Finstock News Continues to Publish Crown Pub Finally Closed and Has Now Been Converted Into Bi-Monthly with Contributions from the Community and from a Lovely Home

Home , Finstock

Of the village, by the village, for the village February / March 2020 120 FinstockServing Finstock, Fawler, Wilcote, News Mt.Skippett and Finstock Heath Twentieth anniversary FN...... 1 District and County reports ...... 7 Village Events, ChOC...... 2 Finstock School, FoFS...... 8 Village Hall, Climate Emergency...... 3 Toddlers, Beethoven...... 9 Letters, Parish Council ...... 4 Finstock Ale, Citizens Advice ...... 10 Shop and PO...... 5 Girl Guides, Oxfordshire Museum ...... 11 Countryside Conservation ...... 6 Gardening, Bikes ...... 12

t was twenty years ago that thanks to the Finstock WI (Women’s Institute) a meeting was held in the old Village Hall with Ithirty-five in attendance to voice their active interest in a village communication source such as a newsletter. A committee was formed to produce a non-profit newsletter run by volunteers and financed by advertising. At the meeting, chaired by Mike Woodfield, suggestions were made for content, which continues to guide coverage in the newsletter today. A village website was born shortly after and continues to this day – finstock.org.uk.

to make room for our sparkling new Village Hall, which has facilitated dominoes, darts, crafts, bowls and many other classes . A Blue Plaque designation was placed on a cottage to celebrate Barbara Pym’s life in Finstock . A gardening club was established . The village enjoyed a Finstock Friendly Society Club Day Re-enactment that saw period costumed villagers and a brass band marching round the village . Music continued to play a bigger role in village life with the increasing local folk music performances at venues like our annual Finstock Ale in September . A new green area with picnic tables was created on We have seen many successful village projects completed the land opposite the Village Hall extending the area for over the twenty years . One of the first was the Finstock entertainment on Well Hill . Broadband came into the village Millennium Project, which created a record of the village in and we have advanced from dial up connection to FTTP the form of an embroidered wall-hanging showing a map (Fibre to the premises) with much pleasure . And thanks to of the area, surrounded by panels depicting local buildings the Finstock Recycling group in conjunction with the County and activities . The wall-hanging was executed as a fabric and District Councils we now have kerbside collections of collage, with embroidery filling the areas between the panels, glass, bottles and jars, aerosols, aluminium foil, tins and cans, illustrating local wildlife and plants . The wallhanging, which card and cardboard, cartons and Tetra paks, paper (including was designed for the old village hall has been moved to the magazines, newspaper, shredded paper), plastic tubs, food upper room in the church . trays, bottles and tops . Food waste and green garden waste Our village shop closed down and subsequently brought are also collected at the kerb . forward a new shop and Post Office for the village . The Twenty years later, the Finstock News continues to publish Crown pub finally closed and has now been converted into bi-monthly with contributions from the community and from a lovely home . A Jubilee playground was conceived and built our government representatives . We owe our continued in large part by villagers . The old Village Hall was demolished success to you all . Thank you! 0 . VILLAGE EVENTS 0 . Ladies, give us your support! February Give all your unwanted old bras a new lease of life and help raise money for 14th Valentine’s Day breast cancer research . Bring them to Joy Murphy at 63 High Street . Against 21st Mill Memories Finstock Breast Cancer will receive a donation based on the weight of bras we collect, Local History so every bra counts! March 20th Seventy years of Charlbury North Leigh History Society Society and Museum Tuesday February 4th - Lords: The home of cricket. Talk by Alistair Lack . 21st Pamper Night (FoFS) This is a talk for all fans of cricket and not just those who regularly read their copy of Wisden . Polish up your knowledge of cricket history with us . Finstock Local Tuesday March 3rd - Roman Silchester - The oldest public baths in Britain . History Society Talk by Rev . Margaret Dixon . Archaeology never ceases to provide us with new Friday February 21st Angela Proffit insights into our distant past where written records are few and scarce . Join us will speak about her research into to find out more . working traditions in the blanket mills We meet in the Turner Hall, Church Road, North Leigh, OX29 6TX at 7 30. of Witney . She will tell how the project p m. . Visitors £4, Members free . Further details from Diana Power 882301 . started and select items of interest from her new book entitled Mill Bottle caps raise funds Memories-A people’s history. Life and Your soft plastic bottle tops can be donated to me to help raise funds for The times of the Witney blanket weavers. Gift of Sight . We collect only milk bottle tops; that is, blue, green, orange, yellow, Friday March 20th Janet Jeffs: and red variety . We cannot accept anything else . Please drop your milk bottle Seventy years of the Charlbury Society tops off at 63 High Street, Finstock . Joy Murphy and Museum, including an introduction to the exhibits which will be on show in the summer season . Oxford Schools’ Charity Concert - All meetings at 8pm on Fridays unless Care across the Continents otherwise stated, at Finstock Village Wednesday February 5th at 7pm at St Michael’s and All Angels’ Church Hall, OX7 3BU . Refreshments available Summertown, Oxford OX2 7ES from 7 30pm. . Entry £2 50. . Follow us Tickets £12 adults and £6 children on Facebook at www facebook. com/. www eventbrite. co. uk/e/care-across-the-continents-tickets-77313708383. FinstockLocalHistorySociety . Beneficiaries: Embrace the Middle East: educating Syrian refugee children in Lebanon, Cecily’s Fund: educating Zambian youth for a brighter future .

Experience is something you don't Charlbury’s own Cinema (ChOC) get until just after you need it. ChOC has decided to take an extended break and suspend ChOC activity for a period of eight months . We will FREE return (if indeed we do return) in NICOLA MORGAN WIFI September 2020 . DC FMCA Running ChOC requires significant Registered Chiropractor – time and effort, and a heavy burden McTimoney Technique is currently being placed on the small number of people who constitute Kimber Cottage, Woodstock Rd, Our Bar is open: the ChOC committee . Sadly, none of Charlbury OX7 3ET Mon: 6pm – close us is getting any younger or indeed Tel: 07968-381335 Tues – Fri: 12 noon – 3pm & 6pm – close physically fitter . In the meantime, if you Sat: 12 noon – close miss us then do please tell us! It might I have nearly 35 years’ experience in Sun: 12 noon – 6.00pm make all the difference to whether this gentle, effective manipulative therapy, which is suitable for many Our kitchen is open: ChOC returns or not . You can speak conditions and ages. Tues – Sun to any committee member (see the Lunch: 12 noon – 2.00pm ChOC page on the Charlbury website See www.chippingnortonchiropractor.co.uk Dinner: 6.30pm – 9.00pm for contact information), or email us at I am registered with most major Come and visit us, we’d love to see you. secretary .chocfilms@gmail .com . If you health insurance companies. The Plough Inn wish to get involved in the running of Registered with the High Street, Finstock OX7 3BY ChOC then please tell us that as well . General Chiropractic Council. Tel: 01993 868333 www.theplough-inn.co.uk You will be made very welcome .

2 Plough_ad_90x60mm_Details_2015.indd 1 29/10/2015 15:47 Village Hall www finstock. org. uk/village-hall. and follow the booking instructions, Email villagehallfinstock@gmail com.

Finstock Village Hall Finstock Woodpeckers The 2019 Annual General Meeting Bowls for the Village Hall took place on Our short-mat bowls group at the 18th November . Gill Peters, the Village Hall continues to have very Treasurer, reported that the Hall is strong support and is growing in in a good financial position, with Acupuncture for stress reduction, strength of both numbers and ability . pain relief, arthritis, migraine, fatigue, lettings, bar takings and the income We meet every Monday and Thursday hormone imbalance, and more. from the Finstock Ale all contributing at 2pm and new members/beginners Appointments available at my Stonesfield to covering costs and maintenance, as are always made welcome with fees clinic or in your own home. To find out more or arrange an initial well as paying once again for the Good just £1 per session . Guidance and basic consultation please contact me on 01993 Companions Christmas dinner . coaching is given to all new players 898102 / 07791 278618 Rod Ireland was elected to the with plenty of encouragement . Just [email protected] vacant Chair of Trustees seat . Your turn up or email Shaun at morley . or visit other trustees are Noah Derrington, shaun@gmail com. . www.maeveodonnellacupuncture.co.uk Nick Murphy, Gill Peters and Karen @ maeveodonnellacupuncture Williams, with Angela Hall serving The importance of hope as Secretary . We know that Angela intends to step down at the end of in challenging times this year, and so we are looking to find 2019 will be remembered as the another individual who’s passionate year that climate change came to the about our lovely Village Hall, and top of the agenda, thanks to millions of able to capture the minutes from people across the world taking action and making their voices heard . From the four meetings over the course of Greta Thunberg and the thousands of every twelve months . So if your New school children taking weekly climate Year’s resolution was to contribute strikes, to Extinction Rebellion taking to your community, this is your ideal direct action and shutting down central opportunity! Just contact any of the London . County and city councils named trustees above and you’ll across the country declared a ‘climate enjoy a healthy handover period (this emergency’ and began to make action doesn’t always happen with village plans to tackle climate change, and committees) . in the UK we had the first ‘climate Looking forward, bookings are debate’ as part of the UK General consistently solid and the Hall is very Election . However whilst huge steps well attended . We’d like to see more forward were taken this year, the charity or music events where the bar challenge we face remains huge, with is well used . Thank you to everyone average temperatures in Australia this who has supported the Village Hall month at 40 degrees and several high over the past year . profile world leaders not taking climate

Finstock Craft Club change seriously . Amid these uncertain Members of Craft Club enjoy and challenging times it’s important AIRPORT TRANSFERS- to remember the power of hope, as different crafts such as: Decoupage, WITNEY SHUTTLE

Rebecca Solnit reminds us: knitting, quilting, card making, bag “Hope is an embrace of the WE PROVIDE DIRECT making and more . We all carry out unknown and the unknowable, an TRANSFERS FROM our individual craft whilst chatting over alternative to the certainty of both FINSTOCK TO HEATHROW tea and biscuits . Throughout the year optimists and pessimists . Optimists (& other airports/cruise we fundraise for charities and host an terminals etc). think it will all be fine without our annual event . If you’d like to join us involvement; pessimists adopt the WE ARE PROFESSIONAL, we meet on Monday nights 7 30-9. 30. opposite position; both excuse FRIENDLY & EXTREMELY (except bank holidays) . themselves from acting . It is the belief RELIABLE. Come and join us! that what we do matters even though Please call or email for prices. how and when it may matter, who [email protected] Everyone has a photographic and what it may impact are not things 01993 705993 we can know beforehand ”. The Key memory; some just don't have film. FREEPHONE: 0800 043 4633 Newsletter

3 Letter to the Editor: News from the Parish Council To all friends and neighbours who finstockpc.org.uk kindly sent me Christmas cards, I’d like I do hope everyone enjoyed the recent festivities and that New Year resolutions to say Thank You and hope you all had remain intact . a lovely Christmas . I apologise for not The PC begins the year with the budget set and awaiting approval from sending cards this year . I shall give a WODC . We have been forced to impose an 8 percent increase this year primarily donation to a cancer charity . to cover costs of maintaining the Churchyard and burial ground . This is a relatively Best wishes and Happy New Year recent added responsibility for the PC and it has proved very difficult to anticipate Eileen Dore what the actual costs will be . For example, in the autumn we were forced to fell a dead tree which was a threat to safety . This cost £2500 alone . We are planning Waste Wizard an on-going programme of repairs primarily to walls and trees in an attempt to smooth the costs over a period of years . But we cannot predict every eventuality Oxfordshire County Council has so have budgeted accordingly with a measure of reserve building included . launched 'Waste Wizard' a new Our costs are somewhat reduced by the sterling work of the Wychwood initiative to help residents beat the Project dry stone walling volunteers who are continuing their work of gradually confusion around recycling . The new upgrading the walls where necessary . They provide their labour pro bono and online tool will enable anyone to type we thank them for that . in the name of any item along with their We will be undertaking a new Village Survey early in the New Year – an postcode and find out whether it can update on the information about the village we last collected in 2012 and 2016 . be repaired, reused, donated, recycled See finstockpc org. uk/village-survey. . or if it needs to go into a specifc bin or can be disposed at a Houshold Waste The survey will help the PC accurately reflect villagers’ views on consultations Recycling Centre . You will need to put with District and County Councils, supporting expenditure priorities and for in your postcode (with a space e g. . local planning developments . The survey questionnaire will be delivered to each OX1 1ND) the first time you use it and house and will be available from the PC website . It is a really useful source of then search for the item . tinyurl com/. information and the PC hopes you find a few minutes to complete the survey . swmz6co . (The Key) Finally, a bit of a nag . Please do not allow unaccompanied dogs to use the recreation ground . It is a great space for us all and should not be fouled . Hywel Davies for the Parish Council

Thank you Finstock! The Poppy collection in Finstock raised £551.26.

They work for you Democracy: it’s for everyone TheyWorkForYou takes open data from the UK Parliament and presents it in a way that’s easy for everyone to follow . You can check, with just a few clicks to see how our MP Robert Courts has voted on various issues . www theyworkforyou. . com

THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE roCkford uilders Kay Connolly 868561 Member C B Lesley Dore 868280 Distribution 35 School Rd, Finstock, Tony Hirtenstein 868600 Member Oxon OX7 3DN KINGS Joy Murphy 868575 Editor CLEANING SERVICES [email protected] EST 1973 AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Nick Murphy 868575 Member Ann Sullivan 868597 Advertising New builds, Extensions, Cleaning - Windows - Gutters Barbara Wells 868776 Member Renovations, Fascia’s - UPVC - Office cleaning Photographs thanks to staff members and others. Read the Finstock News online at www.finstock. Dry or mortar stone walling, Conservatories, inc. Roofs org.uk; or write to us at 63 High Street, Finstock Oxon OX7 3DA. Groundwork, Hard landscaping, Installation & Repairs to Plan ahead – Know the deadlines Natural stone slate specialists, Windows - Fascia’s - Gutters Issue Deadline New Conservatories Feb/Mar First of January Re-roofing, Carpentry - De-mossing Roofs April/May First of March Plus wide range general repairs June/July First of May General Maintenance.

August/September First of July All building work undertaken October/November First of September Fully Insured December/January First of November Domestic & Commercial Please keep articles short . As space is limited, the Ring 01993 882727 Editors reserve the right to shorten long pieces in the Call William on interest of balance . Finstock News does not necessarily or 07974 991269 share the views expressed in readers’ letters . 01993 868617 OR 07817248329

4 and the electrics had been updated . loss, and only surviving by drawing on Next, the 100 Club had been ever-depleting reserves . promoted as a vital source of income Therefore 2020 is likely to be a and a way people could contribute (as critical year . The Directors will continue well as win prizes) . The set-up form to seek grant money to enable further had been simplified and delivered to expansion of the refillables so that all houses in four villages . more product lines can be offered . Grant applications had resulted Further signage will be erected . Four in awards of £1,000 from Finstock new members of the 100 Club have Community Projects and £248 from signed up since the AGM (so now Woodpecker Community Liz Leffman’s Community fund . This we need another 15 to truly make it Shop – AGM had covered the cost of the refillables, 100) . We will do everything possible Early in December, the Shop and but the shop had borne the cost of to maintain a Shop and Post Office for Post Office held its AGM, and once the electrical refurbishment and the the community . But we also accept again many of the shop’s supporters signage . Bigger grants could not be that nationally, there is a general trend turned out for a positive and lively applied for without detailed drawings in decline for traditional shops, and discussion . There was good news – and and cost estimates of the restructure unless we are able to increase customer inevitably there was bad news . Over needed to fully implement refillables, spend, then we will need to take a the past year, an awful lot has been redesign the shop interior to make difficult decision . Please come and see accomplished . optimum use of display space and to us . Only your continued support keeps The shop’s offering had been improve security . It was noted that this village amenity open . reassessed, and refillables had been thanks to the generosity of Simon implemented as a key differentiator for Jones, we now have those drawings and Monday, the shop . There had been a rebranding can start to apply for larger grants . An Tuesday, 8am – 5 30pm. (“Woodpecker Community Shop & historic donation of £300 from Finstock Wednesday PO” being more readily identified with News was also acknowledged . and Friday than the enigmatic “TVSA”) and new Have these changes resulted in a signage erected (with more to come) . turnaround of the Shop’s fortunes? Thursday 8am – 3pm All the changes had been widely Well, sadly the reality is a continuing Saturday 8 30am. – 1pm publicised in various media, from village pattern of decline in revenue year on newsletters and social media to radio year . Turnover was down between June Post Office and newspapers . A Facebook page 2018 and June 2019 by £12k . Cost of Monday – Friday 9am – 1pm for the Shop had been created, and Sales was down by £8k and Gross Profit the link with the Foodbank promoted . by £4k . Income from the Post Office Last acceptance time for postage The Shop had also benefited from was down, but so were expenses, 12 15. refurbishment – the forecourt had mainly because there had been a spike been smartened up, weeded, rubbish in 2018 . “Donations” totalled £5400 We never really grow up, we only removed and new gravel laid . The but £4k of this was from 100 Club . learn how to act in public. interior had been professionally cleaned The shop is effectively running at a

Woodstock Dental Practice Little Grey Cells YOGA The best thing you can do for your FRIENDLY DROP-IN CLASSES IN Mr Michael Habisreutinger memory is to increase the flow of Miss Fiona Murphy FINSTOCK & RAMSDEN oxygenated blood to the brain . Do Dr Alison Lockyer more of anything which makes you breathe faster - brisk walking, stair- Mandy Nichols, Pure Relaxation Yoga Situated adjacent to Woodstock town Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor climbing, running, fast swimming or car park Beginners and Seasoned Yogis Welcome dancing . Long-established dental practice £8 per Student

There are several kinds of memory State-of-the-art modern cosmetic dentistry Tuesday 9.30-10.45am Ramsden Memorial Hall, High Street, Ramsden, OX7 3AU - semantic memory or knowledge Flexible payment options Thursday 9.30–10.45am about the world, episodic memory or Finstock Village Hall, Well Hill, Finstock, OX7 3BU Crowns, veneers, bridges and dentures Thursday 7.00-8.15pm personal experience and procedural Implants Ramsden Memorial Hall, High Street, Ramsden, OX7 3AU memory - skills like riding a bike . Tooth straightening and whitening ‘Begin your journey to peace, health & happiness’ Personal memory is most vulnerable, Local drop-in classes for all abilities including beginners and there is an age-related decline in Regular weekend workshops 17 Union Street, Woodstock, Oxon OX20 1JF Private 1-1 tuition available the ability to learn new skills, though 01993 812617 Contact: 07990 513121 or [email protected] or old ones are never forgotten . www.woodstock-dental.co.uk Pure Relaxation Yoga on Facebook [email protected]

5 COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION The only difference between a wise man and a fool is that the wise man knows he's playing Fritz Perls

Cotswold Voluntary Recyclable items Wardens WODC also collect the following items when put out with your recycling bin www cotswoldsaonb. org. uk/visiting-. on your collection day: and-exploring Item How to recycle Textiles & shoes In a carrier bag (clear if possible) alongside recycling bin Lace up and get stuck into walking Electrical items Please place into a black recycling box on your recycling the Cotswolds . The Cotswolds is one of week . the country’s most beautiful landscapes Cooking oil In a separate, sealed and labelled plastic container (5 litre with nearly 800 square miles of superb max) alongside recycling bin scenery, picturesque towns and villages, Engine oil In a separate, sealed and labelled plastic container (5 litre as well as endless opportunities to get max) alongside recycling bin out and explore the area on foot, by Batteries In a labelled, used envelope on top of recycling bin lid bike or on horseback . Car batteries Contact us to arrange free collection Many of the walks listed are led by Please note that in the UK recycling electronic goods is poor . All electronic our Cotswold Voluntary Wardens who goods are made from materials that can damage the soil and water supplies if buried in landfill rather than being disposed of properly at recycling centres . You organise a year-round programme can recycle your tablet, computer, printer, phone, toaster, iron and other electronic of walks that take place across the goods at the kerb in Finstock . As noted above, place them in a separate black Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural box for collection on your usual recycle day . If they don’t fit in the box you can Beauty, including along the Cotswold take them to a recycling centre . Way . These walks vary in distance and difficulty, and offer an interesting and often entertaining way of discovering Plastic recycling facts more about our countryside and Average amount of recyclable plastic UK households still bin each year 40kg . landscape . The amount of time it takes for some types of plastic bottle to degrade is 450 years . You can power a 60w lightbulb for three hours with the energy saved by Voluntary Work recycling one plastic bottle . Go to our website to see all the volunteering opportunities available in Oxfordshire . Over 50 groups are Food waste offering regular or one-off volunteering Ten thousand tonnes of Christmas food leftovers will be put to good use opportunities . www wildoxfordshire. . by Severn Trent Green Power at its food waste plants – one near Witney and org uk/directory. . (Wild Oxfordshire) another at Ardley . The food waste from 1 .5 million homes will create bio-gas and electricity when it arrives at its eight waste plants located across the Midlands, Oxfordshire, South Wales and London . The waste goes through the anaerobic digestion process and will then generate around 4,700 megawatt hours, which

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6 District Council report A citizens assembly is a demographic changes, but until the Let’s hope that 2020 brings more recommendation that Liz and I will government makes some significant positive news and that by working want to see happen this year . There are reforms to the way that care is funded, together we can bring positive experts out there and the voice of our it is hard to see how this situation can outcomes . concerned residents needs to be heard . get any better . The county will be With that in mind, as you know, I So, please contact us if you are increasing council tax by 2% in 2020/21 have been working hard with the parish interested and willing to put in some to cover extra care costs, but more is council and at WODC to ensure that time or contact us with your views on needed . Thames Water get their act together this vitally important matter . Councillors will once again have an with regard to flooding/sewerage Cllr Andy Graham individual budget of £15,000 to use 07908832632 discharge and proper maintenance in their wards in 2020/21 . Last year I of our drains and pipe works . We was able to help the shop to buy new are getting there but we will have to County Council report fittings and was also able to support monitor whether the maintenance now I know that many people in Finstock Finstock primary school to repaint the every 6 months will do the trick . and Fawler are concerned about the playground with a new netball court . If We must all be mindful what we state of the bridge near the Fawler there are any projects that you believe put down our drains not to exacerbate turning on the B4022 . Some time ago will benefit the local community which the problem but rest assured we are a car crashed into it and destroyed the you think I might be able to help with, on the case . parapet, and there have been safety please do contact me with the details . Climate change is a major issue barriers in its place since then . I have Liz Leffman and we are doing our bit with a new been in touch with the bridge team climate change working group looking at Oxfordshire County Council and Wild Oxfordshire at how our policies should be more have been told that due to budgetary Wild Oxfordshire is a local charity integrated to ensure climate change is constraints, the work has had to be which provides a co-ordinated and taken seriously . Whilst there are more postponed till the next financial year, strategic approach to conservation planned electric points in our car parks which starts in April . I will of course make sure that it is scheduled then . in Oxfordshire . Through providing (look out for them in Charlbury car park However, the good news is that I saw support and encouraging environmental by the Co-op later this year), we need two people surveying the bridge this organisations and volunteers to work a new recycling centre in the centre of morning (as I write) and so hopefully together, Wild Oxfordshire will be the the district to cut down on needless it will be sorted out reasonably soon . catalyst for solutions that benefit wildlife and excessive car journeys and both Liz Speaking of financial constraints, within our rich and vibrant county . Leffman and I will make that a priority . councillors have been spending a lot We work in partnership with over 60 Our roads are being clogged up by of time recently on the budget for organisations . Current projects include: sprawling new developments which are 2020/21 . For the first time in many Saving our bees and other pollinators unsustainable . Smaller developments years, we are not faced with a need to under threat . that meet the needs of our villages make savage cuts, though budgets are Delivering natural solutions for and towns, more self build that are still very tight, especially for adult social effective flood management . ecologically sustainable has to be the care, children’s services and highways . Giving nature a voice in County direction . If that means a review of our The number of people needing care strategy and planning . Local Plan then we should consider it! continues to climb, mainly due to On this page www wildoxfordshire. . org .uk/directory there are two BLINDS AND CURTAINS directories . The main directory gives you Deborah Manning contact information for organisations School of Dance Made to Measure involved in Oxfordshire’s environment, from Local Environment Groups to local Classes are held weekly in many authorities and statutory agencies . The villages around Oxfordshire. training courses directory allows you Jazz & Commercial Classes to find conservation based training for age 7-18 years are held courses across Oxfordshire . at Finstock Village Hall every Thursday as well as Beginner Adult Ballet & Tap Classes.

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7 Finstock School Update from the Friends of Finstock School (FoFS) We would like to wish everyone a FoFS celebrated a great start to very happy and productive New Year 2020 by tuning up 29 new ukuleles - from all the staff and pupils here at purchased for all the children to learn this Finstock C of E Primary School . We term with The Mill Academy’s specialist have already had an exciting and busy music teacher . We were also celebrating start to the New Year! The children a great result from December’s Raffle are now coming to the end of their and the Christmas Fayre, held in topics, Scrummdiddlyumptious and conjunction with the church . We’d like Hola Mexico, and they look forward to to thank everyone who was involved: sharing all they have learnt with parents Maisie for organising; Judd’s juniors and carers in the coming weeks . for sponsoring our fantastic grotto; It doesn’t seem like long ago everyone who bought raffle tickets and that we were starting our Christmas of course, all our generous prize donors . preparations . December is always a We had a really impressive selection of busy time in schools and we had a prizes this year; together, both events wonderful time getting in the festive raised over £1200 for FoFS - an amazing mood together . On the last Tuesday total given the current small size of the of term, we came together as a school school (under 60 pupils) . and celebrated our Christingle service In 2020, the school is planning a full redevelopment of the upper area adjacent at Holy Trinity Church and what a to the village playing field . All FoFS’ fundraising efforts will be channelled into special event it was . The children this project . Spring events to which the community is very much invited will sang beautifully and thought about include: Pamper Night (March 21st), Spring Garage Sale (Apr/May; date TBA) the true meaning behind Christmas . and Sponsored Walk (May 16th, TBC) . Thank you to Paul the Vicar and all For details of all future FoFS events, please keep an eye on www facebook. . who attended . Our KS1 children also com/FriendsOfFinstockSchool . performed a fantastic nativity play, Did you know .? . You can help raise funds for the school via FoFS, for Come to the Manger and the whole FREE, by signing up to EasyFundraising: www easyfundraising. org. uk/causes/. school congregated for a beautiful finstockprimaryschool . Retailers donate a small amount each time you buy ‘Carols Around the Tree’ service . All online . In addition, we are grateful for individual donations at any time; cheques of the children performed with great can be sent to school or dropped in to the school office, payable to “Friends of confidence and made us feel very Finstock School” . In these days of ever-reducing government funding, FoFS’ role proud . in helping to finance key projects is more important than ever before - every We would like to say a big thank little really does help . !. you to Friends of Finstock School (FoFS) We look forward to seeing you at our open events soon . who held another hugely successful Su Jordan, Chair Christmas Fair, helping to raise lots of funds for our school . There are still homemade cards for sale in the school Can vegetarians eat animal crackers? office, please come and see Jenny if you would like to purchase any . We are so grateful for the continued support Andrew A. Adams of FoFS and the wider community .

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8 Finstock Baby and Toddler Group Beethoven A very Happy New Year to all our readers and welcome to 2020! We hope It is the 250th anniversary of Ludwig you all enjoyed lots of fun-filled celebrations over the festive break . We returned van Beethoven’s birth . He was a to Finstock Toddler Group on Wednesday 8th January and it was great to see so German composer and pianist and a many people join us for the first session of the decade! It made us think about crucial figure in the transition between what we have been up to over the last 10 years and how many changes we’ve seen . the classical and romantic eras in From the early days in the old Village Hall (where we spent a large proportion classical music; he is considered to be of the session still wearing our coats while the heaters warmed up!) to the year one of the greatest composers of all spent at the Church while the new Hall was being built (with a downsized, but time . cosy group), since 2016 we’ve made our home in the new Hall - plenty of space Ode to Joy is an ode written in for little people to run, jump and ride around in their favourite vehicles, warm the summer of 1785 by German poet, floors, funky coloured lights for dancing, and a well equipped kitchen that caters playwright, and historian Friedrich for all our requirements including our termly parties! We’ve seen our numbers Schiller . Ode to Joy is best known grow as people join us, not just from our village but also the surrounding areas as for its use by Ludwig van Beethoven well . So to everyone that has ever attended Finstock Toddler Group - thank you in the final (fourth) movement of his for helping us make so many amazing friends, and wonderful memories together! Ninth Symphony, completed in 1824 . Right, now I’ve shed some happy tears looking back, here’s to the next Decade!! Beethoven’s text is not based entirely We hope to provide our regular attendees with all the usual fun and games each on Schiller’s poem, and introduces a week, with some seasonal highlights along the way . We’ll be celebrating Chinese few new sections . His tune (but not New Year, Valentines Day, and trying out some winter crafts, then looking ahead Schiller’s words) was adopted as the to spring and plenty of other things we haven’t thought of yet!! Of course anyone “Anthem of Europe” by the Council of is welcome to give us ideas or even run a craft sessionthemselves if they fancy it . Europe in 1972 and subsequently by We will be here every week during term-time from 10-11 .30am, with a variety the European Union . of toys each week, arts/crafts, as well as a snack for the little ones, and a hot drink/cake for the adults – this is provided on a rota basis so we are grateful to all our attendees for joining in and helping out with this! We’re a friendly group and love to see you all each week . It’s only £2 per family – if you haven’t tried us out yet the first session is free! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook too, as we have regular updates on our weekly sessions . See you there! Helen & Tammy

Effects of Unsafe Drug Disposal on the Environment Medications that are dumped into the bin or flushed down the sink or toilet can make their way into the water supply and soil . Despite the chemical levels being low, this can still be sufficient to cause harmful effects on our health and the environment . The potential for these chemicals to end up in sources of drinking water is also cause for concern . www .safemedicinecabinet co. uk. . Safety Issues Identify old drugs and make drug disposal safer:– • Regularly go through your medicine cabinet and dispose of old drugs that you no longer take . PJR • Check expiry dates and immediately discard those with passed expiration dates . If you are uncertain Plumbing & Heating whether a drug is still safe to take, Installation, service, repair check with your doctor or pharmacist . • Don’t automatically throw expired Gas safety certificates or unused medications into the garbage or down the sink or toilet . The Co- operative Pharmacy in Charlbury will accept your old medications with the exception of ‘sharps’ . If you have controlled drugs you will need to Tel: 01993 881069 identify them to the pharmacy . For any Mob: 07515 733398 questions you may call 01608-810315 . email: [email protected]

9 Celebrating Oxfordshire’s wonderful beers! Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire Every year, The Finstock Ale brings you wonderful beers Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire to try . We travel miles to fetch the best of Bristol beers, and are providing free energy advice this others from across the country . But we also make sure that winter to help people understand their almost half our beers come from the wonderful brewers energy costs and suggest alternative of Oxfordshire . At the last count, there were 24 small or ways to make savings . micro-breweries in the county, producing an enormous Energy-saving advice sessions range from checking if you are eligible for the range of beer styles from the traditional favourites to the £140 Warm Home Discount, registering extremely adventurous . Yet with few exceptions, you are eligibility with the Priority Register for unlikely to find them on the bar in most of the county’s pubs . For the most part, people in need, helping with supplier this is due to the system of tied houses (where pubs are owned by large national price comparisons and much more . brewing and pub chains) . To try to change this, several of the local brewers joined On average, clients save £150 to forces in 2014 to form the Oxford Brewers Alliance . The aim of the group is to £200 per year . Last year, we helped raise awareness of the great beers that are being brewed but often not getting one family save over £3000 . the exposure that they deserve under the shadow of large international brands . Energy advice sessions are available More recently, the group has also been running the Oxford Beer Week to help over the phone or face-to-face in promote locally produced beers across the county . The beer week is a series of Citizens Advice Witney and Chipping events such as food and beer matching, beer festivals, promotional evenings or Norton offices . Call 892057 or email even comedy nights in pubs and other venues to showcase the amazing range info@citizensadvicewestoxon .org . uk to make an appointment . www . of locally produced beers . The highlight is the BEER BASH, a one day festival on citizensadvice org. uk. . Saturday 16th May 2020 from 12:00 till 9:00 pm, at the Oxford Artisan Distillery (South Park, Oxford, OX3 7QJ) celebrating the very best of local independent craft beers . You can enjoy the Beer Street of brewery bars, where the bars are Healthwatch Oxfordshire run by the brewers themselves: interact and learn about the brewing art with the Your voice on health and social care masters of the craft . Along with the beers there are a whole range of local food The county’s health and social care producers in the Food Market plus a day of great live music from local bands . watchdog collects your opinions and All set in the beautiful grounds of the TOAD distillery, where you can take a experiences and informs and influences tour and meet Nautilus and Nemo, and enjoy a local gin in the historic Barn Bar . those who run your health and social care services . Tickets can be bought on-line for just £10 which includes a commemorative healthwatchoxfordshire co. uk. . glass; kids can come too for free with an adult . For more info and to buy go to: www oxfordbrewers. org/event/big-event. . Download the Health The Finstock Ale team will be there busy sampling new offerings for the 2020 Finstock Ale (September 4th and 5th) . So don’t wait ‘til September – come and APP and find Local join them at the Oxford Beer Week in May! Services Quickly Health and Care Oxfordshire provides advice on when it might be best to visit a pharmacist or a GP, when All the world’s religions point to the same God, but too many people to call NHS 111 or if self-care at home end up worshipping the fingers. Sufi proverb might be more appropriate . It highlights the type of injuries or illnesses seen at PETER SMITH & SON ______minor injuries units and first aid units PELLMANS PETERFUNERA SMITHL DIRECTOR &S L TSOND in Oxfordshire . You can locate your Independent Funeral Directorswith family values nearest health service via interactive Your Local Solicitors FUNERAL DIRECTORS LTD Independent Funeral Directors with family values maps . • Business and Employment Law Pre-paid funeral plans To download the app for iPhone Contracts, Legal Compliance and FunePre-paidral Plann efuneralr of the plansYear 2018 click here: tinyurl com/o8r6p6m. and Disputes for Androids click here: tinyurl .com/ Regional Winner Funeral Planner of the Year 2018 phxl6op • Property Regional Winner Buying and Selling Homes, All typesof memorial work Commercial and Agricultural inclAlludi typesng res tofor memorialation & re nworkovat i on Voucher scheme for • Wills, Probate and Trusts including restoration & renovation Personal 24 hour service ultrafast broadband Tax Planning and Lasting Powers Personal 24 hour service The Government’s Rural Gigabit of Attorney 01 1993993 7 02000 Voucher Scheme offers up to £3,500 for small businesses and £1,500 for homes 01865 884400 which currently have a connection www.pellmans.co.uk speed of below 30 megabits per second Directors: Peter & Sean Smith (Mb/s) . The voucher scheme will help 1 Abbey Street, Eynsham, Witney, 13 Burwell Drive, Witney 35 Burwell Drive, Witney other properties to upgrade to FTTP OX29 4TB 1 Oxon, OX X LP broadband which can deliver speeds Home visits and evening appointments www.peOxon,tersm OX28ithan d5LPson.co.uk www. petersmithandson.co. uk of up to one gigabit per second . Visit available gigabitvoucher culture. gov. uk. .

10 Girl Guides Get help with In December all the Finstock guide units enjoyed a visit from J E. T. falconry . home repairs The girls enjoyed learning about the different birds and a ferret . There are services and funds available The Rainbows unit welcomed the Bert from Sobell Hospice to help people (owners and private fundraising team to collect the sponsored money they tenants) stay independent, safe and well raised in October . in their homes, and Oxfordshire County Meanwhile the Brownies and Guides units have Council has developed a referral service continued to work hard towards their badge work . to help residents (or carers) access the right organisations in their area, to get All sections meet on a Wednesday . the help they need . Rainbows - for girls aged between 5 to 7 years . Contact The type of help that can be provided for Rainbows is Sian - finstock-rainbows@outlook com. . are services such as new boilers, repairs Brownies -for girls aged 7 to 10 years . Guides - for girls to boilers, loft or cavity wall insulation, aged 10 to 14 years . Contact for access to a local and trustworthy repairs Brownies and Guides is Kimberley -Kimberley lovelock@. service and general advice on how to yahoo co. uk. . stay safe, well and affordably warm in your home . For more information or to make a The Oxfordshire Museum Woodstock referral visit www oxfordshire. gov. uk/. The museum is in a large 18th century Paolozzi Foundation, Licensed by homerepairs . house with 10 permanent galleries and DACS 2019 two touring galleries, a beautiful walled A Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition garden which is perfect for picnics, the from the Southbank Centre, London Garden Café and museum Gift Shop . 1980s Britain: Money Changes Admission is free and the town has free Everything parking . February 15th – April 26th Eduardo Paolozzi: General Like no other decade, 1980s Britain was dominated by a single political Dynamic F.U.N. FIREWOOD Open until February 9th figure . As the first woman to serve Paolozzi’s canny alchemy is vividly as a British prime minister, Margaret QualityFIREWOOD Seasoned Hardwood Logs Softwood also available apparent in General Dynamic F U. N,. Thatcher vowed “to move this country in a new direction” . In doing so, QualityKindling Seasoned & Stacking Hardwood Service Logs a series of fifty screen prints and Order Online: www.jagtimber.co.uk she divided the nation into devoted photolithographs created between SoftwoodTel: 01993 also 868001 available supporters and fierce opponents, who 1965 and 1970 . Here Paolozzi rioted and protested in the streets . Kindling & Stacking Service employs the technologies of mass- The 1980s were bold, brash and reproduction and gorges on its idols – contradictory times . An age of boom Order Online: the household names and familiar faces and bust . Of greed, spending and www.jagtimber.co.uk of consumer advertising, high fashion charitable-giving, when hair was big and Hollywood . The artist’s friend and and shoulder pads bigger . The decade Tel: 01993 868001 sometime collaborator, J G. . Ballard, of dandies swaggering in frills and described General Dynamic F U. N. as flounces, while keep-fit fanatics lunged a ‘unique guidebook to the electric in Lycra and legwarmers . The action- garden of our minds’ . packed decade of new technology and West Oxon Decency and Decorum in momentous historic events that shaped Production, 1970 . © Trustees of the our modern world . Handyman & Home Improvement Services Electrical / Plumbing / Flooring / Decorating / Tiling / Woodwork Flat pack furniture / Bathroom & kitchen installation

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11 Shrubs of delight across the mild temperate regions of When potting plants, I place a few the world . The first specimens arrived in used tea bags on top of the drainage English gardens in the 1730s, brought by layer at the bottom of the planter the Tea Clippers . A vast array of single before adding soil . The tea bags will and double cultivated forms are now help to retain water and will also leach grown in many colours, some plants some nutrients into the potting medium even carry several colours . and the leaves can ward off pests We think of Camellias as garden and insects . Camellias also like used flowers, but tea production from coffee grounds for natural acidity and Camellias is economically more nutrients . I also use a sprinkle of Q4 as a important in Asia . In China, tea has fertilizer, but only after flowering usually Camellias light up days in February been used as a beverage for more than April/May time . I use rain water, as our and March, with their deep velvety red, 2000 years, 1000 years in Japan, and its tap water is very alkaline . They need white or pink flowers, nestling in dark cultivation has now spread to more than to drain after watering, but not to go glossy green oval leaves . They grow and 40 countries . Tregothnan, in Cornwall, dry . Browning of foliage and buds can bloom best in partial shade (morning is our first tea producer . Varieties of be due to exposure to cold winds, so sun and dappled afternoon shade are Camellia leaf teas exhibit different a sheltered position is best, too much ideal conditions) with shelter from hot health giving properties and are used wind can also cause the trunk to rock afternoon sun . This is especially true in Chinese and increase the chance of fungal for young plants, which thrive under medicine . attack . the shade of tall trees or grown on the High quality Chiswick House and gardens have north side of a house . Camellias make edible oil one of the oldest collections with 33+ superb patio pot specimens, planted can also be varieties brought from China in 1804 . in well-drained ericaceous compost, e x t r a c t e d Other superb National collections to producing a glorious display of flowers . from visit are at Mount Edgcombe at Tor A thousand years ago Camellias were Camellia seeds and several species Point, The Lost Gardens of Heligan and cultivated ornamentally in Chinese are grown in tea orchards in China Caerhays Castle Estate in Cornwall . gardens . A similar culture developed for cooking oil, and this also has been Robert Bigwood in Japan slightly later, then spreading shown to possess health properties .

Windrush Bike Project The Windrush Bike Project – 2pm . At each session there will be a and knowledge of how to keep it on has launched an open workshop trained mechanic and a volunteer . The the road . We have a price tariff based programme at Cogges Manor Farm workshop is open for anyone to come on the time you spend in the workshop in Witney . Open workshops will be and use our tools, buy spare parts, and and any parts you need for your bike . a space where people can come and get help and advice from the mechanic windrushbikeproject.uk learn to work with bikes . It will run (usually either Will or Cary) . We hope every Saturday and Tuesday from 10am that you will leave with a fixed bike, SOFT PLAY BARN at Charlbury Garden Centre Play for up to 2 hours from Everything Treat just £3.50 per child you need for your yourself to a Our Pizza Café serves homemade, cooked-to-order pizzas; Spring garden break in our snacks & drinks - hot, cold & shaken! in-store delightful NOW Café www.gardenstoreonline.co.uk ! YOU’LL GET SOCIAL, find us on (on the B4022, between Charlbury and Witney) Witney Road, Ramsden, Oxon. OX7 3AS FIND US ON THE WITNEY @gardenstorenews Tel: ROAD BETWEEN 01993 868403 CHARLBURY & formerly Hilltop Garden Store Open 9am-5:30pm Mon-Sat 10:00am-5:00pm* Sun WITNEY. Please note: the Restaurant, Soft Play Barn and Pizza Café will close half an hour before the Garden Centre closes. *Included browsing and shopping up time