CONTENTS Editor's Column

Editor’s Column Anne Fowler writes...

Weather warming up – excellent. Don Fletcher our Distribution Manager has asked me to write a note of thanks for two long serving Benson Bulletin deliverers who have been with us for a very long time, but have recently retired from the delivery team. Our thanks to Mrs Joyce Jones and her husband Ron for all the time and effort they have expended/spent/given to distributing the Ben- son Bulletin since May 2000 until March 2011 where they delivered Crown Lane and Buck- ners Close. They were also part of the ‘bundling’ process which means dividing the Benson Bul- letins into the different rounds, and tying them up with string for individual deliverers. There is a lot of work involved and we thank you for carrying it out for the past 11 years. Our thanks also to Mrs S. M. Barker who has been delivering the Benson Bulletin to the Mill Stream flats since February 2002, until March 2011. Thank you very much for helping us keep the Benson Bulletin going. In fact we are grateful to all our deliverers who keep the Benson Bulletin appearing on CONTENTS doormats throughout Benson, RAF Benson, Ewelme, Preston Crowmarsh, Roke and Roke- Letters to the Editor------2 marsh. I hope I have not left anywhere out. Save Benson Library------6 All weathers, always a BB. County Council News------8 District Council News------10 Parish Notes------12 Mill Stream Day Centre------14 Down the Garden Path------16 Church Times ------19 Bird Spot ------20 BEST------22 RAF Brook Clearing ------24 Benson Volunteer Helpline Brenda Passey at The Crown Inn ------26 Mon-Fri 9-11am Potholes ------28 Call School News ------30 01491 825992 to ask for help or to volunteer Local Clubs and Societies------32 Classified Ads------36 Diary------37 Cover Photograph Volume 17 No 7 Published by Personnel from 606 (Chiltern) Squadron, Benson Bulletin News Association RAuxAF working on Benson Brook. Printed by Photo by kind permission of Tom Stevenson. NP Design & Print Ltd, Wallingford : 01491 824827 BBBB 1 with no benefit to anyone at all. The only reason I can see is as a means to collect fines from Letters to the Editor local residents and this is not acceptable. 6. Charging commercial users £20 a day is also Dear Sir /Madam, beyond the means of local businesses (e.g. A I am a resident of Benson. I strongly object shop worker may only earn £20 per shift) Do to the proposed parking scheme amendments you really expect them to be able to pay this? proposed for ”Mill Stream” car park in Benson. In conclusion, this proposal will only harm the The proposals are as follows: local village community causing more conges- • To charge commercial /business users £20 per tion on the high street (which is all ready very day for parking. busy), and reducing the use of the car park. • Limit parking to 8 hours with no return within Russell Keys 1 hour during the day with a penalty of £70. The Parish Council have just received a copy I have listed my objections below:- of this notice. The original went to SODC. 1. I only found out about this today from another There are no changes as far as the Millstream local resident so clearly this has not been pub- car park is concerned to the 2008 regulations licised properly. 24 hour notice is not enough, which are in place. (The current consultation with objections to be placed by 4:30pm on exercise is basically a tidying up operation. The 18/03/11. This is not enough time for all inter- same consultation exercise was carried out in ested parties to respond I would have expected 2008 but it is reckoned that some things in the at least a month to allow for people who are orders were not as clear as they might be.) currently away on holiday etc.. to respond, and Anyone who wishes to complain should register that local residents using the car park had been to speak to the SODC cabinet 6pm on 7th April. informed properly so they can respond in due Phone 01491 823049 to register to speak . time i.e. by letter (not a notice on a lamp post). Sue Cooper 2. I have been using this facility since 1984 (27 Clerk to Benson Parish Council years)and as far as I can see there has never been a problem with the car park usage as it Dear Editor, stands at present. So why the need to change I cannot believe that Tom is asking this ques- the system? I would understand if there had tion. [The question in the March issue of the been problems with cars left long term unused BB was why female Smew and Goosanders but there hasn’t been any as far as I know. are called “red heads”. Keep up everybody. 3. What’s the point of this action? Is this purely AF] Probably he has seen more of these than a commercial decision to create a revenue anyone else in the village as he has been count- stream, will someone be employed to enforce ing ducks and geese on the Dorchester lakes for the fines? I can’t see this as commercially re- years. I reckon that he must only do this when sponsible with our council tax as will probably it is very dull and wet! The female Sawbills, cost more to implement than the revenue re- Goosander (fresh water) and Merganser (salt deemed. water) both have reddish brown heads. 4. This will drive local residents to park in the [The other question was why there are more high street taking up spaces used currently by females than males. AF] Now for the interest- delivery vehicles and shoppers. The vehicles ing bit, Goosanders and why are there more displaced will not simply disappear but will females. Well, put simply they are in different be relocated causing more congestion in an- places. As everyone knows, the female does all other location e.g. roadside parking. Wouldn’t the graft of bring up the ducklings. Goosanders it make more sense to encourage cars to use the breed in Britain but very few in Ireland, and as car park rather than force them to use roadside far as I know none in Oxfordshire. What does parking? the Gander do? Like some other ducks they 5. Why 8 hour limit what purpose does this move to favored areas to moult. In the case of serve? In my view it’s just causing inconve- Goosanders, they do not do things by halves, nience for local residents and village shoppers but head Northeast to the extreme north of Nor- 2 BBBB Continued overleaf.... 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BBBB 5 Benson Wallingford Save Benson Library Oxon OX10 6SL It has been was brought to my attention that, Email: [email protected] to date, only seven letters of complaint have been received by Oxfordshire County Council, Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale about the withdrawal of funding for Benson Nut Tree Cottage Library. I have been contacted by a number The Green South of people asking “What are the parish council Warborough doing about the library”. Well the parish coun- Oxon cil are doing much more than the community OX10 7DR realises, but cannot present as strong a case as Email: lorraine.lindsay-gale @oxfordshire.gov. if all concerned individuals write to OCC and uk their OCC councillors expressing their concern, anger, disgust or whatever else they do Councillor David Turner feel, about the threat to THEIR service. Tell 50 Hardings them what service or activity each individual Chalgrove uses and how its loss would affect them. Ask Oxford all the family to write, the younger and older OX44 7TJ members of the community derive equal ben- Email: [email protected] efit from our library. I am concerned that if OCC receive only a slight response from the local population then they www.bensonbulletin.com can assume, or claim, that there is an equally slight level of concern or just apathy. Bill Pattison Chairman Benson Parish Council

Please write expressing your concern to the fol- lowing addresses:

John Jackson (his department runs the library service) Director for Social and Community Services County Hall New Road Oxford OX1 1ND Email: [email protected]

Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Councillor Keith R. Mitchell CBE Nell Bridge House Adderbury Oxon OX17 3NU Email: [email protected]

Councillor Tony Crabbe 35 Preston Crowmarsh 6 BBBB Sassy Paws

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If you would like any more information on SODC’s income and expenditure, do contact me tel.835631

Elections on May 5th On Thursday 5th May there will be elections for South Oxfordshire District Council and for parish councils. Nomination papers for those wishing to stand for election are available from the SODC offices in Crowmarsh or from Ben- son Parish office now but they must be returned to Crowmarsh by noon on April 4th. If you would like a postal vote, you need to apply be- 10 BBBB FAMILY FLORIST & GREENGROCER THE SKIN GINIE OICB, IDI N PR Tel: 01491 837739 Insanely great ER O T D L U WE DELIVER face and body I C H treatments E QUALITY

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BBBB 11 Parish Notes Sue Cooper, writes ... Thank You

Elections Maureen De Beger Please don’t forget to go and vote in the Parish and District Council on Thursday 5th May. If Together with my son Neil and daughter you read this before noon on Monday 4th April Lucie I would like to thank all our friends, when nomination forms must be returned to neighbours and acquaintances in the village SODC, you might just have time to stand for for their thoughts, prayers and kind words fol- election. I have nomination forms and can sup- lowing on Maureen’s death on 24th January. ply information at the parish office on Sunnyside. We have lived here for 35 years and made Call in one weekday morning or phone 825038 many friends and been involved with many or email [email protected] village organisations. More recently Mau- Street Lights reen had been active in Benson WI and the If you notice any street lights which are damaged Benson Art Group, two activities which she or not working, please notify OCC by FREE- thoroughly participated in and enjoyed up un- PHONE 0800 317802 or email streetlighting@ til about 12 months ago. She was diagnosed Oxfordshire.gov.uk in 2008 with a re-occurrence of an illness dat- Thanks ing back 18 years and she fought hard for just A number of people and organisations have over two years but succumbed shortly after a been helping to spring clean around the village. very happy family Christmas. Thanks to the team from RAF Benson who We miss her terribly but are grateful for all the cleared vegetation from the banks of the stream support and help that has been showered upon in Brook St & to Agrivert for providing a big us. We are so fortunate that we lived in such a skip for the arisings. super community. Some trees at the end of The Cedars were pruned Denis De Beger back by the Community Payback Team at the request of a local resident. Thanks to Cllrs Rushton & Stevenson for supervising, to Cllr Leppard for 2011 Census transport and to Cllr Pattison for taking The Ce- dars prunings to Agrivert. As you may be aware,the date for the 2011 cen- Allotments & Rubbish sus is 27 March. The census is crucial in the The allotments are coming alive again with allocation of resources in areas such as health, nearly all plots occupied. Agrivert compost education, housing and transport and an accu- seems very popular on the Cuckoo Pen side but rate census is the only way to ensure that gov- there is plenty still on the Mill Lane allotments ernment funding is shared out fairly. near the St Helens Avenue end. The Commu- Census questionnaires will be delivered by post nity Payback Team are doing some tidying up from March 7, and from April 6 census collec- work around the allotment edges & as a result tors will be visiting all addresses which have there is a heap of prunings drying out. PLEASE yet to return their forms. It is compulsory to DO NOT ADD YOUR RUBBISH, OF ANY return your questionnaire, this is required by SORT, to this pile. Use your own compost heap law. The few people who don’t return a ques- or take your waste to Oakley Wood or get a tionnaire may be prosecuted - they could face a brown bin from SODC. criminal record and may be fined up to £1000. Notice Boards If you need assistance to fill in your form or Parish Council notices (eg agendas of forthcom- you have any questions please call the Census ing meetings) are displayed in the village centre Helpline 0300 020 1101. Further informa- on the Council’s notice board in Bob’s Corner tion can be found on the 2011 Census website in front of the Pharmacy and in the foyer of the www.census.gov.uk Parish Hall. Claudia Bolling Census Coordinator 12 BBBB Registered Osteopath ADVANCED PEST CONTROL SERVICE Backache Rohan D Iswariah, D.O. Sciatica Of EWELME Headache accepted Es t a b l i s h e d 1970 Sports  Injuries by all Joint Pains 01491-838866 major HOUSEHOLD Arthritis Ivy Cottage, Chapel insurance GARDEN & FARM Tennis Lane companies Elbows Benson OX10 6LU PESTS

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BBBB 13 Mill Stream Day Centre Ian Brown, writes ... Thank You

Mrs Nita McClean has been cooking for us I would like to say a Big thank you to you all at for 27 years, virtually from when the Day Cen- Benson Day Centre and all my friends for the tre opened. She decided to retire at the end of lovely flower gift and cards on my retirement. February. Members, volunteers and her fellow Love from staff were sad to say goodbye, but they did so Nita with flowers, gifts and cards. Happily she has Thank you very much to my family and friends agreed to stand in for holidays, sickness (not for all the lovely cards and good wishes, flow- too much we hope) etc, so the farewell is not ers and chocs etc received while in hospital. final. We all wish her and Martin her husband, My five day stay turned into almost the whole well in the future. Good health and a bit more of January so it was lovely to get back home. I relaxation. Incidentally, Martin helped the hope to be out and about very soon. I would Centre in a host of unofficial ways. Thanks also like to thank Barbara and Don Passey and also to you, Martin. members of the British legion for the very en- joyable party they gave us recently. You may remember we had a Book cum Bric- Joan Mills a-Brac Sale on 12th February. So many books were donated that we had scarcely any room to display the Bric-a-Brac. It, and the balance of Douglas Boag Memorial Bench the books, are stored away for a future event. John Tchighianoff, writes ... Thank you for supporting the Sale. We made £617.50, including the very welcome con- tribution from light lunches supplied by Sue I am anxious to contact the family or friends Rushton and Marlene Lant. Watch this space. of the above in whose memory a 4ft garden Another one will be held on Saturday24th Sep- bench was located in the churchyard behind St tember, so book the date. Helen’s Church and close to the double doors to the Canons’ Room. We have room for more members, especially Unfortunately this was recently vandalised by on Mondays and Wednesdays. Fridays are thieves who have stolen lead off the roof of the generally fuller. So if you are of retirement church. age living in Benson, Ewelme and surrounding I would be grateful if anyone who has any in- villages, and fancy some company, and a good formation regarding the bench would contact meal for £3.50 contact me on 01491 834889. me as soon as possible on 01491 838777. We can offer lifts if you need them. No membership fee, no forms to fill in. Just come and Big Band at St Helen’s Church try us out. Jeanne Davis, writes ...

Of course a Centre like ours relies on Volun- Calling all fans of Big Band Music. The Berks., teers, what organisation doesn’t? Our particu- Bucks. and Oxon. Big Band will be playing in lar need at the moment is a little more help in Benson Church on Friday, the 13th May start- the kitchen. Peak times are 9.30-10.30, and 11- ing at 7.30 p.m. featuring music by Glenn Mill- 12 and 12.30-1.30, (Mon/Wed/Fri). If you can er, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ray Anthony offer regular (say once a week) or occasional and others. Vocalists Tricia Basset and Steve help during any of these times, please contact Bailey. me on the above number. Tickets £15 adults, £10 children under 16 from 01491 838494 or 01491 837951. Doors and Bar open 6.45 p.m.

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BBBB 15 gins of herbaceous plants and shrubs, but worse, Down the Garden Path their larvae feed on plant roots, especially in Lynn Powell, writes ... pots and containers, where the conditions are perfect for them - moist and warm! I am sure April: Probably the busiest month of the gar- you have all seen what appears to be a healthy dening year for seed sowing, but for the unwary plant, but which is rocked out of the pot, by a gardener the pitfalls of doing this are many. not too gentle breeze. This happened to my Leaving aside under-watering, over-watering, Heaucheras last year and when I eventually scorching or frostbite, there is the perennial investigated them, they were largely rootless! problem of bugs. I am not suggesting you dig everything up on The RHS has identified ten major pests, some a regular basis to investigate, but a very gentle of which will not affect the average gardener tug should indicate if anything is amiss. and some which will, so these I have listed for Lily Beetles are the next horror story and they you. can completely strip a plant overnight. Real Probably the two real nasties are Slugs and vigilance is required on this one! But probably Snails and Red Spider Mite. The first are pro- the biggest pest at the moment in the village is lific in wet conditions and the mites appear in the Viburnum Beetle. This beetle eats the foli- dry hot weather, so whatever the weather the age of common Viburnums, both the evergreen greenhouse gardener needs to be aware. Slugs Viburnum Tinus - the Flower Arranger’s best and snails will go for anything tasty and with friend - and the deciduous Viburnum Opulus new shoots - nothing is safe! Red Spider Mite or the Snowball Bush. Adult beetles can cause is a sap sucking pest and will attack Cucumbers, damage in late summer, but you need to be par- Runner Beans, Strawberries and Raspberries ticularly vigilant in April and May when the plus outside Fuchsias, Crocosmia and Dahlias. grubs of the beetle can cause severe defoliation. You need, if you can, to keep the greenhouse The Undergardener has removed the Snowball well ventilated, keep all the plants well watered, Bush from the front garden and last year cut but not over watered and pick off anything that back much of the Tinus, but I don’t think this is should not be there as soon as spotted. You can the solution as the remaining leaves look like a of course buy sprays and pellets, if you are not pin cushion and cannot be used indoors. I hate too fussy, but I restrict the use of these to flow- to think it, but it may be that the bushes have to ers, as I just do not like the idea of them on my go. There are sprays available, but that would vegetables! be an expensive job and I just wish I had been Ants are not so much a problem in themselves, more vigilant and removed the beetles last year but can cause a nuisance particularly on lawns, - the gardener’s lament - if only I had done it where they evacuate the soil to make a nest and when I should! are usually a harbinger of other pests. If you see Lastly the RHS say you should keep a careful them on Broad Beans or even Runner Beans, watch for the Harlequin ladybird, which is not then you can guarantee the Black Fly is not far a pest as such, but does eat the native Ladybird. behind and that usually means the plant is un- Where would we be without that? My lupins der stress. Have you remembered to water and are covered in greenfly, in spite of the harsh feed? winter, but the ladybirds from the house are Then there are the Chafer Grubs on the lawn. doing their job and my apologies for evicting These are the ‘bent double’ grubs, which would them and leaving them out on cold nights. I be nearly an inch long if straightened and which can only hope they are enjoying their feed! sportingly eat the roots of the grass. That in it- My thanks to the RHS for all their informa- self is bad enough, but further damage to the tion. lawn is then done by foxes, badgers or crows, Lynn Powell on behalf of Benson Garden burrowing into the lawn to eat the grubs. So if Club you see small mounds on the lawn, investigate immediately and then remove the pests. Please don’t use slug pellets if you can possibly Vine Weevil will eat notches into the leaf mar- avoid them, they are lethal for hedgehogs. AF. 16 BBBB c.n.b. c.n.building ltd extensions & refurbishment brickwork: drives: patio’s: roofing EST. OVER 20 YEARS for a professional efficient service call: o1491 834427 / 07710353339

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BBBB 17 days in the year when girls and boys in service St Helen’s Benson or live-in apprenticeships, were given the day off to go home to see their Mothers and to visit Revd Jean Travis, writes... their Mother church. They would, when possible, take small gifts and pick flowers from the When Easter falls so late in the year, and this roadside, to offer as tokens of appreciation and year it is as late as it can be, the winter feels long love. Mother’s come in all shapes and sizes, and we all look forward to some relief from the with many different gifts and talents but one greyness of the season. But before we can re- thing they have in common is that they play joice in the Easter celebrations, we have to get a large role in setting our standards and teach- through Lent, the period from Ash Wednesday ing us our values. How we respond to and treat to Easter when we are encouraged to engage other people is often a result of watching how in fasting, self examination and repentance. our Mothers act in the same situations and self- Lent is not taken as seriously as it used to be. denial is high on their agenda. Lent need not be Few people really fast and the closest most get a time of misery and guilt but an opportunity to to self denial is to give up chocolate or wine take an honest look at ourselves, how we live and to take more exercise and I wonder how and our priorities and to discover if we like the that differs from their New Year resolutions! A person we see. doctor friend tells me that we would all benefit from fasting one day a week. Maybe; but some would find that very difficult and I for one, can’t function without eating! But what does “to fast” really mean? Is it just to stop eating or to cut down on the usual food and eat plain, simple meals? In the Old Testament book of Isaiah we are told that the fast to choose is not only something for ourselves but all about how we treat other people; quite a different type of self examination. We should work to lose the bonds of injustice, to let the oppressed go free, share our bread with the hungry and bring the homeless into our houses. So the period of Lent is a time not just for physical examination but also for spiritual and financial examination too. It is very easy to suffer from compassion fatigue when we are bombarded by images of children and adults, from so many different countries around the world, suffering in extreme poverty and we know that we can’t possibly respond to every request for assistance but we can pray and leave the results in God’s hands. If this all sounds terrible gloomy, there is some relief during this period. The fourth Sunday of Lent is Mothering Sunday, or refreshment Sun- day, the day when we give thanks for all Moth- er’s everywhere, give them gifts, make them Music, Morris Dancing, cakes and offer posies of flowers. Although the Real Ale, Pimms, Craft term “Mother’s Day” is quite new and com- Stalls, Raffle & Fun Children’s Activities mercial, Mothering Sunday is a very old insti- From 12 noon tution and can, in a pagan way, be traced back Don’t miss the display of Maypole to the Romans, when they worshipped Mother dancing by the village school children! Gods. But more recently, it was one of the few 18 BBBB The Church of England Parish of Benson Sunday Services Associate Priest: 8.30am Holy Communion (BPC) Revd Jean Travis Tel: 01491 838713 10.00am Parish Eucharist (Common Worship) Churchwardens: Sunday School and Creche Barbara Smart Tel: 01491 837951 3rd Sundays - Orchestra & Children in church Gary Jones Tel: 01491 839289 Further Details: www.acny.com (Benson, St Helen, Oxfordshire) For Baptism and Wedding enquiries email: [email protected] please contact one of the clergy.

Holy Mass The Catholic Parish of St Birinus Weekdays 9.30am Dorchester-on-Thames Sat 6.30pm Vigil Mass for Sunday Priest: Fr. John Osman, MA., STL., Sun 9.30am (Berinsfield Church) Bridge House Presbytery 11.00am Solemn Mass 1 Bridge End, Dorchester-on-Thames Confessions Telephone: 01865 340417 Sat 5.45 - 6.15 or upon request Exposition & Benediction of The Blessed Sacrament: First Sunday of each Month 5-6pm Children’s Liturgy of the Word Sun 9.30am during Berinsfield Mass

Wallingford Quakers Meeting for Worship 13 Castle Street, Wallingford Sunday at 10.30am with Children’s Class. Enquiries to Warden Tel: 01491 837835 Discussion groups during the week.

Ridgeway Community Church Sunday Services The Ridgeway Christian Centre 10.00am Worship & Ministry at Christian 21b/22 St Mary’s Street, Wallingford Centre Elder: Revd Bernard Thompson For all other activities see our website Telephone: 01491 834568 www.ridgeway-church.org.uk or telephone 01491 832718

Church of England Parish of Berrick Salome Sunday Services at 11.00am St Helen’s Church 1st Sunday of Month - Family Service Vicar: The Revd Ian Cohen 2nd Sunday - Holy Communion (BPC) The Vicarage, 58 Brinkinfield Rd, Chalgrove Other Sundays - Family Communion Churchwardens: Dr. Marian Shaw - 01865 890915 Baptisms & Weddings to be arranged with the Vicar

Wallingford Methodist Church Sunday Services at 10.30am & 6.30pm St Leonards Square, Wallingford Lunch on Tuesdays 12.30pm - 1.30pm Minister: Revd Dr David Rankin Friendship Group alternate Tuesdays 2.30pm Tel: 01235 813242 ‘Tots Time’ Wednesday 9.30am - 11.00am Email: [email protected] Boys & Girls Brigade Wednesday evenings Coffee Morning every Thursday 10.30 - 12.00 noon Website: www.wallingfordmethodistchurch.org.uk All welcome, please contact David Rankin for details

Wallingford Baptist Church Sunday Services at 10.30am & 7.00pm Thames St, Wallingford Holy Communion 3rd Sunday each month Minister: Pastor Simon Hudson Tel: 01491 839904 Email: [email protected] www.wallingford.org.uk BBBB 19 Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and The Bird Spot Peacock. It is pleasing to see so many Small Tom Stevenson, writes... Tortoiseshells as they have had a difficult few years with declining numbers. Other insects of Wow – hasn’t the last week or so been glori- note (are beetles insects? – Wikipedia says they ous? The winter seemed to go on forever but are so they must be) in a small patch down my an early warm spell always worries me as I allotment measuring about 3m by 2m I counted doubt the winter is really over and many of 25 seven spot ladybirds. That’s a total of 175 our resident birds will be well into the breed- spots or just over 29 spots per square metre. ing cycle. If it does turn wet and/or cold then some will fail in their first attempt, though not There were also quite a number of Major Bee all is lost as most can start again. This sort of Flies at Ewelme the other day. If the editor finds thing does, however, take it out of them making space for the photo you might see that they are it more difficult for subsequent attempts and striking insects that mimic bees. They have a some species, such as Blue Tits, normally only very long proboscis which, luckily is used for have one brood a year but at least they will nest feeding on nectar and not sticking into people. in nice warm cavities in trees or purpose built They have the rather unsavoury habit of flick- nest boxes. Their problems start if hatching ing their eggs towards the underground nests does not coincide with their food, mainly cater- of solitary bees and wasps and when the larvae pillars, being ready. Although it has been said hatch they find their way into the nest where that you should stop feeding the birds when they feed on the grubs. Aint nature wonderful they are breeding as they can supply the chicks and you can learn more of these totally irrel- with the wrong grub (apologies) I don’t hold evant, but interesting facts at our BEST meet- with that advice. I have seen Blue Tits feed- ings – see diary for dates or contact me. ing themselves from supplied food and then going in search of caterpillars for their young. You can also keep up to date with my wildlife Peanuts (not whole) and sunflower hearts must sightings on my blog at http://benewetom.blog- help to keep the adults strength up and give spot.com/ their hunting a better chance of success. [email protected] Tel: 01491 836888 Still I mustn’t be too “half empty” and it is Mob: 07773251301 great to hear birdsong and some of the early migrants are staking their territorial claim. Al- though probably the last person in the country, I have finally caught up with Chiff Chaff, one was singing down at Millbrook Mead a couple of days ago and today I heard them from the garden and down the allotment. Although I keep trying, I haven’t managed to find one on the Watercress Beds and we always play host to a breeding pair there. Mind you some of the winter visitors such as Water Rails and Bram- bling are still around. My last sighting of the overwintering blackcaps in the garden was of the female on 20 March – the male seemed to move out about a week earlier. This is not too surprising as the males need to set up their territory in preparation for the female’s arrival.

Most of the local overwintering butterflies are now on the wing including the glowing yellow Bee Fly 20 BBBB B Crown Inn Benson e e r G N a r d e n 52 High Street, Benson, OX10 6RP o w O Tel: 01491 838 247 p e n ! Forthcoming Events Karaoke - Friday 8th April 9pm Celebrate the Royal Wedding with us - Friday 29th April The Crown Inn Steak Challenge We are open from 10am Thursday 14th of April @ 7pm for Coffee & Cakes Do you think you can eat a 64oz Steak with all the trimmings in under an hour? Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm If yes, we won’t charge you. Challenge us or Dinner 6pm – 8.30pm come and watch the battle….. Sunday Lunch 12pm-3pm Monthly Restaurant Theme Evenings Wed 13th of Apr – Italian Restaurant Closed Sunday Wed 18th of May - Mexican Evening & All Day Monday Wed 15th of June - Jamaican Ongoing Poker League every Tuesday 7.30pm Crown Inn Benson - A meeting place for the whole family

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BBBB 21 straying on to Tom’s Bird Spot territory, I have BEST seen the red kites carrying nesting material in Keith Tibbs, writes... their beaks. There have also been reports of them sweeping low over dog walkers, prob- BEST held its first ever nature quiz at the ably – so Tom tells me – to scare off possible March meeting - and judging by the reaction of intruders around their nesting sites. I was with everyone present it will not be the last. Devised Richard Soulsby – our butterfly expert – this by BEST member Marian Shaw, questions week when we saw a number of brimstones. ranged from the colour of a mallard’s beak to Let us hope that the occasional frosts we are the toilet routines of the giant sloth (only one still getting do not upset the natural order. of those two species are seen in Benson!). Looking ahead, a visit is planned to the There was considerable amusement, as well BBOWT nature reserve at College Lake Tring as creative thinking resulting from the vari- on Thursday 26 May. Details of starting time ous mystery specimens that members brought and transport will be in next month’s Bulle- along for others to identify. Guesses varied tin. Please do contact us if you are interested from the intelligent to the ribald. The meeting in these, or any other of our activities. Guests was held at the Ewelme Cress Beds Centre, and new members are always assured a warm and by the time of our next meeting there in welcome April, the spring flowers in the meadow should be blooming. Contacts for information: Which brings us on nicely to the topic for the next meeting on Tuesday April 12. Tom Keith Tibbs (Secretary) Tel: 01491 838689 Stevenson, who also wears a hat as Nature (e-mail [email protected]) or Reserve Manager at Ewelme, will be talking Tom Stevenson (Chairman) Tel: 01491 836888 about the early wildflowers growing there. (e-mail [email protected]). Weather permitting, this will include a walk around the wildflower meadow at the cress beds which is the result of hard work over the Experienced Nanny/House-keeper past few years, turning what was a derelict and in Ewelme overgrown market garden site into a meadow once more. We are looking for an experienced nanny, to Several times this column has referred to Mill take care of our 4 year-old son, who is cur- Brook Mead, where we have a small nature rently in Nursery but starts at Ewelme School reserve. We do wonder, however, how many in September. people know where Mill Brook Mead is, although they may regularly walk through it. It is Duties will include taking our son to and collecting from school and caring/entertaining/ the area beyond the Cuckoo Pen after you have feeding and supervising homework until we gone through the tunnel under the main road. It arrive home from work at 6pm. During school is also accessible from the Preston Crowmarsh holidays care will be all day. side close to where Benson Brook runs into the Thames. People who do walk through the In addition the nanny will undertake house- site, along the boardwalk may notice the work keeping activities to include cleaning, wash- we have done recently to “pollard” the willow ing and ironing clothes and overseeing the trees. This is necessary to maintain the shape general running of the house. and strength of the trees which, otherwise, would split and fall over time. Hours are Monday to Friday 8am ‘till 6pm. As I write this in mid March it is starting to Excellent salary and conditions. feel like spring – not least because of the daf- fodils bursting into bloom. Do they know that Please contact Diana Pitcher on 00353 March 1st is Dewi Sant (or St David’s Day as 2838483 or email [email protected] it is better known in these parts)? At the risk of 22 BBBB BRUCE FERRIMAN ELECTRICAL SERVICES

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BBBB 23 RAF Benson - Brook Clearing Benson Floodwatch Nikki Hamelton, writes... Dave Rushton, writes...

On Saturday 12 March 2011 personnel from Readers may remember that last year we started 606 (Chiltern) Squadron, RAuxAF based at the Floodwatch Scheme to keep an eye on the RAF Benson cleared overhanging vegetation Brook, with a few volunteers each “minding” from the stretch of the brook opposite The a small length and a brave citizen acting as co- Cedars. For some time now that section of the ordinator. Well maybe I’m biased, but I think brook has been overgrown and views of this the first year went really well, with some po- village feature have been severely restricted. tential blockages being reported and the RAF Tom Stevenson, Parish Councilor asked Ser- team coming down to provide the muscle in geant Winstanley from 606 (Chiltern) Squad- clearing them. We also had an early report of a ron Operations Flight, who supports local com- possible contamination problem, which meant munity projects, if he could help. the Environment Agency was on the case very quickly and tests were carried out. So a big This resulted in almost the entire Operations thank you to the few volunteers who stepped Flight from the Squadron donning wellies to forward last year. help with the project. The work was completed Now the sting! Please could a few more vil- with vigour and gusto by the Operations Flight lagers join us in this essential but not onerous with help from Dave Rushton of the Parish task? You don’t have to actually do the hard Council and other villagers. It opens up this work - although I can find room for anyone part of the brook, improves the view and, hope- who fancies it - but just keep a casual eye on fully will enable much easier maintenance as things if you live/walk near the Brook. I’d be well as reducing the possibility of flooding. very happy to explain more if you just let the Parish office know you’re interested. 606 (Chiltern) Squadron based at RAF Benson main role is to provide a pool of trained person- Overseas Tea Party nel to augment and reinforce the RAF Support Mildred Saunders, writes... Helicopter Force, which is part of the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command, however, they do undertake voluntary work when possible, The Inner Wheel Club of Sinodun cordially especially to benefit the local community. invites you to their annual Overseas Tea Party on Thursday 12th May 2011 at Benson Par- ish Hall: 2.00pm for 2.30pm. The speaker will be Alix Booth on “A History of Punch and Judy” (through puppets). This will be followed by a “substantial” home- made tea. The proceeds will be donated to the Kamuli Mission Hospi- tal in Uganda. The hospital is desperately short of equipment and the mortality rate of babies and children is high. Tickets £8.00 from Personnel from 606 (Chiltern) Squadron, RAuxAF 01491 839474 or 01491 working on Benson Brook 826972. 24 BBBB BBBB 25 She went on to tell us that the house nearby, Brenda Passey at The Crown called The Chestnuts, was an annexe to The Peter Clarke, writes ... Crown used as an overflow when holiday mak- ers came. Often visitors would stay for a week Members of the History Group of the Bensing- or two, the river being the big attraction. ton Society invited 91 year old Brenda Passey Of other neighbouring houses, Brenda said that up to the Crown to talk to her about her time a Miss Cooper, who was a teacher, lived in the when she worked there in the late 1930s. The old police house in Crown Lane, while Bill present Landlady, Petra Smith is very inter- Edwards lived in the house next to it, which ested in the history of the building. Brenda was a farmhouse. The Price sisters, daughters worked there for her uncle and auntie, George of the Revd Price, lived together in Mulberry and Dorothy Arlett, who were the landlords in Cottage. And the butchers shop beyond that, the 1930’s. she remembers well, and can hear the squeal Brenda described the layout at the time, ex- of the young pigs being slaughtered in the plaining that the Lounge bar was at the far end back yard to this day. (Well done Gary, that of the present dining area, closest to Crown doesn’t happen nowadays!) She left working Square and the Snug where the large open fire- there when she married. Her first home was place is situated now. The Dining Room was in Brook Street just past The Farmer’s Man. where the main bar is nowadays. Later, inevitably the subject of the war came Readers may be interested in this photo. up and Brenda’s memories. She told us that She gave us the names below: when Coventry was bombed the sound could be heard in the village!

Brenda Passey back in the Crown, three quarters of a century later! BENSON HISTORY GROUP NEEDS YOU ! Are you an experienced IT user? Could you spare time to help our overworked photo and document archivist? No pay, I’m afraid, but it could become an interesting new hobby! L to R, Jim Wigmore, handyman & gardner, George Arlett, Landlord, Please contact Tom Stevenson at Harry Bradbury, pig farmer, Bert Passey, Sissie Passey, Dorothy Arlett, [email protected] Fred Rolphe, landlord of The Farmers Man 26 BBBB MICHAEL GEE MARKET GARDEN Ba s k e t a n d Pat i o p l a n t s Ha n g i n g Ba s k e t s a n d Tu b s Se a s o n a l Be d d i n g a n d Ve g e tab l e Pl a n t s Pe r e n n i a l s a n d He r b s Co m po s t , Ca n e s a n d s u n d r i e s Find us at: PYRTON Nr. WATLINGTON OX49 5AN 01491 612479

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BBBB 27 Potholes in the Roads Mill Stream Surgery Dave Rushton, writes... Dr Peter Rose, writes...

Yes I agree there seem to be more than ever, Come on Benson we can do better! and yes I think they’re getting deeper. With this People from the age of 60 are now being sent in mind I recently met with our Highways Rep invitations to undertake a test to screen for bow- and had a discussion - this is what I can pass el cancer. This is part of a national programme on. to try to reduce deaths from bowel cancer. The Yes it really does help if we report potholes. You test is quite simple but it does involve collect- can do this by using www.oxfordshire.gov.uk, ing a sample of your stool and we know this or www.fixmystreet.com or ring Highways puts a number of people off. on 0845.310.1111. Please be as precise as you Currently in Benson only 50% of people that can; say High St, Benson and give a location have been invited have actually done the test. reference e.g. a house number, a building, a In some other areas of Oxfordshire the uptake shop or a road junction. is well over 70%. We are hoping that those of Once a hole has been reported, an Inspector you who have had an invitation but have not will see it, and an assessment is made. If it is done the test will consider this seriously and agreed that the hole needs filling, it is marked perhaps change your mind. with the white paint and then reported to the Why is this test important? Bowel cancer is a County’s contractors. They normally then have difficult cancer to detect and, although at the 28 days to then do the work. In an emergency, early stages the treatment is very effective, a really bad/dangerous hole has to be filled in overall around 50% of people with bowel can- within hours - as happened recently in Castle cer die from this disease. In people who do the Close/High St. Sometimes the Inspector does bowel cancer screening test, there is significant not agree that a particular hole is that bad, and reduction in the number of people dying from believes it can wait. It is the inspectors job to bowel cancer. prioritise them all. So it’s worth keeping an If you change your mind as a result of reading eye on holes that haven’t been marked with this and have already had an invitation, it is not white paint - if the hole gets worse, then report too late to participate. Please ring 0800 707 60 it again. 60 and ask them to send you another kit to do If you think a filled hole is not up to standard the test. then please report that as well. If all else fails Do you want to get fit? then let the Parish Office know and I’ll pick it Those of you who came to the Health Fair will up when I can. The Parish Council does what know that there are a number of schemes in it can in reporting (last month I reported 23 in Oxfordshire to encourage people to take up ex- one week), but ultimately the duty is with the ercise. One of these schemes is run by Nexus County Council. and they have very kindly given us free 7 day passes for those people who would like to see what gyms have to offer. If you would like one of these passes please pick one up from the re- ception desk in the surgery.

Benson Outreach Post Office Benson Parish Hall Pavilion Opening Hours: Tuesday 9.30 - 12.30 & 13.00 - 16.00 Wednesday 9.30 - 12.30 Thursday 9.30 - 12.30 Spot the Pot! (You wait ages for a bus....AF) 28 BBBB BBBB 29 ways over the years. Benson Community Pre-School Of course the children have been oblivious to Sarah Vaccari, writes... all this. When I asked my four year old what the best thing was at pre-school this month the This March has been a month of celebrating. answer was clear. It was Peter the farmer who We’ve had St David’s Day and St Patrick’s visited the children in his blue tractor. As she Day, but for staff, committee and parents at the explained “Mummy it was amazing, we even pre-school the biggest celebration came after got to beep the horn!” an unannounced visit by OFSTED. One last note - the pre-school’s cake stall will In truth, all pre-schools feel a little nervous be in the village on Saturday 2nd April and about these visits, which take place every few our AGM and Easter raffle draw take place on years. Two, three and four year-olds can be an Tuesday 5th April from 7.45pm. The evening unpredictable bunch and you always wonder includes a talk by Mrs Jo Tanner from Benson if the inspector will see all the improvements Primary about “getting ready for big school” – staff and committee have been making over the all welcome. years. So much rests upon what they observe in For more information about the pre-school the few sessions they attend. please visit our website www.bensonpreschool. So we were all thrilled when the pre-school co.uk, email [email protected] received an overwhelming endorsement from or call 01491 824042 during pre-school hours. OFSTED gaining an overall “Good” rating with some areas noted as “Outstanding”. PCSO Update OFSTED praised the “positive outlook to con- Rebekah Kent, writes... tinually improving the setting” and said that the “the partnerships that staff build with parents and others caring for the children are excel- If you want any advice or would like to contact lent.” the neighbourhood team you can call us on the They commented: “There is an outstanding em- police non emergency number 0845 8 505505 phasis on sharing children’s learning, through or email: book loaning and information recorded in each [email protected]. child’s diary.” police.uk. They liked the: “good working relationships Please note this email address cannot be used to between staff and the committee (that) are con- contact Thames Valley Police to report crimes tributing to the success of this pre-school” . or for any urgent matters. Alternatively you can And said “Excellent partnerships are develop- visit the force website at www.thamesvalley. ing with the local primary school and this helps police.uk to view information on your neigh- to aid the transition to school for many of the bourhood. children”. Comment was also made of the good use of our If you would like to see an officer in person, we enclosed outdoor area and of our highly quali- will be holding “HAVE YOUR SAY” meet- fied and professional staff who: “Put a good ings in April, details as follows deal of effort into creating a pleasant environ- Friday 1st – Nuneham Courtenay in the Cock- ment each day for the children and respond adoo car park 6pm – 6.45pm positively to children’s interests and extending Friday 8th – Dorchester, outside the primary their curiosity”. School 3pm – 3.45pm So huge thanks to all our staff – Sara, Sandra, Tuesday 19th – Ewelme, village Store 2pm Val, Sally, Mia, Emily and Cass – who work so -2.45pm hard every day to make our pre-school a happy Thursday 21st – Clifton Hampden, outside the place, where children learn through play. Credit village store 4pm – 4.45pm must also be given to the various committees - Wednesday 27th – Benson, outside the pri- both present and past - who voluntarily have mary school 3pm – 3.45pm given up so many hours and helped in so many 30 BBBB •Cars •Vans So u t h Ox f o r d s h i r e ’s l e a d i n g •Mini-Bus d e p a r t m e n t s t o r e • Menswear •Trucks • Ladies fashions • Lingerie •Breakdown cover • Home furnishings Furniture & beds • Cookshop •Continental hire • Toys •low deposit • Health foods • Coffee shop •special rates and much much more Free local delivery Tel Wallingford 01491 837596 Op e n Mo n d a y t o Sa t u r d a y 9a m t o 5p m Tel Kidlington 01865 842852 46-50 St Ma r y ’s St r e e t www.tvr-selfdrive.co.uk Wa l l i n g f o r d Kidlington open Mon-Fri 8.30-5.30 Ox o n Sat 8.30-12.00 Sun 8.30-9.30 OX10 0EY Te l : 01491 835253 W allingford open Mon-Fri 8.30-2.00 Sat 8.30-12.00 BBBB 31 Benson Evergreens Local Clubs & Societies Clubs Sec: Jill Parrick A packed hall greeted our speaker, Fay Delli- more, at the March meeting. An amazing lady – she’s swum The English channel, won end- Bensington Society less medals for Iron Man Triathlons and is now hoping to cycle across America in 13 days! At our last meeting on February 25th we en- Raising money for charity on each occasion. joyed a very informative and amusing talk by The new committee took their duties seriously Hugh Granger on the deeds and misdeeds of and served an excellent tea making a very en- Twelve Famous Highwaymen. Prior to the talk, joyable afternoon. members and guests were updated on and dis- Our next meeting will be on April 13th when cussed local issues including the Free Church Neil Jewitt, our local cooperative store manager and the possible loss of funding to the library. will address the meeting and answer members The usual excellent buffet supper followed and questions. Do come along and enjoy a change a chance to catch up with friends. Regarding of scenery with friendly company. I look for- our suppers, we were very pleased to welcome ward to seeing you. Brenda Hallett to the Committee this year to Julia Minall manage this aspect of our Society, but with 3 long standing Committee members having stood down at the AGM there is still an urgent Benson Garden Club need for more support either on or off the Com- mittee. Volunteers will be welcomed. An enthusiastic speaker, Derry Watkins, came Please note that our meeting on 29th April to tell us how she started her own gravel gar- has been cancelled due to the Public Holiday den from scratch when she moved to a some- so after the March meeting, the next one will what derelict garden many years ago. With a be on 27th May when the talk will be ‘Drug difficult sloping site to deal with and not being Smuggling’ with Malcolm Nelson. The Society too keen on planting and weeding (who is?) she organises a number of outings throughout the set about designing, with her husband’s artis- year and the next will be to the RAF Museum tic input, two separate gravel based gardens. at Hendon on Saturday 7th May. On 11th June Tip one was to get a mechanical digger in to we will be visiting the National Waterways do the heavy work! Taking off the topsoil, she Museum near Northampton. Details of out- then brought in eight inches of gravel to spread ings and bookings can be obtained from Paul around. Using such a depth she avoided the use Booker on 01491 825864. of a plastic membrane which often leads to sour Apart from the meetings, the History Group soil and gravel to plant in. Alternatively you within the Society continues to be very pro- could build up the level with retaining walls to active with the collecting of archive material contain your gravel, more practical in a small and has met with the Victoria County History space and without a digger to hand. Lots more group who will soon be starting their detailed tips followed, accompanied by slides and infec- investigation into the history of Benson and the tious enthusiasm. Derry runs a Nursery from her Ewelme Hundred. home near Bath which our Club will be visiting If you would like more information about the in August. Our next, and last, indoor talk is on Society, our outings and talks, it is available on Daylillies by Gerald Sinclair in April. Then we our website at www.spanglefish.com/thebens- are off on visits, with trips to the Babylon Nurs- ingtonsociety and for those who do not have ery in Watlington and an Aston Rowant garden internet access there is a folder in the Benson coming up before our popular Plant Sale in the Library. Village Centre, Benson, in June. Watch out for Sue Brown the adverts to pick up some unusual plants that Secretary The Bensington Society have proved to grow well in this area. There is 01491 837885 still time to join our growing group (forgive the pun), just come along to our April meeting on 32 BBBB Continued overleaf.... BBBB 33 Gurkha Welfare Trust “. He showed a series Local Clubs & Societies (Cont.) of stunning photographs of Nepal, illustrating Clubs Sec: Jill Parrick rope bridges, mule trails and mountain tracks in this small country which remains one of 7th or contact Jane on 01865 891208, who is the poorest in the world. We were told that the also taking names for the coach trip to Kiftsgate British Army has been recruiting in Nepal since and Hidcote gardens on June 25th. The coach 1815. In the two World Wars in the 20th Cen- is filling up fast so get your name in now, non- tury 90% of young adult males volunteered for members may come too, coach will leave from service in the British Army. In the Great War We are a friendly club and return to Benson. 200000 volunteers suffered 20000 casualties; Penny Noble in World War II 112000 volunteers lost 9000 with excellent facilities! dead. The Gurkha Welfare Trust exists to pro- • 4 all weather courts Benson W.I. vide pensions, education, medical services, • flood lights development aid and help for the destitute in • social & match play At our meeting on February 16th we welcomed recognition of the debt we owe this tiny remote • coaching for all ages Ian Brown to speak about The Jubilee Sailing mountainous region. Questions from the floor • junior & senior club nights Trust – a registered charity to promote the inte- showed that the audience had been fascinated gration of people who are physically disabled • great value individual & family and moved by the talk. At the meeting on April membership or able bodied working together crewing two 6th Dr. Malcolm Hughes will speak on “An- “Tall Ships”. The raffle was won by Vicky thony Eden - A Reputation Restored “ When As we are right on your doorstep, Holcroft. Dr Hughes last spoke to us, on Neville Cham- why not come and join us this year? At the meeting on April 20th Nick Channer berlain, he got a standing ovation and we are speaks of the “Mystery of Agatha Christie”. For more information & looking forward eagerly to the return visit of contact details: Two members of our group have been work- this brilliant speaker. Visitors are welcome. ing hard on the new speakers programme for www.wallingfordu3a.org.uk phone 01491 825 www.bensontennisclub.co.uk 2011/12. An exciting and entertaining year is 156 promised so come along as a visitor or member. Many trips are also planned for the year. Wallingford Photographic Club Benson WI meets in the Parish Hall every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. For more Meetings are held on Thursdays at the Crow- information ring Mary on 01491 838748. marsh Pavilion, (behind the tyre warehouse Mary Doney near the bridge) The Street, Crowmarsh, at 7.45 for 8p.m. -10p.m. We are always pleased to see Benson Trefoil Guild visitors and new members, from beginners to advanced photographers. We are a fun loving group of recycled Brown- 7th April – Naomi & Eric Saul – present ies. We meet every 3rd Thursday of each month ‘South to the Falklands’ at 7.30pm in the Mill Stream Day Centre. We 14h April – An opportunity to see Anne Miles, have speakers and various outings, so why not renowned photographer from Cambridgeshire come along? with her presentation ‘Weather to Photograph Our February meeting was a talk by Any Frank- and What’ lin on ‘Books to Tanzania’. Students raise mon- 21st April – Darrell Godliman returns in a new ey to buy education books to take to schools in capacity as judge for the Portfolio competitions Tanzania, where they are desperate to educate and for the new Architecture Competition, in children. For further details ring Jackie Spen- memory of Chris Stammers. cer 01491 839934. 28th April – An evening with Lucie Parrott If there is an evening you would like to visit us Wallingford U2A please check the website for final details. For further details telephone 01491 835632 or At the March Meeting of Wallingford U3A see our website http://www.wallingford-photo- George Verdon, a former Officer with the Gur- graphic-club.org.uk kha Regiment, spoke on “ Debt of Honour, The 34 BBBB We are a friendly club with excellent facilities! • 4 all weather courts • flood lights • social & match play • coaching for all ages • junior & senior club nights • great value individual & family membership As we are right on your doorstep, why not come and join us this year? For more information & contact details: www.bensontennisclub.co.uk

EWELME VILLAGE HALL

Available for letting for regular bookings, meetings, children’s parties etc. REASONABLE RATES Booking Secretary Anne Critchley — 01491 834403

BBBB 35 Classified Ads.... Benson Parish Hall Benson Parish Office: 01491 825038 Tel: 01491 201734 Office hours: Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri 0930 am to 1230 pm Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning by your local Short Mat Bowls Mon 2-4pm/Wed 7-10pm specialists. Wet or dry systems used. Trained, insured Badminton Mon 8-10pm & NCCA approved. Quality work at unbeatable rates. Bingo Tues 7-9pm Call Grimebusters 01865 726983 / 01235 555533 Floodlit Tennis Thurs 7.00pm TO HIRE Everything you need to maintain your carpets & BENSON PARISH or YOUTH HALL hard floors, domestic & industrial. Call us for free TEL/FAX 01491 825038 advice. Clean Machine Ltd Wallingford 01491 825600 www.machinesthatclean.com Benson Youth Hall House and Office Clearance, removals, everything Table Tennis Fri 8 - 10pm cleared including rubbish. Items of furniture Baby & Toddler Group Thur 1.30 - 3.30pm purchased. Licenced. Tel: 01491 572423 Mob: 07941 935168 email your news to All Rubbish Cleared, garden, plastic, glass, wood, [email protected] unwanted furniture, anything. Licenced waste carrier. Tel: 01491 572423 Mob: 07941 935168 About Benson Bulletin [email protected] Est. 1994

Lady Gardener available for general garden The Benson Bulletin is published by Benson Bulletin maintenance, also home cleaning. Reasonable rates. News Association, and delivered free to all households in Phone Diana on 07880 691704 Benson, RAF Benson, Roke, Rokemarsh, Berrick Salome and Ewelme. All concerned in its production and delivery Local Gardening Service Grass Cutting - are volunteers. Material published in The Benson Bul- Landscaping and driveways. Reliable. Good Rates. letin is copyright, but the Editor may grant permission No job to big or small. Tel 07887 580261 or 01491 for reproduction upon request. Whilst every effort is 837230. made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in The Benson Bulletin, the Editor and Publishers cannot accept any responsibility for the consequences of any er- rors that may occur. Neither are the opinions published in The Benson Bulletin necessarily those of the Editor or The Benson Bulletin News Association. The Editor is Benson pleased to receive material for publication, but reserves the right to shorten, clarify or reject it at her discretion. Library Copy may be submitted via e-mail in plain text (or pictures in tiff greyscale format) to [email protected], or on floppy disc in DOC or RTF format with enclosed print-out (discs will be returned). Typed and handwritten Benson Library Opening Hours copy is also acceptable. All photographs will be scanned Monday 2-6pm and returned. Digital photos in .jpg format are preferred. Tuesday 9-12.30pm 2-5pm Please supply logos in .tiff format. Wednesday Closed all day BB’s Deadlines Thursday 2-7pm Copy: 12th of month previous Friday 9-12.30pm 2-5pm Advertising: 12th of month previous Saturday 9.30-12.30pm The Benson Bulletin c/o Benson Parish Hall Sunnyside Benson, Oxon. OX10 6LZ www.bensonbulletin.com BBNA Committee Members:- Chairman George Craig 839071 Treasurer Kyri Kyriakoudis 839810 Secretary Patricia Baylis 826289 BB Advertising Anne Fowler 201734 Advertising Clubs’ Sec Jill Parrick 838634 Distribution Don Fletcher 838577 To advertise in BB contact Anne Fowler on Editor Anne Fowler 201734 01491 201734 or [email protected] Asst Editor Tom Stevenson 836888 36 BBBB