Of the village, by the village, for the village August/September 2018 111 FinstockServing , , , News Mt.Skippett and Finstock Heath Finstock Ale...... 1 Finstock School and fundraising...... 7 Village Events, Forest Fair...... 2 MP, Cnty Cllr, Shop and PO...... 8 Village Hall events, Keep fit ...... 3 You're in the Army Now...... 9 Obits, District Cllr...... 4 Finstock Festival, Parish Council...... 10 Sm Ads, Women's article, Girl Guides...... 5 Viv Walk...... 11 Reduce and Recycle, School Fête...... 6 Pyrenees, Toddlers...... 12

instock will end its summer event season with the annual Finstock Ale. We have information and comments from our regular Fcontributors throughout the newsletter. There are two more articles on pages 5 and 9 from women celebrating 100 years since they were given the right to vote (within previously noted conditions.) We have articles on our Finstock Festival/School Fête on page 10 and Robert has wandered to the Pyrenees for his article on page 12. Please enjoy the read.

FINSTOCK ALE 2018 - SEPTEMBER 7TH AND 8TH The sixth Finstock Beer and Music All our profits are donated to help There will be an eclectic mix of music festival - traditionally called the the Village Hall charity and the various through the day, with more gentle Finstock Ale - returns to the Village clubs, groups and organisations that acoustic sets in the afternoon, winding Hall on September 7th and 8th, kindly use the Village Hall, which in turn up to a party mood in the evening. sponsored by Howse & O'Reilly. These enables them to keep prices down and Many of last year's performers have days it seems every village holds a beer provide wonderful experiences for our been asking us if they can come back festival, but there are three very good community. Therefore, every drink you and play! Based on your feedback, we'll reasons to come along to the Finstock buy is helping our village to be even have our Filipino Fusion Food Stall to Ale. more special. cater for hungry stomachs. We are affordable. Most of the beer Finstock Ale opens on Friday evening Do come along and bring your festivals in will charge you with a Race Night (sponsored by friends and family. Make sure you £10 to enter. The entry fee usually Sonnox), which was a big success last look out for our Big Lottery ticket comes with a half pint glass and your year. Come along and place a fun bet sale. Lastly, an enormous thanks to first drink. Beers are normally priced at on the races and have a first tasting of all those who help us fund the event £4 a pint. In Finstock, the entry is just the beers. Children are welcome (and through generous sponsorship, Howse £5, which includes a commemorative it's legal for them to join in). Entry to & O'Reilly, Sonnox, Colin Crosby, Croft full pint glass and your first pint. All our Friday evening is free. You can enjoy Enterprises, and all of those who offer beers are then £3 a pint, regardless of one of our famous foot-long hot dogs to sponsor a cask of beer. Your help strength. For those who want to come, but not drink beer, entry is free, and we as well! The bar opens at 7pm. for this event makes us proud of the have a fine selection of gins and other On Saturday, the Ale opens at noon, Finstock Ale! Rod Ireland drinks to tempt you. and continues through 'til midnight. Our beers are special. Many festivals take all their beers from a single distributor, who may pass on Sara and Shaun at Finstock Ale Finstock Beer Festival whatever is in stock at the moment. At Finstock, all our beers are carefully individually chosen and collected from the breweries. That's why we're able to offer you beers from upcoming Oxfordshire breweries that you won't find in the pubs, a selection from Bristol breweries (currently the hot spot of British brewing) such as Arbor, Moor, and Wiper & True, and several other exciting ales. We don't merely cover the casks with wet towels - we use cooling engines and jackets to ensure all beers are dispensed at the temperature the brewer intended. 0 . VILLAGE EVENTS 0 .

Post and hard-nosed editor Ben Bradlee August (Hanks) join forces to expose a decades- 16th Bridewell Open Gardens Bridewell Open long cover-up. Memorial Hall Gardens 2018 August 16th and September 14th September Charlbury Post Office has moved 2 – 4pm 2nd Wychwood Forest Fair to the Mid-counties Co-operative at The Walled Garden, Wilcote, Near 5th School new term starts Spendlove Centre in Charlbury. The , OX7 3DT. 7th and 8th – Finstock Ale opening hours are Monday – Sunday Tel: 868313 www.bridewellgardens. 8th Ramsden Quiz Night 7am – 10pm. This site can handle car co.uk 8th – 23rd Sculpture in the registration and money exchange for Vineyard US dollars and the Euro only. 14th Bridewell Open Gardens North Leigh 29th Phil Beer of Show of Hands History Society September 4th: Saints Sinners and Soldiers in 's Civil War with Enjoyable Autumn Wychwood Forest Fair Stephen Barker. Sunday September 2nd Art Courses All meetings take place in the Turner The annual Wychwood Forest Fair Drawing for Beginners and Improvers, Hall, Church Road, North Leigh OX29 is one of ’s leading 6 weeks, starts Monday, 24 Sep, 1.30-4pm, 6TX at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of Green Country Shows, offering a St James’ Centre the month. All are welcome. Visitors great family day out with over 150 Still Life Drawing, 6 weeks, £4, Members free. Further details from stalls showcasing the best of local starts Tuesday, 25 Sep, 2 – 4.30 pm, Diana Power 882301. Finstock Village Hall rural crafts and trades, arts and crafts, entertainers, community organisations Still Life Drawing, 6 weeks, Ramsden Quiz Night starts Friday, 28 Sep, 10 – 12.30 pm, and conservation groups. For all queries Combe Reading Room please email: info@wychwoodproject. Ramsden Events is running a General org.uk Knowledge Quiz Night in the Memorial Saturday Drawing Workshops, suitable for Beginners and Improvers, Hall on Saturday September 8th in 22 Sep, 13 Oct, 3 Nov & 1 Dec, 10 – 1 pm, aid of the Hall itself and St. James Stonesfield St James’ Centre Ladies, give us Church. Tickets are £12 and include your support! For more information email a supper. Questions are being set by [email protected] Give all your unwanted old bras a local resident Jo Hutson. Teams of eight or ring 01993 880430 new lease of life and help raise money people. All enquiries and tickets from for breast cancer research. Bring them Roz Danks on 868996. to Joy Murphy at 63 High Street. Against Breast Cancer will receive a donation Broken pencils are pointless. based on the weight of bras we collect, Sculpture in the so every bra counts! Vineyard A big thank you to the generous September 8th - 23rd Contemporary donations I have received from the sculpture from over 50 artists in readers of the Finstock News to our Oxfordshire's oldest vineyard. Bothy Breast Friend charity. All bras of any Vineyard Frilford Heath OX13 6QW condition are weighed and we receive sculptureinthevineyard.uk. Raising a small monetary amount per kilo. They funds for Wild Oxfordshire. Take tea FIREWOOD are then sent to Africa where groups and relax. Choose an exciting piece QualityFIREWOOD Seasoned Hardwood Logs of women check, repair and then sell of art to take home! Open from 10am Softwood also available until 6pm each day. Entrance £2.50 QualityKindling Seasoned & Stacking Hardwood Service Logs them. Order Online: www.jagtimber.co.uk This is one of the best ways to be including programme - children free. SoftwoodTel: 01993 also 868001 available charitable as it empowers women to earn a living by running their own ChOC Films Kindling & Stacking Service business. We have so many bras in our Sunday August 12th at 7.30pm: drawers that are uncomfortable but Order Online: The Post starring Meryl Streep and www.jagtimber.co.uk were expensive. Throw those unusable Tom Hanks. bras my way by delivering them to Joy Determined to uphold the nation’s Tel: 01993 868001 Murphy or to me, Nicola Morgan (01608 civil liberties, Katharine Graham 811507). Thank you. (Streep), publisher of The Washington

2 VILLAGE HALL EVENTS Phil Beer of Show of Hands is Venue - Finstock Village Hall You could walk part of your journey at Finstock Village Hall on Saturday 6.30pm - 8pm - Juniors meeting home, pop to the shops on foot, or get September 29th. Doors and Bar at every Tuesday during term-time only. some fresh air in the evening sunshine. 7.15pm, performance at 8pm. 8pm - 10pm - Seniors meeting every To get you started you can download Phil is one of the most popular Tuesday during term-time only. an app which shows how much brisk ambassadors for acoustic roots music. A walking you're doing and how you can dazzling instrumentalist, he is perhaps Finstock Craft Club do more. The app is part of Public best known as a top flight fiddler and Health England's 'Active 10' campaign Craft Club continues to meet every plays in the all-star line-up, Feast of encouraging people to be more active. Monday except Bank Holidays from Fiddles. But his skills don’t stop there; Learn how to download the app and 7.30-9.30pm at Finstock Village Hall. he also plays slide, Spanish and tenor more www.nhs.uk/oneyou/active10/ £1.50 per session (first, taster session guitar, mandocello, viola, mandolin and home. is free). South American cuatro, not to mention We will also meet every Friday contributing rich vocals. Tickets £15 evening, same time, same place Stonesfield from www.wegottickwets.com or email throughout August so please do come Septembeerfest 2018! [email protected]. along to a Friday session if Monday’s Saturday September 22nd Kids bored over the summer? Do are just not good for you! Stonesfield’s family-friendly beer festival they need to get rid of some energy? Discussions are ongoing regarding returns at 12 noon at Stonesfield playing Why not hire the Village Hall at just £5 other craft fairs in the county with the field. The village will be rocking as two an hour for local users. There is plenty possibility of attending the Wychwood stages host an exciting line-up of bands of daytime availability during the school playing everything from folk to jazz to Forest Fair on Sunday September 2nd. holidays. Email villagehallfinstock@ indie music. Attractions will include: This year’s Finstock Craft Fair will be gmail.com. artisan food; children’s activities; a in October, a little earlier than usual. glittering champagne tent; a genteel Look out for more news about this on tea tent serving delicious home-made Finstock table tennis club the village notice board and the next cakes; and of course, a marquee full Currently we are on our summer newsletter. of the finest beers and ciders known break but will resume on September We look forward to welcoming to humanity. 11th (after the Beer Festival). The senior anyone who has an interest in crafting All proceeds will be split between session has a single regular member or who may be looking for guidance two fantastic charities - Alzheimer’s of Finstock (your truly) and would on starting something new. Any Research UK and Dogs for Good. For updates on beers, bands and all things welcome new members from Finstock questions please email me at: rosa@ Septembeerfest follow us on Facebook: or neighbouring villages. finstockcraftclub.co.uk. Stonesfield Septembeerfest or Twitter: New seniors or juniors who would @stoneybeerfest. If your company like to give table tennis a go either Keep Fit, Well and would like to sponsor a barrel of beer, just turn up on a Tuesday or contact Healthy with new App a case of champagne, or any other me: [email protected]. All A brisk 10 minute walk every day aspect of the event, please email Sarah equipment is provided. is a great way to improve your health. at [email protected].

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3 Dear Editor: District Views Thank you for all the thoughtful I was very pleased to attend the Finstock Festival/School Fête. It really showed generosity and help and kindness that with fundraising, plenty of volunteers and attendees, plus musical talent the shown to my family during Roger's community comes together. Congratulations to everyone. long illness and after his death. Such It was sad to hear about the effects of the flash flooding in the village earlier neighbourliness helps to ease the pain this year. I know work is underway to ensure the gullies are cleared on a more of his loss and makes Finstock a good regular basis, but some houses were also flooded on Hill Crescent when rainwater place to live in. ran off the adjoining field and into back gardens and homes, which is a different Barbara Pensom and family problem altogether. There is a proposed change to the funding system affecting the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). The current administration at WODC intends to take away most of the £132,000 grant from CAB. A new method of accessing funds would entail separate requests for funds from other agencies for the different services they provide. This could seriously damage the ability of the CAB to provide services because they are linked. It might be the case that people in the village who have used CAB in the past will have to go to more than one agency for linked advice. (A bit like the frustration one gets from getting to know which council provides Barbara and Roger which service and going round in endless circles). Roger Pensom was a familiar face I will keep you in touch with developments but many residents have told me in Finstock; a face that was always of the invaluable independent advice they get from CAB and it is my intention smiling and welcoming. Among his to fight to preserve it. many contributions to village life was as If you need any advice or help, ring or email me. the Chair of the Forest Action Group. Cllr Andy Graham This organisation was formed many 07908832632 years ago to fight inappropriate housing developments in our area. Pete Welply Citizens Advice Oxfordshire has agreed to take on the position of www.caox.org.uk or Tel: 03444 111 444 Chair for this group and Lisa Miles has Advice on Benefits, Work, Debt and money, Consumer, Family, Housing, Law accepted the Secretary position. I will and courts, Immigration, Health and more. continue as Treasurer. Joy Murphy Many thanks to the Sullivan family who rallied round with shovel and Reginald Howse (Reg) died in July at the age of 97. He was probably the barrow to repair the damage caused oldest man in Finstock. He served through the whole of the WWII, being to the surface of the path beside the called-up just before war was declared. You may remember him reading the Plough by the heavy rain. This is greatly Kohima at the Remembrance Service each year. Reg and his wife Kathleen appreciated by walkers. had been married for 73 years. B Pensom

THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Lesley Dore 868280 Distribution Nicky Higgins 868425 Proofing Tony Hirtenstein 868600 Proofing Joy Murphy 868575 Editor [email protected] Ann Sullivan 868597 Advertising Photographs thanks to staff members and others. Read the Finstock News online at www.finstock. org.uk; join the Finstock Yahoo group – groups. yahoo.com/group/finstock; or write to us at 63 High Street, Finstock Oxon OX7 3DA. Plan ahead – Know the deadlines Issue Deadline Feb/Mar First of January April/May First of March June/July First of May August/September First of July October/November First of September December/January First of November Please keep articles short. As space is limited, the Editors reserve the right to shorten long pieces in the interest of balance. Finstock News does not necessarily share the views expressed in readers’ letters.

4 Oxfordshire Museum SMALL ADS Woodstock Oxfordshire (All numbers start with 01993 unless otherwise stated) Women & Democracy Continues until September 23rd. You can view Friendly hairstylist - In this display we highlight some Use the Village Hall Finstock News online at Haircuts in your home courageous Oxfordshire women for your next event. finstock.org.uk/the-finstock-news Any age, male or female who have made their own important Contact Line ads are charged at 20p per Reasonable rates. contributions to the democratic cause. villagehallfinstock@gmail. word, payment in advance Alison Pritchard com or 868020 Please contact: Tel 01608 810533 Ann Sullivan on 868597 Charlbury Medical Centre Dr Golder has been replaced with Experience and Dr Kate McIntyre. Her background Encouragement NICOLA MORGAN includes work with dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma, Like many women my age my DC FMCA palliative care and prescribing. The mother gave up a good job to care Registered Chiropractor – surgery is advertising for another doctor for her widowed father. She had been McTimoney Technique to cater for the increase in the local to art school and secured a job as a population. designer and cutter in a textiles factory. Kimber Cottage, Woodstock Rd, We encourage patients to use the She never had paid employment again. Charlbury OX7 3ET medical centre website where they My mother-in-law was forced to give Tel: 07968-381335 can order repeat prescriptions, book up her job when she married. Not appointments, read their medical even pregnant, she was expected to I have nearly 35 years’ experience in this gentle, effective manipulative records and see most test results. be at home for her husband. She had therapy, which is suitable for many It does involve a bit of paper work, been working as secretary to the Vice conditions and ages. providing ID and a visit to the medical Chancellor of Manchester University. centre to set it up. There is also useful Later she took a part-time job but still See www.chippingnortonchiropractor.co.uk information on the website, www. did all the housework and cooking at I am registered with most major thecharlburymedicalcentre.nhs.uk. home. health insurance companies. Charlbury Patient Participation A generation later I was discouraged Registered with the Group Newsletter for the group can be from continuing my education despite General Chiropractic Council. found at www.charlbury.info being very academic. I went to work in a shop and it was boring and no challenge. Andrew A. Adams Girl Guiding A German friend encouraged me to meeting times apply for chiropractic training because FCCA All sections meet on Wednesdays she recognised that I had potential to Rainbows - for girls aged between be more than a shop assistant. Luckily Chartered Certified 5 and 7 years. This group meets from for me I loved it and had found a career. Accountant 4.45pm until 5.45pm. Contact for I number amongst my close friends Rainbows is Amy Fox; 07495 064634 a lawyer, company director and an Quality personal service for your Brownies - this group is for girls aged architect, a midwife and a sales director. Accounting, Taxation and between 7 and 10 years and meets Things have changed, but we women Business needs from 6pm until 7.30pm. Contact for still need to fight for our rights. We Brownies is Amy Fox; 07495 064634 need to get pushier, not to be self- Competitive fees agreed in advance Guides - for girls aged between 10 deprecating and unassuming. Free initial meeting and 14 years. This group meets from My contribution is to teach my sons to Telephone: 07790 854574 6pm until 7.30pm. Contact for Guides treat women as equals, respecting their 01993 891280 is Karen Williams – phoenixlights@ abilities and sharing life experiences. [email protected] hotmail.com; 07809 724065 Nicola Morgan

Neighbourhood Watch Building Safe Neighbourhoods www.ourwatch.org.uk/crimes Knowledge is knowing a Neighbourhood Watch schemes of the community. We need new increase awareness about what is scheme Coordinators! If you think you tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is happening around the area that you would like to become a coordinator not putting it in a fruit salad. live and make sure people are looking of a scheme, please email your name, out for each other, especially the address and phone number to: Clare elderly and more vulnerable members Percival [email protected].

5 COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION All life is an experiment. Oliver Wendell Holmes Weekly food waste What to do with things you don't want recycling Charlbury Green Hub The Agrivert anaerobic digestion plant Freegle and Freecycle are great local websites to advertise things you do not near handles our weekly want and for finding really good things for free rather than buying new. There is food waste collection and transforms eBay for advertising more specialist things to a wider audience. it into fertiliser and electricity. The If we give things to a charity to raise money then we want them to get as much plant processes food waste from across as possible so it is better to take things to a charity shop direct than use a plastic Oxfordshire and creates fertiliser for bag through the letter box which usually involves the collecting agency getting local farmers to use, along with enough a fee. Even better to register for Gift Aid with the charity shop so they get your electricity to power more than 4,000 paid tax refunded for the amount they sell the goods for. homes on an on-going basis. We can put textiles out for collection by WODC (in a bag on top of blue-lid For more information about bin), this excludes duvets and pillows and Dix Pit will not take them either, but food waste recycling and to order a homeless shelters will welcome them. replacement kitchen caddy or outside We can also put small broken electrical appliances (WEEE) in our black box food bin see www.westoxon.gov.uk/ for collection by WODC, but larger WEEE items need to be taken to Oxfordshire food. County Council’s Dix Pit. Also remember Bannor Electrical in do a great repair service and also take unwanted things, repairing if necessary, Update from Friends of to sell on a table outside, which raises money for St Mary’s Church at Chippy. Finstock School (FoFS) Dix Pit also take other things for recycling that aren’t collected by WODC – In late June we had a successful use the rubble skip for stones and broken china, they also have skips for all sorts School Fête on the playing field. We of wood, hard plastics, fluorescent tubes, and metals (we can only put domestic were supported by the Dog Show cans, tins and aluminium in our blue-lid bins). Interestingly, after the waste in our and our own new event -- a Produce light grey bins has been incinerated at Ardley (opened Autumn 2014) any little Competition. The weather was good bits of metal are extracted from the ash for recycling, to us meaning the displays of dance, It is tempting to hang onto things in case you need them later, there must be martial arts, mini-Morris and Maypole thousands of glass jars and metal lids being saved in houses all over the country dancing had plenty of space for outside for that jam-making that often never happens – probably best to just keep a few performing. Alongside the refreshments best shaped ones and put the rest out for recycling. and stalls we even fitted in time to gunge a governor, which was an activity Take used batteries to shops that sell them, leave in an envelope on top of the children seemed very keen to raise blue-lid bin, at the Co-op in Charlbury, or take to Dix Pit. Take old spectacles money for! to most opticians who collect them for charities such as Vision Aid and take Huge thanks to everyone who charcoal water filters to Robert Dyas for recycling. Alternatively, if you are going supported us in planning, and on the to Charlbury Farmers' Market, then drop them off the Charlbury Green Hub stall day, and I am pleased to say we raised where we also collect printer cartridges for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and old £1964. mobile phones for Oxfam. This term FoFS helped the school Christine Elliott to buy new reading scheme books, which are already being used. It’s great to see the difference our fundraising has made. West Oxon Dawn Simpkins, On behalf of FoFS Handyman & Home Improvement Services The Codfather Fish & Chip van is opposite Finstock Village Hall Electrical / Plumbing / Flooring / Decorating / Tiling / Woodwork every Saturday from 4 to 8pm Flat pack furniture / Bathroom & Thank you for your kitchen installation continued support Quality finish Fully insured No job too small All jobs considered The Codfather van is in Charlbury at Spendlove every Sunday 4 - 9pm For a free quote call 01993- The Codfather Shop in ’s 868725 or 07717-878323 Thorney Leys provides gluten free fish and chips every Thursday Email: [email protected] India and bric-a-brac 2018

6 Finstock School Raising Funds for What an incredible end to the school year we had. We saw a cold winter full Finstock School of snow which closed the school before and after Christmas, and then the most At the start of June, the current Chair incredible heatwave! and Vice Chair, Paul Coombes and Near the end of term we squeezed in a Musical Showcase; two Performances Rob Barkworth, of the Finstock School from Years 5 and 6 of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a whole school picnic, Governing Body did a charity walk to Leavers' Assembly and Prize Giving, International Days and a Leavers' Service at raise funds for an interactive digital Finstock Church. whiteboard for the school. Having set I think we will all enjoy a rest after such a jam-packed year. Our children an initial target of £1000, they have experienced wonderful sights linked to their topics, including The Living Rainforest (at the time of writing) raised over in Newbury, Corinium Museum in Cirencester, Cotswold Country Park and Beach £1700. The walk was over the South and Fairytale Farm. We would like to say a huge thank you to the Friends of Downs Way starting at Winchester and Finstock School (FoFS) for supporting us with those trips. ending in Eastbourne. Just to make the The week before Sports Day we had a Sports Enrichment week, where the 100 mile walk a little bit harder they children had the chance to experience cricket, dance, hockey, football, athletics, decided to carry all of their food, water rugby and netball. We even had a Circus Day where we got to walk on a tightrope, and camping equipment with them. In ride miniature bikes and spin plates! A big thank you to Mrs Etheridge who total, over four days, they walked for organised the events, and ran our Sports Day. Thames house just beat Evenlode over 53 hours. Having done the Thames and Windrush to the post after events including target throw, long jump, shot Path walk (150 miles) two years ago, put, javelin, hammer throw and the interestingly named howling vortex. again to raise money for the school, The recent Finstock Fête was a super day for Paul and Rob both agreed that The all involved: highlights have to be our children South Downs Way was considerably sharing their maypole and morris dancing skills, harder and more painful. The South being entrepreneurs and selling tickets around Downs Way has over 4500 metres of the event, and for persuading people to part ascents and descents, much of it over Linda sells to Jean at with their money in order to gunge the Chair flint rock paths. With the weight of the book stall 2018 of Governors! rucksacks, it really did push the limits Abingdon and Witney College students, along with members of FoFS, have of the pain barriers. been working hard to transform the area outside Oak class and the hall into a sculpted garden, overseen by Ruth Wilkinson. The area now boasts a beautiful A message from Paul and Rob: seating area, gravel paths and new planting. The school is extremely grateful for all that they have done. "We are extremely grateful I would like to say a huge thank you for my time at Finstock School. Thank you for all of the support we have to the school and wider community for their kindness and support over the last already received. The donations year. The school will welcome Mrs Laura Dodgson-Hatto as the new Headteacher are going to a great cause. We in September, and I know that the school will make her feel as warmly welcomed are so lucky to have such a great as they have done for me. We wish you all a relaxing summer break and look school in our community. Staff forward to sharing the next chapter in the school’s life in September. Best Wishes, Janey Velasquez and volunteers work very hard to provide a nurturing environment Finstock School start of term Wednesday September 5th at 8.40am for our children. It should come as no surprise that all schools nationally are facing funding challenges, and Finstock School is no different. As a small rural school, it is often difficult to afford PJR some of the 'nice-to-haves'. With the support of the local community Plumbing & Heating and the huge commitment from Installation, service, repair the volunteers of the Friends of Gas safety certificates Finstock Society (FoFS), the school can purchase resources that really make a difference to the lives and education of the children. If you would like to donate,

please go to tinyurl.com/y6wtgqrb Tel: 01993 881069 or put money in an envelope and Mob: 07515 733398 hand into the school reception. email: [email protected] Paul Coombes

7 Robert Courts MP Liz Leffman’s recycling focus I hope you are all well and enjoying As I mentioned in my last piece for Finstock News, I was recently tasked by this beautiful summer weather! the Performance Scrutiny Committee with investigating our recycling rates across Recently, communities across West the county. The reason for this is that we have seen a drop in the amount that Oxfordshire came together to raise we are recycling in Oxfordshire and as a result more of our waste is going into awareness about those living with the general waste bins. In West Oxfordshire, our recycling rates are good, but dementia as part of the Alzheimer’s we are not quite as good as our neighbours in South Oxfordshire and the Vale Society’s National Dementia Action of White Horse and when you take food and garden waste recycling out of the Week. It was wonderful to see the huge equation, only half of what we throw away is recycled. There is still a lot that can number and range of activities taking be done to improve things. place right across the constituency, Some of the problem is down to confusion. I certainly find myself questioning all with the aim of breaking down the whether a particular item should go into the recycling or into the general waste stigma around dementia and showing bin these days. And some things we think ought to be recyclable, such as crisp support for those whose lives are packets, juice pouches or pouches that contain wet food for dogs or cats, cannot affected by dementia. I fully support this be recycled as we have no facilities for coping with them. initiative, as it encourages conversation Many of us know that by not using plastic responsibly we may be damaging about a subject we all too often avoid our environment, but what many people don’t know is that the less we send to as a society. During this year’s Action landfill or incineration, the more money we save, and that could be at least £3 Week, I was trained as a Dementia million a year for the county as a whole. Friends Champion, That’s the same amount of money that the Government gave Oxfordshire this meaning I can year to help fill our potholes. Therefore, by being more careful about which bin now train others we put our rubbish in, and making sure that we recycle items like plastic, foil, to understand how cardboard, paper and food, we could get our potholes filled that much faster to help those living and more efficiently. Add to this that recycled plastic is now starting to be used with dementia. A few small adjustments to provide a much longer lasting refill for potholes, with a test to our thoughts and actions can make now underway in the county, and we all have an opportunity at our fingertips a huge difference. to solve several problems at once! As ever, if there is anything you I will be presenting the findings to the Cabinet and I will be making would like to raise with me, please do recommendations as to how we can improve what we do across the county to not hesitate to contact me at robert@ help people recycle more of their waste. Officers are very much behind this so robertcourts.co.uk. I hope that soon we will see our recycling rates improve again. Liz Leffman County & District Councillor Village Shop and Post Office The Village Shop has had a nice new coat of paint care of Nick Butler and The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. the flower boxes are looking wonderful It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion care of Julie Stoney, thank you to both. is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, There are plans to spruce up the car is as good as dead; his eyes are closed. park area but we are awaiting a grant. Albert Einstein Don't forget you can take cash out at the Post Office and, unlike other cash Woodstock Dental Practice roCkford uilders machines here you are very unlikely to C B 35 School Rd, Finstock, get your card cloned as the machine is Mr Michael Habisreutinger checked every day for devices and it is Oxon OX7 3DN Miss Fiona Murphy in plain view of everybody working in EST 1973 Dr Alison Lockyer the shop so we can see it has not been New builds, Extensions, tampered with. Renovations, Situated adjacent to Woodstock town Karen Williams car park Dry or mortar stone walling, Your continued support keeps this Long-established dental practice village amenity open. Groundwork, Hard landscaping, State-of-the-art modern cosmetic dentistry Shop opening hours Natural stone slate specialists, Flexible payment options Crowns, veneers, bridges and dentures Weekdays 8:00am – 5:30pm Re-roofing, Implants Saturday 8:30am – 1:00pm General Maintenance. Tooth straightening and whitening Closed on Sunday All building work undertaken Shop Tel: 869096 Domestic & Commercial 17 Union Street, Woodstock, Oxon OX20 1JF Post Office opening hours Call William on 01993 812617 www.woodstock-dental.co.uk Weekdays 9:00am – 1:00pm 01993 868617 OR 07817248329 [email protected]

8 In the Army Now! 100 Years of Women in the Army. probably because I like to please and Well actually just over 50 since my really didn’t much like being in trouble. enlistment, as in 1967, when supported Not much change there then, but not a by my mum (or was that pushed?), life that would suit everyone! I became a member of the WRAC We marched everywhere, we (Women’s Royal Army Corps). Mum, spent time in the classroom, we were who had served in the ATS (Auxiliary whipped into shape by the PTI’s Territorial Service, the forerunner since (Physical Training Instructors), drilled 1938, of the WRAC), was keen for one on the parade ground in all weathers of her four daughters to take on the and had a pretty good social life, so mantle of the military and it seemed long as you were all tucked up in bed I was the chosen one. The date was by 10pm. Camaraderie and long-lasting October 12th 1967. As a very young, friendships were formed. painfully shy 18-year-old, I left the We completed the six weeks here sanctity and domesticity of family life with a Passing Out Parade (POP) in in my home town of Workington in front of our very proud family and Cumberland. It was the first time ever friends, before being sent home for a leaving the county on my own! From short break. We then moved on to one Carlisle, I travelled to a foreign land of the various training units to prepare (well it was to me anyway), Guildford in us for our chosen role as required Surrey, where my training began. by the military at that time. Choices Queen Elizabeth Barracks (also included signallers, medics, drivers, known as the “Powder Puff Barracks”!), and mechanics, PTI’s, clerks, analysts, built in 1964 and opened by her police, musicians to name but a few. For Majesty the Queen, Queen Elizabeth me this was on to Yeovil in Somerset II, was to accommodate the ladies of to further my admin. and clerical skills. the WRAC. It is here, where for the Here there was more discipline and first six weeks of Army life, we would more education in what looked like a receive the necessary discipline and prison! The very old wooden buildings, training to prepare us to serve Queen known as ‘spiders’, at Houndstone and Country. The ‘nearly new’ purpose- Camp in Yeovil, in the middle of built accommodation was positively nowhere, on a very cold December neat, clean and shining, and we were day, were to be our homes for the next expected to keep it that way. There six weeks. It was a bit of a shock after were four ladies to a room, each with leaving the comfort of the new-builds our own single bed, wardrobe and at Guildford. However, once we were dressing table with stool. Rotas were shown to our ‘bed spaces’ and settled written to ensure that every part of our in, there was no time to dwell on its room and the shared areas were kept shortcomings! It was back to work. up to this very exacting standard. Ten-ton lorries would pick up our One of the main aims of ladies in the frozen bodies and transport us to the military at that time was “to replace the education areas bright and early in the men in non-combatant morning. Evenings were AIRPORT TRANSFERS- roles”. The WRAC spent polishing up the old WITNEY SHUTTLE moto Suaviter in modo, linoleum floors, bulling up fortiter in re translates the very unfashionable WE PROVIDE DIRECT as “Gentle in manner, laced up shoes, (we had TRANSFERS FROM resolute in deed” are by now got used to and FINSTOCK TO HEATHROW (& other airports/cruise words which we would had mastered taking care terminals etc). never forget! Life in the of the blisters), starching Army was alien to me, white collars and making WE ARE PROFESSIONAL, but I loved it! There ready for the routine early FRIENDLY & EXTREMELY RELIABLE. were opportunities and morning inspections. an independence that I Please call or email for prices. would not have had if To be continued in the [email protected] I had stayed at home. October/November issue 01993 705993 I believe I responded of the Finstock News. FREEPHONE: 0800 043 4633 well to the discipline, Rosa at HQ BAOR in 1971 Rosa Charlesworth 9 Finstock Festival 2018 What a great feeling. A very many local musicians playing free of successful Festival. Fantastic weather. charge through Saturday afternoon in And everything packed away for support of the School Fête; a big thank another year. Time for our committee you to them all. and all the people that helped to take The Festival continued at 4.30pm a well deserved rest. with the Wood Green Band playing a Two weeks before the Festival we good two hours; they were excellent. made the last minute decision to spend Then our rock bands took to the stage: £1300 for a new 12m x 6m marquee Paradox. Mid Life Crisis and Standard. because one of the original ones had It was a fantastic line up of music to a large tear in the cover. However we please everyone. managed to find some amazing tape The Bar and Food did very well and that enabled us to repair the split in the the figures, although not complete, old cover. Combining the two marquees look very promising after last years gave us a much larger covered area for small loss. Hopefully this year’s Festival the Festival and a considerably larger has created a great format for future bar, which was a great improvement festivals. on previous years. We are still very short of volunteers Friday evening Finstock Festival for the Sunday pull down. This is a huge kicked-off with well-supported live operation we finally turned the keys in music from bands Brandy and Growler. about 8pm. Being a free entry event on both Friday A big thank you to everyone that and Saturday we were able to open the helped to make our festival a great sides of the marquees and really enjoy success! the fabulous weather. Rock on Finstock Festival 2019 KINGS The Festival committee organised Colin Stringfellow, Chairman CLEANING SERVICES AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

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Big tent action 2018 Peter waits for beer 2018 Ring 01993 882727 or 07974 991269

News from the Parish Council Prior to the present period of what is required for both personal Mediterranean weather, parts of the safety and good order has revealed village were affected by a heavy significant work is required outside We are going rain spell that filled gullies, drains funds budgeted. he work required is overflowed and some houses were long outstanding which makes our costs from strength to under severe threat of flooding. We considerable, perhaps our largest single strength have asked WODC councillors to seek item of village ongoing maintenance. Brand new classes and a great new timetable technical advice and support to alleviate However, we have no choice in this there is no requirement to commit this situation in future. Sandbags are matter, but it may well mean further to a long term contract available from WODC for £2.75 per bag increases in the precept will be needed We are open as follows:– • 6.30am to 9.30pm, during the week and which seems a sensible investment for next year. • 7.30am to 7.30pm at the weekend. the avoidance of the nightmare of our Elections for the PC are due in May homes flooding. We intend to continue 2019. Anyone prepared to serve, would full membership is available our pressure on Thames Water to fulfil be very welcome. Please contact the from just £31 per month! their responsibilities to the village Clerk, June Pratley if you are interested (figure based on full dual membership) As noted in our last report, the PC (868570). For more details email is now responsible for the upkeep of Hywel Davies [email protected] the churchyard. Detailed analysis of On behalf of the Parish Council or call 01993 885 207 WWW.eynshamhall.com

10 Lovely Walks a short car drive away There are some really super walks site in about the 12th century. The pews It goes through a lovely ford with short car drives away, so I thought are Box Pews, or family pews, with a footbridge at the side -- super for I would tell you about one that can couple of rows at the back. There are children to see - and wade through! A become three! two Medieval Wall Paintings dating lovely peaceful spot. Head for Swinbrook by driving across back to 1350, which were discovered Back on the road coming out of the to . Follow the road round in 1904; stunning to think they are so churchyard, turn right, and follow it through the village, over the 'speed old. There is apparently an amazing right round, being wary as no footpath, bumps' down the hill then branch right. Roman floor, also discovered in 1904, to The Swan at Swinbrook! This is a Drive along to the next junction, branch which has had to be covered because super 'pub' with large rear garden, left then immediately right, up and over so much was being taken by 'treasure- usually with chicks, etc., trotting about and along a long narrow road, through hunters'! It will be exposed again one there, or a small garden across the woods - branch left at the next junction, day when it can be protected. There road right by the bridge and river. It is and you will soon be coming into are still services held in this gorgeous just lovely standing on the wide bridge Swinbrook. After about half a mile you bit of history. looking at the two branches of the river will see a road that turns sharply right, Now, having had a good look around, swirling through and the fields beyond. almost back on itself; go up there, over you have a choice of three walks. I will After a nice rest and refreshments, you and along, and then as you go down the take you first on the one that is probably can either retrace your steps -- there hill you will see a small lay-by on your the most interesting. When you exit St is a long circular walk, but I think it left on the grassy bank -- park there! Oswald and get down on the track, turn is quite nice returning the same way Just in front of the lay-by is a stile and left and walk along through the fields because you are looking in a different 'Footpath' sign. Clamber over and start -- super views on your right and up the direction! (I will tell you about the other walking and you will be looking down banks on your left. walks later.) an amazing green valley, with a steep There are sometimes cows in this Viv Wightman bank on the right and lovely woods on field; they are quite inquisitive, but the left (it is fabulous here when there is are so used to seeing loads of people The Royal Observatory has installed snow - the sledges, or just huge plastic walking through, they are no problem. a new suite of telescopes collectively sheets, go really fast!) Walk down the called AMAT: the Annie Maunder valley. If you do this often, you will find Astrographic Telescope. The captivating there is a path along the top on the right images will be put online, reaching hand side, which gives a completely a global audience. Annie Maunder, different aspect of it all! one of the first women to work at Greenwich, joined in 1891. She had a paid job working on Solar Observation. When she married in 1895, she had to resign her post due to restrictions that St Mary's, Swinbrook barred married women from working in public service. There is a double-gated stile you pass through then you have an uninterrupted walk across to a gate in the wall. Keep Enjoy thE finEst looking around at all that is going on winE bEEr & food St Oswald -- ducks and geese creating havoc! You then walk along a walled path to a bend A tradition of warm hospitality As you go down the valley, you will see since the 17th century. across past on old house with trees etc., where you can either go through a gate to fields and water - magical - you then and past some houses or up into the A churchyard. This church is St. Mary’s, oy L come to a wall, with gate and stile, o which is another very old building, r scramble over (they are all 'scrambling' A

about 1200. Again this is well worth E stiles!) and on your right, you will look K up to St. Oswald's Church, which is a visiting with two trios of reclining figures h

tiny little church way out in the middle - The Fettiplace Effigies - one set Tudor, t of the fields with a walled surround and the other Stuart. Also, the Mitford small churchyard. Sisters are buried in the churchyard. rAMsdEn This area is called Widford. Whatever When you exit the churchyard you Mon - Fri: 11.30-3.00pm, 6.30-11.00pm you do, don't walk on until you have are in the centre of Swinbrook. The Sat: 11.30pm Sun: 12.00-10.30pm been inside. Go down to the right, over Memorial Hall is there with a stream Tel: 01993 868213 the cattle grid and up to the church; it is running by and if you have the time, the road that goes up past the Hall turns left [email protected] just awesome. It was built on a Roman www.royaloakramsden.com and goes round in a circle.

11 Pyrenean floral delights in June Finstock Baby and As I write, we have appeared, gliding in spirals over our Toddler Group - new not long been heads, looking for a tasty meal! term is on its way! back from a In the woods at As you read this, Finstock Toddler holiday in the lower altitudes Group will be on its summer holidays Pyrenees. Our were clumps of having ended the summer term in its base was in a small intense blue usual party style, including a bouncy Spanish resort called Roses, but we flowers of the castle, ball pit and lots of yummy treats went on several forays, into the very very poisonous for everyone! We like to give all the little rugged mountains, and travelling Aconitum commonly known as ones a morning to remember before through the fertile valleys, full of monkshood. A large single vase shaped they head off on their holidays. vineyards, apricots, peaches, cherries peony was a spectacular sight. Spires We have had lots of fun over the and of course olives. of the furry Verbascum lychnitis, some last half term, from celebrating the In early June the flowers were like single and others multi headed Royal Wedding to painting suns for the beautiful, especially up in the high candelabra, covered with primrose summer solstice and even decorating alpine meadows where cows are still yellow flowers and small foxgloves, our own sunglasses! There are plenty taken to their summer pastures. This appeared in the glades between the of toys for all ages and we also have a area is well named “the flower garden trees. large selection of baby toys; it has been of European alpine flora”, boasting In contrast, we saw a very different great to see an increasing number of some 60 varieties of orchid and all variety of plants on the hot scrubby babies join our group. the main flower groups represented Mediterranean headland near Roses, The new term will be back on in profusion. We were amazed to see the most eastern point of Spain. On Wednesday September 5th. We meet meadows, sprinkled with the staggering the barren lower dry slopes, large Cacti, every Wednesday morning (during term dark blue trumpets of Gentian cluii and “prickly pears” Opuntia”, towering time) from 10 - 11.30am in the Village the bright blue spring gentian G Verna, some six foot high and covered in Hall, with toys, themed activities and as well as the blue snow gentians G large yellow, red or orange globes of snacks for the little ones plus hot/cold nivalis. It was hard not to tread on tiny flower with their very prickly fruits, drinks, cake and chat for the adults! We Heartease Viola tricolour along with also numbers of king size spiny football look forward to seeing you there. If you some beautiful yellow primulas Primula shaped Echinocactus, and great clumps haven't tried us out yet, come along for Auricula in the natural rockeries, beside of succulent grey coloured Agaves. a free first session! Find us on Facebook the fast moving torrential streams, Patches of the yellow flowered Spanish where we post regular updates. coming down from the remaining snow broom, lit up areas of barren ground. Helen Fallows fields of the mountains. Terracotta and white painted houses, The small purple flowers of Saxifrage sported the mauve, pink and red Healthwatch Oxfordshire oppositifolia tumbled over the rocky Bourgainvillea, and trailing Wisteria The county’s health and social care outcrops, sometimes joined by the with their chains of purple flowers watchdog collects your opinions and white flowering Saxifrage intricata A final delight was seeing fields of experiences and informs and influences and patches of the pink flowers of the purple lavender through the windows those who run your health and social moss campion Silene acaulis. As we of the TGV train as we hurtled north care services. ate our sandwich lunch sitting on rocks through the French countryside. healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk. surrounded by flowers, Griffin vultures Robert and Elizabeth Bigwood PELLMANS Your Local Solicitors • Business and Employment Law Contracts, Legal Compliance and Disputes • Property Buying and Selling Homes, Commercial and Agricultural • Wills, Probate and Trusts Tax Planning and Lasting Powers of Attorney 01865 884400 www.pellmans.co.uk

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