Remember—we’re on-line too! Summer 2018

When my family and I moved to Peppard where they have mostly remained. I services to the choir. from London in 2000, we searched for a have found that teaching young children When we first started, my younger church to attend; All Saints’ in Church to sing is both fun and inspirational. children were four and one – I made the Lane was our local so we went along. Every Thursday choir practice takes older two join the choir without delay! There was a choir with men, women and place at my home in Peppard and we We organised a rota of church mums to children – rather large teenagers with big have a great babysit the trainers on their feet peeping under their time raising younger robes. I didn't really give it a thought – the roof. The Bells dur- with three youngsters and a baby on the Juniors pile ing choir way, life was frantically busy. through the practice. However one day we went to church and dining room Every week the youngsters weren't there. The Junior door for a I would Choir had been disbanded as the Choir warm up, ring round Mistress had retired. I had that feeling of followed by to remind 'this is where I come in’. I had conducted some hymns everyone to at a music college (where I trained as a and that come, classical singer) and had worked with week's which took young children at inner city schools for a anthem. There the best year; I'd also helped run a choir at our was, and still part of half previous church. So I said I'd give it a is, a lot of an hour. whirl and found Now I just myself swiftly press a installed as the button and Junior Choir send a Mistress at All laughter and generic text – five seconds. The wonders Saints’. ribaldry; of modern technology! strong friend- In September Now that my own children have grown up ships between 2001 the new and my baby is 18, I sometimes wonder if young people Junior Choir it is time to throw in the towel. However, who would was born. Five I really love working with my juniors and never have youngsters I reckon I'm good for a few years yet! met if they made their way, We are looking for new members now hadn't joined somewhat that some of the older children are off to the choir. timidly, up the university, etc.; so if you love singing aisle of the The famous why not come along and give the Junior church, led by Three Day Choir a go? We take youngsters from six Felicity, aged Course is to 18 and as long as you can read well eight. Other another event enough to follow the hymns, you will be pioneers were that forges ready for life as a Junior Chorister. The Sophia, Jamie, strong friend- discipline and camaraderie which exists Melissa and Kerri. From then on it was a ships – many of our choristers attend under the church roof is one that cannot whirlwind of choir practices, church this every year. Held at an Oxford be beaten but don't take my word for it – services, singing at the Peppard Revels, college, this is an excellent example of come and see for yourself. the many opportunities available to Sunday Club, RSCM (Royal School of Give me a call on 0118 972 2967 Church Music) ribbons and awards and those in the choir. Over the years we the famous Christmas nativity play! have had three house captains and two head choristers on the course. One We got our numbers up to ten, then 14 chorister has received a bursary for his

Peppard News is a quarterly community newspaper published by Peppard News Publications with financial support from Council, and is distributed free within the parish of Peppard. Views expressed are not necessarily those of Peppard News Publications or of the RPPC unless stated as such. e-mail: [email protected] www.PeppardNews.co.uk Contributions accepted via e-mail or post to Jennifer Smith, Molehouse, Church Lane, RG9 5JN Advertising: Ian Fraser - phone: 01491 629631 Printed by Herald Graphics Page 2 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Schools Peppard C of E Primary School now. We also fund the school mini-bus Peppard Common RG9 5JU and are looking at buying lots of new We were very pleased to be asked to take Phone: 01491 628354 equipment for the students for their return part in the recent Litter Picking competi- in September. Thanks to the parents and tion initiated by Jeni Wood. Each year Headteacher the community for all their wonderful group spent an hour or so out on the Com- Nick Steele support. mon and the Top Common picking litter Chairman of the Governors We are now looking forward to the Royal and the children were quite staggered that Christine Bradbury Wedding Celebrations with great activi- people would discard their rubbish so in- ties planned for everyone. considerately. We picked up over 100kg Further into the rest of the summer term of rubbish! we have lots of sporting events taking Sir Hugo Brunner, who judged the litter place and, of course, after SATs week picked areas, came to visit us and took an our focus will move to the end of year We have recently created a space station assembly, explaining to the children how summer production, the title of which is with lots of buttons and keyboards to play his mother, Lady Brunner, started the yet to be announced! with. The children dress up as spacemen Keep Britain Tidy campaign in the 1950s. and use their imaginations to visit other We were delighted when he announced planets and meet aliens. They will learn a that he had deemed our section of the song all about the different planets which Common to be the tidiest and therefore we Friends of Peppard School and the they will sing at our Leavers’ concert at had won. school have enjoyed another lovely term of activities. Highlights over the past the end of term. A team of our Years 3 and 4 children has few months include our Valentine’s We will also have our Sports Day on 29th won the Science, Technology, Engineer- Disco for the children, which is always a June and the children will be practising ing and Mathematics Challenge, hosted by highlight whether they are 4 or 11. for this in the weeks beforehand. We are St Mary's School. They were up against helped in this activity by Sam from stiff competition from , Minitrailblazers. Sam’s sessions are , Valley Road and structured around creating a journey Badgemore. Well done Freya, which presents various physical and Sienna, Oliver, Dylan and Max, who cognitive challenges so that the children were joined by Emily from the host can explore and stretch their physical school. A real accolade for our small capabilities whilst having fun. school. Finally, but most importantly, we will Lots of trips this term – Pitt Rivers be preparing many of our children for Museum in Oxford to further our knowl- their move to ‘big school’. This transi- edge of the Mayan civilization; Windsor tion is a really important one for every Castle to support the Years 3/4 topic of Year 6 Girls at the Valentine’s Disco child and our aim is to prepare them for ‘Who were the Normans?’; Greys Court; the new challenges ahead and make it as River & Rowing Museum; Sutton Court- The parents also had a brilliant night at th easy and seamless as possible. We are ney for a Teddy Bear’s picnic ... and a day the 10 Annual FOPS Quiz night – some very proud of all the children who leave trip to Bournemouth. All of this is, of harder questions this year – with the us to go to school and we are confident course, with the incredible help of Mr winning table having a foreign currency that we have prepared them well for the Tanner driving us around. expert which saw them race ahead. As next stage of life’s journey. As I write, we are looking forward to the always, lots of fun for the participants There are still a few spaces for September Royal Wedding celebrations on the Com- with a lovely meal included. so do give us a call on 01491 642162 if mon and hope the weather behaves itself. We continue to save money for getting you would like to come and see for your- The children will be playing some tunes the facilities up and running on the new self how much fun we have. on their ukuleles and recorders. school site… all of which is progressing

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He is now the club's top And don’t forget the traditional question – seed and has won the singles title as well Maxwell’s favourite sandwich filling is as the Reading Masters Junior Champi- Nutella! onship. He told me he never wants to stop play- ing table tennis, he helps run the league and has been coaching younger players at Blue Coat School one evening a week Snippets for several years. Joe enjoys table tennis as a great social activity as well as help- It is The Ways & Means’ 50th anniversary ing him to keep fit which he sees as this year, which we think is a great more important than becoming a top achievement for a small local charity. We Maddie has been riding for a long time player. know we would not have achieved this now, she started when she was about three milestone without tremendous support years old when she lived in Ireland, and from the local community and we are hasn’t stopped since! She is passionate truly grateful for all the things you do- about horses, show jumping, riding; basi- I had a chat with our Young Achiever, nate, for popping in for a chat to see cally everything there is to do with Maxwell Fletcher and asked him a few what’s happening and for volunteering horses! She even has two ponies of her questions about his golf. Max has been some of your time to help us. own: Dinx and Smudge (or Amner’s Hot playing for around two years at Henley Don’t forget – if you would like to volun- Springs)! Her mum also has a horse and Golf Club. teer, fundraise, or bring a group for a her sister has two as well! She now trains Max has not played in any competitions team build event, please call 01491 at a yard near Kidmore End and has en- 628933. tered two jumping competitions with her yet as he is trusty steed – Smudge, one cross country still in his For more details visit and she has entered a dressage competi- lessons, but www.waysandmeans.org or tion (but has not yet had time to shine in he plays for www.facebook.com/The-Ways-and- it)! She has come 3rd in a jumping compe- an hour and Means-Trust tition and 2nd in another!  At the minute, is coached she is jumping over 60-70 centimetre by Mark and jumps: which is very high! Maddie is do- Sanu. Mark ing amazingly! is the main manager, Come and join us for strawberries, cream, Finally, her favourite sandwich filling and Sanu is scones and cakes at Christ the King is… crisps in a sandwich!!!!!!!!! Church Hall and Garden, Sedgewell the assistant th manager. Road, on Saturday 18 August 15:00-17:00.. We will also have Max loves stalls selling books, bric-a-brac, plants using all the and garden produce. Profits to the Parish clubs but and the Home of Hope orphanage, Ma- We previously featured Joe as a Young does not use lawi. Achiever in 2015 when, as a 14 year old, his driver much. The More information from Sue Nickson he was identified by Sonning Common 0118 972 4520 and Peppard Table Tennis Club as a rising worst place star. that Max has Maxwell Fletcher Page 4 www.peppardnews.co.uk The Councils Over 700 questionnaires were delivered to Parish Council nearly all dwellings in the parish or The Parish Council year ended on the 31st Chairman: Simon Crouch handed to users of the Pavilion. 65 were March. This last year has been particularly e-mail: [email protected] returned – this represents a return of busy – I think it will be known historically Parish Clerk: Joanne Askin 9.3%. Respondents were asked to as the ‘Year of the Pavilion’! Orchard Gate, Plough Lane complete one questionnaire per house- Cross, Oxon. RG9 4DE hold. The responses showed that there is Looking back on 2017: we welcomed Tel: 0118 940 6809 great support for the Parish Council three new team members. Sue Rowland e-mail: [email protected] allocating funds to modernise the has taken over as Chair of Planning. Sue, a Website: www.rppc.org.uk Pavilion. Several new suggestions were retired barrister, brings a wealth of experi- SODC Councillors: Charles Bailey received including (i) improving the ence to the team – formerly a Kidmore [email protected] surface on the car park (ii) providing more End Parish Councillor, her background in & David Nimmo-Smith arts and craft related activities (ii) better the legal profession is proving invaluable [email protected] mobility access. already. Dominic Hall, a qualified OCC Councillor: David Bartholomew accountant, joined the team in November 07769 808773 Success of the project hinges very heavily last year, and for the first time we have an david.bartholomew@.gov.uk on a) SODC funding 50% of the cost, and b) raising 25% from Cricket Club and active member of the Cricket Club on our Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council usually Council. With the modernisation plans for meets on 2nd Monday of the month at 19.30 other private donations. With regard to a), the Pavilion being formulated over the last in the Pavilion. Parishioners may attend and to date, RPPC has submitted our SODC 12 months, his input has, likewise, been observe, and may briefly raise issues of Grant application and should hear their invaluable. Ray Freeman, an active mem- concern to them. All may attend response by end of June 2018. Assuming ber of the Peppard War Memorial Hall intermediate planning meetings as well - see this is positive, and likewise other funds Diary for dates and times. team, joined us just before Christmas. Ray and donations also being received was already involved with the Council in successfully, we could begin building An exercise of benchmarking the Parish supporting the Community Speedwatch works in October 2018, and complete the budget (precept) with other was programme. There were a few technical project by May 2019. I am pleased to carried out. The element of the Council problems with the SID (Speed Indicator confirm that full Planning Permission for tax allocated to the Parish council of th Device) equipment last year but the Com- modernisation was received on 20 April. Rotherfield Peppard was £39.74 in munity Speedwatch team will be getting to If any Peppard News readers would like 2017/18 and increases to £44.42 for grips with this in 2018. to make a Gift Aid donation please con- 2018/19. This places us at position six tact me or Joanne Askin, our parish Clerk. We also say a fond farewell to two long in a league table of 14 local parishes. standing Councillors and thank them for Although Rotherfield Peppard moved their long service: Valerie Ross and Fiona up one position, we are still very much Editors’ Note: Berry, who have served on the Council for on the median. The figures are based on For a full and complete version of more than six years . As chair of the a Band D house – which is taken as a Simon’s article, please see the Planning Committee, Fiona became very county-wide average. Our Band D Unabridged Articles section of this issue knowledgeable on what ‘will’ be approved equivalent is rising by just less than of Peppard News (Page 17) on and what ‘will not’. By way of reminder, 11.8% this year (April 2018). Approxi- www.peppardnews.co.uk the Parish Council has the power of mately half of this may be attributed to recommendation to SODC (South Oxford- Pavilion modernisation costs. shire District Council) but the ultimate One of our biggest challenges for 2018 decision lies with SODC Planning is the Sports Pavilion: an Open Department. Although three new Councillors have Weekend was held on 3rd/4th February. joined the team over the last 12 months – As a reminder, I would like to mention Plans of the modernised Pavilion were as of May this year, three Councillors that all Parish Councillors serve on a put on display – members of the have stepped down. We are currently at a voluntary basis. We are currently seven Council and our architect were available level of seven against a full quota of 10. strong in number but we still need three to answer questions and receive com- We have been receiving an increase in more to complete our full complement of ments and suggestions. A presentation Planning Applications to process over the 10. Anyone interested on knowing more was given on Sunday morning (4th) and last few months. Your local Parish Coun- are welcome to contact me. It’s a great visitors were asked to complete a simple cil are consulted by SODC for comment - way of serving your community! ‘Five question’ questionnaire. Please ‘Approval’ or ‘Objection’ or ‘no serious So on this note, I would like to say a BIG see the website version of this article views’. It can be very enlightening! New thank you to the team who give up so which includes a full Appendix detail- Councillors will be given training. Coun- much of their time for their community. ing the responses. cil meetings take place once a month and also Planning Meetings (to consider www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 5 My Favourite Walk Applications) once a month. If you feel a bit of a slacker or have a good excuse you might find this interesting, and would (rain will do) you can turn right and leap like a real say in what property developers Whilst not necessarily my absolute up Colliers Lane directly back to the are allowed to build in your Parish – favourite walk, this one hour walk is Unicorn. If you really want to earn your please contact me on [email protected] good for a regular walk particularly in stopover at the Unicorn, then cross over or 0118 940 6809 May when the bluebells are out. A word the lane going slightly left and take the of warning – a lot of the walk is along footpath. Continue straight along this bridlepaths which can be muddy in wet path, ignoring all minor paths, until you weather. The timings are for a fairly come to a large clearing with the ‘ski brisk walking pace. slope’ to your right. (There is a path to the The Chancellor has backed the National Starting from the Unicorn, proceed along left that will take you up to the Top Infrastructure Commission's concept of an Colmore Lane for 10 minutes and turn Common and, of course, the Red Lion). Oxford to Cambridge 'Growth Corridor' right into the first bridlepath at the ‘blue However, for this walk turn right and go of a million new houses, of which house’ (although it is anyone’s guess up the ‘ski slope’ trying to get at least half 300,000 would be in Oxfordshire. Part of how much longer it will be there). Take way up before you stop for breath. At the the growth scheme is a new Expressway the right fork – there have generally been top take the left fork and go perhaps 25 from Oxford to Cambridge to 'facilitate' fewer horses along this route. Proceed metres to reach a large clearing in front of the development. At present this is being keeping right (ignoring a left fork that you. Turn right and head for a gap in the proposed without public consultation. includes an arrow on the tree). trees that leads on to the cricket ground. CPRE (Council for the Protection of Ru- Halfway down the slope bluebells will Turn right again, keeping to the edge of ral ) is demanding a full statutory come into sight and you will get a waft the cricket ground, then turn left along the public consultation followed by a Public of scent. Once in the valley bottom, the lane leading to Road. Inquiry. This would mean a need for and fragrance can be almost overwhelming. That’s your hour’s walk done – 2.5 miles. routing of an Oxfordshire Expressway There is what looks like a large compli- Now you can relax, turn right and amble would be decided in an open and transpar- cated junction: it isn’t. Turn right and at a leisurely pace for three minutes along ent manner. keep right. There are parallel paths all to the Unicorn. heading in the same direction and the CPRE is asking local residents to join its right hand one seems to be the best one call for a Public Inquiry by contacting for walkers. Finally the paths lead to one local Councillors, MPs and the Secretary narrow path between two fields – this of State for Transport. More information path can be extremely muddy making it on www.cpreoxon.org.uk, e-mail admini- almost impassable. I have, before now, [email protected]. Tel 01491 walked along the edge of the adjacent 612079. field to avoid the mud. At the end of this short path pick your way across the muddiest bit between the Another Snippet two gates and continue into the wood. The Unicorn Take the left path and then left again onto a narrower path. It was along this Chiltern Players will hold a drama work- narrow path that I once watched two fox shop Saturday 1st September 10:00-14:00 cubs playing tug-of-war with a rabbit in Peppard Memorial Hall with Richard carcass in the nearby field. If there are Warwick, a professional actor: It's Not no fox cubs you can at least admire the What You Do, It's The Way That You Do horses usually grazing there. It. You will have walked for about 40 min- £10 for the day, £5 for students. Tickets utes when you reach the end of the path and further information 0751 239 2625. and completed over 1.5 miles. If you are Maps contain Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2015 Adams Cars Your Local Taxi Service

Taxis – Chauffeurs – Minibuses – Executive Cars Rail & Airport Services / Parties / Weddings Theatres / Hospitals / Sporting Events 01491 628888 0118 966 4000 Office: Manor Farm, Peppard Common, RG9 5LA www.adams-cars.com e-mail: [email protected] Page 6 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Village If you would like to make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/ This is the subject of a talk to be given by StepUp is a charity project in Northern raceacrossindia. Uganda run by the International Refugee Dr Ralph Drury from Sonning Common th Trust. The activities of the Lord's Resis- Health Centre on Wednesday 6 June at tance Army devastated the lives of rural 19:30 in Sonning Common Village Hall. farming families in northern Uganda, This should be an enlightening, informa- South Sudan and the Central African tive talk about a typical day at the surgery: Republic. Through short practical training Summer is fast approaching so a big there is far more work involved besides sessions StepUp is putting these families thank you goes to all those who volun- seeing patients. teered to help tidy the grounds around back on their feet and into a position of We will also hear about the best way to the hall. The green is looking fabulous being no longer reliant on charity. plan your visit to see your doctor so both and will be ideal for daytime parties. patient and GP are satisfied. There will be nd On 2 June, very soon after you re- time for questions. Entrance free. Refresh- ceive Peppard News, we will be hav- ments will be available. ing a Celebratory Table Top Sale with lots of attractions as a fund- raiser so we hope to see you between 11:00-15:00.

We are planning our WW1 Celebra- tory Tea Party on Wednesday 7th Sonning Common Health Centre’s Dr Sue November. Apart from the Tea, Nick Ronay, PPG (Patient Participation Group) Launders has kindly offered to lead a members Rika Adams and Sue Litchfield are planning an Open Day at Sonning tribute to the soldiers mentioned on th our World War I memorial plaque; Common Village Hall on Friday 13 July entertainment will be by Tim Valen- from 10:00-16:00 for anyone who wants Chris being interviewed in Thoothukkudi tine and his fabulous moving piano. to know more about Dementia and Alz- heimer's. It is free for everyone - there is Along with six others, Chris Pengilly and If you are over 70 and didn’t receive an Steve Belham from Kingwood took part no need to be registered with SCHC. invitation to our party in 2014 to com- There will be over 20 organisations who in a 1,484 mile car rally across southern memorate the start of the Great War we India at the end of last month to support will provide information and advice cov- would love to hear from you so that we ering a variety of subjects for patients and the charity. One of their number is the can send you an invitation for 7th Managing Director of Rabbits Vehicle their carers. Short talks, with question November this year. (Sorry to mention time, given by knowledgeable speakers, Hire of Caversham and the company's age but we are affected by the numbers fleet has been decorated with stickers to will cover numerous topics. Refreshments that the hall can accommodate.) Please will be available throughout the day. You promote the challenge. Anyone who contact me on 01189 724154. pledges more than £250 can have their could join some activities to keep the Enjoy the summer and we look forward name added to the Rabbits’ van displayed brain active and at lunchtime the Notts to welcoming you to your Community in the Oracle shopping centre in Reading. choir group from Nottakwire will provide Hall. entertainment . The team took turns to drive Hindustan Ambassador cars, four-door saloon cars A programme listing the participants and based on the 1950s design by Morris also the speakers with times will be avail- Oxford and built in India between 1958 able from mid-June. You will be able to The bluebells are now over, but the find it at Sonning Common Health Centre and 2014. Setting off from Chennai on Chiltern countryside looks wonderful in India's east coast (formerly Madras) they (both at reception and on any weather. If you fancy a brisk walk, www.sonningcommonhealthcentre.co.uk); drove to the southern tip of India through why not join one of our Health Walks? the provinces of Pondicherry and Tamil the pharmacy, several shops and Sonning Nadu and then via Kerala and Karnataka The current timetable is available from Common Library will also have copies. the library, the Health Centre and the Please make a note in your diary to come to Goa on the west coast. Chris returned th home on 6th May and told me he was Herb Farm, or on the website at along on 13 July. If you are unable to incredibly tired. www.sonningcommonhealthwalks.co.uk come to this event there will be informa- /timetable. To talk to someone about any tion and leaflets about Dementia available They drove in 44° with 92% humidity. aspect of the Health Walks phone Chris at the SC Health Centre Topic Table Their cars broke down daily and they Brook on 0118 924 2515. (entrance lobby) towards the end of June. became dab hands at running repairs, one of the team putting in whites of egg into the cooling system when the head gasket started to go! 'The event has been life changing' said Chris, 'a phrase sometimes TANDOORI over-used but in this case 100% accurate. Connoisseur Our trip around the southern states of India was no holiday and was incredibly demanding physically and mentally. We An Emporium of Indian Cuisine set out to do this as a 'boys' trip away'. It Fully Air-conditioned turned into something far greater than any Open 7 days a week, including bank holidays Take-away menu - prompt service of us ever imagined.' 21 Wood Lane, Sonning Common - Phone: 0118 972 3104/1054 www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 7 Junior Peppard News

Welcome to this edition. These past few weeks have been a blast. We have had many events to write about and I hope you enjoy reading about them!

On Monday 30th April, Springwood Class left Peppard School and em- barked on a trip to The Pit Rivers Museum in Oxford. They were going on account of their new topic, The Ancient Maya. When Springwood arrived at the mu- seum, they began their first activity. Springwood were split into groups of three or four, then each were given a different Mayan item to study and I am writing to update you about the progress guess what it had been used for. A of the new facilities on our field. These will be few of the items were: a shirt, a calen- very helpful because the building will contain dar and a Mayan book, called a co- separate changing rooms, a couple of toilets dex. and some storage. Next, Springwood were taken on a These facilities are being paid for with the tour around the museum to look at money that our dads’ raised when they did more Mayan artefacts. These arte- their amazing 24 hour walk. These same facts were all related to Mayan head- dads are now doing the labour required to dresses, and, once Springwood had build these facilities. taken in what Mayan headdresses had looked and felt like, they were The base has been laid, the building has allowed to design their own. Many been delivered and is scheduled for assem- pupils went for feathers and spikes, bly. Manor Concrete supplied the concrete but a few went for more colourful de- and Peppard Building Supplies supplied the signs with animals and gods. gravel for the base. After that, the lucky pupils had a free We would like to say a huge thank you to the ten minutes to look at everything they men that went on the walk and we will use wanted. The majority made a beeline this ground well. for the shrunken heads and mummi- fied bodies, but some remained and contented themselves with looking at the beautiful works of art and pottery on display. In conclusion, the trip was a great success. Springwood enjoyed them- selves immensely, and came back to Peppard School with their brains full of new knowledge and their minds full of new ideas.

In the Summer Term the Year 6s get to do a whole week of assessments. These are called SATS. I interviewed several of the Year 6s and their classmates in Year 5 to see how everyone felt about this big week. The Year 6s are feeling confident. Jake said that he was excited about the challenge. He said, ‘I think I will get a good score and will do the best I can. Kits is also looking forward to the assessments. He said that, ‘I’m excited because I have improved in school subjects. May praised her teacher, Mrs Mudd, she explained that she feels good ‘because the teachers have encouraged me to do well.’ Other children, like Louie, have even been doing extra work at home. Their classmates in Year 5 have clearly picked up on their confidence. Jonty said ‘I feel they will accomplish much in their SATS.’ While Freya said that the challenge is ‘good for their education and learning abilities.’ The Year 6s sound like they are ready for these assessments and we wish them the best of luck!

Junior Peppard News is published by Peppard News Publications with financial support from Friends of Peppard School and Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council, and is distributed free to almost all households in the ecclesiastical and civil parishes of Peppard. It is also available by e-mail. Editors: Archie Croft, Kieran Larking, Bethan Toward and Evelyn Young, c/o Peppard C of E School, Church Lane, Rotherfield Peppard, RG9 5JU e-mail: [email protected] website:www.PeppardNews.co.uk Advertising: Ian Fraser - phone: 01491 629631 Printed by Herald Graphics Page 8 www.peppardnews.co.uk Junior Peppard News cont’d

Mrs Hall, Springwood Class’s brilliant TA, isn’t just amazing during school; she also runs the girls’ cricket squad at Peppard Stoke Row Cricket Club on Sunday mornings! This is now her 3rd summer (or season) coaching the girls that attend. They play in local leagues throughout the summer and train for an hour and a half at the weekend. If you asked anyone who was into cricket ‘How many people play in a cricket team?’ they would answer with ease: 11. However this is NOT the case for junior cricket or pair’s cricket which is what Mrs Halls girls play. There are six people to a team or three pairs! Mrs Hall used to play cricket at school and she grew up watching it either at matches or on the TV: so she has dedicated her Sunday morning to coaching the girls as it is a sport she thoroughly enjoys and she loves to share her passion with young, budding cricketers! Her favourite position used to be bowling; now she doesn’t have a preference because no matter where she is, she enjoys it! As it’s still early on, the girls’ teams haven’t yet played their first season and so, therefore, haven’t had a chance to smash the opposition! And last but certainly not least, Mrs Hall’s favourite sandwich filling is… falafel and red pepper!

On Tuesday 27th March, Highmoor Class went to Kew Gardens. Mrs Toward, Mrs Hobbs, Mrs Elson and Miss Tillotson came with Highmoor. When we got there Mrs Toward and Mrs Elson’s group did the work- shop, meanwhile Mrs Hobbs and Miss Tillotson’s group looked around. At the workshop we got to design flowers. My one was an upside down plant. The other activity was to get a flower and put it under a microscope. We also had to name all the parts of the plant. When we looked around we pretended that we were squirrels and hid a nut that she gave us. Then we started to walk to the tree top walk. It was very high! You could see from the top of the trees to the bottom of the trees! After that we walked to the greenhouse, but not any greenhouse, one massive greenhouse. Mrs Toward and Josie’s glasses steamed up. It was awesome. You could even see banana trees. I LOVED IT!

Greys Class have been learning about plants so Mrs Hawkins decided to take us on a school trip to Greys Court and to Toad Hall Garden Centre. At Greys Court we tasted fruit and vegetables which we found on a treasure hunt. We also planted carrots, beans, peas and some other plants. On a garden walk we got to taste leaves and flowers. We also saw some bumble bees which were collecting pollen. At Toad Hall we saw loads of plants in greenhouses. Toad Hall was started in 1952 as a vegetable garden for the big house next door. At Toad Hall not all plants live inside, some live outside and not all were for sale. When it was time to leave we were given some seeds to plant at home in a patch of our gardens. These school trips were great fun!

Preventive Dentistry program for children and adults General Dentistry www.woodlanedentistry.co.uk  Implants  Tooth Whitening Sonning Common  Invisible braces Tel 0118 972 2626  Treatment of nervous patients ‘Your smile in safe hands’

www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 9 More Snippets

In the middle of May, the Foundations went You may be healthy but would still like The youth club is looking forward to an on an exciting trip to the Henley River and news from the Sonning Common Health exciting and action packed summer term. Rowing Museum. They had a fantastic Centre. Did you know that you can June will kick off the young people hav- time learning about creepy – crawlies and receive a copy of our online newsletter ing the chance to work with a professional came back to make their own bugs and insects. via e-mail? To do this, go to: mural artist to create a new piece of work www.sonningcommonhealthcentre.co.uk for the club. Peppard Building Supplies Go to the very bottom of the Homepage have also generously agreed to donate and click on Subscribe to Our Newslet- materials needed to redecorate the club. If ters and we will take care of the rest! If anyone can spare some time to help out the surgery has your mobile phone num- please contact [email protected]. ber you can also have a reminder that the We are also lucky to have support from newsletter is available online. other local groups and would like to thank the WI, Nottakwire and Sonning Common Santa for their generous donations. We are excited to hear that the Hare and Hounds pub have nominated us for some Simon Herbert of Simon's Pet Services, of their charity donations. We really do Cane End has been prosecuted by South appreciate all the donations we receive Oxfordshire District Council for running and we couldn't run such fun events for an unlicensed boarding kennel following our local young people without them. complaints from a number of pet owners On the sporty side of things we will now and including the death of a dog. He was be using the school field to enjoy the fined £300, with costs of £700 and a lighter evenings and have bubble football victim surcharge of £30. Mr Herbert was and fun multi-sports nights planned. We licensed to board dogs in 2012 but fol- are also opening in the summer holidays lowing complaints, his licence was not for the first time with a day-long basket- renewed and he did not appeal but con- ball camp - please contact tinued to board dogs. SODC highlights [email protected] for further that anyone running a business provid- details. Club SC will be at Sonning Com- ing accommodation for other people's mon Primary School's Summer Fête on cats and dogs needs a licence under the Saturday 23rd June; please visit our stall to Animal Boarding Establishment Act say Hello and find out more about us. 1963.

Summer practise sessions commence A Not-for-Profit festival of activities th and organised rides for all ages and on Thursday 7 June (19:30 – 21:30) at abilities, a pump track, outdoor spin the Peppard War Memorial Hall and will classes, children's cycle coaching and continue fortnightly through to mid- more will be held Friday 6th to Sunday August. From then on weekly pre-season 8th July. For more information visit practise sessions will be held until the www.foc.co.uk, Festival Organiser Tony commencement of the new Reading & Sefton 0777 98650161 District League season in September. [email protected] Anyone in joining interested in joining any of the above session can do so by simply turning up or by contacting me This summer we have a varied pro- at [email protected] for further gramme of local walks ranging from information. In the meantime junior three to12 miles. For more details see coaching session continue at the club on our website at www.ramblers- Monday evenings 17:00-19:00. Anyone interested in attending should contact Editors’ Note: oxon.org.uk/henley-goring.html or Please go to Page 18 to see more insect www.PeppardNews.co.uk Derek Wavell at [email protected] pictures. Highmoor Nursery School Babes in the Wood Toddler Sessions Our private nursery is located in the rural village of Highmoor and  Stay and play group at Stoke Row Pavilion, RG9 5PS offers exceptionally high standards of childcare and education.  Three mornings sessions per week  Open Monday to Friday during term-time  Soft play, baby area, toys, books, music and outdoor activities  Full and part-time places  Fully government funded sessions available  Run by Highmoor Nursery School staff, paediatric first-aid  Children taken from age 2 trained and DBS checked Please send e-mail to [email protected] Please contact Gwen Pragnell for more information on or telephone 01491 642162 to arrange a show round. [email protected] or 01491 681837 Page 10 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Village cont’d been a successful 12 months. We’re al- cans, golf, cricket and tennis balls. Given ways hoping to reach more people who that a dog's sense of smell is many times Although officially closed 13:00-14:00, are in need of keeping fit so come and greater than ours, Chloe must be holding the doors are open for the Baby Clinic on join us. Visit her breath while carrying some of her Thursdays, and for anyone who wishes to www.sonningcommon.tcv.org.uk. finds. Keep up the good work, Chloe! use the library self-service. Our gadget sessions on Thursday morn- ings (for those with queries/problems with lap-tops, Macs, androids and Smart- th Saturday 14 April was a beautiful Nottakwire is holding Going for a Song - phones) are proving increasingly popular spring day which made it seem less of a a whole day of music performances on – it’s a good idea to book in advance, to chore for our annual litter pick. About each half-hour in Sonning Common ensure there’s a volunteer to help with 30 of us, members of the Parish Council Village Hall on Saturday 23rd June. Doors your particular query: 0118 972 2448. and other villagers, met outside the open at 10:00 with the first performance For younger children (under 8s) we have Unicorn pub. at 10:30. There will be raffle, tombola, Storytimes on Saturday mornings. Our jewellery and white elephant stalls and th We were supplied with protective next special one will be on 16 June, to gloves, litter pick tools, bags for both games will be running in the side room of celebrate Fathers’ Day. There will be a rubbish and recyclables and hi-vis jack- the hall between each half hour perform- craft session after the Storytime, aimed at ets. Off we set scouring the village for ance. Refreshments from the kitchen will 3-8 year olds. We have rhyme-times for everything from cigarette packets and be on sale at intervals throughout the the under-3s on the first and third Mon- sweet papers, thoughtlessly thrown out day. All proceeds will be donated to local days of the month at 10:00-10:30, run with of car windows, to much larger items charities and groups. Come and go as you the help of able volunteers. which obviously had been intentionally please, stay as long as you like: All Day The theme of the Summer Reading dumped. The litter along the verges was passes at £5 each (children 12 and under Challenge for children this year is considerably less than in previous years free) will be on sale from Occasions in Mischief Makers. It will be launched in - thanks, no doubt, to the diligent work Wood Lane from 14th May. July, and there will be special story ses- of Mark Weston, our regular street sions every Saturday morning in August. cleaner. My biggest haul was a very large, very wet and heavy pair of work- man's boots. Those covering Top Dorothy trained as a nurse before working Common found the usual dumped car as a midwife, district nurse and also at the A further celebration of our 20th anniver- tyres and even came back with the front Royal Berkshire Hospital. sary was held at Watlington Hill, in of a car complete with number plate! She established Gardiner’s Homecare in February with 47 people from local Green Apart from Mark, we are fortunate to 1968 which is now proudly celebrating 50 Gyms clearing scrub prior to a spud roast. have help from a regular four-legged years of providing care and support to The event was featured on Radio Oxford litter picker who diligently picks up and people in the local area including Peppard earlier that morning and once again our takes home rubbish throughout the year. founder, Dr William Bird, joined us. Dorothy ran the business with her hus- This is Chloe, the much loved 11 year band, Gus, whilst raising their family: at At the AGM in April, members heard that old Labrador-Collie cross pet of that time being a full-time working the number of volunteers has been in- Margaret and Michael Macleod who live mother was a very modern idea but Doro- creasing over the last two years as more in Gallowstree Road. thy was a trailblazer. She was awarded an people are recognising the need to keep On their regular morning walks Chloe MBE in 1984 in recognition of her themselves fit and mobile. Displays have picks up an item of litter dropping it in services to nursing and, in particular, her been mounted in a number of public front of Michael who kicks it along for outstanding contribution to fostering good libraries. We continue to host Duke of her to play with. Upon returning home, standards of care in the independent Edinburgh Award students and a handful Chloe drops her piece of litter in front of sector. Eventually, she stepped down from of people who come through the Oxford the bins. Plastic bottles are Chloe's first the day-to-day management of the busi- Mental Health Services. All in all, it’s choice but she will also take home old ness in 1998. www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 11 Peppard People In the later years of her life, Dorothy sadly would adapt to swimming in murk and suffered from dementia and passed away dealing with the temperature. At last the in 2012. Gus remained involved with the day came, horribly cold, when we stood at business until 2009 and passed away in In 2011, turning 60 years old, I had a go the edge of Little Marlow Lake. He 2014. They were supported in the business at the Padstow to Rock open water jumped in. There was an instant as he over many years by their daughter, Jan, swim. Billed as a one mile crossing of surfaced where the look of shock on his son, John and daughter-in-law, Rose. The the Camel Estuary in North Cornwall, face told me we had lost it. The instant business is now run by Dorothy’s grand- but nearer to 0.75 miles, I came out of vanished, replaced by an extraordinary son, John-Joe Cottam, with a highly ex- the water a respectable sixth. Greeting determination that he was going to beat perienced team and continues to provide a me was a young boy of ten, Henry Bell. the cold, the uncertainty and the fear. variety of support enabling people to live I knew him because his mother leads the If I struggled with constant interruption in comfortably in their own homes. junior choir at All Saints' church, and he the pool, the lake was exasperating. Every is a family friend. Henry is very special, few strokes he stopped to have a chat. in part because he suffers from How deep was the lake? He could see a Asperger’s Syndrome. He struggles at white body at the bottom. What were the school. But he was captivated by the Young, energetic, enthusiastic and weeds? How deep was the lake? How far swim. In no time he announced that he vibrant: that was my impression when I till we stopped? Could we go across the wanted to do it, why couldn’t he do it?, went along to chat to the new licensees of middle? How deep was the lake? And so when was he going to do it?… and so it The Unicorn. on. went on, a relentless barrage of Kingwood siblings Rachel and Daniel questions as I pulled off my wetsuit, Persistence pays, and that was one thing Selman are running the pub as a family sought my commemorative T-shirt and Henry did not lack in our big challenge. affair. Their parents, Colin and Alison, not devoured a finisher’s Cornish Pasty. So, almost a year to the day when I ran only helped landlady Rachel obtain her Partly to keep him quiet I said to his out of the water at Rock, little Henry and I licence from Brakspears, but help out in mother that, once home, I would look at stood in the Camel Estuary at Padstow, the pub and also with cooking, cleaning his swimming. It turned out to be a sort ready for the Padstow to Rock swim. I and administration. Their loyal clientele of wind-milling motion that thrashed the prayed he would not stop to have a chat are mostly local and, if they weren’t al- water without the expected progress. In about bodies, weeds and water depth. The ready friends, have become so. this fashion he could do a length or two starter’s horn blew, and we swam, me to Rachel is half way through a degree in of the small pool he had at home. Cer- the left, Henry to the right. Time and Food Science and Nutrition – something tainly he was confident in the water, and again I had told him to simply stay by my she plans to put to good use in the pub. that was the beginning. side and swim. Swim he did. As we Daniel apprenticed at the Greyhound approached the Rock slipway exit some The story is long: I will make it short. I under Anthony Worrell Thompson and 20 minutes later, I yelled at him between took him under my wing, out of his has since worked at the Maltsters in breaths to go for it. Henry somehow home pool and into a 25m pool. Bit by and the Rising Sun in manages to grin as he swims. His face bit his stroke formed. The goal was to Highmoor. His co-chef is Alex Smith nearly split with the joy of it all as he get him to swim up to 60 lengths, (who is also Rachel’s boyfriend) who smiled his way out of the water to a 1,500m in total. The biggest challenge worked with Daniel at the Greyhound and thunderous applause. was to keep him going. Distractions served his own apprenticeship under Rick included endless conversations on how ‘That your son?’ a well-wisher yelled. Stein. They promise to create inventive deep the deep-end was, why he could or ‘No, just a friend’, I replied. I was burst- and exciting food whilst not losing sight couldn’t do it all underwater, when we ing with pride. of the fact that good pub food and bar were going to stop, and so on. Eventu- Just three years later Henry and I were snacks are also what customers want. ally, I realised the best motivation was back in the water ready to take on the They both love running their own pub but to chase him up and down the pool; he Padstow to Rock once more, he 15 years are aware that it can be exhausting. How- just hated having his feet tapped. old, and leaving me in his wake as a ever they are determined to maintain the As spring approached, so did the need to swimmer. But he was hesitant to go on his Unicorn as a full time operation that get him out of the pool and into open own. I kept urging him to have a crack at welcomes all. water. I had no idea how he would react. it without me at his side, and it was only Lew Burling, Rachel and Daniel’s great- He had surfed in Cornwall, so getting when the horn blew that he struck out grandfather, was well known for cycling him in to a swimmer’s wet suit was no solo. He came out of the water in 4th posi- and later walking from Kingwood along to problem. Thank goodness for that, be- tion. The following year I could barely the Unicorn every single evening until he cause simply getting a swimmer’s cap make it across, suffering with a shoulder was into his 90s. The Unicorn has a on was a mission. He hated the way it injury. Henry, now 18, stormed it and won special place at the heart of this family. pulled his hair. I had to know how he outright!’ Page 12 www.peppardnews.co.uk Clubs and Societies hip injury. She still managed to raise £571 and hopes to try again next year. By the time your receive Peppard News By the time you are reading this I hope we How does the song go? Paw Patrol, we will have had our May Fun Day on will be at the start of a wonderful hot Paw Patrol, whenever you’re in trouble! Saturday 12th May. We had our very summer, perfect for getting outdoors, We now have our very own Paw Patrol: popular pony rides and a lunchtime barbe- keeping fit and having fun. Our club has two young cats named Tabby and cue as well as lots of stalls and games. two excellent quality hard courts that can Whiteface, who have been deployed as a be played on all year round, and we are on mouse patrol at the stables. They are Very sadly, one of our longstanding your doorstep, located at the entrance of settling in and have decided that sitting volunteers, June Kendall, died peacefully th the Bishopswood Sports Ground between up high in the hay barn is the most com- at the Sue Ryder Home on Saturday 29 village and Peppard fortable spot to survey the scene. April. We shall miss her happy disposi- crossroads. Ideal for all beginners and tion and her wonderful smile. We are young families, or anyone who wants to looking for a new volunteer for a simply play tennis with their friends, you Wednesday morning, someone with horse can just turn up and play in a casual and experience who can run beside a trotting informal environment. We have recently horse. We are still looking for a good cob pressure washed the courts and they are in who can take riders over 12 stone (76kg) excellent condition. and also have a place vacant on a Friday morning for a new rider of 11 stone For many years we have only charged £30 (70kg) or under. Please contact for a whole family for a full year, and you [email protected] can play tennis any time you like! Inter- ested? Want to find out more about our club? Then please contact me for more information by phone on 01491 680324, Tabby and Whiteface or by email at Once again we had an exciting delivery We have enjoyed a fine start to the sum- [email protected], or of Easter Eggs organised by the Reading st nd see www.sonningcommontennisclub.org mer with both the 1 XI and 2 XI re- Abbey Rotary Club and the Thames cording opening-day victories and the Valley Vultures together with local Unicorns reaching the last 128 of the supermarkets. We had great fun doing National Village Cup. Easter Egg Hunts and are very grateful The 1sts (199-8) overcame Ruislip for the wonderful generosity of all these Victoria (125) on the back of a fine knock If you like going to the theatre to see a organisations. broad range of plays, musicals, ballet and from Sam Fooks (38no) and a stunning Our fundraising challenges have been more, Sonning Common Theatre Club spell from Dion Sampson (6-50), while scuppered by both weather and injury. might be just the thing for you. After the Ian Jackson (5-22) helped the 2nds (206- Our Stable Manager, Elizabeth King and sterling work put in by Jane Arch over 6) thrash Hawley (87) by 119 runs. her dad, Nick, were all ready to take on more than thirty years, a committee has The Unicorns overcame Wraysbury (166) the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Chal- been elected to continue her work. Trips by 55 runs on the back of a stunning lenge when the wet weather resulted in are arranged to a range of venues and al- innings from Dan Hayden (95) in PSR’s dangerous conditions and the event was most always a coach picks members up in total of 221, before Olly Nicholson (3-38), cancelled. However they have still man- Sonning Common or at the old Peppard Josh Perkins (2-6), Chris Proudfoot (2-25) aged to raise £4,000 for us and then Post Office and delivers them back again. and Satheech Elaganathan (2-5) did the made a second attempt over the week- If you are interested in joining, contact damage with the ball. end of 12th/13th May. Secretary Clare Keen on The club has also had off-field success Liz Jones, our Marathon Woman, had to [email protected]. with planning permission granted for the retire from the London Marathon with a The Red Lion Peppard Common

Peppard Relief in Need

A local safety net for helping those who have fallen on hard times

If you know someone who could do with a little financial help to get Traditional Country Pub them through a crisis, (or you need help yourself) please let us know. 01491 628329 Your call will be dealt with in total confidence - just telephone www.redlionpeppard.co.uk Sue Nickson (0118 972 4520) or Pat Fraser (01491 629631) www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 13

proposed expansion of the Peppard Sports environment. If you would like to see Pavilion. what Peppard has to offer, give me a call Our next lunch is on Wednesday, 20th For more information about PSRCC, on 0118 348 0485 or e-mail me at June, 12:30 in Peppard War Memorial please contact chairman Gerry Bacon on [email protected]. Remember, you Hall. If you’d like to join us you’ll be 07785 771847 or as a junior, Andy Watts can join us three times within the year very welcome. Give me a call on 01491 on 07884 931906. If you are keen to join before we ask for a subscription. 681780. (See Diary page for future dates.) our growing ladies’ and girls’ group, , please e-mail Celia Hall on [email protected] The club held it’s Open Day on Sunday The film club doesn’t meet in the summer 22nd April. The day began with the final so there is a break until the autumn. Peo- of the Mixed Doubles with a very high ple may like to make a note of the dates I have, over the years, often pondered on now because, as you all know, we get very level of skill and excellent tennis th the singing of Jerusalem on special occa- played. All enjoyed the activities on booked up: Friday 19 October: Bridge of sions and at large meetings. When you Spies starring Tom Hanks and Mark Ry- offer: face painting and fun games, th examine the symbolic meaning of along with professional advice and an lance; Friday 7 December: The Remains Jerusalem you find it means a City or expansive array of skill sessions from of the Day starring Anthony Hopkins and Place of Peace. Then it becomes clear that the numerous Teach Me Tennis coaches Emma Thompson. the words ‘I shall not cease --- till we had the children fully entertained. The There will also be a special screening on have built Jerusalem in England’s green Chairman treated the members and Friday 9th November of a WW1 film as and pleasant land’ certainly do reflect the guests to a tremendous BBQ and the day part of the Remembrance/Armistice week- ethos of the WI. was rounded off with a presentation of end activities. The resolution to be discussed at our trophies and the Wimbledon draw. At the October film we will also be voting National Federation Annual Meeting Teach Me Tennis will be running tennis as usual for next year’s films. People are deals with mental health - if it becomes a camps over the summer holidays for welcome to send me suggestions for films mandate then what can we do about it? children from age four. Groups are a to go on the voting list (to The NFWI will lobby parliament and the maximum of six children per coach to [email protected]). Oxford federation will hold seminars for ensure quality coaching. The camps will members to learn more. What can run on weekdays from Monday 16th July Peppard members do? We can talk openly until Friday 24th August; 09:30-12:00 about it. We can open our eyes to those plus 13:00-15:00 for a few of the busiest Golf is a great way to get out in the fresh around us and offer a non-judgemental weeks. Spaces are available to book air and a fantastic way to meet people and word of kindness to anyone who appears online via www.teachmetennis.co.uk. make new friends. We are holding a re- to be struggling. Talking saves lives. If you have an interest in playing, you laxed and informal ‘Learn to Play Golf in One mandate we have concerns alleviat- a Day’ sessions, covering all the basics, are more than welcome to come along to th th ing loneliness. One small way, in which a club sessions for adults, held Tuesdays on Tuesday 26 June and Tuesday 24 Peppard members are trying to follow that and Thursdays from 18:30 and Sunday July from 10:00-14:00. All equipment is up, is to visit past members who can no mornings from 10:00 – some very socia- provided and there is no dress code. Come longer attend meetings: we have spent ble tennis to be enjoyed. The club has a and see if golf is for you? Normal price pleasant afternoons in local care-homes great clubhouse and six courts, four of £60.00 but Peppard News readers can sign and sheltered accommodation. these courts are floodlit, providing ex- up for £49.99. Alternatively, we are hold- ing a ‘Get Into Golf’ four week course on In the meantime, back in the War cellent facilities for year-round tennis. Tuesdays 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st July, 18:30 Memorial Hall, we have welcomed sev- For more information, please call 0118 -19:30; £49.99 for the four weeks. Please eral new members A number of our mem- 947 4051 or visit contact me on 01491 629 967 to book bers now belong to two WIs. Each one www.peppardtennisclub.co.uk. your place. has its own identity and offers a different

MR FIX-IT—Handyman Services Call Tony on 0800 025 70 80 (evenings on 0118 972 3004), or text 07794 464273 or e-mail [email protected] for a free quote and call out www.mrf1xit.co.uk Everything you need for your pets and wild birds Food & Accessories Friendly personal service with lots of parking Southlea House, Blounts Court Road Sonning Common Tel: 0118 924 2747 (Just at the top of Gravel Hill) Page 14 www.peppardnews.co.uk Our Churches

Rector: Rev’d James Stickings 0118 972 1459 of the service continued in Queen’s All Saints’ Associate Priest: Rev’d Sheila Walker 0118 972 4816 College Chapel with the wonderful an- Curate: Rev’d Stewart Morgan 0118 972 3263 them by SS Wesley (As For Our God Churchwardens: Valentine de Haan 0118 972 3806 from Ascribe Unto the Lord). The final www.allsaintspeppard.co.uk Kathie Anderson 0118 972 2694 hymn and blessing was rounded off with an organ voluntary by Handel. By this time, we were all ready for tea and bis- cuits which was served in the Hall at Our recent Annual Parochial Church Queen’s College. meeting was extremely well supported. Looking ahead, (Sunday 10th June at As summer approaches, the beauty of All The Annual Report and Accounts were 18:30) Evening Prayer will mark the re- Saints’ Church really comes into focus. presented and approved. Adrienne tirement of Morris Clegg as Licensed Lay Not that the other seasons don’t have Heriot, Churchwarden, and Robin Minister. He will be celebrating 60 years their own special ‘voice’ – I think in par- Howles, Chair of Property and Build- of ministry, a truly remarkable achieve- ticular of the starkness of winter, the ings, both retired after long and dedi- ment. bareness of the churchyard offering its cated service which was acknowledged th own silent reminder of the impermanence by those present. There were four vacan- Finally, on Sunday 24 June at 10:30, of all human endeavour. cies to complete the laity committee: Stewart Morgan will be ordained priest at Dorchester Abbey. There will be 09:00 It’s just that in the summer the meticu- Rebecca Bell, Richard Gough, Nick Holy Communion at All Saints’ but no lously kept grounds of the church (many Launders and Paddy Lunn were duly 10:30 service. Choral Evensong will take thanks to Ian Fraser and team!), together elected. Valentine de Haan and Kathie place at St. John’s, Kidmore End, to cele- with the cool stillness of the interior, pro- Anderson were both elected as Church- wardens and were sworn in on 17th May. brate their Patronal Festival. vide a comfort and a peace which is unri- valled. Christians will want to respond On Rogation Sunday a group of over 30 with prayer: a prayer of thanksgiving for walkers, including children, departed the gift of the church, for all those who from All Saints’ to carry out the ancient keep it looking so beautiful. tradition of ‘Beating the Bounds’. Our Rector, James, gave a blessing and the ‘Is it Open the Book?’ the children ask We will be grateful that the church build- party set off with hazel wands to cover and are delighted if the answer is Yes. So ing and grounds can help us feel closer to what is ‘Open The Book’? It is a scheme God, and full of peace. How appropriate part of the north and east boundaries in Peppard. run by the Bible Society. A small team of that the words of the Risen Christ at people (there are currently eight of us) On May Bank Holiday five members of Easter are still echoing in our hearts and from various local churches, go in to two the adult choir joined other RSCM mem- minds: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace local schools to present a bible story on I give to you.’ bers to sing Choral Evensong in four of the Oxford Colleges. After a rehearsal in alternate weeks. The stories are taken But all of us, whatever our beliefs, can from The Lion Storyteller Bible and the Corpus Christi College Chapel we enjoy walking in the churchyard, or rule is that we must stick to the words as started the service with the Introit (O sitting quietly in a pew, taking a moment given in the book which have been care- Lord, Give Thy Holy Spirit, Tallis). We out of a busy day – or whiling away a fully written to avoid any offence and to lazy one! concluded this part of the service with the Office Hymn and then moved on to comply with Ofsted and the National Whatever brings you to All Saints’ this Oriel College Chapel. Following the Curriculum. Within those guidelines, however, we have a lot of freedom. summer, you will be most welcome. Psalm and First Lesson we all enjoyed singing the Magnificat (by Stanford in As we tell the story we are able to act, C). A short walk brought us to Univer- mime, dress up or not and use the children sity College Chapel for the Second to help things along. The more they are Lesson, Nunc Dimittis (Stanford in C) involved the more likely they are to finishing with Prayers and the well- remember the story. Memorable props are known Ferial Responses. The final part also very important. A large Noah’s Ark www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 15

made out of cardboard boxes drew a spon- fun we would get from the project. taneous gasp when it was unveiled. One We are really enjoying the presentations member of the team made an excellent – it is very rewarding. No wonder the Noah brought up to date with a bright children, parents, staff and governors yellow hard hat and jacket. As for have commented on how they are enjoy- Joseph’s technicolour coat, well! Many of ing it and it is encouraging to go in to the props we use are very simple such as the school and hear the children say ‘Oh ears of corn drawn on paper plates held up good, it is ‘Open The Book’ today’. We on sticks and the camel heads seem to would love to visit other schools but have been very busy. It has been interest- there is only so much our small group ing working as a team, each member can do. If you fancy helping us please bringing different skills but one thing we call 01491 629254 had not anticipated was just how much A snake hiding behind the rushes (Exodus, Chapter 3 Verse 2)

creation and our role in respecting and of our young people receiving Holy Com- St Michael’s Catholic Church caring for it. Many men were in the con- munion for the first time or being Con- Father Michael Sharkey gregation and we are looking forward to firmed. Many attend St Martin’s, our par- Deacon Brian Theobald 0118 972 2796 next years’ service being prepared by ish school in Caversham Park Village. An e-mail: [email protected] the women of Slovenia. important part of our mission is to minis- www.saintmichaelsonningcommon.org.uk One week later we were able to join ter to Catholics who are housebound or in with the other churches once again for care homes. If you are aware of a Catho- St Michael’s had the privilege of being the the annual Good Friday walk of witness. lic who would like Holy Communion local hosts for this year’s Women’s World We hope that next year even more peo- brought to them please contact the parish Day of Prayer. The service was put to- ple from the wider community will join office. gether by the women of Suriname, a coun- us to mark this important day in the Our free Snack & Chat lunches continue try on the north coast of South America, Christian calendar. Once again, the on the third Tuesday of the month. Check with the theme ‘All God’s Creation is church was full for most of our Easter the weekly newsletter on our website to Very Good.’ Although St Michael’s services and it was a great pleasure for confirm date and time. Weekend and hosted the service, it was the combined the regular community to welcome old weekday Mass times can also be found on effort of many women from all the local friends and visitors to celebrate the res- the website. churches that brought it to fruition. It was urrection of Jesus with us. As the sum- a beautiful service reflecting on God’s mer draws on we look forward to some

Kevin and Linsey Potter workshop in our log cabin. This has suit the age and needs of those who come, 0118 972 4519 taken off so well that the teams are now followed by homemade focaccia and www.springwaterchurch.org.uk being asked to help train others in other sourdough bread and soup from our team e-mail: [email protected] churches. Compassionate Loaf have of bakers. even been asked to visit India with a Easter was a meaningful time with our view to training in baking bread the Stations of the Cross in the garden and Springwater Church has gone through a ‘good ol’ British way’! significant season of change over the past the church open on Good Friday for a year or so. Kevin and Linsey Potter are We are hoping to have another Fun Day time of contemplation. Please feel free to the new Ministers having started in March in July – a great day for families with visit our Biblical Garden full of herbs, 2017. young children with games, fun, barbe- spices and plants found in the Bible. cue, and all sorts of stalls. By the time Our Compassionate Mondays are in full We meet every Sunday at 10:30 – all are you read this we will have had our first most welcome. swing: every Monday at 10:00 there is a Family Walk, with a variety of walks to baking workshop in our kitchen and an art

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Tel: 01491 629901 Fax: 01491 629904 HAVING A CLEAR OUT? Kathryn Fell Photography Your local antique dealer is always keen to buy. Weddings, Family portraits, Pets, Clocks, watches, instruments, silver items, walking canes, Events, Product Pack shots, Food. jewellery and precious metals and all old and unusual items. Henley Antiques Mobile studio can come to you House calls by appointment www.kathrynfellphotography.co.uk 0118 924 2582 07768 918501 [email protected] 07958 371770 [email protected] Page 16 www.peppardnews.co.uk Peppard Diary JUNE Sat 2 Centennial Table Top Sale/PWMH/11:00-15:00/0118 3277709 Thu 28 Greys Ct/18:30-20:00/nationaltrust.org.uk/greyscourt Peppard Unplugged/PWMH/19:30 Sat 30 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Greenshoots/Open Day/10:00-15:00 Butcher's Arms Big Bash/Sue Ryder/Beat Bowel Cancer/14:00 Sun 3 Circle Dancing/Christ the King/15:30-17:00/01491874220 JULY Mon 4 Kgwd Cons Grp/[email protected]/09:45-13:00 Mon 2 Kgwd Cons Grp/[email protected]/09:45-13:00 Tue 5 Greys Ct/18:30-20:00/nationaltrust.org.uk/greyscourt Sat 7 Peppard Unplugged/PWMH/19:30 Wed 6 SCHC/Day in Life of GP/SC Vill Hall/19:30 Sun 8 Pep Cmn Work Party/[email protected]/10:00 Thu 7 Greys Ct/18:30-20:00/nationaltrust.org.uk/greyscourt Mon 9 RPPC Meeting/Pavilion/19:30 Sat 9 Greenshoots 50th Birthday Summer Fete Wed 11 Peppard WI/Garden Meeting/14:00 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Fri 13 P P Group/Dementia Open Day/SC Vill Hall/10:00-16:00 Sun 10 Pep Cmn Work Party/[email protected]/10:00 Sat 14 Kgwd Cons Grp/[email protected]/09:45-13:00 Mon 11 RPPC Meeting/Pavilion/19:30 Hort Soc/Summer Reception/www.cehs.co.uk Tue 12 Greys Ct/18:30-20:00/nationaltrust.org.uk/greyscourt Mon 16 RPPC Planning/Pavilion/18:30 Wed 13 Peppard WI/Swan Upping/PWMH/14:00 Tue 17 Peppard School Summer Production/Kenton Theatre Thu 14 Greys Ct/18:30-20:00/nationaltrust.org.uk/greyscourt St Michael's/Snack & Chat/12:00/0118 9723418 Sat 16 Kgwd Cons Grp/[email protected]/09:45-13:00 Wed 18 Peppard Lunch Club/PWMH/12:00/01491 681780 Father's Day Special Storytime/SC Library/10:00 Sat 21 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Mon 18 RPPC Planning/Pavilion/18:30 Tue 24 GG Golf Course/Learn to Play Golf/10:00-14:00/01491629967 Tue 19 Greys Ct/18:30-20:00/nationaltrust.org.uk/greyscourt Peppard School Leavers’ Church Service St Michael's/Snack & Chat/12:00/0118 9723418 Wed 25 Peppard School Term ends/12:00/picnic Wed 20 Peppard Lunch Club/PWMH/12:00/01491 681780 AUGUST Thu 21 Greys Ct/18:30-20:00/nationaltrust.org.uk/greyscourt Wed 8 Peppard WI Outing/ Watercress Beds and lunch Fri 22 Peppard School Sports Evening/17:00 Sat 11 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Sat 23 Nottakwire/Going for a Song/SC Vill Hall/10:00 Sun 12 Pep Cmn Work Party/[email protected]/10:00 Hort Soc/Outing Kiftsgate and Hidcote/cehs.co.uk Wed 15 Peppard Lunch Club/PWMH/12:00/01491 681780 Tue 26 Greys Ct/18:30-20:00/nationaltrust.org.uk/greyscourt Sat 18 Strawberry Teas/Christ the King/15:00-17:00/0118 9724520 GG Golf Course/Learn to Play Golf/10:00-14:00/01491629967 Mon 20 RPPC Planning/Pavilion/18:30 FISH Office: 0118 9723986 (Mon-Fri, 09.30-11.30) [email protected] SC & Peppard Table Tennis Club/Mem Hall/Juniors – Mon 17.00/0118 9463191 Walking Football/Bishopswood Grnd – Tue 10.30/0118 9722188 SC Library hosts: Baby Clinics/Thu/13:00-14:30; Gadget Sessions/Thu/10:00; Storytimes/Sat/10:00; Rhymetimes/1st and 3rd Mon/10:00/01189722448 Henley & Goring Ramblers offer a programme of local walks/www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk/henley-goring.html

Sunday Services JUNE JULY AUGUST NOTES at All Saints’ 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 A 10.30 Ordination of the Revd Stewart Morgan at 09.00 Communion         X  X X X Dorchester Abbey 10.30 Communion (sung)  A   C  C D B Patronal Festival at St John the Baptist 10.30 Matins    C Benefice Eucharist at Christ the King D Benefice Eucharist at St John the Baptist 10.30 Family Service   X No service 10.30 Sunday School 18.30 Evensong    B         

Sunday Services at Springwater Mass at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church (Peppard Congregational Church) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 09.30 Thursday 12.00 Family Service: 10:30 - 12:00  Sunday School 10.30 - 11.30 Saturday 17.30  Sunday 09.00 & 10.30

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www.intelligent-touch.co.uk 01491 680671 - Mon-Fri 8-5 & Sat 8:30-12:30 - [email protected] Nicki: 07733224694 Visit our website: www.normancox.co.uk www.peppardnews.co.uk Page 17 Unabridged Articles team is currently seven strong in number History of the Commons – from the VRS (Victoria Royal Society) The Parish Council year ended on the 31st but we still need three more to complete March. This last year has been particu- our full complement of 10. Any parish-  Organised and circulated 30 MPH larly busy – I think it will be known his- ioners interested on knowing more are stickers for our waste bins – proving torically as the ‘Year of the Pavilion’! welcome to contact me. It’s a great way very popular – our thanks to Joanne of serving your Askin, our Parish Clerk community!  Attended and supported the Remem- So on this note, brance Day memorial service(s) – and I would like to supporting commemorations for 2018 say a BIG thank you to the team  Continued meetings with Better Broad- who give up so band for Oxfordshire (BBfO) –finally much of their with success – four new Fibre Cabinets time for their went live in February this year. King- community. wood common residents are now enjoy- ing 50 Mbit/s or more!

 Attended many SODC Planning Appli-

cation meetings () - also Read- ing 3rd Bridge and Gladman Develop- ment (3245 new houses) meetings Rotherfield Peppard Sports Pavilion An exercise of benchmarking the Parish budget (precept) with other parishes was carried out: Looking back on 2017: we welcomed Here is a summary of our achievements three new team members. Sue Rowland in 2017: The table below (Fig. 1) provides an over- has taken over as Chair of Planning. Sue, view of what Parishioners pay towards the  Recruitment of three new Councilors Parish Council element of Council Tax. a retired barrister, brings a wealth of ex- – training packages organised perience to the team – formerly a These figures are based on a Band D Kidmore End Parish Councillor, her back-  Successfully blocked (with SODC) an house – which is taken as a county-wide ground in the legal profession is proving appeal lodged by a private developer average. invaluable already. Dominic Hall, a quali- to build many new houses on the out- Our Band D equivalent is rising by just fied accountant, joined the team in No- skirts of our beautiful village. less than 11.8% this year (April 2018). vember last year, and for the first time we  Commissioned an architect to prepare Approximately half of this may be attrib- have an active member of the Cricket drawings for our modernised Pavilion uted to Pavilion modernisation costs. Club on our Council. With the modernisa- and initiated an independent PIWP Rotherfield Peppard has moved up one tion plans for the Pavilion being formu- (Pavilion Improvements Working position to six in the local league. We are lated over the last 12 months, his input party) to review plans still very much on the median. has, likewise, been invaluable. Ray Free-  Examined the op- Parish Council Tax - year 2018/19 man, an active member of the Peppard tions for the War Memorial Hall team, joined us just Pavilion to ‘repair’ Henley on Thames (1) £87.00 (1) £93.09 before Christmas. Ray was already in- or ‘replace’– along (2) 74.08 (2) 78.79 volved with the Council in supporting the with the PIWP we Sonning Common (3) 64.73 (4) 77.68 Community Speedwatch programme. actioned a village Checkendon (4) 55.67 (3) 78.86 There were a few technical problems with questionnaire to Kidmore End (5) 54.10 (5) 55.18 the SID (Speed Indicator Device) equip- establish parish Nettlebed (6) 40.74 (7) 42.28 ment last year but the Community Speed- views (more below) Rotherfield Peppard (7) 39.74 (6) 44.42 watch team will be getting to grips with (8) 38.57 (9) 38.45 this in 2018.  Initiated an Open Weekend in Febru- Rotherfield Greys (9) 38.53 (8) 38.53 We also say a fond farewell to two long- ary to further gauge Stoke Row (10) 31.64 (10) 30.95 standing Councillors and thank them both feedback on plans Shiplake (11) 28.68 (11) 28.89 for their long service: Valerie Ross and for our Pavilion (12) 25.96 (12) 25.61 Fiona Berry who have served on the Highmoor (13) 24.78 (13) 24.01 Council for more than six years. As chair  Completed another (14) 21.79 (14) 21.78 of the Planning Committee, Fiona became village litter-pick in very knowledgeable on what ‘will’ be 2018: a quick thank you to all who Fig. 1 – Band ‘D’ rates for 14 Parishes in the approved and what ‘will not’. By way of attended! (See Sue Nickson’s article region reminder, the Parish Council has the on Page 10). (Source: SODC website Apr 2018) power of recommendation to SODC  Actioned a much improved Top Com- One of our biggest challenges for 2018 is (South Oxfordshire District Council) but mon and road verge cutting plan with the Sports Pavilion: an Open Weekend the ultimate decision lies with SODC NDCC (Nettlebed and District Com- held on 3rd/4th February. Plans of the mod- Planning Department. mons Conservators) ernised Pavilion were put on display – As a reminder I would like to mention that  Successfully organised an informative members of the Council and our architect all Parish Councillors serve on a voluntary 2017 Annual Parish Meeting - with a were available to answer questions and basis; we earn no salary. The Council very interesting presentation on the receive comments and suggestions. A Page 18 www.peppardnews.co.uk

presentation was given on Sunday morn- ing (4th) and visitors were asked to com- plete a simple ‘Five question’ question- naire. Please see the Appendix for the response to each question. Over 700 questionnaires were delivered to nearly all dwellings in the parish or handed to users of the Pavilion. 65 were returned – this represents a return of 9.3%. Respondents were asked to com- plete one questionnaire per household. The responses showed that there is great support for the Parish Council allocating funds to modernise the Pavilion. Several new suggestions were received including (i) improving the surface on the car park (ii) providing more arts and craft related activities (ii) better mobility access. Success of the project hinges very heavily on a) SODC funding 50% of the cost, and b) raising 25% from Cricket Club and other private donations. With regard to a), to date, RPPC has submitted our SODC Grant application and should hear their response by end of June 2018. Assuming this is positive, and likewise other funds and donations also being received suc- cessfully, we could begin building works in October 2018, and complete the project In the middle of May, the Foundations went by May 2019. I am pleased to confirm on an exciting trip to the Henley River and Rowing Museum. They had a fantastic that full Planning Permission for mod- th time learning about creepy – crawlies and ernisation was received on 20 April. came back to make their own bugs and If any Peppard News readers would like insects. to make a Gift Aid donation please con- tact me or Joanne Askin, our Parish Clerk.

Appendix: Questionnaire Response Analysis