The Letcombe Register

Issue 176 April 2020

Welcome to the New Look Letcombe Register

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY The clubs have been contacted to produce content ON THE VILLAGE EMAIL LIST regarding their interests and some have been reproduced here. AND WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE Currently delivery of the hard copy version of the NOT JUST THE REGISTER, BUT Letcombe Register has been suspended.

ALSO UPDATES ON LOCAL Now, as the village list expands, it will be used to distribute the Register as a PDF and the aim would ISSUES, DELIVERED DIRECT TO View from Segsbury Camp be to continue even when things return to normal.

YOUR INBOX, PLEASE Whilst adhering to the Government safe distancing Today we start a new chapter in the Letcombe guidelines, Please share access with neighbours CONTACT THE PARISH CLERK Register. A chance to explore a different way to who you know do not have an online capability, and keep us all in touch. if you can, make a note of their addresses so in [email protected] time, we know exactly who still requires the hard Here we are free from the constraints of print media. copy when it returns.

This is very much a work in progress so I would TELL YOUR FRIENDS! welcome constructive comments and more To offer content for future issues please contact: importantly articles to keep everyone entertained during the current situation and hopefully beyond. [email protected]

Message from the Parish Council Inside this issue:

THE LIONS OF LETCOMBE 2

BRAINTEASERS The Parish Council is focussing its efforts on Picking up on the useful Gardening Tips which GARDENS OPEN 3 supporting the community through this is already a regular feature we are hoping that LITTERPICK extraordinary crisis and those signed up to the others will also contribute to provide quizzes, NATURE RESERVE Village Email will have received regular photographic submissions, recipes, good book updates. Please encourage all those who have recommendations etc and the like to help keep ST ANDREWS NEWS not signed up to send their email details to the morale strong. Please feed in your ideas to the SAINT OF THE MONTH 4 Parish Clerk – [email protected]. We can Parish Clerk [email protected] or direct to WARBOROUGH FARM currently reach around 80 percent of our The Register [email protected], community but want to reach everyone. where Francesca will be waiting to weave her LADDDERADS ETC 5 magic in pulling everything together. TOPICAL TIPS A small group of us Loretta Light, Michelle Our group of Volunteers are well spread 200 CLUB ACCOUNTS Benton and myself are coordinating our efforts RECYCLING CENTRES 6 and we are also supported by Paul Batchelor throughout the village and we will be advising you through the Weekly Bulletin who they are who is working with Pete Bellis to update FILM CLUB in your area. They will hopefully be known to 7 national advice on the new CORONAVIRUS VILLAGE HALL REPORT section of our Parish Website, and we are you already, which is important as there are some unscrupulous individuals already trying linked into the Village Facebook. BOOK BUFFS & QUIZ 8 to Scam people. CONSERVATION GROUP We are extremely grateful to the 44 volunteers The Parish Council usual business will who have stepped forward to help, and through SIGNPOST 9 continue, but on a reduced basis, as we focus the dedicated on keeping as many of you safe and supported Tennis Club email: as possible. The government advice not to Wise Words meet in groups means we have cancelled our 10 [email protected] Waste calendar Annual Parish Meeting scheduled for May and and will be communicating our annual financial Poo Plea telephone contact: 772900 statement and report through the Register. As A TIMELY POEM 11 which are monitored daily, we are offering help ever your first line of contact for village matters CURIOUS MINDS and guidance. We are already receiving a is the Parish Clerk. FOOTBALL CLUB trickle of requests for help but we anticipate 12 PLEASE STAY SAFE, ADHERE TO THE CONTACTS more as the weeks of isolation increase. GOVERNMENT RULES AND CONTINUE This edition of the Register marks the move to TO LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER. an electronic version, a decision taken to Jeanne Lapsley remove risk to our army of deliverers and it will Chairman continue in this form for the foreseeable future. Parish Council Issue 176

The Letcombe Lions Brook Alder was largely ” its ancient No. Hot a new name for responsible for ensuring internal leather band still the first eleven. We that an inquisitive child intact. refer to two genuine lions didn't become the meal of who sojourned at War- the day! Then there were the out- borough Farm in the late ings to. Wantage Road twenties (or was it the ear- Whether as cubs they ever Station. It comes as no Photo of Mrs Silver with one of the lions supplied by Mrs and Mrs ly thirties?). Though long roamed the house, wheth- surprise to learn that Mrs. Les Cross dead, they live on in local er. like two oversized tab- Silver was fond of enter- memory. bies, they snored by the taining. She would meet Mr. Bill Alder. for exam- fire or snuggled with the her guests at the station, ple. of . Silvers in their bed of a her two lions straining at recalls tales told by his night, stays unrecorded. their chains. Usually they A HISTORY TAKEN grandfather. Brook Alder. But once they became fully were held back by Brook, grown a cage was con- but on one occasion, when FROM THE SUMMER Brook - a 'character' de- serving of an article him- structed. he wasn't there a terrified 1988 ISSUE OF THE self - was (how shall we Bill Alder remembers it, porter was drafted into LETCOMBE say?) farm bailiff at War- still standing in the yard at service with a casual “just REGISTER borough during the inter Warborough, years after hang on to these will you war years. his grandfather had left on to these. will you?” the farm. Some twelve to How did they travel to

(SUBSEQUENT ISSUES The farm itself was then in fifteen feet long by six and from the station? MENTION ERRORS IN the hinds of the Silvers - feet wide. the dimensions There is a photograph of THE STORY AND SADLY Squire Silver - no less, and of its bars were worthy of Mrs. Silver in an open THE AUTHOR IS his redoubtable wife. If its occupants. At one end a coupe with a lion(s) on the UNATTRIBUTED, BUT I Mrs. Silver lacked a local covered area comprised back seat. But Mr. Alder's THINK YOU WILL AGREE title to match her hus- the lions’· den. What be- mother. Brook's daughter- IT A DELIGHTFUL TALE.) band's. she more than came of it? Were those in-law, insists that Mr. compensated for the defi- bars, Bill wonders, seized Chambers. who used to ciency by her remarkable like so many others for the live in one of the row of not to say bizarre lifestyle. war effort. Was the lions cottages facing the A devotee of the safari. cage at last uncaged. Church in Letcombe Regis, she made several journeys Not that the lions were frequently conveyed his to Africa and it was after always imprisoned. Ap- incongruous party by po- one such journey that she parently Brook Alder had ny and trap! returned with two lion the job of walking them cubs. Photographs suggest out. (What would Barbara No-one seems certain of that they were still at Woodhouse have made of the lions' fate. We know Letcombe when fully that?}. It's hard to imagine that the Silvers separated grown. - but apparently the col- and the farm was sold. Mrs. Edna Tubb, of lars and chains that Brook Perhaps the lions went to Letcombe Regis remem- once held are still around, a zoo or circus. bers how, as a child. she Mr. Ernie Mason of Chil- peeped through the hedge drey, kindly provided us Or should our parting shot at Warborough Farm. with one of the collars: a be of Mrs. Silver once wonderingly and no doubt burnished metal ring some again on the high seas, a a little fearfully, yet de- three inches wide and sev- solitary figure on the up- termined to take in the en inches across, tooth- per deck - by her side Photo of Brook Alder with a her two companions. re- ‘Lion in Winter’ also sup- sight of an African lion edged and studded. ad- plied by Mr & Mrs Les Cross lazing on an English lawn. justable. and inscribed turning at last to their “W.Silver. Letcombe Regis, native land ?

Page 2 Issue 176

Brainteasers (answers to the Film Titles next month) Litter Pick

Six stations on the London Tube Guess the Film Title map have been (sort of!) Alison Phillips would like translated into French. Can you 1. Went away because of to say a HUGE thank you work out which they are? flatulence to all those who offered 2. My girlfriend works in an to help with the village 1. Chalet amusement park litter pick this year. It was 3. There is a twist to this tale so encouraging to have 2. Eau de Toilette 4. An Australian ‘magician’ the many willing pairs of 3. Jalousie 5. Take a vacation but not out hands which have 4. Kilometre 6. They call it ‘white house’ in combined to clear our Spanish village hedgerows of the 5. Poulet 7. Challenge for these birds of winter rubbish, which is 6. Fou prey not only unsightly but also 8. Keep going, but use the tent threatens wildlife who Answers from 9. Not white or ugly may eat it or use [email protected] 10. Dense Forest in this novel unsuitable materials for their homes. Between 15 (with thanks to Val Clure) – 20 bags were collected, Letcombe Regis Open Gardens and we were blessed with fine if windy weather Despite the current situation we are hoping to hold Open which made the task Gardens this year. Should the event go ahead the date has been more enjoyable, th set for 5 July with gardens open between 2.00pm and 6.00pm. especially as we are all Several gardens have confirmed that they will be opening but we enjoying any opportunity would love to have some new additions to the portfolio. Besides for a little social contact the gardens themselves, there will be a plant stall and these days! refreshments in the Village Hall. If you would like either your garden to be included, assist with organising the event on the day or could provide a cake Many thanks also to those please get in touch. ([email protected]). who continue to pick up litter during the year. I think this year we may FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY well be out walking even NATURE RESERVE more than usual as we are Volunteers will be aware that work parties are suspended blessed to be living in an currently. Nevertheless, the Reserve is the nearest and most Area of Outstanding convenient local place for many people in the area to take daily Natural Beauty, so a exercise. There has been a noticeable increase in visitors on weekdays and, if the Reserve seems busy, it might be prudent useful tip is to keep a to postpone your visit until a quieter time. The general advice for plastic bag in your pocket keeping at least 2 metres distance from other visitors naturally just in case. applies in the Reserve. Keeping to the defined paths and with all dogs on a short lead is as important for the protection of the Reserve’s wildlife and for visitors. A number of visitors have been clambering along the brook edge which has the potential to lead to an accident and to undo the valuable management Garden & Plant Design work on the brook margins. The Reserve has no BBOWT staff on site and requires the community to treat this space with RHS Qualified respect and responsibility for safe access. Plantswoman and Horticulturalist

BBOWT’s other nature reserves, apart from College Lake in Bucks, currently remain open. The website at https:// www.bbowt.org.uk/covid-19-update will be updated with Does your garden need re-designing? information about specific nature reserve closures and Do you have a border that needs rejuvenating; guidance on how to protect everyone’s safety when you visit. a shady, dry, or damp area that needs attention? Or would you like one-on-one practical To end with some really positive news - an otter was recorded gardening advice? on a trail camera at the source of the Letcombe brook in early March in the same location as the otter recorded in December Whatever your gardening needs, please email: 2018. Thanks to all the volunteers whose work along the Letcombe Brook and in the Nature Reserve continues to [email protected] maintain a suitable habitat to attract this rarely seen, protected and ‘near threatened’ mammal species. Page 3 Issue 176

St Andrew’s

The intention had been to report on the charity soup lunch in aid of MAF and to give details of all the Walk on Warborough Farm much-loved Easter services. How quickly everything has changed. Now that we are all advised to stay at home and not The very nature of the Letcombe congregate, what could be better on a fine sunny day Register has changed: it has than walking on the Downs and around Segsbury seamlessly morphed into an online monthly magazine with gardening tips, articles, poems and silly quizzes Camp. The owners of Warborough farm have to keep us entertained, while the need for up-to-the- designated permissive footpaths and installed stiles minute information means that we now rely on our and wicket gates for the enjoyment of walkers. most helpful COBRA team and the Parish Clerk to keep us informed via the village website and emails. However the farm is home to 2000 breeding ewes Please make sure that older neighbours, especially which are housed during the winter but are now those who don’t have access to the internet, are kept starting to appear in the fields. For this reason we in the picture. expect walkers with dogs to have their dogs on leads Signpost is now included in the Register (page 9) and and keep to the footpaths and close gates. We know in it you can find details of what St Andrew’s and the that most dogs are controlled and we have had very other churches are doing to help, even though the few instances of sheep worrying but we are unable to churches themselves remain closed. differentiate between good and bad so must insist that Everything has changed but the Christian message all dogs are on leads. The only exceptions are those has not. So this is a good time to visit the CofE dogs belonging to the farm. website: www.churchofengland.org for prayers, for details of services being live-streamed, devotional readings and advice on how to approach Easter in the current crisis. It’s sad to think of St Andrew’s locked The Register is also available to view, along with Covid up; no Easter flowers; all dark like a tomb. But just 19 updates and other information on the village Website: think how the stone was rolled away from the tomb and there was a cry of He is Risen! Despite www.letcomberegispc.org everything, have a happy Easter.

Saint of the Month - April 23rd St George

daughter offered to go into the lake and sacrifice herself to If you Google “St George” you get page save the town. George just happened to be passing and told after page of information, almost all of it her (in what must be the best chat-up line ever) to take off her fanciful legend and precious few facts. girdle. He threw this over the dragon’s neck and led him “like It’s easier to say what is not true about a meek beast.” And they all lived happily ever after. him: Why did he become the patron saint of England? He was  Not a knight in shining armour venerated as a military hero by the crusaders and Richard the  Didn’t have a white horse Lionheart placed the army under his protection during the third crusade. Later Edward lll chose George as the patron  Certainly didn’t kill a dragon saint of the Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, and also  Never set foot in England. chose the crusaders’ red cross on a white background as part of his royal standard. The most reliable sources suggest that he was born in what is now Turkey, of Christian parents, sometime around 280 AD. St George’s popularity as England’s patron saint was reinforced by the fact that Shakespeare was said to have He became a Roman soldier but resigned his military rd appointment when the emperor Diocletian began persecuting been born on April 23 in 1564 and died on that day in 1616. Christians, refused to renounce his faith and was martyred in In Henry V Shakespeare gives the young king the rousing 303 AD. war cry of “God for Harry, England and St George”. The legend of St George and the dragon is just one version of Winston Churchill invoked the military ideals of courage, the universal myth of good versus evil, of light against honour and sacrifice in his wartime speeches. His personal darkness, the lone ranger who rides into town on a white aircraft was named Ascalon after St George’s lance. King horse, kills the baddie and saves the girl. In one version of the George VI instituted the George Cross in 1940 for “acts of myth, he doesn’t kill the dragon but tames it. This legend the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in states that there was a “stagne”, a foul, stagnant pond where a circumstances of extreme danger.” dragon lived, and that the people of the nearby town fed it St George is a particularly useful saint to have at present as sheep to keep it away until they ran out of sheep and the king’s he is also the patron saint of sufferers of the plague.

Page 4 Issue 176

The Barn Tea Rooms, Court Hill Centre Homemade cakes, light lunches. Just off A338 on the Ridgeway - and it’s all downhill on the way back! Open 7 days a week 10.30 to 4.00 Tel: 01235 760253

Registered Dietitian Liane Reeves, BSc (Hons) Nutrition, MSc Allergy HCPC registered, MBDA Expert personalised dietary advice for adults and children. Consultations held at Wantage Osteopathic Practice, 1 Church St. Wantage. To discuss how dietary advice can help you and to arrange an appointment: Tel: 07947 053396 Email:[email protected] www.reevesdiets.co.uk COMPUTER PROBLEMS? CONVERSION TO WINDOWS 10? A locally-based service (from Letcombe Bassett) has EST. SINCE 1994 been helping people here for the last 15 years PROFESSIONAL CARPET CLEANING Moderate Rates Same Day Service & WINDOW CLEANING Charles Rowe Tel: (01235) 766000 anytime FULLY INSURED Email: [email protected]

[email protected] Clare Mowforth

TEL: 01235 511541 MOB: 078144 28395 Personal Trainer - Pre & Postnatal Exercise Classes DIDCOT. Group Exercise - Circuits - HIIT - Running Programs

Visit our webpage to view all our services Engage, Restore, Transform

www.millbrookcleaning.co.uk [email protected] 07732 036 072 www.coreprogress.co.uk /facebook.com/coreprogressPT Gabi’s Cleaning Service

Hazel Lee Painter & Decorator If you need help to keep your house tidy please Interior & Exterior. Fully Insured

don’t hesitate to ring Gabi Local & Reliable Female Decorator No job too small Mob: 07866 509683 References are available [email protected] Cleaning Personal Assistant/Carer Ironing Carpet Cleaning DBS checked/insured Teaching/Management background. Whatsapp/ Five years as an Activity Organiser 07771391209/ 07917192554 Viber/ in residential homes [email protected] Messenger For help or support please call 07968983673

Sophie Sayer, Specialist Teacher, Dip SpLD I live locally and offer 1:1 specialist lessons using a multi sensory approach, supporting learners, aged 6 – 10 years, who have specific learning differences. Areas taught include reading accuracy and comprehension, spelling, writing and numeracy. I have a full DBS certificate and up-to-date training in Safeguarding and Child Protection. Telephone: 07866 565881 Mel Taylor Photography

Specialising in Providing Fine Art Dog, Equine, Newborn and Child Portrait Photography Portraits Studio or Location, See website for full details www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk

Page 5 Issue 176

200 Club Accounts Gardening Club Topical Tips Year 21 I hope you are all well. Your 1 April 2019 - 31 March 2020 garden can provide real joy and solace in difficult times like these, INCOME and with the beautiful weather Numbers sold - 233 @ £24 5,600.00 we’re having as I write this, I 2@£4 hope to tempt you to get your Donations 47.00 daily exercise by having a good blitz outside but behind closed Building Society interest 3.81 gates! Brought forward from March 254.36 2019 April is a really busy month in the garden. There are spring £5,905.17 flowers in abundance and plants are starting to grow. Unfortunately this includes weeds and tackling these now may

save time later. As you have probably got more time on your EXPENDITURE hands than usual, this year may be the time to have a go at Prize money - April 2019 - March 2,635.00 removing perennial weeds, like couch grass and ground elder, 2020 from clumps of herbaceous perennials. This is a difficult job Letter in Letcombe Register 15.00 but just think of the level of satisfaction! Transfer to Village Hall funds 3000.00 You can also still divide perennials if they’re getting too large Balance on 31st March 2020 255.17 for the space or their ‘flower power’ has reduced. You can £5,905.17 often find that they die off in the middle. This is a good time to rejuvenate them. When you’ve finished give your borders a Ian Taylor feed with general-purpose fertilizer and they will look Treasurer 200 Club wonderful in the summer. March 2020 You should mulch your roses with compost this month and if At the time of going to press, there are still you have any climbing roses, try to tie in their branches as some 50 numbers to be paid for. near to horizontal as possible. This will encourage more side Each number costs £24. Cheques or cash can be put through my letter box: shoots and thus more flowers! Ian Taylor, Tara, Warborough Road, Letcombe Regis, On the fruit and veg front April is a big seed-sowing time. OX12 9LD Cauliflower, sprouts, kale, chard, leeks, lettuce, radish, beetroot, the list just goes on and on so check your seed The letter about the 200 club is on the back of packets to make sure you don’t ‘miss the boat’ on this one. the March Letcombe Register. You also need to get your onion and shallot sets in now and My phone number is 764677 don’t forget that potato planting time is usually in April too. You can plant out strawberry plants this month. Remember that the plants tire in three to five years so you need to Recycling Centres closure dates for replace them. This needs to be done by creating a new bed Deep Cleaning & Maintenance elsewhere. If you have peaches or nectarines (and you’re lucky enough to Stanford (Faringdon) - 21st and 22nd April not have them decimated by peach leaf curl) you may need to Drayton (Abingdon) - 28th and 29th April hand-pollinate them with a small paintbrush and protect them from late frosts. Other sites in Oxfordshire are also closing on other days Well I think I may finish now and go out into the garden for cleaning and maintenance, these are just the most local.. myself. I hope you all stay safe and healthy and remember The full list can be found @ that gardening leads to a healthy mind as well as a healthy https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wasteclosure body. Enjoy!

Page 6 Issue 176 Letcombe Film Club - DIY As you can imagine we are very If you have any recommendations for great films you have disappointed not to be seeing seen, please email the Film Club - [email protected] our regular “film clubbers” this month, and probably not for a a Please email the Film Club if you would like us to drop a Film few months. So to keep you in Club DVD through your door. We will take all precautions in touch with the wonderful world terms of hygiene. of film we will be using the Register to suggest some of our favourites for you to watch at home. Many of these can be accessed via various online  A Private War (15)  The Green Book (12) streaming services such as BBC iplayer, Film 4, Netflix, Amazon  Argo (15)  Viceroy’s House (12) Prime, Sky, Apple TV, etc. We are very happy to lend Film Club  The Post (12)  Their Finest (12) DVD’s but obviously we will need to follow current health  Sully (12)  Yesterday (12) advice on delivery and collection.  Bridge of Spies (12)  Hidden Figures (PG) Film Clubs Most Popular  Fisherman’s Friends  Wonder (PG) Over the last 3 years we have shown 33 films with an average (12)  The Lion King (PG) of 42 folk coming along every month. Here are some of the  A United Kingdom (12)  Florence Foster most popular films, and our favourites too. Even if you’ve seen them at Film Club, they are definitely worth another look.  Journey’s End (12) Jenkins (PG) - Hidden Figures (PG): Probably one the best films of the last  On the Basis of Sex  Ladybird (15) few years, and one that went under the radar for many (12)  Denial (12a) people. Based on the true story of three female mathemati-  La La Land (12)  Stan and Ollie (PG) cian’s working at NASA in the 1950’s/60’s amid significant  The Children Act (12)  The Death of Stalin racial prejudice. This a must see film, at least once and don't  Woman in Gold (12) (15) worry, it has a happy ending! - Fisherman’s Friends (12a): This feel good musical based on the story of the Cornish shanty singers was a popular start to this years Film Club season. One to lift the spirits and see the beautiful Cornish coast (at least on screen). - A United Kingdom(12a): Another true story (we do like these at Film Club!) based on the life of an African Prince and the Village Hall Report prejudice he and his English wife suffered from both of their communities. Powerful story and great images from Africa.

The full list of all the DVD’s we have shown is below. We will As many villagers will be aware, the Village Hall is feature more of our favourites next month. If you would like closed until further notice, as are the Sports to borrow any of these please email: Pavilion and Tennis Courts. Whilst we are in this [email protected] situation, we should spare a thought for those whose situation is much tougher than ours, and Other Recommended Films particularly those front-line staff in the NHS who We thought we also would share some of our own personal are literally putting their lives on the line for the rest favourites that we think you would enjoy: of us. - The Help(12a) definitely a must see. We haven't shown it at Film Club because its is over 2hrs long but a great one to On the advice of the Charities Commission, we will watch at home. A powerful, funny and poignant film about life postpone the AGM which normally happens in May as a home help in the southern states of America in the until such time as we can safely hold it, but the 50’s/60’s. usual annual report and accounts will be produced, - The Blind Side(12): Sandra Bullocks best performance as a and will come out in either the May or June middle class mother who brings a poor boy into her family to Register. improve his life chances. Uplifting story. - Last Chance Harvey(12): With Dustin Hoffman and Emma We had planned to redecorate the interior of the Thompson, this is bound to be good! And it is. Unlikely love Hall this week, but now hope to reschedule this in story set in London. before we reopen. Also, the Cricket, Riding and Football Clubs will continue to mow the various Other British films we have enjoyed and always worth aparts of the Recreation Ground that they are second view are Brassed Off (15), The Full Monty (15), and responsible for, so that they can still be used safely although you may have seen it many times before, Four for our once-a-day exercise if we so wish. Weddings and a Funeral (15), which always brings a laugh, which we need right now. Page 7 Issue 176

Book Buffs with bonus quiz!

To comply with social distancing, 5. By what name is the writer the Book Club is suspended until François-Marie Arouet further notice. However, we (1694-1778) better known? should all keep reading and compile a list of what we read 6. "Reader, I married him," for discussion at our future appears in the conclusion of meetings. The library book what novel? 'Room with a View' by E.M.Forster can be collected 7. In 1960 the UK publishing ban was lifted on what 1928 from me at Blandy's Barn, but Literature Quiz - Questions this will be the last for a while as book? the library is suspending all 1. Who was the youngest of the 8. Who wrote Brighton Rock and services. three Brontë writing sisters? Our Man in Havana? Now is the time to read those 2. "In my younger and more books on your bookshelves 9. In what city does Leo vulnerable years my father which you have always meant to Tolstoy's novel War and Peace gave me some advice which tackle, or simply re-read old begin? favourites. In the same vein, I've been turning over in my Sue Hannon has provided a mind ever since," is the start 10.What was Samuel Langhorne literary quiz set out below of which novel? (This book Clemens pen-name? - answers in next month's was a recent Book Buff’s Register. You could also compile read) 11."Make them laugh; make your life story, remembering to them cry; make them wait..." include mundane things such as 3. What was the pen-name of was a personal maxim of what you wore, ate or played Charles Lutwidge Dodgson? which novelist? with as a child. This information could become invaluable to 4. Which statesman won the 12.What is the land of giants friends and relatives of those of 1953 Nobel Prize for called in Gulliver's Travels? us of a certain age. Literature?

THE LETCOMBES CONSERVATION GROUP. rich flora of 40 species per square metre on natural grassland was reduced to a small number of common Inevitably the March meeting and talk by Rebecca species by areas of tree planting or scrub invasion. Davies, Principal Landscape and Planning Officer for the Fortunately conservation management projects have North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural reversed the trend and many species have been saved in Beauty, had to be postponed. However, Rebecca has habitats that are often as good at ‘locking up’ carbon in kindly offered to join us at a later date, hopefully in the trees. early autumn. Today tree planting organisations, Great emphasis has been placed recently in some such as the Forestry Commission quarters on tree planting to absorb carbon dioxide from and Woodland Trust, plan planting the atmosphere as a means of reducing the rate of schemes to deliver benefit and climate warming and this has been linked to reverting our avoid potential problems. Doubling landscape to its perceived natural ecological state in the UK average tree cover of 13% areas such as the . However, would be a reasonable step towards increasing woodland according to Dr Tony Whitbread, President of the Sussex acreage, but protection is required for the small areas of Wildlife Trust, more than half of the native tree species particularly sensitive habitat that remain. Removing the that re-colonised our country after the last glacial period scrub from the Letcombe Valley Community Nature require open habitats or forest edges; very few require Reserve is a good example where management is continuous dense tree cover. Even species associated maintaining diversity in the absence of natural with dense forest often require open habitats at some disturbances that would limit or hold back scrub stage, for example regeneration of oak and hazel. encroachment and tree growth. Therefore the ‘natural’ state of our landscape was always There are other alternatives to swathes of tree planting one of great diversity, not blanket forest, maintained now repeating the errors of the past. Dr Whitbread advises as ‘semi-natural’ habitats after centuries of that natural regeneration and rewilding are more likely to management. deliver diversity, are cheaper, fit local ecology better and Many of these diverse habitats suffered ecological require less aftercare. Tree planting has a role, but only damage through the creation of non-native coniferous as part of a diverse nature recovery network not as an plantations in the mid-1900s. Think of the Flow Country unquestioning paradigm. Simple solutions rarely resolve of north-east Scotland where peat dried out emitting vast complex problems. Read Dr. Whitbread at https:// quantities of carbon dioxide and the loss of heathland www.bbowt.org.uk/blog/dr-tony-whitbread/guest-blog- species in southern England. On the chalk downland the trouble-trees on ‘The trouble with trees’. Page 8 Issue 176

Page 9 Issue 176

Court Closure processes. So please do not pay your membership fees at present until we are clear on restarting, As you are all aware the courts are CLOSED until those who opted for Auto Payments the system will further notice and all activities have been cancelled hold all transactions and contact you prior to the or postponed, coaching and keep fit sessions but revised start date. Once we have a date when we will recommence ASAP. can resume we will calculate the reduced fees All attendees of the coaching are receiving at home prorated to the months lost and contact you all. drills and fitness videos, however if you want to sus- We will be in touch again when we have more pend payments please contact the National Tennis information. Association on 0800 888 6030 or online via our web site Keeping your Childs Hand In www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/letcombetennisclub . Play may be suspended, but we've got you covered with a series of fun #TennisAtHome exercises, Membership Fees plus the LTA are giving away some top tennis equipment to help you play at home during this As we near the beginning of April members may be unexpected break. confused over renewing membership with no Looking for fun activities to do with the whole provision of facilities to play due to the Covid 19 family? Here are some quick exercises that you can crisis. do in the comfort of your own homes, helping you We have followed guidance on the correct stay active together whilst developing fundamental procedure and as you will have heard in a previous skills for tennis. email the courts are now padlocked. Club Spark is working on features to pause Check out these easy to follow videos, Tennis at membership subscriptions and auto-renewal Home for 4-7 & 8-11 years old

Wise Words - Ruth Manning writes

'We must look after our inner selves as well as our physical well being. One way to do this is to finish things we have started - so maybe finish that half bottle of whisky or the remains of the bottle of gin.....'

Waste Collection Calendar

Please please please APRIL 2020 Don't leave dog poo bags, tied to Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun fences, trees or put in the salt bins. It is not nice and it is anti 1 2 3 4 5 social. Either put them either in 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 a dog bin or one of the green waste bins which are dotted 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 around the village, they can also go in your grey bin for collection 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 by the Waste Team.

There are fines for those who do 27 28 29 30 not comply with the regulations and vary from £100 to £1,000. Easter Holiday Grey Green Dates Landfill Recycling

Page 10 An Imagined Letter from Covid-19 to Humans

Issue 176 An Imagined Letter from Covid-19 to Humans

To visit a river, and see it, to notice its condition: clear, clean, murky, polluted? How much do you need it to be healthy so that you may also be healthy? How does its health contribute to the health of the tree, who contributes to the health of the sky, so that you may also be healthy? Stop. Just stop. Many are afraid now. It is no longer a request. It is a mandate. Do not demonize your fear, and also, do not let it rule you. Instead, let it speak to you—in your stillness, We will help you. Listen for its wisdom. We will bring the supersonic, high speed merry-go-round to a halt What might it be telling you about what is at work, at issue, at We will stop risk, beyond the threats of personal inconvenience and illness? the planes As the health of a tree, a river, the sky tells you about quality of the trains your own health, what might the quality of your health tell you about the health of the rivers, the trees, the sky, and all of us who the schools share this planet with you? the malls Stop. the meetings Notice if you are resisting. the frenetic, furied rush of illusions and “obligations” that keep you Notice what you are resisting. from hearing our Ask why. single and shared beating heart, Stop. Just stop. the way we breathe together, in unison. Be still. Our obligation is to each other, Listen. As it has always been, even if, even though, you have forgotten. Ask us what we might teach you about illness and healing, about We will interrupt this broadcast, the endless cacophonous what might be required so that all may be well. broadcast of divisions and distractions, We will help you, if you listen. to bring you this long-breaking news: - Kristin Flyntz We are not well. None of us; all of us are suffering.

Last year, the firestorms that scorched the lungs of the earth

did not give you pause.

Nor the typhoons in Africa,China, Japan.

Nor the fevered climates in Japan and India. You have not been listening. It is hard to listen when you are so busy all the time, hustling to uphold the comforts and conveniences that scaffold your lives.

But the foundation is giving way,

buckling under the weight of your needs and desires. We will help you. We will bring the firestorms to your body Introducing ‘Curious Minds’ We will bring the fever to your body We will bring the burning, searing, and flooding to your lungs We know that you love learning - and we’re here to that you might hear: help, by finding free educational resources for you We are not well. to enjoy during these challenging times. Despite what you might think or feel, we are not the enemy. We are Messenger. We are Ally. We are a balancing force. ‘Curious Minds’ brings the world to you: museum We are asking you: collections, recorded lectures, language learning, To stop, to be still, to listen; music and more - chosen by our tutors, and To move beyond your individual concerns and consider the collected on our website concerns of all; To be with your ignorance, to find your humility, to relinquish your thinking minds and travel deep into the mind of the heart; Our ‘Tutor Takeover’ section offers you something To look up into the sky, streaked with fewer planes, and see it, to new every other day. notice its condition: clear, smoky, smoggy, rainy? How much do you need it to be healthy so that you may also be healthy? Explore 'Curious Minds' @ To look at a tree, and see it, to notice its condition: how does its health contribute to the health of the sky, to the air you need to be healthy? https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/curious-minds

Page 11 LETCOMBE REGISTER

Francesca Engelmann, The views expressed in the Register do not necessarily reflect the 2, The Old Stables, view of Letcombe Regis Parish Council

Letcombe Regis, Deadline for inclusion is the 27th of each month. [email protected] 01235 769310

Football Club

The football club have all been scheduled in the Three, but we could cancelled their monthly next five weeks, but the overtake leaders Watlington bingo until further notice Football Association have reserves if we won our because of the coronavirus now suspended all football games in hand. Whether the epidemic. until April at the earliest leagues will be abandoned because of the coronavirus or whether winners will be The football club have epidemic. It seems unlikely declared is uncertain, and played no games in the last that the situation will have how to decide winners when month, and it seems unlikely improved to restart fixtures some clubs have played that we will play again this in April, so it looks as though more games than others is season. Matches against the season will end prema- an obvious problem. If they Wantage Town Develop- turely. We were in the semi decided to base it on points ment and Faringdon Town final of the Faringdonper game played, both our were both postponed Memorial cup, and we were first team and reserves because of the weather, and top of Hellenic League would win their league! we then had two weeks with Division Two West. Our no fixture. Our remaining reserves were second in seven league matches had North Berks League Division