PARISH PUMP is published every month except January, and should be
distributed to every household in the Shill Valley and Broadshire benefice. If you
do not receive a copy, please contact Jane Brylewski on 01993 822479.
Advertising revenue does not cover all our costs, and we welcome
donations (suggesting at least £5/year) which you can send through your
Parish Pump Correspondent (see inside back cover), the person who
delivers your Parish Pump, or directly to Ellie Maughan. If you have not
already done so, please send your donation to cover 2011’s issues.
Cheques should be made out to ‘Parish Pump’.
We welcome articles, letters, diary items, or just good ideas for future articles [and
criticism, whether good or bad! Ed]. Please submit through your local Parish Pump
Correspondent, or directly to Ros Atkinson. Photographs are also welcome.
Copy should be sent electronically by email to theparishpump@googlemail.com.
All copy for inclusion should reach the editorial office by the 10 th of the month
preceding publication.
Advertising enquiries are welcomed, and should be directed to Gill Cox
We are indebted to all the Parish Correspondents, and to all those in all the
parishes who make possible the publication and distribution of Parish Pump
every month.
EDITOR
Ros Atkinson
Cross Tree Cottage, Cross Tree Lane, Filkins, Nr Lechlade, Glos GL7 3JL
Tel: 01367 860859 Email: theparishpump@googlemail.com
TREASURER
Ellie Maughan
Home Farm, Kelmscott, Lechlade, Glos GL7 3HD
Tel: 01367 252220 Email: cmaughan@supanet.com
ADVERTISING
Gill Cox
Ivy Nook, Kencot, Lechlade, Glos
Tel: 01367 860250 Email: parishpump@btinternet.com
ADVERTISING RATES
No of ads 1 6 11
Full Page £38 £198 £308
Half Page £26 £156 £198
Quarter Page £17 £84 £121
Any views expressed in Parish Pump are not necessarily those of the Parish Pump editorial
team, nor of the benefice clergy.
1
FROM THE EDITOR
B y the time you are reading this, or flicking through it on the way to the
next page, it will be February, and all my New Year’s Revolutions (sp
deliberate; they are not popular and cause mutiny amongst the lower
ranks) will be littered by the wayside. Just like, in fact, the stuff that is littered all
over our wayside (best not get me started on the plastic bunting decorating the
countryside, or the next 60 pages will be One Big Rant).
This year much as last, I decided that we are far too slovenly (when I say ‘we’ I
really mean ‘me’. I think I may have some kind of a Queen Victoria-style
grandeur delusion syndrome, although it is more likely that actually nobody
listens to me and I end up talking to myself) Thus the new rules are that children
must do all their music practice in the morning, make their beds, do extra
homework, in fact actually DO their homework, and answer me when I ask them
what they want in their sandwiches. And get to school early (ish).
By day three, I am exhausted. Being a slave driver is not in my shambolic nature.
I have totally scuppered the children’s efforts with homework, having I put a big
pile of paper into the stove to light a fire. It was very cold. I didn’t really notice
what it was, and...er...I have a sneaking feeling that that’s also how I missed the
bit of information telling us that school was actually starting five minutes earlier,
so even if we DO get there early (ish), we still end up being late.(Ludo has just read
the bit about the homework over my shoulder. I am in BIG trouble! )
This time it’s me who breaks ranks. I crawl back onto the sofa and catch up with
some calorie controlled biscuit consumption, part of my ‘Eat, Drink and be
Merry, for tomorrow we diet’ diet. Ah yes, that was Christmas; lovely in every
way, except that I put on 5 pounds. In one day. I think that means I ate a whole
turkey all by myself, which is quite frankly beyond hideously greedy, and verging
on the absolutely appalling (bypassing a little bit piggy by miles). It also seems to
mean that I’m going cold turkey on the cold turkey and I have to console myself
with little trips to the biscuit packet. Only half a biscuit each time mind, this is a
diet, remember. And if that means I make twice as many trips, then that is
valuable exercise, and should be encouraged.
Before I leave you to peruse what joys February and beyond has to offer, please
could I remind you that subscriptions are due in. It being the start of the year,
you might need to raid moneybox/ car parking fund/ back of sofa, but your
support is hugely appreciated.
Please send your contributions into Ellie Maughan (address opposite) or your
Pump correspondent. And a Happy New Year!
Ros
(Many thanks to Derek Cotterill for the front cover photo of Shilton church by night)
2
RECTOR’S LETTER
Dear friends
I find it difficult to know whether some of the stories I hear are sheer fiction or
actually true. There was one about two cowboys who went in to a church, and
found themselves confronted with a large board on which were painted the Ten
Commandments. They stood in front of it, reading one after another of the
‘Thou shalt not’ injunctions about blasphemy, murder, theft, covetousness and so
on. And as they did so they became more and more overcome with guilt. Bowed
down with the awareness of their moral corruption they slunk quietly out of the
building and rode silently away. They had gone a few hundred yards when one of
them suddenly sat up in his saddle and said ‘I never worshipped an idol’!
Whereupon they both brightened up, and trotted merrily into the sunset.
The thought that there was at least one sin they hadn’t committed restored their
morale. But they were even wrong about that. One writer wrote ‘Two thousand
years ago, the most developed nations in the world worshipped idols, gods of
wood and stone. Today we laugh at their ignorance, but the modern
manifestations of idolatry are no less foolish and just as harmful’
So in a period of austerity and cutbacks, it is no bad thing to take stock.
Traditionally this is what Lent is about. It is a period in which to test our desires,
to see whether there are any other ‘gods’ on which we have come to depend. A
prophet called Joel challenged his nation at a time of crisis with the words
‘Declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly and cry out to God.’ In other words
‘clear a space for God’. It is very easy in a materialistic culture and affluent
society to find our lives cluttered with things such as busyness, the pursuit of
money, a concern about clothes. The trouble is that they dominate, and crowd
out God and take the edge off our appetite for his words and his love. Yet deep
down inside every person there is in fact a longing for him that needs to be
uncovered, because only He can satisfy it. Even the sceptical philosopher Jean
Paul Sartre acknowledged ‘That I don’t believe in God, I can’t deny, but that my
heart cries out for him, I must admit.’
Just as little snacks throughout the day can take the edge off your appetite for a
solid meal, so little distractions can divert our affections from a deeper awareness
of the divine. We miss out on something that is far more beautiful and enriching.
We need to uncover the hunger of the heart for what is infinite and eternal.
Sport, social life, music, television, or the internet can preoccupy us. We become
mildly dependent on food, caffeine, nicotine or alcohol. Lent offers us the chance
to put aside for a while the things that press in upon us, and to enter more into a
life that is that fully human. But we only realise it when we set aside time from
the things that distract for the things that really matter. Lent is time for getting
our priorities right, so that we don’t fall into the trap of a life of idolatry.
Harry MacInnes
3
SHILL VALLEY AND BROADSHIRE SERVICES FEBRUARY
Sunday 5th February (3rd before Lent)
10.30am Alvescot Benefice Communion Rev MacInnes/Rev Ross
6.00pm Langford Benefice Evensong Rev Ross
Sunday 12th February (2nd before Lent)
9.00am Alvescot Holy Communion Rev MacInnes
9.00am Broadwell Holy Communion Rev Wheaton
9.00am Westwell/Holwell Holy Communion Rev McGrath
10.30am Filkins Parish Communion Rev McGrath
10.30am Shilton Parish Communion & Rev MacInnes/Rev
Children’s Church Wheaton
11.00am Little Faringdon Matins Mr. Arthur Pont
6.00pm Black Bourton Evensong Rev Wheaton
6.00pm Kencot Evensong Rev MacInnes
Sunday 19th February (1st before Lent)
9.00am BBourton/Alvescot Holy Communion Rev Johnson
9.00am Holwell Holy Communion Rev Wheaton
10.30am Langford Parish Communion Rev Wheaton
10.30am Kelmscott Family Communion Rev Johnson
6.00pm Filkins Evensong Rev Wheaton
6.00pm Westwell Evensong Rev Ross
Ash Wednesday - 22nd February
7.30pm Shilton Ash Wednesday Service Rev MacInnes/Rev Ross
Sunday 26th February (Lent I)
9.00am Shilton Holy Communion Rev MacInnes
9.00am Kencot Holy Communion Rev McGrath
10.30am Alvescot/BBourton Parish Communion Rev McGrath
10.30am Filkins Family Communion Rev Wheaton
10.30am Broadwell Matins Rev MacInnes
11am Lt Faringdon Parish Communion Rev Johnson
4.00pm Langford Evensong Rev Wheaton
6.00pm Holwell/Westwell Evensong Mr. Jeremy Lane
Wednesday 29th February
9pm Shilton Compline Rev MacInnes
Sunday 4th March (Lent II)
10.30am Holwell Benefice Communion Rev MacInnes/ Rev
Johnson
6.00pm Kencot Benefice Evensong Rev Johnson
MIDWEEK SERVICES
Wed 8thFeb Black Bourton 10am HM
Wed 22nd Feb Black Bourton 10am PW
4
COTSWOLD HOME
Fri. 3rd Feb Holy Communion 11.30am NUW
Weds 8th Feb Holy Communion 11.30am HMI
Fri. 17th Feb Holy Communion 11.30am NUW
Weds 22nd Feb Holy Communion 11.30am PW
LECTIONARY
Sunday 5th February (3rd before Lent) Gold
Isaiah 40.21-end Psalm 147.1-12 1 Corinthians 9.16-23 Mark 1.29-39
Sunday 12th February (2nd before Lent) Gold
Proverbs 8.1, 22-31 Psalm 104.26-end Colossians 1.15-20 John 1.1-14
Sunday 19th February (1st before Lent) Gold
2 Kings 2.1-12 Psalm 50.1-6 2 Corinthians 4.3-6 Mark 9.2-9
Weds. 22nd February (Ash Wednesday) Purple
Isaiah 58.1-12 Psalm 51.1–18 2 Corinthians 5.20b—6.10 John 8.1–11
Sunday 26th February (Lent I) Purple
Genesis 9.8-17 Psalm 25.1-9 1 Peter 3.18-end Mark 1.9-15
Sunday 4th March (Lent II) Purple
Genesis 17.1-7, 15, 16 Psalm 22.23-end Romans 4.13-end Mark 8.31-end
LENT COURSE: HANDING ON THE TORCH
This year, the York Lent Course explores the ‘past, present and future place of
the Christian faith in our society’.
The course CD includes contributions from, among others, Archbishop John
Sentamu and the Roman Catholic broadcaster, Clifford Longley, to stimulate our
thoughts and discussions on a series of questions for the Church today:
February 27th A Christian Country? March 19th Competing Creeds?
March 5th A Secular Society? March 26th Handing on the Torch?
March 12th A Beleaguered Church?
Our meetings are on Monday afternoons, from 2.00pm to 3.30pm, at 11 Oakey
Close, Alvescot. You are welcome to any or all of them: I look forward to seeing
you! Please contact me on 01993 846169 for further details
Liz Johnson
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday February 1st at 3.00pm in the Methodist
Church Schoolroom. This will be a business meeting for members. There will be
no speaker. Refreshments will be provided.
SUNDAY SERVICE IN THE METHODIST CHURCH
There will a service at 3.00pm every Sunday in the Methodist Church.
Barbara Edwards
5
SHILTON BAPTIST CHAPEL
D o you ever go searching for something and instead of
finding it come across an old letter from the past? It
happened to me recently when I discovered a letter
written by the nephew of my grandparents. Wilfred had spent a
holiday at Ivy Bank in Shilton and had sent a thank-you letter
dated 22-06-36 but he also described his journey home to Willesdon on his
bicycle. He arrived home at 5.30pm but does not say when he left Shilton.
0 Shilton 34-9 Stokenchurch
13-4 Cassington Halt 41-9 High Wycombe
19-8 Oxford City Boundary 49 The Beehives
28-7 Tetsworth 55-4 Bucks-Middlesex Boundary
31 Postcombe Oxbridge
32-8 The Hill 68 Home
33-9 Oxon-Bucks Boundary
I am assuming that the numbers represent the mileage. This must have been a
journey to remember. He actually emigrated to Australia soon after, an even
longer journey.
We are all on a journey and have not reached our destination, it is called the
journey of life. Be careful how you go as every step will show.
Janet Whitfield
Preachers for February:
February 5th Informal
February 12th Barry Shepherd
February 19th Mike & Chris Barrett
February 26th Tim Welch
Our services are at 3.00pm and visitors are always very welcome.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Carols by the Pond, we counted about
80 and considering that it was torrential rain in the afternoon we were really
pleased to see that many. It had stopped raining by the time we started singing
and by the end the stars were all out and it was a beautiful night. Thank you
especially to Mike and Barry for playing, to Bev for the hot, and very welcome,
punch and to all those who helped and who set everything up. As usual it looked
magical with all the lanterns and the reflections in the pond.
Our thanks too to everyone who made donations at the soup days last year, we
were gave £220.00 to help the homeless in Oxford. Our next Soup Day is
Wednesday February 8th from 12.00 to 1.30pm. As usual everyone is very
welcome.
Elizabeth Harfield
6
FILKINS & DISTRICT ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
The 2011 Poppy Appeal in the Broadshire villages proved to be highly
successful, once again. A total of £2,500 was donated to the Legion.
This was made up from: £1,633 from House-to-House and Static
Point collections; £532 from the collection at St Peter & St Paul
Broadwell on Remembrance Sunday; re-imbursement by the villages
for their wreaths; and a donation from the Branch. Our thanks go to
all who contributed so generously and to the many collectors who
gave up their time for this worthy cause.
Rachel Taylor (PAO)
BRANCH CLOSURE
Members have been informed that it is with great sadness that the decision has
been made to close the Filkins and District Branch after over 60 years. The
inexorable decrease in active membership has resulted in the Branch’s activities
being limited to organizing the Poppy Appeal and coordinating the
Remembrance Service in one or other of the Broadshire villages in recent years.
The result of this decision is that the Branch standard will be laid up in St Peter’s
Filkins in the next month or two. It is hoped that the Broadshire Remembrance
Services will continue to be held in Filkins, Langford, Broadwell and Kencot in
rotation. Although the Legion will not take the lead in the future, some behind-
the-scenes organization will be forthcoming, if required.
Jeremy Taylor
BENEFICE CHOIR
L ike the members of the Choir itself those who come to the Benefice
Service will have been greatly saddened by David New’s article in the
December 2011 Parish Pump saying that he is resigning as Choirmaster.
Geographically the Benefice is very widespread. The Choir has played a very
important part in bringing the Benefice together and made us feel that we all
belong to the same team.
David is not the first person to hold this appointment. But his time as
Choirmaster has been a distinguished one. While new recruits have continued to
join us, some of the original members have moved away from the district and so
are no longer with us. Others have been unwell and have also had to leave as a
result. So total numbers are at present lower than they were earlier on. David still
managed to create some great singing and through that added much that has
been very worthwhile to the Benefice Services.
We wish David well for the future and thank him warmly for all he has done to
foster such a worthwhile spirit. In the not too distant future we hope that
another Choirmaster will emerge to build on David’s admirable legacy.
Roger Goodenough
7
ROUND OUR VILLAGES
The 15 villages that make up the 11 parishes in the Shill &
Broadshire Benefice are lively places. Every month there are
dozens of events organized by the many local organizations that
flourish here.
We are pleased to report on every event that has happened, and
to publicise all those that are to come.
We try to incorporate all the many contributions we receive, but
please accept that we can not always advertise your particular
event in the way you would like.
But please do keep sending us all your Village News.
ALVESCOT
St Peter’s
ALVESCOT VILLAGE FETE
The Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics are huge national events this year but
we’re now turning our minds to that important summer day in between and our
next village fete! This year it will be on Saturday, 16 th June in the playing field.
Our first ‘open’ meeting will be held in St Peter’s School on Wednesday 22th
February at 8.00pm when the 2012 fete committee will be formed and new ideas
are discussed and old favourites are kept. Our aim is to organise and hold
another successful event for villagers and visitors to enjoy whilst raising much
needed money for our village organisations. If you would like to be involved
please do come along.
It’s never too early to start putting things by so please remember the fete if you
have any unwanted gifts, jewellery and bottles etc for the stalls. Perhaps you
could plant a few extra if you grow your own vegetables, herbs or flowers.
Jayne Lewin
THE ODDFELLAS
A happy evening took place at Alvescot Village Hall in November. We were
entertained by ‘The Oddfellas’ a folk group from Ealing. Talented musicians we
covered various emotions, comic, melancholy, jolly, sad, we joined in with the
singing and some even had a ukele lesson. The whole evening was relaxed and
easy going. Thank you to all those who supported the evening, we raised £200.00
for each Church, St Peter’s and St Mary’s.
Doreen Hart
8
ST PETER’S INFANTS SCHOOL
On behalf of the children, staff and governors of
St Peter’s, I would like to wish you all a very
Happy New Year and to thank everyone who
supported the School during 2011. We look
forward to what the year ahead holds and look forward to working together to
ensure the continued success of the school in 2012.
Our Christmas celebrations began with the Christmas Bazaar. This year £1303.00
was raised which has been used to purchase a new outdoor musical instrument
for the use of all the children. Thank you to everyone who supported this event
and helped to raise such a marvellous sum.
Once again, the school took part in ‘Operation Christmas Child’ and this year
received a record twenty-five shoeboxes. Thank you to all the families who
donated a box and made a difference to a child in need, somewhere in the world,
this Christmas.
This year’s Christmas performance, ‘It’s a Nativity’, was truly wonderful! Thanks
to all the staff who worked so hard- it truly was a great team effort. Many thanks
to all the children and parents from Broadshires Pre-school who came to the
morning performance, Colin Newlands who played the piano for us once again
and Al Birmingham who took photographs, donating 50% of his profits to the
school. Photographs of the nativity can be seen in the photo gallery of the
Children’s Pages on the school’s website at: www.st-peters-inf.oxon.sch.uk
Reverend Johnson led the Christingle service on the last Sunday of the term. This
was well supported and a total of £128.00 was raised in aid of ‘The Children’s
Society’ and £28.00 was collected at the end of the service for the Church. Thank
you to all those who attended and for your donations, as well as to all the parents
who helped to make the Christingles and the Cotswold Wildlife Park, who
donated the oranges.
Once again, we were delighted to accept an invitation from ‘The Plough’ for
Christmas dinner. All the children and staff had a delicious traditional Christmas
dinner followed by a surprise visit from Father Christmas, who gave all the
children gifts. This was a wonderful occasion and we cannot thank all the staff at
The Plough enough for their hospitality.
The children were all very excited to return to school after the Christmas break
and to share all their news with their friends and teachers.
The first social event of the New Year will be a Gift and Pamper Evening on 2nd
March. We are hoping that, with the first signs of Spring appearing, you will seize
the opportunity for a bit of pampering whilst, at the same time, treating yourself
to a gift for Mother’s Day or Easter.
Sam King
9
GIFT AND PAMPER EVENING
St Peter’s School is holding a Gift and Pamper Evening on Friday 2 nd March
from 7.30 onwards. We are hoping that, with the first signs of Spring appearing,
you will seize the opportunity for a bit of pampering - we will have reflexology,
head massage, beauty consultation, nail treatment to name but a few! With
Mother’s Day and Easter approaching, you will also have the opportunity to
purchase gifts from various stalls.
Please come along as we are trying to raise money for school. Tickets will be
£3.50 and will include a glass of wine and nibbles. Please contact St Peter's
School for tickets on 01993 842535 or just come along and buy your ticket on
the night.
Sharon Waters
ALVESCOT CHARITIES
The Alvescot Charities Trustees administer funds from Charitable Bequests and
Charitable Allotments made in the last three centuries, and which are designated
for the relief of hardship. The Trustees normally make grants at Christmas, but
given the current economic conditions, they will consider additional applications
from persons in pressing need and who qualify (see below).
The Trustees of Alvescot Charities would welcome confidential approaches from
Alvescot residents to apply for a grant provided that they meet the following
conditions which meet the requirements the original bequests/allotments and the
requirements of the Charities Act:
• That they are resident in Alvescot
• That they are 65 years of age or older
• That they are in receipt of one or more means-tested State benefits.
If you feel you may be eligible for a grant from the Alvescot Charities, please
approach one of the Trustees above or write to or phone me, Clerk to the
Tustees on 01993 842857
All correspondence and information will be treated in the strictest confidence
unless the Trustees are required to do otherwise by Law.
Nigel Williams
BLACK BOURTON
St Mary’s
PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS
These will take place in the Church at 7.30pm on the following dates 22 nd
February, 28th March and 25th April.
10
CAROL SINGING
On Sunday 18th December the Church was full and the aroma of mulled
wine and mincepies filled the air. The Church was beautifully decorated and one
tree in particular stole the show. Sponsored by Tom Lanham depicting the
Twelve Days of Christmas with figures knitted by his mother Jeanette and his
grandmother, who must have been busy for months. It was splendid and led us
to singing the song complete with actions. Carols were sung with gusto, children
played their part with ‘Away in a Manger’ and some were confident enough to
sing solos or duets. Well done! Many thanks to Jeremy Lane for leading the
singing, Pete Miles and Sarah Hewitt for the mulled wine, Tom Lanham for the
tree and all those who cooked and helped serve the food. A wonderful village get
together.
(For the Oddfellas report, please see under Alvescot)
GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH
Congratulations to Alex Clarke for achieving her Gold D of E Award. We
appreciated her community work at the Church during her silver award. Well
done!
CHESS AT THE VINES
Dougie Reeds and Bill Taylor invite anyone who would like to play chess to join
them at the Vines on Thursdays at 6.45. Please pop in, you will be very welcome.
WEDNESDAY COMMUNION
Communion takes place at St Mary’s Church Black Bourton at 10.00pm. Please
note that the number of services are being reduced to the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays
of each month. We will be pleased to see you.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD
To all those budding enthusiasts attempting The D of E Awards, a word of
encouragement…………
I am so proud to be able to relate that my daughter Alexandra Clarke has
completed her Bronze, Silver and Gold award aged 18 years! On the 8th
November she and I were invited to attend the presentation ceremony of the
Gold awards at St James’s Palace, London. Due to large numbers attending it was
not possible for His Royal Highness to present the Gold Awards personally. This
was done by a specially invited dignitary, Olympic triple jumper Michelle
Robinson who spelt out what an achievement this was. However, His Royal
Highness did spend as much time as possible talking informally with the
recipients and Alexandra had an opportunity to speak with him personally. Quite
a rare feat given that he is now 90 years of age. Special thanks go to Christine
Pope and Doreen Hart who supported her carrying out duties within St Mary’s
Church for the bronze and silver medals.
Niki Clarke
11
BROADWELL
St Peter & St Paul’s
ALTAR FLOWERS
February until Lent greenery June Goodenough
It was a quiet time in our small village; but there was a really good congregation
for the combined Carol Service with Kencot. It was most impressive to see the
number of Kencot folk who came down the road to us, and we must repay the
complement next year. On Christmas Day, too, many came, and the kind Munsey
invitation to a drink afterwards was as usual a great draw.
Some were away, and some not well, but the others sang with great enthusiasm to
welcome the day.
Advert! If you want to have a good sing, come to Matins at Broadwell.
June Goodenough
BROADWELL AND KENCOT CAROL SINGING
Regrettably the Tuesday evening Carol singing around Broadwell had to be
cancelled. This was mainly due to a lack of singers, as some had previous
appointments, some were away, and some not well. We are quite a small
population.
But on the Thursday a good number turned up, and sang around Kencot,
finishing with refreshments and a thank-you ‘sing for our supper’ afterwards.
This included the traditional rendition of ‘While shepherds watched’ to the tune
now associated with ‘Ilkley Moor’, but is actually a hymn tune called
CRANFORD, composed around 1800. This was first sung in these two parishes
when Rev. Nugee was Rector in the 1960s. The sum of £350.00 has been sent to
Cancer Relief.
As a historical note, carol singing here was started by the now dissolved
Woman’s Institute in memory of their late Chairwoman, who lived in North
Lodge Kencot, and who sadly died of cancer in the late 1940s.
It would be a great pity to let this tradition die after so many years; so let us hope
for better luck next Christmas.
Jack Auger
NEWS FROM BROADSHIRES PRESCHOOL
We hope that everyone has recovered after the busy Christmas
holidays. The children of Broadshires are fully back in the swing of
things after the excitement of Santa.
This term the topic is Living Things which begins with an ironic twist
12
by looking at ‘Dinosaurs’! It is a favourite subject for many of the staff and
children so it had to be included! Watch out where you step when you next go
through the doors at preschool as you may find a T-Rex snapping at your heels
or a Triceratops about to charge. The children have had brilliant fun playing with
all the models in the sand and, I’m sure, the chance to roar like a dinosaur has
been an opportunity not to be missed. Several new books, both fact and fiction,
have been brought in and everyone has enjoyed looking at them. These have
inspired many craft activities including painting a giant dinosaur which will look
fantastic up on the wall.
At the end of February the children will be celebrating the Year of the Dragon
with the Chinese New Year. Let’s hope this involves making a model dragon
although I think there may be some arguments amongst the staff about who gets
the front end and who is at the back!
The play shed became a soup kitchen for a while and if you love the idea of
‘stone soup’ or ‘leaves and grass puree’ you would have been a very happy
customer!! All the recipes were the children’s own though and were written down
carefully in case there is a budding Jamie Oliver or Heston Blumenthal amongst
them!
As always if you which to enquire about a place or would like some further
information about Broadshires Preschool please contact Jackie Overton on
01367 860729 or email jackie@broadshires-preschool.org.uk.
Rowan Harris
FILKINS & BROUGHTON POGGS
St Peter’s
ST FILICA SOCIETY
The AGM of the St Filica Society will take place on Tuesday 21 st February at
8.00pm in the Village Hall. Papers will be circulated to members in advance of
the meeting.
Avril Payne (Chairman)
PARISH COUNCIL
Do please remember that minutes and notices of meetings are displayed on the
notice boards in the bus shelter, in Broughton Poggs in the Village Shop, and in
the Post Office. There is a more comprehensive file of Parish Council bumph in
the Cotswold Woollen Weavers Coffee Shop.
Cris Hoad
13
ROSTER FOR VOLUNTARY CAR SERVICE TO LOCAL SURGERIES
FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2012
Covering the villages of Filkins, Broughton Poggs, Langford, Little Faringdon,
Kencot and Broadwell (All telephone codes 01367)
Tuesdays Thursdays
2nd Feb Mrs C Woodford 860319
7th Feb Mrs F Shrouder 860053 9th Feb Miss H Squire 860337
14th Feb Lady Allison 860787 16th Feb Mr C Morley 860777
21st Feb Mrs F Shrouder 860053 23rd Feb Mrs J Higham 860197
28th Feb Mrs A Dossett- 860357
Davies
1st March Mrs J Higham 860197
6th March Mrs A Dossett- 860357 8th March Mr A Woodford 860319
Davies
13th March Mrs J Geake 860534 15th March Mrs K Morley 860777
20th March Mrs M Cover 860302 22nd March Mrs J Geake 860534
27th March Mrs F Shrouder 860053 29th March Miss H Squire 860337
Charges: Surgery Runs: Carterton, Lechlade and Burford - £2.00. Witney &
Fairford - £5.00.
Hospital Runs: Cirencester and Swindon - £8.00, Cheltenham and Oxford -
£10.00 - plus parking charge if applicable. Charges are for a single return journey.
Patients should notify the nominated driver at least 24 hours in advance of their
appointment. The Surgery service only covers appointments up to 4 pm on
Tuesdays and Thursday. All users of the service must be able to make their way
to and from the car unaided.
Tony Woodford
FILKINS NURSERY UPDATE
We have now returned to our ‘normal’ nursery life after a very
busy Christmas term. Our Nativity play was a great success and
was followed by mulled wine and mince pies for parents. We were delighted to
have the use of the Village Hall once again, with the children performing to a
packed audience!
The role-play area was transformed into a ‘Winter Wonderland’ complete with
snow, snowballs, icicles and a variety of polar animals. Children became famous
explorers venturing across glaciers in their sledges and camping out in igloos. We
are also joining in with National Storytelling Week during the first week of
February, when the children will be looking at favourite stories in more depth.
Our half-term Holiday Club is running from Monday 13 th February-Friday 17th
February. We welcome all children aged 2-11 years. Please ring to find out our
planned activities during the week.
Louise Jenkins
14
Day Morning Afternoon
Monday 10.00am- 12 noon 3.00-5.00pm
Tuesday 10.00am-12 noon 3.00-5.00pm
Wednesday 10.00am - 12 noon 3.00-5.00pm
Thursday 10.00am-12 noon 3.00-5.00pm
Friday 10.00am - 12 noon 3.00-5.00pm
Saturday 10.00am-12 noon 3.00-5.00pm
Sunday closed 3.00-5.00pm
VILLAGE SHOP NEWS
A belated Happy New Year to you all from the Village Shop Team! Many thanks
for your support over the last few months. Turkey boxes and wine orders proved
very popular in the run up to Christmas. We are happy to be able to report
record sales again in November and December of last year and we look forward
to a very busy 2012.
We now have a credit and debit card facility in the shop, which we hope will
make life easier for our shoppers and encourage you to stock up on all our
delicious locally made products, fantastic wines and household essentials.
Don’t forget that we can deliver to your home weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
Many locals are now benefitting from this service and we have created a tick list,
featuring everything from kitchen roll to teabags, to remind you of all those items
that we could deliver. Never run out of anything again! Just call 07884430863 or
email filkinsvillageshop@gmail.com and we can email or drop round the list and
get your order set up. No minimum order and you can adjust or cancel your
order at anytime.
Have a wonderful 2012 and see you in the shop!
Trish Poole
FILKINS POST OFFICE
Telephone: 01367 860620 Opening hours
Day Morning Afternoon
Monday 9.00am to 12.30pm 1.00pm to 5.00pm
Tuesday 8.30am to 12.30pm Closed
Wednesday Closed Closed
Thursday 9.00am to 12.30pm Closed
Friday Closed 1.30pm to 4.30pm
15
HOLWELL
St Mary’s
A very warm welcome to the Gabbani family, Karim and their four children;
their eldest son is at university, their next two go to school locally, whilst their
three year old daughter makes sure there is never a dull moment at home It is so
good to have another family in the village, over the last few years Holwell has
bucked the national trend and the average age of the populaton has fallen. The
Gabbanis have been living in Wales and we very much hope they will enjoy being
in this special corner of Oxfordshire
Corinna Rock
KELMSCOTT
St George’s
Church Brass and Flowers - Emma Horner
KENCOT
St George’s
CHURCH FLOWERS
1st to 21st February Susan Portergill
22nd February Lent no flowers
CAROL SINGING
This took place in Kencot this year after being cancelled for the last two years
due to bad weather conditions. Twenty plus people turned out during the
evening to sing at houses around the village. See Broadwell for full report.
CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICE
At the Christmas Day Service £232.25 was collected for Helen and Douglas
Hospice.
JUBILEE LUNCH 5TH JUNE 2012
It is planned that residents of Kencot and Broadwell will jointly hold a Pig Roast
to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee on Tuesday 5th June 2012. Exact details are to be
worked out and offers of help will be welcome. Please look out for further
information.
Gill Cox
16
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
This will be held on Thursday 29th March 2012 at 7.30 pm in theVillage Hall,
being followed by the Annual Village Hall Meeting.
Ian Morrison
LANGFORD
St Matthew’s
CHURCH FLOWERS
February Mrs R Range.
CAROL SINGING
Carol singing took place on two nights in December, both mild. However the
first turned to rain, so many carollers sought shelter with The Stewarts. Our
Choir leader, Christine Apperley, made sure that all were not such wimps and
finished the nights allotted singing. Thanks go to all the very many people who
turned out to sing on both nights – so many that it seemed we would not have
many houses to sing to in the village! However the generosity of the residents
once more helped to raise the wonderful sum of £440.25 for St. Matthew’s
Church. This was helped by our young money collector who knocked on many
doors. Thanks from all the carollers goes to the Dudleys, The Stewarts, The
Johnstons and The Bell Inn who kindly fed us and gave us warming drinks on
the way round.
LANGFORD CHARITY
Following the resignation of Jenny Pitkin as a Trustee and Coral Oswald as clerk
a meeting was held on January 5th when Mark Harris and Michael Schultz were
appointed trustees and Michael Schultz will act as clerk. If any person in the
village knows of any villager in need of financial assistance please notify a
trustee:-Richard Kirby, Derek Lafford, Mark Harris or Michael Schultz.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jenny and Coral for their work
for the Charity over the years.
LANGFORD PARISH COUNCIL
We have launched a new village website for Langford www.langfordGL7.co.uk.
We want villagers, surrounding villages and visitors to use it as an interactive
online resource. The site is organised by the Parish Council but various clubs,
people and organisations feed information onto the site. We hope you learn a bit
more about the history of the village and what goes on in and around Langford.
We welcome input onto the site and are looking to grow it in any way that
visitors which. So please add photos, enter dates onto the calendar, feedback on
the notice board, read about Parish Council activities and look at our playground
proposals.
17
WHIST
Join us for an evening of whist at Langford Village Hall on Tuesday 7th February.
We start at 7.30pm; however if you would like some tuition please arrive a little
earlier than this. You do not require a partner, but are very welcome to come
with one. The entrance fee of £1.00 includes tea and biscuits at half time.
Everyone is welcome. All profits to Langford Village Hall. If you need any more
information please ring me on (01993) 852378
Jo Hutchings
NEWS FROM ST CHRISTOPHER’S
Christmas has been and gone for another year and with it the
flurry of special Christmas events which make Christmas time in
school such a wonderful experience. December is a special
month as we prepare with the children for the coming of
Christmas. This year the Year One children in Cherry class took
the ‘Little Cherries’ (as we fondly refer to our Reception age children) and most
of Cherry class parents to experience Forest School. It was not the best of
weather and I was reminded of the saying; ‘there is no inappropriate weather,
only inappropriate clothing!’ In true outdoor learning style we persevered and the
children acted out the nativity story followed by a drink of hot chocolate and the
opportunity to toast marshmallows on the struggling fire; thank you to Mr
Romanek for his great fire building skills and his perseverance!
I would also like to thank Reverend MacInnes for leading the Christingle service
at St. Matthew’s. It was a very well attended service yet we had just the right
number of Christingles for each of the children to take away with them.
The New Year brings with it a change in our Topic work. The children will be
‘On Safari’ and their cross curricular learning will reflect this theme in many
different ways. We shall be holding an Africa focus week as part of our studies so
if you would like to be involved in some way, or would like to visit and see what
the children are learning please contact the school office.
We shall also be preparing for the Olympics and have set ourselves personal
goals based on the Olympic values. Mrs Brownjohn is already excitedly planning
our Healthy Living week for the summer term. The Friday of this week will be
our Olympic and Paralympics themed Sports Day, definitely worth a visit!
Finally on behalf of the Governors, Staff and Children at St. Christopher’s I
would like to extend a enormous thank you to the Little Faringdon Committee
who kindly remembered us with their fundraising on Bonfire Night and have
made a generous donation to the school funds. This money will be used to
support and enrich the learning opportunities for all the children.
I would like to finish by wishing you all a happy and peaceful 2012 from us all.
Carol Phillips
18
LITTLE FARINGDON
St Margaret’s
CHURCH FLOWERS
No flowers during Lent in late February and March
MUSIC, MIRTH & MURDER IN MARCH
An evening of contrasts, combining laughter and shock-horror, will be held in St
Margaret’s Church at 7.00pm on Saturday 17th March to raise funds for the
replacement of the roof crosses. Ross Mallock – poet, musician and wit – will
entertain us for the first part of the evening. Richard Martin from the Cotswold
Woollen Weavers, and in conjunction with Filkins Swinford Museum, will then
talk about the notorious Little Faringdon Murders of 22nd July 1893: a story that
proved to be the talk of the nation at the time. Tickets at £7.50, limited to 100,
are available from Jeremy Taylor (Dovecote House/Tel: 01367 252205). The
event will last about 1 ½ hours. Do please come, it should prove to be a
memorable event.
Jeremy Taylor
JOYFUL CAROL SERVICE IN CANDLELIT CHURCH
What a joy to see our church beautifully candlelit and to hear the voices of so
many villagers at the Carol Service on 18th December. The village families and
children turned out in force, which made the evening particularly magical for one
and all. Everyone seemed to enjoy witnessing new-mother Mary and sleep-
deprived Joseph discussing the challenges of parenthood (!), as well as a visit
from the wise men and at least one angel. A huge ‘thank you’ goes out to
everyone who participated, including all those brilliant readers, our choral group
and brave soloists, and the hearty singers in the congregation. We are also most
grateful to the Rev Harry MacInnes for leading our service so gracefully, and to
our amazing and ever-patient organist, Geoff Holmes.
Barbara Browne
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Saturday 17th March Music, Mirth and Murder evening in St Margaret’s
Sunday 22nd April Church Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the church
(after 11.00 service)
Tuesday 5th June Village Diamond Jubilee Celebration Picnic by the river
Sunday 10th June Special Service to commemorate St Margaret of England
Sunday 24th June Annual Church Lunch
Sunday 14th Oct Harvest Festival
Sunday 16th Dec Carol Service
More details on these events will follow in due course.
19
SHILTON
Holy Rood
Gosh, what a change the beginning of this year is compared with last. At PP
deadline day in January 2011 we were knee-deep in snow and wondering when
we’d ever be able to get to the shops for more supplies. This year it feels as
though Spring has sprung already, although no doubt Mother Nature has a few
surprises in store for us before we can truly believe that.
And as usual the first Old School committee meeting of the year takes place after
the PP Feb copy deadline date so a list of things to be looked forward to will
have to wait for another edition, although see elsewhere in the PP for details of
our Snowdrop Day. There will be no Shilton Open Gardens this year because we
are planning to do something different for a change, or several somethings
different, to mark the Jubilee and the Olympics. More details anon.
Shirley Cuthbertson
BERTHA BROOKS 1921-2011
Bertha Brooks, formerly of West End Shilton, died peacefully on 13 th December,
in The Horton Hospital Banbury after a short illness. Her funeral took place at
Kingsdown Crematorium Swindon on 28th December.
Bertha was born in Bampton in April 1921, daughter of Walter and Elizabeth
Smith. She married Alfred (Alf) Brooks, who was serving in the army, in March
1941 in Alvescot Church. She moved with her parents, with whom she continued
to live, to Shilton. Son Michael was born in July 1942 and on Alf’s return from
serving with REME in India the family moved from Bertha’s parents’ cottage to
a converted Nissen Hut in Alvescot Road Shilton. In 1848 Alf and Bertha we
granted one of four newly built Council Houses in West End Shilton where they
lived until Alf’s death in 2008. Daughter Sheila was born in 1950.
Both Michael and Sheila married and between them they produced 3 grand
children of whom Bertha was very proud.
Bertha together with husband Alf was at one time caretaker of Shilton School,
when it still operated as a school. She was an accomplished flower arranger and a
keen member of Shilton Women’s Institute.
After Alf’s death Bertha moved to a bungalow in Milton-under-Wychwood to be
near her son Michael and his wife Joy. Soon after moving to Milton, Bertha
became a member of the Wychwood Day Centre, which she attended once a
week, where she spent many happy hours playing Scrabble.
Michael and Sheila and their families wish to thank all those who attended the
funeral and sent messages of sympathy.
Michael Brooks
20
PARISH COUNCIL
2012 meeting are as follows:
1st February Shilton
21st March Shilton
23rd May Shilton - Statutory Annual meeting at 6.00 pm followed by the
Annual Parish meeting at 7.30pm
18th July Bradwell Village
3rd October Shilton
5th December Shilton
All meetings start at 7.30 unless otherwise stated. Meetings at Bradwell Village
will take place in the Hobbies Room. Call me on 01993 840825 for more details
Katherine Robertson
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
Yet another Christmas has gone by but golly we did have a lovely time here in
Shilton celebrating.
The festivities started in the middle of December with our Baptist Chapel friends
holding their Carol Service followed by afternoon tea in the Old School.
Everyone attending the Church Carol Service in the evening of the following
Sunday must have felt delighted to see our beautifully floodlit church and then
once inside to see candles twinkling merrily away amongst all the Christmassy
arrangements. Liz Johnson conducted our very happy service of carols and
readings and during the service the children gathered around the crib for the
blessing of Baby Jesus. After the service the congregation was invited to the Old
School where all enjoyed a good hearty hot supper. Thank you Old School
Committee and the people who provided such tasty dishes.
A few days later we had a brilliant turnout for Carols by the Pond where our
Baptist friends had made the Pond look very magical with lots of lanterns. We
enjoyed punch, mince pies and joyful singing accompanied by a guitar and piano
accordion.
Our Midnight Communion service was quite amazing with Donald at the organ
and Harry leading us we almost raised the roof to welcome in Christmas Day.
So many people work together arranging these very special occasions and the
PCC join me in thanking our clergy, our organist, our floodlighting expert for
lighting up the outside of the church, readers and our brilliant team of ladies who
put together lovely flower arrangements throughout the twelve months and our
happy band of cleaners.
The festivities were rounded off when a goodly number of people gathered at the
Church on New Year’s Eve to ring out the old year and ring in 2012.
Happy New Year to you all!
Jean Roberts
21
SOUP DAY
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us so far. Our February
soup day is on Wednesday 8th in the Old School from 12.00 to 1.30pm. As usual
there will be home-made soup, cakes, tea and coffee and various other nibbles.
This is free but if anyone wants to make a donation to help the homeless we are
always grateful. Everyone is very welcome.
SHILTON HISTORY GROUP
We had a wonderful Christmas meeting when Martin Sirot-Smith, in full Tudor
costume, told us about a Tudor Christmas. To say told is actually a big
understatement because he was a larger than life character who acted his way
through the evening giving us a fascinating and often hilarious entertainment.
This was followed by the usual mince pies and mulled wine and I believe
everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Our February meeting will be on Friday 10th at 7.30 pm in the Old School and
we’re really pleased that our old friend Bill King is able to take it. Bill, who is
always a most interesting speaker, is talking about ‘The River Thames at War’.
In March Tom Barry who rowed in a winning Oxford crew will talk about the
history of the Oxford - Cambridge Boat Race. He has arranged for us to actually
go to Wallingford and have the talk in the Boathouse and also to see the boats.
We are having visits to the Bodleian, Sulgrave Manor and the Battle of Britain
Bunker at Uxbridge in May and June so if you want to be sure of a place on any
of those trips get your names down soon. Visitors are welcome .
Elizabeth Harfield
BRADWELL VILLAGE
Bradwell Village had a very happy and successful festive season. The well
attended Christmas Party went down brilliantly with sumptuous food, mulled
wine, and an open bar along with an excellent Raffle. The entertainment was
Bradwell Villages version of televisions ‘Mr & Mrs’ many thanks to couples Alex
& Lynn Ross along with Max & Janet Ryan for being such great sports as the
contestants. Tony Cripps asked the questions.
The festive season concluded with a wonderful Candlelit Carol Service in the
Village Hall conducted by Alex Ross.
Friday 1st March: Mad March Quiz with Stephen Price as Quiz Master in the
Village Hall at 7-30. Friday 16th March: Supper Evening with Bill King ‘A Walk
on the Thames Path from the Source towards Oxford’ in the Village Hall.
Look out for the Art & Craft Exhibition in the Spring, in our wonderful Village
Hall where you will have opportunity to exhibit your hobby. It could be Lace
Making Photography, or Painting or whatever you choose. This would open to
all Villages in the area. More information later.
Tony Cripps
22
BRADWELL BABES
Do you have young children aged between 0-5years old? Why not
come along to our baby and toddler group? Weekly craft activity, songtime,
playtime and refreshments included in the £1.50 per family contribution. Come
along to the village hall for a free taster session, you and your children would be
very welcome. Mondays 9.30-11.30am. Contact Angela on 01993 823623.
Abbie Ogden
WESTWELL
St Mary’s
There was a musical, if not always tuneful, end to 2011 in Westwell! A band of
brave souls (just into double figures) took torches and carol sheets round the
village on the evening of Dec 17th and were kindly received either on the
doorsteps or inside the houses of all those they visited in exchange for some
lustily sung christmas anthems. Despite pressure from certain quarters for a
rendition of Feed the World in the original version, the repertoire was kept
classical, with Hark the Herald developing into something of a speciality while
the chorus from Ding Dong Merrily proved a little beyond most of our lung
capacities. As well as being a very jolly outing for all we were able to raise
£210for Noah’s Ark Children’s Venture just down the road in Macaroni Woods.
Many of us were in full voice again the following evening for the carol service at
St Mary’s where we were delighted to have a young local organist playing for us
for the first time. Special mention must go to our two young readers who read
the first and last lessons of the evening excellently. Thanks very much to Annette
and David for the lovely mulled wine and mince pies that were served afterwards.
Miles Gibson
THANKS
Olaug and I would like to express our thanks to all those in the Benefice, who
have contributed so generously to the very large sum given to us after my
retirement from the team ministry here in the Shill Valley and Broadshire.
We have really enjoyed being involved and being able to try and serve all the
parishes for over fifteen years since we came to live here in Westwell and have
made so many friends among you. We have been greatly privileged to have been
able to be of some service. I hope we will be able to come to come to all the
churches to continue to worship and pray together.
With heartfelt thanks,
Neville and Olaug Usher-Wilson.
23
AROUND THE REGION
A look at events and news from a little further afield.
NEWS FROM
BURFORD
SCHOOL
ACADEMY STATUS
At an extraordinary meeting of the Burford School
Governors on Monday 12th December, a vote was taken
to proceed with an application to convert Burford
School to Academy status from the 1st July 2012. The decision was not taken
lightly and a long discussion was held taking account of the feedback received
from all our stakeholders during a consultation period. On balance, the
Governors felt that the future education of our students and overall strategy of
the school as a whole would be better with freedoms an Academy would bring.
For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the ‘Academies’ section on
the school website at www.burford.oxon.sch.uk
GOVERNOR MARK
Burford School was awarded a Governor Mark on 3rd November 2011. A
Governor Mark is a quality standard for School Governing Bodies in England
which was developed in 2006. The process of accreditation involves assessment
against a detailed framework covering all aspects of the responsibilities of school
governance. Achievement of the award has a validity of three years, after which
reassessment will be required. The school had to firstly present detailed
paperwork of how the school is run and the role played by the governing body.
The headteacher, governors and members of staff then had to undertake a series
of interviews with an external assessor. Finally a panel reviewed the structures
and made sure that the systems were in place. One assessor commented that ‘the
school was dynamic and going places and that given a choice, he would like to be
a governor’. Praise indeed. The school will now be allowed to display the
Governance Leadership and Management logo.
RUGBY
Our boys have had a fantastic season at rugby in the last term. In the West
Oxfordshire District Cup competitions we swept the board with wins for the
Under 19’s, Under 15’s, Under 14’s and Under 13’s. The Under 15’s also won the
Oxfordshire County Cup. In total the boys played 38 matches, winning 34 and
losing just 4 collectively. All the teams deserve a great deal of praise for their
commitment to school rugby.
24
WEBSITE
Our school website had had a revamp and is now regularly updated with
Forthcoming Events, Latest News, Sporting Achievements, Dates for your
Diary, Photos, just about everything you would want to know about our happy
and successful school. Why not take a look. www.burford.oxon.sch.uk
Jane Edwards
BURFORD SINGERS
Burford Singers- Dream of Gerontius, Elgar, Palm Sunday (April 1st2012). Postal
booking for tickets opens on February 4th and telephone and booking in person
on February 18th at The Madhatter Bookshop 122 High St. Burford OX18 4 QJ.
(01993 822539) Booking forms available from www.burford-singers.org.uk or the
Madhatter Bookshop.
LENTHALL CONCERTS
Tuesday February 7th 2012 7.30pm Lenthall Concert Burford School Cheltenham
Road Burford OX18 4PL. A performance of Mozart’s Bastien and Bastienne
starring Maria Jagusz together with other vocal items. Tickets in advance £10
from The Madhatter Bookshop, 122 High Street, Burford. (01993 822539),
Music Stand High Street, Witney (01993 774890), Lenthall Concerts 01993
822279. or £12 at the door. Student concessions.
Jan Campbell
THE DILNOT PROPOSALS
The Commission on the Future of Care for the old and vulnerable is currently
being debated in Westminster. Your voice could help decide how to handle this.
The current situation is that if your health deteriorates such that your need for
social care (help with getting up, toiletry, shopping, for example) is assessed as
‘substantial’ you may be eligible to receive County Council assistance with your
care needs. Sounds good, but if you have capital (which includes the value of
your house); you will be expected to pay for all the help you need until your
money runs down to £23,250. Care is very expensive and frequently all the assets
are spent quite quickly and only then will the Council step in with money.
It is important to remember that care is free from the NHS only if you are
receiving medical care which is intended to resolve a specific illness. Once this
care stops you are then expected to pay for your ‘social care’. You are always
expected to pay for your ‘board and lodging’.
Under the recommendations of the recently published Dilnot Report the capital
sum you would hold before you have to pay for your help would be raised to
£100,000. Furthermore, when you have spent between £25,000 and £50,000 (the
sum being discussed is £35000) your care is then provided free of charge and
paid for by Central Government. Insurance against this cost would be possible as
Insurers would be able to calculate a known financial risk, currently not possible
25
You will still have to pay for your ‘board and lodging’ if you go into a care home,
about £7000 to £10000 a year which is roughly equivalent to the State Pension,
which you would have spent if you lived at home with domiciliary care.
It is argued that the very rich would benefit disproportionately, and they should
accept the present system and be ready to spend whatever assets they have
accrued on their care. But those with a modest saving and/or a small house, or
those with capital assets less than £100,000, would also benefit.
The removal of worry to people as they approach old age would be a big social
step forward. There would be a significant reduction of pressure and stress on
carers, many of whom are approaching old age and frailty themselves.
Worth the cost? If you think so write to your MP urging support for the Dilnot
proposals. Now, not tomorrow!
Councillor Don Seale
WEST OX ARTS
COLOUR, PATTERN, RHYTHM 14th January to 5th February 2012
This exhibition will light up the dark days of January with some exuberant work
from five artists who are united in their love of colour and pattern. Jan Ritchie’s
initial training as a textile designer invests her linocut prints of landscape subjects
with a strongly decorative effect. John Stephens’ bold , bright treatment of
still life motifs also uses abstract pattern making to great effect, while in her
paintings Christine O’ Sullivan moves away completely from representation to a
world of brilliant geometry.
To complement what is hanging on the walls, Theresa Munby’s ceramics are
composed of porcelain paper-clay, which enables her to experiment freely with
both form and colour, while potter Jane Sears transforms familiar domestic
shapes with her use of underglaze decoration and unusual colour
Alice Saunders
WESSEX MALE CHOIR
The Wessex Male Choir now begin their 11th year .They will be travelling to
various parts of the UK giving concerts to aid charity as well as their annual
summer concert on 16th June at Steam, Swindon when they will host Kentucky
University Ladies Choir - an event not to be missed.
The choir are once again looking for new members so if you are Male, over 18yrs
and would like to sing or maybe you are a wife/girlfriend who knows that their
man can sing but is too shy, why not get them to come along to one of our
rehearsals which are held at Abbeymeads, Swindon on Tuesday at 7.30pm. You
will not be committed by coming along but you may well get hooked. You can
get further information on the choir, its repertoire and future events by visiting
our website www.wessexmalechoir.co.uk
Tim Yeoman
26
FLY TIPPING(from a letter forwarded to me by the editor of the Clanfield
What, Caroline Crisp)
I am sure that you are aware of the regular fly tipping that has been taking place
Here is the latest example from last Thursday afternoon/night.
Normally there is little clue as to who did it or where it came from, but this time
we have an excellent opportunity to catch the sleaze bag who did this. The
material contains items from a swimming pool that seems to being renovated.
There are pool chemicals and old
filters plus some very very distinctive
tiles
Surely somebody knows of someone
locally who is either a) working
renovating a pool or b) having their
pool renovated?
The local council are aware and have
probably already cleared away the
mess, but if you have any information
that may help why not report it to the
Council at 01993 861020 or the local
police on 0845 850 5505 ?
27
COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER
I would like to introduce myself, I’m Darryn Moulding the Police Community
Support Officer (PCSO) for your local area along with my newly appointed
colleague PCSO Colin Davies.
For those not familiar with our role our primary concern is dealing with the
issues that matter to you in the local community such as low-level anti social
behaviour, speeding or littering. Our role is ever expanding though and each day
has its own challenges.
We are here as a point of contact for you and will occasionally pass on crime
reduction tips that are particularly relevant at that time. So as a starter and with
Christmas gone and the New Year sales upon us here is something to consider.
All your boxed wrapping which contained your Christmas presents such as games
consoles, laptops or TVs need to be broken down and concealed within your
rubbish. Opportunistic thieves love this time of year as they can see who got
what and exactly where it is without even coming on to your property.
As you drive out and about and park up remember to take with you that new sat
nav or stereo front; in fact don’t leave anything on display or you’re making a
thief’s job easy for them!
Finally we hope to meet you on our patrols and will never turn down a cup of
tea!
Please note the new non-emergency number to contact the police on is 101. All
calls to this number cost 15 pence, regardless of the time of day or length of call.
Until next time, have a safe and happy new year.
PCSO Darryn Moulding
BENEFICE ADMINISTRATOR
The Benefice is looking for a part-time administrator to handle many of the day-
to-day tasks involved in running our diverse parishes. This will require reasonable
computer skills on programmes such as Word and Excel, as well as being happy
to liaise with people through both phone and email. The role will require around
12 hours per month, perhaps best spread over 2 mornings a week, with a salary
equivalent to around £10.00 per hour. The purpose of the role is cover much of
the behind the scenes administration of the benefice in order to allow the clergy
to focus on pastoral concerns. The main tasks required include:
• Managing the Benefice fees account, from Weddings, Funerals and Memorials
• Co-ordinating the Benefice diary, Sunday services, Weddings, Baptisms &
Funerals
• Administration relating to Weddings, Baptisms, Funerals and correspondence
across the 11 parishes within the Benefice
For further information or to express an interest please contact Rev. Patrick
Wheaton Tel: 01367 860846 Email: paddylouise@btinternet.com
28
NATURE NOTES
I must say looking out of my window this morning (3rd January) I did not
envy the grey squirrels that must have been tucked up in the drey thirty feet
up in the top of the lime tree at the bottom of my garden. It was swaying
violently like a ship’s mast in a storm at sea. The rain was coming down in
torrents and the gale of wind was trying its hardest to dislodge the leafy structure.
The squirrels have colonised the rectory garden where there are plenty of trees
and particularly a large walnut tree, the nuts of which are taken in season by the
squirrels and buried everywhere for later consumption in harder times. Their
antics are very entertaining at times when using the power cables across the
garden as aerial runways. I must say I do take exception later in the season when
they start to wreck my bird feeders to get to the tasty seeds and nuts inside.
Unlike the grey squirrels I am a fan of birds of prey and this includes the
Sparrowhawk which is a bird of stealth and speed, the jet fighter plane of the bird
world. Like the wild cat family that lives on other animals the Sparrowhawk lives
on other birds and is a link in the complicated wildlife food chain.
Many is the time I have seen a Sparrowhawk fly low along a hedge and then at
the last moment flip over the hedge and surprise a quarry on the other side. I
have even seen one flying hidden alongside a moving car and then with a sudden
burst of speed accelerate over the top and on to an unsuspecting victim.
However, I am rather fed up with a male that visits my garden three or four times
a day and targets the bird feeding station in the back garden. It has been coming
for more than two months now and the small birds are very wary and will hide in
the prickly berberis bush adjacent to the feeders and will just make quick dashes
to snatch food and return to the safety of the bush to eat it. In the ten years I
have lived here I have never had so few birds. It is not as if he is successful, I
have not seen him make a kill and he will very often go and sit on a nearby
branch after an unsuccessful skirmish. I do wish he would get the message and
go elsewhere!
Since my last Nature Notes I have seen that jewel of a bird, the Kingfisher, twice.
Once down on the pond in the village where we watched it for some time
perched on a branch then flying to another one before flying off upstream. The
second time it flew towards me from the corner of the first field over the
churchyard stile, flying past like a brightly coloured dart, heading towards the
village. Always a joy to see.
I did have report of a dipper seen in the same place early in December. That
would be a nice bird to see around here, they usually frequent faster flowing
rivers with lots of rocks and I have seen them many times on the fast flowing
Dartmoor rivers.
David Roberts
29
PARISH PEOPLE
JACK AUGER. Church Warden. Bowls Player. Quiz Participant.
Jack Auger is very alert to those strange little coincidences in life that make one
wonder about mysterious forces. For instance, having moved to Broadwell with
his new wife Jessie in 1953 he became transfixed by one of the stained glass
windows in Kencot church, but couldn’t think why. Then it dawned on him that
the window was identical to one in St Edmund’s church Kingsbridge, Devon,
which he’d attended as a boy. Perhaps ‘The Good Shepherd’ depicted was indeed
watching over his flock?
Having spent a childhood in Devon enduring bombs being dropped on the town
(and of course on neighbouring Plymouth) during the war, he’d nonetheless kept
his wits about him and won a place at Kingsbridge Grammar School. From there
he went to Teacher Training College before leaving to take up a position as a
primary school teacher in Oxford.
He later worked for Smith’s industries in Witney and South Wales (when the
company was relocated) until 1986.
Now in his eighties Jack has a lively mind. He sits in his cottage surrounded by
reference books and dictionaries and is a regular at quiz nights. In fact, he was
part of the team that won the Radio Oxford Village Quiz competition for
Kencot some years back. He also reveals that the Augers appeared on ‘Ask the
Family’ (a TV show hosted by Robert Robinson) twice and that his son David
has been on both ‘Countdown’ and ‘Fifteen to One’.
His wife Jessie, who sadly died in 1985, had worked for the County Library in
Oxford. They met through the English Folk Dancing Society and fate brought
them together; they both turned up at a dance night only to find it had been
cancelled because King George VI had died. So took a stroll along the river
Cherwell instead… and were married in 1953.
The young couple moved to Broadwell the same year to live with Jessie’s mother,
Mrs Webb (at what is now Dodge’s cottage). Jack would cycle to Langford each
morning to take the train to Oxford. He’s never driven, and even now cycles
around the village to undertake his Church Warden duties. And this despite
having had a bad fall on the Carterton road and two blood clots removed from
his skull, which were affecting his balance. He also plays bowls, which is a family
hobby since two of his sons, Andrew and David, also play with him. He has a
further son, Timothy, a daughter Alison and a grandson called Matthew.
Jack says he’d like to go back to Devon and tells me that he’d wanted to go into
the Navy but had been dissuaded by his Father and Uncle, despite having had a
Grandfather at sea. One wonders what a boy from the Salcombe estuary makes
of living in such a landlocked Benefice as ours? It’s surely a cruel coincidence that
the Cotswolds are one of the furthest points in the country from the coast.
Julie-Anne Edwards
30
GALANTHUS GALORE!
Your chance to enjoy a personally conducted tour of
Dr Ronald Mackenzie’s famous snowdrop garden on
18th February 2012.
In support of village funds, our most noted local
galanthophile, Dr Ronald Mackenzie, has offered to
open his Shilton garden to 50 people, giving them an
escorted tour of his superb snowdrop collection, including several prize-winning
cultivars, some of which he has himself developed.
Ronald’s many media articles and appearances include a short film on the BBC’s
Gardeners’ World programme on 5th March 2010. For a preview of what you can
expect from this tour you can find this film on You Tube simply by searching for
‘Dr Ronald Mackenzie’.
The date for this event is 18th February 2012. We plan two tours of 25 people,
the first starting at 2.00pm, the second at 3.00pm. Both will be followed by a
lavish tea in Shilton’s village hall, opposite the church. The charge for the tour
plus tea will be £10 per person. Applications should be made by telephone or e-
mail to Marilyn Cox or Shirley Cuthbertson by 10th February. Tickets will be
issued on a first come, first served basis. For more information contact either me
on 01993 842470 or Shirley Cuthbertson on 01993 842404
Marilyn Cox
WHAT ARE WE HAVING FOR DINNER?
Angela employs some of her never fabulous female logic to make free food!
Carrot, Apple & Stilton Soup
This month economy and using up leftovers are the order of the day. As I write it
is January, money is tight, food is increasingly expensive and, after an indulgent
Christmas (despite best intentions), plain food is needed. I admit I only made this
soup because I had all the ingredients, which needed using up, and it was
therefore, to my female logic, ‘free’. I was also intrigued by the combination:
carrot and orange definitely go together; parsnip and apple are lovely in a soup,
but carrot and apple? I saw this in the Mail on Sunday over Christmas in one of
those articles on using up Christmas leftovers so, once I had made my turkey
stock, this had to be tried. And very nice it is too. It made a nice change from my
usual post-Christmas soup of broccoli and Stilton and, apart from the cheese of
course, it is just vegetables and stock and so qualifies as plain food for my healthy
eating regime. More of my logic; I can justify anything when it comes to food.
Ingredients
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1 very large carrot or 3-4 small ones (about 12 oz) sliced quite finely
31
1 cooking apple, chopped small
2 pts chicken or turkey stock
3 oz Stilton (or any blue cheese)
Method: Sauté the onion and garlic with a little salt in the oil over a medium heat
until soft. Add the carrot and cook for a further 4 minutes before adding the
apple. Stir and cook for a couple more minutes. Add the stock and bring to the
boil then cover and simmer until the vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes.
Liquidise the soup in a blender, crumbling in the cheese as you blend. Pour back
into the pan, season to taste then gently re-heat. Serves 4.
Angela Galione
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE FORTHCOMING
MONTH
Send your event details to Gill Cox (contact details inside front cover) by 10 th of each
month for events taking place during the following month
February
14th Cheqs Gardening Club Village Hall Southrop enquiries 01367 860146 or
01993 841731
22nd Alvescot village fete open meeting at St Peter’s School 8pm
Every Monday Bradwell Babes 9.30am- 11.30am info 01993 823623.
FREE ADS – SALES AND WANTED (Not trade)
(Subject to space availability)
Send to Gill Cox (details inside front cover) before 10 th of each month
ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR YOURSELF, YOUR
CHARITY, OR CHURCH
FOR SALE - John Lewis FOR SALE. John Lewis Corner
Folding High Chair with Tray Desk
Rubberwood. H93 x W50 x Beech finish. H74 x W137 x
D64cm D80cm
£35 ono 01367 860001 £50 ono 01367 860001
32
SMALL ADVERTS IN THE PARISH PUMP
With the start of a New Year we are introducing a new form of adverts. Small
adverts which can have up to 20 words (no artwork). See below for our first
small ad
SMALL ADS
ENGLISH TUITION
Former head of English, Cambridge graduate,
wide experience of A level/IB teaching in state and independent schools.
Offers tuition in your home.
01367 860480 or 07772 771631
to discuss nature of support and target grades
The cost will be 1 issue £10.00, 2 issues £9.50 per issue, 6 issues £8.75 per issue
All small adverts will appear on the same page.
The full page, half page and quarter page adverts will still form the main part of
our advertising section. (See front cover for rates).
The Parish Pump has a distribution of about 1300 in 15 villages and beyond.
Should you wish to advertise your business to a large number of local people at
very competitive rates, please contact Gill Cox, (details on front cover)
FIREWOOD FOR SALE
Local, Sustainably-sourced Firewood and Kindling for sale.
Seasoned hardwood firewood including oak, thorn, ash
delivered in 1 cubic metre bags. Kindling bagged separately
if requested. Free delivery within 5 miles of Filkins
07771 867 767
33