Newsletter Issue 68

February 2021 Newsletter Issue 68

Milcombe Newsletter will be produced each Contributions, by email (Microsoft Word 2010 compatible), month and will be available from the to be received by 18th of month prior to publication to New Road Shop only while Covid-19 restrictions [email protected] or remain in place [email protected] All contributions are published ‘as recieved’ and do not The Milcombe Newsletter is funded by the Milcombe Parish Council necessarily represent the views of the Parish Council.

Milcombe Parish Council www.milcombepc.co.uk Follow Milcombe Parish Council on Facebook Tuesday 5 January 2021

Vacancies – Due to resignations, markings had been painted on the road by the Planning applications and comments could there are two vacancies on the Parish junction at the Horse and Groom. be viewed on Cherwell District Council’s web site at: Council. The role entails attending a Grass Cutting Contact – The contract for https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/115/plan- Parish Council meeting every other 2021/2022 was awarded to Nigel Prickett. ning/443/see-or-comment-on-a-planning- application23as month, for around 2 hours and you Trees/Bushes/Hedges - Residents were can put in, as much or as little time reminded that trees/bushes/hedges should Meeting Dates - Future meetings, all start- as you have available, in-between not be causing an obstruction because they ing at 8.00pm would be held on Zoom, until were overhanging a boundary onto a footpath further notice. Please contact the Clerk for the the meetings. If you would like any or road. If an obstruction was occurring in details to join the Parish Council meetings. further information, please contact the village, it should be reported to https:// • Tuesday 2 March 2021 fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ the Clerk on 01295 710965 or email • Tuesday 4 May 2021 (Milcombe Annual Parish Meeting) [email protected] Planning - Farnell Fields, Paradise Lane, Milcombe – An application for minor internal Wheelie Bins – Residents are kindly requested works and external works to rooflights and All welcome to attend! not to block the footpaths with their wheelie rainwater goods was approved. bins, where possible. If they could also be Agendas and minutes are available on www. collected back in as soon as they had been Covid-19 - The latest guidance on the milcombe.com or please contact the Clerk, emptied, this would avoid the footpaths being Covid-19 lockdown restrictions can be Theresa Goss, at [email protected] or blocked for those pedestrians with pushchairs found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ ring 01295 710965 during normal office hours. or wheelchair users. national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Play Area – The Section 106 funds from the Adverse Weather: BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER Oak Farm Phase 2 development were due to Oxfordshire County Council works closely with CDC are unable to supply any dog bags at be paid to Cherwell District Council shortly. all its partners to monitor the weather and as the present time so please make sure you Quotes for the new play equipment were in a reminder there are some numbers that you take a bag of some description with you to the process of being sought. Cherwell District can call to report weather related issues if you clean up after your dog, particularly along the Council were due to cut back the trees which become aware of them: footpaths, Low field and Paradise field. There are overhanging from the Dovecote into the • To report fallen trees or other debris which is a penalty if you are caught allowing your play area. pose a risk to your safety or the safety of others, dog to foul public footpaths or other land and please call 999 not picking it up. There are plenty of dog bins Dog Fouling – Residents are asked to ensure • To report fallen trees or other debris which around the village for you to use or take it that they clean up after their dogs because a doesn’t pose such a high risk but still needs to home and place in your green bin. Thank you. lot of mess had not be picked up, especially be dealt with, please call 101 along Main Street. Dog waste bags are avail- • If you lose power or can see that a power line able from New Road Stores and the Church has come down please report it by calling 105 porch. • If you are concerned about flooding, you should visit the Oxfordshire Flood Toolkit Snow Warden/Grit Bin – If anyone in the online - https://www.oxfordshirefloodtoolkit. village would to volunteer to be a Snow com – and I will summarise the key numbers Warden to help clear the footpaths in adverse to call below: weather conditions, please contact the Clerk • If you have a flooding emergency which is a to the Parish Council. A new grit bin had been threat to someone’s life, contact Oxfordshire FREE Adverts for local business installed at the entrance to Dovecote Close. Fire and Rescue Service on 999 • To report flooding relating to a highway such Village Hall – The Hall was still closed due as blocked ditches, blocked drains or flooding to the Covid-19 Pandemic, however the on a road call Oxfordshire County Council Committee is planning something for children Floodline on 0345 310 1111 at Easter as Christmas activities were cancelled. • To report flooding from a main river contact The Parish Council agreed to make a financial the Environment Agency through the Floodline contribution to the event. (Tel: 0345 988 1188 or 0800 80 70 60) or visit their website Highways – Repairs which were required to • If your property is at immediate risk of surface potholes should be reported to the County water flooding please contact Thames Valley Council’s Fix My Street web site. https:// Police on 101 fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ New road Reminders: Electricity: SSE 0800 294 3259 or text phone Roads (including potholes)/footpaths/street 0800 316 5457, UK Power Networks – 0800 lighting/overhanging trees/hedges: Report 169 9970, Western Power Distribution – 0800 to Oxfordshire County Council https://fix- 096 3080 mystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ Water: Thames Water 0800 009 3652 or text Faulty Street Lights: Report on freephone phone 0800 316 6899, Anglian Water 03457 0800 317802 giving exact destination and 91 91 55 pole number if possible. Power failure: If there’s a power cut call the Dog Bags: These are available from New Road free number 105 to check what’s happening Stores and in the Church porch. Please clear with your local provider up after your dog - it is an offence not to. Tel: 01295 722142 [email protected] thehorseandgroominn.co.uk

MILCOMBE VILLAGE HALL FREE Adverts for local business [email protected] VILLAGE HALLS AND COMMUNITY THE VILLAGE HALL IS STILL DESPERATELY CENTRES, due to their communal nature, IN NEED OF A TREASURER. are vulnerable to the spread of Coronavirus. There must be somebody in Milcombe who Managers of community facilities have discre- cares enough about the village and the tion as to whether it is safe to re-open such Village Hall who would be willing to take on premises and whether they can put in place this task. the necessary protection. Much depends on the size of the facility and space available as A NEW COVERED AND LOCKABLE the 2- meter social distancing must be strictly NOTICEBOARD is still sitting in the foyer of adhered to and consideration given to pinch the Hall awaiting a volunteer to remove the points such as entrances and exists and par- old one and install the new one. ticularly in Milcombe Village Hall the narrow Raychel Pomroy is still kindly carrying out FREE Adverts for local business passageway to toilets and kitchen area. weekly checks on the Hall and she is thanked Further information can be found on for volunteering to do this. COVID 19 GUIDANCE FOR THE SAFE USE OF The Village Hall Committee (Milcombe MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY FACILITIES Charities Trustees) is overseen by the follow- issued by the Ministry of Housing, ing members: Rev. Dale Gingrich (Chairman Communities and Local Government 5.1.2021. – [email protected]), Marlene Due to this latest guidance and the 4th Cowell (Minute Secretary – marlene.cowell@ lockdown currently in place, regrettably milcombe.com), Amy Jackson (Bookings), Milcombe Village Hall remains closed. It is an Sally Ashmole, Sacha Cowley, Raychel Pomroy ever- changing situation which the trustees of and Suzette Watson. the Village Hall will continue to monitor. All members can be reached on the following email: [email protected] The Countryside Code The Countryside Code gives advice on how you If you find a gate closed, close it when you pass All litter is unsightly. Glass, tins and plastic bags can enjoy your visit to the countryside and also through to prevent animals straying. Farmers can be dangerous to people, livestock and act responsibly to protect the countryside. The sometimes leave gates open to allow animals wildlife. Keep the countryside clean by taking code explains that is important to plan ahead, to pass from one field to another to graze or home your own litter and any which you may stay safe, control your dog near livestock and drink. Help a farmer by leaving gates as you find. Guard against all risk of fire prevent fires. find them. If in doubt, close a gate. The countryside is vulnerable to fire espe- Do not interfere with livestock, machinery cially during dry weather. Accidental fires pose The code and crops. These are valuable commodities a great risk to farmers and foresters. Be careful The following simple messages make up the and should be left alone. Interference with to extinguish all used matches and cigarettes. Countryside Code. animals and equipment may endanger you. Use a stove for cooking rather than a fire. Never Respect the people who live and work in the Pay attention to warning signs as these are for throw cigarettes from a car window. countryside. Show courtesy and considera- your protection. Make no unnecessary noise tion to everybody. Be a friendly visitor with a Keep dogs under control One of the attractions of the countryside is its responsible way. Know where you are allowed Keep your dog on a lead when walking on peace and quiet. Do not disturb this with noise to go roads or when close to farm animals. A dog can or disruptive behaviour which might annoy Most land is private property and access is cause distress to animals and endanger you. residents and visitors or frighten farm animals only available with the goodwill and tolerance Keep your dog under control always so as not and wildlife. of the owner. Whilst most landowners do not to disturb wildlife or annoy or frighten other Respect other recreational users object to recreational users on their land, some visitors. Behave responsibly. Where possible, warn do. Always respect a landowner’s wishes. Protect wildlife, plants and trees others of your approach and slow down or stop Keep to paths across farmland Leave all natural places as you find them. Never if necessary. Irresponsible behaviour could lead Help prevent damage to crops by walking uproot plants as they will be lost forever. Keep to you and your activity being banned from the around the edge of a field unless there is an your distance from wild birds and animals to area in the future. existing path across it. prevent disturbance and stress especially to Take special care on country roads Avoid fields where there are animals, as your adults that are with young and in winter when Always drive carefully with reduced speed on presence may cause them stress and endanger food may be scarce or weather harsh. Keep all country roads. Consider others when parking your own safety. water sources clean and avoid blocking entrances, gateways or Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges The public water supply is not available to other drivers’ visibility. Walkers should take and walls. When crossing fences, hedges and everyone living in the countryside. Take care special care on narrow country roads and if walls, use the nearest gate or stile. Damage to with your personal hygiene and do not pollute uncertain should walk in single file. fencing can allow animals to stray. If you must water. Don’t interfere with water troughs which Consider your personal safety climb a gate because it is difficult to open, provide clean water for livestock. If possible do not go alone. Wear suitable cloth- always do this at the hinged end. Take your litter home ing and footwear as the weather can change Leave gates as you find them very quickly. MILCOMBE PLAY AREA “social distance THE PLAY AREA IS OPEN and children on the equipment or their hands in their please” should be accompanied by a parent/ mouths. guardian who are encouraged to bring Food or drink are NOT allowed in the Play hand sanitiser gel or wipes to clean their Area. children’s hands. ALLOWING CHILDREN INTO THE PLAY Parents should AREA AND ON THE EQUIPMENT IS remind children ENTIRELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NOT to touch their PARENTS/GUARDIANS. faces, to cough (See Covid-19 Guidance for Managing or sneeze into a Playgrounds and Outdoor Gyms issued 2 Meters tissue or arm if by the Ministry of Housing, Communities tissue not avail- and Local Government 6.01.2021.) able, and not to Please note that this is the situation at put their mouths January 2021 and may change at any time due to Government guidelines.

ST. MARY’S THURSDAY CLUB ST. MARY’S THURSDAYCANCELLED CLUB is open to members every Thursdaytill furth efromr noti 10.00am-ce CANCELLED till further notice FREE Adverts for local business MILCOMBE SENIORS CLUB FREE Adverts for local business TEA AND TOAST FREE Adverts for local business ZOOM MEETINGS For over 19 years Hosted by Jan Ogilvy from 9.30am onwards Barking Mad every Friday morning. Joining details are the dog boarding same each week. Open to anyone who would has offered a like to join for a chat whilst drinking your own bespoke, 5-Star coffee! Trustpilot rated htps://us0zweb.zoom.us/j/7100540468?pwt- FREE Adverts for local business alternative to ZipMTY3RHhXZC91MHBbWS9vYUswUT09 kennels for your Meeting ID: 710 054 0468 waggy-tailed Password: b1a8ta one. If you would Contact Jan Ogilvy 720054 if you have any like to learn more problems about our local 1 to 1 home boarding service call Andrea Hammer and tongs Farrier and David on 01295 477295 THE CHERRY TREE CENTRE or email cawleys@barking- Professional and reliable mad.uk.com. You can also THE CHERRY TREE CENTRE – PLAY AND Please contact Hannes on learn more at LEARN AT THE CHERRY TREE CENTRE, 07377 405626 www.barkingmad.uk.com/ BloxhamCANCELLED Primary School, on Mondays [email protected] local/oxfordshire/banbury/ and Wednesdaystill furth fromer n 9.30-11.00amotice (term time only). CHEQUER TREE FARM PLANT CANCELLED till further notice NURSERY ELLS LANE, BLOXHAM, OX15 5EE. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR OPENING HOURS AND SPRING OFFERS www.wyattsgardencentre.co.uk EMAIL: Hook Norton Butchers [email protected] Meat and Fresh Veg deliver- TELEPHONE: 01295 720778 ies to your home

01608 738373 FRESH HOME-GROWN VEG [email protected] NOW AVAILABLE CHURCH NOTES SERVICES IN ST. LAURENCE’S CHURCH

THANKS TO NIGEL DAVIS we are still collecting USED CLEAN CANS. Please place them in the bin at the side of the Church porch. We are currently in a third lockdown and, al- DOG BAGS are available in the Church porch. though not all Churches are closed for public TEA AND TOAST is being held via Zoom hosted by worship, it has been decided for safety reasons Jan Ogilvy on Friday mornings from 9.30am onwards. not to hold any Services during February. Because Contact Jan on 720054. Joining details are the fewer members have been attending Sunday same each week. Meeting ID: 710 054 0468 Services due to the Government guidelines to PASSWORD: bla8ta stay at home, it was agreed that this would be BLOXHAM MOTHERS’ UNION also meets via Zoom. Contact Pat Smith on 816866 or 07971808467. for the best. However, even though there are A LENT COURSE will be held via Zoom on Tuesday no Services, the Church will still be OPEN FOR evenings at 7.30pm starting on February 23rd led PRIVATE PRAYER ON SUNDAY MORNINGS by Anne Marie. Please contact the Benefice office if AND WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS. PLEASE you require further details or see the Benefice Weekly STAY 2 METRES APART IF THERE IS ANYBODY Sheet. ASH WEDNESDAY is on February 17th. ELSE IN THE CHURCH AND ALWAYS WEAR A (Check the Weekly Sheet for details.) FACE MASK IN THE BUILDING. It is for your own safety as well as for the safety of everybody else. You may, of course, walk around the Churchyard and Rev. Dale Gingrich can be contacted on 01295 720252or tend graves but it is still necessary to keep to the 2m email [email protected] social distancing unless with a member of your own St. Laurence’s Churchwardens are Susan Richardson household. 721667 [email protected] and Marlene Cowell At present there is a Service of HOLY COMMUNION 720750 [email protected] EVERY SUNDAY MORNING IN ST. MARY’S, PLEASE KEEP TO THE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES AND BLOXHAM, AT 9.30am. There is better seating ca- STAY SAFE pacity and St. Mary’s is better able to offer 2m social distancing. All members of the Benefice are welcome CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF RALPH KERSHAW to attend this Service. There is also a 6.00pm Benefice who passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at Zoom Service every Sunday and details can be found home on January 14th. Ralph had lived at 4 New Road in the Weekly Sheet. Copies of the Weekly Sheet will since the houses were built apart from a short spell in one of the flats on the Bloxham Road shortly after mar- be available for people to pick up when the Church is rying Jill. May he rest in peace. open for private prayer. Please check the C. of E. website www.churchofeng- land.org or the Diocesan website www.oxford.angli- FOND MEMORIES OF BERYL WHING – Villagers will can.org/livestream for other Services on line. have been saddened to hear of the passing of Beryl Whing. Beryl was working as Housing officer at the THANK YOU to those who helped with the Christmas Council offices at the time that the Council houses on tree in the Churchyard. We are sure everybody will Bloxham Road, New Road and Portland Road were built. She had been a stalwart of the village since have enjoyed this bit of Christmas cheer. Normally moving into 16 Bloxham Road. She was one of the first in December, we thank all those who have helped in Trustees of Milcombe Charities when the old school any way at St. Laurence’s during the year with arrang- was turned into the Village Hall, she was a Parish ing flowers, cleaning brasses, etc. Sadly, due to Covid, Councillor and became Chairman, and she helped just little happened during 2020, but we look forward to about every organisation in the village including the Fete, the Seniors Club, the Church, particularly flower when we can all get involved once more. arranging and maintaining the front border. All who PLEASE CONTINUE TO SAVE YOUR USED STAMPS worked with her will acknowledge her friendly and AND PRINTER CARTRIDGES but please keep them helpful attitude. Milcombe has lost a great asset. Rest at home until it is possible to re-open the Church in peace Beryl. properly.