west issue sixteen February–March 2016 free to up

In this issue

Easter Weekend at Mother’s Day - Sunday 6th March Valentine’s Day F_BAR_10720 Pick West advert - 148x210mm.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2016 14:48 Page 1

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Chacombe Park Juniper House Middletown Grange Banbury, OX17 2JL Brackley, NN13 6JZ Middletown, OX29 9UB Tel: 01295 641 503 Tel: 01280 428 280 Tel: 01993 627 812

Oxford Beaumont Southerndown Boars Hill, OX1 5DF , OX7 5YF Tel: 01865 567 505 Tel: 01608 433 194

Welcome The job of Pick West Oxfordshire magazine has always been to inspire people about their local area. Here in the South, we can often be a bit disparaging about where we live, unlike Northerners who seem to think their local area is the eighth wonder of the world! We never really seem to get the hang of being proud and most of us refer to our home town as ‘a bit rubbish’.

But there has never been a better time to get inspired Pick West Oxfordshire is produced by by Oxfordshire than now. The main headline, of Fyne Associates Ltd course, is that United is once again heading 4 Ram Court, Wicklesham Farm for Wembley…and many local residents tagging along Faringdon, SN7 7PN too, no doubt! The last time the team played on that Pick West Oxfordshire is available for pick hallowed turf the local pride was obvious, with one half up from outlets in and around , of the stadium scattered with the odd York fan and the Woodstock, , Bampton, , other a field of golden shirts. Carterton, Chipping Norton, , Long and Stanford in the Vale. However, there are other little stories from around the county which should make us proud. For example, who Advertising enquiries. 01235 856300. would have thought a from Oxford would have General enquiries. [email protected] ended up as an exhibit alongside the Queen Mary? And Designed by Windrush Group. of course, West Oxfordshire is now the centre of world- © Pick West Oxfordshire. wide Pooh sticks! We look at both these stories in this www.pickwestoxfordshire.co.uk issue as well as giving you all the details of local events. Pick West Oxfordshire is the sister magazine to Pick South Oxfordshire that is available So make sure you get out and about Oxfordshire….and for pick up in South Oxfordshire. get your train ticket booked for the match. www.picksouthoxfordshire.co.uk

3 A BETTER WAY TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN ACTIVE WINDRUSH LEISURE CENTRE PLAYSCHEME We’ve got plenty going on this half term Member Non to keep your children active and entertained. Member We can only take 5 year olds who are in Full Day £20.00 £24.00 year 1 at school. (8.30am – 5.30pm) We are running February half term Half Day (8.30am – 1.00pm Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February. £10.50 £14.00 or 1.00pm – 5.30pm) For more information or to book a place, visit www.better.org.uk/windrush To book please come to reception or call 01993 202020.

In partnership with

*Terms and conditions apply. We can only take on children from the September after their 5th birthday, or those that are in Year 1. Please speak to a member of staff for more information. Better is a registered trademark of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a char- itable social enterprise. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX IPS No: 27793, Inland Revenue Charity No: XR43398

GLL_PCR_WestOx_Advert_Playscheme_April2014_147x210_fv.indd 1 19/03/2014 13:04 Contents

Pick: What’s on 6

Jess Thom Interview 20

The Chinese Zodiac 22

Pick: Food 44

Pick: Caring 48

Pick: Homes 54

Pick: Fitness 64

Pick: Motors 66

5 Whats On ... this easter

Until 13th March Tokens of Love at Explores the Valentine from the 1840s onwards, Address: The Oxfordshire Museum, Fletcher’s House, including novelty and satirical pieces, and cards Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1SN from the Shell Advertising Art Collection. Alongside Tel: 01993 811456 are objects used as love tokens, from bobbins and Visit The Website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/ corset stays to rings and photographs, via smocks public-site/oxfordshire-museum and samplers.

Until 31st March Fairytale Farm Development Chipping Norton’s Fairytale Farm is crowdfunding Those contributing to the crowdfunding campaign from 1st February to 31st March 2016, to enable it to will receive a range of rewards and incentives that embark on the next phase of its development. are not available to anyone else. Nick explains: “These include branded gifts, unique farm visits, Owner Nick Laister explains: “Fairytale Farm is the animal keeper experiences, a VIP party, opportunities first mainstream visitor attraction where everything to immortalise yourself on the sensory trail and has been designed for children with disabilities – but lifetime passes with exciting perks. It will be a once in that can be enjoyed by everybody – and where a lifetime opportunity to support Fairytale Farm and no pre-booking is required. We have achieved a receive something that money can’t buy.” phenomenal amount since the Prime Minister, David Cameron, cut the ribbon in 2013, but there is a lot Nick adds: “We can’t take Fairytale Farm to the next more to do and we need your help to achieve it.” level without this funding. £91,500 means we can introduce these important new attractions and The Farm is trying to raise £91,500 for a number facilities that will significantly improve our visitors’ of projects, all of which will be implemented over experience. We have set up a special web page for the next two years. The projects include: two our crowdfunding campaign: www.fundthefairytale. new interactive themed areas based on fairies com, where people can sign up to receive more and dinosaurs; installation of a hoist for disabled information and be part of this fantastic campaign.” children; installing interactive sound systems on the Enchanted Walk; new activity panels with things that Address: Fairytale Farm, Southcombe, Chipping can be turned, touched, make noise, etc; creation Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5QH of a raised sandpit for wheelchair users; animal Tel: 01608 238014 handling building to allow animal petting in adverse Visit The Website: www.fairytalefarm.co.uk | weather and shelter for school groups; and the www.fundthefairytale.com development of a new toilet block at bottom of site.

6 Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert Wednesday 23 March 2016 7.30pm Main Hall

Conductor Dr John Traill Director of Music, St Anne’s College, Oxford

TiCkeTS AvAilAble frOM: Mrs S Andrew: [email protected] 01993 823303 £5.00 Adults £4.00 Concessions (Under 18/Over 65)

3rd February-5th April Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum

3rd February | 7-8.30pm 600 Years of Oxfordshire Yeomanry Colonel John Bridgeman CBE Join us for a fascinating talk led by Colonel John Bridgeman as he takes us from Oxfordshire’s knights, archers and men-at-arms to Winston Churchill’s Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry with its unique archive housed at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. Tickets £5.00. Refreshments available 2nd March | 7-8.30pm High Explosive! Sir Hugo Brunner When the First World War began, Brunner Mond, Britain’s largest chemical business, was drafted into the war effort to manufacture High Explosives. Sir John Brunner, the company chairman, saw two nephews killed in action and in the autumn of 1916 a grandson, Felix, began training to fire shells armed with High Explosives. Hugo Brunner weaves the related family stories of a colossal manufacturing effort, and artillery action on the Western Front into an unusual narrative of the Great War. Tickets £15.00 (includes refreshments). Doors open 6.45pm 5th April | 7-8.30pm Redcoats to Riflemen Brigadier Robin Draper CVO OBE The exceptional story of our County Regiment from 1741 through The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Royal Green Jackets to The Rifles. Join us for this talk at the home of the regimental archive. Tickets £5.00. Refreshments available Doors open 6.45pm Address: The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Park Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1SS Tel: 01993 810211 Visit The Website: www.sofo.org.uk

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Michael Lowe & Partners Registered Ophthalmic Opticians 5 Streatfi eld House, Road, Carterton OX18 3XZ Tel: 01993 844291 www.mlopticians.com 13th February 2016-1st January 2017 Shakespeare in Windsor Castle Royal Library

Marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, this display draws on material in the Royal Library, including works of Shakespeare collected by the royal family, accounts of performances at Windsor Castle, and art by members of the royal family inspired by Shakespeare’s plays. It will examine aspects of the playwright’s life, work and influence, and celebrate his longstanding connection with Windsor and the royal court. Address: Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NJ Tel: 020 7766 7304 Visit The Website: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle

18th-21st February Carterton Open Art Exhibition 2016 Following the success of their previous five time both for artists events, Carterton Lions have set the date for the and for buyers and Carterton Open Art Exhibition 2016, which will visitors – bringing a take place from Thursday 18th February until bit of cheer into the the afternoon of Sunday 21st February 2016 at long days. Carterton Community Centre. The Lions anticipate The last five exhibitions have been very popular, asking for your with increasing numbers both of entries and of entries on Tuesday those attending. February is evidently a good 16th February, with 14 year old Abigail Carver’s the preview on prize winning exhibition entry Wednesday the 17th. from last year If you have any early enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the organiser, Lion Michael Lowe, who is available on 01992 842354 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Address: Carterton Community Centre, Marigold Square, Shilton Park, Carterton, OX18 1AX Tel: 01992 842354 Email: [email protected]

11 DAP PER STR

MEN’S CLOTHING & LIFESTYLE EETABINGDON NEWBURY WANTAGE WITNEY 25th February Introduction to Yarnmaking, Spinning and Weaving at Manor House Join our resident weaver Sue Tucker at Cogges and try your hand at the rural craft of spinning and weaving on a table loom. Workshops can be booked on a date that suits you, for a small group of friends or individually. Try an introductory session, or enquires are welcome for a range of weaving workshops this season. For more information please contact Sue on [email protected] Advanced sessions available £35 per person Address: , Church Lane, Witney, OX28 3LA Tel: 01993 772602 Visit The Website: www.cogges.org.uk

26th February The Bowie Experience at Fat Lil’s Club Fat Lil’s Club hosts many amazing live music acts every week. Tributes to our favourite bands and covers of our favourite genres. 8pm on 26th February, Fat Lil’s welcomes the world’s favourite David Bowie tribute show. ‘Don’t accept imitations’. Address: Fat Lil’s, 64a Corn Street, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 6BS Tel: 01993 703385 Visit The Website: www.fatlils.co.uk

13 INNOVATIVE CUTTING & CREATIVE COLOURING

Brothers – Thame • 16 Buttermarket, Thame OX9 3EP Tel: 01844 217365 Brothers - Oxford • 57 The High Street, Oxford OX1 4AS Tel: 01865 250 696 Brothers - Marlow • 68 West Street, Marlow SL7 2BP Tel: 01628 484 717 Book Online wwwwww.brotherssalons.co.uk.brothers-uk.com Recruiting now at all 3 salons Stylists, Technicians, Apprentices. 4th-19th March 6th March Chipping Norton Cogges Mother’s Day Music Festival What could be more special than a locally sourced afternoon tea in the manor house Situated near the borders of Warwickshire at Cogges? Come and treat your lovely mum and Gloucestershire, Chipping Norton Music with our Mother’s Day Tea, serving fresh Festival has been promoting music-making sandwiches, indulgent cream teas and the in the north-east since 1904. One most delicious cake made at Cogges by our of the oldest festivals of its kind, the festival talented volunteers. celebrated its centenary in 2004. Seating is anytime between 2pm and 3pm The festival is non-competitive and adjudicated so you can stroll around the beautiful by professionals; there are classes in music farmyard and grounds until you are ready to and drama for all ages, individuals and groups eat. Tables will be set in the kitchen, sitting ranging from piano, voice, and composition room and parlour. through to verse-speaking. While the early years concentrated on choral singing, the All Welcome - please book a place below as festival has evolved to include other solo and there is limited seating. instrumental classes. Additions in the last 15 Contact Jess on [email protected] with any years or so include Speech & Drama (2000), specific requirements or questions, or put Folk (2003), and the Youth Jazz Band Challenge a comment on your paypal booking. (in association with the Rotary Club of Chipping Norton) in 2009. Tickets: £12.50/£10/£6 The participatory classes are accompanied 2-4.30pm by a series of professional concerts, and A fundraising event for Cogges Heritage Trust. the culmination of the festival is a concert presenting the highlights where various Address: Cogges Manor House, Church Lane, trophies are awarded for outstanding Witney, OX28 3LA performances from musicians and performers of all ages. Tel: 01993 772602 There is a children’s workshop giving children Visit The Website: www.cogges.org.uk from local primary schools the opportunity to perform. Tickets can be reserved from [email protected]. uk or from Chipping Norton Town Hall. Visit The Website: www.cnmf.org.uk

15 UK & European Coach Holidays

HOME PICKUP on tours 4 days and over, see back cover for details

20152016 www.barnescoaches.co.uk [email protected] 01793 821303

Woodside Road • South Marston Park • Swindon SN3 4AQ     18th & 19th March 19th March Rosencrantz and Easter Craft Show at Guildenstern Are Dead at Churchill Village Hall UK & European Coach Holidays Oxford Playhouse Stalls, coffee, teas, cakes, chocolate, raffle, plants, bulbs, knitting and much more! HOME PICKUP on tours 4 days Questions, confusion and comedy abound as and over, see back Come along with the family to see what we are cover for details Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet’s childhood friends, are summoned to Elsinore. Join them as doing – 50p admission. they try to find their way through (and their place You can book a table (advance payment £10) within) the plot of Hamlet, an offstage world and some big philosophical questions. Tel: 07881 735276 Commemorating 400 years since Shakespeare’s death and 50 years since the play’s first performance, Oxford Playhouse’s 17|25 Young Company present an ensemble version of Tom Stoppard’s comic masterpiece. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead was Stoppard’s debut, written when he was a student in Oxford and catapulting him into a career as one of Britain’s most loved playwrights. An Oxford Playhouse production By Tom Stoppard Directed by Jo Noble 18th March, 8.00pm 19th March, 2.30pm & 7.30pm Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, 2015 OX1 2LW 2016 Tickets £15, Discounts available, a limited number of £5 www.barnescoaches.co.uk tickets for under 18s and OPT In! members [email protected] 01793 821303 01865 305305 | www.oxfordplayhouse.com | in person at Oxford Playhouse Box Office Woodside Road • South Marston Park • Swindon SN3 4AQ  

 16 Corn Street Witney Oxon OX28 6BL [email protected] 01993 701 117  17 20th March The Burford Singers Spring Concert 2016 Our spring programme brings together a youthful Schubert Mass – completed in only |one week by the teenage composer – and a lyrically moving setting of the Requiem, written in 2006 by Paul Carr in loving memory of his Mother. Paul Carr: Requiem for an Angel Schubert: Mass in G (D167) Soprano: Robyn Allegra Parton Baritone: Gavin Carr Conducted by Brian Kay 7.30pm Address: St John the Baptist Church, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4RP Visit The Website: www.burfordsingers.org.uk © Mike Peckett

25th-28th March Easter Weekend at Blenheim Palace Join us for an abundance of themed fun in the On Sunday 27th and Monday 28th March, we will be Pleasure Gardens this Easter, with a Giant Easter joined by children’s characters The Gruffalo and Tree Egg Hunt, vintage fun fair and lots of other family Fu Tom. The Gruffalo will be appearing during meet activities, including appearances of children’s and greet sessions at intervals on each day. Children characters, Punch and Judy shows, face painting and will also be able to see Tree Fu Tom in his show more! Existing fun family activities at The Pleasure and learn Tree Fu Magic, there will be the opportunity Gardens include the giant Marlborough Hedge Maze, to meet him too. On these two days we will also have Butterfly House and Adventure Playground. the Easter Bunny and stilt walkers joining the already exciting programme of entertainment. Across the whole weekend our vintage fun fair will be at the Pleasure Gardens, with a Helter Skelter, Address: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, chair o’planes, mini swinging chairs and game stalls, OX20 1PP offering lots of fun for younger visitors. Families can Tel: 01993 810530 also enjoy Punch & Judy shows, face painting and balloon artists across the four days, as well as our Visit The Website: www.blenheimpalace.com Giant Easter Egg Hunt with treats to be won!

18 31st March Elvis Tribute bar l lounge l RESTAURANT Night at The Snooty Mehmaan £30.00. Price includes three course buffet meal, the show and a welcome drink. CASH PAID FOR QUALITY HI-FI Address: Faringdon Road (A420), Littleworth, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 8PW CALL STEVE OR SARAH ON 01420 472316 /07890517695 Tel: 01367 242260 [email protected] Visit The Website: www.snootymehmaan.com

Free Pre-Sale Valuations Monday-Friday 9.00am-4pm

9th March 2016 13th April 2016

Kutchinsky diamond brooch Sold For £1900

WATCOMBE MANOR SALEROOM INGHAM LANE • WATLINGTON • OX495EJ • TEL: 01491 612810 [email protected]

19 Jess wears padded gloves to protect her body and hands from the physical chest-banging tic she has. Tics in her legs make it difficult for her to walk so she also has knee pads to protect from falls; she uses a wheelchair to get around most of the time (© Laura Page)

Biscuit free thoughts Sam Bennett talks to Jess Thom about her Tourettes and the theatre show inspired by it…

When I had secured an interview with Jess Thom I “It is such a misunderstood condition.” Jess says. “I know got nervous. families who explain that their child has Tourettes and Jess, co-founder of Touretteshero (an online blog that people say ‘well I’ve never heard them swear’. In fact serves to explain and champion Tourettes), was formally only 10% of people with Tourettes have obscene tics.” diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome in 2006. I found Jess is actually in that percentage “but it’s a very small myself concerned I was going to laugh at her frequent part of what I say involuntarily.” She tells me. saying of the word biscuit, something she does even I thought there must be things Jess can’t do because of though her thoughts are, in her own words, “totally Tourettes that she wishes she could. “There are things biscuit free”. I can do because of Tourettes that I’m really glad I can (We have included Jess’ vocal biscuit tic in the next do.” She replies. “My unusual neurology means that paragraph here to give you a flavour of the frequency unusual ideas get collided together and they can be very but then eradicated it from the remainder; we have also funny, or visual or surreal. I’m really lucky to have that not included other vocal tics she has). spontaneity and creativity in my life. And I think me and my friends probably laugh a lot more than many people I informed Jess of my worries about talking to her and as a result.” she reassured me. “I think – biscuit – encouraging people to respond naturally to things that are different and to “My sister’s wedding was amazing because of the added feel comfortable with difference is a big part of what layer of humour.” Jess recalls. But what about attending we do through Touretteshero – biscuit – and sometimes a funeral? laughter is part of that natural response.” She says. “If I’m going to a funeral then it’s going to be somebody “There’s a big difference between laughing at someone I know and care about who knew and cared about me, and sharing humour. Lots of people are nervous – biscuit tics and all.” She says. “And other people in that space – when they hear they’re going to be talking to someone will know and care about me too. I’m unlikely to rock up with Tourettes because it’s not something they’ve at a stranger’s funeral unannounced!” encountered before and I can understand that – biscuit – Jess’ biscuit tic inspires the title of award winning but I think breaking down that fear of difference is really theatre show Backstage in Biscuit Land, in which Jess important for everybody – biscuit.” stars. In March and April this humour, song and puppetry There are those who might not equate a word as clean peppered show will land at various locations including as biscuit with Tourettes, only thinking of it as something Banbury, Chipping Norton, Oxford and Didcot. that makes people use curse words.

20 Jess’ Tourettes mean that each Biscuit Land show will be different. “I am neurologically incapable of staying on script.” She confirms. “We do have a script but it Touretteshero allows for that spontaneity. That was a really interesting Touretteshero was founded in 2010 creative challenge for us, to allow space for tics and to by Jess Thom and Matthew Pountney. celebrate them but also to get across the message we “A place to celebrate the humour & creativity wanted to.” of Tourettes.” And the show’s message isn’t complex really… www.touretteshero.com “The thing that needs to be changed is the stereotypes around Tourettes.” The performer states. “I hope that Biscuit Land makes people think differently not just about Tourettes but about disability more generally. Neurodiversity is something that can be celebrated. We need to break down the idea that disability is just tragic or sad because it isn’t.

Backstage in Biscuit Land By Jess Thom, Jess Mabel Jones and Matthew Pountney Starring Jess Thom and Jess Mabel Jones 23rd March – The Mill, Banbury www.themillartscentre.co.uk Jess as Touretteshero (© Jonathan Birch) 24th March - Chipping Norton Theatre www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 5th April - Old Fire Station, Oxford www.oldfirestation.org.uk 8th April - Cornerstone, Didcot www.cornerstone-arts.org

© Laura Page 21 Put your coats on! We’re going out! The Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao, is based on a twelve-year cycle, each year in that cycle related to an animal sign, each calculated according to Chinese lunar calendar. These signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig and these can be worked out here:

Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

The Year of the Monkey starts on Feb 8th, but for lots of parents, the Week of the Monkey is the following week when half-term kicks in. And when you’ve finished laughing at each other’s animal-like tendencies, how might you fill the time?

22 Most local supermarkets will have specials for Chinese new year that intrigue children (duck pancakes for dinner, anyone?) but a bus trip into Oxford that delivers you to the bus station will leave you only two minutes walk from Oxford’s Chinese Supermarket (41-42 Hythe Bridge St, OX1 2EP) where the packets and goodies make them feel as if you’ve stepped from middle into another world entirely. There’s a China Day at Oxford’s (Beaumont Street, OX1 2PH) on Sunday 7 February (11am–4pm; drop-in family event) to celebrate Chinese New Year, and The Museum of History of Science (Broad Street, OX1 3AZ) are running a half term event where children can make a working Chinese dragon fire clock (18th Feb 3-4pm, £2, ages 7+) having seen the original in its case: the dragon-shaped exterior holds a horizontal incense stick that burns at a calibrated rate and so the time can be determined from the length of stick that is left, a type of clock commonly used at homes and temples in China in dynastic times. For full size Jurassic dragons (dinosaurs) visit the Oxford University Museum of Natural History which offers a great opportunity to see which of the animals from the Chinese zodiac you can find within its gothic walls, and round off the day visiting the Ox standing proud in bronze at Oxford station, courtesy of sculptor Olivia Musgrave. The tiger may prove the hard to track down, though travels into the wilds of Oxfordshire should turn up the rest, even if you do have to nip into a passing pet shop. To pin down the big cat, or if the weather drives you to cheat, then I recommend an afternoon at The Pottery Place on Witney’s High Street which, despite its name, is best known far and wide for its stock of decopatch materials. Here with colour and glue, whether 2 or 42 (so now you know), you can jazz up both any animal under the sun and any day without the sun! Should you be lucky enough to have a dry day and warm coats to get out of town (or save this one until the Easter break), drive from Woodstock to Witney, or vice versa, and take a (signposted) turn to the North: there you’ll find the remains of ’s Roman Villa, hidden quietly in a loop of the , 500m walk from the road down a leafy bridleway. The layout of the villa is clearly visible on the ground, a heaven for stepping stone games, and there’s even some of an original third century mosaic floor that was lifted and restored in the early twentieth century that you can see through a glass window. 23 North Leigh, I’m told, ranks among the larger villas of Roman Britain. A few of these villas may have been the residences of Roman officials, but the majority are now thought to have been the homes of leading members of the native population who were co-opted into the empire and rewarded with lavish buildings and a superior way of life. This one had 11 rooms with under-floor heating, 4 bath suites and 16 mosaic floors once upon a time – though today it’s better suited to a vivid imagination and some make-believe. There’s more mosaics to be discovered in where a two mile mosaic trail runs along the Lower Windrush Valley from Newbridge to Standlake (and then back again.). It’s a flat walk taking in a few bridges and stiles and has a dozen mosaic animals dispersed at intervals, the hunt for which keeps the family entertained and there’s always the chance you’ll spot the real McCoy. Find the fish and a fox as the path snakes between gravel pit lakes, the woodpecker or the heron. With a wing-span of up to six foot, the heron is often seen on the wing or standing by local waters ready to grasp a passing fish. They are sociable birds who lay their eggs in February and March, nesting in long- established colonies or heronries at the tops of tall trees and it is the best time of year to see the nests, before the trees become covered in foliage, so as one of the plaques reads ‘Take the Time to Stand and Stare’. Just as long as you’re properly wrapped up!

24 An undiscovered secret in the heart of Oxford the Oxford Union ...Make the legend yours

Email: [email protected] Call 07507 683129 or 01865 241353 www.oxford-union.org Cokethorpe School More than meets the eye. Travelling south on the A415 from the west Oxfordshire town of Witney, the impressive Cokethorpe Park is unmissable as hedgerows dwindle to reveal the sweeping fields, Queen Anne mansion house and medieval chapel. Passers-by can be forgiven for thinking that these features remain the extent of the estate. However, owned the estate in medieval times until their lands nestled behind the mansion lies a host of modern were seized by King Henry VII after the Battle of school buildings and facilities that have been Bosworth Field in 1485, and the body of Lord Francis sympathetically added to create a series of quads, Lovell was found walled up at some inspired by the famous colleges of Oxford. years later. Sir Thomas More was beheaded in 1535 Cokethorpe School is set in over 150 acres of after refusing to acknowledge King Henry VIII as the beautiful Oxfordshire parkland and is an independent Head of the Church of England, and Henry Norreys day school for boys and girls aged between four met with the same fate after becoming too familiar and eighteen. Its rural setting offers an abundance with the Queen, Anne Boleyn. of space for outdoor learning and activities. Taking During the 18th Century, the estate passed into the education beyond the classroom runs through the hands of the Harcourt family whose changes shaped heart of the School as pupils are encouraged to the house and grounds into today’s recognisable respect, explore and enjoy the great outdoors. form. The Park has been home to Cokethorpe School The Park has not always been such a happy place. for nearly 60 years and Harcourt House is just one Its colourful history includes unpleasant endings of six Senior School Houses that honour the families for some of the previous owners. The Lovell Family that have previously resided at Cokethorpe.

Find out more at our Open Morning

Saturday 12 March 2016 9.30am - 12.00pm

www.cokethorpe.org.uk 26 Sunday 6th March

Top up our goodness and sack off the spice rack Mother’s Day is one we kids don’t really bother with. If we ranked occasions throughout the year in order of how guilty you feel for forgetting, it would likely find itself at the bottom of the list. It’s the day where mums have learnt it’s best to expect little and it’s the day we’re grateful that garages sell more than petrol. But maybe this year we could make an effort and propel the event (yes, we’ll even refer to it as an event this year) up the list to join the big boys that are 50th birthday and significant anniversary.

27 As we move closer to Sunday 6th March, I’ve compiled a little list of what to do and what not to do. Each Sunday leading up to the big day, buy your mum a bunch of flowers. This way when Mothering Sunday arrives such a gift is not an option… you bring flowers every week so they’re not going to make Mother’s Day special. It’s a little trick, and it gets you in the good books early. Avoid practical presents that make it look like you’re suggesting she does no work around the house or that housework is all she does. It’s not rocket science knowing on Mother’s Day you shouldn’t make Mother feel lazy or like she has no life. So…no mini hoovers, no spice racks, no pans and really, really no irons. This might be easier if your mum has given birth at least twice; homemade memory books seem to go down quite well. So if you are one of a few children get together, pull what you’ve achieved (e.g. graduation, a completed marathon, an edible casserole), get a few words written about them and put them in a scrapbook for her. The key is to make it clear she is responsible for all these wonderful successes and to thank her. Get Stephen Fry, your dad, or the like to write a foreword, pop some flattering pictures in and you’re there. Tread carefully where tattoos are concerned: if she isn’t a big fan of them that’s unlikely to change just because you’ve dedicated one to her.

28 The beauty of this occasion is that all mothers share it, so joint celebrations are perfect. Combine your festivities with your friends and their mums. Chances are acting like you’ve forgotten Mother’s Day won’t work in this case…because you’ve genuinely forgotten every year up to now. Find out where in the world your mother gave birth to her first…where she became a mum. If it’s nice take her back there for an exciting day out; frankly there are places where this won’t work. Paying back money you owe her anyway absolutely does not count as a gift. It may be the case that she is as concerned about how to deal with her own mother on this day as you are. Why don’t you pass this list on? Do not think treating your mum right on Mother’s Day means you can slack when her birthday comes around. We’re not spreading our goodness thin as much as we are topping it up. This isn’t fair…but mothers never are.

Mother’s Day 2016 takes place on Sunday 6th March… best of luck. Sam Bennett 29 Further consignments invited Mallams Design & Studio Ceramics featuring an architect’s estate and works by Hans Coper, Lucie Rie, John Maltby and Peter Hayes

Thursday 19 May 2016 For more information contact Philip Smith on 01865 241358 or [email protected] Closing date: Wednesday 6 April Appointments available nationwide www.mallams.co.uk

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www.freshcardsgifts.co.uk 30 Record breaking prices reached at Mallams in December 10th December at Mallams saw the biannual Modern & Post War British Art and Design auction come to Oxford. With the saleroom full of Art and Design objects and bidders keen for success, the anticipation in the room was tangible. The sale started with Design and more than 150 lots of ceramics featuring ceramicist Geoffrey Eastop. Eastop’s close artistic partnership with artist John Piper was reflected in the sale with over 30 works by Piper included in the Modern and Post War British Art section. One of the many highlights of the auction was the sale of the gold and peacock blue enamel necklace by Archibald Knox for Liberty, circa 1900-1904. With an interesting provenance and in fantastic condition, the bidding on the necklace surpassed its estimate of £5,000-£7,000 almost immediately. With bidding online and over the telephone it was clear that this was a piece of design that many were hoping to secure. As the figures climbed, the bidding slowed down until just two remained. Finally the hammer came down at £31,000, exceeding the existing record price for a necklace designed by Knox for Liberty: a gold and turquoise example sold at Sotheby’s in New York in 1999 for $32,473 (£19,550). Looking forward, our next Modern & Post-War British Art and Design sale will take place on Thursday 19th May, with a closing date of Wednesday 6th April. If you have any Art or Design objects that you think might be appropriate for this auction, please contact Philip Smith on [email protected] or 01865 241358. For more information about the great variety of auctions that we hold in our salerooms in Oxford, Cheltenham and Abingdon, please visit www.mallams.co.uk

31 Falling for a dinosaur? with Esther Lafferty In the long cold winter months when it can be hard to find entertainment, especially if you spent up over Christmas, so it’s no surprise that Cupid is at his most busy in February.

32 And in Woodstock, running until 13th of March, the Oxfordshire Museum are hosting an exhibition, ‘Tokens of Love’, showing a selection of items that have been given as love tokens in days gone by to traces the history of the Valentine offering over the last two hundred years.

You’d expect to see romantic sentiment flourishing with reds and golds, lace, ribbons, jewellery, rings, and depictions of cupid with his bow and arrow, and you won’t be disappointed. There are, however, other objects in this treasure trove, however, that Alice Walker – Eynsham might seem a more unusual choice today for the expression of deep emotion and would cause a recipient to raise their eyebrows in the twenty-first century: these include bobbins and corset stays, smocks and samplers!

One of the most interesting displays is on loan from the National Motoring Museum. It’s a series of a stunning collection of Valentine cards which originated from the petroleum company Shell who began sending Valentines greetings cards to their lady drivers in 1938. They were designed by artists of the day and carried witty jokes and rhymes on motoring and petrol themes. It was a tradition that continued right up until 1975, and these postcards have become iconic as a particularly unusual form of commercial advertising. They also show clearly how driving increasingly became part of daily life and illustrate how advertising became an art form in the twentieth century.

Dianne Frank – Oxford

Woldstone – Witney 33 Images kindly provided by Oxfordshire Artweeks 34 At last you know, my Valentine The news I’ve longed to bring. Now let the petrol flow like wine, Let joyful engines sing. See! On the road each pool has fled The sun has dried the showers. We’ve many a care-free mile ahead The best of spirits, ours. So off we’ll go – and this we know – We’ll travel far and well For every day is …..day now You can be sure of Shell!

To accompany the exhibition and hear more about expressions of love through the ages, the Museum are hosting three talks (all at 2.30-4.30pm): Courtly Love 6th February by TV broadcaster and writer Janina Ramirez, an art historian who lives in Woodstock and is passionate about symbolism in art; The Loves of the Unicorn by Juliette Wood of the Folklore Society and lecturer at Cardiff University on 20 February. A Garden Enclosed by Michael Brown, an expert on garden history and horticulture and a Medieval garden designer and lecturer on the 5th March. Interestingly, the beautiful enclosed garden space behind the Oxfordshire Museum is home to a life-size dinosaur, the megalosaur whose footsteps were uncovered in Woodstock itself, and seems an unlikely love-offering, though it is great fun for children, and I was quite taken myself! The Tokens of Love runs until 13th March at The Oxfordshire Museum, Fletcher’s House, Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1SN Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm Call 01993 811456 for further details. 35 News

Getting Clean for the Queen West Oxfordshire will be taking part in the new scheme which urges the country to ‘get clean for the Queen’. The scheme is inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday, which is in April and will be officially celebrated in June. The project calls on businesses, volunteer groups, local councils, schools and individuals to do their bit and deep-clean the country in time for the Queen’s birthday celebrations. Campaign director Adrian Evans hopes to get one million people joining in for a dedicated weekend of clearing up on March 4–6. The idea for Clean for The Queen was born in a conversation between Country Life Editor Mark Hedges, Melissa Murdoch of the Garfield Weston Foundation, which is generously supporting the campaign, and the team from Keep Britain Tidy. Local MP and Prime Minister David Cameron said he was ‘delighted’ that his constituency was joining the campaign and that it was a great chance for communities to work together. Environment Minister Rory Stewart said: “Her Majesty The Queen is an inspiration to all of us. Her 90th birthday is a unique opportunity for people to come together in celebration of Her Majesty’s long service and dedication to this country. Everyone has a responsibility to keep their community tidy and this campaign provides us with a great chance to protect our wildlife and improve the quality of our streets and public spaces. I hope it will help lead to a lasting legacy of a cleaner, tidier Britain.” 36 Local charity calls for more volunteers Local charity Volunteer Link Up, based in Witney, are appealing for more volunteers to meet increasing demand. An aging population and cuts to social services and NHS budgets means that more and more people are relying upon the charity, which organises the West Oxfordshire Volunteer Link Up. More than 800 residents benefit from the Good Neighbour Scheme, which is a scheme that links volunteers with those in need of help and support. Whether it is transport, walking the dog or taking somebody to hospital, the scheme aims to help. In some cases, volunteers are needed simply to befriend a local person who would otherwise have no company to turn to. The charity has seen an increase in clients in recent years and transport now accounts for 75% of the work. The second most popular request is for befriending, which simply involves dropping in for a chat and maybe helping the resident with some minor jobs around the house or take them for a walk. Just a few visits a week can help a local person stay in their own home and give them something to look forward to. To get involved with Volunteer Link Up, call 01993 776277.

37 Oxford bus returns back to the county in Long Harborough is now in possession of a double-decker which once roamed the streets of Oxfordshire. The AEC regent double- decker bus was last in service in the 1980s before it was retired and spending a short time at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment in Aldermaston where it was used to transport staff around the site. It was then bought by an American and shipped to California where it was a tourist attraction alongside the Queen Mary. It was then sold to another owner who drove it all the way across the states to New York where it has remained for several years. The bus was painted red and has livery which implies it was in service around London and had a route which passed Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and London Bridge. The owner was apparently annoyed when he found out it had in fact never been near London and was more likely to have passed Cowley Swimming Pool and Carfax instead!

The bus, OFC 395, recently spent several weeks traveling some 4,750 miles on the back of a lorry across the states before finally crossing the Atlantic on a carrier ship. It then completed its journey by arriving at the museum. The bus still has the original engine and seats, although in its present state it is unlikely to pass its MOT. So the first job is to get it road- worthy. However, the new owners were happy that the engine still starts, so despite the large amount of work needed to be done, it can at least move under its own steam already. The restoration is expected to be a long term project and the main aim is to give the bus back its genuine local history and preserve it for future generations.

38 Pooh bear gets honorary Rotary membership Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and Kanga have been made honorary members of the Oxford Spires Rotary Club, the organisers behind the yearly Pooh Sticks World Championship which now takes place in Witney.

Publicity Officer for the Oxford Spires took a trip to the USA to give the original toys, which were once owned by the real Christopher Robin, their membership certificates. This year marks 90 years since the first Winnie the Pooh story was published and it is hoped this year’s Pooh Sticks event will be the biggest and best ever!

The competition looked doomed a few years ago when it was decided the location in South Oxfordshire where it had been held for many years was too small to cope with the growing amounts of competitors and spectators who attend the event year on year. But a new home was found near Cogges Manor Farm and this year’s event on the 5th June is expected to attract hundreds of visitors.

The toys, which belonged to A.A. Milne’s son of the same name, are now kept in New York Public Library where they have all been on show since 1987. The game of was featured in one of A.A. Milne’s books and involves racing sticks under a bridge. A championship was started in 1984 at Days Lock near Didcot an it is now and international event with Pooh fans traveling from all over the world to compete. In 2012 the event won the Countryfile magazine’s the nation’s Favourite Quirky Event. All proceeds from the day go toward the Rotary Club of Oxford, which helps them carry out their volunteer work within the community.

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39 Carterton

The Freedom of Carterton 16th April | 11am at the Market Square Carterton Town Council are very excited to announce that they will be granting RAF Brize Norton the Freedom of Carterton. On 16th April Carterton residents will wave flags and banners in celebration of something that will make the relationship between Carterton and RAF BN even stronger.

40 © Emma Gray, Magical Memories The Freedom of the Town, in military terms, is an honour conferred by a town council upon a military unit, which grants the unit the privilege of marching into the town, “with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.” The honour is usually bestowed upon local regiments in recognition of their dedicated service, and it is common for military units to periodically exercise their Freedom by arranging a parade through the town. And so Cllr Mrs Lynn Little, Mayor of Carterton and the wife of a former RAF serviceman, cordially invites all residents to attend the Freedom of the Town ceremony at the Market Square on Saturday 16th April at 11am. Personnel from RAF BN will be marching down Road and up the Alvescot Road onto the Square. Black Bourton and Alvescot Road will be closed from approximately 10.30am. The Mayor had this to say about why RAF BN are being given the Freedom of the Town: “Over the last 18 months the close relationship with Carterton Town Council and RAF BN continues to develop and goes from strength to strength. The personnel are integral to our community in supporting our shops and local businesses. They are also very involved in volunteering not only for my charity events but also at various organisations in the town and I hope you agree that this honour is very well deserved.” Following the parade there will be an event on the market square with live music and a pig roast. There will also be a specially brewed ale available for sale on the day to mark the occasion. The RAF BN station was built in 1935 and has been in use since 1937, it is the biggest military air base in the UK and is the home to all fixed-wing transport aircraft including the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Airbus A330 MRTT Voyager as well as the new A400M Atlas. RAF BN started as a training station in 1937. One of the first operational squadrons to use the airfield was No. 110 Squadron RAF which was mainly based at RAF Wattisham but a detachment used Brize Norton from June 1939. The early 1950s to the mid-60s saw the United States Air Force take control of the base before the RAF moved back in 1965. The base has seen many changes including the repatriation of British personnel being relocated to Brize Norton on 8th September 2011 following the closure of RAF Lyneham. To accommodate the repatriation services, a purpose-built centre has been constructed, and an exit gate refurbished, formally named the Britannia Gate. 41 01993 841268 Your Local Professional Eyecare Provider

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Visit Shillbrook for all your Stationery, Art & Craft Supplies Winsor & Newton Gold Premier Art Centre. Daler Rowney & Derwent Master Stockist. Extended Art Department now OPEN Watercolour, Acrylics, Oil Paints, Pastels & Drawing Inks, Canvases, Easels, Paint Brushes & Portfolios. Sketch Books, Art & Drawing Pads. Card, Paper & Mountboard. Pastel, Watercolour, Inktense, Coloursoft, Artist, Graphic & Drawing Pencils. Stationery Computer Consumables & Accessories, Mymo Phone Accessories, Filing Essentials, Paper, Envelopes & Pens. Greeting Cards, Shredders, Laminators & Trimmers. Waterman, Parker & Lamy Pens. Office Services Black & Colour Photocopying, Printing from Memory Stick/File, Scanning & Email, Laminating, Comb Binding & Fax Bureau. Craft Sirdar Wool, DMC Stranded Cotton & Tapestry Wool. Sewing Cotton & Haberdashery. General Card Making Supplies. Opening Times 8.30am - 5.30pm Mon – Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm Sat Food

44 Menu du Jour LUNCH Tuesday to Saturday & DINNER Tuesday to Thursday 2 Courses - £15.50, 3 Courses - £18.50

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Mothering sunday special 6th March Let’s show our Mums how special they are to us and treat them to the Best Sunday Roast in town £24.95, 3 course with coffee & gift for mum £12.95 Children 12yrs & Under BOOkINg ESSENTIAL

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TH FEB RAISE MORE THAN YOUR HEART RATE

Join your local Better leisure centre and help us raise money for Sport Relief. Do yourself proud at www.better.org.uk

Terms and conditions apply, visit www.better.org.uk/terms for details. Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland). Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398

GLL_Global_2016_feb_A5_FV.indd 1 20/01/2016 11:50 NO JOINING FEE UNTIL 29

TH FEB RAISE MORE THAN YOUR HEART RATE

Join your local Better leisure centre and help us raise money for Sport Relief. Better aim to make things Better. Do yourselfBetter are a brand thatproud provide the UK’s atlargest network of public gyms and leisure centres – in our area you’ll find www.better.org.ukthem at Witney, Carterton and Chipping Norton. As the official health and sports partner for Comic Relief 2016 the staff and customers have been have been putting their heads together to devise a series of spectacular sporting events that will combine efforts to pool funds under #TeamBetter and help those who are training for the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games, taking place Friday 18th - Sunday 20th March. and have an eye watering target of £500,000. Steve Ward, Better Sport Relief Project Lead said: “We’ve set ourselves an ambitious fundraising target. But with #TeamBetter’s strong partnership with customers we think we can smash it. Help to make this year the biggest and best Sport Relief yet, with more ways than ever for everyone to take part and feel proud.” Find out more at: www.better.org.uk/sport-relief

61 Terms and conditions apply, visit www.better.org.uk/terms for details. Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland). Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398

GLL_Global_2016_feb_A5_FV.indd 1 20/01/2016 11:50 Oxford head for Wembley again! It’s been six years since Oxford United graved the turf of Wembley to beat York City and re-enter the league and anybody who went that day will remember the amazing atmosphere. Those left back in Oxford were left wondering why the city was so empty! However, fans all across the country will be booking minibuses again as Oxford have found their way to the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final, despite losing to Millwall on home turf. However the first leg went Oxford’s way with a 2-0 victory which in the end gave them a 2-1 aggregate and gave the team a trip to arguably the most famous football arena in the world. It will be Oxford United’s third trip to Wembley. The first was in 1986 when Oxford won the Milk Cup (the football league cup final) against Queens Park Rangers. Many fans wore their special edition 1986 Milk Cup t-shirts when the team once again headed to the stadium to play York for the Blue Square Premier league cup. On that occasion Oxford rose to the challenge again and beat York 3-1. Let’s hope 3 is their lucky number again this year when Oxford head to the final and hope to win their first trophy for six years.

62 Vacufit – fast & efficient weight loss and cellulite reduction One of the first things Pick noticed on arrival at Vacufit, the blood flow to be more efficient in and around the Witney was that you were made to feel extremely welcome, stubborn fat cells, enabling your body to specifically target as we were introduced to Ellie Conroy, the owner of the the hard to treat areas women constantly battle with. company who has brought the technology across from Using Vacufit technology for 30 minutes just three times a Spain. Ellie, along with her sister who is her partner in the week helps you to drop a dress size in a month or even less. business, originally saw the results in Spain where the This efficient technology is up to 4 times faster than the Vacufit bars have taken off. gym as it manipulates blood flow into pockets of stubborn To be honest, we were rather dubious of any system that fat cells. claims to be an “easy” way of losing pounds, inches and Having tried the system for 30 minutes, we both came out cellulite. It turns out, far from being an easy fix to reduce of the experience suitably puffed but more importantly those pounds after Christmas and slip into that slinky dress, energised. Whilst we were there we met Becky Blandford, it does require some work to achieve the results who had lost significant inches, toned up and shed huge you require. amounts of cellulite. She had lost two dress sizes and Following an extensive history being taken of one’s regained significant movement in her neck area. She also medical conditions, the system has a skirt for you to step reported that she had never felt better. The system would into, and then you walk at various speeds and inclines definitely be worth a try if you are prepared to put in the on the treadmill. The skirt is brought up and fixed to the 30 minutes 3 times a week. top of the machine, and the programme is selected to More importantly, it was a friendly environment that felt your personal fitness level. It works by vacuum therapy, more like a club where exercise is fun. It is also important which is a revolutionary treatment that works through the to note that there is no feeling of intimidation that can be combination of exercise and vacu-pressure. As you exercise felt when exercising in a public gym. With two machines at a moderate pace on either the treadmill or cross-trainer, available at the moment, Ellie feels that larger premises vacuum pressure is applied to the lower half of the body or expansion is definitely a plan not too far in the which is sealed into a low-pressure cabin. This encourages distant future. Vacufi t Lose weight and inches 4 times faster than in the gym

We provide our clients with tailored programmes in a private environment and one-to-one training.

Using vacuum technology to accomplish these otherwise unattainable results, clients have the luxury of undertaking moderate level cardiovascular exercise for just 30 minutes 3 times a week, achieving results up to 4 times faster than the gym. Using vacuum technology for 30 minutes just three times a week helps you to drop a dress size • F ast and effi cient method of exercise for the busy in a month or even less. professional • Ada ptable to all ages and levels of fi tness • T argets problematic areas normal exercise doesn’t £200 for 12-30 minute seem to tackle sessions for (usually £250) £30.00 for one • Ideal for slimming for a deadline i.e. wedding, holiday 30 minute session or other special occasion • Sui table for post-pregnancy body repair • T ackles cellulite like no other treatment on the market • V acufi t technology

For more info: telephone 01993706770 / mobile 07810436700 / email info@vacufi tbar.com Vacufi t bar 41 A High Street, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 6HP

63 Fitness

Monday Thursday Yoga Chipping Norton Physio Pilates 9.30 - 10.25am at Carterton Leisure Centre, 9 - 10am at Chipping Norton Physio Lectern Hall Studio chippingnortonphysio.com better.org.uk Fat Attack JC Box Fit Witney Clubbercise Fitness 8.35 - 9.15pm at Hall, Witney 6.30pm at Carterton Community Centre (no class 11th Feb) witneyclubbercise.weebly.com janettecardyfitness.co.uk Zumba with Steph 7.30pm at Brownes Hall, Carterton Facebook: Steph’s Fitness classes Friday Swim for Adults 9 - 10pm at Chipping Norton Leisure Centre Swim For All better.org.uk 3.30 - 6pm at Woodstock Open Air Pool better.org.uk FITBEING Work It Circuit Training Tuesday 6.30 - 7.30pm at Carterton Community College Gym fitbeing.co.uk Body Fit Solutions Ltd KETTLEBELLS Fitfigures - Basic Step & Weights 6 - 7pm at Balance Studios, Witney 11.30am at Carterton South Industrial Estate bodyfitsolutions.co.uk fitfigures.biz FITBEING Hatton Academy Boxing for Fitness 8 - 9pm at Carterton Community College Gym Saturday fitbeing.co.uk Oxford Martial Arts Academy Advanced Boxing Wednesday 12 - 2pm at Oxford Martial Arts Academy omaa.org.uk Studio Cycling 7 - 7.45am at Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney better.org.uk Sunday The Fitness Foundation Soccersixes Oxford League Intermediate Pilates 6.3 0- 8.30pm at Oxford Academy 8 - 8.55pm at The Fitness Barn, Lyneham soccersixes.net thefitnessfoundation.co.uk

64 Quality vehicles you can trust and all at affordable prices M.J. Wearing are your local Carterton motor experts that have been based in the Town for over 45 years and offer a full range of quality family cars, all at affordable prices. So whatever your vehicle needs; whether it is servicing and maintaining your current car or sourcing a new vehicle you can rely on us. With warranties available, HPI checks and a new MOT, you can leave your concerns behind and concentrate on enjoying your car. Give us a call or pop in for a coffee, after all, we’re your neighbours. If it is parts and accessories for your car or motorcycle you need you’ll find it within our accessory shop RPM. And as a bonus we’ve a 10% discount for all our local customers on all RPM fully priced items.

CAR AND VAN HIRE NOW AVAILABLE AT COMPETITIVE RATES Serving Carterton; In Carterton; For Carterton.

Sales: 01993 842127 Service: 01993 845547 Parts: 01993 867448 www.mjwearing.co.uk 80-84 Black Bourton Road, Carterton. Motors

No Clamping – Just a Warning When a manufacturer of luxury cars had a problem with unauthorised vehicles being parked on their property, they didn’t want to go down the clamping route. So instead they approached IPIA Member, CFL Print Solutions to see if they could help. The result was a large label, based on a security product that could be affixed to the windscreen of the offending vehicle explaining the error of their ways. Removable of course, but only with a little effort! The ‘Parking Label” was acknowledged as a great idea, and deterred offenders. However, the problem was that in small quantities the labels came at Rolls Royce prices! Glyn Hall, Managing Director of CFL, was determined not to be beaten, and contacted Nick Burgess at Smart-Tab Products, based in Bath. The result was a label that can now be inexpensively produced on patented equipment by Smart Branded Warneasy. The new stickers are placed on the driver’s door window, www.ATAUTOS.co.uk advising that the vehicle has been parked without authorisation and that all the adhesive needs to be rubbed off before attempting to drive off. VOLVO SPECIALISTS When the driver removes the label it leaves behind SERVICING & REPAIRS the adhesive from which you can read internally TO ALL MAKES & MODELS and externally a warning not to drive off before clearing all the adhesive off! COURTESY CAR AVAILABLE Full instructions, signage and leaflets etc. have been TYRES, DIAGNOSTICS AND MOT’S produced to accompany the product. The Police are ( cars & light commercial) not allowed to endorse the products, but they say AIR CON REPAIRS that if it is used as advised in the instructions there is no case for criminal damage. In the summer, another major car retailer tested the product in their parking area. Over 3 days they put stickers on over 300 vehicles parked without authorisation… and only 3 of these vehicles have tried to park in their car park again! So if you have, or know of anybody who has a problem with other people parking on their private land, get in touch with Glyn! Call : 01993 771952 Tel: 01235 834957 or visit www.cfl-ltd.co.uk Avenue 2, station lane, Witney Oxfordshire OX28 4YB

66 ARE YOU FED UP WITH cars parked in your parking area or on your land, who should not be there? Would you like to put them off?

Use our Unauthorised Parking Prevention Package.

Already used commercially with amazing success. Visit www.warneasy.co.uk for more information.

ALL MAKES & MODELS, SERVICE & REPAIRS

Free Collection & Delivery Service – Local Area Motorcycle Friendly and reliable service at competitive prices MOTs just £25 “Our customer satisfaction is what drives us”

SPECIAL OFFER MOTs £40 Book FULL service & MOT and get MOT for just £20 No repair work carried out until our customers have Book INTERIM Service & MOT and get MOT for just £30 been quoted and the work has been consented…

• Servicing: Full & Intermediate • Diagnostics • General Mechanical Repairs

Open Monday Friday (8.30am-5.30pm) & Saturday (Morning Only) 1 Swingburn Place, Witney OX28 4EN

Ring our Friendly Team for a Quote on 01993 779792 Or visit www.spiresautocentre.com

MOTs • Clutches • Brakes • Air-Con • Cambelts • Diagnostics • Batteries • Tyres & Punctures • Wheel Alignment

67 SANCTUARY CARE IN OXFORDSHIRE

‘Keeping kindness at the heart of our care’

Our beautiful care homes include all Please feel free to contact us at any time. of the luxuries you’d expect along with some special touches that make them YARNTON RESIDENTIAL AND true homes. NURSING HOME (pictured bottom left) Tel: 01865 849195 Residents spend their time how they wish whether that’s enjoying a home- IFFLEY RESIDENTIAL AND cooked meal, having their hair done in NURSING HOME (pictured bottom the salon, taking part in an activity or right) Tel: 01865 718402 relaxing with a good book. WANTAGE NURSING HOME Carefully chosen for their kind Tel: 01235 774320 and compassionate approach, our staff provide a range of residential, WATLINGTON AND DISTRICT dementia, nursing and respite care. NURSING HOME (pictured top right) Tel: 01491 613400

www.sanctuary-care.co.uk Sanctuary Care Limited is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity