Tidmarsh with Sulham Parish Magazine Nov/ Nov/ Dec 2011 50p Tidmarsh with Sulham Editorial Welcome to the November/ December 2011 issue of the magazine! So here we are with the last issue of the year - the weather as I write this has been very pleasant; I am still mowing the lawns and it is almost the end of October – I am sure this is a first! It’s been a pleasure to be in the garden this October with warm sunny days and very little rain. I know this is all set to change! It is this time of year that I think I have prepared well for the onslaught of freezing weather and even worse, snow. This must be a small-holders and farmer’s worst night- mare as it is such hard work lugging water to thirsty animals because the water troughs are frozen and distributing hay as the ground is either frozen or covered in snow. Well I guess I am feeling rather smug as I have my hay nicely stored away and have pur- chased a water bowser which fits on the back of our all-terrain buggy so that I can drive it around a top up troughs in the fields when they are frozen. I am sure there will be some new problem for me to try and get around this winter but for the moment, I think I am fairly well set! We do have one big problem at the moment and it concerns a glossy-coated furry creature! A mink! Well it might be plural – I expect it has a family. These creatures live along river banks and prey on fish, birds, rabbits and maybe even a cat! As I have already seen it skulking by my back door (where my beloved cats venture out a cou- ple of times a day to do their business) you can imagine I am keen to get this creature dispatched as soon as possible. Our first port of call was West Berkshire Council and the Environment Agency – both recommended us to a list of pest control companies. Having called company after company who will see off just about every pest, not one is interested in helping us get rid of our mink! As no other option is available we have today ordered a trap on ‘ebay’ but have already been warned that these wily little devils are not easily caught! As we have never seen one before and mink never normally stray far from the river banks as they happily feed on fish, I am wondering whether the lack of water in the Pang is forcing our friend to hunt for food elsewhere? No doubt everyone reading this magazine has already called into Fielders the farm shop on the Tidmarsh Road. Recently I decided to stop there. What a surprise and a delight – a fantastic range of fresh and frozen produce, mouth-watering pies and deli- cious cheeses – not to mention some really tasteful gift ideas! If, like me, you haven’t bothered to stop there yet – I think it certainly worth a look. It is run by Jo Fielder and she and her staff are extremely helpful and friendly. As always, please continue to send in your news, views, articles and photographs. It is these contributions which really make this a village publication and make it so read- able! Jenny Cope [email protected] or 0774 777 5900 2 Tidmarsh with Sulham Dates for your diary Village walks Village Bike Rides On the first Friday of each month... Village walks leave from Tidmarsh Vil- There will be easy bike rides leaving from lage Hall at 9.30 . Sulham church. If you would like more The routes are not hard and the pace is information before coming on a ride not too fast, walks usually last for 1.5 - 2 please call Gillian on 9842729. hours. All welcome, including well- behaved dogs. Next dates are, Friday 4th November,, Hall of sound Friday 2nd December , Friday 6 January On the last Friday of each month... ...there is a music evening held in Coffee morning Pangbourne Village Hall. The music is per- Tidmarsh Village Hall formed by an ever-changing line up of These are usually held on the first Friday of talented singers and musicians of all ages the month from 11am to 12noon. Normally and is always very varied. Bring your own the village walk precedes the coffee drinks and have a really enjoyable eve- morning. ning not too far from home! All ages are welcome. For more information, or if you would like Next dates are, Friday 4th November, Fri- to take part in future events, go to day 2nd December and Friday 6th Janu- www.hallofsound.co.uk. ary(2012). Christmas Coffee Morning Children’s Christmas Party Tidmarsh Village Hall On Sunday 4th December at 12noon to Friday December 2nd at 11.00 2pm There will be fun with games, party food The coffee morning on December 2nd and a special visit from Santa on his sleigh. will be a special Christmas themed Parents who can help with organisation event. Come and help decorate the would be appreciated. Please book a Christmas tree ready for the children’s place for your child/children by contact- ing Ian Walker on 0118 984 5558. Christmas party, or just enjoy coffee and a mince pie whilst chatting to friends and neighbours. Everyone is welcome. 11 am onwards. Christmas Church Services & Carols See page 20 for full details Parish Magazine 3 Village Hall News 100 Club draw Thank you to everyone who bought 100+ Club tickets. As a result of the amount of tick- ets sold, each monthly draw will be awarded an extra 3rd prize, as well as a Bonus Draw in the New Year. The draws for September and October took place at the Quiz Night on Saturday 8th October, and the winners were as follows:- September Draw: 1st prize £25 Joan Bungay 2nd prize £15 John Pollard 3rd prizes £10 John Rothery, Alison Boyland October Draw: 1st prize £25 Margaret Pawson 2nd prize £15 John Harland 3rd prizes £10 Michelle Mann, John Lindsey The Children’s Christmas Party will be held in the village hall on Sunday 4th De- cember from 12 noon to 2pm. We are delighted that Joanne and Ian Walker are able to organise another fun party for the children of the villages. There will be games, party food, and a special visit from Santa. Please bring a plate of party food. Any parents that can help with organisation would be appreciated. If you have children that would like to attend, please contact Ian Walker to confirm their place on 0118 984 5558, and find out details of what to bring. Hiring the village hall The Tidmarsh with Sulham Village Hall is available for hire. For information on availability and cost of hire, please contact the Bookings Secretary, Denise Randell on 0118 326 6138 or by email at [email protected] 4 Tidmarsh with Sulham Circle Dancing in Pangbourne Circle dancing is a mixture of traditional folk dances (Balkan & elsewhere) and recently choreographed dances, the dances varying from energetic to meditative. Some dances (but not all!) are as easy think they can’t dance!). Why not give as ‘walk walk sway sway”. No partners it a try? You may find you love it! are necessary. Class members describe circle dancing as “a real find” with the wonderful music and the laughter and Circle dance classes are held in the peace that the dancing brings. Small Village Hall in Pangbourne from 11.15am – 1.15pm (every 1st & 3rd Tues- Classes in Pangbourne are run by day of the month) and from 5-7pm trained teachers Margot & Les Peters (every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month) Tel: 0118 9841559 or email: [email protected]. They wel- For exact dates, see Pangbourne Post come newcomers (including those who Office window Come and Sing! We are launching a recruitment drive for singers at St James the Less Church, Pangbourne. Previous or new singers very welcome. Adults and children 7 years old and above, experienced or not. Please contact Michael Wood (0118) 9843874 [email protected] Parish Magazine 5 Oil Buying Update In an early summer magazine issue, I pro- posed finding out if there was enough interest in setting up a group to get a better Heating Oil price through grouping our orders together. The re- sponse was that 12 addresses expressed an interest, so a small group came into being. As a first step, it was agreed to place a group order for those requiring oil at four deliv- ery times during the year: September, December, February and May. An initial order was put together for September this year and seven quotes from local suppliers were received, which ranged upwards from 52.5p a litre, so the cheapest quote was se- lected and the oil was delivered to six local addresses. A Group is attractive to suppliers, because a bulk oil order by standard tanker is cheaper for them to deliver in both driver’s time and tanker costs to a minimum num- ber of close drop off points. So the price quoted by them reflects both their savings and the bulk business offered. If the Group can grow, then more frequent order dates can be offered to members and a stronger negotiating position on price can be established for every group order. There is no membership fee and members pay for their own individual order to that supplier’s invoice terms. If you would like details of the present group scheme or wish to join, please telephone me on 0118 9842621 or e-mail [email protected] John Butler Star “Drip In” September saw David Walliams drip in for lunch at The Swan, Pangbourne on his epic swim of the Thames.