Welcome to Beckley
New residents’ survival pack!
1. Abingdon Arms Pub 2. Beckley and Area Community Benefit Society Ltd (BACBS) 3. Activities organised by BACBS 4. Village Hall and other community activities 5. Beckley Church 6. Beckley Primary School 7. Stanton St John and Islip Shops 8. Stanton St John PYO 9. Local delivery and postal services 10. Local GP Surgeries 11. Good Neighbour Scheme 12. Bin collections 13. Buses 14. Newsletters 15. RSPB reserve 16. Maps and Walks 0
Abingdon Arms Pub
The Abingdon Arms was purchased by the community in 2016 under the auspices of the BACBS, set up for this purpose, when the pub was put up for sale by its owner, Brakspear, following a deterioration in both the running and fabric of the enterprise. BACBS appointed tenants to operate the pub, which reopened in June 2017. Since that time it has gone from strength to strength and is now a successful blend of local village pub and destination restaurant. The prices are competitive and the atmosphere welcoming. We thoroughly recommend an early trip to sample its wares!
It is open 7 days a week.
THE BAR
MONDAY - SUNDAY 11AM-11PM
THE RESTAURANT LUNCH DINNER
MONDAY TO SATURDAY 12-2.30PM
SUNDAY 12-4PM
MONDAY - THURSDAY 6-9PM
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 6-9.30PM
Website https://www.theabingdonarms.co.uk/
Phone Tel: 01865 655667
Email: [email protected]
Table reservations can be made online via the website.
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Beckley and Area Community Benefit Society Ltd (BACBS) website https://bacbs.org
BACBS was initially formed to save The Abingdon Arms pub from closure by the then owners, Brakspear. Much support was received from the Plunkett Foundation (https://plunkett.co.uk/ ) and its ‘More than a Pub’ programme and BACBS raised the £1/2million from about 300 investors that was required to purchase the pub. The society went on to improve the building and gardens ready for the first tenants, and subsequently added a new, fully accessible, toilet block.
In addition to being the owner of the pub land and buildings, and the landlord to the tenants who run the pub’s business, BACBS is involved in other community enterprises detailed elsewhere in this guide.
BACBS is run by a committee and the current members are:
• Chair: Mike Hobbs • Treasurer: Gabriel Brodetsky • Secretary: Adrian Hampshire • Communications: Lise Traynor, Gabriel Brodetsky, Adrian Hampshire • Community engagement: Susy Jepson, John Stradling • Financial Governance: Gabriel Brodetsky, Sam Clarke, Adam Jeffrey • ‘More than a Pub’ programme: Susy Jepson, Dave Drew, Mike Hobbs and co-opted member, Mary Stuck • Property: John Stradling, Dave Drew, Adam Jeffrey, Lise Traynor (garden) • Tenant Liaison: Nin Kelay, Mike Hobbs, John Stradling
See also https://bacbs.org/our-story for a complete history of BACBS!
If you would like to be a part of this community venture, you can buy shares by contacting the Secretary on [email protected] .
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Activities organised/supported by BACBS
Under the ‘More than a Pub’ programme, BACBS organises or supports both regular and one-off events.
Regular activities at, or starting at, the pub
WOMEN OF BECKLEY 12.30pm – First Tuesday of each month LUNCH Contact Sarah Smith for more information: [email protected] MEN OF BECKLEY 12.30pm – First Wednesday of the month. LUNCH Contact Steve Smith for more information: [email protected] COMMUNITY COFFEE 10.00–11.30am - second Thursday of each MORNING month. Coffee and cake. Come along, meet old, and make new, friends.
COMMUNITY WALKS Approximately once a month, usually at the weekend. Watch the BACBS website. https://bacbs.org/newsletters and https://bacbs.org/events . Dogs usually welcome, except in parts of the RSPB reserve. JAZZ @theAA 6.30–8.30 - third Sunday of each month No entry charge, fund-raising raffle.
COMMUNITY AFTERNOON 4.00–5.30pm - last Wednesday of each TEA month. Afternoon tea with family, friends, neighbours…. Tea, coffee, cake. Table games now available too.
Special events
LITERARY AND On some non-jazz Sunday evenings, watch the BACBS EDUCATIONAL TALKS website, https://bacbs.org/newsletters and https://bacbs.org/events
Plaque on the front of The Abingdon Arms celebrating its connection with the author Evelyn Waugh
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Village Hall and other community activities
There are always activities going on in the village. Some of these are one-offs, and others are regular. Some of these happen in our new award-winning village hall. See http://beckley- and-stowood-pc.gov.uk/village_hall/Home.php for information about our hall.
Regular activities
Table tennis Beckley Village Hall 10.00 to 11.00 Mondays Contact Alison Kealy (01865 358714, [email protected]) or just turn up!
Art club Beckley Village Hall 9.30 to 1.00 Fridays Contact John Stradling (01865 351623, [email protected]) https://beckleyart.com
Senior circuits Beckley Village Hall 8.30 to 9.30 Wednesdays Contact Carl Davis ([email protected]) or just turn up!
Beckley book group Various homes in Beckley 20:00 to about 22:00 Fridays about every 6 wks Open to all, contact Lyn Croft (01865 358514, [email protected])
Stanton film club Stanton Village Hall Contact Sue Baker ([email protected])
Beckley Community Orchard (1/3 the way down Otmoor Lane on way to RSPB reserve) Contact Matthew Pether ([email protected])
Judy Bushrod circulates information about events in the village or locally. Email Judy if you would like to be included in the email circulation list [email protected]
The parish council has a website with useful information although some of it is out of date https://beckley- and-stowood-pc.gov.uk/
There is a golf course at Horton-cum-Studley, about two miles from Beckley. Studley Wood Golf Course, Straight Mile Road, Horton-cum-Studley, OX33 1BF. 01865 351122. http://www.studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk/
Beckley Village Hall
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Beckley Church (The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
The History First there was a little wooden Saxon church then, in about 1150, when Beckley was the “capital” of Otmoor, a new stone church was built in its place. This coincided with the construction of the Palace (just to the north of where the High Street now is) built by the rich Normans who had seized the land after the Norman Conquest.
The Norman church was much enlarged between1272 and 1307. A hundred or so years later, two side aisles, the porch and the South doorway were added in the Perpendicular style.
The church is rich in wall paintings, and is very unusual in that it still has some medieval stained glass.
For information on the “skew” chancel, the “squint”, the 12th century font, the church clock and much more, have a look at “Beckley Reflects”, the guide book in the church, or better still, visit the church which is open every day!
Services in the Church Times for all services can be found in the Four Parishes Newsletter (see Newsletter section) and on the notice board outside the Church.
Support for the Church There are occasional concerts and other events in the Church, particularly in the summer, to raise money for the upkeep of the Church which, as a Grade 1 listed building and our oldest resident, needs quite a lot of upkeep! Contacts: Gina Robson ([email protected]) Betty Dye ([email protected]), both Church Wardens, and Susy Jepson, Treasurer ([email protected])
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Beckley Church of England Primary School Church Street, Beckley, Oxford, OX3 9UT • Tel: 01865 351416 • Email: [email protected] Website: www.beckleyschool.org Headteacher: Mr Mark Szortowski
Beckley School is currently open for admissions. Please contact the school if you would like to look around.
About the School Beckley Church of England Primary School is a small village school providing a happy, secure and stimulating learning environment where values are embraced by all. The school has high expectations and its ethos both encourages and promotes an environment where children can be themselves and achieve their very best. It is an inclusive school, serving the villages of Beckley, Elsfield, Horton-cum-Studley, Stanton St John and Forest Hill. The school also attracts pupils from Headington and other areas of Oxford. To arrange a visit, phone 01865 351416 or email [email protected]
Vision Promote and achieve excellence in all areas of school life. The school is a place and a community where all children are happy and safe, where they can flourish and achieve their best in a caring, inclusive environment.
Kindness is the school’s core value, underpinning the school vision:
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another” Ephesians 4:32
What do Ofsted say? "Across your school there is an industrious yet joyful atmosphere" "Pupils are nurtured and cared for well" "Safeguarding is a real strength" "Governance is impressive. Governors bring their educational expertise to bear in how they carry out their roles"
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Village Shop at Stanton St John
13 Middle Road, Stanton St John, OX33 1HD 01865 351532 http://www.stantonvillageshop.co.uk/
Monday to Friday 8:00 to 17:00 Saturday 8:00 to 13:00 Sunday 8:00 to 11:00
This village shop in Stanton St John (7 mins by car) is run by Rowan and stocks most things you could want! Well nearly! Orders can be taken for delivery (free if over £25). Newspapers can be ordered. ATM for cash. Agents for Excel drycleaners (Summertown) who collect/deliver Mondays. And much more – see the website http://www.stantonvillageshop.co.uk/drinks-and-off-license/
There is a nice walk from Beckley over to the shop across fields and takes about 40 minutes.
Also run from the shop is a bicycle shop (new and used), cycle hire, and repair service. https://www.oxfordsreconditiopnedbicycles.co.uk
Islip community shop
There is also a community shop in Islip 01865 375715 https://islipvillageshop.org/ Mornings, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 12:00 Afternoons, Monday to Friday, 15:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday, 15:00 to 16:30. Church Lane, Islip, OX5 2TA, 15 mins by car, towards Bicester on B4027.
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Stanton St John PYO (Rectory Farm)
There is a pick-your-own farm at Stanton St John, that is open over the summer (May to September) and also has a farm shop, as well as a café and play area for children. Very popular on good weather days! Open at other times during the winter for potatoes.
OX33 1HF https://www.rectoryfarmpyo.co.uk/
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Local delivery and postal services
Milk deliveries Milk in glass bottles (also in plastic) plus veg boxes, fruit juice, bacon, bread and other things can be delivered to your doorstep (very early) every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by Milk & More. https://www.milkandmore.co.uk/
Newspaper deliveries Limited options, some people use The Court Candy Shop, 65 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HJ. 01865 515506, [email protected]. Others use SS & BS Gill, 8a Besselsleigh Road Wootton, OX13 6DN. 01865 326625 [email protected]
Eggs and meat deliveries Hill End Farm, Noke. 01865 372056. [email protected]
There are various oil delivery companies, but of particular interest is the local Merton Oil Buying Club (MOBC). https://oilbuyingclub.com/sites/merton/ [email protected]
Letter boxes and Post Office There are four letter boxes in the village, one next to the telephone box on the High Street, one up Woodperry Road on the right hand side near the village hall, another at the far end of New Inn Road, and the last on Common Road next to the entrance to the Cox’s farm. The nearest post office is in the Co-op store on the London Road in Headington.
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Local GP Surgeries
The nearest GP surgery to Beckley is in Islip (4 miles on the B4027 towards Bicester). Islip Medical Practice https://www.islipsurgery.org.uk/ 01865 842475
It has a pharmacy on-site and is open 8:00 to 18:30, Monday to Friday. Between 18.30 and 8.00, Monday to Friday, all day at weekends, and on Bank Holidays, calls will be redirected to the NHS 111 service. Phone lines open from 8am-6pm, routine phone calls are not taken between 1-2pm.
Other surgeries used by people in the area include:
Manor Surgery next to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington. https://www.manorsurgeryoxford.co.uk/ 01865 762535 [email protected]
Bury Knowle Health Centre (Hedena Health), https://www.hedenahealth.co.uk/ 01865 227788 207 London Road, Headington, OX3 9JA Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 to 18:00, Tuesday and Fridays 7:30 to 18:00, Saturday 8:00 to 12:00, Sunday closed.
There is also a dental practice here, https://www.damiradental.co.uk/location/bury-knowle- headington/ 8:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday. 01865 308400 [email protected] . There are other dental practices in Headington and Wheatley, e.g. https://www.colosseumdental.co.uk/practices/manor-dental-clinic
Bury Knowle Health Centre have a branch surgery at: Barton Surgery, Neighbourhood Centre, Underhill Circus, Headington, OX3 9LS 01865 227788 Monday to Friday 8:00 to 13:00 & 14:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday closed
Morland House Surgery in Wheatley https://www.morland-house.co.uk/ 01865 872448 London Rd, Wheatley, OX33 1YJ Open 8:00 to 18:30, Monday to Friday.
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Good Neighbour Scheme
The volunteer transport scheme which was set up for BACBS by Cathy Davies and John Stradling provides lifts to local GP Surgeries and to community events at The Abingdon Arms and Beckley Village Hall. Lifts are for people who do not have their own transport and would have difficulty getting to these activities. There are currently 11 drivers able to offer their services. The scheme serves residents of Beckley, Elsfield, Stanton St John, Forest Hill and surrounding area (Noke, Woodeaton and Horton cum Studley have their own schemes). If you know anyone who might benefit from this service, please tell them about it. Lift requests to:
07514 791910 or [email protected]
Above poster on display at Islip GP surgery and village notice boards.
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Bin collection
Bin collection day is Monday. Collections alternate weeks for (1) recyclables (green bin) and, if you pay an annual fee to SODC, garden waste (brown bin); and (2) non-recyclables (black/grey) bin. Food waste is collected every week in a much smaller green caddy.
http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/recycling-rubbish-and- waste/household-collections/collection-days gives useful information about waste disposal. Even more useful is an app for your smart phone that tells you what is to be collected that week; and also allows you to look up what items can be recycled or not. The app is called ‘Binzone’ for both iphones and androids.
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Bus Services
The Otmoor Flyer
Outward Bus times: Mondays and Thursdays 10.30 a.m Forest Hill.: Powell Close, Wheatley Road and Stanton Road near Mickle Way 10.40 a.m Stanton St. John Village Shop
Tuesdays and Fridays 10.30 a.m Horton Cum Studley: The Forge, Brill Road 10.40 a.m Beckley: The Abingdon Arms, High Street
Return Bus times: 1.15 p.m Oxford: Broad Street near Balliol College 1.30 p.m. Headington Main Stop near the entrance to Bury Knowle Park
Price The bus driver is unable to issue tickets or accept cash. A bus token for 10 single journeys (£15) must be purchased from: Forest Hill: Malcolm Leeding – telephone 01865 872034 Stanton St. John: The Village Shop – telephone 01865 351532 Horton cum Studley: Jill Meyjes – telephone 01865 351496 or Kate MacFarlane – telephone 01865 351086 Beckley: Dee Hazell – telephone 01865 351889 or The Abingdon Arms – telephone 01865 655667. Accompanied children aged 11 and under travel free.
Buses from Barton
The No 8 bus into the City leaves from Barton every 10-15 minutes. You can park on Wayneflete Road (left off the Bayswater Road at the top of the hill) and catch the bus from there. On return the bus turns left and does a circular loop around Barton: you can get off the bus at the first stop after the left turn thus avoiding the loop, or stay on until it returns to the stop at which you got on.
There is a pilot ‘shopping’ bus to Thornhill Park and Ride, and Asda in Wheatley on a Wednesday (starting 15/1/20 to 26/2/20 initially). Collecting from Beckley about 10:50 and 11:50. Information on the Village Hall noticeboard and bench opposite the pub.
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Newsletters
Beckley benefits from two different free newsletters which, between them, give advance information of everything that is happening.
The Four Parishes newsletter, published monthly, edited by Julia Stutfield, is delivered to your door. It covers Beckley, Stanton-St-John, Horton-cum-Studley, and Forest Hill.
There is a website that has the current and previous newsletters https://www.stnicolasforesthill.org/four-parishes
There is a Beckley (and Stowood) only newsletter, produced under the auspices of the Beckley & Stowood Parish Council, orchestrated and edited by Ann Henman and published every 3 months. Again this is delivered to your door.
Current and old newsletters are stored here https://beckley-and-stowood- pc.gov.uk/?q=news/beckley_newsletter
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RSPB reserve
Beckley is lucky in having a wetlands bird reserve ¾ mile away on Otmoor. Come out the pub, turn left, carry on past the pond on your right, and turn sharp left down the hill, Otmoor Lane. ¾ mile down is the RSPB reserve. Interesting walks but can be muddy!
There are innumerable bird species and during part of the winter there are the famous starling murmurations. http://ww2.rspb.org.uk/Images/otmoor_tcm9-260974.pdf
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Maps and Walks
BACBS has commissioned a convenient little walking map available from the pub.
See also http://walksinoxfordshire.co.uk/oxfordshire-walks/otmoor-nature- reserve/
A nice circular walk north of Beckley is to walk down Otmoor Lane (A) to the RSPB bird reserve (B), turn left and right at the end of the road (C). Walk along beside the reed beds (D). Turn left to go past the large hide (E) and follow the track back up the hill which eventually becomes Church Street (F). (Orange arrow is the centre of Beckley opposite the pub.) Beware, it can be muddy!
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