DORCHESTER NEWS December 2015/ January 2016 FREE TO EVERY HOME IN THE PARISH In this issue Talking Point my own and other faiths suggest that Abbey Bell Ringers 11 Just as Dorchester News was going to one thing is true – Peace is threat- Abbey Calendar 26 press we were all stunned by the news ened by fear – because when we are Abbey Christmas Tree 5 of concerted attacks on Paris for the afraid we lash out. Fear makes us Abbey Family Service Orch. 3 second time this year. Whilst the first Abbey Museum 7 feel vulnerable and human instinct is Abbey Tearoom 7 attack was contained and specific this to use what power we have to protect Anne Bowditch 19 attack was more horrific in that it ourselves. Carbon Project 13 targeted places of recreation on a Chiropodist 23 night of the week when we expect What of the Christmas message of Christmas Service 3 people to be enjoying themselves. The Peace in all of this? The Shepherds’ Christmas Tree collection 25 story tells us that the Angels greeting Congratulations Bell Ringers 3 people who died and were injured on Culham Horticultural 7 Friday 13 November were began ‘Fear not…’ when they Dorchester WI 21 taking no risks, standing announced the birth of the Dots Tots 5 up for no principle, offending one they called Saviour. Earth Trust events 13 no-one, simply attending a The baby Jesus was an- Earth Trust fund raising 21 nounced as a new King Fishmonger 7 friendly football match, a Focus on WI 15 rock concert, eating in a and the existing King was Footsteps Christmas Concert 9 café. These are things we so afraid for his own Footsteps Foundation news 21 all do and we felt the shock power that he ordered Friends of Abbey visit 7 all the more because of it. all the children killed. The Halloween 17 Baby Jesus was dubbed Hempcroft Allotment News 7 The symbol of the Eiffel Tower combined HfT Concert 5 Prince of Peace by hymn writers in the Historical Society 7 with the Peace symbol designed by the nineteenth century perhaps because John Howell MP green 1 graphic artist Jean Jullien spread the grown man Jesus of Nazareth Logs for labour 13 quickly across the world reproduced on spoke more often about forgiveness Lorraine Lindsey-Gale green 2 tee shirts, on newspaper banner headlines Max Watson 3 and Peace than anything else. Some Mobile Library 13 and social media. It caught our of his final words handed down by Morten Clements 11 imagination because it reminded us those who shared a final evening with Narnia in the Abbey 9 instantly of Paris and spoke immediately of him were: ‘Peace I leave with you; my Nine Lessons and Carols 3 the desire for Peace. peace I give to you. I do not give to Parish Council Notices green 1 Parliament of Religion 11 you as the world gives. Do not let your Posada 3 As we approach Christmas our human hearts be troubled, and do not let them desire for Peace will be a significant Posada Party 3 be afraid.’ Pre School 17 greeting on the cards we send and Recycling 25 receive and in the messages of politicians, The children in our schools sing a Refuse Collection 25 thinkers and clergy alike. As people hymn ‘Let there be peace on earth Regular events 25 gather to sing or listen to Christmas and let it begin with me’. Naïve as Royal British Legion 5 carols in concerts, church services this sounds in the wake of some Song School 3 St Birinus School 17 and carol singers’ phrases about violence and hatred in our world Talking Point 1 Peace on Earth will be a constantly today it is the best, and perhaps the Team Services 27, 31 Dec. 3 repeated theme. This is no new only starting point we can have Thames Consort 5 aspiration for humanity. because if it was the starting point Traffic speed survey green 1 for everyone there would be nothing Village Bus Services 24 So why, when Peace is a common left to fear. Village Carol Singing 3 Village Christmas Tree 5 desire, do we continually find ourselves I wish you a peaceful Christmas in Village fireworks 9 at odds with one another? Wallingford Corn Exchange 24 your hearts, in your homes and in our Wallingford Gardening Club 23 Of course I can’t offer a definitive answer world. Do not fear and may God Wallingford Historical Society 23 – but so many things in the history of Bless You! Wallingford Museum 23 our nation and our world and in that of Reverend Sue Wallingford Photo Club 23 Wallingford U3A 23 1 Dorchester News December 2015 Dorchester News Minor Injuries Editorial Team The Minor Injuries Unit at Abingdon Hospital, Marcham Road, is Ian Brace, Megan Parry available every day from 10.00 am to 10.30 pm: 01865 903476. Copy Deadlines for Dorchester News A&E Advert Deadlines for Dorchester News The nearest A & E units are at the John Radcliffe Hospital in One week before copy deadline Oxford (01865 741166) and the Royal Berkshire in Reading February edition 8 January (01183 225111) March edition 12 February Health Centre—Berinsfield April edition 11 March Telephone number 01865 340558 Clifton Hampden Surgery Those items in electronic form may be sent via e-mail attachment to Telephone Number 01865 407888 [email protected]. Anything people would like sent to newsletter editors for other churches in the Team should be sent to [email protected] Abbey Guest House Bookings Anyone wishing to hire the Abbey Guest House for private by the 9th of the preceding month. functions, meetings, exhibitions, etc, should contact Hilarie Magazine Advertising Costs Rogers on 01865 340007. Why not use this parish magazine to advertise your business, service, function, etc? There are ten issues per year with double Hire of Dorchester Village Hall issues in July/August and in Dec/Jan. For an eighth of a page To hire our Village Hall, please contact Brenda Edwards; the cost is £11.75, for a quarter page £23.50, for a half page [email protected], or telephone: £35.25 and just £47.00 for a full page. 01865 343062. Please telephone at least 24 hours in advance to arrange collection of the key. All charges are put towards the cost of the paper, printing and The Communal Lounge at Belcher Court postage of copies being sent outside the village. You may The communal lounge at Belcher Court is now available for rent. supply your own advert or we can produce the advert and Contact the Scheme Manager, Caroline Major, on 01865 343128. artwork for a fee. Should you wish to incorporate a logo or artwork, please supply a copy, Street lighting - fault reporting Report any problems with a street light to 0800 317802, which is preferably via e-mail: [email protected]. One-time adverts, please send a cheque, payable to ‘Dorchester available 24 hours a day. Callers will be asked for the address of the site and the nature of the fault. Abbey PCC’, to Nick Forman, Willoughby House, 73 High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames, OX10 7HN. Complaints about highways and footpaths Ring Oxfordshire Highways on 0845 3101111, available five Editorial days a week, with a 24-hour answering facility. Complaints can As ever in December there is much going on in the run up to also be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. Christmas. There will be a Christmas tree in the Abbey, which we are all invited to decorate on 5 December. The previous day Blocked Drains? we can listen to the primary school sing carols at the tree Ring Thames Water for blocked drains on 0800 316 9800. outside the Co-op. On Monday 14th we can go round the village Callers will be asked for the postcode of the address where the singing carols and raising money for ABCD, and we can attend drains are blocked. one of three charity concerts in the Abbey: on the 8th for Home Farm Trust, the 9th for Footsteps, and the 13th for PACT. Then Refuse collection Any residents whose household rubbish is not collected on the of course there will be the traditional service of nine lessons and carols in the Abbey on Sunday 20th December. due date (see page 25) should contact the contractor direct. The number to call is 03000 610610 and the website And in between all that, there will be the Royal British Legion www.morerecyling.co.uk Christmas Draw in The George on the 16th. Berinsfield Library Green Furlong, Berinsfield 01865 340771 In January the regular meetings and societies, some of which will have taken a Christmas break, will resume. Culham and Free Internet access. DVDs can be ordered. District Horticultural Club will meet on the 20th and, on the 27th, Opening hours Mon - closed Tues, Wed, Fri 10.00 am –12.30 pm the Historical Society will have a talk about postcards of Dorchester from Denise Line, which promises to be fascinating. Tues 2.00–7.00 pm Weds, Thurs 2.00–5.30 pm Fri 2.00–5.00 pm Sat 10.00 am – 12.30 pm The one cloud on the horizon is that SODC are considering Village Bus Services removing Green Belt status from the field between the village Information about village bus services is now given on inside and the by-pass, which could lead to it being built on. The back page. Parish Council is keeping an eye on that, and watch out for a possible public meeting in the new year.