GR A PEV INE THE
june/july 2016 edItIOn 298
All the windows in St Margaret’s are attributed to William Morris, designed in 1873.
news fROm the PaRIsh Although my prize winning chocolate fudge cake was not prize winning for the inaugural Lewknor Bake Off and Scarecrow Festival, I swallowed some loser’s Humble Pie and enjoyed the rest of the day. I’ve never seen so many pairs of tights dotted around the village attached to some wonderfully imaginative creations. In some cases heads literally did roll. There’s an article to read about the day on page 2 with photos of the winners.
months. The first meeting for the Horticultural Show is on 14th June and on 18th June, at Town Farm, there will be a coffee morning and BBQ in aid of St. Margaret’s (see page 5 for details of both).
There was quite a debate on Lewknor Life recently about the growing number of red kites in the area and the increase of food being taken from gardens and members of the public feeding them. Cathy Rose From The Chilterns Conservation Board has written a very informative piece on page 8.
And I don’t mention dog poo once...oh damn.
We have some events to look forward to in the next few
And don’t forget the Dad’s Day Out on 9th July, starting from The Leathern Bottle at 1pm and covering 26.2 miles by bike (with pubs!)
dates for the diary Tuesday 14th June: Horticultural Show meeting Saturday 18th June: Coffee Morning, Town Farm Saturday 9th July: Dad’s Day Out Saturday 10th September: Ride & Stride
fROm the edItOR
If you have any suggestions, or would like to write a regular column, submit a piece to be included in the next edition or have a local photograph new or old, please contact Sara-Jane on the new Grapevine email address: grapevinemagazine@hotmail.com.
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WKNOR LASS DOES WELL!
r Lewknor Primary THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016 pupil Katie Dunbar just been made d Girl at Icknield news fROm st. maRgaRet’s mmunity College. This years scarecrow hunt was based on the and there were some fabulous atulationsOlympics, to Katie!
SECOND PLACE
scarecrows on show through the village. The weather was very kind to us on the day and everyone had a lovely time. We also saw the launch of our �irst Great Village Bake Off, and there were some wonderful entries! I think there are many people in the village who can Mary Berry a run for her money! My thanks go to Libby Jackson, Michelle Carpenter-Hanson, Fiona Kendall, Victoria Ashby and the team from Krakatoa, Jeanette and Debbie, for their hard work in organizing the event, and also to Rosemary Ashby and June Waterson for the fabulous cakes (as always) that they made.
THIRD PLACE: The Weston Family
RePORtIng hIghway PROBlems
Newsletter ewsletter
Libby Jackson has posted a notice on the village notice board of the winners. The event raised £460+ to be shared between school, preschool Monday May, 2016 to next year’s and the church.16th We look forward Monday 16thevent May,and 2016 will welcome any ideas for themes for the scarecrows.
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Headteacher’s Welcome
Jean senior Headteacher’s Welcome
The sun shone all day
BREAKING NEWS!
BREAKINGduring NEWS!the Lewknor
Scarecrow Festival. This year there were 17 entries designed King, who works for Oxfordshire’s Early Margaret King, who works for Oxfordshire’s Margaret Early around an Olympic Intervention Service which supports children Intervention with Service which supports children with additional and complex needs, will be giving a talk on autism. additional and complex needs, will be giving atheme. talk on autism. Games The scarecrows were dotted all round the village for children to complete a competition scarecrow trail. This fundraising event is organised by Libby (mum to Thomas), Jean Senior, FoLS, Krakatoa and members of the church. All parents are invited to a special assembly on Friday 17th
All parents are invited to a special assembly on Friday 17th April, starting shortly after 9am. April, starting shortly after 9am.
FIRST PLACE SCARECROW: Christine Smith
up: oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/contact TheLook sun shone all day and select, “Tell us about something”, and there is a during the Lewknor huge listFestival. to choose Scarecrow Thisfrom. It helps to have the postcode. year there were 17 entries One other designed way is to go to: fi xmystreet.com where you around an report Olympic can even Highway defects from other counties. Games theme. Again, the postcode helps. The scarecrows were dotted Withalllessround moneythe available for maintenance, the more village for children to people report something, the better chance of it complete competition being afi xed! scarecrow trail. This fundraising event Caroline hJorth is organised by Libby (mum to Thomas), Jean Senior, FoLS, Krakatoa and members of the JACK GORDON DECORATING church. ALL TYPES OF DECORATING UNDERTAKEN
ng ott scarecrow s Star (see he The winning scarecrow ch was made rk ndparents. was Tennis Star (see ng above), which was made ace was diver nd n Splash (see by Eva’s grandparents. eesby Isabella In second place was diver mum. ors Tom Daley in Splash (see ace in was the right), made by Isabella ily’s Row Your and Anna’s mum. low).
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In third place was the Weston family’s Row Your SECOND PLACE: The Eastick Family Boat (see below).
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Cups for the winners were presented at our Friday’s celebration assembly. A ‘bake-off’ cake competition was
Cups
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Cups presen celebr A ‘bak also winne admin recepti The f £400. helped
THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
BOOK CLUB at lewknoR the looking glass house Vanessea Tait The Looking Glass House by Vanessa Tait had a blurb on the front cover by Kate Saunders, a columnist on The Times, recommending the novel as ‘Moving and original’ which made it sound a promising read. This initial impression was reinforced by reading that the author was the great- granddaughter of Alice Liddell, the little girl who was the inspiration for Lewis Caroll (Charles Dodgson) to write his book, The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. Tait’s book, however, although drawing on the Liddell family archive, is fiction rather than fact and focuses on the life of Mary Prickett, the governess of Alice and her older sister, Ina. Despite Mary existing in reality, the picture we are given is based more on the children’s recollection of her rather than an unbiased account of a young single woman. Her role was less that of an educator of the girls, because they had distinguished Oxford scholars as tutors, but as someone to teach them the household art of needlework and to see they were presentable at parties their parents gave. On one occasion Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and John Ruskin were their guests as was Charles Dodgson then a fellow at Christchurch College where Alice’s father was the Dean. When the novel opens, Dodgson has already become a familiar presence in the children’s lives taking numerous photographs of them but is regarded as somewhat tiresome by their mother Mrs Liddell but she reluctantly agrees to their continuing relationship with Dodgson. Poor Mary feels an affinity with Dodgson but when her affection is disregarded by him, the author makes her the originator of the rumour which ultimately destroys the relationship of Dodgson with the Liddell girls. We enjoyed this portrait of Oxford in the midnineteenth century and Tait illustrates well the uncomfortable position a governess had at the time. Alice and Ina do not make her life easy so we were in sympathy with Mary having an uncomfortable feeling that Tait had taking a degree of poetic licence in telling the story of a real person. Ultimately we thought The Looking Glass House was the product of a Masters degree in creative writing but sadly by an author not of the calibre of Ian McEwan. Victoria Hislop’s The Return is a novel which moves between two time frames, that of Spain during the Civil War of 1936 to 1939 and then the early 21st
century when Sonia and her friend, Maggie, go on a holiday to Granada to improve their salsa dancing. They had started to learn this in London but in Spain Sonia becomes fascinated by flamenco music and dance. She spends time at a quiet café, El Barril, and gets to know the owner, an elderly waiter, who tells her the story of the people pictured in two fading posters on the café wall. One is of a bullfighter and the other of a beautiful young woman in a dramatic flamenco pose. They are Ignacio and Mercedes Ramirez, a brother and sister, whose family who originally owned the café. Sonia learns that before the onset of the Civil War, Mercedes had met a young guitarist whilst dancing in the gipsy quarter of Granada. Inevitably they fell in love and together travelled through Spain for Mercedes to perform whilst Javier played to enthusiastic audiences. However, the Civil War changes the lives of the Ramirez family for ever. Two brothers, Ignacio and Antonio, find themselves on opposite sides in the war- Ignacio supporting the Fascists led by General Franco while Antonio is on the side of the democratically elected leftwing Republican Government. Granada quickly falls to the Fascists and descends into chaos, Ignacio is killed and both Mercedes and Antonio leave, Mercedes to search for Javier and Antonio to fight on the Republican side in Madrid. The novel then traces their journeys and their ultimate fates with Mercedes eventually reaching England as a refugee just as the Second World War. The conclusion reveals the connection between Sonia and the Ramirez family which is subtly hinted at during the narrative. It is evident from the two novels of Hislop’s we have read, The Thread, which was based in Greece, and now The Return that the backgrounds for both have been very well researched. The history of the Spanish Civil Wat is confusing to say the least and the author uses her story to illustrate the horror, devastation and sorrow that a Civil War brings to a country. However, the characters, she invents, never become more than stereotypes unlike Hemingway’s in For Whom the Bell Tolls where the reader feels that she almost breathes the same air as the people he creates. Perhaps Victoria Hislop should return to a more academic style for her next literary outing. Our next book will be The Hundred Year Old Man who climbed out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson translated from the Swedish by Roy Bradbury. We can’t wait! If you are interested in joining the bookclub, we meet on Wednesday evenings monthly and I can be contacted on the number below. All are welcome! Elan Preston-Whyte 01844 350 382
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Primary School Community Newsletter
THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016 d Primary School celebrated May Day in style with some tradi=onal maypole with a parade by the May Queen and King, two Year 6 children who won the names were plucked out of a hat, and their two aHendants, who were the he school. The children then sang the May Day song, May Time, before the Lewknor C of E ren in Upper Juniors (Years 5 and 6) and Year 1 also performed ScoOsh reels. ended the event with a blessing and the children sang All Things Bright and Primary School
of E hool sletter
Lew Prim Comm
Lewknor Church of England Primary Schoo Community Newsletter
in style with some tradi=onal maypole King, two Year 6 children who won the nd their two aHendants, who were the e May Day song, May Time, before the nd Year 1 also performed ScoOsh reels. the children sang All Things Bright and
dancing. The event began with a parade by
children were kept occupied and busy with the coveted roles actiaGer their names many adventurous vities on offer. The childrenwere pluc had the chance to parti cipate in at caving, archery, youngest girl and boy the school. The c climbing, quad biking, laser quest, assault courses dancing commenced. Children in Upper Jun and evening campfires. all the children got stuck into activiti es with enthusiasm ended and manythe event The the Rev. Peter Waterson surprised themselves when they overcame fears. Beau=ful. Kingswood, they agreed, was so much fun and gave lots of chances to really challenge themselves. them
uniors class (Years 3 and 4) had an exci=ng =me when they went on a three-day wood, an outdoor ac=vity centre, in Staffordshire. For many, this was their first there was no =me to be homesick because the children were kept occupied and turous ac=vi=es on offer. The children had the chance to par=cipate in caving, ng, laser quest, assault courses and evening campfires. All the children got stuck husiasm and many surprised themselves when they overcame fears. Kingswood, un and gave them lots of chances to really challenge themselves.
Children in all year groups made scarecrows, based s made scarecrows, based on an Olympics theme, which were placed around on an Olympics theme, which were placed around lewknor Church of England Primary School =ng =me when they went on a three-day aise funds for the school, Krakatoa, the village pre-school, and St Margaret’s celebrated may day in style with some traditional lewknor Village to help raise funds for the school, affordshire. For many, this was their first umper scarecrow, a gymnast swimmer kayaker the scarecrow Krakatoa, village pre-school, and St margaret’s maypole dancing. scarecrow, The event a began withand a a use the children were kept occupied and ers also joined in the fun and produced cyclists, divers and Olympic torch bearer The children in the Lower Juniors class (Year There was a ski-jumper scarecrow, a parade by the may Queen and King, two Year 6 Church. had the chance to par=cipate in caving, were then invited to take part in a scarecrow trail, which involved finding all 17 scarecrow, a swimmer and a kayaker children who won the coveted roles after their gymnast residen=al course at Kingswood, an outdoor ening campfires. All the children got stuck names were plucked out of a hat, and their two scarecrow among many others. Villagers also he village and matching them up to the names on their clue sheet. The winners =me away from home but there was no =me s when they overcame fears. Kingswood, joined in the fun and produced cyclists, divers and attendants,bake-off who were the awarded youngest girl and boy ners of a compe==on were medals and winners of the prize Olympic torch bearer scarecrows. The children at the school. The children then sang the may Day ally challenge themselves. were awarded a cake. busy with the many adventurous ac=vi=es o were then invited to take part in a scarecrow trail, song, may Time, before the dancing commenced. LEWKNOR C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL HIGH STREET LEWKNOR OXFORDSHIRE OX49 archery, climbing, quad biking, laser quest, a in Upper Juniors (Years 5 and 6) and Year5TH which involved finding all 17 scarecrows dotted mpics theme, Children which were placed around lcome to visit for a tour of our school and to meet our headteacher. If you would Headteacher: D Cole round the village andWebsite: matching them up to the 1 also performed Scotti sh reels. The Rev. Peter Mrs into the ac=vi=es with enthusiasm and many he village pre-school, and St Margaret’s Telephone: 01844 351542 E-mail: office.3184@lewknor.oxon.sch.uk e telephone the school on the above number or email the school office. names on their clue sheet. The winners were Waterson ended the event with a blessing and www.lewknor.eschools.co.uk w, a swimmer a kayaker they agreed, was so much fun and gave them cups. Winners of a competition baketheand children sang allscarecrow Things bright and beautiful. awarded cyclists, divers and Olympic torch bearer off were awarded medals and winners of the prize ecrow trail, which involved finding all 17 The children in the lower Juniors class (Years 3 draw (correct quiz entries) were awarded a cake. e names on their clue sheet. The winners and 4) had an exciting time when they went on Children in all year groups made scarecrow ve parents are welcome to visit for a tour of a three-day residenti course Lewknor Village to help raise funds for the warded medals and winners of al the prize at Kingswood, an Prospecti outdoor activity centre, in Staffordshire. for many, our school and to meet our headteacher. If you would Church. There was a ski-jumper scarecrow, MARY SCHOOL LEWKNOR a visit, please telephone the school this wasHIGH their STREET first time away from homeOXFORDSHIRE but like to arrange OX49 among many others. Villagers also joined in the above number or email the school office. there was no5TH time to be homesick because the on nd to meet our headteacher. If you would Headteacher: Mrs D Cole scarecrows. The children were then invited umber or email the school office. 844 351542 E-mail: office.3184@lewknor.oxon.sch.uk Website:
LEWKNOR C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL HIGHscarecrows doHed round the village and ma STREET LEWKNOR OXON OX49 5TH www.lewknor.eschools.co.uk Headteacher: Mrs D Cole Telephone: 01844 351542 awarded cups. Winners of a compe= E-mail: office.3184@lewknor.oxon.sch.uk were Website: www.lewknor.eschools.co.uk
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LEWKNOR OXFORDSHIRE OX49
draw (correct quiz entries) were awarded a c
Prospec=ve parents are welcome to visit for like to arrange a visit, please telephone the s
THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
LEWKNOR fete and show Summer is almost here and thoughts are turning towards the annual fete and horticultural show, a high point of the local calendar and always well supported by the community. It’s time to start planning the event – the first meeting will take place on Tuesday 14th June at 7.30pm at 22 High Street, Lewknor. Please come along and share your views and ideas for this year’s show – all welcome. See you there. If you can’t come to the meeting you can phone 01844 353283 instead.
COFFEE MORNING EVERYONE WELCOME 11AM – 2PM Town Farm, High Street Lewknor Saturday 18th June Margaret’s Church In aid of St Ma BRIC-A-BRAC BOOKS BAR-B-QUE PLANTS FOR SALE GREAT COMPANY!
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needles and PIns wIth alIsOn swaIn
As any of you who enjoy sewing and knitting etc. will know, we are yet again in the midst of a new “Great British Sewing Bee” series. This is, as always, essential viewing for me, although the challenges set do seem to have become increasingly more complex. As a lifelong sewing enthusiast, I do question the capability of even the best of the entrants to be able to complete such tasks in such a short time, especially given the high standards expected. Whilst assisting a doctor with a procedure at work the other day, and watching him doing some stitches for the patient on the receiving end I was struck with thinking about the whole origin of sewing and the similarity of techniques – the stitches he tied were really very similar to the way stitchers would do a “French knot” – a decorative stitch frequently used in embroidery and cross stitch.
colours, details and a wide variety of decorative stitches. If you didn’t know of it you might not necessarily find her site very easily. Her blog is well worth a read if this topic is of interest to you, where she writes at great length about how her designs are created in the first place. you can have a look at it here:- https://twneedlework.wordpress.com/ you will see on there that she is working on an extensive new piece called “Illuminata” and I look forward to this being completed and available to purchase. I very much doubt, however that it will be a project to finish in a short time frame – this challenge will probably take me years, rather than mere hours, to complete! And talking of time, just a reminder to finish up with – you now have approximately 3 months before the horticultural show challenge – so let’s get stitching!
This prompted me to do a little investigation into the origins of sewing and incredibly it dates back to prehistoric times. As far back as 25,000 years ago it was thought that garments were fashioned then with needles made from animal bones, antlers or ivory. Thread was made from plant fibres, sinews and catgut. Iron sewing needles have been found in Germany which date back to the 3rd century BC and around the same time in China was when the earliest recorded thimble was found. Sewing continued by hand for centuries and only became more mechanised with the invention of the sewing machine in the 19th century. However hand techniques still continue across the world, for producing more elaborate, decorative, and delicate pieces. Sewing Bee has without doubt helped to instigate a new interest in sewing and this is all to the good for those of use for whom the interest has never gone away. Many fabric shops and haberdasheries have disappeared from our high streets in recent years, making it very difficult to find resources for home sewing. When I moved to this area 18 years ago, there were two thriving fabric and craft shops in Thame, both now long since gone. This sewing revival however will hopefully help reverse this. Already it is possible to find paper sewing patterns, knitting patterns and woosl on Amazon and if you search sewing online you will find literally millions of websites. My absolute favourite cross stitch designer is a lady called Teresa Wentzler, who designs the most intricate and amazing pictures for cross stitching with incredible
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UPPER CHALFORD FARM OPEN EVENING BETWEEN SYDENHAM & POSTCOMBE CHINNOR OX39 4NH
PAUL AND JANE ARE OPENING THEIR GARDEN FOR CHARITY ON THREE EVENINGS FROM 4.00 TO 7.30PM ON J UNE 23RD AND JULY 7TH. THE GARDEN IS VERY VARIED WITH SEPARATED ROOMS, INCLUDING A STREAM LINKING UPPER AND LOWER PONDS TO A WOODED AREA. DO COME AND SUPPORT NGS AND MS RESEARCH FOR OUR SON MAX. EXPLORE WITH A GLASS OF PIMMS (£2) A DMISSION £5.00, CHILDREN FREE.
Jean Senior 07825 813 137
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
feeding red kites causes concern
gardens, people may be discouraging the birds from spreading out and finding their food naturally, which could ultimately lead to an unsustainably high population of red kites, becoming reliant on human hand-outs. Also, the food being offered to the kites is often cooked, which offers little nutritional benefit to the birds, and may contain salt and other additives, which could pose a threat to the birds’ health.
Red kites are now a familiar and much-loved sight over the Chilterns. Since their re-introduction to the area in the early 1990s, their numbers have risen dramatically, and the local population is now estimated to be well over 2,000 breeding pairs. They are birds of prey that primarily scavenge on the carcasses of dead animals, sometimes taking small live prey such as rodents and chicks when the opportunity arises. They also capitalise on food left out for them by local people, often clustering around gardens in towns and villages waiting for hand-outs. When fed regularly, red kites become bold and fearless of humans, sometimes taking food from people’s hands, and in rare cases, causing injury in the process. While the spectacle of a close encounter with a red kite may be thrilling to those people who feed them, for others who don’t feed this bold behaviour can be highly alarming. Increasingly, red kites in the Chilterns are being branded a menace for disrupting school lunchtimes and other al fresco dining. Some people are worried that the birds have come too close to their pets. Others are complaining that their cars and washing have been soiled by kite droppings; raw meat scraps have been dropped in their gardens and rat numbers have increased. There have also been claims that aircraft could be at risk of hitting red kites near airfields at Benson and Booker. There are conservation and health concerns too. The re-introduction of red kites to the Chilterns has been an incredible success, with the population increasing year-on-year, but it is important that the growing numbers of kites can be sustained by the natural food sources available to them in the wider countryside. There is no shortage of naturally available food in the Chilterns to sustain a healthy population of red kites, so supplementary feeding is not necessary. By feeding red kites in their
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Conservation organisations are being asked to do something about this ‘nuisance’ behaviour. The truth is, there is nothing we can do if people continue to feed the birds. They are wild animals that should be left to find their food naturally in the wider countryside, thus maintaining a sustainable balance with their ecosystem. People who feed these birds are encouraging them to breed at higher densities than they would otherwise do if supplementary food were not offered, leading to an unsustainably large population of kites in areas where they are being fed, and a public perception that there are ‘too many’ of them. While it’s not illegal to feed kites and we appreciate that people get great enjoyment from seeing the birds close-up, we hope that those who currently feed the kites will take heed of the social concerns and the issues of over-population, and gradually reduce their feeding over time, eventually stopping altogether. This will allow the birds time to adjust to finding their food more sustainably, spreading out from their core areas in the process. So, to feed or not to feed? If you really care about the long-term conservation of red kites in the Chilterns, the answer from the Chilterns Conservation Board is, “Please don’t”. Cathy Rose, Chilterns Conservation Board
Stefanie O’Bryen Family Solicitor Divorce • Conveyancing • Probate • Wills Contact your local solicitor for a friendly and efficient service Telephone: 01491 614 700 20 Shirburn Street Watlington, OX49 5BT Email: SOBfamlaw@hotmail.com Home appointments by arrangement
THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
your river needs you! Would you like to learn more about your local river and its wildlife? Do you have a small amount of free time each month, ranging from 10 minutes to a few hours? Have you always wanted to volunteer but weren’t sure where to start? Would you like to be part of a group that makes a real difference to the way that we see and treat our local rivers? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then we would love for you to get in touch. The River Thame Conservation Trust is a small charity, founded by a group of local people in 2012. Over the past few years the organisation has grown and is now working hard to improve and protect our local river. You can read more about the Trust and what we do on the website www.riverthame. org. If you are reading this article, then it is very likely that you like less than a few miles from the River Thame or one of its many tributaries. We are desperately seeking volunteers who would like to help us collect information about our local river, this information can range from taking a quick water sample once a month to surveying for birds, insects, mammals or even recording the habitat. We will provide full training and support to all volunteers, we will also endeavour to show you how the information that you collect is being used. We need to learn more about this incredible river to help us plan our future work and ensure its long-term protection; but we can’t do this alone, please call or send an email to: Emily Godfrey (Project Officer) Email: emily@riverthame.org Mobile: 07413936048
Need help with your computer? • • • • •
Using the internet Setting up email Buying and selling on Ebay Downloading your digital photos Word-processing, spreadsheets, etc
monitoring adders for the wildlife trust
As a member of the West Berkshire reserves team for the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), I have the opportunity to become involved with some truly incredible wildlife experiences. I am based at Greenham Common in Newbury which is the single largest area of lowland heathland across the three counties and a favourite site of the adder, around which this article is focussed. The adder (Vipera berus) is one of six native reptile species to UK and the only venomous snake. They can grow up to 65cm, have a distinctive zig-zag pattern down their backs and are predominantly brown (females) and silvery-grey (males). They predate on small mammals such as voles, lizards and ground nesting birds and can fall subject to predation themselves; a favourite prey item of the buzzard. They are sadly falling in numbers due to habitat loss and fragmentation, but at BBOWT we are trying to help the adders by carefully managing heathland habitat and tracking their movement across this. Greenham Common near Newbury is one the few remaining strongholds in Berkshire for adders and with the help of reptile specialist Nigel Hand we are monitoring adders and learning more about their behaviour and whether they interact with other colonies. For their survival in the long-term, adders must reproduce with neighbouring adders in order to strengthen the genetic diversity of the populations, thus improving their chances of survival. At the moment, we are tracking ten adders and we do this using a radio-tacker. Each year, the adders are tagged which involves catching them, placing them in an open ended tube where we measure them, check their overall health and then tape a small tracker on the rear of the snake. This tag then emits a radio signal once we have tuned into that particular frequency. It is not always possible to locate them , particularly in bad weather as they bury themselves deep within leaf matter and log piles, but in good weather we have found them basking in the sun. At the end of about two months, they slough their skin and the tag naturally falls off, ready for us to collect and start the process next spring! fiona meere
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
LEWKNOR PARISH COUNCIL www.lewknor-pc.org.uk
Recent Local Planning Applications Below are the planning applications that have been considered by the Council and their current status: i) P16/S1092/O Land at Weston Road Lewknor Outline application for residential development up to nine dwellings, including affordable housing, together with access, parking, landscaping and any other associated infrastructure with all matters reserved except for means of access Decision awaited ii) P16/s1132/hh shire’s end, london road, postcombe Two storey rear extension and insertion of first floor side window approved iii) p16/s1144/hh 20 weston road, lewknor Erection of two-storey front extension and single storey rear extension (Amendments proposed: will be considered at Parish Council’s June meeting iv) P16/S1378/AG BEECH GROVE FARM, THAME ROAD, POSTCOMBE Erection of an agricultural barn FULL PLANNING APPLICATION REQUIRED To view the full planning register go to: www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/find-application/planning-application-register
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Friday mornings 9.30-11.30am Chinnor Village Hall TiddlyPeeps is a friendly social group for mums to be, parents, grandparents, nannies, childminders, carers, babies and toddlers. TiddlyPeeps is a non-profit making organisa=on, run by a commi>ee of volunteers, first started in July 2007. We pride ourselves on being a very friendly and welcoming group and are very fortunate to have have a suppor=ve, friendly and enthusias=c commi>ee (all of whom can be recognised by their commi>ee badges!) As well as the usual selec=on of baby, toddler and pre-school toys, we regularly put out play dough and arts and craJs (seasonal when appropriate). We also have home-made cakes one Friday a month, messy play and occasional visitors. We generally run every Friday morning from 9.30-11.30am in Chinnor Village Hall. We stop play at approximately 10.30am to sit down and the children have a drink and a biscuit (both provided) - this is followed by singing, which is usually led by a commi>ee member. We charge £1.50 per family to cover our running costs. Tea/coffees for adults are served by dedicated local volunteers, whose support we are most grateful for.
If you would like to get in touch or would like more details, please feel free to contact us.
www.#ddlypeeps-chinnor.co.uk e-mail@#ddlypeeps-chinnor.co.uk or ask to join our facebook page - TiddlyPeeps
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
Krakatoa Pre-school will be offering afternoon sessions for 3 year olds from September 2016. We will also have an early drop off option. Please contact Jeanette for further information about our f lexible hours and to find out more Krakatoa Pre-school.
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
Charity no: 1022381
Charity no: 1045910
Bike Marathon - 9th July 2016
Join us for a 26.2 mile sponsored bike ride through the Chiltern countryside and raise funds for both Krakatoa Pre-School and The Friends of Lewknor School. Dress code: Start time: Refreshments:
Your free Dads’ Day Out T-Shirt … 1pm at the Leathern Bottle, Lewknor Three mighty fine public houses along the way
Speak to James Mitchell-Smith (07984 166969) at School or Richard David (07786 141819) at Krakatoa to join the team. Entry fee £10 per rider and get fundraising at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/DADSDAYOUT2016
Beat the Clock challenge For the truly keen there will be an additional ride at 11am before the main event. Educationline Ltd will donate £50 for every rider that completes the course in under 1hr 25mins. Participating riders will then join the other riders to do the course again! www.educationlinerecruitment.co.uk
Post ride Auction Everyone welcome at the Leathern Bottle from 5.30pm onwards for the post ride auction to help raise even more money.
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
jones
Hi folks, my name is Jones and I am 13 years old. Unfortunately my owner became ill and could no longer care for me so I am now waiting for my new forever home. I am a chatty chap who likes company, in my previous home I was a real lap cat and I like a gentle fuss. I am looking for a quiet home where I can spend my days dozing, popping in and out into the garden and maybe doing the odd spot of hunting! I am also very foody and get very excited whenever I am being fed. Although I am an older chap, I am full of character! I think I would make great company for someone who can offer me a lovely home. lewknor blue cross London Road (A40), Lewknor, OX49 5RY 0300 777 1500
Lewknor C of E Primary School High Street, Lewknor, Oxon, OX49 5TH www.lewknor.eschools.co.uk
WATLINGTON GARDENING CLUB The new programme for 2015/2016 includes such subjects as clematis, plant collecting, the history of trees, euphorbias, colour in the garden..... Why not join our Gardening Club or come as a visitor to see if you enjoy our talks? NEXT MEETING at 7.45pm in Watlington Town Hall: Everyone Welcome We have a Summer Social in July for members on Wednesday 6 July, Â and no meeting in August. Contact Caelia Pereira on 01491 612368 for details of time and venue. Â Watlington Gardening Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month in the Town Hall at 7.45pm. Free parking is close by in the town car park. We have a programme of speakers throughout the year and garden visits in the summer including a coach trip further afield. Our meetings include a plant table and free coffee and biscuits. For further information please contact Caelia Pereira, Chairman, 01491 612368 or Email: caeliaperiera@aol.co.uk
We welcome parents to take a look around our school and meet our Headteacher, Mrs Cole To arrange a tour of the school and meet our Headteacher, please call 01844 351542 or e-mail office.3184@lewknor.oxon.sch.uk We look forward to welcoming you
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
INTERIOR
AND EXTERIOR DECORATOR
Providing exceptional customer service since 1974
MOTs : TYRES : SERVICES : REPAIRS LOAN CARS : LIFTS & COLLECTIONS
01844 278177 Camp Industrial , Rycote Lane, Milton Common, Oxon, OX9 2NP
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
Books to borrow or buy through donation now available in St.Margaret’s. There is a good range of children’s and adult’s books, fiction and non-fiction. Please feel free to swap books, borrow or buy. Any proceeds will go directly to the upkeep of the church. Please pop in and take a look!
Wool appeal! Everyone has an unfinished knitting project at the back of their cupboards! Heather Weston’s mum would gratefully accept donations of wool in any colour or amount for recycling into blankets for homeless and international charities. Please call Heather on 07968 280 856
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
Lee Beckett
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
The Home Care Specialists
Do you need a Helping Hand? Our local care team has been providing award winning quality homecare since 1989. A family run company we offer you a one-to-one full time Live-in Care service that enables you or your loved one to remain at home with compassion and dignity by assisting with: personal care, companionship, errands and housekeeping. So if you are looking for an alternative to residential care or as a short term answer whilst recovering from illness or operation then we’re here to help.
If so, check if you’re eligible for a FREE boiler! The Oxfordshireshire Affordable Warmth Network is pleased to be accessing ECO grants in partnership with British Gas to offer free replacement boilers to homeowners and private renting tenants whose boilers are rated D or below and are in receipt of certain benefits. An easy way to check your eligibility and to discover how else we can assist you is via our freephone helpline:
0800 107 0044 Or email us:
awn@nef.org.uk
Funding is only available for a limited time, so please don’t delay. Lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
To find out how we can help you, call: 0808 180 1016 or visit: www.helpinghands.co.uk
tuesday nIght YOGA At 7-8.30 PM cONtAct VIckI ON 07947 149 675 0R 10844 347 162
wednesday nIght DOG OBEDIENcE At 6-8 PM
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THE GRAPEVINE june/july 2016
LEWKNOR PARISH DIARY june 2016 12th june young puzzlers 10.30am st. margaret’s 13th june parish council meeting 7.30pm jubilee hall 19th june holy communion 9.00am st. margaret’s 19th june family service 10.30am st. lawrence
july 2016 3rd july holy communion 9.30am st. margaret’s 11th july parish council meeting 7.30pm jubilee hall 10th july young puzzlers 10.30am st. margaret’s 17th july family service 10.30am st. lawrence 31st july holy communion 9.00am st. lawrence If you would like to include any events or meetings in the diary, please let the editor know via the grapevine email address: grapevinemagazine@hotmail.com
Visit us at: The High Street Lewknor Oxfordshire OX49 5TN 01844 350350 fabricfields@aol.com Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 1.30pm
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