Of the village, by the village, for the village February/March 2016 96 FinstockServing Finstock, Fawler, Wilcote, Mt.SkippettNews and Finstock Heath
Ethiopia...... 1 Shop, PO, Wychfood...... 7 Village Events...... 2 School, Toddlers...... 8 Village Hall, First Resp...... 3 Shop AGM, Ethiopia...... 9 Letter, Health, Toads...... 4 District Council...... 10 Sm Ads, Cnty Coun...... 5 Festival, Wine...... 11 Conservation...... 6 Gardening, FoFS...... 12
A happy and healthy 2016 • Laughter is good for you. e look forward to using our new Village Hall this year; please see the Village Hall report and a note from the architect on page 3. The TVSA AGM report is on page 9 and the Wychfood article on page 7 explains Wthe added attraction of buying locally produced food at our Village Shop. A report on the Finstock Festival joins our regular gardening column on page 12. We begin this issue with a visit to Ethiopia by our world travelling villager Rosemary Wise.
G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G Ethiopia Winter is a good time to set off to little stacks. Cows and sheep were The second week was a bonus - we a warmer climate. In December three everywhere by the thousand, even took off for the 2,400 sq. km. Bale of us flew off to Ethiopia, my 43rd in the centres of the dusty towns we Mountains National Park, 400 km. botanical expedition. Addis Ababa is a passed through. At one point we saw south east of Addis. In the lower, grassy large, sprawling city 2,300 metres above large herds of camels. Acacia trees were areas we photographed the rare Nyala sea level. That night I was introduced dominant, their spreading branches deer, warthogs and baboons. Up on the to Ethiopian food and culture for the providing excellent drying platforms Sanetti plateau the landscape became first time. The staple dish which most for maize fodder, out of reach of the very weird, covered with tiny tussocks households eat at least twice a day is animals. of white-flowered Helichrysums and called Injera. This is a pancake made Climbing higher, the vegetation palm-like giant lobelias. This is Afro- with a batter of flour ground from tef, changed and trees of Juniperus procera, alpine vegetation and the home of a cereal grown in the highland areas, and the beautiful Hagenia abyssinica, the endemic Ethiopian wolf, Africa’s and water which is then allowed to with 30 -60 long panicles of deep pink most endangered canid. Probably ferment for a few days before cooking. flowers dominated. We three were only around 200 exist up here feeding The appearance is slightly off-putting, running courses for the first week in on rodents. How incredibly lucky we looking like a grey-brown dishcloth with the college, the other two teaching were to see one of these lovely animals a surface texture resembling tripe but botanic garden policies while I had a within a few metres. We were now not unpleasant to eat. We had a tray smaller group of seven, five of whom at an altitude of well over 4,000m. about a metre across covered with one were University lecturers, to teach Above 3,700m land is considered to be large pancake with little piles of spicy techniques of botanical illustration. My unsuitable for agriculture, therefore this food dotted over. One tears off bits of second task was to start painting plants region provides them with a relatively injera and with the right hand only and for a planned series of educational safe habitat. (continued on p. 9) uses them to scoop up the unfamiliar posters. Our bungalow on the campus food. was surrounded with vast numbers The following day we drove south to of vervet the forestry college at Wondo Genet. m o n k e y s , This four hour long journey follows the v e r y wide rift valley through predominantly entertaining agricultural land. The harvest was to watch and almost over; not once did I see modern very quick to machinery, the land is ploughed with steal our fruit oxen, the grain is cut and threshed if we left the by hand and the straw bound into Vervet kitchen door Ethiopian bunches to construct the most beautiful Monkey open. Wolf G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G 0 . VILLAGE EVENTS 0 . Finstock Local Our first full event in the new Village Further details, including directions History Society Hall is scheduled for May 20th when to the Turner Hall should you need The Finstock Local History Society Dr Simon Draper, the Assistant Editor, them, are available from Diana Power will be meet on Friday February 19th at of the Victoria County History (VCH), on Tel: 882301. 8pm in the School Hall when Stephen Oxfordshire, will present a summary Community First of the VCH pre-publication work on Barker will be sharing his impressive Oxfordshire knowledge of Oxford during the English the history of the Wychwoods – not to (formerly Oxfordshire Civil War. be missed! Stephen will describe Oxford's role All are welcome. Rural Community Council)) as the Royalist capital through the North Leigh words of some of the people who were We are looking for more drivers on History Society our Red Arrows team, which helps present, assess the impact of the war Our 2016 talks are going to take on the city and surrounding area and people to get around who otherwise place in the Turner Hall in Church would not be able to such as taking highlight what remains of the defences Road, North Leigh, opposite St Mary’s to this day. His presentation will also the elderly to medical appointments. church, but we start at the same time, Could you spare a few hours? Do you look at the impact of the tension 7.30pm and, as usual, while we charge between town and gown, the extent know anyone who would be willing visitors £4 entrance fee, talks for to volunteer? Please visit our website of the city's rapid population growth Members are free. and the roles played by significant and share the details with anyone who February 2nd: Drunk and Riotous – might be interested: http://bit.ly/OxVol individuals. Oxfordshire Friendly Societies. A talk Stephen is a welcome return speaker by Shaun Morley. to Finstock; he is an independent Whatever you know or thought Ladies, give us Heritage Advisor who has worked with you knew about Friendly Societies, be your support! the Oxfordshire Museum Services as prepared to have your views challenged. Give all your unwanted old a trustee of the Battlefields Trust. He March 1st: The coming of the bras a new lease of life and help also works on communication and joint Railways to Oxfordshire. A talk by Liz raise money for breast cancer research. projects with English Heritage. Woolley. Bring them to Joy Murphy at 63 High Street. Against Breast Cancer will receive a donation based on the weight Soldiers of Oxfordshire Mark your calendars for Sunday of bras we collect, so every bra counts! Museum Events (SOFO) September 4th when the 17th Annual All events are held on Wednesdays Wychwood Fair will be held on at the Museum from 7pm - 8.30pm Cornbury Estate. unless otherwise stated. Website: www.sofo.org.uk. February 3rd: Colonel John Bridgeman From the Black Prince to Winston Churchill, from Poitiers to Decorator & traDesman Present Day - 600 years of Oxfordshire Yeomanry Tickets £5 House & Home services March 2nd: An evening with Hugo Brunner My father and I Tickets £15 painting and decorating. Mummers in maintenance and repairs. December help around the home. Charlbury Society North Oxfordshire Friday February 12th. A talk by Organic Gardeners reliable local tradesman. Martin Sirot-Smith: Food and Drink in Tudor Times. Meet in St Mary’s Parish Rooms, Friday March 11th. A talk by Simon Church Street, Chipping Norton on the richard Buck Wenham: The History of Salter's 1st Wednesday each month at 7.30pm elbie house, east end, Steamers. in the winter with visits to local gardens Both meetings are in the Memorial during the summer months. north leigh, oX29 6pX Hall Charlbury at 8pm. Refreshments Visitors £3, members £1. Annual from 7.30pm. membership £10. Website: www.noog. tel: 880166 All Welcome. Visitors £3. Students org.uk Contact: Tracy 01295 780710. mob - 07791 046583 Free. More information on website: www.charlbury.inf/community/22 or call 01608 810359/810130. 2 Village Hall Community First Responders are volunteers that are trained and equipped Now in the final by the ambulance service to answer Village Hall stages, Finstock Village January 13th certain types of medical emergencies Hall is well on the way in their local communities while the to completion. Local ambulance is on its way. There is good builders Steve and evidence to suggest that if people are Luke Peters have been trained to help someone while the working since June ambulance is on the way, more lives 2015 to create the shell are saved, and because the volunteers which was topped out in operate in their neighbourhoods there December. Constructed is every possibility they will arrive before in materials that match the ambulance and these seconds and the local character the minutes can make all the difference. new Hall is on the same Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the site and similar in scale UK’s single biggest killer. On average, to the original and now 150,000 people suffer a SCA every stands proudly on Well Hill looking over the Evenlode towards Stonesfield. year. Every minute that passes after The interior fit out is progressing rapidly towards completion and ready for someone has suffered SCA the chance action. Plastering, timber hall floor and all the interior finishes and decorations of a successful resuscitation reduces by are in hand. Derek Bennett and Noah Derrington are fitting in modern and about 14 percent. responsive electrical systems to provide for every occasion: power, lighting, audio When the ambulance service receives and environmental controls. Inside you will find a modern and pleasant Hall and an emergency call in an area where meeting room with attached kitchen ready to host the wide variety of events there is a volunteer available, and if the that are run in a busy village, and the Hall and meeting room can be opened call is suitable for a volunteer to attend, into one space for larger events. the responder receives a message on I have enjoyed working with the Finstock Village Hall Renewal team and local a mobile phone alerting them to this craftsmen who have all taken a personal interest in creating a building of quality incident. They then make their way to for the Community. I am looking forward to seeing it in action in the coming the incident following communication months and years as I am sure you are too! from the control room. This means that Peter Smith help is on the way within seconds of a Architect call being made. Responders can arrive at the incident while the person is still making the 999 call! More information With handover of the Hall due on number to receive booking requests. is available at our web page is www. April 1st, we are able to take bookings Prior to opening we shall have a southcentralambulance.nhs.uk. for the new Hall from Monday April whole community day when anyone Sara Cooper 11th onwards. There are already can come and see what is on offer. several new groups planned which will This, together with new clubs, indoor complement existing users. Anyone that sports and other activities will be well wishes to set up a new activity, hold publicised under our new project a party, or any other social event can GET ACTIVE : KEEP ACTIVE, which Andrew A. Adams now hire the Hall. It is also suitable for will encourage everyone, young or occasional use by local businesses with old, to try something new, return to a FCCA excellent new equipment that is fit for a past interest or activity, or simply find Village Hall in the 21st century. We have something to do to get away from the Chartered Certified a new online booking system at www. television and computers! There will Accountant finstock.org.uk/village-hall where you be plenty of opportunity for everyone. can see existing bookings, availability Shaun Morley, Chair of Trustees Quality personal service for your and make a provisional booking online Email: [email protected] Accounting, Taxation and to secure a slot. Someone will get back to you very quickly to confirm your First Responders Business needs request. We can take requests via Accidents and illness happen at any Competitive fees agreed email at [email protected], time but winter conditions can increase in advance but please visit the online diary first the chances or delay help reaching you. Free initial meeting to check availability. Booking online Finstock is covered by Community Telephone: 07790 854574 reserves the slot so will have priority First Responders from the local area over email requests. A telephone line and it is always useful to know what Telephone: 01993 891280 is due to be installed in the Hall, but may happen if you do need to call an [email protected] as yet we do not have the telephone ambulance. 3 Village Viewpoint The Editorial Committee Dear Villagers: Sean Connolly 868561 Member We are sorry to see Andy Compton, his wife Tracey and sons Oliver and William Nicky Higgins 868425 Proofing move from the village. Andy has been a long-time supporter of the Finstock News Tony Hirtenstein 868600 Layout Joy Murphy 868575 Editor through writing articles first on AC Finstock and then on the scouts, and serving on [email protected] the Editorial Committee. He organised the Twitter account for Finstock and then Barbara Wells 868776 Distribution the Facebook Finstock Memories site. Additionally, he delivered the newsletters John Wells 868776 Advertising to homes on his regular route. Photographs thanks to staff members We wish Andy and his family all the best in their new location. and others. Editor Read the Finstock News online at www. finstock.org.uk; join the Finstock Yahoo Healthwatch Toad Patrol group – groups.yahoo.com/group/finstock; Oxfordshire - your voice For generations each spring, toads or write to us at 63 High Street, Finstock on health and social care have migrated from the fields above Oxon, OX7 3DA. Whether it is improving services Fawler to spawn in the pond near the Plan ahead – Know the deadlines today, or helping to shape them for river. Frogs jump but toads crawl and Issue Deadline tomorrow, Healthwatch Oxfordshire their problem these days are that they Feb/Mar First of January April/May First of March is all about enabling local voices to have to cross the main road in Fawler. June/July First of May influence the delivery and They do this at dusk on warmish damp August/September First of July design of local health and social care evenings in early Spring which often October/November First of September December/January First of November in our county. Not just for the people means during the rush-hour, the time who use them now, but for anyone who of busy traffic, too much of it travelling Please keep articles short. As space is limited, might need to in future. too fast, so many toads are killed. the Editors reserve the right to shorten long pieces in the interest of balance. Finstock News Healthwatch Oxfordshire hears what Residents from Fawler, Finstock and does not necessarily share views expressed in people have to say about health and Leafield are trying to help reduce the readers’ letters. social care services, and strengthens death toll. During the short period of the collective voice of patients and the the migration, which last year started Please contact Harriet Kopinska public, so that service providers and at the end of February and finished by ([email protected]) Tel: commissioners listen to what they have the end of March, we take it in turns 891667 or me (mrsstacey@hotmail. to say. We then hold them to account to patrol each night. We pick the toads co.uk) Tel: 891267 for more information. on how they use the information we up in buckets and deposit them on If you are unable to join us actively, provide to shape, inform and influence the other side of the road where they please ask your friends and neighbours service delivery and design. have easy access to the field leading who drive through Fawler to be alert To do this, we need as many people to the pond. when the toad warning road signs as possible to speak out about their We organise a rota and patrol in experiences, so that we can speak up appear and to drive extra slowly. pairs but there really are not enough Hilary Stacey on their behalf. of us. Will you join us? We wear Hi- Please tell Healthwatch how you Viz clothing and the site is a registered would like to be treated and cared for, Toad Patrol with national charity and what is important to you when Froglife. Froglife provides us with free using health and social care services, insurance and advice as part of its long and we can make a difference together. running Toads on the Roads project. We To find out more about Healthwatch report the numbers of toads we know Oxfordshire, please visit our website, to be safe at the end of the season to www.healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk Froglife to provide data to help with this Contact us on 01865 520 520 or email hello@healthwatchoxfordshire. national conservation project (http:// co.uk www.froglife.org/what-we-do/toads- You can also follow us on Twitter on-roads/) @HealthwatchOxon and find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ HealthwatchOxfordshire. MARK BILLINGE CHIMNEY SWEEP ChOC Films For a clean and efficient service www.chocfilms.org Sunday February 14th at 7pm Tel.: 01367-243052 Testament of Youth 4 SMALL ADS (All numbers start with 01993 unless otherwise stated) Kings Cleaning Services (Est. Barking Mad - Alternative to Dog Peter Smith & Son Funeral 40 years) Windows - gutters - UPVC Kennels Call Jeannie or Amanda on Directors Ltd. Personal 24 hour frames – fascia – Specialist equipment for 01865 922004 service, Pre-paid funeral Plans, All types of conservatories, including roofs. Also Email [email protected] memorial work. domestic house cleaning and office www.barkingmad.uk.com Tel 702000. cleaning. Fully insured. Ring 882727 for a www.petersmithandson.co.uk professional and reliable service. Hairdressing in your home Thirty-plus years experience. Women, men or children – The whole family. Reasonable rates Contact: Alison Pritchard, Tel: 01608-810533
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County Councillor Report Local Government Settlement FREE Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) has now received details of future grant WIFI funding from central Government and the levels are even worse than feared. The council had been preparing for up to £50m of savings from 2016 to 2020 (on top of the £292m it is already in the process of making for the period from 2010 to 2018). However, on the basis of figures provided by central Government last month, OCC will have to make £20m further savings on top of the £50m, Our Bar is open: bringing the total saving to £70m over the next four years. Central Government has Mon: 6pm – close changed the formula for funding councils, and it seems shire counties, particularly Tues – Fri: 12 noon – 3pm & 6pm – close Sat: 12 noon – close in the south of England, have come off worst. Sun: 12 noon – 6.00pm The list of proposed savings for £50 million was already controversial, with many members of the public opposing them. To achieve the additional £20 Our kitchen is open: million savings, no area of the council can be exempt other than those where Tues – Sun there is a statutory obligation to provide for Lunch: 12 noon – 2.00pm Dinner: 6.30pm – 9.00pm the most vulnerable in the county. This means other areas will suffer Come and visit us, we’d love to see you. disproportionately, which will involve some very difficult and controversial decisions. By law, the Council has to pass a balanced budget with no revenue The Plough Inn borrowing. The Cabinet recommendations will have been published on January High Street, Finstock OX7 3BY Tel: 01993 868333 18th for decision January 26th, before the budget goes to Full Council on February www.theplough-inn.co.uk 16th. There have been some calls for a referendum to increase Council Tax above the
3.99 percent that is currently legally possible. It would require something in thePlough_ad_90x60mm_Details_2015.indd 1 29/10/2015 15:47 order of a 25 percent year-on-year increase to just prevent “most” of the proposed The Plough Inn Finstock cuts. This is not an option that I think would be supported by the electorate, A very warm welcome awaits you at The Plough! while costing in the order of £600K that the referendum process would cost. A four-course Valentine’s dinner for two New Oxfordshire Libraries APP @ £30 per person will be served on Oxfordshire Libraries can now be accessed from smart phone or tablet. People Saturday February 13th. can: On Sunday February 14th we will be open • manage their account • search the catalogue • renew and reserve books. for Sunday Lunch and dinner time as well with the usual Sunday lunch menu and Bar code scanning is available on devices with a front-facing auto-focus camera. normal prices. Search for 'Oxfordshire Libraries' at the App Store or Google Play. Best wishes Tuesday’s fish and chips special two for the price of one continues; Cllr Rodney Rose as does Thursday’s two steaks and a bottle of wine for £30. Dial-a-Ride The County Council has decided to cease funding the Dial-a-Ride service as The full menu is available always. of April 2016. Friday you can enjoy half-priced Prosecco or champagne and early-door nibbles. Telephone Preference Service – Come & visit us, we'd love to see you http://www.tpsonline.org.uk stops most sales and marketing calls available for 01993 868333 mobile and hard line phones. www.theplough-inn.co.uk
5 Countryside Conservation Orinoco http://www.oxorinoco.org/ When daffodils begin to peer Orinoco is a charity, based in With heigh! the doxy over the dale, Oxford, that promotes re-use, art and Why, then comes in the sweet o’ the year; creative play through education and For the red blood reigns in the winter’s pale. direct action. From our Scrapstore in Shakespeare, Winter’s Tale Headington we sell scrap items for (This is the 400th anniversary of Shakepeare’s death). art, play and creative projects, new art materials, household paint and a range Choosing and using a room heater of DIY materials. Everything in the store Room heaters have a reputation for being expensive to run, and actually, this is incredibly cheap and the household isn’t a myth. Most types consume a lot of gas or electricity. If you have a central paint is free. heating system, it’s better to use this to heat your home, and keep room heaters for when you need an extra source of heat – like in spaces occupied by people Recycling containers who are elderly, ill or with limited mobility. Anyone requiring additional free There are lots of different styles of heater. Some are fitted to a wall so you’re recycling containers - food caddies, stuck with what's there. But you can still make sure you understand the controls recycling boxes or gardens waste bins and select the right temperature and time to have the heater on. If you’re using a – should contact WODC on 86100 or portable heater, you can choose something suitable for your use, but again, check online at www.westoxon.gov.uk/bins. that you know how to control it properly. https://www.cse.org.uk/news/view/2060 (The Key – Oxfordshire’s Sustainability newsletter November 16th 2015) Visit: Britain’s oldest museum is New Name, New Scope, New Direction the Ashmolean Museum ORCC, the oldest of the 38 Rural Community Councils in England, has changed on Beaumont Street their name to Community First Oxfordshire. Visit info@communityfirstoxon. orgor Tel: 01865 883488. They will continue to provide the services of a rural NICOLA MORGAN DC MMCA community council and develop new projects and services, supported by their Registered Chiropractor – team of specialist Associates. The focus of efforts will be in four key areas: housing McTimoney Technique and community planning; community enterprise (community halls, shops and Kimber Cottage, Holly Tree Cottages, pubs); health, ageing and transport; and energy. Woodstock Rd, Earls Lane, Charlbury OX7 3ET Deddington OX15 0TQ Change your lifestyle and help the environment Tel: 07968-381335 Waste Managers at Oxfordshire County Council want us think more about I have almost 30 years’ experience waste reduction by making the best use of the Earth’s resources. We need to in this gentle, effective manipulative therapy, which is suitable for many think in terms of re-using materials instead of throwing them away and being conditions and ages. I offer very more aware of what we buy when we are shopping. If we are wise about how flexible appointment times in two we use things and what we buy then what we do with our waste becomes less locations. of an issue. See www.chippingnortonchiropractor.co.uk Waste Reduction Officer, Katie Zabel said: Recycling plastics can be very Provider for BUPA, PPP, WPA and all expensive so reducing plastic and other types of packaging is the best long-term major health insurance companies answer; buy products made from recycled materials and be more aware of what Member of the General Council & Register for Chiropractors and the McTimoney you buy when shopping. There are almost always less wasteful options available. Chiropractic Association. If you want to reduce the waste you produce at home, call 08450 50 45 50 for a waste reduction pack and get a free reusable shopping bag, special deals on home composters and information on how to stop junk mail, plus lots of West Oxon other tips on how to waste less to play your part in protecting the environment. Handyman & Home Contact Katie Zabel on 07776455803 Improvement Services WODC Bulk Collection www.westoxon.gov.uk/residents/bins-recycling/reuse-reduce-your-waste/ Electrical / Plumbing / Flooring / Decorating / Tiling / Woodwork Tel: 861000. Cost: £25 for four items Flat pack furniture / Bathroom Online resources -- There are many ways to reuse unwanted items by using & kitchen installation online exchange websites such as Freecycle or Freegle. Quality finish Fully insured Sobell Furniture Warehouse No job too small All jobs considered Charity will take good items. Tel: 01993 700660 For a free quote call 01993 Emmaus Furniture 868725 or 07717-878323 www.emmaus.org.uk/shop/donate_goods Tel: 01865 763698. A charity that Email: westoxonhandyman@ provides accommodation and work in Oxford for 28 people, otherwise at risk hotmail.co.uk of homelessness. 6 Village Shop and helping in the Shop we would be very promote and publicise all these and Post Office - TVSA grateful. Please have a chat with Karen, the producers and growers. We have As I write the weather is mild but particularly if you could give us some built up a small fund which could be storms have caused serious flooding in time on a Saturday or Sunday morning. used to “seed fund” activity this year. the north of England. By now we might Perhaps you have a skill that you could The Wychfood Exchange remains an be having more 'normal' (cold!) winter offer us on a voluntary basis? entirely informal group of people at In the Post Office you can post weather. Our suppliers usually manage present with no body or organisation to get to us during bad weather, so don't letters and packages, pay the majority as such. We really want to get this forget that the Shop will still be open of your utility bills, withdraw cash from going properly this year, which means when the roads are difficult to negotiate your bank account and buy foreign and you will be able to find something currency. planning ahead for the growing season, and encouraging people to get involved, that you need here. Shop Opening Hours: May 2016 be a happy and peaceful whether as growers, producers, sellers, Monday to Friday 8:00 – 15:30 year for us all. consumers or (particularly) helping Saturday 8:30 – 11:00 Easter falls at the end of March and with admin and organisation. This Sunday 9:30 – 11:30 we will have a selection of cards and needs to be group run by the local Shop Telephone scrumptious chocolate eggs for your community for the local community Number, Orders taken: 869096 delectation. if is it to thrive. Please let us know if As always much of our stock is Post Office Opening Hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm. you are interested in any way – email locally produced – chicken and kippers [email protected] or text/ from Upton Smokery, cakes and tarts Karen and the volunteers ring 07721-397540. from Sweet'n'Tasty, scones from Cakes Wychfood Exchange Unlimited, local jams, marmalades and The Wychfood Exchange was started Coach chutneys, Shaken Oak mustards, Hook in 2015 by a group of residents in the COACH is a one-stop 24/7 health Norton beers, and sausages and other Wychwood Forest area, mostly based and care resource developed by the meat from Patrick Strainge in Bampton. in or near Finstock and Ramsden. There were a number of meetings, and Oxfordshire GP Federations with Please don't assume that our NHS funding. Easily access trusted prices are necessarily higher than in discussions around how to facilitate the growing, producing, sale and purchase, information needed to understand and a supermarket because we are a small exchange and consumption of local manage health conditions and find local village shop. Come in, have a look food and drink in our area. We had around and compare our prices. You health and care support services.http:// several local produce days at Finstock www.my-coach.org.uk/ could be surprised! shop which featured the sale and/or Unfortunately there is still a need for exchange of various kinds of fruit, veg Choose Well APP the Food Bank. Please do continue to and meat as well as honey, mustard, You might like to download the support it in any way you can. Every tin elderflower cordial, bread and cheese, or packet helps. all from small scale producers in the Choose Well app to your smart phone We are always aware of the important locality. We had some stalls at the to find health services closest to you part that our volunteers play. If you Ramsden Christmas Fair. We have set in Oxfordshire. http://www.oxfordshire could spend a couple of hours a week up a website which could be used to ccg.nhs.uk/your-health/choose-well/. Shaun Guard TV AERIAL SERVICES
Poor Reception Solved Aerials repaired & supplied TVs - Hung on your wall and tuned A tree surgery Dog walking Extra TV Points - Cat home visits For aerial and Sky (In HD!) company with the Sky TV - Also Foreign Language TV Dog home boarding integrity you can trust. Small animal boarding All combined aspects of Arboriculture Finstock resident Call Witney Tel: 0845 458 2980 Insured and police-checked Mobile: 07976 261850 01993 608118 Email: [email protected] www.townandcountrytrees.co.uk
7 Finstock School But now the New Year is upon us! We have started our new term Once again the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem. with a journey into Wonderland! The an exciting and All the usual characters were present, school library is full of the characters busy Christmas including a very ‘Furious Herod’. I think and objects from the book Alice in Season has that everyone who saw it thought the Wonderland (you can even have your passed for us all. performance was truly wonderful, with photo taken in our themed photo This is a magical the children singing and acting their booth!). Over the first week all children time at Primary School, and I always hearts out. It was especially nice to be have heard the story read by characters feel so privileged to be a part of so able to include our youngest Nursery from the book and have taken part many wonderful events and to be able children in the performance, and they in activities based around the book to meet so many parents and members really rose to the occasion. The children which support the development of key of the community. also attended church for the traditional independent learning characteristics At School we started our Christmas Christingle service, where they each of being: Reflective, Responsible, Celebrations with one week spent held a candle to represent Jesus as the Reciprocal, Resourceful and Resilient learning how the festival is celebrated light of the world – a moment of peace (the Finstock 5 Rs). around the world. Children ‘travelled’ amidst all the excitement. What a great start to the New Year. to many and varied locations – including Sue Dawe Norway, France, Germany, Mexico and Amongst all this activity, it was great even Bethlehem. They learnt about the to welcome so many of our neighbours traditions and stories, sang songs, and to the Coffee and Carols celebration, Term 3 ends cooked and ate some really tasty food. where they had a chance to not only Fri Feb 12th At the end of the week the children hear the children sing but to join in the Holiday shared what they had learned – and it singing themselves. Thank you to those Mon Feb 15th to Fri Feb 19th really was most impressive. who were able to join us, who took Term 4 starts Our Nativity this year was called part in our Raffle and who came along Monday February 22nd The Very Hopeless Camel - a variation to the Christmas Fayre. The support of End of Term 4 on the traditional Christmas story the local community is very important Thursday March 24th involving a Camel that kept getting to us and your contributions to our Holiday lost. Fortunately, it all turns out well fundraising are very welcome and much Fri March 25th to Fri April 8th in the end and she manages to lead valued.
Hello 2016 from Finstock baby and toddler group A very Happy New Year to all activities and even a visit from one of For further details contact our readers! We are settling back Santa’s helpers delivering presents to Helen Fallows via email: into normal life now after all the all the little ones. We really know how [email protected] or excitement of Christmas! The toddlers to party! The grown-ups managed to find us on Facebook. See you there! ended the term in their usual style let their hair down (without the kids with a fun filled Christmas party in tow!) for a Christmas meal at the Life is a series of surprises. where there were plenty of tasty Plough, much enjoyed by all. Ralph Waldo Emerson treats for the kids (and adults!), festive During the early part of the year we will be theming our activities Finstock around winter including ice exploration, snowflake art and cattery even building snowmen! We’ll also Proprietors Julie & John Stoney celebrate Valentine’s Day and plan ahead for the spring term with some *LUXURY BOARDING daffodil crafting. Come along to get involved. *SPACIOUS HEATED PENS We are currently based in Finstock Church and meet from 10am – *PERSONAL CARE 11.30am on Wednesday mornings (term-time) – head for the upstairs *INSPECTION INVITED room where there are plenty of toys, activities and snacks for the kids, and chat, cake and hot drinks for 8 Wards Lane, Finstock, Oxon OX7 3BP the adults. We’re looking forward to moving into the brand new sparkly Tel: 01993 868413 Village Hall very soon; more on this in the next edition!
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WE’RE BACK IN BUSINESS OPENING A tradition OYAL R O HOURS of warm Mon - Fri
E A
11.30-3.00pm hospitality K since the H 6.30-11.00pm
17th century T Sat 11.30-11pm 12.00-10.30pm RAMSDEN Sun Tel: 01993 868864 / 868213 [email protected] • www.royaloakramsden.com A
TVSA -- Village Shop AGM Approximately 30 supporters from the three villages attended the TVSA WE’RE BACK Village Shop AGM on November 2nd to hear reports from Karen Williams, our IN BUSINESS Postmistress, and general manager, Robin Hall as treasurer and Chris Dyer as A tradition of warm hospitality chairman. since the 17th century. Apologies for absence were recorded from two directors, Roy Townsend and Shane Winser, and from the general public Lorraine McCallum, Ruth Nissim, OYAL Peter Bramley, Claudia and Mel Jutson and Stella Marks. R O The audited accounts were presented by Robin Hall, Treasurer, who went A
through them in detail. They show that the business generally responded extremely E K
well to the ‘crisis meeting’ held in January 2015 and that the shop was now on a H more even keel. With the unanimous permission in January of all the ‘100 Club’ T players to allow funds raised to be put into the shop, plus many generous cash B donations from members of the public and local organizations alike, the possible RAMSDEN closure of the shop was thankfully avoided. It was however, stressed that the Mon - Fri: 11.30-3.00pm, 6.30-11.00pm public use of the shop was crucial to its continuing success. Sat: 11.30-11pm Sun: 12.00-10.30pm Karen was thanked for her astute buying of goods and her total devotion to the Tel: 01993 868213 shop; often working many long and unpaid hours, but always with a big smile! [email protected] It was also pointed out that the 100 + Club still has some numbers left if www.royaloakramsden.com anyone wanted the chance to win up to £300 per month for an outlay of just £8! The money transferred previously from the 100 Club to the general account Don't throw out leftover wine - has since been virtually all transferred back to the 100 Club account. A plea was freeze into ice cubes for use in made for more volunteers, not just to serve in the shop but to help in other ways casseroles and sauces. such as regular maintenance of the building and car park, etc. Sadly, we lost a very hardworking director recently with the untimely passing of Gill Ford from Ramsden. Gill will be greatly missed for all her hard work and the friendly, gentle, but firm way that she did all things. Thank you Gill. It was again with sadness that we received the resignation of two directors, Roy WeThis are year, going Townsend and Shane Winser. Roy is stepping down as Chairman after, I believe, 15 year at the helm. His excuse is that old age is catching him up. (I do not think fromBe astrength Name, that anyone would notice that Roy, but you have done your share!) We all wish NotoT strength a NumBer him well in his retirement and thank him for his many years of hard work and At EynshamBrand Hall new Health classes & Fitness and Club,a it is our objectivegreat to welcome new timetable our members into an dedication to the cause. It was also with sadness and dismay that we received environment of informality and relaxation. Therethere is notis not a requirement a requirement to commit to the resignation of Shane Winser. Shane has been an absolute stalwart, not just committowards towards a long a long term term contract. contract. as a director but also as a regular volunteer for many years. Shane’s excuse for WeWe areare open as follows:-follows:– resigning is not old age, she is virtually still in the first flush of youth, but she and • 6.30am• 6.30am to to 9.30pm, 9.30pm, during during thethe weekweek and husband Nigel are moving to set up home in Chadlington. Our loss is their gain! • 7.30am• 7.30am to 7.30pm to 7.30pm at the at the weekend. weekend. We all wish them well for the future. Fullfull mmembershipembership isis availableavailable Three new Directors were nominated and elected including Barbara Pensom, fromfrom justjust £31 perper month!month! Guy Wallis and Loren Townsend. (It is nice to see Loren carrying on the Townsend (figure(figure basedbased onon fullfull dual dual membership) membership tradition of getting involved.) Robin Hall and Chris Dyer offered themselves for For morE dETAils EmAil re-election and were duly elected. [email protected] Thanks were expressed to the goodly number of people attending the meeting. or CAll 01993 885 207 Chris Dyer WWW.EynsHAmHAll.Com G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G Ethiopia (con’t) Driving through the Harenna forest below the summit, we were in total cloud cover and the moss covered, gnarled trees looked very ghostly in the swirling mists. At a nearby village we ate home-made bread and local honey. The coffee ceremony is famous in Ethiopia. The seeds are extracted from the berry, washed well and “roasted” for about 10 minutes in a wok-like pan over a charcoal fire. These are then ground and the very, very strong coffee is served in tiny cups. On the long journey back to Addis, we had two days at a lodge on the shores of Lake Langano, wonderful birds, hippos wallowing in the shallows and a chance to relax, enjoy nature and paint. Rosemary Wise G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G 9 District nicely and look forward to being part for 11-18 year olds (Assistance is given Councillors of the opening celebrations in 2016. to families on benefits.) The Charlbury based youth theatre, During half term there will be further report The Shed, meets on Monday and one day arts and drama activities at The Shed in Charlbury on Monday Thanks to everyone in Finstock who Saturday mornings, drawing youngsters February 15th (6-8 year olds) and from neighbouring villages including has signed the bus petition at the Shop Tuesday February 16th 9.30- 3pm. (8- and online. We are asking Oxfordshire Finstock. Bring your youngster along 11 year olds) based on the theme of County Council to reconsider their or ring me, Andy Graham for further Around the World in Eighty Days run decision to cut all bus subsidies. If they information. As your councillor, I am by Ben Lawrence and Geoff Gibbons go ahead with that decision the X9 bus pleased to be involved by leading this both professional actors. Join in the fun service could be significantly affected. initiative and supporting young people’s £25 per day. Limited places. Enrol now! projects. Many people, young and old, rely Grants and awards now on the bus to go to Chipping Norton Please feel free to contact Andy or Liz on issues or advice that they can open for West and Witney, for work, shopping and Oxfordshire sports to get to the hospitals. If the subsidy help you with. Happy New Year to all in Finstock! champions is cut it is likely that the number of Liz Leffman and Andy Graham Nominations are being taken for buses could be reduced, and the route District Councillors Sports Coach of the Year, Sports Club between Charlbury and Chipping of the Year and Unsung Hero Awards, Norton could even be cut altogether. Charlbury Youth run by the District Council to recognise We will be presenting the petition at the the contribution and commitment of Theatre at The Shed individuals and achievement of clubs Oxfordshire County Council meeting Meeting Mondays on February 10th. in West Oxfordshire. 4.30pm -5.30pm 8-11 year olds Details of how to make a nomination We have recently written to the West (Starting January 11th for 10 weeks) for an award or apply for a grant are Oxfordshire Environment Overview 6.15pm - 7.30pm 11-14 year olds available on the Council’s website: and Scrutiny Committee to ask for a 7.30pm - 9pm 14-18 year olds www.westoxon.gov.uk/leisure or by replacement for Dean Pit to be put Saturdays calling 861080. on the next meeting agenda. This 10 am - 11am 6-8 year olds The deadline for all nominations and (Starting January 9th for 10 weeks) applications is February 20th. follows a great deal of fly-tipping at the No previous experience for all Spendlove Centre in Charlbury over the workshops is required as this is not a Finstock Rainbows past few weeks. Items being left there stage school but a youth theatre that and Brownies included TVs, toys, carpets and general gives everyone a chance to act and be Finstock Rainbows - Amy Booth household waste. Talks with the town part of a creative process. Above all 07444 550569 [email protected] councils are continuing and our aim is come and try it and see how easy it is to find a solution as quickly as possible. to make friends- you’ll enjoy it! Ring Finstock Brownies - Caroline Booth The Save the Post Office campaign in 01608 659462 07890 629001 carolinebooth4@ FINSTOCKApplication NEWSforms from6 X 9ai CM ai Ltd gmail.com Charlbury continues. (registered arts charity) andyg@ We are pleased to see that the snaptheatre.co.uk Finstock Guides - Kim Lovelock 07792 Finstock Village Hall is progressing Fees £70 for 6-11 year olds and £80 907252 [email protected]
CroCkford Builders PELLMANS 35 School Rd, Finstock, Your Local Solicitors Oxon OX7 3DN • Business and Employment Law EST 1973 Contracts, Legal Compliance and New builds, Extensions, Disputes Renovations, • Property City & Guilds Qualiied Groomer Buying and Selling Homes, ts. Dry or mortar stone walling, Services include: Commercial and Agricultural A member of Collection & drop-off facility Groundwork, Hard landscaping, • Divorce Hydrotherapy bathing Finances, Children and Cohabitation Full groom & styling Natural stone slate specialists, Removal of knots & tangles Disputes Hand stripping Re-roofing, • Wills, Probate and Trusts GroomingG for show on selected breeds Nail trimming General Maintenance. Tax Planning and Lasting Powers of Attorney Tel: 01993 868118 Mobile: 0796 8733412 All building work undertaken Email: [email protected] Domestic & Commercial 01865 884400 Website: www.wychwoodgrooming.co.uk. www.pellmans.co.uk Call William on Open Monday - Saturday by Wendy Heather apointment only. Rock Glen, The Bungalow Please contact us to book Leaaeld Road, Finstock 01993 868617 or 07817 248329 1 Abbey Street, Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4TB an appointment. Oxfordshire, OX7 3DB Home visits and evening appointments available 10
Finstock In Vino Veritas Festival 2016 It is a strange story, but in the U.S.A. in 1950 the popular radio quiz show 'Truth or Consequences' reached its tenth anniversary. To celebrate this, the presenter The most important item for this year promised to air the show from the first town or city that renamed itself after the is the planned dates for the festival. show. The citizens of Hot Springs, New Mexico, were the first to vote in favour. Unfortunately as yet they have not been Fast forward to 1983 and the arrival of the man who would put the town firmly finalised. We had our AGM on the 10th on the map. Champagne winemaker Gilbert Gruet visited the area looking for an November in the school hall and as we investment opportunity far removed from President Mitterrand’s tax inspectors. had no new faces appear out of the Very warm days and sharply cool nights were what he was looking for and woodwork the officer roles are pretty he found both at Truth or Consequences. He envisaged vineyards producing much unchanged for the coming year. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Where most people would have seen barren desert, We always live in hope that we could Gruet saw potential. tempt some new recruits on board, but At the first opportunity he was rewarded by an excellent harvest and in sadly it’s the same faces that stand up 1989 the wines were introduced to a very appreciative wine world. Critics and each year. Having said that we have connoisseurs alike were astonished by the quality and value. New Mexico wine lost two major helpers for this coming had definitely arrived. festival! So come on there must be Today, Gruet Winery is run by Gilbert's descendants and has become hugely people in the village that have a small successful. The wines are especially popular in New York and California, and win amount of spare time to help organise many medals in tastings. our great Finstock Festival. The wine is indistinguishable from good Champagne but it is much cheaper It’s fun, we normally meet in the pub – less than $13 a bottle locally. The price of land is considerably less than in once a month. The main workload is Champagne. Jancis Robinson hailed it as “a really excellent find” when she the four days of the festival. If anyone discovered it in 2007. is interested give me a call 868215 How likely is it that a Patriarch from Champagne would start making wine in 07768080994 colinstringfellow@ the middle of the New Mexico desert? I would say about as likely as changing btinternet.com, or grab me in the street. the name of your town to that of a popular radio show. We were pleased to see FoFS at Osiris our AGM, the reason being we have for some time been talking about Finstock Mobile Library Visit combining the School Fete with the The West Mobile Library provides a library service to the people of West Festival. As both groups are struggling Oxfordshire - With over 2500 books on board there is a comprehensive range with helpers it would be an obvious of adult and children’s titles, both fiction and non-fiction including large print answer to some of the difficulties we as well as audio books. Any valid Oxfordshire Library Card can be used on the are having. The basic idea is the School Mobile Library and any book borrowed from another Oxfordshire Library can Fete would be on Saturday afternoon be returned to the Mobile. and the Festival Friday and Saturday We visit Finstock every alternate Tuesday and the van will stop at: night. The big plus is having the entire Finstock School/Public at 2.15pm – 3pm; Future dates for Mobile Library visits infrastructure in place to serve both are: February 2nd and 16th; March 1st, 15th and 29th. events. I have heard that since our Happy reading! AGM, FoFS are looking positively at the idea. The profits for the 2015 festival are being used as follows: £800 to replace one of the large marquee covers, which has now been purchased. The Village Shop/Post office £500. Adventure playground £500. The Village Website £100. To make these payments we have dipped into our reserves but I think you will agree they are all very good village amenities. It is a great add-on that the Festival can support the village allbeit in a small way. On behalf of the committee and I, we would wish you all a prosperous and happy 2016. ROCK ON FINSTOCK FESTIVAL 2016 Colin Stringfellow Chairman FCP 11 Early sparkling jewels, to greet Friends of Finstock the gardening year School (FoFS) We had a wonderful (and very busy!) Snowdrops popping up, even in the coldest weather, ignoring the snow, end to the year at FoFS. sleet or rain, brighten the dullest of days, seem to shine in the weak Firstly, we celebrated our great winter sunshine and give the promise of spring around the corner. The fundraising result during 2014/2015 introduction of the smallest snowdrop Galanthus nivalis, was before galanthus the Reformation; Galanthus plicatus is a larger more vigorous species, of £4,267.39 profit and are delighted brought back to gardens after the Crimean War, in the 1850’s , and the larger to report that we were able to make Galanthus elwesii from Turkey in 1874 by Henry Elwes to Colesbourne Park, donations to the school of £10,650 Gloucestershire, added to his collection of snowdrops. The other genus Galanthus during the year which included the woronowii with bright green foliage comes from the Caucasian mountains, where funding of new library and IT resources, snowdrops have been used in folk medicine for centuries, rubbing leaves or roots a wooden gazebo for outside learning from the plants on their foreheads to cure headaches and nerve pain. During and the cost of a touring Pantomime the polio epidemic, in the middle of the 19th century, the medicinal use of visit to the school. snowdrops caught the attention of doctors in Bulgaria and Russia. Galantamine, Our year ended with three seasonal the active ingredient found in the leaves and bulbs, has been used as a pain fundraisers -- the Finstock Christmas reliever for neuritis and neuralgia. It can also help to alleviate the symptoms of Fayre which raised over £350 profit for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Friends of Finstock School, the FoFS Snowdrops have hybridized, to give many new cultivars, exhibiting Christmas Raffle which made £735 in different shapes, sizes and markings. Diggory, looks like an air balloon; profit and Carol Singing around the others have yellow markings such as Primrose Warburg, after a lady village just before Christmas, which from Oxford; a delightful cream marked one Blonde Inge named after raised over £150. Thank you so much snowdrops a German foxtrot and Trym (from Westbury on Trym, in Bristol). to Pete Welply who helped us greatly Enthusiasts who found many new variants, exchanged bulbs but the popularity with these events and to Lisa Williams of new cultivars outstripped supply, and collectors’ mania, caused prices to soar. Now the theft of the rarest bulbs from collections is a problem! who worked tirelessly to make the Another jewel is the early spring snowflake, Leucojum vernum, a hardy, frost- Raffle such a huge success. Last, but tolerant plant, with white bell shaped flowers notable as a good early nectar and not least, we give great thanks to all pollen source for bees. As are the golden anthers of the velvety dark red and the kind and generous people from black flowered Hellebores. Early aconites Eranthis hyemalis with the School and Finstock who helped their acid yellow buttercup flowers make a bright splash, but I make this all possible; hopefully we prefer the rarer, cream flowered form. The heavily spotted all shared in plenty of Christmas cheer foliage of Pulmonaria, sport their rich red and blue flowers, alive along the way too! hellebore with the buzz of bumble bees, on warmer days. To complete To 2016 -- we have a Ladies Pamper the palate of colours, Cyclamen coum, with white or red flowers, and the dreamy Night planned for Thursday May 12th cobalt blue of Hepaticas. in the new Finstock Village Hall and Why not enjoy a winter walk, to see these jewels in, Evenley Wood, Sherbourne, will be holding our second Quiz Night and Colesbourne Park. in the School Hall towards the Spring. Robert Bigwood Please keep your eyes peeled for posters around the village and on the Finstock Website giving details of these events in due course; it would be great to see you there. Thank you again for all your support to Friends of Finstock School. Rachel Mackenzie (FoFS Chairperson) [email protected]
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) born 150 years ago was the first winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. He was born in India to English parents and is the author of the Just So Stories, The Jungle Book and Gunga Din.
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