Village Voice The Newsletter of Stanton Harcourt and Sutton September 2011
How’s your broadband? Many rural parts of Oxfordshire have poor access to broadband (and especially superfast broadband) and/or mobile phone networks due to lack of infrastructure. Left to its own devices, the private sector is likely to continue to be slow to roll out current and next generation broadband to rural areas. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and its partners are working together to solve the Digital TV Switchover problem. The Council plans to use its own broadband infrastructure network (available to all Advice Points in Witney schools, libraries and other OCC buildings), the Oxfordshire Community Network, to get the rest Oxfordshire, parts of Berkshire and of the county connected to broadband in a project Buckinghamshire will begin switching to digital- called „Oxonline‟. They will also be examining only TV on 14 September 2011. The two-stage other infrastructure, such as CCTV networks, to process will be completed two weeks later on see if they could be of use in improving coverage. 28 September. This means the existing analogue The aim is to make sure that everyone has TV signal will be switched off and replaced with a satisfactory broadband and mobile access new, stronger digital TV signal. by 2015. Switchover is happening so that Freeview The County Council would like communities to tell services (digital TV through an aerial) can be them what they think about broadband speeds extended to people who can‟t currently get them. and mobile coverage in their area. There is an Any analogue television left unconverted will no online survey form to complete at: longer be able to receive TV programmes after the switchover. If you already have Freeview, you http://domino2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/forms/forms.nsf will need to re-tune your TV on the day /frmOxonRuralDigitalInfraStudy?OpenForm of switchover. This kind of evidence is important in order to Oxfordshire Rural Community Council will be make a good business case for national funding running an advice point in Witney to help with any support for the Oxonline project and to interest questions you have about switchover, including commercial broadband infrastructure providers. re-tuning, equipment, and the Switchover Help Also, it would be helpful for the Council to have Scheme. The advice points are taking place from case studies showing how superfast broadband 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on 14, 15, 28 and 29 has made or would make a big difference to September at The Corn Exchange in Witney. people personally or doing business. If you have a question about the switchover or They would also like to hear from communities, if what you need to do, please pop in and they will they have come up with any innovative ideas for be able to help. improving their high speed broadband access that they are implementing or have implemented themselves. Please note: If you have useful feedback to give or want Phil and Linda are involved in a family further information about the Oxonline project, wedding near the end of September, so the contact Dawn Pettis at the County deadline for October‟s Village Voice will be Council on 01865 816082 or at Friday 16 September 2011 [email protected].
Help – Festival Week 2012 Bounce Dance Classes Return! Following Festival Week and the Fête this year, the After an energetic and funky performance on Gala Day Committee met to discuss the highs and lows of the (despite the rain!), Bounce dance classes are starting Week and how improvements could be made for again each Saturday morning in Stanton Harcourt next year. Village Hall. Classes begin on Saturday 1 October. When discussing general comments from local people, We are a fun, friendly dance group where the aim is to it was clear that many did not realise that Festival learn new skills, get fit, and work towards local, Week is a community affair and an opportunity for community-based performances. Village organisations and charities to gain from 9.00–10.00 am CHILDREN/TEEN dance class Age 8+ opening gardens, staging events, or manning a stall or Come and learn a range of dance styles from activity at the Fête. One question we are often asked, Bollywood to Street. for example, is “how much money did it make?” But 10.00–11.00 am ADULT dance class. This class we are not a money-making organisation, we simply focuses on jazz-based styles such as Lindy Hop and set things up for others to gain from the events during Charleston, and is great way to get fit. the Week (whilst hopefully not making too much of a loss for the committee in the process). 11.00 am–12:00 noon TEEN street-dance class. This class is aimed at those only wanting to learn We are a small but very active group, and for one or street dance. two of us this will be our 10th year (so we are not getting any younger)! We do have several people All classes are £4 and we welcome new members and outside the Committee who give their time year after beginners. If you are interested in joining a class year to help with the more physical tasks before, please contact Jenny Posselwhite at: during, and after the day of the Fête – but we did feel [email protected], on 01865 731600 or just that we were a very small group this year. We are show up! planning the Fête for Saturday 23 June next year, so if I would like to thank all the dancers who worked anyone is willing to commit to helping on the Friday extremely hard towards the performance on Festival evening, Saturday or Sunday morning, please contact Day, to the parents who supported us (especially me. We will not ask you to attend Committee Eleanor's Dad for the voice over!), and to audience meetings, just to give a commitment to help for an members who fed back some lovely, positive hour or two over that period. comments. Thank you – we enjoyed it and we're glad Thanking you in anticipation of your support. you did too! Finally thanks to the dancers for the lovely gifts and flowers for me and my new baby, William, Paul Cross, Chairman (01865 881363) who was born in early July! Looking forward to seeing
you in October! Jenny Posselwhite
Pantomime 2012 – Auditions Oxford Theatre Company presents: The Three Little Piggy Bankers! Monday 26 September 2011 The Jungle Book A family show combining theatre, songs and puppetry Children – Non-speaking parts 7.00 pm Adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s stories by Neil Duffield Speaking parts 7.30 pm Saturday 24 September at 7.00 pm Script samples or further information available from Jan Tomlinson on 01865 881709 or [email protected] in Stanton Harcourt Village Hall
Tickets available at the Shop at The Harcourt Arms,
The Fox, or from 01865 880540 or 01865 881412 Jumping 10,000 feet Prices – Adults £8, Concessions £4, Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £20 for Charity On 23 September, Rachel Pascoe is taking part in a 10,000-ft parachute jump to raise funds to support the Royal British Legion NSPCC in their work to end cruelty to children in the Could you help? UK. Their services provide help and support for children, young people and their families. If you would The Stanton Harcourt Branch of the Royal British like to sponsor Rachel or make a donation, please Legion is 90 this year. It is the fourth oldest branch in contact her on 01865 731293 or stop her in the street! the country. However, the secretary, Charlie Davis, will be retiring at the AGM – he has done a splendid job since the branch reformed in 1991. It is also very likely Antiques Valuation Day that John Faulkner, the treasurer since 1991, will also Friday 23 September, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm be retiring at the same time. Unless they can be Sts Peter and Paul Church Hall, West Way, Botley replaced, the branch will have to close. There is no Have your antiques valued at £2.00 per item requirement that the officers have to be members of in aid of Sts Peter and Paul Church the Legion. Volunteers are needed – could you or All day refreshments • Enquiries 01993 704005 someone you know help? Please ring John Faulkner on 01865 880540.
Eynsham–Farmoor–Botley Parish Council Updates Cycle Path Campaign Parish Councillor candidates: Tony Gibbs and David Kybett have offered themselves for election at the The Botley to Eynsham road (B4044) is one of the forthcoming Parish Council meeting on Monday 12 Sept. busiest B roads in the county with up to 10,000 Fox Field: On Sunday 4 September, Fox Field is being used vehicles a day. The road is winding, unlit and by Nick Taylor for the marquee reception following the throughout its length it is difficult for vehicles to marriage of his daughter Victoria. We wish the happy couple overtake a bicycle against oncoming traffic. Also, all the best. Every effort will be made to minimize the pedestrians only have pavements within Farmoor. inconvenience to local residents. Waste and Gravel Policy: A consultation for the final OCC A cycle track linking Eynsham – Farmoor – Botley Core Strategy Policy 2030 for both waste and gravel starts would reduce the dangers associated with travel, on 5 September. Details can be found on the OCC website, increase cycling and walking for local journeys, and the consultation closes on 31 October. recreation and health, reduce carbon emissions from Tar Road Travellers’ Site: The venue for the second Public transport, and reduce congestion. The best plan would Inquiry is still awaited, but the Inquiry is expected to start on be for a track to be off-road, separated from the main Monday 17 October. It is hoped that it will take place in carriageway, and wide enough to be multi-purpose, Stanton Harcourt Village Hall. serving the needs of both cyclists and pedestrians. To support the campaign, go to: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/westoxfordcycletrack Eynsham Fruit Festival campaign/ This year‟s Fruit Festival will be held on Saturday
24 September in St Leonard’s Church Hall, Smelly nappies! Eynsham from 10.00 am until 2.00 pm. Enjoy apples, plums, pears etc. and food from the wild, as Please could people not put unbagged dirty nappies into the well as tasting, juicing, smoothies, recipes, and preserving. bin at the Bury Mead playground. They smell, attract flies, and are very unhygienic for children using the bin for sweet There will also be experts on apple identification and wrappers etc. Please bag nappies or take them home. pruning, and games to enjoy. There are lots of free apples to take away – so bring a bag! For more information, contact Sue Raikes: tel 01865 464021 email: Oxford Historic Churches Trust [email protected]
Sponsored Cycle Ride and Stride Saturday 10 September Consultation on Libraries In recent years thousands of people from churches Having listened to the feedback it received about the and chapels in Oxfordshire have participated in this future of library service provision, Oxford County popular occasion, which provides the opportunity to Council has revised its proposals for how the service visit churches as well as raise much-needed money for should be delivered in the future. the Trust and the churches. Since it was started in The County Council is now conducting a public 1986, the annual ride has raised over £1.8 million, half consultation on these proposals, which will run until of which has gone to the churches nominated by the 30 September. You can give online feedback at participants and the other half to the Trust. In total, www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraryserviceconsultation or 540 churches are visited by over 900 cyclists and by filling in a printed feedback form available at all walkers, and around 2,000 people help keep these libraries and council offices. churches open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. For more information, go to www.ohct.org.uk/bike.htm Bridewell Organic Gardens
Tractors – Please slow down! Therapeutic Gardens in West Oxfordshire Please can all tractor drivers slow down through the Our garden and vineyard in Wilcote Village. There have been several incidents recently on will be open 2.00–5.00 pm on: roads and footpaths where pedestrians have nearly Sunday 11 September been injured. Tractors are much larger nowadays and Refreshments will be available • Adults £3.00 are not as fast to brake as cars – an accident is waiting to happen, so please slow down before it does. For further details contact us on 01993 864530 or email [email protected] Registered Charity Number 1069878 th 12 Wychwood Forest Fair
Sunday 4 September St Michael’s Church 200 Club Southdown Farm, Witney, off the Hailey Road July draw For more information, go to www.wychwoodproject.org 1st 187 M Floyd 3rd 119 J Hill 2nd 277 M Jones 4th 103 J Watts Next Village Markets – 3 Sept, 1 Oct August draw
12 noon to 2.00 pm at the Village Hall 1st 137 M Carter 3rd 260 V Hibberd 2nd 142 P Jacob 4th 178 K Osman
Recycling Swap Shop The Catholic Church of St Peter Saturday 17 September, 10.00 am to 12 noon Fr Martin Flatman 07719 646790 [email protected] Eynsham Baptist Church Hall, Lombard Street Run by Eynsham Area Waste Watchers (EAWW) Services: Sunday Mass 10.00 am as part of Transition Eynsham Area Saturday (for Sunday) 7.30 pm; Monday 5.30 pm; Tuesday 7.30 pm; Wednesday 9.30 am; Friday 6.00 am. Items can include bric-a-brac, toys, equipment, tools, books, CDs, plants, clothes … anything which might be useful to or St Peter’s Church: Open for prayer every day at Abbey valued by someone else! Any L-A-R-G-E items can be Street, Eynsham, OX29 4HR. Tel: 01865 881613 advertised for swapping on a notice board. International Bring and Share Supper: Friday 16 September. There will be no charge, but please let me know We have to clear the hall at the end of the morning and left- what kind of food (sweet or savoury) you are going to bring. overs are taken to charity shops, recycling skips or landfill. Sponsored Walk: Sunday 25 September at 2.00 pm. In aid We have some tips to help you recycle various items – the of Gatehouse, which feeds and cares for the poor in central tips leaflet will be available at the swap shop or ring for a Oxford. The walk is from St Peter‟s, Eynsham, along the copy. For further information please contact EAWW: Thames to the new Gatehouse premises in Oxford. Liz Bickley on 01865 884496 or [email protected]. Website: www.stpeterseynsham.org.uk
What’s on at The Harcourt Arms? And finally … Tel: 01865 881931 Latest technology in Blackditch Did you know that we’re open on The new homes built recently in Blackditch include some of Sunday nights for food? 6.00–9.00 pm the latest environmentally-friendly approaches and technology in modern building. The homes include hemp in Tuesdays ~ The Sausage Club (every Tuesday at the mo) the construction materials, which creates breathable walls, £7.50 ... and try a glass of house wine for only £2.50 providing better indoor air quality, and ground source heat Wednesdays ~ Fish „n‟ Chip night £9.95 with a pint of beer pumps, which extract heat from the ground for under-floor or glass of house wine heating and hot water. A rainwater harvesting system uses Thursday ~ Steak night from £8.95 with a free pudding! rainwater to flush the downstairs toilet, and photovoltaic Early Bird Menu ~ Runs Tuesday to Friday, 6.00–7.15 pm ~ panels have been installed on the roof to provide carbon- kids get a meal, soft drink and ice cream for £5 friendly solar power. Finally, the windows are triple glazed to minimise heat loss. All these measures will reduce the Sunday Lunch ~ 1 Course £9.50, 2 courses £12.50, all running costs for each building significantly, and are being 3 courses £13.95. Children on half portions pay half price. incorporated in other Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership Reservations needed to avoid disappointment. projects across the county. 1st Friday ~ 2 Sept ~ For the Blokes ~ Lots of serious banter and intelligent conversation (gets better the more Parish Council information beer they drink!) The Parish Council posts its notices at four locations: on the 3rd Friday ~ 16 Sept ~ For the Girlies ~ An evening when Village Green, outside the Village Hall, Sutton Lane near quality wine is quaffed New Road, and at the top of Steady‟s Lane. When it is not practical to post at all four locations, the main ones are on www.harcourtarms.com the Village Green and at Sutton Lane. After approval at the subsequent meeting, Council Minutes are available in the Village Shop and on the website. All official communications St Michael’s Church should be addressed to the Parish Clerk: Trudi Gasser, Rev. Sarah Sharp 5 Woodlands, Standlake, Oxon, OX29 7RA. 01865 880249 [email protected] 01865 301720 [email protected] September Parish Council website: http://www.wospweb.com/ site/Stanton-Harcourt-Parish-Council 4 9.30 am Parish Communion with Sunday School 11 10.30 am Benefice Communion in Yelford Thank you to this month’s contributors. Material for 18 10.30 am All Age Worship Village Voice can be sent by email or put through Phil 25 8.00 am Holy Communion and Linda’s letterbox. Please include your name and 8.00 pm Late 8ers Pizza Party phone number in case we need to check anything.
Sutton Methodist Chapel Deadline for the October issue: Contact: Rita Stockill 01865 880200 Friday 16 September 2011
September 4 3.00 pm Rev R Donoghue, incl. Holy Communion Published on behalf of Stanton Harcourt Parish Council 11 10.00 am Family Service by Phil and Linda Loder, 25 Bury Mead, Stanton 18 10.00 am Harvest Service, with Sunday School Harcourt, OX29 5SD. 25 3.00 pm 01865 883016 [email protected] Wed 7 September: Coffee morning, 10.00–11.30 am. All While we try to ensure the accuracy of information in Village welcome – if anyone would like to come and requires a lift to Voice, readers use the information at their own risk. Chapel and home afterwards, please call 882051. Opinions expressed are those of the contributors and not Wed 21 September: House Group at Chapel, 9.30 am. necessarily those of the Editors or the Parish Council.