Issue 21
April 2009
FREE COPY
Community Times Apr ‘09
In The Vale Delivered FREE to homes in Faringdon, Wantage and Grove
Visit the magazine ONLINE at www.ctinthevale.co.uk
THIS MONTH IN COMMUNITY TIMES: WIN a fantastic hair restyle & colour worth over £100
FR What to do in the garden this month E Fab free ideas for the Easter holidays Pic E M Brand new Grumpy Old Men column k m AG e AZIN Part 3 of our Ancestry series up E Plus much more ... !
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Good news for Stanford in the Vale! COMMUNITY PHARMACY Full range of pharmacy services available including: ♦ ♦ ♦
♦ ♦ ♦
Easy access to advice from a pharmacist NHS & Private prescription dispensing Repeat prescription collection from local GP surgeries Medicines Use Reviews Residential & Nursing Homes Service Full range of over the counter medicines and products
Vale Pharmacy 25 High Street, Stanford in the Vale
01367 718721 Registered no. 1490025 Registered office: 6 Newbury Street, Wantage, Oxon OX12 8BS
To advertise call 01367 888229
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Introduction
Community Times In The Vale
Publisher: Publisher: Community Times Limited Community Times Ltd
From the editor
Alison Neale - Editor Alison Neale - Editor
Hello,
9 Cromwell Close Whilst every care has been taken Faringdon SN7 7BQin this to ensure that the data 01367 888229 Editorial: publication is accurate, neither 01367 888229 Advertising: Editorial and the publisher norAdvertising: its editorial Email: 01367 888229 contributors can accept, and info@ctinthevale.co.uk Mobile: 07927 330293 herby disclaim, any liability to any Fax: 01367 700207 party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting Email: Website: from negligence, accident or any info@ctinthevale.co.uk www.ctinthevale.co.uk other cause.
We have a bumper issue for you this month, and I really hope there will be something for everyone!
Website: www.ctinthevale.co.uk Community Times Ltd does not officially endorse any advertising Whilst every material includedcare withinhas this been taken to ensure that the data in publication. this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its is the registered editorial contributors can accept, trademark of and hereby disclaim, Community Times Ltd.any liability to any party to loss or damage caused errors or All rights by reserved. No omissions part of resulting from may negligence, accithis publication be dent or any other cause. reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in Community Times Ltd does not any form - electronic, officially endorse any advertising mechanical, photocopying, material or included this recording otherwisewithin - without publication. prior permission of the publisher.
Is the registered trademark of Community Times Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without prior permission of the publisher.
We have not just one but three great competitions for you in this issue. As well as our regular Spot The Horse and online competition, Woods Hair Salon at Carswell Golf & Country Club in Faringdon are offering one lucky reader a hair restyle, colour and deluxe cut and blow dry worth over £100. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get yourself a brand new style for Spring! I’m delighted to welcome two new columnists to the magazine this month - Faringdon gardener Jo Walsh, and our very own Grumpy Old Man, David P. Elliot. I hope you’ll enjoy their articles. We also bid a fond farewell to Tony Hadland, who writes his last column for us before he retires as Administrator for the Vale & Downland Museum. Finally, many thanks to Martin Spackman for this month’s cover photo of the 'Africa Embracing Egypt' statue in the grounds of Faringdon House. Have a very happy Easter! Best wishes,
Alison
Alison Neale - Editor Community Times In The Vale
Contents Local News and Events..……………... 4 Vale & Downland Museum column …. 10 Competition - win a restyle & colour …... 12 Arts news ……………………………... 14 Day in a Life …………………………….16 Health & fitness ……………………….. 17 Gardening ……………………………... 18 Your Pets with Robert Elliott ………… 20 Competition - win a Blu-ray system ... 22 Ancestry part three …………………… 23 Ed Vaizey ……………………………... 27 Food and Drink ………………………. 28 Sport news …………………………….. 30 Grumpy Old Man ……………………... 31 Family Days Out …………………………. 32 Party Planning ………………………... 34 Puzzles/Horoscopes ……. ………….. 36
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Longcot School news ... 38 Green news ………..….. 40 Horoscopes …………… 42 Helen House column….. 43
Community Pages The Small Ads
44
Useful Numbers
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Next Month’s Deadline 46 Index of Advertisers
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Community Times In The Vale
Wantage Business Breakfast Club Honours Local Businesses The Wantage & District Business Breakfast Club celebrated its 8th birthday in style, with a breakfast party at Lains Barn, complete with balloons, music from local group Cornucopia and a ceremony to present awards to local business people who have made valuable contributions to the club. More than 60 members attended displaying strong evidence of both personal camaraderie and valuable business networking. As in previous years it was far from easy to choose which members should receive the awards. In the end five members emerged as the deserving winners and were presented with a bottle of champagne and framed certificate. Those winners were Lesley Barter of Oxfordshire Education Business Partnership (OEBP), Monika Becker of Monika Becker HP Alternative Therapies, Stuart Roper of Milagro Design Consultancy, Bryan Orchard of Cameo-IT and Patrick O’Leary of The Dolphin Gallery.
Help Needed!
First Babies Group for Grove
Didcot Christmas Street Fair Committee is looking for volunteers to help with its 16th Christmas Street Fair, to be held in November. The Committee are looking for a couple of people willing to help with fundraising by attending other events locally with tombola stalls or raffles. There is also an opportunity for a qualified electrician to support the event; there is a small team who put all the lighting on the charity stalls and respond during the event to any electrical problems but they need a qualified electrician to oversee their work.
A new group for first time (and expectant) parents with their first born child/children from birth to 15 months started in Grove last month. Meeting every Monday (except Bank Holidays) the group offers an opportunity to meet with other new parents, make new friends and share experiences in an informal way, over a cup of tea/coffee. A Health Visitor will drop in on a regular basis for parents to discuss any issues and there will be opportunities to attend courses in baby massage and paediatric first aid. The group is organised by HomeStart Southern Oxfordshire and is part of the service offered and funded by Grove Children’s Centre.
If you are able to help and would like to join this highly motivated team who give joy and fun to the community of Didcot please contact Chairman Jeanette Howse on 0777 1967633 or e mail publicitiy@didcotchamberofcommerce.com
Home-Start is a voluntary organisation offering support and friendship to parents with at least one child under 5, and has extensive experience of running First Babies Groups. Currently groups are also held in Didcot and North Abingdon. Parents find the groups easy to access and because they are all ‘First Time Parents’ they are going through similar stages with their babies, which can be very reassuring in those early months.
Win £20 in Spot the Horse! If you fancy winning a crisp £20 note just look out for the small horse hidden in one of our CT adverts (not Vale Garage or V&D Museum). Send your name, address and the name of the advert where the horse is hidden to: Spot the Horse March, CT In the Vale, 9 Cromwell Close, Faringdon SN7 7BQ or email your details including your address to spotthehorse@ctinthevale.co.uk .
Just come along, any time between 10.30 and 12noon, to the Grove Parish Church, Main Street, or, for more information please contact Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire, tel: 01235 511152 To advertise call 01367 888229
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Business Breakfast Club organisers Colin Wilkins and Reg Waite with Mark Sadler and Laura Szuca from Fox FM, who presented some of the awards.
Closing date is 30th April.
Congratulations to Daphne Castle from Grove who won February’s competition!
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Local news College’s Year on Year Improvement Recognised Specialist schools and academies that have significantly improved their GCSE results have been recognised by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) at a celebration dinner in London. King Alfred’s Specialist Sports College was one of 587 schools nationally invited to attend a celebratory event, which was held at the Royal College of Physicians in February. Thirty of these schools, including King Alfred’s, have also been recognised as the top most improved schools in a number of categories such as specialism, academies, regions and year on year improvement. King Alfred’s received recognition for a “10% point or more improvement from 2005 – 2008 in achieving 5+A*-C GCSEs, with year on year improvement”. Sir Mike Tomlinson, chief Advisor of London Challenge, was the guest speaker and joined Sir James Hill, Chairman of the SSAT, in presenting the awards. Elizabeth Reid, Chief Executive of the SSAT, said: “If every young person is to receive a world class education then we must set world class standards that challenge every school to improve year on year.” Nick Young, King Alfred’s Principal said: “We are delighted that our improvement has been recognised nationally, but we are not complacent. Our targets for 2009 and 2010 are very demanding. We are working hard to achieve them.”
Year 9 students display the framed Certificate of Congratulations :Left to right: Sam Nayler-Gluyas, Eden Randall, Ellie Dykes, Megan Dormer
Valentine Cakes! On February 12th North Drive Preschool in Grove held a Valentines cake sale and invited the children to wear pink or red for the day and pay a small donation to raise funds. The children spent sessions baking cakes and had great fun decorating them and some parents kindly donated homemade cakes too. The children and parents helped to raise £30 from the day!
North Drive Preschool Children with the cakes they made for Valentine’s Day!
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Local events
Community Times In The Vale
Tony Benn ‘Taking Liberties’ in Faringdon Tony Benn, Britain’s best-known socialist, will be coming to Faringdon’s Corn Exchange on Saturday 25th April at 2pm to lead Taking Liberties, an afternoon of speeches and debate on the theme of the erosion of our civil liberties. He will be joined by Observer columnist Henry Porter, Ed Vaizey MP, Green Party Euro election candidate Derek Wall and Scilla Elworthy, founder of the Oxford Research Group and Peace Direct. Malcolm Harper, former General Secretary of the United Nations Association, will be in the chair. The debate will be wide-ranging, covering the political, social and environmental implications of recent antiterrorist legislation and increased surveillance and data collection by the state. It will also look at alternative responses to conflict and the terrorist threat. The meeting, organised by the Faringdon Peace Group, is free and open to all and will be followed at 6.30pm by supper for which booking is essential. Tickets for supper will be available at £10 each until 16th April from Jenny Braithwaite (01367 240929) or from Faringdon Tourist Information Centre. Should we worry about losing our hard-won individual freedoms and democratic rights in the name of security or is it a case of nothing to hide, nothing to fear? Come and be part of the debate. For more information please phone Jennie Chesterton (01367 710308) or Karen Vogt (01367 241707) or email karen@vogt.org.uk .
Anyone for Croquet? White Horse Croquet Club: The first meeting of the season will be held on Thursday 2nd April at the Wantage and Grove Cricket Club Pavilion. All existing and new members welcome. It is hoped to start playing at Easter, weather and ground permitting. All equipment provided, just flat shoes or trainers required. For more information please telephone 01235 762782.
U3A Faringdon & District Thursday 9th April Annual General Meeting, with yearly reports from committee members and election of the new chairman and committee. Followed by a rolling Presentation of our past year’s activities and our famous Cream Tea. 2.15pm for 2.30pm in Faringdon Corn Exchange. Further information from Anthony Burdall (Chairman) 01367 240713. www.FaringdonU3A.org.uk
Grove Horticultural Show The Grove Horticultural Society Spring Show will be held in Grove Village Hall at 2.00 pm on Saturday 4th April. The Society’s motto is 'Show what you grow, not grow to show' so why not have a go all classes are open for everyone to enter, and the Show Schedule is available at Grove Library. If you don't want to enter come along and see what others have grown! Refreshments available. Any queries contact grovehortsoc@googlemail.com or call the Show Secretary on 01235 764795.
U3A Wantage & Grove Our April meetings at Grove Village Hall (Main Street) starting at 2pm are: Tuesday 7th April. A talk by Richard Briggs entitled ‘The Olympic Site and East London Regeneration’.
Roses and Borders
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Tuesday 21 April. Our speaker Ivan Wright will give a talk entitled ‘The Wildlife of Shotover’. (Chairman of Shotover Wildlife).
The next meeting of the Grove Horticultural Society will be on Wednesday 22nd April at 7.45pm in Grove Village Hall. There will be a talk and slides on Roses and Herbaceous Borders by Mr R. Broughton. Refreshments and a raffle after the talk. Visitors are welcome (small entry fee). Contact grovehortsoc@googlemail.com for more details.
Visitors are welcome to attend for a fee of £1.50. More details on these and other meetings and groups from Thia Brereton (Chair - 01235 764779) or Linda Thompson (Secretary - 01235 768701) To advertise call 01367 888229
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Quality Hair Care at affordable prices Ladies Hairdressing and Mind & Body Treatments Coming soon … Beauty - Waxing - Nails - Reiki Reflexology - Counselling Colour Therapy - Life Coaching and more ...
April Offer:
Cut and blow dry only £20 Open 9am - 2pm on Good Friday
WANTAGE CABS We will beat any genuine quotation for journeys to meet “trains, boats and planes”. A reliable service to take the stress out of travelling. Best prices guaranteed for railway stations, seaports and airports. We also look after the day to day local trips. Contract work undertaken
A New Taxi Company built on years of local experience
01235 770950
Mob: 07940 472168 7
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Community Times In The Vale
Abingdon Air & Country Show Tickets are on sale now for the Abingdon Air & Country Show, to be held on Sunday May 3rd at Abingdon Airfield (Dalton Barracks). Air displays already confirmed include the Dukes of Cassutt air racing team, a newly restored Hawker Hurricane and a T-28 Fennec, with more displays to be announced. There will also be static aircraft, an aircraft fly-in and pleasure flights. On the ground, new attractions this year include a farmers’ market and live musical performances by Fiona Harrison, who will be performing a medley of 1940s numbers. Other highlights include an RBS Williams Formula 1 Grand Prix Show Car, classic cars, a mobile farm, vintage military vehicles, Doctor Who Daleks, tank rides, arena events, trade stalls and a craft fair. Organiser Neil Porter commented: “With people watching their money due to the credit crunch, we are working hard to present a show that will provide a great family day out but at an affordable cost.” Reduced price tickets are available in advance online at www.abingdonfayre.com or from Abingdon Information Centre. Adults £8 (£10 on the day), children and OAPs £4 (£5), family ticket £22, under 5s free.
Countdown to Copenhagen
Dressage Day Test your riding skill and your horse's discipline under the White Horse Hill at Sower Hill Stables. Saturday 18th April starting 11am. For details and entries: Kim Owen Sower Hill Stables Uffington SN7 7QH 07791 681205.
On Saturday 18th April, 9am-12noon, Christian Aid and Wantage Area Climate Action (WACA) are holding a joint stall outside Waitrose to publicise Christian Aid’s ‘Countdown to Copenhagen’ campaign – a chance to lobby the Prime Minister on behalf of developing countries - and WACA’s energy saving efforts, making the link between local and global action against climate change.
Pamper Evening Wednesday 29th April 7pm - 9.30pm at North Drive Preschool, Grove. Tickets £3.50 (Includes a drink). Tickets from Preschool or Smiths DIY, Grove. Come and have a relaxing evening and maybe try something new!
For more information email WACA at info@wacagroup.com and see article in Green News (page 40) .
Wantage Churches Together at Easter Palm Sunday Procession On Sunday 5th April Wantage Churches Together invite you to join the annual procession from Holy Trinity Church, Charlton to the Parish Church of SS Peter & Paul. Following a short service of the Blessing of the Palms, the procession will leave at 9.45am, led by the Silver Band and joined by clergy, choirs from Wantage Churches and Pollyanne the donkey. Please come and help mark the traditional start of Holy Week in the lead up to the Christian festival of Easter. To advertise call 01367 888229
Good Friday United Act of Witness At 12 noon on Good Friday (10th April) there will be a short united service outside The Bear Hotel in Wantage to mark the solemnity of Good Friday. This year the service will be led by Wantage Methodist Church who invite you all to come and share with them some special readings and hymns.
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Songs of Praise Old and New Favourites: At 6pm on Sunday 26th April at St John Vianney Church, each Church and Christian Community in Wantage will be leading favourite hymns and songs reflecting their own background and introducing everyone to the joy of singing and making music together. All ages welcome. Refreshments available after the service in the Church Hall. Additional parking by kind permission of King Alfred’s College East Site.
Local events The Ribbon Walk … who will you walk it for? The Breast Cancer Care Ribbon Walk, in association with woman&home, is a wonderful day full of fun, camaraderie and achievement and takes place at Blenheim Palace on Saturday 30th May. The chances are you will know someone who’s been affected by breast cancer, so whether you plan to walk for yourself, for your mum, for a best friend, in thanks for a loved one who recovered from breast cancer or in memory of someone special who didn’t, or simply want to enjoy a fun day's walk in stunning countryside, this is a day to celebrate those who move and inspire us. Starting and finishing at Blenheim Palace, you can choose to follow a 10 or 20 mile circular ribbon route. In return, you’re promised an unforgettable day with fantastic trails, beautiful scenery and enthusiastic support from the Breast Cancer Care and woman&home teams.
Easter Fair
North Drive Preschool are holding an Easter Fayre on Saturday 4th April between 1pm - 3.30pm. Activities include face painting, Easter egg hunt, crafting, homemade cake stall. Family Tickets £2.50 (2 For further information contact Jennifer Snuggs on Adults & up to 3 Children) or £1 Adults & 50p Chil01235 223470, visit the website a t dren. Tickets on the door or from the Preschool, which is at Grove CE Primary School. www.ribbonwalk.org.uk or call 0870 145 0101.
Be the best you you can possibly be! Basil Mienie can help you live your dreams Opening hours: Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
To find out how, call now: 01235 770394 or 07739 410370
9am - 5.15pm 9am - 5.15pm 9am - 7pm 9am - 6pm 8.30am - 1pm
www.basil-mienie.com
Open 9am - 2pm on Good Friday
Open lunchtimes We stock a range of ‘Nitty Gritty’ aromatherapy head lice solutions - combs, lotions and repellent spray
Tel: 01367 244611 9
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Vale & Downland Museum
Community Times In The Vale
Hart of the Vale Nearly five years have passed since I joined the museum staff and it's been one of the most exhilarating times of my life. The museum is the social and cultural hub of the area and meeting so many interesting people has been a great experience. With exhibitions changing every few weeks, I've seen the work of an amazing variety of talented artists and crafts-people. I've also met numerous experts on various aspects of history, from railways to canals, and from archaeology to military history. The one thing they have in common is enthusiasm - and that's infectious! Now it's time for me to stand down and hand over to my successor, Craig Hart. He'll be managing building maintenance, health & safety, information technology, human resources, marketing, public relations, the Visitor Information Point and representing the museum at various forums, such as the Oxfordshire Museums Council and Thames Valley Museums Group. There's a lot of 'managing' in that list, so it's appropriate that Craig's title will be
Museum
Manager.
Craig hails from Scotland but now lives in the heart of Wantage. After leaving school, he had a long career in the Royal Navy, visiting many places around the world. He then moved to the USA, where he worked for the IT company Fujitsu before becoming a house manager for wealthy Americans. At various times he lived in Texas, Colorado and Washington DC. Whilst working in the US capital he even met Bill Clinton. But, after travelling the world, he's very happy to make his home here in the Vale of White Horse.
As the new Museum Manager, Craig is looking forward to meeting you. He and I have already been involved in a project with several other museums in the Thames Valley, getting a better understanding of who our visitors are, where they come from and what they want. This innovative scheme involves the Roald Dahl Museum, the Museum of Reading, the REME Museum, Banbury Museum, Didcot Railway Centre and our very own Vale & Downland Museum. There are about 60 museums in the Thames Valley region, so it's quite special that your district museum is one of the select group involved in this cutting edge project. It's all about providing a better service that matches the needs and interests of as many different groups of people as possible. On a personal note, I'd like to thank you for your support during the last five years. Like Kate Winslet, I come from Reading, but I'll try not to be too gushing as I thank the volunteers, staff, trustees and Friends of the museum for their tremendous support since I joined in 2004. Most of all, thank you for coming to the museum and visitor centre during that time - we had more than 200,000 visits. Our visitor numbers continue to rise and I know you are going to enjoy the museum even more now that Craig is at the helm.vbvbvbvb‌.vbvbvbvbvbvbvbvbb
Tony Hadland, Museum Administrator (retired)
Vale & Downland Museum Church Street Wantage Tel: (01235) 771447 Website: www.wantage.com/museum To advertise call 01367 888229
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Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm Closed Bank Holidays
What’s On at the Vale & Downland Museum April 2009 Please note that the Museum is closed on Sundays and also on Good Friday and Easter Monday EXHIBITIONS Squires Room 31st March - 18th April Spring: Food, Farming & Festivals Local schools investigate 21st April - 2nd May Wantage Day Centre For further details about exhibitions, please contact the Museum FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT Saturday 25th April, 12.30pm-3.30pm Fossil & Minerals Afternoon Bring your fossils to the museum for identification, make a dinosaur mask, follow the geology trail around the galleries - and much more! Event organised by Oxford Geology Trust. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more details, please contact the museum. FOYER EVENTS Saturday 4th April, 10am-3.30pm Second-hand Bookstall Monthly event organised by the Friends of the Vale & Downland Museum Thursdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th April Wantage Health Walks For effective but gentle exercise in good company, join the friendly Health Walks Group that leaves the Museum at 10am every Thursday to explore the lanes of Wantage, returning for coffee at about 11am. No need to book. Just turn up. Saturday 11th April, 10.30am-12.30pm Meet Wantage & Grove District Arts Guild (WAG) Everyone with an interest in drama, dance, music, art and literature is invited to drop in and chat about arts facilities in the area. All ideas welcome. Fridays 3rd, 17th & 24th April, 9.30am-10.45am Country Market Drop into this friendly Friday morning market to shop for home-produced bread and cakes, eggs, preserves, plants, cards and more. Please note: there will be no market in the museum on Good Friday. Museum Volunteers Wanted! Experienced volunteer gardener required. To find out more about this and other opportunities available, please contact Dorothy in the Museum office. Tel: 01235 771447
VALE & DOWNLAND MUSEUM, Church Street, Wantage Tel: 01235 771447 Website: www.wantage.com/museum 11
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Introducing ...
Community Times In The Vale
@ Carswell Golf & Country Club If you fancy a brand new image for Spring, make sure you visit Woods Hair Salon at Carswell Golf & Country Club in Faringdon. The unisex salon opened two years ago but expanded last summer to offer double the floor space and double the staff in order to give new and regular customers a fantastic experience. The salon is beautifully decorated with natural wood, leather and sumptuous fabrics, and the glass frontage and large mirrors make it light and airy. As soon as you walk through the door you’ll notice the friendly and inviting atmosphere. The experienced stylists at Woods are all fully trained and knowledgeable about their work, and they will ensure you have a relaxing experience. They are stockists of a high quality range of L’Oreal Professionnel and GHD hair products, which they also use in the salon, and they offer other services including deep conditioning treatments and seated Reiki. They are also specialists in hair design for weddings and other special occasions. Woods Hair Salon @ Carswell Golf & Country Club is easy to find, located on the A420 and just 5 mins drive from Faringdon. To find out more or book an appointment call 01367 870990
Restyle, colour and deluxe cut and blow dry before (left) and after.
COMPETITION - win a new look for Spring!! Woods Hair Salon are offering one lucky reader a fantastic restyle, colour and deluxe cut and blow dry worth over £100! For your chance to win this fantastic prize, simply send your name, address, phone number and email address to: CT April Competition, Woods Hair Ltd., Carswell Golf & Country Club, Faringdon SN7 8PU. Closing date for entries is 30th April. To advertise call 01367 888229
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Open Tues 9.30 - 5.00 • Wed 9.30 - 5.00 • Thurs 10.00 - 8.00 • Fri 9.30 - 5.00 • Sat 9.00 - 2.00
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Arts Focus
Community Times In The Vale
Record Your Shows and Raise Funds! Classical recording company 4 Part Music, based in Bath, is expanding in order to offer its services throughout Oxfordshire. The company specialises in recording classical musicians such as choirs, orchestras, string quartets, brass bands and jazz groups. Their services are also widely used by schools who, like all the other musicians that record with 4 Part Music, can make significant returns on their investment. 4 Part Music’s aim is to offer only the highest quality recordings which they achieve by using multiple, high quality microphones, a technique widely used by the BBC. To make this service affordable, they have devised a recording “package” which means musicians, schools, colleges and even individuals can earn money from their recording. The all-inclusive packages include around 4 hours’ live recording split into one or two sessions, editing and post-production work which results in a set number of finished CDs, complete with cases and inlay artwork. Organisations then sell the CDs to friends, family and fans and can recoup their outlay very quickly and still have enough stock left to sell to raise funds for themselves. For more information on 4 Part Music visit the website at www.4partmusic.co.uk or phone 01225 811544.
Coming Soon …
WAGarts
Wantage Stage Musical Company presents The Boy Friend Wednesday 13th to Saturday 16th May 7.30pm also matinee on Sat 16th at 2.30pm at Wantage Civic Hall Tickets from Wantage Museum, Bretts Chemist (Grove) or Tel 01235 767509
WAGarts has monthly drop-in sessions every second Saturday in the Vale and Downland Museum, Wantage – 10.30am-12.30pm. WAGarts is an arts support group for Wantage, Grove and the surrounding area who lobby on your behalf and bring together information on venues, publicity and fundraising. Everyone welcome. For more information visit www.wagarts.org.uk
Art Focus - April Kate Brady is an Art Photographer based in Faringdon. She studied photography in London, where she was born and grew up, and now uses the inspiration of the countryside of the Faringdon area to take landscape and selfportrait photographs. Her work has the feel of exploration and discovery, reflecting this new Faringdon inhabitant discovering magical corners and secret places. See Kate’s work at the Faringdon Tourist Info Centre throughout April and look out for more at the Faringdon Arts Festival this summer.
To advertise call 01367 888229
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Shoestring Touring Opera presents
La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini in the Amey Hall Theatre, Abingdon at 7.30pm on Saturday, 18th April A follow-up performance after their acclaimed Italian production of Cinderella in August. Profits to go to the Oxford Parent Infant Project (OXPIP) Tickets £15 (Under 25s and groups of 8 or more: £12 each) from box office: 01865-862995
Grove Art Group Annual Exhibition Grove Art Group’s annual exhibition happens later this month, at the Village Hall, Grove on Saturday and Sunday 25th and 26th April from 10am to 4pm. Previous years’ exhibition visitors say what a friendly and jolly exhibition it is. Perhaps this reflects the enthusiasm of the members who are on hand to chat. If you have never visited the exhibition do give it a try. Even if you are not in the market for pictures, do not be put off, because the artists love to talk to visitors about their work. All the usual elements will be in place, including nearly 100 paintings of various subjects in differing styles and mediums. Members will be on hand to discuss their work and there will also be delicious home made refreshments. What better way to spend an hour or so!
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www.oxfordlivejazz.com Carswell Golf & Country Club on A420
Nr Faringdon SN7 8PU
Come enjoy a lovely venue & great Jazz Car park, B&B, bar, good inexpensive food
Sat 4 April, 8.30pm
2 Newbury Street Wantage
saxist Simon SPILLETT + trio
01235 762164
Back by popular demand with Spike Wells,
•
2009 spring/summer collection
John Critchinson & Simon Thorpe
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Smart casual
Friday 17 April, 8.30pm
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Wedding outfits, hats and fascinators
Singer KELLY DICKSON & trio
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Knitwear
•
Tummy Tuck jeans
•
Triumph and Sloggi underwear
Back also by popular demand , Kelly has recently been at Ronnie Scott’s in London
Tickets/details: 01367 710593
Mention this advert and receive a 10% discount off selected non-sale items
richard@thespeeds.freeserve.co.uk
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A Day in the Life of …
Community Times In The Vale
Monika Becker, Alternative Health Practitioner Monika Becker was born in Munich, Germany and moved to the UK in 2002. As well as working as an Alternative Health Practitioner in Wantage, she is an active member of the Wantage and District Business Breakfast Club and was last month named Business Woman of the Year for her contributions to the group. She lives in Abingdon with her partner David. What was your first job, and where has your career gone from there? When I was 18 I worked as office assistant for United Artists’ Munich branch. After working for a Direct Marketing Company and for a car manufacturer in Munich, I finally decided to follow my call to study alternative therapies. As the training was long and expensive, (becoming a qualified practitioner in Germany is taken very seriously and the training is very thorough and onerous) I worked a full day and then attended my lessons after work and at weekends. In the year 2000 I passed my exams as Alternative Health Practitioner (which is the nearest translation for the German title Heilpraktikerin). What interests or hobbies do you have? Oh, I have many interests. I love sitting in public places and watching my fellow humans. What are you reading at the moment? “It’s a Kind of Magic” by Carole Matthews - a bitter-sweet comedy. Favourite film? Still Crazy and Saving Grace – they are funny! What’s your philosophy for life? Life is like a mirror – when you smile at it, it will smile back at you.
Who or what inspires you? People who follow their dreams, whatever it takes. What are your plans for the future? I would like to have a place where people can come and retreat from the stress in their lives, enjoy alternative treatments and relax. I would also like to lecture and train other therapists. What's the best thing about living in this area? The people are so friendly, and the landscape is magnificent! What’s your favourite local shop and pub/ restaurant? My favourite shop is Local Roots in Abingdon, where you can have a nice chat with interesting people and buy locally produced food and pieces of art. And I love the Fox at Boar’s Hill. Desert island choices: one book one song, one luxury: A survival manual, “Always look on the Bright side” by Eric Idle and my partner...
To advertise call 01367 888229
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Health & fitness
Community Times In The Vale
Spring into Spring!! Through those long winter months (it felt as if last winter was going on forever, didn’t it?!), cuddling up on the settee, comfort food, chocolates was heaven! But now that spring is in the air, most of us feel that we should lose a few pounds to fit into those nice summer clothes. We all know that to maintain a healthy balance we should take a little more exercise and put a little more thought into what we eat and drink. We also know now that our emotions have a detrimental influence on our wellbeing - feelings are, after all, what we feed our mind and soul with. So let us have a look at what we can feed our bodies with: my clients can sing a song about that! I am really not one to preach, so I won‘t. Life is for living. Too many restrictions and taboos can cause stress and therefore make us ill and uncomfortable, not to say downright miserable! People who come to see me with weight problems, food intolerances and digestive problems will be introduced to Dr. Peter J. D‘Adamo‘s Blood Type Diet. Having been a keen dieter for many moons myself, and having tried almost every diet under the sun in my earlier years, I am a big fan of the Blood Type Diet. Believe me, I
by Monika Becker
was amazed at what impact just a few adjustments to our everyday diet can have, without starving or punishing oneself. Hypnotherapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique – which involves gentle tapping of certain points on the head and hands) and auto-suggestion can also be helpful as valuable support tools to fight niggling cravings and to bring us into the right mind set. For more serious cases of obesity, there is the possibility of Auricular Implant Therapy, which involves the “implantation” of tiny pins made of an absorbable medical plastic into certain reflex points on the outer ear. The pins dissolve after about 20 months and are designed to give a temporary support to those who need to lose weight.
For more information please feel free to contact me at contact@monikabecker.co.uk or visit my website www.monikabecker.co.uk – it’s good to talk!
Advertise here from just £20 a month
Footnotes
Call Alison on 01367 888229 or email alison@ctinthevale.co.uk to book
Reflexology Indian Head Massage Aromatherapy Massage
Alternative Health Practitioner
Monika Becker H.P. German-trained complementary therapist Unique holistic treatment method More than 11 years experience
Tel: 01367 870571
Acupuncture, Psychological Kinesiology, Gentle Spinal (DORN method), Reiki Hypnotherapy/Past Life Regression
Email: foot.notes@hotmail.co.uk
Boston House, Grove Technology Park OX12 9FF
www.jennyatfootnotes.co.uk
Tel: 07742 982757 Web: www.monikabecker.co.uk
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Gardening
Community Times In The Vale
Get your Garden Into Shape with Jo Walsh
Things to do in the garden this month Winter is behind us and the beautiful spring days are finally here so now is the time to tidy up in the garden. Clean off the patio – Hire or borrow a pressure washer to brighten up those old grey slabs or your timber decking. Remember that the mortar between masonry and stone is vulnerable to pressure so don't point the nozzle directly at these areas for too long. Algae growth, which can appear after a damp winter, can be removed - a weak solution of a cupful of household bleach to 2 pints of water usually does the trick on decks and patios! Apply with a stiff brush, and make sure that it is all rinsed off after cleaning. Remember to wear old clothes and gloves and rinse any bleach off plants with clean water if you splash them!
Pots of Colour - Many gardens today are challenged on space and most designed around the family, with little time for flower borders or vegetable beds. Why not plant pots of vibrant colour to add a splash of cheer. Packs of ready-grown bedding plants from garden centres are fairly cheap to buy and offer many ready-made combinations. If little fingers are an issue put them out of reach in hanging baskets or better still, get them to join in the fun.
One year's weed, seven years' seed – Tackle your weeds now before they flower and set seed. Whatever your soil type, weeds will appear and the more wet summers we have the more weeds we receive. Hand weed if you can but make sure if your weed has a long tap root that you remove all of that as well. One small piece will grow into another weed. Do not plant out until the final frosts have passed, acclimatise plants by placing in a cold frame or unheated porch for a few weeks before planting out and keep the compost moist. Do not be tempted to use last years compost as this will have no nutritional value and may well contain slug eggs. Old compost can be added back onto the borders as a mulch but look for those dreaded eggs first. Finally if you are planning a visit to your local garden centre on Easter Sunday, check they will be open. Centres with a space bigger than 3000 square feet are not permitted to open by law. Happy Gardening!! Love your lawn – Having a nice lawn makes all the difference. You may not have time to get around to all the jobs that need doing but by simply mowing the lawn it lifts the heart and makes the whole garden appear tidy. A simple weed and feed will make the grass lush and green. To advertise call 01367 888229
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Jo Walsh is based in Faringdon and runs her own Garden design business. www.jowalsh.com
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Thursdays Only 18 holes of golf for ÂŁ12 2 Course lunch available for ÂŁ6.95 To book please call 01367 870422 ext 2 Or email sarah@carswellgolfandcountryclub.co.uk Terms and conditions apply
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Community Times In The Vale
Your pets with Robert Elliott
Playtime for Cats … and Tips for Lost Pets something that they can bat around with their paws, Welcome to this month’s smorgasbord of different throw up in the air and pounce on. There are plenty of pieces to read through. Now that Spring is really here, nooks and crannies as feline hideaways from where to I’ve noticed my adult sheep - never mind lambs - with launch their attack! I hope that the above has given the wind in their fleeces, running around together or you fresh ideas! play-butting each other. It is understandable that many people regard one of the secrets of feline happiness as On a more serious note, I thought it might be helpful to play. It is also a fact that part of the human brain is give you some advice that in my own humble opinion activated positively by play, so when a cat plays, all its would be useful should you ever find a lost or injured senses seem to perk up for the same reason. With cat or dog. Very rarely, and then only if the animal’s diet/weight issues and resuffering is untenable, will euthaduced interaction/playtime nasia by a veterinary surgeon be Playtime possible due to busy owners’ considered, so there should be no lives, how can you get your Furry body all worry taking such an animal to a cat to play more? The first a quiver, shelter or veterinary practice. step is to discover your cat’s Whiskers straight When my veterinary practice is preference – as a birder, a and in a shiver, open, I would expect my own mouser or a bug-chaser…the Ears are picking up clients to be comfortable and most favoured cat toys are every sound, confident enough to approach us those which mimic the cat’s for help. Although space limitaWatch out now there's a mouse around predatory instincts. Although tions will always be present, any house cats will not need to Eyes aglow with anticipation, local practice can be an initial hunt all the time, they do still Black as coal in trepidation, microchip-checker and a link to enjoy the actions and moveCan I catch it? Can it run? the dog warden, dog and cat ments involved with such No, it's a toy, but I can still have fun! welfare charities, as well as offerhunting techniques, from ing first aid whenever required. I toss it here and I toss it there, which they create a form of We would always do our best to That old grey mouse flies through the air, play. reunite the pet, or to find a new Tired of the game I lie and ponder, home if that’s the only option left. You may need to buy or Will it be real one day I wonder! Should you wish to temporarily make several cat toys and foster the pet concerned yourself, roll, dangle or toss them to your cat when alert. These Poem thanks to Margi (www.moggies.co.uk) you must contact all local charities and shelters, the police, the can be paper, plastic or foil dog warden, and local veterinary balls, dangling feathers from practices. Arrangements must be made to scan the a wand or imitation mice. Crinkle balls that roll or stray for a possible microchip. Perhaps even create a bounce and make noises when attacked will simulate flyer, and deliver or fax copies to those above as well some of the movements and sounds of prey. New toys as to neighbours and the local library, grocery stores are coming out all the time – we’re trying out some and newsagents. The local radio stations have lost & new ones at our Court Cattery including a motorized found facilities, and local newspapers can carry free string toy that can attach to a door, and a small bunch advertising. However, if this pet is not your own but still of feathers that flicks around a beret-like cover very requires veterinary care, you should always make erratically and creates many minutes of onlookers’ eye arrangements with your local practice for it to be seen, -watering laughter! Cats will also enjoy carrying, tosschecked and possibly admitted as a temporary inpaing, pouncing on or biting a particular toy – say, a furry tient. mouse. The bug-catchers will find a moving light shadow or shape on the walls and furniture irresistible, Thinking of so many “local heroes” of the pet-owning as is string with a big, bold knotted end being pulled community, a recent survey asked whether such ownaround. ers would risk their life to save their dog or cat … an amazing 90% said they would. I think this says a lot for So, to sum up, cats are natural hunters and predators, that fantastically special and unique, caring and loving born to stalk and hunt. Nothing occupies them more bond that exists between pets and owners. than the chase itself! But without stimulating play, what is an indoor cat able to do? Unless you have mice (no, Makes you think! Until next time, not the hamster!) in your house, your cat may have very little to stalk and chase (unless you have a longsuffering pet dog! We can provide indoor cats with something they can instinctively try to stalk and track -
Robert Elliott
To advertise call 01367 888229
www.ctinthevale.co.uk
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21 - 23 HIGH STREET STANFORD IN THE VALE, OXON SN7 8LH
21 - 23 HIGH STREET STANFORD IN THE VALE, OXON SN7 8LH 01367 710595 Website: www.vets-surgery.com Email: enquiries@vets-surgery.com
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01367 710595 Website: www.vets-surgery.com Email: enquiries@vets-surgery.com
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Socialisation “parties” and free health checks for puppies and kittens, free senior pet clinics, Pet Passport Scheme.
FELINE ADVISORY BUREAU APPROVED AND LISTED
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY THE FELINE ADVISORY BUREAU AS A “CAT FRIENDLY PRACTICE”
VALE LICENSED AND INSURED UNDER PET PLAN Ltd.
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www.ctinthevale.co.uk Or send your name, address and phone number to: Blu–ray Competition, CT In The Vale, 9 Cromwell Close, Faringdon SN7 7BQ
To advertise call 01367 888229
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Community Times In The Vale
Research your family tree
Get your back to The
roots
Part THREE
ARMED FORCES
NOT EVERYONE CAN BOAST THAT THEY ARE RELATED TO A FORMER PRIME MINISTER, OR TO ONE OF SHAKESPEARE'S ALLEGED LOVERS. BUT DAN SNOW CAN DO BOTH, APPARENTLY.
T
he young TV historian already has an accomplished close family – his father is broadcaster and co-presenter Peter, and his father’s cousin Jon is the Channel 4 News anchor - but it seems his ancestors were even more distinguished. "David Lloyd George is my great great grandfather and we're all very proud of him," says Dan. "He was Britain's first working class Prime Minister and is definitely up against Churchill for the greatest Prime Minister. "He's my mum's mum's mum's dad!" explains Dan. "My great grandmother was Welsh-speaking and lived in North Wales, then my grandmother emigrated to Canada." It is apt that Dan's great great grandfather should have had such an impact on the course of World War I, since Dan and his father Peter have carved out a niche as the foremost military historians on
TV - with BBC series including Battlefield Britain and most recently 20th Century Battlefields. Dan's love and knowledge of history (he got a First in Modern History at Oxford) stems from the stories his family used to tell him as a child, he says. "I just thought that's what people did, you talked about your grandparents, your grandpa told you stories about the war, so I never had a problem not enjoying history because it was so natural," he says. But when the team behind the BBC family history hit Who Do You Think You Are? offered to search his family's past, he was surprised by the results. "It turns out that we're descended from the Earl of Southampton, who was allegedly Shakespeare's patron - Shakespeare had the idea of writing Romeo & Juliet in the Earl's garden and he was arguably Shakespeare's lover as well!
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But that wasn't all. Dan continues: "They went back even further to the early 1300s and - goodness knows if it's true or not - we're also supposed to be related to Roger Mortimer. Edward II was a very bad, very unpopular king and Roger Mortimer stole his wife, killed Edward II and ruled in his place until Edward II's son Edward III got rid of him. "I was very proud of him as well, because he's a bit of a legend. He's also one of the only men who's ever escaped from the Tower Of London." Dan comes from a long line of military men - in fact, he admits: "I'm actually the first man in my family in four generations not to be in the army."
But what about your own family's military past? Dan offers some advice on finding out more...
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Community Times In The Vale soldier would have a war record. "They would be As part of your ongoing in The National Archives and family history search, they're building you will find that military new facilities at records can be a very the moment to make them important source of more friendly for people information. going to do Did your forebears fight in some of family research. the biggest battles of World War I, were they ever held captive, and "The internet's what medals were they awarded increasing and for their service? so many of You might be lucky enough to find those records going letters, documents and even a r e medals tucked away in the attic online and The War that could answer some of these Imperial questions, but another good place M u s e u m ' s to start is talking to surviving great for an idea of what it relatives. was like to be "That's my first piece of advice," at war," he says Dan. "Lots of people have adds. never really asked their grandparents and I think you National should because there's not many The Archives' of them left now. w e b s i t e "They might not want to talk about f e a t u r e s a it but perhaps they do. It's amazing s e c t i o n how few people ask actually, so I dedicated to firmly recommend that they do and r e s e a r c h i n g I urge them to do so before people military history pass away." and you'll also Campaign medals from World War One you have found out what you find tips on how to get the most out I are among the most frequently of your research, can from relatives, you will need to searched documents, and there begin searching records - and the or a visit to the archives. are also combat reports, WWI easiest place to start is online. These include making sure you Airwomen's records, as well as more obscure records relating to The National A r c h i v e know the full name of the defence policy, espionage and (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) individual you are searching for (i.e even propaganda. holds all the public records for Tom James William Whiting not England, Wales and some Irish just T. Whiting) and knowing which Further records will be found at the records, whilst Scottish records force they served in (army, navy, Commonwealth W ar Graves can be found at The National air force or marines) as well as the Commission, who hold details of Archives S c o t l a n d regiment, battalion or ship. all the 1.7 million servicemen and (www.nas.gov.uk). Remember that there was no women who have died in action separate air force until 1918. Until since 1914. Dan recommends starting with then the army and navy had their records from the First and Second own flying branches known as the Try the Ministry of Defence World Wars. "These are the first Royal Flying Corps and the Royal website too, to find your ancestor's ones you want to look at because Naval Air Service. regiment (www.mod.uk). there were huge mobilisations - all the men and women in Britain The date when your ancestor Local newspapers published lists were in some way playing their enlisted or was demobilised is also of casualties between 1914 and 1918 too and are worth exploring. part and of course each serving useful.
Like Dan, most people will have ancestors who, at some point in their lives, have seen action in the armed forces.
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Research your family tree
Key Campaigns To get more of a flavour of the conditions that your ancestors endured while in service, use the war records to find out which campaigns they might have been involved in during World War I. Websites such as www.firstworldwar.com will give you in-depth descriptions of all the major battles during World War I, including battles of the Somme in July 1916, which saw the greatest loss of life in one day, and the various battles at Gallipoli.
Some battlefields have dedicated war museums, while The Imperial War Museum in London, The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and the RAF Museum at Hendon will also prove vital in broadening your understanding of y o u r a n c e s t o r s ' m i l i t a ry experience. 20th Century Battlefields by Peter and Dan Snow, published by BBC Books, priced ÂŁ8.99, is out now in paperback.
Delving Deeper If you have managed to trace most of your family back through births, deaths and marriage records and all the Victorian census returns to 1841, then you're doing well with your family history search. Now it's time to get even further back - and broaden your search – by delving into some rather more obscure records. An area worth exploring is wills and probate, which detail what was bequeathed to whom when one of your ancestors died. From 1796 people had to pay death duty on their estates, and so details of next of kin were registered. Before 1858, the person charged with overseeing the will (executor) would register it with the ecclesiastical court to get a 'grant of probate'. After that time, all wills for England and Wales were registered at a Central Court of Probate and today they're held at the Principal Probate Registry. Registers up to 1858 can be found for the Prerogatives Courts of Canterbury at The National Archives, and in the Borthwick Institute, York.
Wills registered at the local diocesan courts can be found at County Record Offices, while in Scotland they can be found in E d i n b u r g h o r a t www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. Poor families usually sent their children out as apprentices from as young as nine-years-old and Apprenticeship records are another useful tool that can be found at your County Records Office. They will include information on the child as well as their master. The National Archives also hold Apprenticeship Books from 1710 to 1811, when the master had to pay stamp duty on indentures of apprenticeship (i.e. on the money he was paid to take on the apprentice). The National Archives (and The N a ti o n a l Ar c h i v e s Scotland) will actually prove to be one of the most valuable sources of records in your search, with everything from death duty registers, migration records and adoption records, to Victorian prisoner photo albums and, of
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course, the Domesday Book the very first public record. Churches will hold copies of baptism and christening records and the poor law records, which they administered up until the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834. Your County Records Office should be able to supply you with more recent poor law records as well as things like coroner's reports, social security records, a register of electors, and tax records. Recently, details of 100,000 trials at the Old Bailey between 1834 and 1913 went online, in addition to more than 97,000 which were already on the website at www.oldbaileyonline.org.uk, dating back to 1674.
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Community Times In The Vale
Research your family tree
Exploring the National Archives The vast green edifice of The National Archives looks very imposing to first-time visitors. "It's in the middle of nowhere!" exclaimed one elderly visitor, referring to its location in the green and peaceful surroundings of Kew in south west London. First built in 1977, the archive was extended in the early 90s to make way for more records, including those held at the Family Records Centre in Islington, London, which closed in March. The National Archives is a Government department and its immense collection contains more than 9.5 million searchable records for England and Wales, going back a thousand years to the first ever public record, The Domesday Book, in 1086.
Somewhere among all that paper you might find a g e m o f information, which could take your search in a different direction, unblock one arm of your family tree, or take you back to a different generation.
BEFORE YOU GO... Make sure you visit the website, www.nationalarchives.gov.uk, to find out what sort of records The National Archives holds and to plan how best to use your time while you're in Kew. "There's a treasure trove of information online, but it's not a one-stop-shop for family history
research," says a spokeswoman. "Find as much as you can online and then come in." On the website you'll find a section entitled Visit Us, which includes certain essential rules and guidelines on how to handle documents. There are three other areas on the site, Family History, Military History and Learning and Research, worth exploring. These will help you search for records in the archive's catalogue and speed up your visit.
At The National Archives You can easily spend a whole day at The National Archives. As well as the reading rooms and repositories, there's a restaurant and shop and on a fine day you can take a breather in the tranquil landscaped grounds. Once there, a receptionist in the atrium will be able to point you to the reading rooms. You can search online and on microfilm freely in the open reading room, but you will need to get a reader's ticket to see the original documents. You will need two forms of identification to obtain or renew a ticket. Reader advisors in the reading rooms have specialisms and will be able to advise on your search, whether it's online, microfilm or for the original document. To advertise call 01367 888229
At the archives' computers, you will be able to look through census returns and download them for free, and view copies of birth, deaths and marriage records, Home Office records, prison records, WWI soldiers service records and outward transport passenger lists. Only certain series of military records have been digitised, with medal index cards one of the most popular. When you find a record which you want to view as an original, you can order it via the computerised ordering system. First, ask a member of staff to help you find the reference for the document you're looking for.
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You will be given a pigeon hole for the period you are there and it will take the staff about 30 mins to come back with each record. The archives provide record copying facilities, using special scanners that won't damage the document. Make sure you bring spare change so you can do the photocopying yourself, or ask for help at a counter facility. You can also bring your digital camera - but don't take photos of the documents with flash.
Ed Vaizey on … The big news this month has been the decision by Thames Water to put back its plans for a reservoir by five years until 2014, and also to scale back the size of any proposed reservoir by a third. I have always been a reservoir sceptic. I have never said “never” to a reservoir, but I have always said that Thames Water should have to prove its case overwhelmingly before such a huge change was made to our local area. I have to say the case for a reservoir looks weaker than ever. If it was essential, I cannot see how Thames Water could afford to delay their plans. Given that they seem to have easily postponed them, it is hard to see how they can now argue that a reservoir is essential for our future water supply. While the project is delayed, planning blight still affects a number of people, and I am keen to ensure that they do not suffer in the next few years.
(Formerly Ardington Post Office & Stores)
I have been concentrating my mind on two important community services – the local pub and the local library. I was chastened to learn that 17 pubs have closed in the constituency in the last two years, leaving just 141. The reasons are many and complex. Fewer people will drink and drive, a good thing. The ban on smoking in pubs. Cheaper alcohol from supermarkets. One issue that a lot of people have contacted me about is the tax on beer, which is too high. We have a fine tradition of local brewing in this area, and I am keen to support a reduction in the tax on beer, paid for by increasing the tax on alcopops. While this will not save every pub, it could at least provide some help to a very put-upon industry.
Open Monday to Saturday
Breakfast Morning Coffee Lunches Afternoon Tea
I am the Conservative party’s spokesman on libraries. We have a pretty good service in Oxfordshire, but that is not true in other parts of the country. People often predict the death of the library, but it is still a £billion a year service with more than 4000 libraries up and down the country. I regard the local library as a vital service for people of all ages, to access books, information, newspapers, the internet. But libraries could and should be much better, with council information points, and perhaps even GP surgeries and other useful local services colocated with them. They need to be loved and cherished more by local councils, which should see them as a real asset rather than a burden that they have to provide.
Lunch served from 11.45am Lunch parties catered for Smiths High Street Ardington Oxon OX12 8PS T: 01235 833 237
Ed Vaizey, MP
As usual, I can be contacted at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Tel: 020 7219 6350, email: vaizeye@parliament.uk . April surgeries are Faringdon, 3rd April, and Shrivenham, 24th April, both at 5.30pm
E: karen@smithsatardington.co.uk 27
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Food and drink
Community Times In The Vale
Bake a Traditional Simnel Cake for Easter I’m indulging in a sweet recipe this month; Easter is a great holiday with it being a guaranteed weekend – Christmas seems to be so stressful – but with the weather gradually warming up and the evenings getting longer, we can get out and about and work up a big appetite! To keep you going in the afternoon, here’s a traditional favourite in our house at this time of year. 110g/4oz butter or margarine 110g/4oz soft brown sugar 3 eggs, beaten 150g/5oz plain flour pinch of salt ½ tsp ground mixed spice (optional) 350g/12oz mixed raisins, currants and sultanas 55g/2oz chopped mixed peel
½ lemon, grated rind only 1-2 tbsp apricot jam 1 egg, beaten for glazing For the almond paste: (Marzipan) 125g/4oz caster sugar 125g/4oz ground almonds 1 egg, beaten ½ tsp almond essence
Method 1. Make the almond paste: place the sugar and ground almonds in a bowl. Add enough beaten egg to give a fairly soft consistency. Add the almond essence and knead for a minute until the paste is smooth and pliable. Roll out a third of the almond paste to make a circle 18cm/7in in diameter and reserve the remainder for topping of the cake. 2. Preheat oven to 140C/275F/ Gas 1. 3. Make the cake: cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs until well incorporated and then sift in the flour, salt and spice (if using) a little at a time. Finally, add the dried fruit, peel and grated lemon rind and mix into the mixture well. 4. Put half the mixture in a greased and lined 18cm/7in cake tin. Smooth the top and cover with the circle of almond paste. Add the rest of the cake mixture and smooth the top leaving a slight dip in the centre to allow for the cake to rise. Bake in the preheated oven for 1½ hours. Once baked, remove from the oven and leave to cool. 5. When you are ready to decorate the cake, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 3. Brush the top of the cooled cake with the apricot jam. Divide the remainder of the almond paste into two; roll out a circle to cover the top of the cake with one half and form 11 small balls with the other half. 6. Place the circle of paste on the jam and set the balls round the edge. Brush all the top with a little beaten egg. 7. Return the cake to the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or long enough for the almond paste to brown. Thanks to Suzanne Crafer of Tasty Morsels (www.tastymorsels.co.uk) for this month’s food column.
DONNA’S WINE RECOMMENDATION FOR APRIL Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Chile The name of this 120 range celebrates an important event in the Chilean war of independence, when the winery harboured Bernado O'Higgins and 120 of his men. The winery owner, Dona Paula Jaraquemada, talked the Spanish out of searching the winery for the rebels and therefore saved the lives of them all. O'Higgins went on to overthrow the Spanish and became the first President of an independent Chile. All that aside, this wine has wonderful fruit intensity; gooseberry, elderflower and green peppers. It has crisp, fresh acidity, leaving a clean dry flavour in the mouth. A great match with chicken caesar salad, or sea bass baked in herbs. Normally £6.49/bottle - Special offer £4.99/bottle Free delivery within a 10 mile radius of Faringdon. Call 01367 241169 or visit www.denboerwines.com To advertise call 01367 888229
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Looking for Oriental Foods?
NONOY’S ORIENTAL STORE Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Church Street, Wantage
Tel: 01235 771570
Coleshill Organics
Nonoy’s Oriental Store is the first oriental food store in Wantage offering a wide variety of rices, noodles, sauces, seafoods, spices and easy to prepare meals at very reasonable prices.
Veg box delivery and shop Vegetables fresh from our organic garden, delivered in the Vale.
Whole boneless Peking Duck Vegetable spring rolls Japanese tempura prawns and much more.
Prices from £8.25 or visit our shop in the walled garden.
Range of oriental cooking equipment including chopsticks, bamboo steamers, hotpots
Open Wed pm and all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
on
Wholesale prices for restaurants & caterers 5 pr % of o Other services for Filipino, remittance MLR LIC NO o d f 12268395 - maasahan sa mataas na rate, may 24 ad f th uct hrs picks up po tayo. Phone cards worldwide. ve is ion rt Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
Tel: 01793 861070
www.coleshillorganics.co.uk
CHIROPRACTIC, PHYSIOTHERAPY AND MASSAGE Registered with the GCC, SCA, CSP and PhysioFirst Covered by health insurers Back and neck pain
All sports injuries
Headaches and migraines
Muscle problems
Joint problems
Tendinitis
Post surgical rehabilitation Dr Brett Rowlands (M.Tec Chiro) Dr Luther Moss (DC. MChiro. MCC) Mrs Lindsay Rowlands (BSc PT Hons) Mrs Liz McDonald (Dip.ITEC) Convenient parking 10 Barnards Way, Charlton, Wantage OX12 7EA Phone: 01235 770008 or 07884 256366
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Sport News
Community Times In The Vale
Sporting Success for Wantage Schools! King Alfred’s U13 Novice Girls Trampoline Team were delighted to bring the National Winners’ Trophy home with them after competing at the National Schools’ Trampoline Finals in Birmingham last month. The girls worked very hard over recent months to reach this stage of the competition, achieving 1st and second places in regional and zonal rounds to qualify for the National Finals. On the day the girls were focused and performed well, with routines from all four team members displaying good skills, classy form and style which made them stand out as obvious winners. The reaction from the team was a mixture of surprise, disbelief and excitement followed by plenty of celebrating before collecting the huge team cup, shield and individual trophies.
Left to Right: Vicky Jones (13), Nikki Bayer (11), Carleen Betteridge (Coach), Katy Spiers (13), Ceri Owen (13)
Carleen Betteridge, the team coach said, “I feel fortunate to work with these students regularly and am hugely proud of what they have achieved throughout the course of this competition and the passion they have for the sport. They showed wonderful team spirit and support to each other on the day. This team even managed to exceed my expectations for them!” Nicholas Young, Principal of King Alfred’s commented: “I look forward to seeing trampolining continue to go from strength to strength at King Alfred’s. We are immensely proud of our National Champions who will, I’m sure, continue to inspire our other students to achieve in the sport”. King Alfred’s is also very proud of its Year 7 Boys’ Football Team who reached the last 8 in the English Schools Cup out of 758 schools who entered.
WANTAGE CE Primary School enjoyed great success participating in the Oxfordshire Primary Schools County Cross Country Run held in March.
The quarter final was played on Wantage Town’s ground with students, staff, parents and members of the community cheering the team on, film crews from ITV and commentary on BBC Radio Oxford.
The event was attended by schools from all over Oxfordshire and the Wantage team came in overall fourth position. Everyone performed well and the Year 5 boys managed to take all three medals in their heat and are County Champions for 2009.
King Alfred’s team played well against a much larger group of players from Richard Challoner Boys’ Catholic School in Surrey. However, on the big pitch the home side’s passing game struggled to cope with their opponents’ direct long ball approach and the final score was 1-3 to the opposition.
The school’s PE Coordinator, Charlotte Griffin, said: "I am delighted with the school’s result at this event. It was a large field with some very strong participants and I am extremely pleased with the performance of all our runners. The Year 5 boys were fantastic and were, quite ri g ht l y, d ec la re d County Champions."
King Alfred’s Principal, Nicholas Young, expressed his congratulations to the students and their coaches Jonathan As hby and Chris Dowling, who had led the t e a m throu ghout their c a m paign. To advertise call 01367 888229
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Headteacher, Phil Hibbs, said: “The School has a fantastic history of success in Cross-Country. The runners’ efforts have again been rewarded and everyone can feel very proud of what they have achieved.”
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Grumpy Old Men
Community Times In The Vale
Grumpy Old Man? You Bet I Am! Those of you familiar with the TV programme of the title will understand the format. A bunch of ageing guys venting their frustration at anything and everything that irritates them about modern life. For some reason, the opposite gender version, doesn’t seem to work for me. Women, on the whole, are more positive. For me, “Grumpy” is a male thing. It is what the “Angry Young Man” becomes when he is finally bowed by the system. When he realises that there is nothing in this world that somebody cannot make a little cheaper, and a little worse! When he accepts that politicians lie because that is what they do – it is their credentials for the job. When he sees the futility of writing to some pen-pushing bureaucrat responsible for yet another “traffic calming” scheme that he has narrowly avoided crashing into; or walked out of a public toilet hygienically wiping his hands on the seat of his trousers because life seems too short to stand holding them under some machine, apparently containing an asthmatic gerbil coughing gently in a vain attempt to dry them. (Assuming of course, you can actually find a public toilet these days!) Is it part of the ageing process for men? Is it Darwinism in practice? An evolutionary requirement preparing us for what my dear old Father used to call “The Big Kip”? “Those whom the Gods seek to destroy, they first make mad!” I think it was said by Euripides, but it could have been Davina McCall or some other such intellectual giant. (Davina McCall, just don’t get me started.......) Actually, no, I don’t think we are all mad. Some of us have always known our banks are run by avaricious, incompetent, chocolate teapots. We always knew our politicians were liars (the way you can tell is that their lips move!) The difference is that in the “old days” at least they used to pretend they were honest! Now they don’t give a damn. Our children suffer from a lack of role models. Our politicians slaughter innocent people wholesale and are never called to account, innocent young men are shot dead on the underground and no one is apparently at fault, bankers steal our money and seemingly are exempt from prosecution, Lords allegedly offer to take money to try and influence legislation but apparently cannot be sacked, ministers “forget” to declare donations and claim ludicrous expenses and it seems we cannot even remove knighthoods and peerages from convicted criminals!
Cartoon by Darryl Cunningham. To see more of his work visit www.flickr.com/photos/darryltoon/ or darryl-cunningham.blogspot.com/ never been more true – until we start making an example of some high level crooks, our society is going to remain broken – how is what our leading bankers have done any different to the young offender smashing a car window to steal a car stereo, except in its scale? How can we slaughter thousands of innocent women and children to steal oil and criticise the young thug who steals a pension book? Grumpy? – You bet I’m grumpy! – and I see very little chance of it changing whilst we continue to let these high level criminals go unpunished; until our leaders stop behaving like pigs with their snouts in the trough – and start instead to lead by example. As a wise old Police Sergeant used to say to me when I was a green young recruit for Thames Valley Police in the 1970s: “Always remember son, the first rule of enforcing the Law, is living within it.”
“All men are created equal, but some are more equal than others.” The statement by George Orwell has
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By CT’s own (not very grumpy -looking) Grumpy Old Man, David P Elliot: www.davidpelliot.com Please tell advertisers you saw them in Community Times
Families
Community Times In The Vale
Fun Family Days Out for FREE this Easter! Abingdon Museum Tel: 01235 523703; www.abingdonmuseum.org.uk A changing exhibition programme, displays of local history and occasional family activities.
The Easter holidays are almost upon us and, with the current economic situation making us all think twice about opening our purses, you might be worrying about how you can keep the children amused. There are literally hundreds of ways to be thrifty without compromising on fun – and you don’t even have to venture out of the county! There are a wealth of beautiful, entertaining and little known attractions right on our doorstep, and what’s more, many of them are free!
Tolsey Museum, Burford Tel: 01993 822178 A traditional museum housed in the 16th century Market House. Displays include a dolls' house and changeable local exhibits.
Here’s our guide to some of the best places for hours of family fun for less this Easter, whatever the weather and whatever the budget!
Didcot 'A' Power Station Tel: 01235 516079; www.npower.com/education Groups of five or more (minimum age 8 years) can book a tour of this 2,000 M.W. dual-fired (coal and gas) power station.
Millets Farm Centre, Frilford Tel: 01865 392200; www.milletsfarmcentre.com For a great day out a trip to Millets Farm Centre is sure to be a winner. Onsite there is a farm shop, restaurant, garden centre, children’s farm zoo, play area and woodland walk, definitely something for all the family to enjoy. A taste of the countryside at its natural best. CS Lewis BBOWT Nature Reserve, Headington Tel: 01865 775476; www.bbowt.org.uk A magical nature reserve said to have inspired the ‘Narnia’ classic tales. There are huge stones which look like gremlins, a large pond and walks through woodland.
Minster Lovell Hall & Dovecote, Witney Tel: 0870 333 1181; www.english-heritage.org.uk Many legends are connected with this 15th century manor house, the remains of which stand on the banks of the Windrush. Great for picnics. Roman Villa, North Leigh Tel: 0870 333 1181; www.english-heritage.org.uk A near-complete mosaic tile floor and perfectly preserved underfloor heating system can be seen in the remains of a Roman courtyard villa. Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, Oxford Tel: 01865 276139; www.bate.ox.ac.uk Part of the Faculty of Music, this collection of woodwind, brass, percussion and keyboard instruments includes a complete bowmaker's workshop.
White Horse Hill and Wayland’s Smithy Tel: 0870 333 1181; www.english-heritage.org.uk You can see the chalk White Horse, as you approach. Climb to the top (264 metres) for magnificent views; fly kites and have a picnic.
University Museum of Natural History, Oxford Tel: 01865 272950; www.oum.ox.ac.uk See dinosaur skeletons, the remains of a Dodo and fossils. Watch the bees inside a real beehive. Experience ‘Feeling Good’ - a hands-on exhibition.
Ardington Millennium Sundial Walk through the trees to find the thirteen pairs of standing stones and the nine planets of the Solar System, depicted by stone discs. Abbey Meadow, Abingdon www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk Here, on the banks of Thames, there are lots of great sporting facilities such as tennis, pitch and putt, boats, play equipment, interactive water play and, in summer, a heated outdoor pool. Bury Knowle Park, Oxford Tel: 0800 052 1455; www.oxford.gov.uk Come and see the 'Wheel of Hope' sculpture, and sensory garden. There is tennis and mini golf available, and an enclosed children's play area. To advertise call 01367 888229
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The brand new ‘Let’s Go with the Children’ Guide books cover 14 regional areas of England and offer endless ideas on places to go and things to do with the family this year. Your biggest problem will be deciding where to go first! ‘Let’s Go with the Children’ Guide Books are published by Boomerang Family Ltd and are on sale, priced £3.75 each, from Waitrose, Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Martin McColl, WH Smith, Waterstones and Morrisons. Each book includes exclusive Offers from: Boden, Billy Elliott, Wicked, Grease, Fitness First, Fit for Sport, Sea Life Centres, Babyworld, Chiquito Restaurants
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Families
Community Times In The Vale
Children’s Parties - Minimal Stress, Maximum Fun! Children’s birthdays are the main event in their calendar and parents want them to have a party that they will really enjoy. With finances stretched for many, surveys show families are looking to spend less on birthdays this year and spending trends indicate a return to more traditional parties. Here are our top tips on how to make your child’s next party their best yet . Many children actually prefer small parties at home with a few friends, yummy food and some fun party games. This particularly applies to younger children and is easy to organise with some simple forward planning. If they like things a bit more hectic then think about hiring a local venue so there is plenty of room to run around. Village, school and church halls can often be hired for reasonable rates and it saves you scraping icing out of the carpet and stashing the breakables! For the over 10’s they might prefer to take one or two friends out for an activity like the cinema, ice skating, or a nail bar for the girly girls. Cinemas often offer a reduced rate showing on Saturdays. When planning a party it’s easy to feel obliged to invite the whole class. Don’t! Set an affordable limit on numbers and ask your child who they would like to invite within it. 5-6 children for a house party and 10-15 in a venue are plenty and 1½ -2 hours duration is a good length. Entertainment - have a look on the Internet or at your local library for fun and simple party game ideas. Tailor the games to suit the age group – younger children enjoy simple, short games like pass the parcel, while older kids will giggle over relay races with a balloon between knees! Have some ‘calming down’ games up your sleeve for older children too, like sleeping lions. Small prizes for taking part as well as winning helps to avoid upsets. A lucky dip with sweets in a bucket works well for this. If you prefer to have the entertainment provided, bouncy castles, discos, face painters and magicians are still firm favourites and won’t break the bank. If you are looking for something a bit different to the traditional party and your budget allows, there’s lots to choose from - swimming, pottery, jewellery, football or pizza parties are good options for older kids and soft play centres and open farms for the little ones. Cake – if you have time, making your own is cheaper and more personal. If baking is not your thing you can buy a plain sponge cake and decorate at home. Simple themes are usually the most effective and least stressful! Don’t forget candles for the day.
case of allergies or choking and save the sweets for the party bags. Squash is a better option than fizzy drinks. Remember to buy paper plates and cups unless you have enough plastic ones to go round. This is not the day to get out the best china! Party bags – Kids love getting party bags and you don’t need to go mad on the contents. A small present, a couple of sweeties, a balloon and a piece of cake will be fine. Lollies are always a hit. Museum shops are a good place to find interesting, inexpensive nick-nacks. Decorations – Balloons, streamers and a ‘Happy birthday’ banner are simple and effective. If you go for helium balloons have some weights for the strings, as children watching these float away are not the happiest! Disco balls/lights indoors, and bubble machines for outside work well (bubbles indoors are sticky & slippy) – ask around, you may be able to borrow these. Bubble wrap sellotaped to a smooth floor is great fun and a bit different. Fortunately, kids are happiest when they can play, laugh and eat and these are simple pleasures that are less about budget and more about forethought. Have a great party! Useful Contacts: Netmums.com is a great resource for party ideas and has a printable checklist for planning ahead. There is also a local party contacts list. Letterbox.co.uk has an interesting selection of party goodies. Snazaroo Face Paints: www.facepaintingdesigns.co.uk Airjelly: Bouncy Castles/Ballpool Hire, Halls List 01235 766689 www.airjelly.co.uk Starlite Roadshow: Disco entertainer, 01235 767336 One Stop Disco: 01235 772544 Magic Michael: Children’s Parties and Magic Shows 01367 252482 Faringdon Leisure Centre: 01367 241755 Wantage Leisure Centre: 01235 766201 The Funky Teapot: Pottery painting parties in Wantage 01235 769777 Party Jewels: Jewellery Parties Age 6+ 01235 223138 www.partyjewels.co.uk Roves Farm: 01793 767939 www.rovesfarm.co.uk
Airjelly Bouncy Castles are offering readers a £5 discount on production of this page
Food – Stick to the usual favourites and don’t overdo the sandwiches as these are often left. Crisps, breadsticks, pizza, biscuits, grapes, strawberries, carrot and cucumber sticks are all good options. Avoid nuts in To advertise call 01367 888229
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THE OLD STATION NURSERY FARINGDON ‘Home from home childcare’ Come and visit our award-winning nursery in the heart of Faringdon Full and part-time sessions and Nursery Education Funded sessions for 3 and 4 year olds After-school care for 5-8 year olds
For more information contact Liz on 01367 243800 or visit our website: www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk
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Sudoku 5 1 9 3 5 8 6 4
3 2 9 7 6 9 3 7 4 1 8 6 5 6 8 4 3 1 5 9 8 5 4 2 8 7 3 2 1 9 8 7
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That's all there is to it. It's fun. It's challenging. It's addictive! Solving time is typically from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your skill and experience.
Crossword Across:
Down:
4. Foretell (7) 8. Undid (6) 9. Idiotic (7) 10. Bright (6) 11. Acquire (6) 12. Judgment (8) 18. Cloudy (8) 20. Annul (6) 21. Run (6) 22. Attribute (7) 23. Is unable (6) 24. Lower (7)
1. Admit (7) 2. Protection (7) 3. Alcove (6) 5. Reply (8) 6. Signify (6) 7. Frank (6) 13. Lonely (8) 14. Brave (7) 15. Ordinance (7) 16. Diminish (6) 17. Antenna (6) 19. Iterate (6)
Across: 4 Predict; 8 Opened; 9 Asinine; 10 Clever; 11 Obtain; 12 Decision; 18 Overcast; 20 Repeal; 21 Sprint; 22 Quality; 23 Cannot; 24 Degrade. Down: 1 Concede; 2 Defence; 3 Recess; 5 Response; 6 Denote; 7 Candid; 13 Isolated; 14 Valiant; 15 Statute; 16 Reduce; 17 Feeler; 19 Repeat.
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Article
Community Times In The Vale
Plenty Happening at Longcot & Fernham Primary School Greenspace Project Mr Chris Parks has been in school once again and completed the remodelling of our willow house with some support from the children. It looks great and we are sure everyone will have fun when the warmer w e a t h e r c o m e s and the school field can be used. Chris is now working on creating the willow hurdles to make the walls of the outdoor classroom - a real piece of craftsmanship. Please come and have a look if you have not already done so. Willow fencing is widely believed to be the oldest form of fencing in Britain, dating back 5000 years to Neolithic times. A well-built hurdle or fence can last up to ten years and most importantly, the willow is coppiced, meaning that the wood is cut only from new growth. This ensures that there will be more new growth the following year. Our other artist Sarah Worthington is in the middle of a series of art workshops to create the stained glass effect windows to fit into these walls. We shall bring you an update, as well photographs of the hurdles, in next month’s Community Times in the Vale. Comenius Comenius is an EU initiative which seeks to share Above: the willow house in progress Top: Finished! knowledge and increase understanding within the learning community of member states. The programme focuses on the earlier stages of education, from pre-school to secondary stage and is aimed at Science Day increasing awareness of the diversity of culture, lan- The children celebrated the start of National Science guage and values. and Engineering week with a day of science experiAt Longcot and Fernham School we love learning ments in the school. No scientific stone was left unabout other children and how their lives compare to turned and the children even got to enjoy 2 producours. We already have a strong relationship with the tions of ‘Octopushy’, an interactive science show that Bituli Primary School in Uganda who enjoying sing- accompanied this term’s topic about Forces. The children created posters displaying their findings, the ing, reading and playing sports as much as we do. The application for Longcot and Fernham School to top three of which shall be sent to the Faringdon join the Comenius Programme has been submitted Partnership of schools competition. This fantastic and we very much look forward to learning more event was made free to the school thanks to an NPower grant given to the school. about the wider learning community. To advertise call 01367 888229
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Green news Countdown to Copenhagen
Community Times In The Vale
The richest countries on earth have pumped carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through our addiction to fossil fuels. The poorest people on earth are suffering the damaging consequences first and worst. Rich countries’ governments (and companies) must pay for the climate change they have inflicted on the developing world. An international climate deal will be negotiated at UN talks in Copenhagen in December. The deal must include obligations for rich countries to assist and help pay for developing countries to reduce their emissions, develop cleanly and adapt to climate change. Wantage Area Christian Aid Group and Wantage Area Climate Action (WACA) will have a joint stall outside Waitrose from 9am-12noon on 18th April as part of a Countdown to Copenhagen campaign. Postcards lobbying the Prime Minister to ensure that the needs of the world’s poorest are at the forefront of decision making at Copenhagen will be available for people to sign. But ‘practising what you preach’ is vital in the climate change campaign. To avert the crisis everyone needs to play their part. At the stall WACA will provide tips on energy saving and easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
Love Food Hate Waste! Despite the UK being in recession, the average Oxfordshire family wastes around £610 worth of good food every year: enough to fund a household utility bill. With research showing that 90% of us are completely unaware of the amount of food we waste, a campaign entitled ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ has been created to raise awareness of the problem and provide information on what simple steps can be taken to combat it. Oxfordshire councils, through Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP), are encouraging residents to Love Food Hate Waste, help the environment and save money. OWP chair, Cllr John Tanner says: “People don’t realise that for every three bags of shopping we buy, one of those ends up going straight in the bin! Not only are we wasting money by throwing away perfectly good food, but we’re causing a serious environmental problem.” Most discarded food currently ends up in landfill where it produces methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas. By wasting food, all the energy used to produce, package, transport and store that food gets wasted too. If we stopped wasting the amount of potentially edible food, we’d make a big impact: the same as taking 1 in 5 cars off UK roads! The main reasons for throwing away food are “cooking or preparing too much” (for example cooking too much rice or pasta and it gets left in the To advertise call 01367 888229
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saucepan or on the plate) or “not using food in time” (for example having to throw out fruit and vegetables because they’ve gone off in the fruit bowl or in the fridge, or not eating food before it goes past its use-by date). As part of the Love Food Hate Waste Campaign, Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) is getting residents to make a pledge to undertake simple tasks to cut their food waste. In return they’ll be provided with some simple kitchen tools to help such as fridge thermometers, measuring spoons and a ‘perfect portion planner’ which lists recommended portion sizes. Everyone who makes a pledge will also receive a free leftovers recipe book. Cllr John Tanner, says: "These days we all have to think about not wasting food. Using up leftovers is good for our bank balances and for the environment. Some of the tastiest homemade dishes, like bread and butter pudding or chicken soup, can be made from left over food." For more information on the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com - or make your pledge at http://tinyurl.com/b4tuua or by phoning 08450 50 45 50. You can also make your pledge and collect some useful tools, including measuring spoons and a “perfect portion” chart, at a Love Food Hate Waste roadshow in Wantage Market Place on Wed 30th March, 10am-3pm.
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Coxwell Hall & Mews Nursing Home Fernham Road Faringdon Oxon SN7 7LB Located on the outskirts of the picturesque market town of Faringdon, Coxwell Hall and Mews is a 60 bedded nursing home which has been extended and adapted to provide a homely friendly atmosphere for the elderly suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s or related disorders. At Coxwell, our aim is to ensure that all our residents enjoy a dignified and independent lifestyle. We offer a wide range of facilities and services which reflect our positive approach to caring for the elderly. 24 hours dedicated registered nursing care, single en-suite rooms decorated and furnished to a high standard, recreational facilities and activities throughout the year, wholesome nutritious meals are freshly prepared daily. For more information visit our website www.coxwellcare.org or telephone the Home Manager on: 01367 242985 41
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AprilHoroscope By Patrick Arundell
Aries
Taurus
(Mar 21st - Apr 20th) The month begins with a posse of major planets in Aries, and it ends like this too. April can be a time of new starts, yet with Venus in perpetual tension with powerful Pluto, all through you need to be conscious of your tactics when it comes to getting ahead. Fortunately, an amazing Full Moon on the 9th can do much to catapult you forwards.
(Apr 21st - May 21st)
Romance is the hot topic this month, but then some would claim it's the hot topic every month. However, if you have been finding it hard to make your mind up about a pre-existing tie, or someone new and magnetic is tempting you into a tryst, it may not be until the Taurus New Moon of the 25th of April that you finally make your mind up.
Cancer
Leo
(Jun 22nd - Jul 23rd)
(Jul 24th - Aug 23rd)
You can often be one of the most dutiful members of the zodiacal family but as soon as the 2nd of April you can feel that because you are obliging others take you for granted. From the 12th to the 19th this can see you restless, even militant. From the 20th, however, you can begin to find your bearings and command renewed respect from your peers.
Jupiter and Neptune combine for the first time in thirteen years in your sector of partners, and 2009 may turn out to be quite an odyssey for close ties. This aspect can see someone mesmerise or baffle you in equal measure, Leo. An unsatisfactory relationship may even come to a sudden and abrupt halt between the 12th and the 19th of the month. If so, quickly move on.
Libra
Scorpio
(Sep 24th - Oct 23rd)
(Oct 24th - Nov 22nd)
Early in April lots of conversation flows back and forth. From the 9th it can be your special talents which attract attention and receive positive feedback. However, Venus, your guide planet, is squared all month by tricky Pluto. In any involvement, business or personal, be sure no-one is using you for their gain. In week four your imagination hits top gear.
Capricorn (Dec 22nd - Jan 20th) Someone close to you can want to assert their independence, or it could be you keen to separate yourself from the cloying demands of a family member. There can be some frank words exchanged between the 12th and the 19th, but once issues are out into the open it can be a good thing and the month can end on a much more harmonious note. To advertise call 01367 888229
If you start a new job make sure you get formal confirmation of the terms. From the 12th to the 19th your love life can be unpredictable but this needn't be a bad thing. You could meet someone in a dramatic way, though it may quickly burn out. As April comes to a close you may find yourself with a new pet, one which will bring much contentment.
Aquarius (Jan 21st - Feb 19th) Someone can envy your independent and sometimes outspoken manner but you're very skilled at spotting such fairweather types and other friends will be more than happy to spend time with you. A cash reward can drop suddenly in the middle of April but there can be expenses too. However, by the month's end your popularity can absolutely soar.
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Gemini
(May 22nd - Jun 21st)
Sudden changes professionally are possible, but they may stem from you. The need to take a grip on your future financial destiny or sheer ambition can be behind this. Whatever you do, a contractual issue can be touch and go in the last week of April when Jupiter combines with Neptune. Put idealism to one side then and be utterly businesslike.
Virgo (Aug 24th - Sep 23rd) Money and passion make for a heady mix and with Venus clashing with Pluto all month, watch out for someone who may play fast and loose with your feelings in pursuit of either. Yet a stroke of financial luck can come around the 9th of April and can be linked to a new role at work. If you have yet to firm up holiday or learning plans, the 25th will be key.
Sagittarius
(Nov 23rd - Dec 21st) This can be a fast-moving month, with lots of social interaction and fun. You may find that your self-discipline is on the low side and a recent diet plan may go out the astral window as you enjoy all the goodies that life has to offer. Do try to get some early nights. If not, you can find your stress levels start to peak from the 12th and make you tetchy.
Pisces
(Feb 20th - Mar 20th) From the 12th of April Venus reverses into your sign and Mars goes head-tohead with Uranus, also in Pisces. Things can seriously sizzle romantically or you can find yourself at opposite ends of the sofa! Anything or anyone you're attracted to may also have a downside. Your ruler's mesh as April winds down and you may find yourself withdrawing then.
Community Times In The Vale
Helen & Douglas House
Volunteering Opportunities in our Retail Team Online (Wantage) The Helen & Douglas Houses virtual shop on eBay is growing and need volunteers to help. This involves preparing auction listings, uploading information and sending goods to their new homes. Full training will be given if required. We also have a bookshop on Amazon which regularly needs updating with new books, DVDs, videos and games. Retail Office (Wantage) Volunteers are needed to help in the Retail Office above the shop in Wantage Market Place. The Retail Office looks after all 21 shops around Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties and we need for people to help with general administration and support. Warehouse (Grove and/or Abingdon) The Helen & Douglas House warehouse needs volunteers for various roles including stock sorting and van drivers/van driver helpers. If you think you might be able to help, please contact Wendy Bridge on 01865 794749 or email wbridge@helenanddouglas.org.uk or pop into your local shop for a volunteer application pack.
Helen & Douglas House 2008 - Providing hospice care for children and young adults. (Registered Charity Number : 1085951)
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Community Times In The Vale Cars Bought, Sold and Exchanged. Call 07976 919475 (day) or 01367 243454 (eves). www.paulfrancis.hpi.co.uk
Carpentry and Property Maintenance Experienced local Carpenter and Handyman. Large and small jobs undertaken including:
First Babies Group, 0 to 15 months old, Grove Parish Church, Mondays, 10.30-12, just come along or call 01235 511152 for more details
Carpentry: Decking and other garden woodwork. Window repairs, door hanging adjustment and refitting. Locks fitted, flooring, shelving and more. Fittings and fixtures: Mirrors, pictures, blinds, curtain poles, flat pack furniture assembly, etc. Wall and floor tiling. Interior and some exterior painting. Full liability insurance. Friendly and reliable service.
Professional Proofreading and Copy-editing at reasonable rates. Call 01367 888229 and ask for The Proof Fairy or visit www.theprooffairy.com Your Advert Here from just £5 per month. Call Alison on 01367 888229 to book.
Contact: Graham Fletcher 01367 242775 Mobile 07721507433
Brian Tonks www.wooden-toys-4u.co.uk Tel.01367 718787 Wooden Toys & Furniture
£57.00
Individual hand made toys & furniture Ride On Toys and Rockers Variety of custom made toddlers chairs (Teddy bear chair shown opposite) Dolls houses, Castles, Farms etc
THE SMALL ADS BOOKING FORM Selling your car? Starting a business? Do party plan? Renting out your holiday home? Organising an event? Advertise in in the CT In The Vale Small Ads from just £5 a month. To book send this form, with payment and your advert, to: The Small Ads, CT In The Vale, 9 Cromwell Close, Faringdon SN7 7BQ. Please make cheques payable to Community Times In The Vale. Cut off date: 15th of month preceding publication. Your advert will appear from the next available issue. A copy of our standard Terms & Conditions is available on request.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------I would like to book a:
20 word lineage ad @ £5 40 word lineage ad @ £7.50 Small portrait box @ £10 Small landscape box @ £10 Large business card box @ £20 For a period of 1 month 3 months 6 months 12 months 10% discount for bookings of 6 months or more - please deduct before sending payment I enclose payment of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Tel: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Email: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______ To advertise call 01367 888229
www.ctinthevale.co.uk
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APR 09
Please tell advertisers you saw them in Community Times
The Small Ads Your advert here for just £5 lineage - £10 small box - £20 large box. Call Alison on 01367 888229 for more details or to book, or complete the form on page 44.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure Find new homes for your old stuff, and get stuff for free, at Freecycle. uk.freecycle.org
PA4U Need an experienced Office/Events Manager or PA to run your office or organise a large event? Contact Jo Simmonds: 01235 764313, 07876 071435 or email josephinesimmonds@ntlworld.com
Airport Transfers
MAN WITH VAN Available for Light Haulage, Collections, Deliveries and Small Removals
Fully insured and licensed vehicles Wedding and executive cars Business accounts welcome
Daytime, Evening & Weekend Work
0845 260 3230 or 07812 162567
Tel: 01367 710526 Mobile: 07860 656351
Email: brihire@aol.com Website: www.brianhire.co.uk
CFJ CARAVAN CARE
Singing, Piano and Keyboard Lessons
Servicing, Repairs, Maintenance, Pre Purchase Inspections
James Mitchell A.R.C.M. CHRIS JAMES - Mobile Service Engineer ACOPS approved
Gift tokens Available
Tel: 01235 224517 Mob: 07887 724525 Email: chrisjames50@ntlworld.com
Tel. 01235 767975 or email: jamesmitchell@onevoice.freeserve.co.uk
Member of the Mobile Caravan Engineers Association
D & S Builders Private Hire
Garden Walls, Patios, Fencing, Roofing, General Building Work, Guttering. Aggregates Supplied & Delivered. Extensions, Drainage.
Fully insured & licensed vehicles
Comfortable Car or 6 Seater Available Contracts Welcome - Please Book In Advance
Ring Laraine or Roger
No Job Too Small. Call for a Quote. home/office: (01367) 242755 fax: (01367) 242728 mobile: 07765 010751
Accompanied visits • Shopping Trips Start Your Holiday In Style • Day At The Races Football Matches • That Special Day Out Airport Transfers • Pub Teams • Lady Driver Available To advertise call 01367 888229
www.ctinthevale.co.uk
dsbuilders@fsmail.net
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Please tell advertisers you saw them in Community Times
Community Pages
Community Times In The Vale
Useful Numbers Local services:
Emergencies:
Vale of White Horse Council 01235 520202 Wantage Library 01235 762291 Faringdon Library 01367 240311 Grove Library 01235 763841 Faringdon Tourist Info Centre 01367 242191 Wantage Visitor Info Point 01235 760176
Police, fire or ambulance 999 Local Police 08458 505505 Thames Valley Police 0845 8 505505 Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111 Local Fire Station 01865 842999 Gas Emergency Number 0800 111 999 Floodline 0845 988 1188 Housing 01235 520202 Social & Community Services 0800 833408
Helplines: Samaritans 0845 790 9090 Childline 0800 11 11 Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555 Victim Support 0845 3030 900 Parentline 0808 800 2222 Wantage Counselling Service 01235 769744
Community Times is available at: Wantage: Sainsbury’s, Library, Mably Way Health Centre, Geoffrey Bailey Shoes, Vale & Downland Museum, Helen & Douglas House shop, Sainsbury’s garage Grove: Tesco, Cornerstone Coffee Shop, Library, Health Centre, Supa Fruits, Co op (Savile Way) Faringdon: Budgens, Mustard Seed, Library, White Horse & Fernhill Health Centres, Tourist Info Centre Other places: Stanford in the Vale Co op; Hanney village shop, Uffington village shop; Ardington stores, Hendred Stores, The Woodman Fernham, The Eagle Great Coxwell. (all the above while stocks last)
Advice: Independent Advice Centre 01235 765348 Citizens Advice 0845 050 5155
Transport: National Rail Enquiry Line 08457 48 49 50 National Public Transport 0870 608 2 608
If you’ve enjoyed this edition of the magazine or have any comments to make please let us know! Our address and contact details are on page 3.
Business services:
Advertise your business in
Wantage Business Breakfast Club Tel: 01235 861779 Wantage Chamber of Commerce www.wantagechamberofcommerce.co.uk Faringdon Business Breakfast Club www.faringdongateway.co.uk Faringdon Chamber of Commerce www.faringdonchamber.com 4Networking (Business networking) www.4networking.biz
Community Times Deadline for May issue of Community Times In The Vale is Wednesday 15th April
Local Websites:
Tel: 01367 888229
Faringdon: www.faringdon.org Wantage: www.wantage.com The Hanneys: www.thehanneys.org.uk East Hendred: www.hendred.org Grove: www.grove-oxon.org.uk Stanford in the Vale: www.stanford-in-the-vale.co.uk Uffington: unet.members.beeb.net To advertise call 01367 888229
www.ctinthevale.co.uk
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www.ctinthevale.co.uk Email press releases and photos to: editor@ctinthevale.co.uk We can’t guarantee to print everything we receive
Community Times In The Vale Advertisers
Index of advertisers Page
Advertisers
Air Jelly Bouncy Castles …………………………….. 35 The Barbers ……………………………...……………. 9 Barnes Coaches ……………………………………... 33 Basil Mienie ………………………………………..…... 9 Best Western Sudbury House Hotel ……………….. 7 Brian’s Hire ……………………………………………...45 Brian Tonks Wooden Toys 4 U ……………………... 44 Brett’s Pharmacy …………………………...…………. 2 Carswell Golf Club …………………………………... 19 CFJ Caravan Care ………………………..……………45 Coleshill Organics……………………….….……...…...29 Complete Mobile Valeting …………………………... 44 Cornerstone Café & Christian Bookshop ……...…….33 Coxwell Hall & Mews Nursing Home …………...…... 41 D & S Builders …………………………..…………….. 45 DNA Plastering & Building Service …………..……... 39 Dolphin Gallery ……………………………………….. 15 Faringdon Upholstery ……………………………….. 47 First Babies Group …………………………………... 44 Graham Fletcher, Carpenter ………………………... 44 James Mitchell @ One Voice …………..……………. 45 Jenny @ Footnotes …………………………………… 44 LJ & CA Cannings ……………………….……………..19 Live Connections ……………………………….……... 39
Page
Man with Van (Rapid Services) ……………….………45 Monika Becker, Alternative Health Practitioner ……. 17 Mortgages Made Easy ……………….………………..39 Nonoy’s Oriental Store ……………...…………………29 Old Station Nursery ……………………………...……... 35 Opal (Marjories) ………………………...……………….15 Oxford Live Jazz …………………………..…………….. 15 PA 4U (Jo Simmonds) ……………………………….. 44 Paul Francis, Renault Specialist ……………………. 44 The Proof Fairy ……………………...…………………..44 Puppy School ……………………..……………………..21 Robert Elliott Vets…………………………..………….... 21 Safeclean …………………………………....………….... 21 Smiths Restaurant …………………………………….. 27 Stylers ………………………………...…………………..7 tfd health & fitness……………………......……….…….. 48 The National Pages ………………………………….. 45 Vale & Downland Museum ……………..…………..…... 11 WA Broda Painting & Decorating ………..……………. 33 Wantage Cabs ………………………………….………... 7 Wantage Chiropractic Clinic……...…………….…...….29 White Cottage Beauty ………………………..……..…... 35 White Horse Hire …………………………...…….……..45 Woods Hair Salon @ Carswell Golf Club …………. 13
Buy direct from your local manufacturer and save money At Faringdon Upholstery we manufacture top quality upholstery supplied direct to the public. We make furniture the way you want it, with thousands of fabrics to choose from.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Established 27 years Craftsman built All suites fully guaranteed All suites covered in your own choice of fabric Solid wood frames Made to measure Re-upholstery service Curtains
Don’t settle for mass production when you can have made-to-measure for the same price! Tel: 01367 241855
Come and see our wide selection of suites today
Open Monday to Saturday 10am — 5pm To advertise call 01367 888229
www.ctinthevale.co.uk
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