Christmas 2020/January 2021

Home , Blewbury, East Challow, East Hendred

Cover illustration by Peter Ritson F Christmas Bulletin 2020 The editor is greatly indebted to the many volunteers who have helped with the Bulletin throughout this extraordinary, virus-ridden year. Regular editorial contributions have come from Michael Allen (Bridge Club), Eileen Bracken (VPA), Trish Brooks (Blewbury Players), Rachel Chancellor (BVS), Chris Cook (Bellringers), Eric Eisenhandler (Sustainable Blewbury), Karen Foreman (Post Office), Jane Gibson (Parish Council), Angela Hoy (our Canadian Correspondent), Lydia Inglis (Blewbury Freecycle), Jo Lakeland (Blewbury Climate Action), Audrey Long (Local History Group), David Long (Croquet Club), Cilla Maguire (WI), Pat Mattimore (Didcot Foodbank), Dawn Saunders (Church pages), Bernardine Shirley-Smith (Nature Notes), Steve White (Village Hall refurb) and Mike Wrottesley (BlewShed). On our ‘back room’ team thanks, as ever, go to Local Distribution Manager Kathy Edmunds, Treasurer Paul Letchfield (who is retiring this year), Advertising Manager Elizabeth Murphy, Online News Editor Elaine de Ridder, Postal and Email Distribution Manager Helen White and Webmaster Peter Willison. For our printing we are grateful to Dawn Saunders, and for the ‘wholesale’ packaging and delivery operation our thanks go to Mary Marshall, Pat Mattimore, Jean Richards, Rosemary Tilden, Lydia Wanstall and Judy White. Last but by no means least, the door-to-door deliveries to over 900 Blewbury homes have been handled by Lyn Blackie, Penny Brassell, Patti Brown, Alison Brooks, Chris Cambray, Chris Cook, Claire Eisenhandler, Mary Gaines, Lara Humphries, Eve Johnson Houghton, Margaret Lamble, Véronique Lavorel, Brenda Magnay, Marion Malone, Liz Mather, Trish Mather, Pat & Bernard Mattimore, Sue Mills, Lesley & John Ogden, Meg Prior, Paula Sibley, Iona & Theo Tonnet, Judy White and Mike Wrottesley. If we have forgotten anyone, and we may well have done, please let us know and accept our sincere apologies. WE WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE FOR CHARITY This year you can once again recycle your Christmas Tree and spread a little seasonal good cheer to the children and young adults of Helen and Douglas House. On Sunday 10th January, from 10.00 to 12 noon*, Steve & Ben Strange will be at Savages to collect donations and turn your tree into wood chip. Thank you. *Please bring your tree only between these times!*

2 LAL GUNAWARDENA I would like to thank our many friends in Blewbury for all the lovely messages of comfort and support given to me and our families following the sad news of Lal passing away in October. We are so lucky to live in such a wonderful caring village. Many of you would know that no one was safe walking by the front of our house if Lal was cutting the grass or sweeping leaves, without Lal saying 'hi, how are you'. A job that would normally take probably a half an hour would take three times that long and Lal would say, 'people keep stopping to have a chat', but I know he loved to chat himself. So thank you all. Unfortunately due to the current situation, we were unable to have a proper memorial for Lal and I am sure some of you would have liked to attend the funeral in November. Thank you to everyone that was outside our house to say farewell. Hopefully we will be able to hold a memorial service and celebrate Lal's life at a future date. Sue Gunawardena A ‘THANK YOU’ FROM DOROTHY Dorothy Hone would like thank everyone who has written to her and expressed their sympathy following Malcolm’s death. She hopes everyone will understand that she will not be sending Christmas cards this year, but would like to take this opportunity to send the Season’s greetings to all. See p7 for an appreciation of Malcolm - Editor VILLAGE HALL REFURBISHMENT We’ve resurfaced Heather Way and the car park and upgraded the drainage to prevent the regular flooding in front of the Post Office. Remaining works on the hall – gutters and some decorating – are also being completed in preparation for re-opening in the New Year. In the meantime, take a look at the gallery of photos of the refurbished Hall we included in the ‘Venues’ section of the village website https://blewbury.co.uk/venues/village-hall-refurbishment/picture-gallery/. Looking forward to being able to use the Hall as soon as restrictions allow in the New Year and a Merry Christmas to everyone who has supported its refurbishment. Steve White UNITED CHARITIES OF THE ANCIENT PARISH OF BLEWBURY Registered Charity No: 203538 Are you struggling to make ends meet? Suffering financially because of Coronavirus? A reminder that the United Charities are able to support residents of Blewbury, Upton & Aston Upthorpe who are in need. If your situation is as a consequence of the Coronavirus you can apply through the charity for assistance from the Council Covid fund and, if for any other reason, from our own charitable fund. If you would like to apply for support from either fund there is a short application form which has to be completed. These can be picked up from the Post Office or requested by email to [email protected] Help can be provided to complete the form if necessary, and all applications will be dealt with confidentially. We do urge people to apply as the Covid fund money has to be distributed by March 2021 and we would like to ensure that all of the grant is used. Applications for reasons other than Covid can be made throughout the year. We look forward to receiving your applications. > See p19 for news of a paid position with the United Charities - Editor REVISED 94 BUS SERVICE FROM MONDAY 4TH JANUARY! A New Year present from Thames Travel: more buses, earlier and later buses, AND 6 buses each way on Saturdays! The revised service will run linearly from Didcot through East Hagbourne, Blewbury, Upton, Chilton to Harwell Campus and back again, but unfortunately West Hagbourne’s only stop will be at the Horse and Harrow. You can now download a pdf copy of the new timetable from the Thames Travel website at thames-travel.co.uk/routes/94, and it should be displayed at bus stops from the official start date of January 3rd. There will be no changes to the 94S buses on school days. As now, a single vehicle provides the entire service including the 94S School bus. The school service takes priority, which explains why the first direct bus from Blewbury to Harwell Campus does not get there until 0932. If you need to get to the Campus earlier you have to take a bus in the opposite direction to Didcot Parkway and transfer to the X32. Jo Lakeland (for Parish Transport Representative) BLEWBURY POST OFFICE NEWS We are back to our usual hours, mornings & afternoons, and Saturday mornings too! We will be closing on Christmas Eve at 12, and will be closed until Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th & Thursday 31st (all of which will be mornings only) Then we will be closed until Monday 4th January, and will be open our usual hours. You will have heard the news that Royal Mail are putting their prices up from January 1st, you can buy 1st and 2nd class stamps (standard & large) which will revalue themselves, so it’s worth buying extra before the price rise. I’ll be home for emergency gas, electric and mobile phone top ups, my mobile is 07825 154842. Finally, don’t forget: 6pm on Christmas Eve, national event, stand on your doorstep and ring your bells for Santa! We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, peace and joy and health and happiness to you all, Love from Karen, Maggie, Michael & Katrina

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4 JAMES FRANCE James’s family would like to thank everyone in Blewbury who sent cards, letters, flowers and kind wishes, after his death in August. He would have been 90 this December. James was born in Brussels and grew up in occupied Denmark before being sent to school in England. After gaining a degree in history at Oxford he returned to work in Copenhagen, where he met Diana. They married in London in 1957. In the late 1960s they moved to Cottrills in Blewbury with their two young daughters, where they lived for over forty years before moving to the house built at ‘the top of the garden’, designed by their late son in law. James set up six independent toy shops in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and London, and spent his weekends gardening. He loved the Blewbury Festival because this allowed him to ‘nose’ around the Open Gardens to see what others were doing in theirs. After he retired he wrote four books relating to the Order of Cistercians and received a doctorate from Roskilde University, Denmark, in 2002. His last book, British Pioneer of Danish Furniture, about his father’s business, was published in 2016. James was made a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1998. He became a skilled Bookbinder, repairing books for his alma mater, neighbours and friends. He remained a devout Catholic throughout his life. Lydia France MEMORIES OF SHIRLEY KAY My first memory of my cousin Shirley is one Christmas at Uncle Tom and Auntie Jessie’s house, when I was put to bed upstairs while the grownups had a party. When it was over my father woke me up and carried me down those long, winding stairs where golden-haired Shirley with her long plaits was standing. I remember her simply looking at me and smiling and then touching my cheek… Even at my young age I sensed she was a special person. It wasn’t long before she was off to University and the tales about the brilliant Shirley were told to me by my parents with much pride, including stories of this “very handsome, clever man” (according to my Mother!) who Shirley married. We didn’t meet again until many years later, when I was living in McLean, Virginia. The phone rang and Shirley’s voice, crackly like my Aunt Jessie’s, took me straight back to my childhood. It was during that visit that I first heard of Blewbury, and it was through reconnecting with Shirley, and meeting Jolyon, that I ended up with a cottage of my own here, with roses round the door and ‘Welcome’ on the mat. I moved in at the same time as they were selling Ickleton House in 2006, so I inherited chairs and tables and other bits and pieces, including a spice rack, as they got ready to leave for Cyprus and France. A few months later my daughter Anna reached up to the rack for the sage jar. She turned ashen when she read the expiration date. “Mum, it’s 1977!” Dear Shirley: she could never bear to throw anything away but as we all know expiration dates are for the weak! She was always constant, capable, determined, inquisitive and true, full of adventure, understanding, kindness and compassion, and highly intelligent. I loved our times together, walking in the lanes of Blewbury, even eating the left-over concoctions she would make for dinner sometimes, never wasting anything even if it was mouldy, and listening to her memories of our childhood days in Northampton and her journeys across the world. I am sad and I shall miss her enormously; she was extraordinary, and unforgettable. Catie Flye > Shirley Kay died on 21st November at home in Cyprus, aged 88. She lived in Blewbury for many years and edited "A View from the Hill" with Peter Cockrell, which was published by Blewbury Village Society in 2006. - Editor STEVE GAYMER Steve Gaymer (aka Bolshy) died unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep on November 29th. Many will remember him – some fondly, some not so much – but he WILL be remembered . . . Steve and I moved from London to Blewbury with our young children, Lucy and Jonny, in 1995. Prior to that we’d spent many wonderful weekends at Borlase with my parents, John and Mary Ritchie. It didn’t take long for Steve to discover the Red Lion, then a thriving drinking pub which became our social hub every Friday night (until Steve got barred when he suggested the landlady was grumpy – which by the way, she was – and everyone de-camped to our house). Steve loved life in Blewbury, forming a select drinking group (the Gits), then HomeAloners for homeworkers who got together every month for a boozy lunch. And then Nosey Parker appeared on the scene, contributing (sometimes inappropriate) articles to the Bulletin for many years. Life then sadly drew us apart, and Steve moved East, to East Hagbourne, East Hendred and finally, East Challow. But we always kept in touch, and we got each other through some tough times. Lucy, Jonny and I will miss him terribly. Steve was outrageous, abrasive and outspoken, but he was also funny, creative, brilliant, and most importantly, NEVER boring. He adored his children and was inordinately proud of them. And he turned out to be the perfect ex-husband and a great friend. Steve enriched the lives of all who loved him. RIP Bolshy. If you would like to attend the funeral at South Oxfordshire Crematorium at 3pm on Friday December 18th, do please get in touch and I’ll let you know if there’s space. Ali Ritchie [email protected] > The loss of Steve Gaymer has been felt particularly keenly by the editors, past and present, of the Blewbury Bulletin, for whom Nosey Parker’s despatches (1997-2003) brought a monthly mix of excited anticipation and a strong desire for a good libel lawyer. Ali’s description of the man behind ‘Over the Fence’ applied equally to the column itself – funny, outrageous and often exasperating, but never false and never boring. From us, and from all those readers who regularly told us he was the first thing they turned to in every issue, so long and thanks for the memories! – Editor

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6 MALCOLM HONE Malcolm and Dorothy moved to Blewbury almost 30 years ago. Since then they have worked selflessly, caring for the most vulnerable people in our village. Malcolm would drop everything he was doing to help people in a crisis and rush to their rescue, wherever they might be. He was patient, unassuming and practical – and ever since his days in Geneva, a passionate skier. Malcolm died suddenly, at home, on December 3rd, and his passing will be a huge loss to a number of people in Blewbury and our neighbouring villages. His wife, Dorothy, will continue to care for many of us when we are in need – a tribute to Malcolm and their golden life together. Cassandra Verney BELL RINGING NEWS FROM BLEWBURY TOWER It’s almost Christmas and we were very much hoping that the bells would be able to ring out to celebrate the festive season. Covid-19 had other ideas! We came out of the latest lockdown and into tier 2 meaning that ringing bells was still a no-no as people from different households couldn’t meet indoors which meant the ringing chamber was out of bounds so to speak! There was a glimmer of hope in that Richard and Gill (husband and wife) could ring and being very experienced ringers, they tried ringing two bells each and discovered that chiming was possible, albeit very hard work, they chimed the bells prior to the Advent Carol Service. The Central Council of Bell Ringers are liaising with the government and we hope that the rules may be relaxed over the Christmas period allowing us to ring for the traditional services, fingers crossed. We wish everyone a safe and Happy Christmas, traditions will, no doubt, be very different this year. We look forward to 2021 hoping that life will be able to return to a form of normal that includes bell ringing. BLEWBURY PRE-SCHOOL: 50TH ANNIVERSARY, LOTTERY, & LOGS It’s Blewbury Pre-School’s 50th anniversary in 2021 and we’d love to hear from anyone who has memories of the pre-school. You may have attended as a child, or perhaps you used to help out as a parent, or maybe helped on the committee, or were a member of staff? We’d love to hear from you! Please email [email protected] with any stories or photos you’d be happy to share. We also plan to launch the Blewbury Pre-School Lottery in 2021. Anyone aged 16 or over will be able to take part. For just £5 per month you’ll be entered into a monthly lottery with a chance to win one of three cash prizes. The lottery money will be split 50:50 between fundraising and prize money. The proceeds going to the village pre-school will help fund equipment and resources, and to meet any other funding needs. We’re asking people to sign up for a whole year as annual members. We plan to sell a maximum of 200 lottery numbers each year. If all 200 lottery numbers are sold, the prizes each month would be: 1st prize £250, 2nd prize £150, 3rd prize £100. The remaining £500 per month would go to the pre-school. Please email [email protected] and we’ll send you a sign-up form in the New Year. Finally, did you know you can support Blewbury Pre-School by ordering quality hardwood for your log burners? It’s £100/£60 for a full/half trailer load delivered (or £75/£50 for a full/half trailer load collected). Further reductions available if you prefer to split logs yourself. Single nets of logs are also available outside pre-school for £5. Email orders to: [email protected] BLEWBURY VILLAGE SOCIETY Have you had a chance to see the wonderful Window Wonderland all over the village? Many people have decorated their windows (or areas visible from the road on their property) along the theme of "What Christmas Means to Me". You can download a map of all of the window locations from the Blewbury Village Society Facebook page, or pick up a paper copy at the Post Office when it is open. Or just have a wander and enjoy! Thank you to every household participating for adding some extra light and joy to the Christmas season in Blewbury. Santa Claus is Hopefully Coming to Town! He hopes to be touring the village in his sleigh on Christmas Eve, pending ever-changing COVID restrictions. For confirmation of his arrival, as well as precise start time and route, please keep an eye on the BVS Facebook page the week of Christmas. Santa won't be able to distribute gifts this year because as an OAP, he's in the vulnerable group! Still, he would love to see you wave or singing carols as he "flies" by, guided by his team of socially-distanced reindeer (please note some reindeer have been living together in a bubble, so might not be quite as far apart as it seems they otherwise should be). Fingers crossed we can welcome him to our village on his busiest night! The Boxing Day Walk and the Roger Cambray New Year’s Day Walk are have both sadly had to be cancelled. BLEWBURY CROQUET CLUB The Club wishes all readers of the Bulletin a Merry Christmas, and both a happy and a healthy 2021. Our courts will remain open through the winter, unless snow-covered or waterlogged; and we always welcome enquiries from potential new members. David Long, Secretary (07484 360169; [email protected])

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8 THE BULLETIN CHRISTMAS QUIZ DOWN ON THE FARM

All the clues under one heading contain a word or phrase that conforms to the theme of that heading. The letters in the clues are the initial letters of songs (title, first or chorus line), books etc. Upper case letters are the main words or the first word of the title and lower case letters are the linking words such as ‘the’ and ‘of’. For example, the song “The Holly and the Ivy” would be THatI (s), and the letters in brackets at the end of the clue indicate the category of the clue; (s) = song, (b) = book, (f) = film, (st) = stage, (tv) = tv, (m) = music, (p) = person/people (real or fictitious), (rh) = rhyme/poem, (art ) = painting/sculpture FIRST PRIZE £20 (and a silver tray to be held for one year). SECOND PRIZE £15. THIRD PRIZE £10. In the event of a tie, the winner will be the one submitting the 5 best clues matching the theme of the quiz. The editor’s decision is final. You don’t have to do them all to win! Entries must be delivered to Spring Cottage, Church Road, by Monday January 11th.

What type of soil is it here? 35. WPtFaS(s) 69. L’s D(s) 1. SS(p) 70. TSP(f) 2. CC(p) Who helps on the farm? 71. AHWWG(s) 3. TCCC(st) 36. OMaHD(tv) 72. SatC(tv) 4. AHoD(b) 37. OMWtM(rh) 73. IFMToBH(s) 5. TRS(p) 38. TBaFB(s) 74. CwR(b) 6. MMGM(s) 39. TP(s) 75. LitC(tv) 40. TSR(rh) Do you grow grain crops? 41. TL’sMS(s) Are you doing anything to 7. TWtStB(b) 42. TYV(tv) combat climate change? 8. TCitR(b) 43. THW(f) - planting a woodland with: 9. SoW [bVvG](art) 44. VP(p) 76. HoO(s) 10. MD(MEO)(s) 77. TAG(s) Which time of year do you 78. TWitW(b) Any other crops? like best? 79. UtSCT(s) 11. TRotSW [bNP](art) 45. WM[bM](m) 80. OtTotLP(s) 12. SFF(s) 46. AiP(s) 81. THatI(s) 13. MBH(f) 47. TDBoM(tv) 82. NH(p) 14. JC(p) 48. JIBOaO(s) …and a few fruit trees 15. CaK(b) 49. ItS(s) 83. LGA(s) 16. OP,TP(rh) 50. CYTPC,RtSoHH(s) 84. TWPT(f) 17. TPE(b) 51. TAL(s) 85. TCO(st) 18. TGoW(b) 52. TWT(st) - and a wild-flower meadow 53. AMfAS(st) 86. GGGoH(s) What about animals? 87. BMuB(s) - livestock Do you sell anything locally? 88. DDGMYAD(s) 19. RB(f) 54. UMW(st) 89. TBoS(s) 20. PC(f) 55. ISYSWaSfIC(s) 90. TSP(b) 21. TLP(rh) 56. AToH(st) 91. I’mLOaFLC(s) 22. DADoES(b) 57. TLotSW(tv) 92. TEoGRoM-i-t-MM(f) 23. OFaH(tv) 58. SD(f) 93. JN(p) 24. MLP(f) 59. THW [bJC](art) 25. TMfSS(f) Is farming an easy job? 26. TMWSaG(f) Any trouble with trespassers? 94. LDJiN(st) - poultry 60. SitN(s) 95. AHDN(s) 27. CR(f) 61. TD(tv) 96. BSaT(p) 28. LRR(s) 62. THB(tv) 29. L’sTT(s) 63. TP(tv) Anywhere you wouldn’t 30. GGG(rh) 64. MDaE(s) work? 65. TWB(f) 97. IA’tGWoMFnM(s) What machinery do you keep 98. CCF(b) on site? What do you do for 99. BH(b) 31. I’vGaBNCH(s) entertainment? 32. TfSoR(s) 66. D,D,D(s) What’s the best job in the 33. PYW(st) 67. DatOBaB(s) world? 34. ASHoTiU(b) 68. ID’tLC,onILi(s) 100. TFL(tv)

News from St. Michael’s Rector - The Revd Jason St. John Nicolle BENEFICE OFFICE - 01235 850267

During the current situation provisional bookings for Weddings, Baptisms etc. may be made by contacting the office via email.

You can contact the clergy & staff on: - Revd Jason 01235 850267 [email protected] Revd Louise 07837 009730 [email protected]

Dawn 850267, 07434 686044 or [email protected] is in the office from 12-4pm Monday & 9am-5pm Tuesday to Friday.

Please note: all Services and Events are subject to last minute changes or cancellations if Government social restrictions change due to Covid 19.

Food Bank Collections Saturday 2 January - 11 January St. Michael’s Action Group regularly collect items for the Didcot Food Bank. Drop off at the Old School House between these dates or at the Post Office anytime.

Midweek Communion Online Services at Blewbury Church Sundays at 10.30am This will take place on the 3rd login or connect at 10am to chat before the service. Thursday of the month at 10am. Weekday evenings - Compline at 8pm The next services are on Thursdays 17 December & 21 January. For the safety of Please see the website or the Churn if you others, please wear a face covering. receive it for the service access codes and full details of how to join each week.

Christmas Eve Sadly, there will be no crib service but please drop in through the day. Adults, please wear a face covering. Blewbury Church will be open from 10am - 3pm * Visit the CRIB *Collect your own NATIVITY PICTURE * Pause at the MEMORY TREE * Choose a STAR OF HOPE to decorate the branches. Write a name, message or prayer (please bring a pen) Donations are welcome for The Children's Society and Help the Aged

Confirmation Service Home Communion by Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford over Christmas

Sunday 24 January - 10.30am If you, or anyone you know, would St. Andrew’s Hagbourne like to receive Holy Communion at home over the Christmas period, Please pray for all the candidates (observing Covid guidelines to who will be confirmed: maintain your safety) please contact: Henrike de Ridder, Beatrice Elsmore-Wickens, The Revd Louise Butler: 07837 009730 Jasmine Gover, Tabitha Goyder, The Benefice Administrator: 01235 850267, Poppy Inglis & Charlotte Kieft 07434 686044 or [email protected].

Nine Lessons Midnight Mass and Carols St. Michael’s Church Blewbury St. Michael’s Church welcomes you to their Blewbury candlelit service welcomes you to their candlelit service Thursday 24 December, Christmas Eve at 11.30pm Sunday 20 December at 4pm

Important: To ensure there is social distancing in Important: To ensure there is social distancing in the church, you must notify the Benefice Office if the church, you must notify the Benefice Office if you wish to attend and avoid the disappointment of you wish to attend and avoid the disappointment of being turned away at the door. Face coverings must being turned away at the door. Face coverings must be worn. Contact: [email protected], be worn. Contact: [email protected], 850267 or the Administrators mobile 07434 686044. 850267 or the Administrators mobile 07434 686044.

Private Prayer in January Pram Service St. Michael’s Blewbury Hosted by The Churn Mothers Union Wednesday 6 January at St Michael's Blewbury continues to be 12.30pm open twice a week for Private Prayer. in St. Michael’s Blewbury Please wear a face covering. Wednesday: 10am - 12noon Saturday: 2pm - 4pm A short service celebrating Epiphany with activity, Please note: The Church will not be open on prayer and music for all pre-school children. Bring a

Saturday 26 December. RUG to mark your safe space and your own lunch or Here there is space to rest, contemplate or pray. order HAPPY MEAL lunch boxes from Revd Louise There is also an opportunity to light a candle for a 078387 009 930. Adults, please wear a face loved one or a situation close to your heart. covering.

It’s Different This Year I wonder if you have started to think about your plans for Christmas yet? I’m writing this piece in mid-November, and at the time of writing I think none of us quite know what the next month will bring. The current lockdown is due to end in early December, but what comes next? A return to the “rule of 6”? Will there be new restrictions? No one knows. But one thing we can all agree upon is that Christmas will be different this year. Sometimes we can assume that “different” means worse, but this isn’t necessarily so. Yes, Christmas will be “different”, but “different” doesn’t necessarily mean worse. It simply means different. I wonder what’s most important to you about Christmas? I was chatting to someone this morning and asked them what was most important to them. They replied that what mattered to them was time with family. They were particularly looking forward to time with their daughter, who was then away at University. Time spent with family is really important for many people, especially at Christmas time. There are other things which can be important, such as putting up the decorations, and enjoying seasonal food. And of course there’s Christmas music, too. As you might or might not know, music plays a huge part in my life. One of my Christmas traditions is to start the season off by listening to Handel’s Messiah. I have already started singing Christmas carols, and soon I shall be playing some of my Christmas CDs! And for many people, Christmas is also about Carol Services and perhaps going to a Crib Service or to Midnight Mass. Here in our churches, we are planning to hold a variety of special Christmas services, some of which will be online and some of which will take place either in the churches themselves or outside. Do check our website for the latest details (always good to check, as we always comply with the latest Government regulations, and these can change!). So, yes, Christmas will be different this year. But it will still be Christmas. It will be an opportunity to celebrate, once again, the birth of Jesus Christ. In Jesus we see the light of God’s love shining out in the darkness of sorrows and our fears. In Jesus, we have hope for the present, and for the year ahead. Fr Jason 11

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12 BLEWBURY WI NEWS Hello again to everyone. This will be the final WI News for 2020, and we can only hope that by the next issue of the Bulletin in February 2021, and good news from the Vaccine front, we will have said goodbye to the dratted Covid-19 and the miserable 2020. Lyn’s Walk. Wednesday, January 13th Lyn will be having (unusually) a Walk in January 2021. Meet at the Village Hall at 9.15 am to give us time to get to Asda for 9.30 am. We will be travelling to Asda’s car park in Didcot. It will be an urban walk as the state of paths is unsure. The Walk will be guided by my two friends who often walk with us. We have arranged this as there is plenty of parking so it is possible for us to travel individually if you don’t want to car share. Also with two leaders we can be divided into socially acceptable groups if needs be and this will keep us legal. Coffee at Costa is possible once we finish. I only need to know in advance that you are coming if you need a lift. Blewbury WI Committee Members have made up a number of “goody bags” - “A Christmas Meeting in a Bag” - to be delivered by a dedicated group of Christmas Elves to every member in Blewbury & Upton. A huge task, but undertaken with the Christmas Spirit. We are keeping our fingers crossed that a February meeting will be allowed to take place in the new Village Hall. May I wish you all as Happy a Christmas as possible and a wonderful 2021. For more details please contact our Secretary, Joy Boness 01235 850543 or visit our web page, http://blewburywi.wordpress.com where you will find more information. Love from Cilla. THE BLEWBURY BREAD CO. Jack and Gay would like to wish all their customers & friends a Happy Christmas & Healthy New Year. Here are our opening times for the Christmas period: • The Blewbury Bread Co. will be open all week between the 17th and 24th December, offering Sourdough & Pastries only on the 24th. We will be adding a few festive goodies that week, so check on the website for details, before placing your orders. Please place all your orders with us for that week ASAP, with at least three days notice. As demand may be higher closer towards the 24th, please let us know if you are happier for your order to be delivered earlier in the week. This will give us time to plan our baking hours and deliveries. As we cannot guarantee an exact time of delivery during the Christmas week, it would be very helpful if a box could be left out, in case you are not in when we deliver. • We will be then be offering a limited range for two days, between the 30th and 31st. Details placed online at the start of that week. Back to normal from Thursday 7th January 2021! • Please Note that going forward, we will now need to receive Croissant orders by Noon, 2 days in advance. We are very aware of how tough 2020 has been for so many, so thank you for your continued support & that given to other small, local businesses. Sending you our very best wishes. The Blewbury Bread Co. NEW BLEWBURY SCHOOL EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER TO START IN JANUARY Blewbury School is to be led by a new Executive Headteacher from January 2021. Lisa Austin will bring a large amount of additional experience and expertise to the School’s leadership team. ODST has also confirmed that Lisa Horton, who is the Consultant Headteacher who has been in charge of the School for much of this term will be staying on at the School to work with Lisa Austin for the rest of the school year. Lisa Austin has provided the following introduction: “As an experienced school leader, I have worked in a range of primary schools, both as Headteacher and as a part of a local authority school improvement team. For the past year I have been working in another ODST school, as Interim Headteacher. Before that the majority of my experience has been as Executive Headteacher of two village primary schools. As such, I am really looking forward to getting to know the pupils, parents, staff and village community in Blewbury, and to playing a significant part in leading the continued journey of school improvement.” A very successful on-line meeting for parents was organised by ODST on December 3rd. At this event Ian Elkington and Sharon Mullins from ODST provided a detailed overview of the new school development plan. This was well received by the many parents who attended the event. The School is very sorry that it hasn’t been possible to welcome prospective parents in the usual way into the school, during parts of 2020 because of the pandemic. However the School has been will be offering further appointments through Zoom in the new year, as well as making a virtual tour of the School available on the School website. It believes that it has much to offer new entrants and it is always delighted to be able to share that vision with any parents, who want to know more about our local village school. The School also regrets that it won’t be able to invite parents and the community into the School, for the normal Christmas events. It does however want to take this opportunity to wish the whole Blewbury community a safe and happy holiday. Hopefully we will be able to enjoy some great community events together again soon.

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14 ELECTRIC WINTER WONDERLAND We understand that lots of key stage 1 children at Blewbury School are self isolating, and will miss Max and Charlie’s ‘Winter Wonderland’ at Carpenters on 12th December. We are considering opening up once again on Saturday 19th December, if there is enough interest. This will be pre-arranged for timed slots, so no one is hanging around waiting in the cold. If you would like to join us on the 19th December, please email me for further information. Entry is £2.50 per person, and all monies taken on the night will go to The Salvation Army and Operation Smile. Marianne [email protected] BLEWBURY CALENDAR 2021 There is still a chance to buy Bernard’s Blewbury Calendar - now on sale at the Post Office or reserve direct from [email protected] or 01235 851088. Price £8. It is a coincidence that we have two months with donkeys: the charming Doodle Donks posed for us in the Churchyard and then Polly Vacher, celebrated aviator, brought her donkeys over to Blewbury on a practice run for her Donkathon in June next year and we couldn’t resist taking a photo of them. Blewbury scenes and lots of space for appointments, etc. A treat for yourself or a lovely gift. COUNTRYSIDE OR AGRISIDE? I moved to Blewbury in the South Oxfordshire countryside four years ago, except I didn’t. Well I half did, in that I moved to Pilgrims Way in Blewbury but it's no longer in the countryside and perhaps hasn’t been for some time. In fact I live in what is more correctly termed the ‘agriside’, the industrial farming site that extends south and west and east from here. I offer a couple of pieces of evidence. Firstly take a walk south of here towards the Ridgeway. Note the almost silence of hardly any bird noise. Of course there is so little bird noise … there are no insects. Take a walk a few more times and notice how week by week more hedgerows have ‘disappeared’. In the last couple of weeks a hedgerow has disappeared from the road that goes up to Churn Farm from the playing fields. Birds like thick hedgerows and insects, but it seems that some farmers have effectively removed birds and insects from our countryside. I say ‘some’ because I know some farmers take their responsibility seriously. Nevertheless, hedgerow by hedgerow we are losing our countryside. Now it would seem we must further comply with what ‘big farming’ requires of us. In last month’s Bulletin the article Crop Protection & Bystander Exposure advises us to ‘work together to reduce any exposure of risk’. ‘Work together’! the cheek of it. The agriside is being sprayed… weeds, disease and fungus have had it along with insects no doubt. It's all perfectly legal apparently; nevertheless, take precautionary measures or… well we aren’t told, but presumably the ‘legal' spraying whilst deadly for plant enemies will have side effects for us. Should I keep my Covid mask on when I walk south to the Ridgeway… looks like it. Step by step by step we comply… few hedges, paths closed off, no insects, few birds, now the air itself may be unsafe for us. What’s next? Actually we don’t need a 'what's next' - it’s bad enough already. The countryside…. used to be a great idea, but clearly for some ’the agriside’ is a better one. Paul Tuvey [email protected] > Evidently the Crop Protection article referred to in the item above has produced a number of negative, even hostile, reactions, in part because its authors’ names were omitted. This was purely an editorial error: neither Ed Hall of BeeswaxDyson nor Parish Councillor Miriam Jacobs asked for anonymity, and in any case the Bulletin’s editorial policy (see back page) expressly prohibits anonymous contributions. We apologise for this error, both to our readers and to Ed and Miriam, the latter of whom has received some unnecessarily unpleasant feedback. We published the article in the spirit in which it was intended, which was to encourage mutual understanding, and will continue to publish anything that fulfils this role without undue rancour or divisiveness. As Miriam explains: “The objective of the piece was simply to try to help reduce bystander exposure. There is a space limitation in the Bulletin, and the article had to be reduced in size, but the essence of the message, to inform and to indicate that we could have a practical signalling system to reduce bystander spraying risks, was retained and emphasized. Further follow-up articles may ensue, depending upon the level of constructive interest, to explain pesticide risk assessment for example. The article was simply a public service - nothing more, nothing less.” - Editor BRIDGE CLUB The Wessex League team had a more successful second outing this season, beating Frilford convincingly. There will be no Club sessions on Bridge Base Online on Thursday 24th and Thursday 31st December. The Club's Funbridge sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays will continue to run through the holiday period, for those who would like some additional mental stimulation as a change from other celebrations, however limited these may prove to be for some in the current climate. The Committee would like to wish all members of Blewbury Bridge Club, their families, and all bridge players everywhere, a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - a 2021 that sees us, we hope, get back to a more normal type of F2F bridge club activity. Michael Allen 851870

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16 Read our newsletter at sustainable-blewbury.org.uk/newsletter_latest.pdf Thermal imaging of houses: Get your home thermally imaged for free in January – Seeing where heat is leaking out can help you make your home more comfortable, save you money and reduce your carbon footprint by showing what can be done to improve your insulation. Sustainable Blewbury volunteers have imaged and provided short reports on well over 200 homes in Blewbury since 2009. To be on our list, or for more information, email [email protected] or phone Eric at 07935 232296. (We need more helpers. It’s interesting work and little experience is needed to help take the images. Just contact us as above.) Annual footpath leaf clearing – DIY this year! A big thank you to all the public-spirited people who have been taking part in the Great Blewbury Rake-Off by clearing leaves from our footpaths. By pure coincidence we started during the Vale’s Recycling Week, so the brown bin men took away many of the bags piled up around the village. It is hard work once the leaves have got soggy, and they were under water in Watts Lane one weekend. Well done! Most of the leaves have now been cleared, but do feel free to tackle any patches left behind. If you do this please bag up the leaves, stack them at the road end of the footpath, and post where you have left them on BVS Facebook so that people who want leaves for mulching know they are there. (Or, if you do not use Facebook, email me at [email protected] so that I can post them). The Parish Council will clear any bags remaining, but we want to give you the opportunity to help yourself to some leaves before they do so. Thank you again, from SB/the BVS/BPC who (with volunteers) arrange the leaf clearing in a more normal year. (I think leaf clearing may officially become the Great Blewbury Rake Off from next year!) Thank you for helping to keep Blewbury beautiful! Jo Lakeland Hedge-laying progress: We have now laid the hedge along the southern border of Blewbury allotments. This has had a transformative effect on the allotment plots alongside the hedge, allowing in much more light and probably adding up to a metre of extra useable ground. We were originally asked to lay 80 metres of hedge and, with some stakes and binders cut from the hazel growing along the road boundary we have extended this to over 100 metres. The small length of hedge remaining has been cut down to the same size. We welcome suggestions for further hedges to be laid. John Ogden BLEWBURY FREECYCLE E-MAIL TEL NO. FREE ITEMS TO A GOOD HOME Unused wall-mounted CD and MP3 player, some talking books, unused... Peter Saunders 850245 A donation to Oxfam would be welcome. [email protected] Marianne Suhr Blue and red wooden Thomas the Tank Engine train bed, to suit single marianne@ 07808 287507 mattress. Free to a good home, but donation to Preschool appreciated. oldhouseconsultancy.co.uk Large free standing embroidery frame 60 cm wide Ann Dendy 850760 If you have any items to freecycle please email a short description (using ‘freecycle’ as your subject), and include your email and phone number. Lydia Inglis ([email protected]). Getting involved in Sustainable Blewbury can contribute to the village and its environment. To participate, or to receive our free bi-monthly Newsletter, email [email protected] or phone 850372.

Many thanks to everybody who donated items for the Food Bank last time – the number of items sent from Blewbury in time for distribution at Christmas was truly overwhelming – thank you. It is a sign of the real hardship that many people are experiencing that Food Banks are more necessary than ever at this time of year and your support is hugely appreciated and every item is used to help a needy family. The next dates for donations to the Didcot Food Bank are Saturday 2nd JANUARY 2021 – until Monday 11th JANUARY 2021. There will be a collection box as usual during these dates outside the Charity School House (opposite the Church) Please do not leave any donations if the box is not there. Blewbury continues to be very generous in its support of the Food Bank. If you can give even one item of dried goods, tins, UHT milk, household cleaning items, soap and toiletries, pet food or items for babies, all donations are accepted with great thanks. There is always a Food Bank donations box at the Post Office. Thank you for your continued support. St Michael’s Church Action Group and Didcot Food Bank. NEW: Donations online: A reminder that you can go to https://didcotbaptist.churchsuite.co.uk/donate/ and make a cash donation. If the Food Bank is short of any particular items, they use this cash to purchase goods locally. When you visit the site, please select "Foodbank". If appropriate, there is also a Gift Aid option to reclaim tax.

17 Creative Labs - update We have been meeting once a month by Zoom for an hour or so. This has meant we could keep in touch and support each other with writing and workshopping new ideas for performance or for our own creative needs. It is informal and fun. As is typical of Blewbury Players’ activities it is proving to be a lovely mix of ages, and varying levels of confidence and experience. It is all about ‘dipping your toe in’ and giving it a go in a safe environment with friendly people. New for 2021 At Creative Labs we have already written some sketches and poems that we plan to perform as another shorter ‘Zoom Show’ to friends and family. We would welcome people that wish to join us at our sessions leading to a performance sometime before Easter. We have invited an experienced script writer and author to join our next session on Thursday 7th January. We will be inviting her to tell us a little about her work and maybe ask her for guidance or constructive feedback on pieces written so far or that we are working on. If you would like to join us at 8pm on the first Thursday of each month please contact us at [email protected] and we will send you a link for the next session. Romeo and Juliet 2021 Plans are still in place to perform Romeo and Juliet at Orchard Dene, directed by Chris Staines, this coming summer if all the stars align! Please watch out for news in the coming months. www.blewburyplayers.co.uk

BLEWBURY AND UPTON VILLAGE PRODUCE ASSOCIATION – Your village gardening club At the time of writing (7th Dec) our Banksian Medal Competition is due to take place on Saturday (12th Dec) and we would like to give a big Thank You to all those who have registered to take part. I’m hoping for warmer weather as the competition will have to take place in the car park under gazebos as the refurbishment of the village hall is not complete. We will have photos in the next edition of the Blewbury Bulletin and Upton News. Well, Oxfordshire is in Tier-2 - let’s hope that we don’t go any higher and even go down to Tier-1 after the New Year. Depending what happens with Covid-19 will depend what the VPA will be able to do in 2021. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll be able to go ahead with our Annual Summer Show in July next year and we will be using our 2020 Schedule which we couldn’t use this year because of the major lockdown. I hope everyone is organised for the Christmas festivities and looking forward to a much happier and healthier 2021. As there‘s not a lot of news I have included a few extra Did You Knows! DID YOU KNOW? “The great Roman Emperor Tiberius (ruled AD 14-37) was an avid eater of cucumbers, which were reputedly served to him with every meal. To meet the imperial demand, his gardeners became experts at forcing them in wheeled beds which could be moved around into the sun.” “For much of the nineteenth century, the ‘baked potato man’ was a common sight on London streets, selling hot spuds in their jackets to passers-by. It was said that at the height of their popularity there were over 250 itinerant potato men plying their trade. Most English gentlemen wouldn’t be seen dead eating a vulgar potato off the street, but they often bought them as hand-warmers during the harsher winters of that time.” “James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck, the Scottish biographer, diarist and lawyer, wrote: In an orchard there should be enough to eat, enough to lay up, enough to be stolen and enough to rot on the ground.” HAPPY GARDENING - KEEP WELL AND SAFE and SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM ALL THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE VILLAGE PRODUCE ASSOCIATION ‘BLEWBURY’ – A POEM BY JOAN COLEMAN This little gem from 1977 was found by Audrey Long while reorganising the history room. Joan Coleman was one of two sisters who helped the French Resistance during the war, and who subsequently moved to Blewbury. Dear Blewbury! where everyone I meet Sweet Blewbury! A blessing sure and strong Wears that sweet smile of friendship. No one frowns, Rests here, since St Birinus passed this way, Be it in Berry Lane or Westbrook Street, And caused its folk to raise a praiseful song – Or Grahame Close, or on the windswept Downs. A link from man to God unto this day. Fair Blewbury! I love its grey church tower, Its glorious bells, its streams, its leafy lanes, Its cottages, where at the evening hour Shine lights that welcome through the leaded panes.

18 UNITED CHARITIES OF THE ANCIENT PARISH OF BLEWBURY Registered Charity No: 203538 Guardian of the Almshouses Opportunity The Charity is looking for someone to be directly responsible to the Trustees for managing and coordinating the maintenance and upkeep of the almshouses. Reimbursement would be in the form of an annual honorarium or a one- year fixed term contract. The Guardian must demonstrate and maintain integrity, impartiality and confidentiality and work independently, organise time, manage deadlines and maintain accurate records and files Duties would include • Liaise with residents re general upkeep of almshouses and liaise swiftly with Trustees and Clerk in any emergency • Attend Trustee meetings, committee meetings and interim meetings as required • Act as a key holder to the almshouses • Arrange annual gas safety inspections and boiler services • Liaise with the local council regarding maintenance of the surface water drain • Co-ordinate six-monthly property inspections, circulating completed checklists to Trustees • Co-ordinate actions resulting from property inspections • Carry out odd jobs, those too small to employ someone • Organise work to be carried out on either property as and when needed • obtain quotes • order and take delivery of materials if appropriate • arrange access • supervise work • sign off work and arrange payment • When necessary apply online for Listed Building Consent or Planning Permission for work to take place • Liaise with neighbours regarding any work or actions that may impact upon them For further details please contact the Charity’s chair, Sheila Loy: [email protected], 01235 850537, 24 Grahame Close, by Sunday 20th December. The intention is to hold interviews early in the New Year. BLEWBURY CLIMATE ACTION: TWO BOOKS, TWO VIDEOS, TWO ACTIONS** Two very different Books Feral, George Monbiot, 2013 (Allen Lane, Penguin Press) You may associate Monbiot with radical opinions, but his background is in zoology. In Feral he shows how, by restoring and rewilding our damaged ecosystems on land and at sea, we can bring back wonder into our lives. A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future, David Attenborough, 2020, Witness Books, Penguin. He writes about how we made our greatest mistake - but in his vision for the future, if we act now, we can put it right. A encouraging book! Videos Two by David Attenborough: Extinction the Facts which warns us of the dreadful effects the extinctions of 1 million species will have unless we do something about it (BBC i-Player) and A Life on Our Planet, which is ‘the film of the book’ (made by Netflix) Panorama: Britain’s Wild Weather (BBC i-Player) does not just show how wild weather affected us in the last 12 months – floods in November, the wettest February and sunniest spring ever, record breaking temperatures in summer. It goes further – demonstrating the effect on us, wherever we live, if we allow temperatures to rise by 2°C or even 4°C. It included a link to an interactive website that allows you to import post codes to discover what will happen in different parts of the UK. And Actions I recently discovered ‘Possible.’ They want a zero carbon society, built by the people living in it. They want people like us to be involved in actions. Their website describes the challenges and their current projects. One that interested me is called Badvertising – a campaign to stop high carbon advertising (fossil fuels, huge new cars etc. They include for each project a campaign toolkit, data and suggesting what you could do. So even if you have never protested before, you have all you need to do so now. What have the teenage climate activists been doing recently? They always said that they did not cause the current climate emergency, but they are the ones who will have to live with the effects. Teenagers are involved in the growing wave of high-profile climate cases against governments around the world. The latest is six young people from Portugal, all witness to the extreme heat and wildfires that ravaged their region, who submitted a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Their complaint is against 33 European countries, who they claim contributed to climate change and failed to take any effective measures against it. And the ECHR is taking this case very seriously! **(Live links to this article are on the “What can I do” page of blewburyclimateaction.com) Hoping you have a Good Christmas and an improved 2021 Jo Lakeland Email [email protected]

19 FROM OUR CANADIAN CORRESPONDENT After I trained as a Master Composter at Garden Organic at Ryton in 2014, I wanted to enrol in the accompanying Master Gardener scheme but it was fully subscribed. So I was delighted to find the Programme here in Vancouver and took the course this January-March, finishing it on Zoom owing to the pandemic. Having successfully passed the exam, I then had to complete 65 volunteer hours to become qualified, which I have just achieved! I was also surprised and pleased to be asked to act as a mentor to students on next year’s course starting in January! Here is a bit of background to the scheme. The Master Gardener Programme was originally founded in 1973 by Dr David Gibby from Washington State University to train individuals in the art of gardening, who then volunteered to pass on their expertise to others to improve their horticultural knowledge. After a trial clinic was held in Tacoma and enthusiastically received, a curriculum was created and the Master Gardener Programme officially established. The concept then spread to other US States and Canadian Provinces. Master Gardeners receive extensive training that they pass on to the public by speaking at public events, writing articles for publications and the internet, partnering with other community programmes, garden centres and educational facilities. According to a 2009 survey there are over 95,000 active Master Gardeners throughout the 50 US States and 9 Canadian provinces, volunteering over 5 million hours to the community on such varied subjects as soil health, integrated pest management, sustainable gardening, composting and many more. They regularly receive community awards for their services. The scheme has only been active in the UK since 2009 where it was initially funded by the Big Lottery’s Local Food Scheme together with Local Government, but was a natural fit for Garden Organic at Ryton, near Coventry (formerly the Henry Doubleday Research Association) founded by Lawrence Hills and named after a 19th century Quaker and freelance journalist who was fascinated by the benefits of growing comfrey as a natural fertiliser, and organic growing as a whole. There are now hundreds of trained Master Gardeners who have mentored thousands of gardeners across England, as well as 500 Master Composters, including me! Ryton Garden is now owned by Coventry University but will continue to offer Master Gardener and Master Composter training to members of the public when the demonstration garden re-opens in Spring 2021 after renovation, and will be demonstrating the principles of organic gardening in a way that can easily be replicated within a domestic or community setting. Also on site is a Heritage Seed Library. It will be well worth a visit! Angela Hoy ([email protected]) HELLO FROM HAYLEIGH & SARAH - UPDATE FROM YOUR LOCAL DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Hello! As this is the last edition of the Blewbury Bulletin for 2020, we would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in Blewbury Parish a very happy Christmas. We sincerely hope that you and your families are able to enjoy the festive season and get some much needed rest and relaxation at the end of a very challenging year. With the hope of an imminent COVID- 19 vaccine rollout, we wish you a bright and promising new year in 2021. As we approach the new year, we will continue to keep you updated on council matters and the council’s response to COVID-19 through these newsletter articles, as well as on our dedicated councillor Facebook Page: Cllrs Hayleigh Gascoigne & Sarah Medley. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any issues or concerns - our email addresses are [email protected] and [email protected]. In the meantime, please check the Local Government News section of the Blewbury website for details of the following topics and more: COVID-19 Community Support Hub – for general advice for all the new Covid tiers and further guidance on each tier. Remember; the tier level for Oxfordshire will be reviewed again on Wednesday 16 December. To contact the Community Support Team call 01235 422600 Monday to Thursday 8.30-5pm and Fridays 8.30-4.30pm, or email [email protected] Support local traders in the Vale and South Oxfordshire with free parking days in the run up to Christmas Each year we provide free parking days during December to help encourage people to shop locally for their Christmas presents to help support our high streets – even more important now that so many traders are affected by Covid-19. Check out where and when free parking is available near you. Christmas Waste Guide We have a new page on our websites helping people deal with their waste over the Christmas and New Year period – including information on changes to collection days, what to do with extra waste, Christmas trees and some videos on how to reduce waste by reusing and recycling items. Financial Support for Businesses Businesses that need help and guidance should continue to visit the South and Vale Business Support website svbs.co.uk. Around 3,500 businesses in the Vale and 4,500 in South Oxfordshire may be eligible for further grant funding aimed at helping those affected by Covid-19 restrictions.

20 PARISH COUNCIL Notes of the Parish Council meeting held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 9 December 2020 by e-conference. Present: Mark Blythe (Chair), Jane Gibson, Lydia Inglis, Michael Penington, Miriam Jacobs, Mark Shayler, Vaughan Humphries and Phil Kilroe. Also present Elizabeth Cooper (Clerk), and County Councillor Mike Fox Davies. Apologies were received from Chris Lakeland, David Hollick (Lengthman) and our District Councillors. The Council received written reports prior to the meeting from both County and District Councillors. They focussed largely on Covid and the support available to individuals and companies. This information is widely available on their websites. The local NHS is promoting a request for the return of health and social care equipment provided on loan which is no longer necessary. Anybody wanting to give back equipment can arrange a collection by calling NRS Healthcare on 01869 225420 or by sending their details to [email protected]. Temporary repairs have been made to the cobb wall thatch and more work will be undertaken next year and repairs have been made to the surface of Coffin Way at the Blewbury end. Grass cutting has been completed for this year. PLANNING APPLICATIONS All Blewbury planning applications, decisions and Parish Council responses, including items under consideration, are listed in the ‘Parish’ section (http://blewbury.co.uk/parish/planning/) of the Blewbury website, which is updated monthly. Full application details are available via links to the main Vale Planning site. Responses to the District Council: P20/V2860/HH - Thatchers Cottage, Church Road - Demolition of conservatory & garage, proposed single-storey extension & replacement garden store annex. Blewbury PC has no objection. P20/V2625/FUL - Abners Barn, Church Road - Demolition of modern lean-to. Subdivisions of plot to create separate dwelling (conversion of Grade 2 listed barn), parking etc. Blewbury PC objects on the basis of policy 7 (1) of the neighbourhood plan (NDP), which states that all new development, alterations or extensions to historic buildings must be sensitive to the historic context in terms of design, style, materials, scale, mass and location. We consider the proposed development would provide a house whose extension is out of scale with the listed building to which it is attached. We also object on the basis of policy 8 (3) of the village NDP, which states that ‘all new developments will have sufficient car parking to ensure a high quality and well-managed...streetscape’. The PC believes the proposed parking arrangements are unrealistic and unsustainable, and will detract from the character of this area of the village (as described in the village appraisal appended to our NDP). Scope for adhoc parking along this narrow lane is very limited; a development of this scale (taking account of the bedrooms already existing at Abners) will increase congestion, introduce new access issues for residents on Church Road, and potentially block access for emergency vehicles. P20/V2630/LB - Abners, Church Road - Listed building consent, as above. BPC objects on the basis already outlined. P20/V2063/FUL - Garden House, Westbrook Street - Erect new dwelling within side garden. Amended plans submitted 23.11.20. Blewbury PC has no objection but would like the finished surface of the Coffin Way footpath to be improved as part of the works. Decisions from the District Council: P20/V2513/HH The Old Mill, Berry Lane - Installation of swimming pool, summerhouse and pump structure. Granted. P20/V2065/FUL - Garden House, Westbrook Street - Demolish existing dwelling. Erect new dwelling. Granted. P20/V1865/HH and P20/V1866/LB - King William House, London Road - Remove concrete ramp and steps to front door and replace with single step. Paint brick wall to west elevation to match other walls of the property. Replace rotten window and patio doors to rear of the property with reclaimed window to match existing and patio doors to match conservatory doors. Replace rotten and collapsed garden shed with new bespoke shed. Granted. Enquiries regarding planning in the parish may be sent to [email protected] The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 13 January 2020 by e-conference. NEED TO CONTACT YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS? Mark Blythe, The Manor, Berry Lane Phil Kilroe, Middle Paddock, Berry Lane Jane Gibson 5 Westbrook Green Chris Lakeland, 4 Westbrook Green Vaughan Humphries, 3 Cossicle Mead Michael Penington, Cleve Cottage, Chapel Lane Lydia Inglis, Chapmans, Nottingham Fee Mark Shayler 2 Eastfields Miriam Jacobs, Tudor Cottage, London Rd Elizabeth Cooper (part-time Clerk) 07968 772935 You can also email the part-time Parish Clerk at [email protected] CITIZENS ADVICE CAN GUIDE YOU THROUGH A CLAIM FOR BENEFITS As the cold weather closes in with biting frosts and long, depressing hours of darkness, the combined effects of the pandemic and financial problems threaten to drive us into a pit of total despondency. But if lack of money is your problem, take heart because there could be a way to take control of the situation: you might be entitled to receive benefits and Citizens Advice can help you all the way. Citizens Advice has a dedicated “Help to claim” team to get you started on claiming benefits. Phone us on 0800 144 8444 (Mon-Fri 0800 to 1800) or use webchat (same hours). Appointments in person are not available at present. More information is on the Citizens Advice website https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk and on the government website www.gov.uk, where benefits rules are signposted on the home page.

21 DEADLINE FOR EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING FOR FEBRUARY ISSUE: 7.30 PM WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20th Autumn Leaves All Autumn Leaves activities are on hold until further notice. In the meantime keep well and stay safe. For any further information call Norman Webb (850700) or Doreen Tyrrell (850332). Free and friendly help for computer users every Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 12:00. We provide help remotely using telephone, Facetime, Skype, Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp or whatever is best for you. Book a 30 minute appoint- ment by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 07780 958249. www.astonsonline.uk for more info.

BLEWBURY GOOD NEIGHBOURS If you live in Blewbury and are self-isolating due to COVID-19 we can help with: • Urgent supplies • Picking up shopping • A friendly phone call • Other essential errands • Help (by phone if necessary) with setting up Skype, WhatsApp, Facetime etc – just ask! Please text/call one of the following three phone numbers and a volunteer will arrange to help you: 851777 (Blewbury Post Office), 07825 154842, 07801 932393. If you would like to register as a volunteer, please also call these numbers or visit the Blewbury Good Neighbours page on Facebook. *** NEW! FREE MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE *** Moves are afoot to organise a village-wide free hot meal delivery service for those that need it. The way it will work and how often deliveries will be made depends on demand, so if you’re interested please call Karen, in confidence, as soon as possible on 851777 (Blewbury Post Office) or 07825 154842.

BLEWBURY FLYING SQUAD The Flying Squad service is suspended until further notice. BLEWBURY POST OFFICE OPENING HOURS Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 8.30 am - 12 noon and 2.30 - 5 pm Wednesdays: 8.30 am - 12 noon Saturdays: 9.30 am - 12 noon Christmas/New Year Variations: Christmas Eve (Thursday 24th): Open until 12 noon only Monday 28th (Bank Holiday): Closed all day Tuesday 29th – Thursday 31st: Open mornings only New Year’s Day (Friday 1st): Closed all day Monday January 4th onwards: Open as usual

Post-Christmas Bin Collection Days: Food waste bin: *Thursday 31st. Grey bin or pink sack: *Thursday 31st. January Bin Collection Days: Food waste bin: *Thursday 7th, *Wednesday 13th, Tuesday 19th & 26th. Grey bin or pink sack: *Wednesday 13th & Tuesday 26th. Green bin or sack, and brown bin: *Thursday 7th & Tuesday 19th. HOW TO ADVERTISE IN THE BULLETIN The Bulletin welcomes advertisements from organisations and individuals based in Blewbury and immediately neighbouring villages. Space permitting, we also welcome ads from further afield if they do not duplicate existing local services, are not widely advertised elsewhere and are likely to be of interest to residents. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply that the Bulletin endorses the products or services offered. Display advertisements must be submitted in one of three rectangular sizes: • 60mm wide x 40mm high (cost: £2.00) • 60mm wide x 85mm high (£4.00) • 90mm wide x 65mm high (£6.00) Artwork should be in black and white only. You can also send plain text for us to fit into an appropriately sized box. If you are advertising a village event you can also present it as plain editorial, i.e. not highlighted in a box, for no charge. All advertisements should be submitted to the Editor in the first instance, either emailed to [email protected] as a Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, JPEG or PDF attachment, or typed/handwritten and delivered to Swallows, Church Road, Blewbury OX11 9PY. If your advertisement is accepted, please note that payment must be received before the Bulletin goes to press. If you require repeat insertions over multiple months, you will be referred to the Advertising Manager to make the appropriate arrangements. WRITTEN CONTRIBUTIONS We are always happy to receive editorial contributions. Text and images can be submitted in the same way as advertisements – see above. Anyone supplying information for publication must be responsible for its accuracy. We require name and contact details in all cases, although if requested these will not be published. The editor reserves the right to reject submissions. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Bulletin. To see the Bulletin online visit www.blewbury.co.uk.

The Blewbury Bulletin is published at Swallows, Church Road, Blewbury, OX11 9PY. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of published information, the Editor and Officers accept no responsibility for the consequences of any errors. Problems receiving your Bulletin? Call 01235 850337. Editor: Chris Whatmore, Swallows, Church Road, OX11 9PY tel 851055 [email protected]. Local Distribution Manager: Kathy Edmunds, Wayside Cottage, Westbrook Street, OX11 9QA tel 850337 [email protected] Postal & Email Distribution Manager: Helen White, Southbourne, Bessels Way, OX11 9NJ tel 850483 [email protected] Advertising Manager: Elizabeth Murphy, The White House, London Road, OX11 9PD tel 851244 [email protected] Treasurer: Paul Letchfield, Penbury, Bessels Lea tel 850916 [email protected] Webmaster: Peter Willison, Fleetwith, Nottingham Fee, OX11 9PG tel. 850936 [email protected].