Of the village, by the village, for the village June/July 2019 116 FinstockServing Finstock, Fawler, Wilcote, News Mt.Skippett and Finstock Heath Ags Connolly, Finstock Festival...... 1 Shop & PO, Oxfordshire Museum ...... 7 Village Events...... 2 County Cllr, On-call Firefighters, London Marathon...... 8 Village Hall, Southill Solar walk...... 3 New Zealand Journey...... 9 Letters, Parish Council ...... 4 Charlbury Patient Group...... 10 Toddler, District Cllr, Plough...... 5 Finstock and Fawler book...... 11 Countryside Conservation ...... 6 Gardening, Oxford Together, Hogweed...... 12
Ags Connolly on Tour In April I undertook a tour of Ireland and the UK with my friend and fellow country artist Leo Rondeau, who currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee . This was the fourth such tour I’ve put together for myself and a US-based artist, and it proved to be as lively an experience as the others . Our tour started in Ireland where we played four dates across the southern and northern parts of the country, after Leo had been knocked sideways by a rather heavy first night in Dublin on Guinness and Jameson . We then headed home to start a run of 11 dates that took us from Devon up to Scotland, back down to Brighton (via an Oxford gig at the Isis Farmhouse) and finally back to Devon again, finishing with a sold out show in Plymouth . I made sure Leo saw some sights during this time: Stonehenge, Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem (the oldest pub in England) and, of course – like Jack Grelle, Pat Reedy and Jeremy Pinnell before him – The Plough in Finstock . Leo very much enjoyed his time here and made a lot of new fans . His new album ‘Right On Time’ is getting some much-deserved attention too . After Leo flew home I had a couple of days rest before flying out myself to play at a country festival in Hamburg . This was my second time playing in Germany and it couldn’t have been more fun . Back in March – just before this hectic period began – I finished recording my new album at Woodworm Studios in Barford St . Michael . Keep an eye out for its release in the near future . Ags Connolly
FINSTOCK FESTIVAL / FREE ENTRY FRIDAY JUNE 21st AND SATURDAY JUNE 22nd Our Festival is almost upon us so please try and make FOOD this a great event . Friday - BBQ 7pm until Late, Saturday - BBQ 2pm – 4pm We look forward to some fantastic live music! On Friday The Codfather 4pm - late we have two great bands -Growler, playing classic rock and THE BAR punk and Paradox, featuring ex-Finstock school pupil Eron We will have approximately six real ales available, two/ Roberts . three lagers and a cider . The popular Gin/Pimms Bar will Finstock School Summer Fête also be returning . There will also be a wide selection of soft kicks things off on Saturday June drinks, wine and spirits . 22nd from 2pm - 4:30pm We start the build on the morning of Wednesday June Tombola, teddies, fun and 19th . Erecting the large marquees requires a minimum of twelve people, so any help that morning would be much games, flower arrangement and appreciated . The build is continuous day and evening until miniature garden competition we open at 7pm on Friday so if you can help for any amount Draw of the Summer Raffle of time at all, please come along . with amazing prizes . Sunday is take-down day which sadly nobody enjoys! As See you on the playing field an incentive we will give away free drinks including beer and with the Finstock Festival and soft drinks to anyone helping on Sunday . If anyone can't Dog Show raising money for help, but fancies a cheap drink on Sunday we will charge FoFS . £1 a pint until it runs out! Finally, if the sun shines on us, bring your fold-up chairs Live Music will run through the afternoon with various to sit on the field festival style . Please refrain from bringing local musicians . At 4pm Wood Green Big Band/Jazz Band/ your own drinks as the bar profits are the only revenue that Swing Band will play until 6 30pm. . The evening brings us finances this free entry event . Mid-Life Crisis followed by our headline band The Village Rock on Finstock Festival 2019 Idiots . I am sure you will all agree a great band line up . Colin Stringfellow, Chair 0 . VILLAGE EVENTS 0 .
June Enjoyable Drawing Courses and Friends of West 12th OVO Women’s Tour cycle race Workshops in local community places . Oxfordshire in Charlbury For more information contact Gabriele Citizens Advice 16th Father’s Day at gabrielekern31@gmail com. or ring Friends of West Oxfordshire Citizens 21st -22nd Finstock School Fête and 880430 . Advice (FoWOCA) are urgently seeking Finstock Festival at least two additional trustees to help 21st The Making of Chipping Bridewell Organic it to achieve its objective – providing Norton: History and Buildings Gardens – Open essential financial assistance to our local to 1750, FLHS Afternoons Citizens Advice . 21st – 23rd Tandem Festival The Walled Garden and Vineyard FoWOCA’s sole purpose is to provide 23rd Bridewell Open Gardens at Wilcote (OX7 3DT) will be open on much needed financial support to July Sunday June 23rd and Sunday July 28th Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire 13th Southill Solar walk from 2pm to 5pm . Entry by suggested (CAWO) . Citizens Advice is not 17th Baby & Toddler term ends donation £5, children free . government funded . It does get a grant 24th Finstock School end of term Refreshments, plants, Bridewell from the District Council, but that has 28th Bridewell Open gardens produce, products and our own organic been steadily reduced while demand August wine will be for sale . For further for advice has steadily increased! It 1st – 4th Wilderness Festival information please call 848238 or go augments the regular donations it receives from its generous ‘Friends’ Ladies, give us to www bridewellgardens. org. . with an exciting fundraising programme your support! of events that are open to the public Give all your unwanted old bras a Girl Guiding as well as to people already involved new lease of life and help raise money meeting times in CA . It is also steadily building links for breast cancer research . Bring them All sections meet on Wednesdays with local businesses and with leaders to Joy Murphy at 63 High Street . Against Rainbows - for girls aged between in the community to engage them with Breast Cancer will receive a donation 5 and 7 years . This group meets from its cause . based on the weight of bras we collect, 4 45pm. until 5 45pm. . Contact for If you think you can help, please so every bra counts! Rainbows is Amy Fox; 07495 064634 contact: Finstock Local Brownies - this group is for girls aged Tessa Farley: tfarley@alvescot . History Society between 7 and 10 years and meets from demon co. uk. or Friday June 21st: The Making 6pm until 7 .30pm . Contact for Brownies Susie Wood: saewood@gmail com. ; of Chipping Norton: History and is Amy Fox; 07495 064634 Mobile: 07500 110340 Buildings to 1750, by Dr Adrienne Guides - for girls aged between 10 and 14 years . This group meets from Rosen . The medieval market town of A learned fool is more foolish 6pm until 7 30pm. . Contact for Guides Chipping Norton has recently been than an ignorant one. is Karen Williams – phoenixlights@ the subject of a project for which Moliere most of the surviving early buildings hotmail com. ; 07809 724065 were surveyed . The evidence of the built environment, together with new Sunday June 9th at research on documentary sources, has 7.30pm: ChOC at the added greatly to the understanding Charlbury Festival of its development from medieval Exhibition on Screen: Young Picasso prosperity to early 18th century “Fascinating and refreshing rebuilding . Adrienne was a Lecturer documentary with such intellectual in Local and Social History at Oxford rigour . On the huge canvas of a University Department of Continuing cinema screen, this is an unforgettable Education and is now an Emeritus experience ”. (Daily Express) Held at the Fellow of Kellogg College . Charlbury Memorial Hall . All meetings at 8pm on Fridays unless otherwise stated, at Finstock Village Hall, OX7 3BU . Refreshments available from 7 .30pm . Entry £2 .50 . Follow us on Finstock Book and Plant sale Facebook at raised £700! www facebook. com/FinstockLocal. HistorySociety .
2 VILLAGE HALL ACTIVITIES Village Hall Finstock Craft Club Southill Solar Visit Use of the Hall remains good with Craft Club meets Every Monday The Southill Solar lies on 45 acres various arts, dance and keep fit classes, except Bank Holidays from 7 30. to of Grade 3b agricultural land owned as well as short mat bowls on Mondays 9 .30pm at Finstock Village Hall . £1 .50 by the Cornbury Estate, sandwiched and Thursdays, darts on Wednesday per session (first taster session is free) . between the railway, the road and a evenings and dominoes once a month Our number has again increased in substation . Over 60 percent of the solar on Saturday evenings . Everyone is the winter months as new crafters have farm site is given over to landscape welcome! The Hall is also open for joined us, matching their enthusiasm and biodiversity improvements, and private functions; two weddings were with ours as we are introduced to new this includes the planting of hedgerow booked in May, as well as various other and varied crafts . A warm welcome is whips, indigenous tree saplings and a functions . You can view the activities always extended to anyone who has 56 tree orchard, which is mostly apples online on the Village Hall events an interest in crafting, or who may of different varieties with some plums section . be looking for guidance on starting and nut trees . Hilary Stacey with Liz Lots of work goes on in the something new or if you’re having Reason is leading a visit to the site background to keep our Village Hall difficulty with a particular craft, why not on Saturday July 13th for residents of in top condition . I would like to give a pop in and see if we can help . Fawler and Finstock and you are very special mention to Tony Cooper, our Look out for news about Finstock’s welcome to join this group and see Caretaker, and our cleaners Kelly Peters Annual Arts and Crafts Fair which will what is being done . and Paul Burridge plus all the Trustees . be held in November this year . More To join Hilary on this visit please Without their efforts the Hall would not details in the next edition of Finstock contact her at: fawlerparishmeeting@ be the place it is! The best contact is News . outlook com. by Wednesday July 10th . villagehallfinstock@gmail com. if people If you’d like to know more The plan is to meet at the lay-by on the want to book a slot, or view the village before joining, please email me at: Charlbury-Witney road on Saturday July hall calendar online rosacharlesworth@icloud com. . 13th at 11am . tinyurl com/y39a6tdb. Mike Ruse, Chair
Finstock Woodpeckers Short Mat Bowls Club Bowls at the Village Hall goes from strength to strength as new players are welcomed to try out this year round sport . It is a great place to learn how to bowl in a friendly and supportive group . If you want to try, just come along any Monday or Thursday at 2pm (except Bank Holidays) . The first week is free and costs £1 per session thereafter . As well as our twice-weekly informal sessions we competed in the Witney Triples event with 25 matches throughout the winter where we acquitted ourselves well, and only lost out on a £50 prize by one shot on the last end of the last game . Several of our members now also play for Charlbury Bowls Club and two Finstock Woodpeckers, David Evans and Shaun Morley, formed half of a four that became Charlbury’s Dave Evans left and Shaun Morley first ever Oxfordshire county champions as winners of the County Fours in late April . second from the left]
YOGA NICOLA MORGAN EXPERIENCE FRIENDLY DROP-IN CLASSES IN DC FMCA FINSTOCK & RAMSDEN Registered Chiropractor – McTimoney Technique Kimber Cottage, Woodstock Rd, Mandy Nichols, Pure Relaxation Yoga Charlbury OX7 3ET Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor
Beginners and Seasoned Yogis Welcome Tel: 07968-381335 Acupuncture for stress reduction, £8 per Student I have nearly 35 years’ experience in pain relief, arthritis, migraine, fatigue, hormone imbalance, and more. Thursday 9.30–10.45am this gentle, effective manipulative Finstock Village Hall, Well Hill, Finstock, OX7 3BU therapy, which is suitable for many Appointments available at my Stonesfield Thursday 7.00-8.15pm clinic or in your own home. Ramsden Memorial Hall, High Street, Ramsden, OX7 3AU conditions and ages. To find out more or arrange an initial ‘Begin your journey to peace, health & See www.chippingnortonchiropractor.co.uk consultation please contact me on 01993 happiness’ 898102 / 07791 278618 Local drop-in classes for all abilities I am registered with most major [email protected] Regular weekend workshops in Finstock Private 1-1 tuition available health insurance companies. or visit Contact: [email protected] or Pure Relaxation Yoga on Facebook Registered with the www.maeveodonnellacupuncture.co.uk General Chiropractic Council. @ maeveodonnellacupuncture
3 Dear Editor: 200th anniversary Community Spirit? of John Ruskin During the spring half term holiday, at the end of February, the Pavilion on John Ruskin was the leading English the playing field was broken into one evening . Suspicions were raised because art critic of the Victorian era, as empty crisp packets were scattered around, but later investigation showed that well as an art patron, draughtsman, the door had been broken open with some force, and the entire bar stock for watercolourist, a prominent social the Finstock Festival which was stored in there was taken: bottles of gin, whisky thinker and philanthropist . and other spirits . So effectively, the good causes and local charities for which “There is no wealth but life.” the Festival raises money have been deprived of hundreds of pounds . That’s a little sad, because it hurts the most deserving causes in the village . Rod Ireland Footpath/Bridleway Horse owners, please only use the bridleways set aside for this purpose . Parish Council Report Do not use the footpaths as noted The Parish Council meeting on April 23rd was the last of the current four year recently on the High Street footpath session . It coincided with the Annual Parish Meeting - the opportunity for villagers to Ramsden . It is dangerous for both to catch up with what’s been going on in our community from the perspective walkers and horses . not just of the Parish, District and County Council’s but also from that of other organisations such as the Village Hall committee, School, Church etc . The Parish Council business of the evening was taken up by discussion of how best to deal with the nuisance caused by the recent sewage discharges from the pipes leading from Ramsden, through the village, to the sewage treatment roCkford uilders works off the Witney road; that we should have such events with the frequency C B they occur is totally unacceptable and both the Parish and District councils are 35 School Rd, Finstock, doing what we can to raise the profile of the problem and persuade Thames Oxon OX7 3DN Water to make the investment necessary to solve the problem . Another niggle EST 1973 we dealt with was coordinating efforts to ensure that Gigaclear make good after the installation of fibre optic cables . A more pleasant development that readers New builds, Extensions, might care to keep an eye open for in the next quarter will be joint work by Renovations, the PC and the Wychwood project to begin the repair of the dry stone walls Dry or mortar stone walling, surrounding the Churchyard . Groundwork, Hard landscaping, Finally, the Parish Council would like to recognise a debt of gratitude to two retiring Parish Councillors - Roy Townsend after 40 years sterling and selfless Natural stone slate specialists, service and to Shaun Morley; without their efforts much that makes the Village Re-roofing, the thriving place it is could not have been accomplished . The newly elected General Maintenance. councillors are: Julie Stringfellow, Nettie Gregory, Julian Stewart, Hywel Davies, Graham Sutton and Mike Woodfield . All building work undertaken The minutes of the PC and the annual parish meeting will be published on Domestic & Commercial the Finstock PC website after they have been formally approved at the next PC Call William on meeting (May 20th) . Mike Woodfield 01993 868617 OR 07817248329
THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Lesley Dore 868280 Distribution Nicky Higgins 868425 Proofing Tony Hirtenstein 868600 Proofing Joy Murphy 868575 Editor PJR [email protected] Ann Sullivan 868597 Advertising Photographs thanks to staff members and others. Read the Finstock News online at www.finstock. Plumbing & Heating org.uk; join the Finstock Yahoo group – groups. yahoo.com/group/finstock; or write to us at 63 Installation, service, repair High Street, Finstock Oxon OX7 3DA. Gas safety certificates Plan ahead – Know the deadlines Issue Deadline Feb/Mar First of January April/May First of March June/July First of May A tree surgery company with August/September First of July October/November First of September the integrity you can trust. December/January First of November Tel: 0845 458 2980 Please keep articles short . As space is limited, the Tel: 01993 881069 Mobile: 07976 261850 Editors reserve the right to shorten long pieces in the Mob: 07515 733398 Email: [email protected] interest of balance . Finstock News does not necessarily email: [email protected] share the views expressed in readers’ letters . www.townandcountrytrees.co.uk
4 Finstock Baby and Dear Residents: represent Finstock and Fawler at the Toddler Group If I said Thames Water to you and District level with my colleague Liz As you read this, Finstock Toddler the seeming never ending saga of the Leffman . Group will be starting the final half sewage running down the bottom Cllr Andy Graham of the High Street, your reaction Tel: 07908832632 term of the academic year! We will [email protected] have lots of summer-themed activities unsurprisingly would be not again! for the little ones, including a sports Sorry to disappoint but on Good day session, summer solstice and Friday sadly it was the same old story . The Plough Success Father’s Day crafts . We finish the year I was on site within 15 minutes of The Plough Finstock achieved second on Wednesday July 17th, when we being told to witness the mess and the place in the Hospitality section of the will have a big summer party to end residents despair . Fortunately I was in West Oxfordshire Business Awards . the term! Quite a few of the current a position to ensure within the day that A dinner celebrating the success of attendees will sadly be leaving our it had been largely cleared-up; finished businesses across West Oxfordshire was group as they go on to commence by Saturday . held and enjoyed by the Plough crew school on a full-time basis - we will miss I also fired off emails to Thames as you can see . Congratulations to Guy them all! So we hope to celebrate in Water and WODC to say we need and Jordan who have made our village style to thank them all for coming to the an urgent meeting to resolve this pub a destination of choice for so many . group and making it such a fun place to infrastructure issue and establish a The Plough is now growing vegetables be . We have also been lucky enough to plan going forward . I have received for the pub in their own garden . welcome lots of new faces to the group, confirmation that there will be a There is a Folk Night every fourth and meeting new babies over the year . meeting and I am waiting for a date . Monday of the month starting at Over the past couple of months we I have made this my number one 8pm . The first Monday of the month have again been busy with our numbers priority and I will not let go until we continues to be a quiz night . Everyone is which has been great . We have enjoyed have a satisfactory end result . The welcome . Tuesday remains two for the more Music Time Sessions, as well as environmental and health implications price of one on fish and chip dinners . themed activities/sessions . We meet alone are too great a risk! Thursday night is Steak Night . every Wednesday in term-time from On another infrastructure matter we 10-11 .30am in the Village Hall . It is only have Gigaclear, who have been digging £2 per family, which includes a snack up roads to lay fibre optics and causing for the little ones and hot/cold drinks a mess . Once again I was out to ensure and cake for adults . We set out a range the work was done with a bit more of toys each week to cater for all ages quality care assurance . A walk round of our attendees (0 - 4 years) including was held in May to check this is carried baby toys/mat area, ride on toys, role out and done . play, trains sets, building blocks, books All of this follow through is time and puzzles . consuming, but it is important to We will be back again in September! follow through on promises made from Helen Fallows contractors such as Thames Water and Gigaclear . I am proud to continue to
FREE WIFI
Our Bar is open: Mon: 6pm – close Tues – Fri: 12 noon – 3pm & 6pm – close Sat: 12 noon – close Sun: 12 noon – 6.00pm Our kitchen is open: Tues – Sun Lunch: 12 noon – 2.00pm Dinner: 6.30pm – 9.00pm Come and visit us, we’d love to see you. The Plough Inn High Street, Finstock OX7 3BY Tel: 01993 868333 www.theplough-inn.co.uk
5 Plough_ad_90x60mm_Details_2015.indd 1 29/10/2015 15:47 COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION There is no cure for birth or death save to enjoy the interval George Santayana Oxfordshire Reuses The Cora Ball no crisp packets, sweet and chocolate Zero Waste Festival Every time we do laundry, our clothes wrappers, baby, cat and dog pouches, June 16th 12 – 3pm shed tiny microfibres, which go down polystyrene . Oxford Town Hall the drains of our washing machines, Black box for glass recycling: bottles Swap shop, repair café, clothes through wastewater treatment facilities and jars only . No broken glass of any upcycling demo, kids’ upcycling and into our waterways . kind . workshop, food surplus café . (CAG Everyone who wears and washes Recycling box 2: is for anything small newsletter) clothes is part of this pollution . Everyone which has a plug, batteries or needs who eats or breathes could suffer the charging; i .e ., kettles, hairdryers, mobile consequences . Our clothing is breaking phones, radios, etc . Please wrap and Tandem Oxford’s Local up, sending this microfiber (made of secure cables with an elastic band or Sustainability Festival plastic and chemical-covered non- tape . Note: No to anything larger than Tandem is a three day festival plastics) out with the drain water . We the recycling box such as televisions or bringing you different worlds of music, are all contributing to this problem . computer screens . art, dance, workshops, food and Protect the ocean environment with Garden waste recycling - £30 per eco-friendliness . Taking place at the this easy-to-use laundry ball that bin per year . beautiful Lower Farm, Ramsden from catches microfibers shedding off our Food waste recycling collected every June 21st-23rd, Tandem is a volunteer- clothes in the washer . https://coraball . week . Plastic bags can now be used to powered festival which celebrates com line your food waste caddy or bin . culture and inspires change: what’s Other recyclable items: We will good for your ears, eyes and dancing also collect the following items when shoes can be good for the planet too! WODC Household put out with your recycling bin on your A huge programme of music will be Recycling Guide collection day: at the centre of the Tandem experience, 80 percent of your household Textiles and shoes: In a carrier bag but it will also include storytelling, waste can be recycled. (clear if possible) alongside recycling bin crafts and workshops to introduce you Blue lid recycling bin: Items should Cooking oil: In a separate, sealed and to everything from yoga to bitcoin to be loose, not in bags and include: labelled plastic container (five litre max) feminism for dads . Eco-friendliness and aerosols, aluminium foil, tins and cans, alongside recycling bin inclusivity are at the heart of the festival, card and cardboard, cartons and Tetra Engine oil: In a separate, sealed and as the festival works with community paks, paper (including magazines, labelled plastic container (five litre max) groups, artists and researchers to newspaper, and shredded paper), alongside recycling bin engage audiences with environmental plastic tubs, food trays, bottles and Batteries: In a labelled, used envelope and social issues . https://tandemfestival . tops . Please rinse any food waste from on top of recycling bin lid com items before recycling . Note: No plastic Car batteries: Contact us to arrange England’s National Parks at 70 bags, no bubble wrap and plastic film, free collection are home to some of our finest, and most celebrated, landscapes . From the iconic dry stone walls of the Yorkshire West Oxon Dales, to the peaceful glades of the Handyman & Home New Forest, and the wide skies and The Codfather Fish & Chip van open water of the Norfolk Broads - our Improvement Services parks contain a wealth of diversity and is by Finstock School every are destinations for millions of people Electrical / Plumbing / Flooring / Saturday from 4 to 8pm each year . Whether you’re interested Decorating / Tiling / Woodwork Thank you for your Flat pack furniture / Bathroom & in the best walking routes, most idyllic continued support stretches of water or must-visit locations kitchen installation to take the perfect photograph, you Quality finish Fully insured can also find out more about how The Codfather van is in Charlbury passionate we are about accessibility No job too small All jobs considered at Spendlove every Tuesday and Sunday 4 - 9pm and ensuring everyone can enjoy the For a free quote call 01993- great outdoors . 868725 or 07717-878323 The Codfather Shop in Witney’s nationalparks uk/visiting/outdoor-. Thorney Leys provides gluten free activities Email: [email protected] fish and chips every Thursday
6 We extend our apologies for very popular is the introduction of a July 5th – Alice’s Tea Party missing the Shop article in our last whole range of sweets from jars, just like Fall down the rabbit hole and into the issue of the newsletter. an old fashioned sweet shop where you magical world of Alice in Wonderland News from the Shop can pick and mix, or just choose your in this interactive exhibition for families . favourite . Mums and Dads are coming Join the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, play and Post Office in to buy for the kids – and then buying croquet with flamingos and escape Our regular customers will know some for them too! And a reminder the Queen of Hearts . Discover the that for some time we’ve enjoyed a that we’re still operating the food bank inspiration behind Lewis Carroll’s large weekly delivery from Asda, which collection . A huge thanks to all of you fantastic tale has meant we’re able to ensure the who donate to this each week – it’s created during shelves are stacked with many of those wonderful to see a full box going off a trip down “essentials” you suddenly discover every Friday, knowing it will bring help t h e R i v e r you’ve run out of, as well as other to needy families . Isis . For more goodies . Every week, Asda would bring Rod Ireland information us our order in their special tote crates, on events and and leave them so we could unpack Shop opening hours: activities visit: and stack the shelves in quieter times . Monday, Tuesday, Oxfordshire gov. . They’d collect those totes the following Wednesday, Friday 8am - 5 30pm. uk/museums . week when they delivered the new Thursday 8am -3 30pm. order . Now they have said they will Saturday 8 30am. -1pm no longer continue this practice, nor Pilates at Finstock Village Hall will their delivery driver wait around Post Office is open 9am to 1pm for the length of time it would take us weekdays only . Would you like to join a Pilate’s class to unpack . This change comes about at the Village Hall? because too many of these totes have There are a few spaces available in Oxfordshire Museum the classes on Tuesday mornings disappeared - not from Finstock, but from 12 noon - 1pm. from other locations where they have Woodstock The Oxfordshire Museum is situated Pilates can help you to move better in your delivered in a similar way . daily life and enjoy your activities. It helps Of course we’re disappointed, but in a large 18th century house in the align and strengthen the body so movement historic town of Woodstock and is home becomes more fluid and coordinated. It can we’re also resourceful, and have a improve balance and confidence and help cunning plan to ensure our shelves to the County museum collections with manage aches and restrictions. It’s also aren’t empty . We’re now going out 10 permanent galleries and two touring relaxing and fun! ourselves on Thursday afternoons to galleries, a beautiful walled garden It is appropriate for most ages bring in all the goods we need, as this which is perfect for picnics, the Garden and levels of ability. is a very quiet period for the shop . Café and museum Gift Shop . Admission The class is taught by Clare Nuttall, a local chiropractor. Saturday, on the other hand, is our is free and the town has free parking . busiest day, and currently we are not June 15th – September 8th For more information, please email Clare at Wonderland: A wander through the [email protected] open in the afternoon . We really would or call 01993 700646. love to change this, to improve the world of Alice service to the community, and to cater for all the summer ramblers - so we are PETER SMITH & SON PETER____ FUNERA SMITHL DIRECTOR &S L TSOND ____ actively seeking people who can offer Independent Funeral Directorswith family values to volunteer at this time . You don’t even FUNERAL DIRECTORS LTD have to commit to being there every Independent Funeral Directors with family values Pre-paid funeral plans week – we want to ensure a rota of We are going helpers . And to all those good people FunePre-paidral Plann efuneralr of the plansYear 2018 from strength to who indicated they would be able to Funeral RPlanneregional ofW ithenn eYearr 2018 strength help at other times of the week – we’re Regional Winner All typesof memorial work Brand new classes and a great new timetable now planning training sessions to ensure inclAlludi typesng res tofor memorialation & re nworkovat i on there is no requirement to commit you feel comfortable and confident in including restoration & renovation to a long term contract your time behind the counter . Just call Personal 24 hour service We are open as follows:– Personal 24 hour service • 6.30am to 9.30pm, during the week and into the shop and talk to Karen, and 1993993 7 • 7.30am to 7.30pm at the weekend. we’ll be glad to welcome you to the 01 02000 team . Remember, some village shops full membership is available have dozens of volunteers . We want from just £31 per month! to be one of the best, so come and Directors: Peter & Sean Smith (figure based on full dual membership) 13 Burwell Drive, Witney help us . 135 BurwellOxon, ODrive,X X WitneyLP For more details email We’ve made some changes inside [email protected] www.peOxon,tersm OX28ithan d5LPson.co.uk the shop, and one which has proved or call 01993 885 207 www. petersmithandson.co. uk WWW.eynshamhall.com
7 Organic Food Shop County Councillor Report Looking for an organic food shop in Driving to Woodstock the other day, I counted over 120 separate patches of the locality, where no plastic is used - rubbish on the side of the road – and that was while concentrating on driving bring your own container and fill it - and so I am guessing that I probably missed quite a lot more! For some time now I where a great deal of the vegetables have been concerned about the state of the verges in our area and beyond . West and fruit come from nearby? Then Oxfordshire is a tourist area, and the impression that rubbish on the roadside try the Market Garden in Eynsham, gives to visitors is not a good one . open 9am-6pm from Monday to I brought the appearance of our roadsides up at WODC’s Environment Saturday (Fridays till 6 30pm). . www . Committee some months ago, but without much success . The responsibility for themarketgarden co. uk. . cleaning the verges lies with WODC, and of course there is a cost involved in keeping them tidy, but that should not be an excuse . Ubico, the company that London Marathon collects our rubbish and recycling, is jointly owned by WODC and several councils in Gloucestershire, so it ought to be possible to provide a service that keeps our I completed the countryside looking clean . The state of the roadsides is more noticeable when London Marathon this the hedges are bare; the rubbish is there all year round . year! What an I plan with my colleagues to ask the WODC to consider what several other experience! The councils have done, which is to launch a campaign using the sides of bin lorries atmosphere was to remind people that throwing litter out of a car window carries a significant incredible and the fine . This has been successfully adopted by several other councils across the support from the country – we need to catch up! crowds really did motivate me to keep On the subject of rubbish, Oxfordshire was recently named as the best going, especially when things got a bit performing county in the country for recycling! We recycle 57 percent of our tough around mile 21 . rubbish, which is way ahead of the national average of 45 percent . Even better, I finished in 5 hours 11 minutes and we put the lowest amount of rubbish by weight into our general rubbish bins, so far have raised almost £1,500 for which means less going to incineration or landfill . Nevertheless, there are many Helen & Douglas House . My Justgiving items that cannot be recycled, because the facility to do so doesn’t exist . I will page is still open for donations www . be following up the work that I did last year with officers, trying to find ways of justgiving com/fundraising/nina-gibson. improving our recycling rates even further . Nina Gibson - Kookaburra Coffee Ltd Liz Leffman 01608 810153 [email protected]
On-call Firefighters Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service is looking for On-call Firefighters to join their team! On-call Firefighters are the backbone of the fire service and anyone can be one . If you’re employed full-time, are a parent, out of employment or just have some spare time, you can respond to emergency calls . On-call Firefighters are trained and paid for their time and service and on average are expected to be called out two or three times each week for about an hour at a time . This can be at night or during the day . They are looking for anyone over the age of 18, who is physically fit (this can be worked on), doesn’t suffer from vertigo, claustrophobia or dislike the sight of blood . They need good common sense, to be enthusiastic, reliable and honest . If this sounds of interest, please visit www oxfordshire. gov. uk/oncallfirefighters. .
mark 68 crawley road • witney • oxon ox28 1hu anderson tel: 01993 705580 chartered accountant email: [email protected]
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8 New Zealand Journey tomorrow’s Finstock School We may never have chosen to visit n e w Following our 'Good' Ofsted report New Zealand . .but . there is nothing ventures . we have made further progress to puts the idea into one’s head better than ‘ T a k e make Finstock C of E Primary the best having a close relative living there for a waterproofs school for our community . Please look limited time . Our son Greg is currently i f y o u ’ r e at our school website to find out more Cathedral Cove, Hahei in Wellington so we planned our trip g o i n g t o information . We still have nursery to start there . Our first impression was Milford Sound’ is the time-honoured places available for children looking to join us in September (you can use your one of surprise that, considering the advice . but. not in our case . We were 15/30 hour free funding if eligible) . If distance we’d travelled, everything treated to a wonderful sunny day in you would like to come and visit our felt strangely familiar . Admittedly the this most famous part of Fiordland school please call the school office houses appeared different, with largely so the boat cruise along the Sound (reminiscent of the best Norwegian on 868314 . The term starts back on wooden exteriors, but English was September 4th . being spoken, there were familiar store scenery) was truly spectacular and names and cars were on the left side a highlight of our whole trip . In fact, Lovely short piece of Advice overall we had exceptional weather Give strength, give thought, give deeds, give wealth, of the road . Give love, give tears, and give thyself, Spending a week in Wellington we (not even much wind in Wellington!) Give, give, be always giving, and our time on the west coast of the Who gives not is not living . were able to explore the delightful The more you give, the more you live . parks and surrounding countryside . South Island was mild and sunny . We (Thank you Viv!) Zealandia Conservation Park was saw Franz Josef glacier under clear skies, spectacular with a rich range of flora with a delightful walk to the furthest and fauna, including fantails flitting point of the valley along which there rapidly amongst the trees and tuataras, were signs marking the position of the large lizard-like creatures that are the glacier in earlier decades . As in the last of an order that died out 60 million Alps, these markers are quickly getting years ago . The city itself lacks the bustle closer together . The TranzAlpine Express train took expected of a capital and has a happy us from west to east coast, a fascinating and relaxed atmosphere especially four hour journey from Greymouth along the quayside area . through changing countryside to arrive N e w in Christchurch; we were there just a Zealand is few days after the massacre and there relatively were touching displays of sympathy on y o u n g i n the streets which brought home the geological dreadful reality . We also saw on the terms and in The Wanaka Tree news that torrential storms had washed some areas of away major bridges and roads we had the country this was clear to see . In the used in Franz Josef a week earlier, Waimangu volcanic valley near Rotorua leaving many people stranded . we spent the day on a spectacular walk New Zealand has no indigenous land passing bubbling pools and sulphur- mammals (except bats) and many native yellowed rock faces from which steam bird species have been threatened Andrew A. Adams jets were constantly rising (the last directly over the years by rats and FCCA major eruption in the area was in only stoats introduced by European settlers . 1886) . Some of this geothermal activity On many of our forest walks we saw Chartered Certified has been harnessed for our enjoyment . signs warning of rat poison in the area, At Hahei in the Coromandel peninsula, these drastic measures being taken to Accountant the aptly (but unimaginatively) named eradicate rodents and even hedgehogs Quality personal service for your Hot Water Beach draws hundreds of in efforts to protect the birdlife . Accounting, Taxation and spade-wielding people (us included) But eventually we had to return Business needs daily at low tide where they dig their home; our memories are of a diverse own Jacuzzi in the sand which fills with and exciting country and we were Competitive fees agreed in advance rising warm water . The normally good- welcomed wherever we went . We Free initial meeting natured Kiwis are quite possessive of had been away for five weeks so Telephone: 07790 854574 the best spots and ‘Jacuzzi rage’ did readjustment to life in Finstock has 01993 891280 occasionally break out . Later at high taken a while but New Zealand has a tide, all evidence of the day’s events lot more to show us so who knows … aaadams@talktalk net . is erased leaving a virgin landscape for Paul Briner
9 Charlbury Patient Participation Group (PPG) Missed Appointments than to prescribe . Paracetamol, for services at Primary Care Level . This Between January and Easter example, costs £1 49. to buy whereas will be operating from July 1st 2019 . the Practice reported 243 missed a prescription costs the NHS £10 . If Charlbury Practice will join Burford, appointments . Patients are urged to possible, patients should be prepared Broadshires Carterton and Bampton cancel their appointment if no longer to buy these medications rather than to form the Rural West Primary Care required, preferably giving 24 hours’ asking their GPs for prescriptions . Network with 31,000 patients . Dr notice, so that it can be offered to Remember to allow sufficient turn- Vivienne Austin from Burford Practice someone else . Please note that a around time for repeat prescriptions, will be the executive GP for this missed appointment is logged onto the at least 48 hours, ideally seven days . Network . In addition to Practice patient’s record . Some of the services which the Nurses already in post, PCNs will Hospital Referrals Charlbury Pharmacy offers employ pharmacists, physiotherapists, Patients frequently report long delays • Minor ailment advice: e g. . cuts, paramedics and social prescribers in referrals especially for appointments grazes, sore throat, infected eyes to allow GPs to focus on the sickest with the MSK (musculoskeletal) service . • Chronic condition advice, e g. . patients and allow longer appointments For any concerns about the referral diverticulitis, asthma, eczema . to patients who need them . The Rural process, patients should ring the • Blood pressure monitoring West PCN plans to employ a clinical surgery and ask to speak to one of • Dispensing of appliances pharmacist, a counsellor, psychology the secretaries, Sandra Jeffs or Julie • Inhaler technique service and inhaler services and a paramedic . Maxwell who will be able to advice . recycling The Blandford Fly Staffing • Vaccination The Blandford Fly can give a nasty Dr Singh and Dr Slowther, both • Emergency contraception bite during the summer months . working part-time, have been welcomed • Weekly prescription delivery service They are found near water and there to the Practice which is still recruiting to homes in Charlbury, Finstock and has been a marked increase in the for another GP . The patient population Stonesfield number of people affected by these of Charlbury is expected to increase • Advice on new medicines bites . The insects fly less than 0 5m. from 5,500 patients to 7,000 in the • Medicine use review (MUR) ensuring from the ground so the bites usually next five years . the patient understands the purpose affect legs and ankles and can result in Surgery Door of the medication, when to take large blisters and purple lesions . Local Following a comment from a patient it, effectiveness and possible side irritation, swelling, pain, joint pain and to the PPG, there is now a notice in effects . A copy of this consultation even fevers can occur . These symptoms place to ring the bell for assistance is sent to the patient’s GP . can last for several days or longer . with the door at the entrance to the • Provision of Dosset boxes To avoid being bitten: Wear clothing surgery, if required . The request for • Signposting to other services within an automatic door is on hold waiting the NHS covering feet and ankles; Apply insect funding . Changes to the provision of primary repellent especially near rivers streams Charlbury Pharmacy care and grasslands areas . The Pharmacy is now closed for The introduction of Primary Care We wish you all a pleasant and bite- lunch between 1:00 and 1:30 . Networks (PCNs) is a new government free summer! Many over-the-counter medications initiative that plans to link together GP Contact us at: patientgroup . such as paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, practices with the aim of providing charlbury@nhs net. and anti-histamines cost far less to buy greater integration with community (CPPG as submitted April 30th 2019)
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10 The Finstock Local History Society the name under which you wish to be assist young children with their reading . front page coverage in the last Finstock known as in the subscription list . ARCh is an award-winning charity News pointed to the creation of a book To pay in advance for your copy of that trains and support volunteers to to be published on the two villages of Two Wychwood Villages you have three help selected primary school children Finstock and Fawler . An extract from options:- develop a life-enhancing love of reading . that publication follows along with By BACS (minimum £30 00. per They do fantastic work, supporting information on how to subscribe to copy) to be paid to the following children and helping them discover receive the book . account- Finstock Friendly Society the joy of reading, whilst learning Finstock Upon Hill (re-enactment) Sort code 40-47-07 an invaluable skill and bringing on Account number 31567837 confidence that they might otherwise and Fawler Down Please also email Mike with your not have . If you are interested in Derry (excerpt) name, address and telephone number volunteering, or providing any kind Even with compulsory attendance, to confirm that you have paid in of help you can, please do visit their the family life of a predominantly advance for a copy . website here: archoxfordshire org. uk. agricultural community impacted By cheque (minimum £30) payable (Robert Courts community newsletter) upon the school . This was especially to : The Finstock Friendly Society acute when work helping gather the (Re-enactment), c/o Mike Woodfield, Coercive control and harvest was seen as being of greater Treasurer, Yew House, Well Hill, emotional abuse importance for many than education . Finstock, OX7 3B Victims First supports victims of School summer holidays were called Please add your name, address and crime and abuse across Berkshire, harvest holidays, and their start and telephone number if paying by cheque . Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire . end was flexible, decided by the Vicar By cash (minimum £30) to be paid Their campaign called Know this and schoolmaster to best coincide at any of the Finstock Local History isn’t Love aims to raise awareness of with harvest in order to minimise meetings . coercive control and emotional abuse absence . However, on 5 August 1890 In the unlikely event that we are in relationships . The campaign focuses the headmaster lamented absenteeism not able to raise sufficient funds to on early warning signs of controlling at harvest away from Finstock when he publish this volume you will receive a behaviour and emotional abuse to reported that M . Baylis was ‘… good full refund . Contact the email address help victims identify any potential signs and regular - but absent since July above for postage charges if you are within their own relationships and seek 18th being taken away harvesting in unable to collect your copy . We will support . Sth of England ’. A . Claridge was doing also keep you up to date with the If you have been affected by coercive the same near Windsor, while John publication schedule if you agree to control or domestic abuse you can Franklin was absent with neighbours, receive an email from The Finstock access support through Victims First not parents . Both E . Holifield and Local History Society . Thank you in on 0300 1234 148 or online at www . W . Busby were away at harvest with advance for subscribing to this exciting victims-first org. uk. . grandparents . [1] The first to be absent new book . from school for harvest were usually the Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh) last to return and were away from home are looking for volunteers to help them for between eight and ten weeks . Three years later Powell recorded, The annual bother about parents Woodstock Dental Practice taking their children away harvesting in PELLMANS other parts of England, or lending them, Your Local Solicitors has commenced . Albert Claridge & Mr Michael Habisreutinger • Business and Employment Law Miss Fiona Murphy Charles Pratley are away from school for Contracts, Legal Compliance and Dr Alison Lockyer this reason . Similar reasons have caused Disputes the attendance to drop to 104 . [2] • Property [1] Finstock School log book, 1886 Buying and Selling Homes, Situated adjacent to Woodstock town car park to 1896, 5 August 1890, OHC, S106/1/ Commercial and Agricultural Long-established dental practice A1/1 . • Wills, Probate and Trusts State-of-the-art modern cosmetic dentistry [2] Finstock School log book, 1886 to Tax Planning and Lasting Powers Flexible payment options 1896, 21 July 1893, OHC, S106/1/A1/1 . of Attorney Crowns, veneers, bridges and dentures Advance subscription details to pay Implants for a copy of Two Wychwood Villages 01865 884400 Tooth straightening and whitening By paying your advance subscription www.pellmans.co.uk you will receive a numbered copy of Two Wychwood Villages and it will 1 Abbey Street, Eynsham, Witney, 17 Union Street, Woodstock, Oxon OX20 1JF OX29 4TB have your name printed under the list of 01993 812617 Home visits and evening appointments www.woodstock-dental.co.uk subscribers . Please ensure you provide available [email protected]
11 Weird and wonderful plants Oxford together on Our general impression is that plants Charles Darwin often visited his Climate Change are fairly passive forms of life, for us and sister in Coleman’s Hatch on the edge https://change4climate uk. other animals to use as food, decorating of Ashdown Forest . Walking on the It has never been clearer – we need our rooms or building our homes . Plants common he saw carnivorous plants to act urgently to tackle climate change . don’t scream and run away, but some of the Genus Drover (sundew) and That means action by governments, by defend themselves with spines, thorns, described the mucilaginous glands businesses, by councils and by all of us . skin irritants or even poisons . Teasels (tentacles) they possessed and how Oxford Together on Climate Change have leaves that form cups acting as a they caused the leaves to curl up invites you to play your part . We’ve moat where insects drown, Petunias when stimulated . He had noticed got ideas on how you can act on any of have sticky hairs where many insects that an insect that landed on a leaf six key issues . Whether you’re making get caught and potato plant’s hairs became stuck in the mucus released your first moves or looking to step it up glue any attacking aphid to the spot . by the glands and then trapped as the further, choose the one that interests Most children are introduced to these leaf curled around it . When the leaf you and get some ideas . fascinating insect trapping plants by the unfolded, the insect was seen to have Venus fly trap, but there are many other decomposed . We now know that it Dangers of Giant plants which trap the unwary . is hydrolytic enzymes in the glands’ Typically we are not afraid of plants, secretion that digest macromolecules Hogweed but humans love to project their own like protein in the insect tissues . Giant Hogweed (Heracleum fears onto other life forms . Plant hunters I grow very hardy varieties that can mantegazzianum) contains toxic sap came back with stories of carnivorous take low temperatures down to -20C that can cause severe burns when it plants which spread like Chinese in a boggy acid area bordering my comes into contact with the skin, and whispers, rumours of man eaters . This ponds, Darlingtonia with its Cobra in the presence of sunlight, they cause a stimulated the imagination of writers shaped leaves and red flowers, the large condition called phyto-photodermatitis: with such as The Day of the Triffids trumpets of Sarracenia with their very a reddening of the skin, often followed stinging people to death, and the “little showy red, orange or yellow flowers . by severe burns and blistering . The shop of Horrors” where a humorous Both species eat hundreds of midges burns can last for several months and talking plant, swallowed people whole . which hover around the ponds in the even once they have died down the Plants normally take in vital minerals summer . skin can remain sensitive to light for from soil to survive and grow, but some How about trying a many years . Giant Hogweed is highly plants are in mineral deficient soils feature pitcher plant, invasive and has spread throughout which have water trickling away the hanging from the the whole of Great Britain, primarily much needed minerals . Carnivorous ceiling in the warm favouring river banks but also other plants have evolved an answer to this humid air of the areas such as parks, cemeteries and survival dilemma, by the modification bathroom where the wasteland . tinyurl com/y3dd8lh6. of their leaves into bizarre and beautiful air is moist to sort out structures, to catch little moving packets any annoying flies! The sense of living is joy enough. of minerals and nutrients, like walking Robert Bigwood Emily Dickinson vitamins pills on legs . HILLTOP GARDEN STORE SOFT PLAY BARN Play for up to two hours from RESTAURANT Beco Relax in our Seasons me a just £3.50 per child* Rew member ard Ca restaurant, and g rd plants, et 10% O Our Pizza Café serves homemade, e seeds FF famous with very Tu & bulb cooked to order pizzas, snacks and esday & s earn poi Thursd nts, r ay, locals for tasty drinks - hot, cold and shaken! seasonal eceive vouch ers and breakfasts, *For Seasons Reward Card members. lunches and *Join for FREE in-store. th e year! home baking. Keep up-to-date with what’s happening COME 1000s of great products are only a click away G ALONhat’s GARDENSTOREONLINE.CO.UK and see w GARDEN g good lookin w! right no PLANTS & MORE... MFURNake the moIstTUR of your E Extensive plant range, gardening range of garden furniture and BBQs. YOU’ (on the B4022, between Charlbury and Witney) LL O FIND Hilltop Witney Road, Ramsden, Oxon. OX7 3AS N THE W US RO ITNEY @gardenstorenews AD BETW CHARL EEN Please note, the restaurant and Tel: BUR 01993 868403 W Y & gardenstoreonline.co.uk pizza café will close half an hour Open 9am-5:30pm Mon-Sat 10:30am-4:30pm Sun ITNEY. before the Garden Centre
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