a skip on the allotments sometime in February to help with the tidying up of the President Linda Hender - Linda is always very happy to plots before spring. Please keep an eye on the notice answer your questions about the WI and our club boards on the allotments for further details. Publicity Jill Love 01865 716557 Edward Metcalfe

Dorchester Football Club Kit Sponsorship The Football Club has received support from the local estate agents, In House, who have sponsored the new first team kit.

Pictured right are the club manager Colin Fleet and Steve Puddifoot of In House, displaying one of the new Dorchester shirts.

9 Dorchester News February 2015

Dorchester News February 2015 10

Dorchester Abbey DADS Bellringers Next production “Ring out the old, ring in the new Ring happy bells across the snow” The next production from Dorchester Amateur Dramatics Society will be ‘Man of the Moment’ by Alan Ayckbourn Fortunately we did not have the challenge of snow on which will be performed in the Village Hall during week New Year’s Eve, but we did manage to ring out the old commencing 22 June. year and in the new one on all the Abbey’s eight bells. After ringing for the midnight Christmas service, saying Open auditions will be held in the back room of the Vil- good-bye to the old year on half-muffled bells, chiming lage Hall from 7.30 p.m. on Monday 9 February and re- midnight and then welcoming in the new year on full bells hearsals will commence on Monday 9 March. For further is one of the highlights of the ringing year. It is a tradition information please contact Geoff Russell, who will be that almost certainly predates change ringing itself and directing the play, Tel: 01865 340759 and email was well established by 1850 when Tennyson wrote the [email protected] poem In memoriam, from which the above short quotation comes. Anyone who wishes to be considered for a part and/or to be included in the production team should come along on Now in the new year we can look back on 2014 with some 9 February. Refreshments will be available. satisfaction. Although we have lost two ringers who have moved out of the area, we have one new ringer who is now able to join in the team ringing and one ringer return- ing after a long gap from ringing; two ringers have been on day courses organised by the Oxfordshire Diocesan Village Carol Singing Guild and ringers have also taken the opportunity to at- Thank you! tend practices at other local towers. Apart from regular Thank you to all those who came along to carol sing just Sunday services we have rung the bells for ten weddings before Christmas and to those who dug deep into their and the tenor bell has been tolled at funerals of Dorches- pockets to support us. ter residents.

We raised almost £210 for Action Nevertheless 2015 poses a problem for us as, in common around Bethlehem Children with with many parishes, we need more ringers to maintain the Disability (ABCD) who are dedi- capacity to ring our full complement of bells. As a team cated to improving the quality of we are considering how best to attract and train new ring- life for those children in Palestine ers and we will let you know more in later editions of the suffering from physical, mental Dorchester News. In the meantime if you are interested and psychological disabilities. please don’t hesitate to contact our tower captain David Parker on 01865 340402 or [email protected]. Steph Forman Diana Vass

Left: Children from St Birinus School Choir sang carols along- side the village Christmas tree on 16 December and raised £64 in aid of Footsteps Foundation.

Fishmonger The travelling fishmonger comes to Dorchester every Urgent Village Notices Tuesday and will stop at : The Parish Clerk sends urgent village notices via e-mail as the occasion warrants. If you would like to be added 10.30 - 10.50am in High Street near War Memorial to his e-mail list, please send a message to [email protected]. When you Editor’s note: If you like eating fish, please buy from this receive the message, you will view only your own e-mail travelling fishmonger, as the quality is excellent. There address: as a security precaution, all other residents’ is a danger though that he will stop coming to addresses are hidden. This is standard practice to Dorchester if there is insufficient demand. protect your e-mail address.

11 Dorchester News February 2015

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Dorchester News February 2015 12

A Tale of Two Trees

On Friday 5 December, two large Christmas trees were delivered to Dorchester by Earth Trust. One of these was destined to fill the five year gap during which there has been no Christmas tree in the centre of the village. A working party, led by councillors Sue Graney and Chris Hill, eventually found the hole in the pavement outside of the Co-op—it is under the wobbly slab for future refer- ence— slotted the tree into it and decorated the tree with stars and bows. Then came the breakthrough which had kept this part of the High Street festively dark for the last five years—the battery operated LED lights were rigged up. It had been the unorthodox manner of supplying mains power to the lights previously used that had been deemed hazardous and had led to there having been a gap in the trees these last few Christmases.

Children came from the school to sing and to put up the decorations again, and BBC Oxford News appeared toting a camera to record the event. More of that elsewhere.

Let us hope that this is a custom we can now continue every Christmas, to bring a little cheer to the middle of the village and light the way home for those of us exiting the White Hart late of an evening. Above: Members of the working party get the village tree into its hole in the pavement.

Meanwhile, the second tree headed on to the Abbey, to be a major part of the Christmas celebrations there. This continues an unbroken tradition of many years and involves a large team to plan, decorate and erect. In total around 25 adults and 16 teenagers and children contributed to the process.

Many of the decorations illustrate the themes of Advent and this year they included John the Baptist, the Proph- ets and, for Christmas Day, the Sun (sic) of Righteous- ness. These were made by members of the congrega- tion. The tree was also decked with prayer bunting, small flags which dressed the tree from top to bottom. On these, people were invited to write a prayer.

Getting the tree down was almost as complex an opera- tion as getting it up, but with twelve people involved, it all went smoothly.

A huge ‘thank you’ must be given from those of us who simply enjoyed it to all who helped with sourcing the tree, erecting and decorating it, as well as UNdecorating it and removing it.

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Dorchester News February 2015 14

Dorchester in the media Dorchester is no stranger to media attention as backdrops to television detectives or to illustrate weather extremes such as flooding. In December though, Dorchester was in the media for two different reasons.

On 5 December, Councillor Chris Hill appeared on the Phil Gayle Breakfast Show on Radio Oxford to talk about the village Christmas tree and how the parish council had found a way round the previous problem with power for the lights, which is reported elsewhere. Then, not to be out- done, BBC Oxford News sent along Sinead Carroll to cover the same story. She filmed and talked to children from the school and interviewed members of the Parish Council about why there had been no tree for five years and the solution found.

The report went out that evening on the 6.30 BBC Oxford News.

Above: Chairman of the Parish Council Margot Metcalfe and Vice Chair Chris Hill, appearing on BBC Oxford News.

Left: Sinead Carroll films the children.

Two weeks later, on Friday 19 December, the village was again in the news media when royalty attended a wedding at the Abbey. Guests at the wedding of Charlotte Fry and James Murray Wells included Prince Harry and Princess- es Beatrice and Eugenie. Their attendance was widely reported in many media with Dorchester providing a fine setting.

Prince Harry was an usher and was shown in photographs looking after the small bridesmaids. Various members of the choir are reported not to have realised immediately who the nice young man giving them an order of service was. But then they were concentrating on the singing ahead!

The previous week, the Abbey had also hosted royalty, when Prince Edward attended the Oxford Children's Hos- pital Carol Concert and read a lesson.

Above: Prince Harry adjusts his buttonhole as he passes the village Christmas tree—or has he picked something prickly off the tree?

Left: The Princesses cross the High Street by The George. These pictures appeared in Mail Online.

Chiropodist Third Thursday of each month, 1.00–4.00 pm Belcher Court Sitting Room

19 February

For an appointment, Jo Bennett, 079031 33469 Cost £15

15 Dorchester News February 2015

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Dorchester News February 2015 16

St Birinus School News Pre-school news We're kicking off this busy term with every morning ses- At the end of last term, our Blue and Yellow classes per- sion full to capacity! We welcome newcomers Ava, Tobith formed ‘The Born in a Barn’ as their nativity play. The and Delilah and I'm sure it won't be long before they're children all sang beautifully, particularly our soloists, the part of our Toddler-team! lines were learnt and the movement on the stage brilliant. A big thank you to the staff, who with the children worked The main theme we're looking at this term is 'making with hard to bring the play to life. You may have also seen material', whereby each week we will look at various mate- the School Choir singing carols in the village, this is an rials, exploring their textures and uses, but also attempting annual event to raise money for charity. Again they were tie dyeing, knitting and weaving ourselves! We'll even be collecting for ‘Footsteps’ in the village. (See p.11) looking at tartan to tie in with Burns Night. So if you hap- pen to have any scraps that need a new lease of life, we Decorating the Christmas Tree in the village was also a would welcome them here at the Horsa Hut! highlight of our Christmas term as we were invited with the Pre-School to join this event. The children also en- Our pre-Christmas fundraising was a huge suc- joyed seeing themselves on TV during the local news in cess. Helen and Zoe created some fabulous crafts and the evening. goodies which were on sale at the setting and at various events in the lead-up to the end of term. Thanks to them, As you will see from the photograph below, we all took and to the kind families that purchased them, we managed part in the Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day in to raise £205 which is a fantastic chunk towards buying December raising money for this worthwhile cause. It the setting an ipad. This will make the observations and was certainly a colourful day in school. photos of the children much easier and means the teach- ers won't have to go into the office/cupboard to do all of Each month, we have our Writers of the Month – this their paperwork! recognises children who have shown a great improve- ment in their writing during that month. Congratulations I would like to give huge thanks to Helen and the staff for to Jake Sullivan-Webb, Toby Atkinson-Seed and Nat the cutest Nativity and concert last year! The village hall Gauden, our Writers of the Month for December. was packed and there was barely a dry eye in the house! How they all managed to keep such young chil- Carrying on the theme of writing, at the beginning of dren listening and performing so professionally is beyond Term 3, we all watched the film of ‘The Railway Children’ me! Not to mention the effort they must have gone to with – which we are using as our theme for our Big Writes this the costumes and props - thank you! term. It was great to see the film and it was made more enjoyable with the popcorn being available during the Looking forward, we have the Valentine's party and the interval. Such fun! Chinese New Year...... and some DIY maintenance to tidy up the hut's exterior. Russell Leigh Feeling helpful and handy anyone...?! Headteacher Matthew Kestner Dorchester St Birinus CE Primary School

Children from St Birinus School on Christmas Jumper Day

17 Dorchester News February 2015

01235-850649 07956-586778

Dorchester News February 2015 18

Focus on...the Co-op Last year the Co-op celebrated 100 years of serving the store might carry. Each has different types of customers people of Dorchester and in the November 2014 issue we who do their shopping in different ways. In Dorchester, as looked back at the history of the shop in the village. This with most village shops, there are those customers who month, in the first in a series about life in our village, Dor- use it to top up things that they have run out of, or forgot- chester News takes a look at the Co-op as it is now, and ten, between the weekly shop elsewhere. For others its role in the village. We have been talking to Helen though, particularly those without transport, the Co-op Jones, manager since last summer, about the changes supplies most of their shopping. Stocking policy therefore she has made, how she sees the shop’s current offers has to balance these needs offering both the top up items and how that might be developed. and a wider choice that will enable complete meals to be made. Consequently there is a bigger range of meat and Going through the door at the rear of shop, almost hidden fresh produce than would be expected for a shop of this between the freezer cabinet and the soft drinks, takes you size. into another world of offices, stock rooms and kitchen. Out here lies a nether world, never seen by most shop- Bakers and boozers pers, whence staff So what do the shop sales tell us about the people of mysteriously appear Dorchester? Helen quickly with arms full of spotted that what the shop bread. But this is all sells more than would nor- part of the working mally be expected are bak- environment for the ing products and alcohol. shop staff, where What does that say about much of the unseen the residents of Dorches- work goes on. ter? Are we divided be- tween those who bake and And there are quite those who booze, or does a few staff, twelve in this alcohol disappear into all, a mix of full and our baking? Is that why the part time. Helen is cakes at the tearoom are assisted by deputy always in such demand? manager Ryan with- out whom she says Seeing this, Helen has al- she couldn’t survive; ready increased the wine Rachel is the star of range and sales have in- the shelves, making creased further; and she thinks that she could sell even sure that there are more if she had more space. It may be just as well for the none of those nasty residents of Dorchester’s health that there isn’t any. empty gaps which many of the larger Helen, right, with Rachel and Ethel The future supermarkets seem to What about the future? What new lines could the shop suffer from. But for most shoppers, it is the cheeriness of introduce? Helen is fairly constrained by the list of gro- Ethel, Carol, Mohammed and the rest that is the Co-op cery items that the Co-op believes to be appropriate to with which we interact. village stores of this size. However, she has more flexibil- ity in other areas and always wants to know what is miss- What has Helen made of Dorchester since she arrived? ing—there is a place on the notice board for us to tell her Coming here from Leamington Spa has been quite a big and she can be adept at extending and amending the move but, after a short while spending up to three hours official range list to make sure that particular village fa- commuting, she now lives locally and says that she very vourites appear on the shelves. quickly felt at home and has settled in to South Oxford- shire life. In the shop, she enjoys the getting to know the There may be an opportunity for the Co-op to sell village customers, including the various characters of Dorchester, souvenirs and postcards to the many visitors staying at who add fun and interest to the day. the hotels, particularly given the closure of the Post Of- fice, but that will never be more than a small side-line. The range of items that a village shop carries is, of course, different to what an urban corner shop or a larger How could the shop develop to meet the community’s needs even better? There is a possible refurbishment coming up, which would smarten the store; alt- hough for some of us it will probably mean not be- ing able to find anything for a few weeks!

It is also, Helen says, Co-op policy to have a Post Office counter in as many shops as possible. She does not see Dorchester as being an exception to that, and believes that we could see one of the tills designated for Post Office transactions in the fore- seeable future, following the Berinsfield model. That could happen whether or not the refurbish- ment goes ahead.

So, a new manager, the possibilities of a refurbish- ment and a Post Office, all sounds like the Co-op is committed to Dorchester and, providing we contin- ue to use it, will keep our shop going for, who knows, another 100 years?

19 Dorchester News February 2015

Denise Boaden 1924-2014

Denise was proud of her heritage, particularly of being a lo. I'm sure her curiosity about new residents was a driv- ‘Moonraker’, and she boasted a soft mid Wiltshire accent ing factor! Rebecca moved in to the Rectory flat in freez- to the end of her days. Her life was shaped by her time ing weather with no water – and Denise arrived with a as a Wren and amongst other postings she served in flask of tea! In the Abbey she was good at identifying new- Hamburg. Carole Treadaway, who recalls seeing the comers! She would make a bee line for them and made albums, says Denise would surely have received a med- lasting relationships with young families arriving in prepa- al. Her service life meant that her house and garage ration for marriage or baptism. were immaculate. Sue Dixon, on being asked to take control of her household responsibilities when she first When John Crowe arrived with Una and his family she went into hospital found everything neatly was a churchwarden and his three daughters filed and in order – and her diary held ap- have a particular memory of a welcome tea pointments for months ahead. She ran her party given specially for them by Denise and life by naval time and was always early for Kay. In our case, Denise’s care of the family everything. It frustrated her that others did took the form of a carefully wrapped bottle of not follow the same code. She once rang gin at Christmas – addressed to Richard and Sue Dixon at 2 o'clock in the morning to ask always delivered and hidden under the tree for a lift to Thornhill to catch the bus to Gat- when I was NOT at home! This was all part of wick as the taxi she had ordered had not the joke that no man was safe when Denise turned up the appropriate number of minutes was around - particularly enjoyed by Brian before its due arrival time. “I am sure we Griffiths. passed the taxi on the way out of the vil- lage….” Denise’s sense of humour was all her own. I received an email from Anne Wieland who, The second driving force in Denise’s life was horticulture having recalled Denise’s welcome to an American migrant – she trained at Bicton Park, outside Exeter and worked recalled this incident … for Lord Berners at Faringdon. Her sister Avis wrote to “One time Pete and I had visitors from Devon, we went for her recently reminiscing about the cottage where she a stroll and met Denise coming up the alley, probably on lived with her friend Kay. As a trained horticulturalist her way to the Co-op. As we greeted one another I said Denise's pride and joy was her garden. Here she was "Denise, I would like to have you meet my friends from quite ruthless and if a plant or shrub didn't grow to the Devon." she replied "Why Anne, I didn't know you had right shape, size, in the right direction or failed to pro- any friends". We laughed until we cried!” duce the expected flowers or foliage, out it came. This drastic policy worked as her garden was always beauti- Denise was well known in the village and active in many ful. groups - she looked after the finances of the Bowls Club, Lunch Club and only recently gave up counting and re- There is one final passion of Denise’s which deserves a cording the Church Collection monies. She was a regular mention – ornithology. Her love of birds led to some attender at the monthly Cheshire Home service, a mem- wonderful holidays and energetic conversations. Not ber of Abbey Ladies, DADAV, Culham Gardening Club long ago she was delighted when I reported seeing oys- and the Ex WRNS Society. In Sue Dixon’s words Denise ter catchers near Long Wittenham – not least because was a 'good neighbour' in the best sense of the expres- she had been certain she had seen some flying over her sion and lots of glasses of sherry and wine were enjoyed garden. in her sitting room, though, as she had developed the technique of talking without noticeably pausing for breath, Many people spoke or wrote to me about Denise’s wel- it was difficult to take one's leave. The reward was always come! ' You are a very good listener', which faded into the dis- tance as you made the quickest exit possible to rescue Neighbours recall that the furniture van engine had hard- the dinner! ly been turned off when Denise came round to say hel-

Be a Friend of Dorchester Abbey

The Friends of Dorchester Abbey is an association with a legal identity separate from the Parochial Church Council and raises funds to be used exclusively for the restoration, maintenance, embellishment and improvement of the structure of the Abbey Church.

Since our formation in 1959 we have contributed much to the life and witness of the Abbey. Over the years we have promoted and supported social events such as concerts, lectures, flower festivals as well as visits to cathedrals and other abbeys.

The subscription is not fixed, and members choose their own amount, but we hope for a minimum annual subscription of £20. Life membership is also available for a single payment of £300 per person (£500 for a couple). For further details contact the membership secretary, Mrs Honor Juniper (01865 343228).

The application form to join the Friends is available at the Friends’ notice board in the Abbey.

Dorchester News February 2015 20

Gilbert Symonds 1939-2014 Gilbert (‘Gil’) Symonds was born in 1939, in Littlemore, Gil was a superb gardener and tended an allotment for the third of Gilbert and Edith Symonds’ four children. He more than 40 years. He took on a neglected plot in Dor- was an Oxfordshire man through and through, his pater- chester in 2002, winning the prize for “The Best Kept nal grandparents living at Cowley Road in Littlemore, and Allotment” the following year. He was always more inter- his maternal grandparents at Drayton St. Leonard at one ested in vegetables than flowers. During his final summer time. Gil continued to visit the allotments to see how things were looking and he grew tomatoes, cucumbers and Gil’s childhood was happy. He had a love of wildlife which courgettes in pots in the garden. Gil was also an excep- was never more evident than in one of his favourite sto- tionally talented angler, known and respected throughout ries. On a bike ride at the age of 12, he found an or- the area. He competed at the highest level, up and down phaned tawny owl. After a ride home inside Gil's jumper, the length of the country, but the Thames was always his Ollie, as Gil named him, was installed in the garden shed. river. He became the only person to win the Upper Gil cared for the young owl for the next three years, until Thames Championship twice. one day another tawny owl appeared. Ollie flew off to join her and was never seen again. Gil retained his love of After almost 40 years in the car industry Gil retired and animals for his entire life, and his gentle manner meant moved with Sue to Dorchester in 2002. With more time they always loved him back. on his hands, he would go off to the allotments almost every morning to work and meet his friends Sue would After school, Gil took an apprenticeship with a stonema- look to see him wheeling his barrow home at mid-day. son working on the Oxford colleges, until National Service took him awayfor 2 years. On his return he worked at Despite the suffering of his final months, we thank God for Morris Motors in Cowley for 20 years, then 17 years at the happy memories of Gil’s last summer. These include: Oxford Automotive Components on Woodstock Road. time spent with his family at Poole, watching Amelia, Hen- ry, Zach and Evie play on the beach; taking Natasha for a Gil and his future wife, Sue, were married in April 1965 in ride on his scooter on the playing field on the day of the Littlemore Church. In 1966 their first daughter, Louise, Village Fete; spending time with Amelia and her pony; was born, followed by Belinda and then Steven. Gil and chatting with William about Formula 1; and a lovely Sum- Sue spent the following years bringing up their children, mer afternoon in his garden with his children. Gil was a creating many lasting memories and happy Christmases, kind, decent, hardworking man, liked by all he met. He birthdays, weddings and christenings. Gil and Sue have was a loyal and loving husband to Sue for 50 years, a six grandchildren: William, Amelia, Henry, Natasha, Zach- devoted father to his three children and a perfect grandfa- ary and Genevieve. ther to six. We thank God for his life.

Selina Ghent Townsend 1930-2014

Selina Townsend was born on May 25 1930 to Frederick stove and they lost all their possessions! So as never to and Selina Newman in Ashley, Bristol and was the be without a home again, they bought 17 Reading Road in youngest of 3 children. She had a close relationship with Wallingford as a bolthole. her Mother, who was a small woman which she made up for with laughter and fun. Lena inherited these character- Another short stint in Greece was followed by buying a istics from her. post office in Haydon Wick, Swindon. However, Vernon secured a job in Nigeria shortly afterwards and Lena was Selina attended Fairfield School in Bristol and had two left to run it on her own. She eventually joined him in Nige- great friends, Margaret and Rosemary, with whom she ria where they lived for 10 years. Again, Lena, an accom- maintained contact throughout her life. When WW2 plished cook, loved entertaining and managed to concoct broke out, she and her mother, aunt and cousin, were amazing feasts. Her love of reading carried her through evacuated from Bristol to Yorkshire. Lena had many fond many lengthy periods on her own, occupying herself in a memories of this time. good story. She returned to Wallingford frequently for Da- vid's school holidays, as he remained in school in the UK. Selina met the love of her life, Vernon Henry Townsend at the Bristol University Rag Ball. They married on 14 Upon Vernon's retirement they bought a property in Nerja, June 1952 in Bishopston, Bristol, and moved to Benson. Spain. Once again, they had a full life amongst the com- Saving every penny they could, they bought a piece of munity there. They returned to Wallingford in 1996 just land in Dorchester on which they built a house which they before the birth of their granddaughter, Zoe, and were lovingly named "Jumbalena" – after “Jumbo”, as she able to see her growing up. When Vernon’s health started called Vernon, and herself. Their son, David, was born on to fail, Lena was an unfailing companion and nursed him 24 March 1964 at the Radcliffe Infirmary. to the very end.

In the late 60s, Vernon took a job in Ghana in the phar- Lena and Vernon had a varied and interesting life together maceutical industry. They moved to Greece and lived all over the world, and were blessed with 20 incredibly near the Acropolis. In the early 70s they moved to Beirut, happy years of retirement together. Together, their home where life was wonderful and very vibrant. Lena enjoyed was always filled with laughter, and everybody was en- entertaining both for Vernon's business and also for sured a warm welcome. She will be remembered as a pleasure. After a car accident, Vernon was laid up at devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, always home for many months, and Lena nursed him back to smart, incredibly determined, feisty, full of fun, and with a health, even running his office with him from his bed- great sense of humour. Her family love and miss her, and side! When civil war broke out, she was flown out on one their hope and prayer is that she is reunited with David’s of the last flights. She left scrambled egg cooking on the father and has found peace.

21 Dorchester News February 2015

Dorchester News February 2015 22

Ray Nichols 1922-2014

Ray Nichols was Vicar of Dorchester from 1974 to 1987. But.... we measured up. And how silly of us to have had even a His funeral took place in the Abbey on December 22 and shred of an idea otherwise! Almost immediately Ray and Barba- the following Tribute is compiled by the Rector from ad- ra became part of the congregation, Ray presiding regularly at dresses given at his funeral by his son, Paul and col- the once a month evening Communion, joining discussion groups league Reverend David Barton. The Rector would be hap- - simply being part of the church family. And it was wonderful to py to provide full copies of each address on request. have him in that role as eventually failing health meant he had to give up much of what he did. But Ray was loved and cherished Ray Nichols was a man of many contrasts and surprises. by so many people that his presence was a blessing. Just to be He left school at 14 having trudged many a mile to and with him was to sense the commitment and the faith which per- from school from the earliest age (in truth it was later dis- meated the whole of his life. covered about 400 yards!). At school, sport was the only thing that really mattered to him and he During his seafaring days Ray’s life centred around was let off beatings if he had played well duty free whisky, meeting friends in London’s jazz the day before! Yet, in spite of only a brief clubs and rubbing shoulders with the likes of formal education, I think he was one of the Stephane Grappelli and George Shearing. Maybe most well-read people I have ever met that’s where his love of music was ignited. Then, one and could always offer profound and night in 1946, his life changed for ever. In that year thought-provoking advice on pretty much his friend Percy had taken Ray to hear some of the any subject, or provide startling insight best and most powerful preachers in London. Ray into complex theological issues. had always scurried off afterwards, avoiding a con- versation. But one evening, at a family event, they A brief look at the chronology of his life found themselves sharing a room together, and scur- would suggest someone who loved to rying off was out of the question. "Isn't it about travel – the wartime Merchant Navy took time?" Percy asked. And Ray discovered it was. him everywhere, from the North Atlantic to The claims of Christ upon him were unavoidable. He Australia and Argentina; he took his wife threw himself into youth missions before formally and 18 month old daughter to up-country training for the priesthood that would become his Kenya; he played a key role in doing just life’s work. That change owed itself to his brother, what SPCK stood for – promoting Christian knowledge – and family was, throughout Ray's life, the place where most he all over the world; he played a significant role in the World felt comfortable and the place where, for him, prayer was best Council of Churches as chairman of the committee for prayed. To the end it was prayer with Barbara that sustained Christian literature development, formed a body bringing him. And that sense of family and faith all bound together clearly together a number of missionary societies under the title imprinted itself strongly on each of their four children. Joint Action for Christian Literature Overseas. And yet, certainly latterly, he didn’t really enjoy travelling, preferring Blessed, if that is the right word, with an extremely stubborn the homely comfort of their lovely flat in Iffley, listening to streak, he could be demanding, often economical with praise. Classic FM with Barbara, surrounded by photos of the Paul says: ”And yet how often did we hear my mother say “You family. should hear how he talks to other people about you”!” He was indeed a devoted father, father-in-law, grandpa and great- David writes of their arrival in Iffley “the Diocesan rumour grandpa, a caring and nurturing pastor, keen to know what all the mill gave us advanced warning. Not just: "Ray and Bar- family were up to, encouraging others not to pass up opportuni- bara Nichols are coming to live in Iffley”, but: "Ray used to ties that hadn’t come his way. be Vicar of Dorchester. Something of a strong and deter- mined character. Played quite a role in the Diocese in his Breakfast in their house was generally a silent meal, a legacy of day." Nobody said watch out, of course, but there Ray’s time in the Merchant Navy, and at home he was often a seemed a need to be wary! And when that stocky figure man of few words. Yet he was a gifted communicator in the writ- arrived, glancing round, taking in everything, missing ten word, a wonderful storyteller, and always lively company, if nothing, a man with the atmosphere of someone who rather prone to dissolving into an infectious giggle. knew how to be in charge .....well, there was, I have to admit, a slight frisson. Are we going to measure up here? At his peak, Ray scaled the heights of 5’3”. As we reflect on his Will he stay? life it’s obvious that this was a big man in a small package. For a small man, he leaves a big hole. Now there was a man.

Dorchester News online My child’s not well! To remind you that Dorchester News is available to be Dr Jonathan Crawshaw (GP Berinsfield) will talk about downloaded from the Abbey website each month (go to some childhood illnesses and answer questions the homepage at: www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk and for parents and carers. click on Dorchester News) and from the village website Please join us at Berinsfield Health Centre (go to www.dorchester-on-thames.co.uk and click on on 5 March the Dorchester News tab). 1.30 – 2.30pm

Remind your friends and family who have moved away Everyone is very welcome to attend from the village that they can catch up with what’s going on in Dorchester. Patients Participation Group Berinsfield

23 Dorchester News February 2015

Dorchester News February 2015 24

Arias at the Abbey 2 Saturday 14 March, 2015, 7.30pm Benson Choral Society Following the success of the October 2012 concert, Regular followers of BCS will know that the Society never ‘Arias at the Abbey 2’ will be held at Dorchester Abbey baulks at performing challenging music. Remember, for in Oxfordshire (OX10 7HH) on Saturday 14 March 2015 example, Belshazzar’s Feast? The next concert (March at 7.30pm. This second evening of popular classical 28) fits this pattern. It sees the performance of Beetho- music and song will feature soloists Stuart Pendred, ven’s Missa Solemnis which he wrote between 1819 and Hannah Pedley, Kylie Watt and Anthony Gregory; The 1823, and which the composer himself regarded as his Oxford Chamber Orchestra conducted by Neil Farrow greatest achievement and the award winning Wallingford Parish Church Choir directed by Sue Ledger, in aid of the Bone Cancer Re- Given that Beethoven was never a regular church attend- search Trust. The programme will include excerpts from er, had little time for organised religion, and was once Carmen, Tosca and Les Miserables, and drinks and can- called an atheist by Haydn, it is interesting that he wrote apés will be served in the interval. of the Missa Solemnis, ‘My chief aim … was to awaken Tickets £25, students/U18 £15, at: and instil enduring religious feelings not only into the sing- www.bcrt.org.uk/ariasattheabbey. ers but also into the listeners’. The composition followed Enquiries to [email protected] an intense study of church music by Beethoven, going or tel: 01491 825680. back even to the ecclesiastical chants of monks, and he added the following inscription to his manuscript score From the heart, may it go to the heart.

Beethoven apparently struggled with the fugue, as did our singers during early rehearsals. Indeed, nothing in this great work is easy, but an extended rehearsal period da- ting back to mid-autumn should ensure the usual confi- dent and polished performance. As always Chris Walker will direct and conduct the choir, the Elgar orchestra, and a group of distinguished soloists.

This concert begins at 7.30pm in Dorchester Abbey on March 28 and is certain to be sold out, so early booking is strongly advised.

To book tickets, either phone 01865 407395 (Evenings) or use email [email protected]

Ticket prices £18 £15 £12

Auditions for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang A top West End musical director is looking for adult and children singers to audition for parts in a sparkling musical extravaganza to be performed at Wallingford Corn Ex- change.

Composer and musician Rob Alderton’s company Cre- scendo has devised the show to celebrate the music of Richard and Robert Sherman. It will include well known songs from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins accompanied by a 60-piece orchestral score, newly rec- orded by some of the finest musicians on Broadway and Logs for Labour London’s West End. Would you like free firewood, or do you have a woodland that needs managing? The Trust for Oxfordshire’s Envi- The Corn Exchange is collaborating with Crescendo to ronment’s “Logs for Labour” programme aims to promote present the show in March 2016. It will be semi-staged sustainable use of woodfuel by running events where and lightly costumed and will feature a full-size replica of volunteers help to manage woodlands in return for the famous Chitty Chitty car on stage. logs. The events are 2-3 hours long and could involve coppicing hazel, thinning trees, or piling up brash. Bring Auditions will take place at the Corn Exchange on March sturdy gloves, shoes and a saw (hand tools only al- 14 (principals) and March 28 (chorus). Children’s audi- lowed)... or let us know if your woodland needs the help tions will be on March 15. Recalls are scheduled for of volunteers. Information about forthcoming events is at March 28 and 29. www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk, or ‘like’ us at www.facebook.com/oxonwood. Riki Therivel, 01865 For more information, including times and audition songs, 243488. check out the Corn Exchange website, www.cornexchange.org.uk or phone 01491 839613/01296 662129.

25 Dorchester News February 2015

St Mary’s Dental Practice Chris Ballard, BDS (Lond). LDS.RCS (Eng) The Village Mechanic www.stmarysdental.co.uk  All makes and models seen 21a St Mary’s Street  Full servicing & repairs Wallingford Oxon OX10 0EW  Prices estimated in advance Tel 01491 825252  Full bodywork & machine shop We are a family orientated Practice located in the centre of  Recovery Service Wallingford providing care and consideration from all members of my team to help provide you with all aspects of “An honest service with honest prices. No more your dental requirements. dread about taking my car to the garage.

They can even arrange my MOT!” For further information, or make an appointment, (A member of Dorchester Parish) please call my Receptionist on 01491 825252

Call Anne or James now on (01865) 341503 J H. Pratt Automobile Engineer Willowfields No.1 Drayton Road, Dorchester-on-ThamesOxon OX10 7PJ

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Dorchester News February 2015 26

Earth Trust Hurst Water Meadow Trust February Events News Regular walkers will have noticed that there has been Happy New Year from the Earth Trust! Please find below much human activity on the Hurst during the winter some information about our February events. As always, months as this is a period when we cause least disturb- more information can be found on our website ance to wildlife. Under the initial guidance of skilled and www.earthtrust.org.uk. All events take place at the experienced people we have begun a coppicing regime on Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ. the under-storey trees to let in light and promote healthy Wings and Wheels growth. Bramble and scrubby growth has been cleared in Sunday 1 February, 10am-2pm several places beside the paths and along the river bank Biking is great for the environment and for your wellbeing! so we can now see stretches of the River Thame, which Bring the whole family’s bikes along for a health check – was fast becoming obscured by all the growth. the team from Broken Spoke will ensure your bike is safe to ride and teach you some simple maintenance tips. To Perhaps most impressive is the hedge-laying which has complete our ‘wings and wheels’ theme there will be begun on the old hedge line which crosses the Hurst. plenty of family activities on offer including bird spotting Some years ago we planted additional hedging species to and kite making. £4 donation per child; £4 donation per supplement the older sections and the young trees are adult with a bike. No need to book, just drop in. now sturdy enough to be incorporated into a traditional laid hedge. The work you can see has been done by ex- Heritage Skills Taster Session: Hedgelaying perts but we hope that interested volunteers can be taught Sunday 8 February, 10am-4pm the skills of this ancient craft. Have a go at hedgelaying in this free taster session. Please book on to the morning (10am-1pm) or afternoon Tree surgeons have also been busy tackling fallen (1.30pm-4pm) session, or both: branches and thinning trees where appropriate. The large [email protected] or 01865 407792. black poplar by Buck Pool had become dangerous and has been reduced in size but with a stump of trunk left for Introduction to Hedgelaying the benefit of wildlife. Sunday 14 & Sunday 15 February, 9.30am-4pm A hands-on two day course learning to lay a Midland We plan to place log seats below the single oak, near the style hedge. All specialist tools and equipment will be beach area, to make that area the ‘outdoor classroom’ as provided. £75; booking essential: well as an area for families to enjoy. [email protected] or 01865 407792. Our cattle grazing project awaits a decision on a grant Bike Mechanics for Teenagers application, and the purchase of Overy Mead Piece is still Tuesday 17 February, 6pm-9pm in the hands of the solicitors. A three hour workshop with the team from Broken Spoke to help you make sure your bike is safe to ride and teach We hope that you enjoy observing the changes and that you some essential maintenance. Don’t forget your bike! you may feel inspired to offer to join our volunteer group of £30; booking essential: workers and help us to manage the land for the benefit of [email protected] or 01865 407792. people and wildlife.

Discover and Play Anne James, and Jill and Vic Wheeler Friday 20 February, 10am-12pm We have received a generous donation of £1,000 from the Forest School for pre-school children. Join us for a morn- family of the late Anne James. The donation will be used ing of play and discovery in our woodlands. Forest in memory of Anne who enjoyed walking the Hurst mead- School offers hands on learning experiences in a natural ow and will help fund some new log seats. environment. £4 donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free; no need to book but please arrive at the We also received a generous donation of £1,000 from the stated start time. family of the late Jill and Vic Wheeler. The donation will be used in Jill and Vic’s memory to help fund our new project on Overy Mead Piece. Jill and Vic lived in Wallingford for Swimmers Wanted over 50 years and frequently walked the meadows on Masefield House their visits to Dorchester. The Trustees are very grateful to Leonard Cheshire Disability’s John Masefield House are both families. looking for swimmers to take part in their Swimathon fund- Gillian Johnson raiser taking place at Radley College Sports Centre on Honorary Secretary Saturday February 21 between 2pm and 4pm. Tel: 01865 340925 Web site: www.hurst-water-meadow.org.uk This is a sponsored event open to swimmers of all ages. Whether you swim one length or one mile, your participa- tion will help John Masefield House achieve their goal of covering a marathon distance. This event is all set to be a fun afternoon for the whole family. Spectators welcome.

All sponsorship money and donations will be used to pur- chase a wheelchair cycle for the use of their residents.

For further details or a sponsorship form, please contact David Williams, Volunteer & Fundraising Coordinator on 01865 340324 or e-mail [email protected]

For further details see ad on p.18.

27 Dorchester News February 2015

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Dorchester News February 2015 28

Wallingford Historical and Wallingford history walks Archaeological Society and Museum tours in 2015 Winchester: A city in the making During 2015 there will be an opportunity to join one of the February's talk to The Wallingford Historical and Ar- popular history walks led by Judy Dewey and Wallingford chaeological Society (TWHAS) will be by Ben Ford. He Museum volunteers. will present ' Winchester - A City in the Making '. On Sat 11 April there will be a walk around the Castle earth- Ben is from Oxford Archaeology and his illustrated talk works in the morning, followed by a Town history walk in the will describe the archaeological results from the largest afternoon. So, a full day to absorb Wallingford's history, and recent excavations to be published from Winchester. a super opportunity to visit the Museum between your exer- He will discuss the changing nature of peoples' lives cise! Put the date in your diary now! and the city's development from the Iron Age enclo- sure, through the Roman civitas of Venta Belgarum, to 2015 will bring a wonderful new special exhibition - the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval streets of England's 'Wallingford's Royal Castle Revealed’. It will display for first capital. the first time the fantastic results of fresh historical and ar- chaeological research into the life and importance of one of This talk will be held on Friday 13 February, 7.45 for the greatest royal strongholds of Medieval England. It will 8pm at Wallingford Town Hall. Visitors (£3) are bring to life the amazing details discovered in newly translat- most welcome. ed documents, revealing the daily life and the layout of the www.twhas.org.uk castle.

Additionally, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta there will be a display highlighting Wallingford Gardening Club Wallingford's role in the events of 1215, and why it is only Cottage Gardens one of four towns mentioned in Magna Carta.

At the February meeting of the Wallingford Gardening Separately arranged group visits to the Museum or history Club, Tony Clear will give an illustrated talk on Cottage walks (or combined) are proving increasingly popular. They Gardens. can be specially tailored to your group's requirements.....out of hours, introductory talk, etc. If your group / society/ school Tony trained in landscape and amenity horticulture in would like to book for 2015 then please phone Judy Dewey Surrey and has been involved in horticulture for more as soon as possible, tel: 01491 651127. than 45 years. Moving to Worcestershire, he took up a position as assistant gardener at Spetchley Park Gar- Whilst Wallingford Museum is closed for its winter break, the dens, staying there for 17 years. He has been Head highly successful Museum bookshop, with its constantly Gardener at Brook Cottage Gardens near Banbury for changing stock of good second-hand books (all modestly the past 20 years. priced), will remain open during January and February. The shop will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am The talk will be held at Ridgeway Community Church, to 1.00pm. Do please continue to donate your second-hand Wallingford at 7.30pm on Thursday 12th February. books - and particularly those with an Agatha Christie con- nection! Visitors very welcome - £2. Isabelle Darby Future talks:- Wallingford & District Art Club 12 March - The Incredible World of Bees - Steve Mott Wallingford and District Art Club meets on Tuesdays, 7.30- 10 April - Shrubs of Distinction - John Negus 9.30 p m at Centre 70, Goldsmiths Lane. On 17 February 9 May - Plant sale in Wallingford Market Place artist Peter Keegan will demonstrate painting a portrait in 14 May - New Zealand and Singapore - Gwen Barton oils. Non-members are welcome for a fee of £5. On the other Tuesdays of the month there will be the usual untu- tored workshops, where non-members are welcome for a fee of £3. Please bring your own materials and a project to work on at the workshops. For further details about this or Wallingford Photographic Club future demonstrations please contact me on 01491 825042. Stephanie Toole "Wallingford Photographic Club meet each week from September to May on Thursday evenings at the Pavilion in Crowmarsh Gifford. Meetings start at 8pm and on Wallingford Country Market competition nights at 7.45pm. We warmly welcome visi- ‘TASTE IT TODAY’ tors for a small donation of £3 and if you would like to Friday, 13 February, 2015, join as a member in February we have a special offer of Regal Centre, Wallingford. £20 for membership for the remainder of the meetings 8.30 – 11.15 am through to May. Our programme is varied with guest (2 hours free parking behind Regal Centre) speakers, slideshows, practical evenings, visits and competitions. Come and sample a variety of our Home-Baked goods and enjoy a free cup of tea/coffee too. Further details of our programme can be found on our website All our usual home produced items on sale, including spe- http://www.wallingfordphoto.club/ or by emailing wall- cial cakes and gifts for Valentine’s Day. [email protected] We look forward to welcoming you. All enquiries to our Market Manager: Tel: 01865 890649 Carole Sergeant or, why not pop in and see us one Friday morning?

29 Dorchester News February 2015

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Dorchester News February 2015 30

Corn Exchange Wallingford

What’s On February Refuse Collections Fridays from 7.00 am.

Cinema: (Performances start at 7.30pm unless other- Weekly: food waste (in bio-degradable starch-based wise stated. Tickets are £6 adults, £4 under-15s. NT Live bag or wrapped in newspaper, in green caddy) screenings will differ so check at box office or website) Fortnightly: garden waste, recycling; non-recyclable waste Sunday 1, Monday 2: My Old Lady (12A) Fri 6 Feb Green Tuesday 3: KonTiki (15) Fri 13 Feb Black Wednesday 4, Thursday 5: Unbroken (15) Fri 20 Feb Green Friday 6, Saturday 7: The Hobbit, The Battle of the Five Fri 27 Feb Black Armies (12A) Sunday 8: Walk the Line (12A). Sinodun Inner Wheel’s fund-raising evening for the Alzheimer’s Society. At Green = recycling (loose in large green bin) and 2.30pm garden waste (brown bin, +£34 pa) Sunday 8, Monday 9: The Homesman (15) Black = non-recyclable waste (in a bin liner if you Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11, Thursday 12: The Theory of wish, in black bin) Everything (12A) Friday 13: Get On Up (15) The always helpful recycling centre at Oakley Wood Saturday 14: Paddington (U) at 10.30am (signposted off the A4130 Nettlebed/Henley road 1½ Saturday 14: Treasure Island, NT Live screening at 7pm miles east of Wallingford) is open.8.00 am – 5.00 pm (recommended children are 10+) seven days a week, but close at 3.00 pm on 24 and 31 Sunday 15, Monday 16, Tuesday 17th: Into the Woods December, and closed all day 25, 25 Dec and 1 Jan. (PG) A useful notice by courtesy of your Dorchester News Wednesday 18 NT Live, Treasure Island, family special editors. screening at 2.30pm Thursday 19, Friday 20: Testament of Youth (12A) Saturday 21: Paddington (U) Sunday 22: Testament of Youth (12A) at 2.30pm Sunday 22: Monday 23rd: Wild (15) Tuesday 24 , Wednesday 25: Mortdecai Thursday 26: 7pm. The Crucible from The Old Vic (3hr Wallingford U3A 37m inc interval) One of the reasons people join theU3A is to broaden their Friday 27 A Dark Reflection (15) horizons. At our last meeting Dr. Valerie Calderbank cer- tainly broadened ours. A physicist, engineer and astrono- Live mer, she took us on a guided tour to the outer limits of the Saturday 28 at 7.45pm: The Barber of Seville. The Merry currently observable Universe. Opera company makes a welcome return to Wallingford with their new production of Rossini’s comic opera. She thanked NASA and the European Space Agency for the use of the most extraordinary photographs: multi col- Advance notices oured and in motion. She offered us mind-boggling statis- Supertrooper tribute band Gimme ABBA bring their new tics with a cheerful familiarity, so that some of us, briefly, show ABBA As Good as New to Wallingford on Friday thought we understood them: Venus's temperature is March 7 at 7.45pm. Packed with all the group’s famous 480oC, the earth is orbiting the sun at 67,000mph; our songs, it promises to bring back memories of ABBA’s moon, which keeps the earth steady, is moving away from golden age and is a must for all ABBA fans. us at 2.8 cm a year; our sun should keep us warm for an- other 5 billion years. So off we went with her through the Direct from the National Theatre, an NT Live screening of solar system, through our own brilliant galaxy and on into David Hare’s new play Behind The Beautiful Forevers a Universe of astonishing beauty with real in-depth photo- (12A) will be in the cinema on March 12 at 7pm. Based on graphs. Our Universe is expanding, the rate of expansion the book by Katherine Boo, it is set in the slums of Mum- is accelerating, and 97%of it is, at the moment, unknown. bai and stars Myra Syal. Her audience was grateful to Dr. Calderwell for taking us on such a roller coaster ride. Some of us are still coming On March 17 at 7.15, Swan Lake will be screened live down to Earth. from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Our next meeting is on February 4; held as always in Bookings can be made in person or by telephoning the Crowmarsh Village Hall at 2pm. (We meet on the first box office, 01491 825000 (between 10am-2pm Fridays Wednesday of each month.) Professor Gregory Stores will and Saturdays and 7-8 every evening) or online at speak on ‘Charles Dickens as Social Reformer and Medi- www.cornexchange.org.uk . cal Observer’. You can find more about us, our outings, interest groups and holidays, by visiting our website: Listings may occasionally be subject to change. Please www.u3asites.org.uk/wallingford, or phoning Jill on check website for up-to-date information and ticket prices 01491 835994, or Margaret on 01865 340850. for live shows.

31 Dorchester News February 2015

Anglican Priest Dorchester Rectory Abbey Calendar Revd. Canon Sue Booys 01865 340007

Education Officer February—Sundays Margaret Craig 01865 343164 [email protected] Feb 1 Candlemas 8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) Abbey E-mail: [email protected] (Revd David Haylett) 10.30am Morning Service Contact details for Church Wardens and other Abbey information are on the notice board in the Abbey. Feb 8 2 before Lent 8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) Magazine copy: (Canon Sue Booys) [email protected] 10.30 am Sung Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist with music by Thames Consort Abbey Web www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk Village Web www.dorchesteronthames.co.uk Feb 15 Sunday before Lent 8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) Roman Catholic Priest The Presbytery (Canon Sue Booys) Fr. John Osman Bridge End 10.30am Family Service 01865 340417 6.00pm Evensong

www.stbirinus.co.uk Feb 22 Lent 1 8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) (Canon Sue Booys) Regular events 10.30am Sung Eucharist 6.00pm Lent worship and talk Weekly: 7.00pm Taize@7 Monday 10.00 am – 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm – 4.00 pm Abbey Guest House: Watercolour Painting [Full details from rebeccahind.com] Tuesday 7.30 pm Abbey: Bellringing Practice 10.30-10.50am by War Memorial Fishmonger (p.11) Weekdays Thursday 9.30 am – 11.00am Village Hall: Baby & Every Tuesday Toddler Group (term time only) 10.30am – 12 noon Coffee in the Abbey Friday 7.00 pm Abbey: Choir Practice Alt Thurs 10.40 – 11.15 am War Memorial: Mobile Every Wednesday Library (p.5) 9.30 am Holy Communion at Berinsfield Church

Monthly: 2nd Thursday 7.30 pm Village Hall: WI (p.9) Wed 4 7.45pm Quarterly Talk – Science and 3rd Wednesday 7.30 pm Abbey Guest House: Parish Christianity Council (green p.1) Tue 10 10.15am Short Communion 3rd Wednesday Culham Horticultural (p.5) Wed 18 Ash Wednesday Holy Communion at: 3rd Thursday Classic Car Show George Hotel 9.30am Berinsfield 3rd Thursday Belcher Court: Chiropodist (p.15) 7.30pm St Birinus Chapel, 4th Wednesday 7.30 pm Village Hall: Historical Society Dorchester Abbey (p.5) Thu 26 2.30pm Service at the Cheshire Home 4th Thursday 2.30: Service at the Cheshire Home Sat 28 Concert – Jeremy Boughton

See Village Notice Boards for details. Please send all entries and updates for this Dorchester Diary to Geoff Russell by email to: [email protected].

The Diary will also appear in the Parish Council’s Parish Registers website www.dorchesteronthames.co.uk Funeral 20 November Denise Muriel Boaden 27 November Gilbert Stewart Symonds Deadline for 22 December Raymond Nichols 6 January Selina Townsend March Dorchester News Funeral at Crematorium All items must be sent by 23 December Douglas Jupp Friday 6 February 23 December Colvin Maxwell (Max) to Watson [email protected]

Anything you would like sent to newsletter editors for Holy Matrimony other churches in the Team should be sent to 19 December James Nicholas Murray [email protected] by the 9th of the Wells and Charlotte Aimee preceding month Fry

Dorchester News February 2015 32

Your Village. Your Neighbourhood Plan. In May 2013 many of you came to the exhibition and consultation event to finalise the Vision and Objectives that would form the basis of Dorchester's Neighbourhood Plan.

Since then the Neighbourhood Plan team has been working hard, with the help of the District Council, to formulate the detailed policies that will help the village achieve those objectives and realise the vision.

As a reminder, this is the vision developed from your earlier input.

Vision: Dorchester will retain its unique character by continuing to evolve as a supportive, lively, economically active community that respects and enhances its historic and natural environment.

Your final opportunity to influence the content of the plan. We have now completed the draft policies to help realise that vision.

On Saturday 31 January we are holding a presentation and consultation event on the draft policies.  These policies will affect how development takes place within the village: any proposal that requires plan- ning permission will be influenced by these policies.  The policies will be on display in the Village Hall from 2.30pm to 7pm. There will be short but important introductory explanations at 2.30pm and 6.00pm which will help you to understand their origin and pur- pose.

The short talks will be invaluable to new residents and those who were unable to attend the public meetings in October 2012 and May 2013.

We will remind you  How a Neighbourhood Plan fits into statutory planning policy.  The benefits it can provide in helping us, as a community, to have a more powerful influence over what development does and does not take place in our village.

We will explain  How the draft policies are related to the outcome of those earlier meetings at which you gave us the is- sues and concerns that you wanted the plan to address.  We will also explain the next steps that follow on from this event.

After the introductory talk you will be able to see the draft policies displayed around the Hall and discuss them with members of the Neighbourhood Plan team before finalising your comments. Free afternoon and evening refreshments will be served.

Saturday 31 January is perhaps the most important event in the whole process. It is the final opportunity for everyone in the village to influence the content of the plan. We urge you to come along and check our work before we prepare the final document.

If you are unable to make either the 2.30 or the 6.00pm session then please try and talk to someone who can and ask them to bring to you a consultation form from the meeting. The form will also be available via the village website. We will post a brief report and further information on the village website as soon as possible after the meeting.

Mark Stevenson Chairman, Dorchester Neighbourhood Plan

Contacting the Parish Council The Parish Clerk is Geoffrey Russell of The Pigeons (next to The Fleur de Lys), High Street, Dorchester-on- Parish Council notices Thames OX10 7HH Monthly Meetings Telephone (during normal office hours, please, unless In February the Parish Council will hold its meeting on an emergency) 01865 340759 the second Wednesday which is 11 February. In March e –mail: [email protected] the meeting will be held on Wednesday 11.March. The agenda for the meetings will be displayed on village no- Cllr Margot Metcalfe, the Chairman of the Council, can tice boards at least three clear days in advance. All are be contacted via welcome to attend and, at the beginning of the meeting, [email protected] may raise any matter of concern.

More information about the Village is available at www.dorchesteronthames.co.uk

33 Dorchester News February 2015

From your MP… John Howell Firstly, my good wishes for this year. As we begin a new getting accommodation and it is simply not fair to subsi- year it is often a time to look forward and I do so filled dise households to live in houses that are too big for their with optimism. This is partly because as we ended last needs while there are nearly 375,000 families living in year there was the excellent economic news that we overcrowded conditions. Many families have been able to have been working hard to bring. The Office for National make the financial adjustment through their own budget- Statistics published the news that there are 1.75 million ing. For those who genuinely have not been able to make more people in work than in 2010 and that wages are changes the government has trebled the budget for Dis- rising above inflation. It was an announcement to cele- cretionary Housing Payment. brate, whilst at the same time remaining mindful of those who continue to struggle. I will continue to support every Fire Service pensions. Just prior to the debate I met effort to help these people too in 2015. The unemploy- with the Station Manager covering several of the Fire ment news for this constituency was also very good, Stations in the constituency. He explained to me the is- dropping below 300, at 278. sue of pensions, especially in relation to fitness and also showed me the equipment fire fighters have to handle. I As Parliament drew towards the Christmas and New appreciate the fitness issues and am thus pleased to see Year recess, there were two important debates on issues that the move to give firefighters protection on the issue that have been played out in the media, for better or for of fitness and capability has been taken in the last 3 worse! I would like to take this opportunity to set out my months. The improvement of the early retirement terms at views on them. age 55 was made as a result of the recent consultation. I am grateful to all those who work in the Fire Service and Benefits – the spare room subsidy. This has been a especially to the many in the constituency who work as reform based on fairness but has been much mis- retained fire fighters, often holding down their own job in interpreted in the media. Essentially it simply means that addition to the responsibilities that the fire service work people in social housing will no longer be paid a portion brings. of their Housing Benefit to enable them to live in a house that is larger than they need. For people living in private Email: [email protected] rented accommodation receiving housing benefit, this Website: www.johnhowellmp.com rule has long been applied. Social housing is invaluable To be added to my regular updates email me at for hundreds of thousands of people who need help in [email protected]

From your County Councillor… Lorraine Lindsay-Gale Transport Improvement Works In the offer, called 'A shared approach to driving prosperi- Kennington Scheme completed ty', the three councils call on the Government to work with Ahead of Christmas, work was completed on the £7m them to develop a brand new 'combined authority' alli- A423 Southern Bypass Scheme at Hinksey and Ken- ance focused on their common economies of innovation, nington Roundabouts. Work began in June to introduce science, technology and creative industries. Please note a “hamburger” layout to the Kennington roundabout, that it is not about a super Unitary authority, as each which will increase capacity by up to 30% to cope with council will have its own sovereignty and will make the current and future traffic demand, as well as completing final decision regarding any proposals. There is no inten- refurbishment of four bridges and the carriageway sur- tion of merging councils. However, if this is successful face between Hinksey and Heyford Interchanges. The then we may look at other common areas to work works have also included a new subway to take foot together to be more efficient. and cycle paths beneath the new lane on Kennington roundabout. Improvements have also been made to Be prepared for winter Hinksey Hill interchange with a ‘free flow’ lane added to The county council website provides a considerable the A34 southbound on a slip road. amount of advice on how to mitigate problems from the winter weather, including guidance from the Highways Future Schemes Agency and Central Government. There is a particular Work on a series of multi-million pound transport im- focus on travel and what residents can do to help us be- provement projects is to start in January 2015. fore and during emergencies.

Schemes on London Road, the Plain in Oxford City and We are committed to keeping a network of major roads Milton Interchange will all get underway, marking the free from ice to minimise the risk of accidents and ensure latest phase of investment in the county’s transport the smooth flow of traffic. Precautionary salting infrastructure and future economic success. (sometimes called 'gritting') helps achieve this aim. Grit- ting teams have already been out in November due to New tri-county council alliance to bolster falls in overnight temperatures. The County Council’s growth website displays a considerable amount of information The County Council is exploring ways in which further including up to date information on road surface tempera- powers can be devolved to local authorities. On 16th tures that indicate when and where gritting will take place. December, the Leaders of Oxfordshire, Buckingham- It also shows the roads that are routinely salted during the shire and Northamptonshire, Ian Hudspeth, Martin Tett winter. The page also links to general advice on dealing and Jim Harker OBE, jointly signed a bold offer to Gov- with snow and ice, and school closures. Daily updates on ernment to unlock further economic growth and signifi- the roads are also sent out via twitter for those following cantly build on the £45 billion value of goods and ser- @oxfordshirecc. vices that the area already generates. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

Dorchester News February 2015 34