The Benson Bulletin Distributed free to over 2500 homes in and around Benson

This Month... For  Parish Council News Village  Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations News  Benson Railway Activities  Bensington Charity Information  Benson Volunteer Helpline and  Mill Stream Patients Panel Guide  Local Clubs & Societies to Local Services

April 2012 Volume 18 No. 7 Editor’s Column Anne Fowler writes...

I hope everybody is enjoying this Spring warmth, and that we are all looking forward to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Benson on Monday 4th June. Martyn Spence has written an article about it on Page 4. We Benson Volunteer hope to see you all there, so please pencil it into your diary. Helpline This is a packed issue this month, so apologies For assistance with travel to/from for any articles which I couldn’t fit in. However medical appointments I can use this space to include some notices Office open Mon-Fri 9-11am which I couldn’t fit in elsewhere: Call 01491 825992 The Science Exchange in Wallingford to ask for help or to volunteer is holding a talk called ‘Forked tongues: the evolution of human languages’ given email your letters/articles to by Professor Mark Pagel FRS, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading on [email protected] Monday 21 May 2012, 8.00pm. The event is or deliver/send them to free, but arrive early as space is limited. Benson Parish Hall The Sinodun Inner Wheel Club are holding their annual Overseas Service Tea Party on Thursday May 10th in Benson Parish Hall at CONTENTS 2.00 for 2.30pm.There will be a raffle and stalls and an excellent tea. The speaker will be Mr Letters to the Editor------2 Timothy Walker, Curator of Oxford Botanic Diamond Jubilee Celebrations------4 Gardens on ‘The Healing Power of Plants’. Parish Council News------6 In Memorium - Hilda May West------8 Kidlington Concert Brass will be performing Bensington Charity------10 a concert in Benson Parish Hall on Saturday the 5th of May 2012 at 7.30pm. A raffle will be PCSO Report------12 held in aid of The Air Ambulance. Benson Volunteer Helpline------14 Tickets will be £7 and available from Chapel Patients’ Panel------14 Lane Hair & Beauty and Chiltern Produce. PCSO Report------14 Down the Garden Path ------16 Phew, I think that’s everything. Church Times ------19 BEST ------20 Benson Railway------22 BB School News ------24 Mill Stream Surgery News ------28 Advertising Health Walks ------30 To advertise in BB contact Anne Fowler on Local Clubs and Societies------30 01491 201734 or [email protected] Classified Ads------36 Cover Photograph Diary------37 RAF Benson Community Primary School Volume 18 No 7 Published by Gazelle Class celebrate World Book Day by Benson Bulletin News Association dressing up as characters from books. Printed by Photo by kind permission of Steph Fawdrey. NP Design & Print Ltd, Wallingford : 01491 824827 BBBB 1 Dear Editor, I have been involved in organising the Christmas Letters to the Editor Fayre in Benson for the last couple of years. It’s been fun, but due to other commitments I have Dear Editor, decided not to be one of the organisers of the My name is Nick Deane. I live at Millstream December 2012 Fayre. in Benson. Earlier today (Sunday March Could you (via the Benson Bulletin) please 11th), at about 9am, I discovered a dead crow advertise that the other two organisers could do in the communal flats gardens. Speaking to a with some help, both in the run up to the event neighbour he thought he heard an air rifle shot as well as on the day. From the comments we at about 8am. have received over the last couple of years, the The bird had clearly been shot. Fayre is enjoyed by a large number of residents Could local residents be alert to the fact there and hopefully a few of them will be happy to may be someone around who likes to shoot the help to make the evening a great success again. local wildlife. If anybody would like to help please contact I have informed the police. Pat Hatch on 01491 837730 or Sue Cooper at Regards, Benson Parish Hall 01491 825038. N Deane Thanks, Dear Editor, Sue Hill (Derry’s Den) Regarding dog fouling in the village, I have witnessed regular (often fresh) dog dirt along Mill Stream Day Centre Littleworth Lane, by the gate to the school Ian Leppard, writes... playing field and on the pavement on School Road which we all know is a regular thoroughfare We are on the last leg of the fund raising for the for children. It is so difficult to avoid stepping day centre projects i.e. the internal alterations in the mess and the sight - and smell - of it is so and the garden. unpleasant. Our village should be a clean and Saturday April 7th at 12, High Street, Benson cared for place to live where people respect the a coffee morning with a bring and buy, 9.30am need to clean up after their pets. Today, I have until 12 noon, raising funds for the day centre seen a dog foul along Littleworth Road but and Benson W.I. do not know how to report what I have seen. Saturday April 14th Cake stall plus children’s I would like to propose that there is widely book will be at Bob’s corner, Benson near the publicised way of contacting a PCSO via the chemist from 9am until we sell out, all funds to new 101 number, to help eradicate a practice the day centre. a minority of dog owners allow to happen but Saturday April 28th Jumble sale at Goring which has such impact. Lots of villagers walk Village Hall from 2pm to 3.30pm, if you have regularly and could be vigilant. This system any jumble please ring Ian Leppard 01491 could also support residents who very kindly, 838580 and we will collect it. and in order to keep the village looking tidy, The committee of the Millstream centre hope manage land around their homes and face the the project for the centre will start the week same problem. Knowing anyone might report after Easter, lunches will still be held at the them if spotted, and that this can easily be centre but in the lounge of the Millstream flats, done, might stop some owners allowing mess other activities maybe curtailed. to persist throughout Benson. The Jubilee raffle tickets are now available (Name withheld by request.) to buy, first prize of £200 with lots of other exciting prizes. Bingo Night! Please give your support. Every Tuesday in Benson Parish Hall Any queries please telephone Ian Leppard, chairman on 01491 838580. Do you enjoy a game of Bingo, if so please come along on Tuesday evenings in the Parish Hall 7.00pm www.bensonbulletin.com

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Benson Library Opening Hours Monday 2-6pm Tuesday 9-12.30pm 2-5pm Wednesday Closed all day Thursday 2-7pm Friday 9-12.30pm 2-5pm Saturday 9.30-12.30pm 4 BBBB D J MATTHEWS Ch a l g r o v e Ga r a g e

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It looks like Spring has sprung as I rush to write Sunday June 10th @ 1000am this in order that I can get outside and attend to my vegetable patch. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty Parish Hall Car Park (AONB) against the stunning backdrop of the The Council are to commence work next Chiltern Hills, the Chiltern Chase enters its 7th month (April) on an overflow car park for the year as one of the most picturesque runs in the Parish Hall. The overflow area is on the grass South East of England. area to the left of the Hall entrance, parallel Runners wend their way through the local with Sunnyside. The overflow area will be a chalk and Beech wood landscape on a mix of recycled plastic mesh laid onto the grass and bridleways, footpaths, tracks, and roads all the during the construction, and for several weeks while watched over by another local success afterwards, vehicles will not be permitted onto story the Red Kites. the area. Started by a group of friends in 2006 as a Buy with Confidence method of raising funds for local charity Oxfordshire Trading Standards is looking to SSNAP (Support for the Sick Newborn And promote their “Buy with Confidence” scheme their Parents) based in Oxford, the premise was to local residents and businesses. The scheme “Running for Life, Health and Opportunity” was formed in 2008 and provides consumers This is still very much the philosophy and the with a list of local businesses which have event has now notched up an impressive total been checked by Trading Standards. If anyone of £42000 to date. requires further information visit: The Chiltern Chase has supported charities www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards from both near (Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance) and far (OneWater in Africa). Currently it is providing its support to the Notice of Bell Ringing Friends of School and the Pavilion Community Building Fund. I wish to give notice that a visiting band This year’s race on the 10th June 2012 offers will be ringing a full peal on the bells of St the popular choice of a 10 km and 5 km run, Helen’s Church, Benson during the morning both of which are United Kingdom Athletics of Wednesday 18th April and assuming this is approved. successful it will last 3 hours. The race committee set out to make this a This year there are several occasions when the friendly, accessible event that appeals to Benson ringers will be joining in the national athletes who are less competitive but enjoy celebrations. running in the countryside and running club We will ring to celebrate St George’s Day on time chasers alike. Monday 23rd April. Moreover, it hopes to promote their charitable For the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee we plan to aims and the “Running for Life, Health and have the tower open at some stage over the Opportunity”! weekend so that anyone will be welcome to You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy the come up to the ringing chamber where we can Chiltern Chase come along and watch the demonstrate ringing. There are also plans to ring event then enjoy the local countryside, with to coincide with the end of the special Jubilee great walks, Watercress Beds and School Teas service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday 5th to savour as well as some great nearby pubs June. for Sunday lunch. The Olympics is another occasion which we It’s a great chance to explore this beautiful plan to support. Firstly as the torch travels near piece of rural . to Benson on 10th July and then for the opening For further information / registration Google of the games on Friday 27th July. “Chiltern Chase”. John Tchighianoff 6 BBBB Sassy Paws Dog Grooming Treat your dog to a special time at Sassy’s Grooming Parlour Rates are very reasonable whether it be for a full groom or just a wash and brush-up we cater for all your grooming needs Contact Liz Perry on 01491 838267 or 07795 095917 Flint House 12 Churchfield Lane Benson

ANTIQUE & MODERN WALLIS FURNITURE RESTORATION FENCING AND GATES Traditional French Polishing All types of fencing and gates supplied and installed Spray Finishing/Colour Matching Staircases/Doors/Kitchen Worktops • Residential Custom Made Wardrobes • Agricultural Bookcases and any other • Industrial units made to fit • Security Any carpentry work Please Contact Alan Wallis undertaken for a free quotation Ring James () www.wallisfencing.co.uk 01491 834 886 Tel: 01865 890436 07747 700740 Mob: 07796 966123 4 Ewelme Down Farm, Ewelme, OX10 6PQ BBBB 7 to confront burglars. And then there was George our cat who jumped on her head In Memorium from our flat roof as an easy way down! After loosing Sally her beloved Labrador and Scampi, George and her became great friends as they both got older and she was the only knee he ever sat on. She spent a lot of extra money on chicken and fish especially for him, often sending her family to the shops on a special errand just for this treat, typical Mrs West.

She was a great friend and neighbour to us and others in the village always willing to lend a helping hand. We will miss her dreadfully. We will miss putting balloons on her gate on her Birthday and the look on her face when friends and the postman wished her well (not that she wanted anyone to know, she said). And the regular Thursday chat, coffee and cakes we shared in retirement. It was an honour to support Hilda May West her family and help when her health began 2nd February 1915 - 23 February 2012 to fail. An end of an era!

Mrs. West died aged 97yrs on 23rd. She will return home to Benson where she February, 2012. She lived in Benson for will finally rest along side her husband 40 years mainly in Littleworth Road. Frank and eldest daughter Violet. There will be many people like us who Jean and Linda will remember her with affection and have their own personal memories. She was a very unassuming, yet wise, loyal and Benson Outreach Post Office trustworthy friend. Benson Parish Hall Pavilion Opening Hours: She was a fiercely independent woman, Tuesday 9.30 - 12.30 & 13.00 - 16.00 who could be described as ‘salt of the Wednesday 9.30 - 12.30 earth’. She was regularly seen riding her Thursday 9.30 - 12.30 bike with shopping on the handlebars, later to be seen pushing it after a fall. She felt she was too young to use a shopping trolley! At 90 years she could still be seen Bookkeeping Services swinging the axe to chop up her firewood. Sp r e a d s h e e t s As our neighbour for 25 years, we shared Ka s h f l o w & Qu i c k b o o ks a love of animals in good and difficult P&L Ac c o u n t s times with plenty of laughter at their Tr i a l Ba l a n c e antics. The time Scampi her terrier once Se l f Ass e ss m e n t & VAT got stuck down a badger hole, causing her Call now for a free consultation: great anxiety and us dirty knees. Our first Dalmatian, whom she minded, managed to M: 07917446670 turn the radio on making her think she had E: [email protected] 8 BBBB Neil RACTORAldridge Landscapes

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Chiltern Domestic As Safe As Houses Appliances hr o c k smiths Est 1985 24 L Tel: 01491 681526 • Emergency Servicing, Repairs and Sales Access • Locks Repaired Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers, Dishwashers, & Replaced Electric Hobs and Ovens • UPVC Window & Door Bosch Hotpoint Whirlpool Specialists Zanussi Siemens Hoover Neff Indesit Creda Fully Insured & CRB Checked Miele Candy Call Nick on 07898 737884 and many more... BBBB 9 In 1929 lengths of flannel at 2/4d a yard were Bensington Charity given, and in 1931 £2 was set aside for “bread Janet Burtt, writes ... for necessitous cases”, in addition to cardigans, blankets and flannelette. In January 2012 a tradition of charity in Benson Blacknall’s The custom of dividing the annual came to an end when The Bensington Charity £1 gift between 10 poor widows, with 3/4d to was dissolved and de-registered by the Charity the vicar, on St Thomas’ Day, continued. From Commission after 380 years. 1912 the vicar’s share was donated to “The 1632 Mr John Merryweather left £200 to buy Coal and Clothing Club”. The cost changed a land, the income from which was to be used to little – in 1928 2/- each to ten widows, and in clothe “such poor people as are reputed and of 1931 2/6d each to eight widows. honest life and conversation” in the parishes of In 1933 the committee of the Charities, with Benson and Wokingham the consent of the Charity Commissioners, had 1639 Mr John Blacknall’s will left 20 shillings amalgamated all these charities into one with a year – 3/4d to the vicar for disposing of 1/8d a single bank account. It was administered by to each of 10 poor widows a body of five Trustees – local people – and 1809 Mr Thomas Smith left £5 per annum for the Chair was normally the current vicar of the poor of each of the parishes of Benson and St Helens Church. . The remit of the Charity Berrick, to be distributed in bread, twice a year was to be the relief of hardship in Benson. The from the galleries of each church. accounts were presented annually at the Annual 1879 Robert Aldworth Newton, of Fifield Parish Meeting. House, bequeathed £200 to be invested, and the A voluntary post of clerk was instituted, as income to be distributed in bread on November secretary and treasurer to the Trustees, and in 4th to the poor of Bensington the last thirty years there have been three clerks 1905 Mary Ann Corsellis of Colne House, – Miss Doris Chamberlain, Mrs Isabel Taylor, Benson, by her will founded a charity called and Janet Burtt. Powell’s Gift, being the sum of £200. The By the year 2010 it became apparent to Trustees income from this, which was about £5, was to that, because of the National Health Service be used for charitable purposes. She had been a and Social Security service, the Charity was very charitable woman in her lifetime, too. no longer functioning in any real sense. We The details of these charities can be found on had very few claims on our resources, and two boards at the back of the nave of St Helens the resources themselves no longer had any Church. great value in order to be able to do anything Mr Merryweather may have come from the meaningful with them. It was decided to consult Bath area, Mr Blacknall from Abingdon, where with the Charity Commission on the procedure he also was a benefactor as is mentioned in for winding up the charity. the church of St Nicholas, and Mr Smith was The Trustees advertised this plan in The Benson a coachmaker from the parish of St James, Bulletin and invited applications for funds. Middlesex. We put all our funds into one account and, in We do not know the origin of their interest in 2011 we decide to divide the funds equally Benson. between the youth and the elderly of the Extracts from the accounts:- village. One half was donated to the Millstream Merryweather’s In 1912 the balance was £7.3s Day Centre, and the other half to Benson Youth .0d and was spent as follows Club. From Mr Hargreaves – 8 overcoats at 11/6d, Once all the funds were disbursed we informed from Messrs Pettit’s 4 cloaks at 12/6d, and a the Charity Commission by form, and on book for recording at 1/- January 16th 2012 the charity was removed The gifts were handed out on Christmas Eve. from their register. By 1915 the men were receiving waterproof On February 15th 2012 the Trustees held their capes and by 1917 the women received final meeting and laid down their responsibilities shawls. for this ancient institution. In 1922 Overcoats were 14/11d, cardigans 2012 Trustees: Don Fletcher (Chair), Rev. Jean 7/11d, and shawls 12/11d Travis, William Bowles, until 2010 Rev Canon In 1928 blankets were given at 5/11d each Andrew Hawken. 10 BBBB FAMILY FLORIST & GREENGROCER

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BBBB 11 Thames Road, – 1500 - 1530 Friday 27th - Benson Riverside, A4074, PCSO Update - Benson Benson – 1800 - 1830 These meetings are an ideal opportunity for Here is the latest Benson and local residents to speak to their local police neighbourhood update from Police Community officers and PCSOs about any local issues, no Support Officer (PCSO) Rebekah Kent and appointment is necessary just turn up and speak PCSO Sarah Talbot. to your local officers. Further meetings will be The current Local Priority on the Benson and publicised locally and on the force website at Berinsfield neighbourhood is theft of and theft www.thamesvalley.police.uk. from vehicles. We are working to reduce this by carrying out a process called the ‘Clear If you want any advice or would like to contact Car Campaign’ where we will write to the the neighbourhood team you can call us on registered owners of vehicles displaying the police non-emergency number 101 or items such as sat navs to inform them of the email WallingfordAreaNHPT@thamesvalley. importance of putting items away and out of pnn.police.uk. Please note this email address sight. Please make sure that your vehicles are cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police left secure and all items removed from sight to to report crimes or for any urgent matters. help prevent your car/van being broken into. Alternatively you can visit the force website Anti-social behaviour (ASB) at www.thamesvalley.police.uk to view Benson Parish Hall, have been targeted by information on your neighbourhood. youths causing damage to the fencing around the tennis courts. The youths involved have RAF Rugby 7’s been identified and have been spoken with. Mcdonalds Benson, received some ASB from Tim Barlow, writes ... youths on 24th February, they were being Do you fancy watching Wales and Great Britain generally abusive to staff and customers, Students playing rugby 7s in Oxford? Come enquiries are ongoing. As the weather has to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Rugby 7s, been getting lighter in the evening, residents Saturday 26th May, first games from 11.30am. of Preston have been experiencing The Royal Air Force Spitfires Rugby 7s Team noise from the riverside. We have added this and Oxford University Rugby Club are hosting area to our patrol plan and will be paying a tournament at Oxford’s ground at Iffley Road, particular attention in the evenings. Oxford to raise money for the Royal Air Force Local Incidents Benevolent Fund, Khelo Rugby & The RAF If you have any information which may assist Ex PoW Association. us with the above incidents please call us on Teams confirmed to date include Wales, the police non-emergency number 101. Oxford, , Great Britain Students, • 8-9th February overnight – attempted theft Afghanistan, Rugby Uncle/Khelo rugby from from vehicle Brook Street, Benson India, the RAF Spitfires and many more. A fun • 11th February at approx 10:30am – attempted day of fantastic 7s will also include an RAF Burglary, St Helens Ave, Benson flypast, parachute jump, bouncy castle and • 22nd February – theft from vehicle Clacks a beer festival. Tickets can be bought on the Farm, Clarks Lane, Benson day - £15 Adults, Concessions £10 (over 60’s, • 28th February at approx 1:40pm – theft of Students, U18’s), U12’s for £5 and under 5 years handbag, High Street area, Benson go free. For more information see www.ourfc. If you have any information which may assist org or www.pitchero.com/clubs/rafspitfires us with the above incidents please call us on We look forward to seeing you there! the police non-emergency number 101. Have Your Say Meetings in April Tuesday 3rd – The Lord Nelson car park, From the Registers – 1800 -1830 at St Helen’s Church, Benson Wednesday 11th – Outside the Primary School, High Street, – 1800 -1830 Funeral: Wednesday 18th – Outside the Primary School, 6th March Hilda May West aged 97 12 BBBB Registered Osteopath ADVANCED PEST CONTROL SERVICE Backache Rohan D Iswariah, D.O. Sciatica Of EWELME Headache accepted Es t a b l i s h e d 1970 Sports  by all Injuries 01491-838866 Joint Pains major HOUSEHOLD Arthritis Ivy Cottage, Chapel insurance GARDEN & FARM Tennis Lane Benson OX10 6LU companies Elbows www.localosteopath.com PESTS

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Th e h a r d w a r e s t o r e w i t h m u c h m u c h m o r e ! • NEW LUGGAGE DEPT • Gardening • Pest Control • Heating • Electrical Appliances • Kitchenware • DIY • Pet Supplies FREE LOCAL DELIVERY Open Monday to Saturday 9a m to 5p m 7 St Mary’s Street YOUTH HALL, OXFORD ROAD, BENSON Wallingford Dance, drama and singing classes Oxfordshire for children aged 4 - 12 OX10 0EL Free Trials available Tel 01491 836271 www.stageworks.co.uk Fax 01491 824250 [email protected] Tel: 01628 898038 Mob: 07956 176166 BBBB 13 Benson Volunteer Helpline Mill Stream Surgery Patients’ Panel Eileen Hunt, writes ... John Reid writes ... On Friday 17 February 2012 over 30 friends Each month Benson’s Clubs and Societies and volunteers of the helpline attended a report their news, progress in the Bulletin. Yet surprise party to thank Dorothy Rose who has there is one body – the Patients’ Panel – that retired as Coordinator of Benson Volunteer meets more occasionally of which you read Helpline after over 21 years. In 1991 Dorothy less, but which exists solely to monitor and asked Eve Barrett (pictured with Dorothy) if suggest ways in which our Benson Surgery she would help her set up the helpline which can improve the service available. Make no has been a great success. mistake, in a recent survey the vast majority reported that service was “Good” or “Very Over the years Dorothy has worked hard to good”. Yet – particularly in these times of raise funds and ensure its smooth running. This evolutionary happenings in the NHS – there is much valued service has helped transport many plenty to concern us all. villagers who have been unable to use public The Patient’s Panel currently consists of transport to appointments etc. The committee some 11 members including a GP, a nurse and volunteers wished Dorothy well in her and the Practice Manager, working under retirement and thanked her for her leadership. an independent Chair. Relations are warm Elizabeth Leppard who is taking over the and friendly, but we exist to scrutinise and role of Coordinator presented Dorothy with a comment where we believe the service might bouquet of flowers and everyone enjoyed the be improved. We also discuss current NHS special thank you cake. issues. We would dearly like to have a few more people to get involved. If you would like A bouquet of flowers was also presented to Pam to join the Panel or attend a meeting to see us in Speight who has stepped down as secretary. action, please contact me on 01491 598517 or Eileen Hunt will take over the role of secretary the Surgery on 01491 838286. If you have a few hours to spare and would like Each year, we hold a special meeting when to join this friendly team at the helpline either we open the doors to invite as many of you as as a driver or manning the telephone please possible to attend a presentation on a matter of contact Elizabeth Leppard on 01491 838580 interest. or Eileen Hunt 01491 833664 for further This year it is on a subject that most of us prefer information. to ignore – the end of life. Of course, it is more likely as we get older but can happen at any age. The Panel has prepared a 2-page checklist of possible actions, each with a short discussion. It is available on our web site - Google “Benson Surgery” - and there are paper copies in the Surgery. Please take a look - the actions will be really helpful to those that will have to take decisions for you if you are not able to make them yourself, and to sort things out when you are here no more. The meeting is on the 3rd May in the Parish Hall Lounge at 7.30pm. We will present our checklist and Claire Britton, an Oxfordshire expert on end-of-life care, and Sally Kidd of the local community nursing team will give Dorothy Rose (left) with Eve Barrett short talks based on their own experiences. We (Helpline Treasurer) at Dorothy’s hope to provoke a lively discussion of these retirement party. issues and any other NHS matters. We do hope to see you there. 14 BBBB Computer Repairs, Virus Removal, Computer Lessons for Beginners, Set up Email, Broadband, Wired & Wireless Networking Call Russell on – 01491 838727 or 07770 934677 Email: [email protected] http://russit.co.uk

BBBB 15 guarantee those sort of plants, in that patch of Down the Garden Path garden is not what you want. Lynn Powell, writes ... Are you safe with all the summer annuals, that April: The Flowering Garden. To answer last are so beloved of our English Gardens? At the month’s finishing question, I am sure you all moment Fuschias and Impatiens (Busy Lizzies) know that there is no rotational system as such are particularly vulnerable to disease, so if you for the flower garden. But there are a few rules grew those last year and want to grow them this it is best to abide by, if you do not want the year, then I would find a different part of the expense of dying plants! garden. Just for interest, Fuschias are suffering from Fuschia Mite and Impatiens from Downy First and foremost, do not plant a rose in the Mildew, which is a fungal disease and will same patch of ground where roses have grown cause the plants to develop yellow leaves, before. If the removed roses have suffered which will drop and then eventual death for the from Black Spot, Rust, Powdery Mildew, the plant. This disease is not helped by wet weather build up of harmful soil organisms, or any of - no chance of that when I am writing this, but the fungal diseases roses are prone to, then that of course could change! The problem any new rose planted in the same ground will with both of these is that you could import the pick up the disease and will not be happy. It disease from the garden centre, so be warned. is said, you can remove all the soil and start again with John Innes no.3 and compost, but This is going to be a difficult gardening summer not only is that hard work, the roses still seem with the pending hosepipe ban, so it is probably to be unhappy and do not want to grow out of best not to make it any more difficult. I have their comfort zone of new, good soil! So you just been introduced to a packet of seeds, which will probably end up with small bushes and say ‘meadow plants’. There are no grasses in few flowers. How do I know? After a trip to the mixture, so it is a bit of a misnomer, but David Austen Roses, the Undergardener tried it the idea is that all the seeds are annuals and and the bushes, five years on are no bigger than will create a flower border with interest from when we bought them, but the others planted in June to October. It includes the usual suspects a new patch of garden are thriving! such as Poppies and Ox-eye Daisies, but it does say once established, there will be little One other, more expensive and hopefully long maintenance and if you are not careful with the lived plant, it is best not to replant in the same weeding, then the plants will return each year. patch of ground is the Peony. If you have lost At £4 a packet, I rather hope that is true! All one of these to Peony grey mould blight (aka you need to do is sprinkle the seed in patches in ‘peony wilt’), which destroys the shoots and the border and wait for a wonderful display of buds and you want to replace it, then it is best colour for 6 months. I await the outcome with to find a fresh part of the garden. It is caused, interest. by a disorder in the soil, although it can also be Lynn Powell on behalf of Benson Garden caused by using ‘dirty’ secateurs when pruning Club (that is another story!), but if your peony succumbs to it, my advice would be to replace and not try to save it. Wallingford Vehicle Rally & Parade The real nasty that can affect many of the more shrubby plants is Honey Fungus and Sunday 13 May 11.00am unfortunately if you do have this in the garden, From Wallingford Sports Park, not only peonies, but many other supposedly to the Kinecroft hardy plants can turn up their roots and die. It is Supercars, Classic Vehicles best to avoid replanting there for some time or and fun day out! at least anything susceptible to the disease. Any annuals will be reasonably happy (Marigolds, www.wallingfordcarrally.org.uk Nigella, Cosmos, etc), but of course you can 16 BBBB • decorating services • interior and exterior • paper hanging • coving • home maintenance phone james (Chalgrove) 01865 890436 / 07796 966123

HOT STONE MASSAGE / SWEDISH MASSAGE / FAKE BAKE & XEN TAN TANNING OPI PEDICURE / WAXING / JEAN MARIN FACIALS / LASH & BROW TINTING RADIO FREQUENCY / IPL LASER HAIR REMOVAL Call Becky 01235 851 863 / www.bare-essentials.info / [email protected] BBBB 17 with danger from tide and quicksand, we were St Helen’s Benson accompanied. In life, Jesus accompanies us and gives us direction, courage and hope. The Revd John Burrell, writes... As with any parable there are limitations. But there are also helpful insights. St Paul urged the Walking across three miles of wet sand is the Church in Ephesus to break out of their small final approach to Lindisfarne, Holy Island mindedness into a new dimension. “Now to off the Northumbrian coast. It is important him who is able to do immeasurably more than to consult the tide timetable and to follow the all we ask or imagine, according to his power waymark poles. Some of us were pilgrims that is at work within us, to him be glory in there last month. the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all Pilgrims walk so that they may be changed; generations, for ever and ever!” That certainly they walk to find meaning. We were a group gave them something to think about! of 14 people, from Benson and elsewhere, who We have been given both insight and access to were able to get to know each other, to worship this through the death and resurrection of Jesus and to share. The physical journey to a special Christ – an event we shall be remembering place facilitated an interior journey. again this Easter. For his journey enables our Life is certainly a journey both within and journey – to the Father’s heart. What a gift! without. ‘I am the way,’ said Jesus, ‘and the May you all have a very happy and blessed truth and the life.’ The early Christians were Easter. Remember that every Easter egg is called the followers of ‘the Way’. We, too, try filled with meaning. Enjoy it! to follow in his footsteps. That is why so many people make Lent special. It is an attempt to walk a different path, to give Holy Week Services at others a greater priority and to draw closer to St Helen’s, Benson God. The final approach of our Lenten pilgrimage will be on the 1st April, Palm Sunday. A donkey will be leading us to Church and we hope you Sunday 1st April - will come and join us. This is no joke! It Palm Sunday reminds us of how Jesus entered Jerusalem for 9.45am Procession the last time. He entered humbly ‘on a donkey, led by a donkey from on a colt, the foal of a donkey’ to confound the the village centre to notion of a Messiah with political power. church – all welcome. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the final week of our pilgrimage, Holy Week. We are Monday to Wednesday reminded again of Christ’s humility – washing 7.30pm Evening Prayer the feet of his disciples, rather than lording it over them; saying few words at his trial Maundy Thursday rather than justifying himself; forgiving his 7.30 pm Holy Communion executioners rather than displaying anger and bitterness. The way of the cross is not the way Good Friday of the world. 11 am Children’s Service When we were starting our approach to Holy 2 pm An Hour at the Cross – words and Island across the sand we were joined by music based on the Seven Last Words another pilgrim, John from Bristol. Being with someone else encouraged us and gave us Easter Eve confidence. Once we had safely reached the 8 pm Easter Vigil Service island, John turned and headed back towards the mainland. Easter Day Reflecting on this experience we all agreed that 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP) it was like a modern day parable. As we set out 10 am Easter Eucharist with church in faith where none of us had been before, and orchestra 18 BBBB The Church of England Parish of Benson Sunday Services St Helen’s Church 8.30am Holy Communion (BPC) Vicar: The Revd John Burrell tel: 01491 832008 10.00am Parish Eucharist (Common Worship) email: [email protected] with Children’s Club and Creche Associate Priest: The Revd Jean Travis tel: 01491 3rd Sunday of the month: Orchestra and a service 838713 Curate: The Revd David Gifford tel: for all the Family. 01865 343309 Churchwardens: Further details: Barbara Smart tel: 01491 837951 www.achurchnearyou.com/benson-st-helen/ Gary Jones tel: 01491 839289 For Baptism and Wedding enquiries, please email: [email protected] contact one of the clergy. The Catholic Parish of St Birinus Holy Mass Dorchester-on-Thames Weekdays 9.30am Sat 6.30pm Vigil Mass for Sunday Priest: Fr. John Osman, MA., STL., Sun 9.30am (Berinsfield Church) Bridge House Presbytery 11.00am Solemn Mass 1 Bridge End, Dorchester-on-Thames Confessions Telephone: 01865 340417 Sat 5.45 - 6.15 or upon request Exposition & Benediction of The Blessed Sacrament: First Sunday of each Month 5-6pm Children’s Liturgy of the Word Sun 9.30am during Berinsfield Mass

Wallingford Quakers Meeting for Worship 13 Castle Street, Wallingford Sunday at 10.30am with Children’s Class. Enquiries to Warden Tel: 01491 837835 Discussion groups during the week. Ridgeway Community Church Sunday Services The Ridgeway Christian Centre 10.00am Worship & Ministry at Christian 21b/22 St Mary’s Street, Wallingford Centre Gareth Lloyd-Jones (Senior Pastor) For all other activities see our website www.ridgeway-church.org.uk or telephone 01491 832718

Church of England Parish of Sunday Services at 11.00am St Helen’s Church 1st Sunday of Month - Family Service Vicar: The Revd Ian Cohen 2nd Sunday - Holy Communion (BPC) The Vicarage, 58 Brinkinfield Rd, Chalgrove Other Sundays - Family Communion Churchwardens: Dr. Marian Shaw - 01865 890915 Baptisms & Weddings to be arranged with the Vicar

Wallingford Methodist Church Sunday Services at 10.30am & 6.30pm St Leonards Square, Wallingford Lunch on Tuesdays 12.30pm - 1.30pm Minister: Revd Dr David Rankin Friendship Group alternate Tuesdays 2.30pm Tel: 01235 813242 ‘Tots Time’ Wednesday 9.30am - 11.00am Email: [email protected] Boys & Girls Brigade Wednesday evenings Coffee Morning every Thursday 10.30 - 12.00 noon Website: www.wallingfordmethodistchurch.org.uk All welcome, please contact David Rankin for details

Wallingford Baptist Church Sunday Services at 10.30am & 7.00pm Thames St, Wallingford Holy Communion 3rd Sunday each month Minister: Pastor Simon Hudson Tel: 01491 839904 Email: [email protected] www.wallingford.org.uk BBBB 19 In January, I was sorry to hear of the sad death BEST of Dougie Cook. I did not want to let this pass Keith Tibbs, writes... without recalling Dougie’s early contribution to BEST and the environmental survey we Mid-March, when this is written, and already published in 2000. As a keen fisherman, he feeling and looking like spring has well and provided the information for the section on truly arrived. At the March meeting BEST fish in the Thames and Benson Brook. The reviewed some of those signs of springtime back cover of the survey report includes a that members had noticed. Included in the list picture of Dougie about to sample a chunk of are spring flowers, birds getting amorous and bracket fungus, aided, abetted and encouraged seen flying overhead with nesting materials in by his mate and mischief-maker in chief, Ray their beaks, blossom on hedgerows and trees Lawrence – also sadly no longer with us. and the unmistakeable sound of lawnmowers! I am sure you can add your own observations Do not forget to let us know if you see or hear to the list. anything interesting, unusual or just plain puzzling in the Benson environment. Above On a more worrying note, we are warned all, remember to use water sparingly. It is not that we are in a drought and that we face the only us humans that are dependent on the stuff prospect of a hosepipe ban in early April. Those we so take for granted. Everything we enjoy in of us with bus passes have a clear recollection the environment needs it too. of the drought in 1976 when we got as far Contacts: Tom Stevenson (chairman) 01491 as seeing standpipes erected in the streets in 836888 or [email protected]: preparation for cuts in the water supply to our Keith Tibbs (secretary) 01491 838689 or keith. taps. Fortunately the rains came days before the [email protected] standpipes were due to come into use – shortly after the government appointed a “minister for drought” (surely the most effective government minister of all time!). The difference then was that it happened in August. We are only in March, so perhaps we need a minister for drought, or a mass rain dance. You have only to look at the stream through the cress beds in Ewelme to realise how serious is the situation. For the first time since 1976 water is being pumped out from underground into the stream to keep a small flow of water and give the various life forms that live in the stream a chance of survival.

Anyway, whatever the weather, the BEST programme gets properly underway in April with a visit to the BBOWT nature reserve at Chimney Meadows , about 9 miles west of Abingdon. We will meet at the parish hall car park at 9.30 am on Friday 27 April for car sharing to Chimney Meadows. The reserve is BBOWT’s largest and has a mix of grassland, meadow and wetlands, proving habitats for a wide range of plants and birds. If you are not already a BEST member, but are interested in joining us for that trip please get in touch with one of the numbers below. 20 BBBB Crown Inn Benson 52 High Street, Benson, OX10 6RP Tel: 01491 838 247 Forthcoming Events Senior Citizen Lunch Special – Every Tuesday Soup & Roast Beef Lunch £5.95 Pub Quiz - Wed 4th of April 8.30pm New! Steaknight – every Tuesday evening 8oz Steak of the night - £10.95 Rack of Ribs - £10.95 Lunch 12pm – 2pm French Night - Wed 11th of Apr 7pm Dinner Tue - Thur 6pm – 9pm Our legendary taster menus will have you Dinner Fri - Sat 6pm – 9.30pm packing your bags to sample more... Sunday Lunch 12pm – 3pm Easter Weekend Join us for a traditional Sunday Lunch Restaurant closed Sunday or a Barbecue on Easter Monday! Evening & All Day Monday “60”s Music Quiz - Fri 13th of Apr 8pm Crown Inn Benson - A meeting place for the whole family

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BBBB 21 place was consequently much injured...” (3) The Line That Never Was Although the proposed line would have passed Sherwin Smith, writes... through land in all the five parishes listed above, only two intermediate stations were The Benson Railway planned, one at Benson and the other between Brightwell Baldwin and plus the “Despite the passing in 1864 of the Wallingford terminus sited to the north-west of Watlington and Watlington Railway Act which provided between the B4009 and the Oxford road. for a line running through Benson, Berrick The line would have crossed the Thames about Salome, Ewelme, Brightwell Baldwin and a quarter of a mile north of Benson Lock and Cuxham, the venture came to nothing...”(1) continued on an embankment bridging the In fact the venture came to Wallingford where Oxford turnpike at its junction with Littleworth it still continues as the and Wallingford Road. Benson station would have been up Railway. It had been initiated by Wallingford there, perched on the top of the embankment businessmen who were becoming increasingly like a smaller version of Cholsey station, but dissatisfied with the condition of the Reading very conveniently placed for transferring turnpike between Wallingford and the GWR goods to and from road and river transport. station at , known as Wallingford Leaving Benson station, the line would have Road, which was located below that tiresome passed just north of what is now Sunnyside and narrow bridge on the A329. It was not until Sands Way, then going to the south of Porthill 1890 that the station was moved to Cholsey. House, Rokemarsh (smaller in those days) and The tiresome bridge remains. following a course about a quarter of a mile In January 1864, a public meeting in south of Roke. It would then have gone rather Wallingford discussed the railway scheme; in closer to the south of Hare Hall before climbing the chair was the Mayor, Mr T E Field (2) of the low hill to Brightwell Baldwin. Paddock House, Brook Street, Benson. The That the venture did not come to Benson was case for bringing the railway to Benson was due to a combination of power politics and put very strongly by Mr T B Greenwood who financial crisis. The first stage of the railway lived in Mill House, Ewelme, and farmed 300 was to have started at a junction with the acres. He said “...if there was one place more GWR in Cholsey and ended at Wallingford than another that deserved to have the benefit station beside the Wantage turnpike. Initially of a railway it was Benson. Before the railway it seemed likely this stage would be up and system commenced, 34 coaches went through running well before the end of 1865. However Benson night and day, and when the railway the company had an agreement that the GWR was established these were stopped and the Continued overleaf....

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WEST MAN & S OR ON N DEVELOPMENTS (ESTABLISHED 1967) SMALL WORKS & MAINTENANCE DEPT ALL TYPES OF WORK UNDERTAKEN i.e. Decor, Gardens, Fencing, Patios, Walls, Extensions, Repairs N.H.B.C. Reg. NORMAN 01491 838662 LEE 01235 818850 0787 9244851 BBBB 23 The Line That Never Was (Cont.) Benson Community Pre-School Sherwin Smith, writes... Bridget James, writes... would provide trains and operating staff and The arrival of spring has marked exciting times when the GWR decided that it would prefer at pre-school with the installation of the new to have the local trains running into a bay sand pit drawing great attention from all the platform at Wallingford Road station along a children. Our warm thanks go to Neil Aldridge new track beside the main lines, the W&W had for all his hard work. Many a sand castle will to comply. This involved widening a 60 foot be built in this fabulous new area of play for deep cutting between Cholsey and Wallingford years to come! We have also purchased a Road, and building another mile of track. The number of new counting rugs for carpet time, company’s capital was eroded and the start of some ladybird and bee cushions to match, and operations was delayed until July 1866. a new bookcase and storage trolley that has But in May 1866 the financial crisis climaxed; been kindly put together by Katie’s Dad. We Overend and Gurney, known as the bankers’ are delighted with these new additions to our bank, crashed; the last bank to do so until surroundings, which help to ensure we provide Northern Rock. Gladstone raised the Bank the best care and environment for the children. Rate to 10%; but lending virtually dried up. In addition, focusing on sharing books, we plan Railways were seen as safe investments (as are to update ‘Webster’s library’ which ensures that all public utilities) and a return of 4% was good. every child is able to choose a book and enjoy No railway could afford to borrow at 10%. The this at home with their parents until they are W&W put its second stage on hold. ready to swap it for another. Enter the , living at Our Traditional Tales topic for the term has Castle (as they did in those days) he resulted in great excitement with everyone would surely have preferred a station to the east enjoying learning about Goldilocks and the of Watlington where his aristocratic visitors Three Bears. This has been made even more would not be subjected to the gaze of the lower fun through the use of an audio CD resource classes, and his land agent could be confident pack, which we obtained with Sainsbury’s that the estate’s carts and wagons would not vouchers last year. We are collecting these pass pubs on the way to, or from, the station. vouchers again and any spare vouchers would The Earl took his opportunity while the W&W be gratefully received at pre-school, even if was waiting for something to turn up. Much you do not have a child with us. We really do of the land between Watlington and Princes make best use of them to enhance learning. We Risborough was owned by gentry with large are also pleased to note that, in addition to our estates who could make land available and full days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we could afford to invest. By 1869 the Earl had his have had a strong, sustainable take up on our act and, in due course, his station on his estate new Thursday afternoon session and intend land about a mile to the east of Watlington. The for this additional slot to continue. Pre-school directors of the W&W were beaten and had to admissions remain high with 34 2-5 year olds apply to parliament for permission not to build a on our register with new children regularly railway between Wallingford and Watlington. requesting places and current attendees requesting additional sessions. Footnotes: At the time of press, a spring cake sale will (1) From ‘Benson: a Village through its History’ already have been held to raise funds for edited by Kate Tiller, page 97. equipment. We hope this will be a great success (2) Mr Field was senior partner of Field and thanks to so many residents of Benson and our Hawkins whose shop continued in Wallingford surrounding villages. We will have also held our Market Place until about 1985. AGM on 27th March, culminating in the Easter (3) From the ‘Reading Mercury’ 16 Jan 1864 as Raffle, which has been supported by so many quoted in ‘The Wallingford Branch’ by Karau local businesses for which we are enormously and Turner. Continued overleaf.... 24 BBBB Ewelme Village Store Gr o c e r i e s • Ne w s pa p e r s • Mi l k Sta m p s & p arcel collection Te a Ro o m • Lo c a l Pr o d u c e Speciality Goodies Hand m ade fro z en m eals fro m ‘COOK’ Op e n d a i l y 9a m -5p m • Su n d a y 9a m -1p m

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BBBB 25 own dinosaur species. In herbivore vs carnivore Benson Community Pre-School challenge everyone assumed that non-meat Bridgrt James, writes... eaters will loose but they underestimated the (Cont.) size of herbivores. grateful. Thanks so much too, to all those who Apache Class (Year 4) have purchased raffle tickets. Apache class studied evolution this term. We Plans are already in full swing to mark the started off with charcoal drawing of plant life summer term with an end of year party and a and travelled back in time to explore human trip to the RAF base, which proved so popular evolution and natural selection. We also last year. That said, we think the children would explored the life and work of Charles Darwin. be happy enough with the opportunity to view Most exciting part of literacy was retracing the sights of Benson from a coach given the Darwin’s life by writing letters as Charles mass enthusiasm this prompted last year! Darwin from Galapagos to his wife. Committee member roles will be vacant at the Merlin Class (Year 5) end of the academic year and to preserve the Merlin class chose an amazing subject these smooth running of our pre-school, we would term-Animal Habitats; we were encouraged like to invite anyone interested in joining the by Mrs Redhead to think about how animals committee to contact Annie Arscott via email: adapted to suit their surroundings. We got to [email protected]. design and label our own animal (thinking about how it is adapted to live in its environment, diet, camouflage etc.) RAF Benson Community One of the children interviewed said that the Primary School best part of the topic was the ecologist’s visit to the class. He explained to us how living Hello from all at RAF Benson Community things interact with their environment and how School. Again we have had another exciting even the youngest person can make a positive term with a range of topics that enthused our change towards protecting and saving animals. children. This term also saw our pancake race Inspired by the visit we did a small fundraising which was a fabulous event with plenty of event which provided us with enough money to pancake tossing and, of course, some being adopt a polar bear from WWF! picked off the floor! We also celebrated World Chinook Class (Year 6) Book Day where everyone came to school Living and life processes were explored by dressed as a character from a book – even all the Chinook class this term. We have made the adults! Such fun was had as you can see individual organs and their functions posters by the cover photo of Gazelle class - we hear which we hope will help other students learn that the Queen of Hearts is still looking for the about what an amazing machine the human people who stole her tarts! You can see what body is. We investigated the myths and facts other things we have been up to by visiting our behind the senses, skeleton and other body school website www.raf-benson.oxon.sch.uk parts. Our human body leaflets provided a detailed insight human body and provided Our journalist team, yet again, have been some exciting facts about us, some of which working hard to find out what has been going were not too pleasant! on in KS2 to share with you this time – over to them…. We hope you enjoyed reading about our Puma Class (Year 3) learning adventures and are looking forward to Puma class this term was transformed into the our next update from our school! Land of Dinosaurs. We discovered how these gentle plodding giants and fierce, bloodthirsty hunters lived, ate, and if they really died out 65 million years ago. Josh said that he enjoyed To insert a flier in the BB finding out what paleontology is and recreating contact Don Fletcher the dino teeth necklaces in clay. We also had a chance to make and name our 01491 838577 26 BBBB BBBB 27 Benson Church of England Mill Stream Surgery Primary School Fran Butler (Practise Manager) writes... Our School Trip to Wittenham Clumps New Website By Marcus, Katie and Fleur Some of you may already have noticed that Year 3 Ash Class we have a new website (same address as the old one – www.millstreamsurgery.nhs. On Monday 6th February, Ash Class went on uk ). As well as information about services a trip to Project Timescape near Wittenham at the surgery, the site now contains a wealth Clumps to learn about the Vikings. We got on of health information. We would welcome the coach and were feeling excited because feedback on the site and any suggestions for there was still snow on the ground. When we new information you would like to see on arrived, we went into Fison Barn and made a there. You can contact us either using the form timeline to show the history of the world. Then on the ‘Contact us’ page of the website, by we set off to Castle Hill. Although it was foggy e-mailing us on [email protected] or by and slippery, we made it. On the way we saw a telephoning the surgery on 01491 838286. snowman. When we got there Claire who was Mill Stream Surgery Patient Survey our guide, told us there had been an Iron Age We have recently run an online survey with fort right where we were standing. All the way members of our face-to-face patient panel and round the fort there had been a deep trench to our new virtual group (whom we contact by keep out enemies. When we got back we went e-mail or by post for those without e-mail). into our different groups. Two groups did a We were very pleased with the results of the present battle (Romans and Celts) and the Celts survey in which 74% of respondents rated threw pretend rocks that were actually stuffed their experience of the surgery as very good toy ladybirds and bees. Two groups went with a further 24% rating it as fairly good. We outside to dig up history like archaeologists. received some really useful feedback and as One group did a timeline on things from the a result have drawn up (with the help of the past. Then we had a delicious lunch. After lunch patient panel) an action plan which includes we did weaving. Next we went to the museum making nurse appointments bookable online and we saw a skeleton of a headless Roman. (doctor appointments can already be booked There was also a dead bird that was stuffed and in this way), producing a quarterly newsletter lots of people touched it. The bird’s feathers and investigating the feasibility and safety of were as soft as a kitten. On the wall there was e-mail correspondence with patients. We will a timeline. The Anglo-Saxons came before the be working through the plan over the next Vikings, and then the Normans came in the couple of months. year 1000 AD. When we set off on the coach it We are also preparing a response to some of was as bumpy as a camel’s back! When we got the issues and questions raised in the survey, back we sang a song and then went home. for example why we don’t proactively inform patients of test results rather than asking patients Here is our song: to contacting us. For more details of the survey, results and plan, We are, we are raiders please see our website www.millstreamsurgery. We sail, we sail in longboats nhs.uk – the link for the survey report is on the We live, we live in crannogs right of the screen. We eat, we eat salmon We are always looking for new members of We weave, we weave tunics both these patient groups. If you would like We smell, we smell awful to join our face-to-face patient panel please see We are, we are VIKINGS! their article in this edition of Benson Bulletin. To join the virtual group please e-mail us at [email protected] or telephone us at www.bensonbulletin.com the surgery (remember there’s no need to be on e-mail to join). 28 BBBB MICHAEL GEE MARKET GARDEN Ba s k e t a n d Pa t i o p l a n t s Ha n g i n g Ba s k e t s a n d Tu b s Se a s o n a l Be d d i n g a n d Ve g e t a b l e Pl a n t s Pe r e n n i a l s a n d He r b s Co m p o s t , Ca n e s a n d s u n d r i e s Find us at: Nr. WATLINGTON OX49 5AN 01491 612479

BBBB 29 rising demand for cheap accommodation for Benson Health Walks people travelling the country in search of work. Margaret Wiggall, writes... Our March trip to The Royal Hospital Chelsea proved very popular and places were quickly Here’s a little riddle for you. What’s fun, free filled. The next outing will be on 26th May and can be done without wearing lycra? Well, to the Thames Barrier. Please contact Paul Health Walks of course! Despite the cold Booker on 01491 825864 as soon as possible weather in January and February the Benson for availability as this is likely to be just as Health Walkers have been continuing to keep fit popular. The meeting on April 27th will include while walking in our beautiful countryside. Was a talk by Neville Lyons entitled ‘The Joe Lyons one of your resolutions to make a difference to Story’ which promises to give us some ‘food for your fitness? Well, why not start now! thought’. We shall as usual follow the speaker You can join our Monday group which does with an excellent buffet supper and a glass or a short, flat walk around the village starting two of wine, both of which can be purchased at 2pm. This is a First Steps walk and is very on the night. Visitors are more than welcome suitable for anyone who is not used to exercise, to our regular meetings and all details can be is recovering from an illness or operation or found in the Benson Library or on the website can’t walk too far. They will take good care at www.spanglefish.com/bensingtonsociety of you. Phone Ralph for more information on With the forthcoming celebrations in mind, 838370. the Historical Sub-Group within the Society The Wednesday morning and Saturday has arranged an additional talk by Colin morning groups take a longer walk out into the Oakes on ‘Diamond Jubilees Past & Present’. countryside. These are at a faster pace and vary This meeting will take place on 11th April in from 2.5 to 4 miles. But don’t let that put you the Canon’s Room at St Helen’s Church and off. There will always be a trained back leader limited places will be available at a cost of who knows the route and who will stay with £3.50 to include coffee. Please contact me as you, making sure you are OK until you feel soon as possible to reserve a place. confident. If you would like to join one of these Sue Brown (Secretary) 01491 837885. walks give me a ring on 01865 890730, If you have read this and said, “That’s no good, I’m working during the day.” Then our Benson Garden Club Wednesday evening walk is for you. This is a brisk walk designed to blow those work Our last talk entitled Skullduggery in the stresses away, get some fresh air with a like- Shrubbery turned out to be an intriguing history minded group. Give Julia a ring if this is the lesson about John Tradescant. In the early one for you 838585, days of gardening interest he counted Royalty All the groups are very friendly and love to and Lords among his employers as a Head have new members. Why not give it a try? Gardener. He travelled widely to collect hitherto unknown plants from around the world. We Local Clubs & Societies know the trdescanthia plant from him but many more came to England through his Collection. Clubs Sec: Jill Parrick The skullduggery occurred when the collection was taken from him by a trick played on him, a The Bensington Society drunken man at the time, and The Ashmolean Museum ended up with the Collection. Our At our Society meeting in February, members speaker certainly brought the story to life and and friends enjoyed a superb talk by local this was quite an unusual subject for us. Our historian Liz Woolley who specialises in last indoor meeting is nearly upon us; in March aspects of the history of Oxford & Oxfordshire. we see butterflies and orchids which sounds Her talk on ‘The night-time haven of the lovely, with Malcolm Brownsword. wandering tribes’ gave an insight into the Some of us signed up for the coach trip to growth of common lodging houses of Victorian Stockbridge to a nursery and to Houghton England that grew rapidly in response to the Continued overleaf.... 30 BBBB Leaders in Outdoor Training BootCamps / 1-2-1 Training or “mixed” FASTFIX Interval Sessions www.nixercise.co.uk Email: [email protected] or contact Nix on 07941 024958

BBBB 31 programme. The afternoon tea and raffle Local Clubs & Societies (Cont.) followed the usual pattern and we are grateful for all the cake makers and committee who Clubs Sec: Jill Parrick look after us so well. Lodge garden, which look superb in the The Bring and Buy stall and raffle are always magazines. Get your name down now for this ready to welcome contributions and the coach outing, non members welcome, first greetings card table serves a welcome service come, first served for seats. It is on June 16th, to members. a Saturday, leaving from Benson. Jane has the Our next meeting, on 11th April will be a We are a friendly club sign-up sheet , telephone 01865 891208 talk by Sylvia Brown, entitled “30 years as a Penny Noble Milkwoman”. Further information from Julia with excellent facilities! Minall, telephone 838 402. Benson W.I. Sylvia Baker • 4 all weather courts • flood lights Our president, Sandra Winterbone, welcomed Benson Tennis Club • social & match play 34 members and 4 visitors to our February • coaching for all ages meeting. After the usual business Yvonne • junior & senior club nights Leworthy spoke briefly about baking cakes for We are offering our Junior Tennis Taster sessions again for the summer term. Classes start on • great value individual & family our forces abroad and encouraged us to join membership in and get baking. Apparently our cakes are Monday 17th April, running for 10 weeks, very popular with our girls and boys serving in aimed at juniors who would like to try tennis As we are right on your doorstep, Afghanistan. for the first time, or perhaps haven’t played at a why not come and join us this year? Our speaker for the evening was Angela Pawlyn while. It costs £34 (£44 non-members), and if, having completed the course, you decide you For more information & and her subject was “From cocoon to scarf”. contact details: Angela weaves scarves using commercially want to join the club and carry on playing, you spun silk as well as wools, alpaca and other get £10 discount of your membership. There www.bensontennisclub.co.uk luxury fibres. She also gives weaving and will be different squads grouped by age/ability dying tuition and workshops. Many of her running during the evening, with the first beautiful handicrafts were on display along sessions starting at 4pm. with her spinning wheel demonstrating to us If you would like to take part, email Liz for how to spin raw silk into thread. The raffle was more details on the address below, but if you won by Delia Carsberg and Enid Belson. The are interested please reply quickly as places are evening was rounded off with tea and coffee limited. giving everyone a chance to relax for a chat and Also, Benson Tennis Club will be holding to admire Val Statham’s colourful knitted scarf our annual quiz night on Friday 27th April at making. Our next meeting will be on April Benson Primary School. Tickets cost £5 on 18th. Our speaker on that night is Steve Mall the night, there will be a licensed bar, but bring and he will be talking about “The world of the your own supper. To register a team call Annie honey bee”. Smith on 838694 or email annie.smith10@ Benson W.I. meets in the Parish Hall every 3rd yahoo.co.uk Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm. Visitors Liz Bowles always most welcome. For more information [email protected] ring Mary Doney on 838748. www.bensontennisclub.co.uk Benson Evergreens Wallingford Flower Club

We were very pleased to have such a good The next meeting of Wallingford Flower Club attendance for our March meeting – there were will be held on 11th April 2012 at Crowmarsh 5 new members plus several visitors – when we Village Hall at 7.30pm. A Floral demonstration were entertained by a folk duo, “Kith and Kin”, will be given by Fabulous Flowers of Abingdon. who are well known in the area and further All welcome Visitors - £4 afield. Their songs were a collection from For more details phone (01491) 834303. countries near and far, and their harmony was Fay Crabbe very impressive, providing a very enjoyable 32 BBBB We are a friendly club with excellent facilities! • 4 all weather courts • flood lights • social & match play • coaching for all ages • junior & senior club nights • great value individual & family membership As we are right on your doorstep, why not come and join us this year? For more information & contact details: www.bensontennisclub.co.uk

BBBB 33 after the Speaker had left. Local Clubs & Societies (Cont.) For your diary: April 4th Dr Martin Holmes will speak on “Thatcherism as History”, May Clubs Sec: Jill Parrick 2nd Colin Oakes will look at “Oscar Wilde’s Benson Trefoil Guild London”. Meetings are held in Crowmarsh Village Hall at 2 00 pm. Visitors are welcome. Our February meeting was an hilarious talk For more information: Phone 01491 680 749 on one of our members trip to India. The way www.walligfordu3a.co.uk our member spoke you could almost visualise Deirdre Wilson yourself there; she described it all perfectly. Her sari she bought was beautiful and her Wallingford Photographic Club pictures of the Taj Mahal made you wish you were there, it was all very interesting. The season continues with more excellent We finished the evening with campfire songs. speakers, discussion evenings and competition. If anyone is interested in joining us we meet Why not visit us at ‘our home’ in the Crowmarsh on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the Sports Pavilion one Thursday evening in the Millstream Day Centre, 7.30 pm. Call Jackie near future – there are plenty of interesting on 839934. evenings still to come! 5th April - Portfolio Competition (4 images on a theme) and Travel Competition - please see Wallingford U3A the website for details. Our Speaker in March was Stephen Pryor. He 12th April – Member’s Evening retired recently after a career as one of the UK’s 19th April – Annual Competition – please see most successful prison governors, so he spoke the website for details. with authority on ‘Prisons - A Private View’. 26th April – Guest Speaker Martin Fry FRPS; He certainly made us think. Although the crime APAGB with his audio-visual presentation rate has been falling steadily for the last twenty ‘Cotswold and Cornish Cream’ which comes years we now lock up proportionately more to us highly recommended! people, for longer, with less chance of parole 3rd May – Alan Fretton returns to give his than we used to, and no other country in Western popular presentation ‘Siberian Odyssey’ Europe locks up as many of its citizens as we Meetings are held on Thursday evenings at the do. Apparently’ locking people up’ is a fairly Crowmarsh Pavilion, (behind the building site recent idea. The Greeks and Romans banished near the bridge) The Street, Crowmarsh, at 7.45 their offenders, and we used to send lots of ours for 8p.m. - 10p.m. to the colonies. But now we have to keep them We are always pleased to see visitors, from at home. Although he said dangerous people beginners to advanced photographers. For must be contained Dr Pryor reckoned that further details telephone 01491 835632 or offending is ‘a young man’s game’ and most see our website http://www.wallingford- grow out of it. But he suggested that prisons are photographic-club.org.uk expensive and corrupting. It costs £121,000 a year to keep someone in A Young Offenders Henley Visually Impaired Group Institute and £52,000 to imprison an adult, but the rate of reoffending has stayed at about Are you visually impaired? Would you like to 80% no matter what methods have been tried. meet other folk in a similar situation? He seemed to suggest, gently, that spending on The Henley Visually Impaired Group meet on early education, rather than on more prisons for the first Tuesday of every month at the Maurice ‘failed criminals’ might be an idea. Tate room, Townlands Hospital, Henley for a Presumably successful criminals don’t get two hour get-together. caught. Winston Churchill, when Home We have a quiz, a raffle, entertainment and a very Secretary, said you should judge a Society by nice tea. We will pick you up from your home how it treats its prisoners. We were told that and take you back afterwards, at no charge.If Thames Valley is having very good results you live in Benson or the close proximity and working with victims and offenders. Groups of are interested, ring Peter Butcher on 01491 people were discussing what he had said long 201114 for more details. 34 BBBB •Cars •Vans •Mini-Bus •Trucks •Breakdown cover •Continental hire •low deposit •special rates Tel Wallingford 01491 837596 Tel Kidlington 01865 842852 www.tvr-selfdrive.co.uk Kidlington open Mon-Fri 8.30-5.30 Sat 8.30-12.00 Sun 8.30-9.30 W allingford open Mon-Fri 8.30-2.00 Sat 8.30-12.00

Te r e s a Ja y n e Ca t e r i n g Local Catering for your Special Events

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BBBB 35 Classified Ads.... Benson Parish Hall Benson Parish Office: 01491 825038 Tel: 01491 201734 Office hours: Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri 0930 am to 1230 pm Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning by your local Short Mat Bowls Mon 1.45-4pm/Wed 7-10pm specialists. Wet or dry systems used. Trained, Badminton Mon 8-10pm insured & NCCA approved. Quality work at Bingo Tues 7-9pm unbeatable rates. Call Grimebusters 01865 Floodlit Tennis Thurs 7.00pm 726983 / 01235 555533 TO HIRE BENSON PARISH or YOUTH HALL Cleaning machines for hire and sale in TEL/FAX 01491 825038 Wallingford (behind Champions). Chemicals, supplies, spares & repairs. Miele vacuum Benson Youth Hall cleaner authorised dealer. Clean Machine 01491 825600 www.machinesthatclean.com Table Tennis Fri 8 - 10pm House and Office Clearance, removals, everything cleared including rubbish. Items email your news to of furniture purchased. Licenced. Tel: 01491 [email protected] 572423 Mob: 07941 935168 All Rubbish Cleared, garden, plastic, glass, About Benson Bulletin wood, unwanted furniture, anything. Licenced [email protected] Est. 1994 waste carrier. Tel: 01491 572423 Mob: 07941 The Benson Bulletin is published by Benson Bulletin 935168 News Association, and delivered free to all households in Lady Gardener available for general garden Benson, RAF Benson, Roke, Rokemarsh, Berrick Salome and Ewelme. All concerned in its production and delivery maintenance, also home cleaning. Reasonable are volunteers. Material published in The Benson Bulletin rates. Phone Diana on 07880 691704 is copyright, but the Editor may grant permission for reproduction upon request. Whilst every effort is made Danny’s Gardening Services Grass Cutting - to ensure the accuracy of information printed in The Landscaping and driveways. Reliable. Good Benson Bulletin, the Editor and Publishers cannot accept Rates. No job too big or small. Tel 07887 any responsibility for the consequences of any errors 580261 or 01491 837230 that may occur. Neither are the opinions published in The Benson Bulletin necessarily those of the Editor or Man & Van Low cost removals and The Benson Bulletin News Association. The Editor is rubbish clearance. Enquiries welcome 7 pleased to receive material for publication, but reserves days a week. Call Mark 01235 511846 or the right to shorten, clarify or reject it at her discretion. 07770 862413 Copy may be submitted via e-mail to bb.editor@hotmail. co.uk. Typed and handwritten copy is also acceptable and Cleaner Required offices at Nuffield. 2 should be delivered/sent to Benson Parish Hall before the hours per fortnight (to suit, during working 12th of the month previous to publication. All printed hours). Rate £10 per hour. Please call photographs will be scanned and returned. Patricia on 01491 642333 BB’s Deadlines Copy: 12th of month previous Wallingford Country Market Advertising: 12th of month previous Every Friday, Regal Centre, The Benson Bulletin Wallingford 8.30 -11.15 c/o Benson Parish Hall Local Plants - Bedding Bonanza! Sunnyside Fresh Home Baking, Preserves, Honey, Benson, Oxon. OX10 6LZ Eggs, Seasonal Produce, Flowers and BBNA Committee Members:- Hand Crafted items Chairman Jill Parrick 838634 Treasurer Kyri Kyriakoudis 839810 Info: 01491 202419 Secretary Patricia Baylis 826289 Wallingford Local Producers Advertising Anne Fowler 201734 Clubs’ Sec Jill Parrick 838634 Market Distribution Don Fletcher 838577 Every Saturday morning 10am - 1pm Editor Anne Fowler 201734 Asst Editor Tom Stevenson 836888 George Craig 839071 36 BBBB DIARY 2012 Ap r i l 2012 April 3 Ramblers. Meet 10am Nuffield nr church.7 miles. Info 01491 838689 4 Crown Inn, Benson: Pub Quiz 8.30pm 5 Benson Garden Club ‘Butterflies and Orchids’ with Malcolm Brownswood 7.30pm Benson PHall 6 Parish Church Choir singing Faure’s Requiem in St. Marys, Wallingford 7pm Free 7 Castle History Walk starts at Wallingford Museum 11.00am £5 @2hrs [unsuitable for dogs] 7 Town History Walk starts at Wallingford Museum 2.30pm £5 @2hrs [unsuitable for dogs] 8 Ramblers. Meet 2pm E Hagbourne Upper Cross. 7+ miles. Info 01235 813326 8 Parish Church Choir singing The Risen Christ in St. Marys, Wallingford 7.30pm Free 11 Benson Grey Bin/Food Waste Collection Day (moved from Tue 10Apr) 11 Crown Inn, Benson: French taster menu night 7.00pm 11 Wallingford Flower Club meeting Crowmarsh Village Hall 7.30pm All welcome – visitors £4 12 Ewelme Elm Club 2.30pm Ewelme Village Hall ‘Photo guessing + tea’ Info: 01491 824712 13 Crown Inn, Benson: 60’s Music Quiz 8.00pm 14 Ramblers. Meet 2 pm Wallingford Town Hall, 6 miles. Info 01491 838689 17 Ramblers. Meet 10am. Benson Church Rd/St Helens Ave junction. 7.5 miles Info 01491 838707 20 TWHAS talk ‘Anglo-Saxon Cemeteries of Berinsfield’ Wfd Town Hall 7.45 £3 21 RAF Family Play Day 10.00 – 15.00 Sunnyside, Benson Go-Karts, Climbing Wall, Youth Bus etc. 21 St George’s Day Celebrations, Watlington 10.00-12.00 Morris, Barbeque, Teas, Crafts etc. 23 Ramblers. Meet 9.40am Wfd Town Hall for bus to . walk back 8 miles Info 01491 834370 26 Benson Parish Council meeting, Benson Parish Hall 7.30pm 27 BEST. Meet PHall 9.30am for car share to Chimney Meadows BBOWT reserve. 01491 838689 28 Charity Jazz Concert Salena Jones & Geoff Eales Trio Wfd Corn Exch 7.45pm £35 May 5 Kidlington Concert Brass concert in Benson PHall 7.30pm £7 raffle for Air Ambulance 6 Abingdon Air & Country Show, Abingdon Airfield Info: www.abingdonfayre.com 7 Chalgrove Festival 10K Start 12.00 noon Info: www.chalgrovefestival10k.com 7 Ramblers.Meet 10 am West Hendred church. 7.5 miles. Info 07976 302136 9 Benson Grey Bin/Food Waste Collection Day (moved from Tue 08May) 9 Wallingford Flower Club meeting Crowmarsh Village Hall 7.30pm All welcome – visitors £4 10 Ramblers. Meet 10 am . 8 miles. Info 01491 836563 10 Benson Parish Council annual parish meeting, Benson Parish Hall 7.30pm 10 Overseas Service Tea Party Benson Parish Hall at 2 for 2.30pm £8 01491 839474 12 Martinau String Quartet 8:00 pm St Peter’s Church Wallingford £13/£11 01491825421 12 Ewelme Horticultural Society Plant Sale. Ewelme Village Hall 10.00-13.00 12 Reading Male Voice Choir charity concert, Regal Centre, Wfd £10 Tickets 01491 826972 13 Wallingford Vehicle Rally & Parade, Wallingford Sports Park www.wallingfordcarrally.org.uk 13 Ramblers. Meet 2pm E Hagbourne Upper Cross. 7+ miles. Info 01235 813326 14 BCA Committee Meeting - venue from Secretary Tel: 01491 824508 15 Ramblers. Meet 10.10 am Benson Marina bus stop . Walk back 10m 838707 16 Ramblers. Meet 10.am Cookley Green War Memorial. 6.5 miles. Info 01491 835387 21 Science Exchange, Corn Exchange, Wfd Mark Pagel FRS ‘History of Languages’ 7.45pm 24 Benson Parish Council meeting, Benson Parish Hall 7.30pm 24 Benson Garden Club Wantage Garden Visit meet at Benson Parish Hall 6.00pm 26 Cello & Piano 8:00 pm St Peter’s Church Wallingford £13/£11 01491825421 26 RAF Spitfires vs Oxford University Rugby 7’s charity match £15 Info: www.ourfc.org

Entry into Benson Bulletin Diary is free - one line only (maximum 85 characters) - we welcome all meeting dates from local clubs and societies - however, to avoid confusion these dates must be clearly listed. Events can also be placed on the Benson Bulletin website - www.bensonbulletin.com.