West Hagbourne news ...... December 2020 Issue 154

Village Association News Parish Council

At this time of year, the Village Fortunately, as restrictions At the recent Parish Council Association normally holds its eased in June, we were able meeting, using Zoom, there AGM, when we gather to review to hold the Madge Trophy were some significant decisions. and reflect on the past year’s front gardens competition. Our We co-opted a fifth person onto events and look forward to two judges from East the council and we are very planning for the next. However, Hagbourne enjoyed a tour of pleased to welcome Tony as the catastrophic pandemic the village and were very Baldasera, from the Horse and began to influence our lives complimentary of the Harrow. We considered a early in this year’s calendar, it neatness of the gardens, request from East Hagbourne to became clear that plans for eventually choosing Green contribute to restoration of some village community events would Thatch as the overall winner. furniture on the Sustrans track MadgeTrophy overall winner: have to be rethought. We were and agreed to contribute to the Green Thatch at least lucky enough to lead Before the imposed lockdown, restoration of items in the parish one village walk on 12th the committee were in the of West Hagbourne. We had January, which attracted a good early stages of planning a been asked by planners at turnout of enthusiastic hikers in village family afternoon SODC to comment on proposals the winter sunshine. scheduled for early July. We to amend a planning application were looking forward to the for a new house in Manor Close. With the country in lockdown in challenge of holding such an We had objected to the original April, the Association was event with a variety of building on the basis that it was overwhelmed by the response attractions and activities that too large. The revised building is from West Hagbourne villagers, would appeal to all ages in our still a four bedroom house and as 30 households displayed an community. Hopefully, this will we have objected to the revised imaginative variety of creative happen next summer. application on the basis that the and ingenious dragons and St house is still too large. However, Georges that were very much Possibly our biggest event of Poppy wreath we have been advised by admired and appreciated by all the year, the Macmillan Coffee SODC that the revised who passed through the village. Morning held every application will now be Support for the NHS was also a September, also had to be poppy wreath which was placed accepted. prominent theme, so the cancelled. Attracting not only there on Remembrance Sunday. Mike Butler, WHPC Chair committee decided to donate, villagers but also visitors from The Association is proud to on the village’s behalf, £5.00 for the surrounding area, all of support the Royal British Legion each display to the Oxford whom donate so generously on behalf of the village. Hospitals Charity. A big thank to this cause, it was especially Christmas you to everyone who took part disappointing that we were not As we come to the end of this and well done to the worthy able to support it in the way most unusual year, it is an greetings to prizewinners. Sadly, we were we would have wished. appropriate time to reflect on all West unable to hold the teas past events. My Chairman’s afternoon, which is usually very I expect many of you will have annual report, which is available Hagbourne to read on the village website, popular being one of the few recently passed by the bus residents opportunities during the year for shelter, the village’s war summarises the Association's us all to gather. memorial, and seen the new activities of 2020 in a little more detail. However, when I circulated my report to the committee, my covering Is your child 3 or 4 message included my thoughts on the importance of social years old? interaction, and the role the Village Association plays in If your child was born on or strengthening a sense of between 1 September 2016 and community and belonging. 31 August 2017 you need to apply for a primary school place Thank you, as ever, for the now. You must still apply even if support you give the events that your child already attends a we endeavour to provide and nursery attached to the school. we hope that we can all gather You can apply online at: together again before too long. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/primary From the Village Association admissions committee we wish you all best or telephone 03452412487 for Christmas and the New Year. Deadline for applications is 25th Dragon Competition Children’s prize: 6 York Road Margaret Leishman, Chair January 2021. other news

In the last couple of weeks there vaccination programme, based fully functional. For some of us, What next for have been further positive at the Civic Hall, offering both we cannot wait to be able to notices from the government. walk through and drive through travel again to see family and COVID? Firstly the introduction of mass appointments. Reducing friends and it should be possible rapid testing seems to have infection levels, protecting the to plan family celebrations - a It has been a difficult year. For made a difference - identifying most vulnerable and ongoing double dose perhaps to make months we were told that nearly 700 people in Liverpool improvements in treatment do up for those missed in 2020? masks and social distancing as carrying the virus despite promise the possibility of a We may have to have annual were the new normal. During their having no symptoms. This return to something like normal COVID jabs, alongside our flu lockdown, students of all ages was followed by three (at the by summer of 2021. vaccinations and we may even missed crucial teaching and time of writing) promising new choose to continue to wear face exams. Differences in the level vaccines. Although these still Hopefully the Village Association masks in busy confined spaces, of support and facilities at home need to complete the safety will be able to deliver their usual as many Asian countries do. It exaggerated differences in evaluations, they all seem to excellent programme of will be interesting to see if learning for pupils. Schools offer excellent levels of entertainments throughout the people continue to work more have stayed open in the second protection. If you are in one of year. Parish Council meetings from home, cutting out long and lockdown and it appears that the vulnerable categories that will return to face-to-face so that expensive commutes. Will the this strategy has not vastly get annual flu vaccination then interested villagers are able to exodus from city centres increased infection levels in the you will know that Didcot rolled participate, and clubs and continue? Whatever happens, area. out a very efficient flu societies that we all enjoy will be 2021 will be a year to enjoy.

Village walk in January 2020

Harvest 2020 Bunting on VE Day 2020 Red kites

Rosehips dancing at Bunkfest 2019 Zoom Music Sessions 2020 Parish Council ...... Vulnerable Water water everywhere... Clerk Planning updates villagers Andrew Wise If you wish to be notified about The government [email protected] planning applications that affect has advised those classified as West Hagbourne you can sign up Clinically Extremely Vulnerable for email alerts. (CEV) to continue to take extra Councillors Contact Andrew Wise: precautions. Conditions and Mike Butler (Chair) 850523 [email protected] illnesses which fall under this [email protected] category are listed on the Hugh Lewis 851113 government website. SODC [email protected] have provided a summary of Parish email list 2014 Flood Mike Telford 851236 government guidance and how If you wish to be placed on this [email protected] they will be looking to support list, or to check that your entry is vulnerable individuals. The The first we knew was a phone Oliver Doogue 851156 correct, please send an email to Community Hub can help. call from a neighbour, and then [email protected] the Clerk at Please call 01235 422600, or there was no water pressure. A Tony Baldasera 07411919718 [email protected] complete the online form at stroll down York Road quickly [email protected] southoxon.gov.uk/community revealed the problem, with a hub / lake rapidly forming outside whitehorsedc.gov.uk/community Lizard Bank, as the result of a District Councillors HGVs and Potholes hub major water leak. Some water Anne-Marie Simpson HGVs and potholes are a Don’t forget that help is also supplies were reconnected that Anne-Marie.Simpson@southoxon. persistent issue on the roads in available via the West same afternoon, but those of us gov.uk the village and beyond. If you Hagbourne COVID support further up York Road were not Jane Murphy can supply a photograph that group. reconnected until the early [email protected] gives some idea of the extent of hours of the morning when we SODC are also aware that many a pothole this will help asses the were awoken by a terrible noise people are affected financially urgency if its repair. as the water flowed back into County Councillor by the pandemic and access to You can do this online at: the pipes. Simon Clarke food is becoming more of a fixmystreet.com challenge. They are working A few days later it was almost [email protected] closely with the Good Food back to square one with another Or: Oxford network and have leak, again in York Road. This Council Meetings [email protected] produced a spreadsheet of was repaired quickly although Telephone: 08453101111 These are held in Hagbourne updated free and heavily the road was closed for a few Village Hall - see website for Web site: discounted food services in our days. Not long after we came future dates. Minutes of meetings www.westhagbourne.org/noticeboard.htm districts. across a major water leak in of the Parish Council are #potholes https://goodfoodoxford.org/ East Hagbourne! available online. If you cannot find them, contact the clerk. If HGVs not delivering to an Bus you do not have access to the address in the village should be route internet, call the clerk and a reported to Trading Standards. If printed copy will be sent to possible, you should take a Please you.Shortly before the meeting of photograph but definitely write note that the new 94/94S the Parish Council, the agenda down a description and timetable starts on the January will be circulated to all those on registration number as soon as 4th 2021. From that date only the list. To comply with legal possible. Reports can be made the 94S (school) bus will pass requirements, a copy of the to: through the village: you will be agenda will also be posted on the https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ able to catch the 94 outside the PC noticeboard. Goldfinches on bird feeder Horse and Harrow. residents/trading-standards/weight- www.westhagbourne.org/pc_minutes.htm restriction-enforcement

Keep up to date www.westhagbourne.org The website carries information, news and contact details as well as copies of the minutes of all village organisations

Hummingbird hawk moth Village garden other news other news other news can you help? Christmas tree Football hear from players of all ages If you have any news or and abilities. photos or know of events you Festival Hagbourne United Football think might interest other Club are looking for new For more information contact Light is a symbol of hope and residents, please contact the players to play in the North John Symonds at of brighter days to come, so editor. let’s make the streets and Berks league divisions 4 & 5. [email protected] or lanes of the Hagbournes The Club will be pleased to call 07831 714 076 [email protected] shine with glittering Christmas trees! Folks have already signed up for more than 80 trees, (all proceeds to the Church and Homeless Oxfordshire). These will be decorated, lit, and placed in Happy, family run day nursery gardens all round the two MOT testing from 6am villages for all to enjoy. Make and out of school care. Diagnostic Fault Finding and FREE COURTESY sure you take the time to visit Including drop off & pick up to some local schools. Servicing on all types of vehicles CAR all of them during Advent. Flexible sessions - am, pm, term time, school day. Air Conditioning Exhausts Body Repairs Tyres For further information, to request a brochure or to arrange a visit please contact us 01235 851423 or email 01235 850 707 [email protected] www.scotlandsashgarage.co.uk Main Street, West Hagbourne, Didcot Main Street, West Hagbourne OX11 0NA

Mary Ann Le May GARDEN DESIGNS

Thank you! Blissetts Main Street West Hagbourne A big thank you to all those Oxfordshire OX11 0ND The West Hagbourne Emergency Defibrillator 01235 850523 who volunteered for the is located in the Telephone Box in the Square COVID help group: to Lillie www.maryanndesign.co.uk Jamieson for making the first In the event of an emergency call 999 moves and to everyone who gave their time to fellow villagers. We can be very proud of our community spirit. Marquees BEAUTY & SKIN CARE CLINIC The Editor The Village Association has two Marquees available for hire: 12 x 5 metres &11 x 4 metres Tailored skin plans at reasonable prices at a cost of £50 each plus a returnable deposit of £75 Our treatments include: Tables and/or chairs are also available * HIFU * Microneedling at £50 plus a returnably deposit of £75 * Fat Freezing * Dermaplaning Please note that the Association will not be responsible for any * Chemical Peels * Cavitation claims for accidents that may occur during the rental. * Treatment Facials * Botox & Fillers * Body Contouring Advertising For advance booking and details Contact us: Ask us about This newsletter is entirely please contact Robert Griffiths (Woodleys)­ 01235 851863 I 07870 849351 our special funded by income from the [email protected] Introductory [email protected] Offer advertisements in it. It is All donations go towards our village funds www.bare-essentials.info edited by Sue Totterdell, with contributions from a number of villagers, designed by Mary Ann Le May, printed by Hugh house to rent in France Lewis and distributed by a Noirmoutier Island, west of Nantes - sleeps 7 group of volunteers. To ensure that it will be able to continue just minutes from a quiet family beach, in its present form we would great biking and sailing, welcome new advertisers. If two bedrooms, dishwasher, you have a business you washing machine, TV would like to advertise to 600€/week June + September residents, please get in touch: 750€/week July [email protected]. for more information and photos contact [email protected] 01235 850080 West Hagbourne news supplement Christmas 2020: How COVID has affected us

This edition of the newsletter is immediately notified the rest of were immensely relieved. We The day the music stopped given over to how the COVID the group. It worked quite well are very grateful to those people pandemic affected the lives of for as long as it was necessary. for their time, generosity & The day I and my musical compadres, choral partners in residents of West Hagbourne. Resident kindness. As a result of meeting Lockdown in spring meant that people at the door, we have crime, the people I spend so many of us were unable to see been pleased to put more much time with each year family, celebrate family events, When Covid 19 first struck it names to people in the village. making transcendental music, or travel. We were working from was inevitable that we would Meeting previously unknown had an email from our conductor home, shielding the vulnerable look back to earlier epidemics villagers and chatting over the saying he’d taken the decision and providing full time child care such as the Spanish Flu. fence to neighbours and to halt all rehearsals and concerts. and education. On the bright Surprisingly, West Hagbourne passers-by we have felt much side, we walked new footpath remained relatively unscathed less isolated. I’m a member of three choirs in routes, people we met always compared with Upton with its Oxford – vOx Chamber Choir, had time for a chat, and we no railway station. Could this be Residents who are shielding Opus 48 (a medium sized choral longer had to fight our way because our village was more society) and Amici della Voce round a supermarket. isolated then? People could not It's been a strange (an octet) and I would have move around so much; there Below are some personal summer been performing perhaps 15 were no roads, only footpaths. accounts of this unprecedented concerts this year but thanks to West Hagbourne was very much Usually, along with the rest of year. The number of Covid-19 that’s all gone… a farming village and self Rose Hips (a folk bellydance contributions has been At the beginning of the sufficient. Everybody had a troupe), I spend most weekends impressive and we are printing pandemic singing was seen as vegetable plot and many kept from late spring through to late this extra insert to almost a dangerous activity – chickens. “Lockdown” was a summer dancing out at various accommodate them. All items and a huge amount of work was way of life. Hopefully our own folk festivals and other events. will also appear on the village done by prominent lockdown will keep Covid away We share spots with Morris website on a dedicated page. singer/scientists regarding just as it kept away the Spanish sides, clog sides and rapper There are also additional aerosols/droplets and the actual Flu. dancers, or else we grab photographs. busking spots and do a set on dangers of singing and playing If you would like to add anything Sheila Taylor, Pippins our own. Folk Weekends: wind or brass instruments….. to the items here, please feel Oxford kicks the season off in There have been moments of free to contact me Not so very long ago one of the April and we usually end the sunlight – in the summer the ([email protected]) or quickest ways to set alarm bells season at Wallingford Bunkfest, octet managed to perform drop off an item at Meadow’s ringing would be to walk into the a Rose Hips favourite. Not this outside the Blavatnik in Oxford Edge. This will be added to the branch of any Bank, Post Office year, though; as the Covid bug and a few of us have been able website, where we hope to or High Street Shop wearing a began to bite harder, so the to get together in gardens, but provide an archive for future mask! How times have festival cancellations started to there’s not much joy on the village historians. changed! We live a privileged roll in. A strange, sad summer. horizon. life style, retired, space around If you’re involved in a hobby us, health issues well managed Tracey Anderson, A few thoughts on our The Square with other people, you’ll and many good friends. COVID experiences so far recognise the camaraderie of Suddenly it is March 2020, and these groups, and in the case of We are in the fortunate position we are Vulnerable Adults (over a The Covid 19 pandemic has singers the knowledge that in that, apart from curtailing certain age). Suddenly no more probably doubled my time spent we’re all working towards a most of our travelling, Volunteer Driving. Suddenly we in the garden. One day, when common purpose, to produce socialising and eating out, it are in Lockdown, social the field to the north of Manor exquisite performances for hasn’t really affected us. distancing, frenzied hand Close was being ploughed prior people to enjoy. The health Whenever the tedium got us we washing. Suddenly we are to potato planting, I watched benefits of singing need no counted our blessings: unlike priority customers for about ten red kites joining the introduction, many studies have many others we didn’t have to Supermarket deliveries to our rooks following the plough and been done. It's a tough time for worry about being made door. Suddenly no more catching worms. Kites often musicians – most are redundant, paying the rent etc. sleepovers. Now it is obligatory perch in my garden and on freelancers and many of my Initially we had the same to wear a mask when visiting a another day an exhausted acquaintance do not qualify for problems as everyone else in Bank, Post Office or High Street juvenile crash-landed on one of any state help, meaning they’ve obtaining our grocery deliveries. Shop! How times have changed! my hollyhocks. After 5 minutes had no money since March. I’m Thankfully I no longer need to rest it was able to fly off. We crossing everything that we can get up in the early hours to book Rob Griffiths, Woodleys have had frequent visits to our soon get back to performing, a slot!! The problem was eased bird feeder by small flocks of with enough audience to make somewhat a couple of weeks Being in shielded isolation, due goldfinches. A Humming Bird concerts financially worthwhile. into lockdown when we set up to health issues, we suddenly Hawk moth was observed If music (and the wider arts in an alert system with several realised how far removed we nectaring on a Mexican Salvia general) fall by the wayside, we friends and neighbours. were from families and potential on three occasions in October. will all be the poorer for it. Whenever one of us noticed that support. When we received the Here’s to a musical 2021. Tesco had released another note saying the village was Malcolm Brownsword, batch of delivery slots they setting up a volunteer group, we Manor Close Meryl Davies, Manor Close West Hagbourne news supplement

Life in 2020 at Fermain, signing the necessary date corn store/drier just before lockdown we can recover and York Road cheques, it would be left for Covid 19 set in, then as prosper and with the support the Clerk to collect. Now using lockdown began we wondered if of the community we believe Like most people we have found a card and card reader, the new one would ever be built this is possible. life a real challenge with our authorising payments is much in time for harvest – it was, See you on the other side. day-to-day lives being so quicker and easier. It is literally just as we started. Being different from previous years. something that had been farmers, producing food, we Tony & Helen, Albie (12) has been at home for considered for some time, but were able to keep working The Horse and Harrow many months. Maisie & Justine COVID restrictions have made which was a relief as farmers are both key workers so worked it necessary. need to be out on the land!! The Saying goodbye throughout at Harwell School harvest wasn’t as productive as and at the Bank. Home Mike Butler, Chair WHPC, last year and the climate seems The emptiness of the church, schooling and the discipline Blissetts to be so extreme, either all sun chairs distributed sparsely have been tough for both pupil and hard ground or all rain and through the nave, merely and parents in attendance, with A week after the new kitten a mire! All went well until it was emphasised the simple beauty many distractions to impact arrived, so did Lockdown. It time for the potatoes to be dug. of its architecture. We were effectiveness. The internet has was tricky getting him checked Again this year it made such a gathered for the funeral of been a lifeline allowing us all to over and inoculated. After mess, really damaging the soil Mike Duck, long time resident function in some sort of normal making an appointment with structure, that I doubt we will do of West Hagbourne, but this way with Nathan & myself both the vet, we had to wait in the it again. was in the time of COVID. working from home. I know car park while someone took Mourners were limited to 30 Amazon deliveries to our house Spring and early summer were him away to be looked at. people meaning friends of have increased as the dogs beautiful and it was wonderful to many years’ were unable to bark every time they come up actually be in the garden and The Morris Dancing world attend. Chairs were grouped the drive. Justine’s Mum (Ros) hear the birdlife without the seemed to take to Lockdown into family clusters, with more has joined our bubble, so she is disturbance of traffic on the with enthusiasm. With the than 2 metres separation. not alone and can pop in at roads and planes in the sky, discovery of Zoom it was off, Whilst the occasion was weekends. Nathan will be 21 actually quite surreal. I think it off and away. People took part inevitably sad, the music was this month, which would all made us appreciate where in the ‘Lone Morris Festival’ on stunning. With those present normally involve a party or two - we live in West Hagbourne, far Facebook on Saturday 21st prevented from singing due to of course this will now have to more fortunate than many. March with musicians and fears about aerosol virus wait. Not seeing family and dancers dressed in kit and Sue Lay, Manor Farm transmission, mumbled friends for weeks on end has filming themselves dancing in congregational hymns were been no fun and has tested our their gardens or even the replace by uplifting recordings family relationships to the full. street. Further events inlcuded When COVID19 hit us all in for us all to enjoy, something We started quite well, playing ‘St George’s Day Bash’ and March it was devastating for so Mike himself would have family games and cards to the ‘May Day Lone Morris many of us. Not only did it hit appreciated. More of Mike’s break up the day. Although this Festival’ silently at dawn so as the hospitality industry and other friends were able to join the has slipped a little, we have not to disturb anyone. There businesses extremely hard it congregation for the interment. found other routines to live by are Live to your Livingroom has been heart-breaking to see and see us through. We sadly Sue Totterdell, concerts and Ceilidhs in your people lose their loved ones to lost my mum (Maureen) in July Meadow’s Edge Kitchen to join in with. I have this pandemic. We felt lucky to to old age; it was difficult not be even started having music have received incredible support able to visit her in hospital until lessons. from the government & also our The West Hagbourne the last few days, but the Royal landlord (Hawthorn Leisure) has volunteer group did more than Berks looked after her very well. I experienced many positive been incredibly supportive just collect prescriptions and We are all looking forward to the outcomes: no traffic - you (more so than some of the shopping during the summer Christmas break and really could barely hear the A34; the larger Pubco’s). In the first lock down. Michael Gould, a cannot wait for 2021, assuming dawn chorus was really loud, lockdown we concentrated on resident in the village, reached it can’t be any worse than 2020! and a long succession of redecorating the pub and tidying out to the volunteer group for sunny days. People seemed Ian Thomson, Fermain the garden up & making some shopping but it was to be kinder to each other, everything COVID safe. It was quickly evident that he had a posting supportive messages lovely to see people walking by bigger health issues that were WHPC to those unable to work or during the good weather in the being aggravated by his poor suffering from severe first lockdown and to say hello living conditions. These issues The Parish Council now meets depression with loneliness. or have a quick chat. When we were escalated to our local using Zoom. This has proved reopened it was so lovely to Councillor Anne – Marie very useful for councillors but Mary Ann Le May, Blissetts welcome our customers back, Simpson who was able to villagers need to contact the although in a vastly different assist Michael in getting Clerk for the link to the meeting. 2020 At Manor Farm - way. The customers who felt rehoused to a safer home in We have now also signed up for What a strange year! comfortable enough to return Didcot where he has settled online banking so that we no adapted to the ‘new Norm’ and is very content. Michael longer have to pay people by Sadly, we had the cancellation would like to thank everyone cheque. Previously the Clerk of our Family wedding in It has been immensely tough that supported him and helped had to come to the homes of France and then the same both financially & mentally on him out of his very difficult two councillors and leave a bag with our trip of a lifetime to the both of us but we have situation. with the papers and the cheque Chile and Argentina. We had remained positive and we really book outside the house. After pulled down our old and out of hope that after the second Lillie Jamieson