GR A PEV INE THE
FEB/March 2014 Edition 284
The Football team (1925), Lewknor
nEws FroM thE parish As I sit writing the first edition of The Grapevine for the new year, I look out upon a very wet and windy Lewknor. It seems to have been like this for so long, it’s hard to remember a time when the ground was dry! But let’s be positive and look forward to Spring. At the beginning of March last year we had some lovely sunny weather...so here’s hoping! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and not too many of your New year’s resolutions to eat healthy/drink less/exercise more etc have fallen by the wayside. I have long decided to not even bother to make resolutions...even I can’t do it later in the year there’s no way I’m going to be able to do it at the beginning! At the end of last year, there were many Christmas events around the village, that all went off well with many a mulled wine drunk and a carol sung. The Lewknor school ’Wiggley Nativity’ was an absolute joy, which even brought a tear to this cynical eye!
Already this year, there has been a very successful Winter Wonderland Disco at the pre-chool, and the next event for them is the Easter Treasure Hunt, starting at 11 am on 23rd at the Jubilee Hall. Please refer to the ad on page 8. Something to start thinking about and planning for June, is the Flower Festival on behalf of St. Margarets. The event will run from 20th to 22nd June. If you would like to find out more, please see the article on page 5. At this time of year, we all need to be extra vigilant regarding heating oil theft. Thames Valley Police have provided us with a really informative checklist on safeguarding your oil tank, which can be found on page 7. Both krakatoa pre-school, and Jubilee Hall have brand new websites up and running. These can be found at: krakatoapreschool.co.uk villagehalllewknor.blogspot.co.uk See you in the spring!
FroM thE Editor
If you have any suggestions, or would like to write a regular column, submit a piece to be included in the next edition or have a local photograph new or old, please contact Sara-Jane on the new Grapevine email address: grapevinemagazine@hotmail.com.
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THE GRAPEVINE FEB/March 2014
A Letter from peter waterson
Dear Friends, As I am sure you are all aware there has been some work in progress in the Church grounds since early January and this has caused consternation to some residents of the village and from other places. There have been comments relating to the ‘desecration of graves’, that the people living in the adjacent house should ‘be ashamed of themselves’, people have been accused of saying that ‘damage to old graves doesn’t matter’. The claim that the guilty should be brought to justice for the ‘total and unsympathetic way these works have taken place’ and the church has been accused of ‘Blasphemy!’. The problem is that a section of the church wall on the west of the church grounds had moved dramatically over the past twelve to eighteen months and was in danger of collapsing into one of the cottages on Church Lane. This would have caused a great deal of damage, (the wall and associated rubble weighs in excess of twenty tons), it could also have been a danger to people, especially children in the church yard. The processes by which permission is granted for work to be carried out on, or around churches is most rigorous and controlled by the Church Of England and has a great deal of legal input, advice and concern from such bodies as English Heritage and the Historic Churches Trust. A high level of professional expertise and opinion is brought to bear to ensure that the required work is necessary, will be effective, will be in keeping with the building, its use and the heritage aspects of the locality. In addition to that there is an extremely high level of control exercised over the contractors who carry out any such work and numerous stipulations and clauses included within the contract detailing the procedures, protections and circumstantial actions to be taken. This period of investigation, planning and legal processes takes time and is very thorough. As time passed it became apparent that if we were to experience heavy rainfall and, or, severe frost the wall, which was continuing to move, could collapse with disastrous consequences. Fortunately, the planning process was completed just prior to Christmas and the work had to be started ASAP. It was necessary to do the work from the church side of the wall and to remove the large amount of rubble using a small digger, (not a bulldozer as stated by someone attempting to dramatize the situation). The path through the churchyard was carefully chosen to avoid any marked graves and, as far as is possible to determine, any unmarked Saxon graves which may be in the area. However, as a consequence of the heavy rain, the surface of the ground was churned and looked very muddy.
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The comment has been made that this work should have been left until the summer to avoid the damage to the grass. This was an unacceptable risk for the reasons mentioned previously. The damage to the grass will be repaired on completion of the project and the summer will see a great recovery of the surface. Nature does that very well! I am deeply dismayed that there has been criticism of the owners of the cottage bordering the work area and various insults thrown in their direction. The cottage owners are victims in this, not perpetrators, and have afforded the highest level of assistance to the church and community in this delicate and potentially hazardous situation, they deserve our gratitude not insults. As vicar of St. Margaret’s Church, I am very disappointed that people did not feel that they could contact me with any concerns about what was happening and the circumstances surrounding the action which had to be taken instead of posting comments to social media sites for their own ends. Notice of impending work and the details of the relevant action, protections and legal requirements must, by church law, be displayed for four weeks prior to the commencement of work. These notices were displayed, as required, on the main notice board at the side of the road and in the church porch for in excess of six weeks. If there are still questions that people feel they need to ask please feel free to contact me and I will do my utmost to answer them. With my best regards to all parishioners of Lewknor, Peter Waterson. Vicar.
Stefanie O’Bryen Family Solicitor Divorce • Conveyancing • Probate • Wills Contact your local solicitorfor a friendly and efficient service Telephone: 01491 614 700 20 Shirburn Street Watlington, OX49 5BT Email: SOBfamlaw@hotmail.com Home appointments by arrangement
THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
BOOK CLUB at lewknoR Beginner’s goodbye Anne Tyler Anne Tyler’s The Beginner’s Goodbye was our October book. Anyone who has read her previous novels, particularly, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant and The Accidental Tourist, will already be impressed by her ability to entertain. This latest book is in her usual format, the Baltimore setting of a middle-class family with a small publishing business (not the frenetic drug-dealing streets of TV’s The Wire). The main protagonist, Aaron, cosseted as a child by both mother and sister, has married a woman, Dorothy, very unlike them. The quality of their relationship is revealed after Dorothy dies in a freak accident but who returns in life-like form to continue the conversations they did, or rather didn’t have, when she was alive. Not a great deal happens in Aaron’s life but the circumstances of his and sister’s lives change by the end of the novel. But not to spoil a new reader’s enjoyment, I won’t reveal in what way! Tyler’s ability to describe people precisely, with a delicate comic touch highlighting the nuances of their lives, is masterly. She shares the same qualities as Alice Munro, the short-story writer, who has just been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. honour Eli Shafak November’s month’s book was Honour by Eli Shafak. This was a novel which some of us did not like from its outset and gave up long before the end. Those, however, who persevered, found it provided insights into British culture which only someone coming from a very different one would be able to describe. The ‘honour’ at stake was that of a family of Turkish Kurds who had migrated from their village near the Euphrates initially to Istanbul, and then to London in the early 1970s. Esma Toprak, the London-bred daughter describes the Kurdish world where women as well as men enforce an honour code that results in the social death of men who fail to act like men, and the actual death of several female relatives. They take that code with them when they leave Turkey but as they grow accustomed to life in the west it becomes less a system of social regulation than a compulsion they can neither control nor understand. Each member of their family and those in the community in which they live (some of whom are relatives, some friends and some not), inevitably come into conflict with such differing ideas and ways of life, and tragedy results from the tensions and emotions released. It is a powerful book and a long one. Its author is well- respected in her native Turkey: one suspects she is on a quest ‘to explain’ her people’s lives,
their dreams and hopes, to the wider world and succeeds in doing so but not in a patronising way. Our third book was One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson. Kate was a Booker Club winner with her first novel Behind the Scenes at the Museum but this new book was a very different read. It features a retired policeman, Jackson Brodie, turned private detective who becomes embroiled in a murder mystery whilst staying in Edinburgh during the Festival with his girl-friend, who is appearing in one of the shows on the Fringe. Jackson is of the now familiar genre of detectives, divorced with a young daughter and various hang-ups about his life (he has inherited a very small fortune of two million pounds which has facilitated his move to a rural idyll in France but is still discontented with his lot). The story flashes backwards and forwards with the various characters involved revealing their involvement in the case, none of them, including Brodie, are particularly likeable or attractive people. Atkinson’s approach is partly farce, with a few laugh- aloud moments, but her tone is mainly ironic and , whilst most of us felt it provided an entertaining but undemanding read, we had a distinct impression that she has her sights set on the commercial, i.e., TV, exploitation of these Jackson Brodie books. Sadly, she has not become a second Muriel Spark. May we be forgiven A M Holmes The New Year saw us reading May We Be Forgiven by the ambiguously named but prize winning American author, A M. Holmes. It had come recommended as a page-turning read but proved for some of us more of a putdownable book and so remained unfinished. The book is narrated by Harold whose life completely changes as a result of the behaviour of his extrovert, highly successful but, ultimately, very disturbed brother, George. The complexity of the plot, the excruciating detail in which Harold describes his sexual encounters, the food he eats and the bodily functions which ensue, defy an adequate description. This American way of life, which the book relates in all its ghastly detail, provokes the critical response from a reviewer in The (British) Observer that ‘If this is what suburban life is like, then God help America!’ Other published opinions, however, praise it for its humour and satire which we as readers found hard to find and as a result we gave it the worse ratings for all time. In February, we have a much more reliably interesting author to look forward to in William Boyd and his book Waiting for Sunrise which hopefully will be more of a pleasure to review. Elan Preston-Whyte. Tel. 01844 350 382.
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THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
SPinal Injury Assoc. Are you an energetic and enthusiastic person? Are you interested in the development of young children? If you are, then Watlington Scout Group is looking for adults to join their leaders team to work, in particular, with their Beaver unit (boys & girls aged between 6 and 8), but also Cubs, Scouts and Explorers units. The roles involves working with the other scout leaders and Group Scout Leader to develop and deliver a programme, once a week, focused around badge work and scouting values. Structured training is available through the Scouting movement for those wishing to develop their role further. These are rewarding roles for the right people, and great way to contribute to your community. If you would like to know more, please contact either Zoe Bratt (Group Scout Leader) on zoebratt456@btinternet.com or Peter Brook on peter.r.brook@hotmail.co.uk
oxfordshire county council chalgrove & watlington division casual vacancy in the office of councillor notice is hereby given under Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 that a caual vacancy exists in the office of County Councillor for the chalgrove & Watlington Electoral division of the County of Oxfordshire.
Joanna Simons County Returning Officer
Want to eat Fish and Chips, while raising money for charity? Hold a fish and chip supper on Friday 16th May 2014 whilst raising awareness of spinal cord injury and supporting SIA’s vital services. You can hold a fish and chip supper in your own home, at work or hold a larger supper at your local community centre. SIA will provide a fundraising pack containing hints and tips, recipes, invitations and donation envelopes. By inviting 8 friends and asking them to donate an additional £5.00 means you will raise at least £40.00 from your supper but we will also give you additional fundraising ideas to raise even more money for SIA. In 2014 SIA is celebrating its 40th anniversary and so we want to make the batter matter and raise £25,000 from everyone holding suppers. Last year we raised £12,500 from the suppers. The money raised from the suppers will help the Spinal Injuries Association offer support to individuals who become paralysed and their families, from the moment a spinal injury occurs, and for the rest of their lives by providing services and publications which enable and encourage paralysed people to rebuild lives after spinal cord injury. Every year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a spinal cord injury and there are an estimated 40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK alone. Community Fundraising Manager, Elizabeth Wright, says, “The Fish and Chip Supper is a wonderful opportunity for a great evening with friends and family. We are also encouraging people who work to hold a Fish and Chip Lunch in their work places to raise even more funds. You may be even a local community group wanting to run a fun evening with your group. For more information or request a fundraising pack call Elizabeth Wright on 0845 071 4350 or email fundraising@siafishandchips.co.uk or visit www.siafishandchips.co.uk
JACK GORDON DECORATING all types of decorating undertaken interior or exterior Large or small
Date: 3rd February 2014
Printed and Published by the County Returning Officer, Oxfordshire County Council County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND
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Ring or email for a free quote: jackgordon44@aol.com 07590 517 444
THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
St. Margaret’s church St. Margaret’s will be hosting a Flower Festival during Friday, Saturday & Sunday the 20th, 21st and 22nd June 2014. The theme will be Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Stories, which the younger members of Lewknor and the surrounding villages should find interesting and entertaining. We are arranging a meeting in church on Thursday the 13th March at 7.30pm for all those who have any suggestions, ideas or would like to assist in any way everyone is most welcome! We will also be seeking ideas to help raise funds for the cost of staging this event, including sponsors of displays, private, corporate associations or groups. The church at Lewknor has great potential for future development and flexibility of use. But with its current usage and condition it will not survive as a functioning building, so will inevitably close if the parishioners do not wish to support it. A church building has been in Lewknor for over nine hundred years and the current structure is full of history. Despite what many people think Churches are not nationally funded, but supported solely by those locally, who wish to benefit from the church being part of our community structure.
community with people willing giving up their time to come into school. I know this evening is very beneficial to our students. Guided Choices On 30 January we held our Guided Choices evening for Year 9 students and their parents/carers. This gave them the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance on their GCSE choices from September 2014. Mock Interviews To assist our Year 11 students to prepare for the ‘real world’ of interviews, we held a morning of mock interviews on Tuesday 4 February. We had 28 members of local businesses, the local community and school governors, who gave up their time to come into school to assist in this important process. The morning was extremely professional and I have already received glowing feedback from both interviewers (on the calibre of the interviewees) and the students, who felt this was extremely helpful for them. Creative Learning Days Over the course of the year, each term we are holding a ‘Creative Learning Day’. This gives students the opportunity to experience a variety of activities outside the normal curriculum timetable. On the same day as Year 11 students had their mock interviews, other years had the opportunity for the following activities:
Your help and support can and will make a difference! For more information about the Flower Festival please contact:
• Year 7 learnt to play steel drums, researched
Brenda Lambourne on 01844 351715 For any further information or assistance please contact: Revd. Peter Waterson on 01844 281 462 or 07747 757 657 Email: peter-waterson@virginmedia.com
• Year 9 designed and then created their own felt
icknield community college
Photographs accompanying this report can be found on the newsletter dated 6 February 2014 on our website: www.icknield.oxon.sch.uk.
Following on from my last entry with information on our Ofsted Inspection, we were visited by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) on Friday 10 January. The Inspector spent a day in school looking at the progress we have made since November in many aspects of school life. I am delighted to report that the inspection went really well and the letter we received from the Inspector can be found on our website.
Garsington Opera The school is extremely lucky to have such a close working relationship with Garsington Opera. The students have the benefit of learning from an extremely professional company and parents and carers have the opportunity to come along to the performances. This week we held a performance on the afternoon of 4 February, following very extensive workshops and rehearsals, which was so well attended, they had to perform twice!
Careers Convention We held our Careers Convention for Year 9, 10 and 11 students on 8 January. We are very lucky to have so much support from local businesses and the
carnival and created their own carnival masks
• Year 8 created origami, reflective symmetry patterns and had a go at archery key rings
• Year 10 looked at the classification and dangers of drugs and they looked at Being British and Global Citizenship.
Mat Hunter Headteacher
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THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
food and drink
with catherine gallacher
COOKING UP A STORM
Well, February is upon us and we have had much to contend with weather-wise. Here’s hoping all our friends and neighbours are safe, well and dry...ish. Moroccan cuisine has seen a surge in popularity for the last few years, probably due to the complexity of flavours and the fact that it appeals to our current desire to cook tasty, interesting dishes which are low in fat yet big on flavour. This Veal Tagine recipe is so sraightforward and quick to cook yet delivers in spades on taste. In order to feed 6, you’re going to need: • A large, heavy-based pan with a lid (or a tagine, should you own one!) • 3 large onions, peeled and diced • 3 cloves of garlic, crushed • 2 tins of chopped tomatoes • Tomato puree • 6 Preserved lemons, quartered (find them in jars in the World Food aisle) • 8-10 new potatoes, halved lengthways • 1 can of chickpeas • 3 tablespoons of Ras el Hanout seasoning (with herbs and spices in the supermarkets) • About 500g of stewing veal. If you’re funny about veal (why?!) use diced pork or chicken, either diced or whole thighs. For veggies, replace the veal with baby aubergines, Jerusalem artichokes or whatever you like! If I have any spare courgettes or peppers, they go in too. • A handful of fresh coriander, or flat-leaf parsley will do at a push.
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Part of the reason this is so healthy is there is no added fat at all and nothing is fried. Place the meat in a bowl and toss it with the Ras el Hanout. If you have time, leave it to marinate for an hour or so, then throw it in the pan with just enough water to cover it. Bring it to the boil then simmer for about 15 minutes. Should any scum rise to the surface, remove it with a slotted spoon. Next, add the onions and garlic, plus plenty of freshly-ground black pepper. Give it all a good stir and throw in the halved potatoes and chopped tomatoes. Put your lid on and allow to simmer for a further 15 minutes before adding the preserved lemons and any other veg, apart from the chickpeas. Stir in a chicken stock-cube for added flavour, and the tomato puree, and leave to simmer for about an hour, stirring as and when you remember! The chickpeas can now go in, give them about 10 minutes or they’ll go all hard. How easy is that??? Prepare some cous-cous; Ainsley Harriet does some great, pre-flavoured ones which only take 5 minutes. Stir the chopped coriander in just before serving and you have a tasty, healhy dinner with very little effort. Serve with some flatbreads or supermarket naan to soak up the juices. As this dish is lightly spiced, you can drink pretty much anything with it. For those of us who were rather indulgent over the festive season, Elderf lower Presse is your best bet! Otherwise, a good, aromatic white is good. The classic Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris from Alsace is almost prohibitively expensive these days, so try an Argentinian Torrontes if you can find one, or go for my recommendation of the week from Waitrose - a delicious blend of three indigenous Italian grape varieties (Fiano, Falanghina and Greco) showing rounded fruit with a long, crisp finish. An absolute steal at just £6.74, down from £8.99 For reds, Waitrose has the ever-reliable Errazuriz Shiraz from Chile at 1/3 off, bringing it down to £6.66 a botle. It is heady with a touch of black pepper spice to perfectly complement your tagine. If you prefer classic Old World styles, try the fabulous Cotes-du-Rhone Guigal from Majestic; on offer at £7.99 a bottle if you buy two and just unbeatable in this price range. Happy cooking, cheers!
THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
heating oil theft Theft of heating and diesel often increases whenever the price of crude oil rises. A rise in the price of fuel at the petrol pump inevitably leads to a rise in the cost of heating oil. This makes oil a more attractive proposition for the thief and they are now looking to farms, churches, schools, transport depots and domestic properties where fuel tanks may be held. The thief may be using the oil for their own central heating or selling it on at a handsome profit. These tanks can contain many thousands of pounds worth of oil and it therefore makes a good sense to take a few precautions to protect them. 1. The position of your tank The position of the tank can have a significant effect on whether or not it will be attractive to thieves. If the tank is close to the property, with one or more windows capable of giving a view of it, then the thief may consider the chances of being seen too high. If the tank is close to a road, path, drive or alleyway then it will be a far easier target. Hiding the tank behind the garage, shed or some other type of outbuilding is then secured will add barriers that will slow down and potentially put off a criminal. 2. Control Switches Control switches that control the flow of oil should be turned off and the electricity supply isolated when the tank is not in use. 3. Padlocks A thief will usually come equipped with a limited range of tools to attack your tank so it’s worth spending a little more on good quality locks. Close shackle padlocks are the best as they offer most resistance to the bolt copper. Try to make sure that the lock is to British standard to ensure the lock is of a good standard. 4. Oil Level Gauges Remote electronic oil levels gauges are now available which will set off an audible alarm if the oil level in the tank suddenly drops or falls below a quarter full. These gauges should be placed in areas where they will notify someone to react to the alarm. There are few different versions on the market at the moment and seem to cost between £70 and £100. Get into the habit of regularly checking oil levels so that you will know if you have lost any. 5. Security Lights Security lights can have a very positive effect and make any property a much harder target for the thief. It’s not necessary to floodlight the area with high power beams, as a more subtle level of lighting
may be all that is needed. Low energy ‘dusk till dawn’ lights positioned close to the tank should, in most cases, provide sufficient light to illuminate any suspicious activity. 6. Defensive Planting Defensive planting is nature’s way of helping to reduce crime. Thieves will not wish to force their way through or over a prickly hedge. The smallest trace of blood or shred of ripped clothing could help the police identify the offender. These shrubs can, if planted around your tank, provide an effective and decorative thief proof barrier. If you would like more information about defensive plants to protect your property contact your local neighbourhood team on: 101 7. Securing Your Oil Tank Following on from the defensive plant tactic, fences and walls can also make life difficult for the thief. A wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall can give significant protection to the tank, but it must be remembered that the oil tanker driver will need access to fill the tank. A metal or grill cage with a lockable access point across the top of this wall or fence can further improve security. The wall or fence should be as close to the tank and as high as possible. Of course a trellis could also be decorated with defensive planting. A product called ‘Tank Guard’ surrounds the existing storage tank with a metal enclosure. This sheet of metal enclosure has lockable access doors to allow filling maintenance and has internal anchorage points to fix it to the concrete base. A tank guard cost less than one tank full of oil and will last many years. 8. CCTV The use of CCTV as crime prevention and a crime detection tool can have its uses and could play a part in the protection of oil tanks, but before you spend lots of money on equipment make an assessment of your needs and get further advice from a Crime Prevention Advisor or CCTV expert. OFTEC or the ‘Oil Firing Technical Association for the petroleum industry’ offers advice and guidance for those who use and store oil at their premises. There are certain rules and regulations that may apply to you and OFTEC will help clarify these for you. They can be reached at www.oftec.org or by calling 0845 6585 080. They also produce an ‘easy guide to domestic oil storage’ Join us on www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk to receive local crime and safety messages. Thames Valley Police
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THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
EASTER TREASURE TRAil! mARch 23Rd AT lEWKNOR JUBilEE hAll FROm 11Am
hOT dOGS! childREN’S RAFFlE! EGG dEcORATiNG! £5 PER child (EAch child REcEiVES A FREE EASTER EGG)
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Ashby
d
January 2014) BRIAN VICTOR ASHBY 19 Jan 1942 – 23 Jan 2014
THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014 a family and also with our good friends and neighbours, the Bindoffs. Dad spent some time in the pool learning to swim with the aid of his homemade rubber ring (a huge tractor tyre inner tube). Dad was always very impulsive when he had an idea, last minute trips to the seaside or an afternoon drive to Wales with a picnic, and later on during retirement building a zip wire in the garden for the grandchildren are some examples of this.
Dad was born at Hill Farm on 19th January 1942. According to the story we heard many times from Grandad, it seems Dad’s delivery into the world was straight forward but the nurse’s journey was far more challenging as she had to walk across fields, through the heavy snow, aided only by Grandad and his shovel! The second of four children, Dad enjoyed growing up on the farm with his sister Ann and brothers, Ron and Richard. Dad’s love of working on the farm started at a very young age. It developed into a way of life and long career, interrupted only by the relatively brief inconvenience of having to go to school. He attended Lewknor Primary School followed by Chinnor Secondary School. Dad never saw the need to gain any formal qualifications but showed great enthusiasm for the practical subjects. The comment ‘keen to learn’ did appear on his school report but not surprisingly this was from his woodwork teacher. At 19 years old, in 1961, Dad met Mum whilst out with friends in Cuxham in his Jowett Javelin (the second of the many cars Dad owned). 2 years later Dad and Mum married, but farming life being what it is, meant there was no time to honeymoon – he was back at work early the next morning, feeding the pigs! They started married life living in a caravan at Hill Farm but soon upgraded to a room in the farmhouse. After 3 years they moved into a cottage in New Way, Lewknor (the first real home of their own). It wasn’t until after we moved as a family to Field Farm bungalow in 1970, that we really appreciated Dad’s incredible talent of being able to create anything he put his mind to in no time at all. One hot summers day when Dad came home from work at lunch time, he decided to dig a swimming pool in the back garden. Within 24 hours the pool was dug with the JCB, lined, steps with handrail welded and fitted and the pool was being filled with water. JOB DONE! We spent many years enjoying the pool as
In 1981 we moved to Hill Farm - Dad finally became his own boss and ran the farm with Mum. We have many fond memories of helping Dad, especially during harvest time. Dad enjoyed sharing his love of farming with the grandchildren as they came along. 10 years later Mum began serving farmhouse teas, at which point it was lovely to see Dad, someone who was not naturally at ease with the thought of social situations, enjoying socialising with the customers and sharing his farming stories..... such as the time he was air lifted to hospital after having the misfortune to roll the combine down the side of the hill! This was a very narrow escape resulting in a 12 day stay in hospital, having suffered numerous broken ribs, a broken jaw, a broken collarbone, a fractured pelvis, a punctured lung and many cuts and bruises. Second to Dad’s love for his family was his love of motor vehicles. He loved driving and always looked forward to the opportunity to buy a new car. Amazingly he could recite every car and registration number that he’d ever owned. But Dad didn’t just stop at the family car – amongst his purchases was a Stalwart (an ex-army amphibious vehicle). He’d wanted to buy a tank but mum put her foot down on this occasion! After retiring and moving to Chinnor in 2000, Dad, as ever hardly sat still. A part-time job at Tesco, building a new garage, building a new conservatory, re-landscaping the garden, fitting a new kitchen, helping us whenever he could and doing anything else which would give him reason to hire a mini digger for a couple of days. Despite Dad’s illness he and Mum returned to Lewknor in 2008, managing to transform their bungalow into a lovely home where we’ve enjoyed so many wonderful family get togethers, 4 children, 13 grand children and 3 great grand children. Dad’s physical strength and strength of character enabled him to live a busy and fulfilling life until the last few months. Even when being cared for at home in his last few days, Dad was the perfect patient – always polite and grateful to his carers. As one of his youngest grand children said recently ‘Grandad is always very well behaved’. We’ll always remember Dad as someone who was always there when anybody needed his help and such a kind
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THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014 hearted, caring, gentle man. His memory will always be an inspiration to us. We would like to express our thanks to everyone who attended the funeral service and those who kindly made donations to Rennie Grove Hospice Care. We would also like to thank the villagers who kindly set up the village hall for the wake and helped serve refreshments. Pauline, Gill, Julie & Alan
BROADBAND UPDATE We are pleased to let you know that work has begun on the exchanges of Chipping Norton, Carterton, Wallingford, Witney, Kidlington and Summertown, meaning they will be the first in the county to be upgraded through the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire programme. Throughout early 2014 the first cabinets in these exchange areas will be upgraded for people to order fibre broadband. Not all cabinets will be enabled at the same time, with planning and building work continuing. If you’re a broadband champion for one of these exchange areas you can start directing people in your community to our recently updated website – www.betterbroadbandoxfordshire.org. uk – which has more information and a phone line checker for broadband availability. What does this mean? In December 2013 Openreach engineers started surveying the county to take into account information that may impact on being able to deliver a service, such as local geography and demographics, planning requirements, existing engineering infrastructure and the availability of suitable technology to provide a service. This surveying work will be completed by the end of July 2014. In Chipping Norton, Carterton, Wallingford, Witney, Kidlington and Summertown a plan is being drawn up for where the fibre, new ducts and new street cabinets will go. Because not all the cabinets in an exchange area will be upgraded at the same time, we aren’t able to give a precise date for when work will be completed. However, we’re regularly updating the interactive map with new information, and the line checker can tell you if fibre broadband is available to order yet. Once an area ‘goes live’ what happens? To get fibre broadband, you’ll need to place an order with a broadband provider (sometimes called an Internet Service Provider or ISP). Even if you already have a contract with a broadband provider, if you would like to access faster speeds you will need to contact them, asking for a faster broadband service – this will not happen automatically. This is because fibre broadband uses a different technology and an engineer will need to visit your premises to install the necessary equipment. We’ve got a list of broadband providers on our website with links to their websites for you to browse.
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Cabinet switch-on in Alvescot The first cabinet to be switched on in these exchange areas will be in the village of Alvescot, which is served by the Carterton exchange. You are invited to join us on Friday 21st February at 1pm to mark the occasion and find out more about the programme’s rollout from Openreach engineers, Oxfordshire County Council and BT project members. This is an opportunity for you as broadband champions to gather information to inform your communications with your own communities, and speak directly with those who are delivering the project on the ground. Join us at the village hall, Main Road, Alvescot, OX18 2PU.
GARSINGTON OPERA VOLUNTEER
Could you help from 3 June to 13 July as a Volunteer Steward afternoons and evenings (on a rota basis)?
SEASONAL STAFF
We require Programme Sellers and Car Park Attendants to join the front-of-house team. These are paid roles & will involve afternoon and evening work on a rota basis, from 3 June to 13 July. Contact: claresalter@garsingtonopera.org
COME TO THE OPERA
For a special evening out, book tickets for our 2014 Season - 6 June to 13 July. Fidelio – Beethoven Vert–Vert - Offenbach The Cunning Little Vixen- Janácek Beethoven weekend – Peace in Our Time Become an Affiliate Member to book before the public. Details can be found at www.garsingtonopera.org Public Booking opens on 14 April
Need help with your computer? • • • • •
Using the internet Setting up email Buying and selling on eBay Downloading your digital photos Word-processing, spreadsheets, etc For affordable, one-to-one tuition in your home, call Sharene on 08711 296 454
THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
friends of lewknor school Watlington Gardening Club Do you enjoy gardening, inspiring speakers and visits to lovely gardens, some of them never usually open to the public? Our thriving club has a year-round programme of interest to every garden enthusiast. To find out more, just come to our next meeting held the first Wednesday of the month in the Town Hall at 7.45pm. Wednesday 5 March John Tyler will talk about ‘The world of fungi’ with fabulous close-up images. Wednesday 2 April Graham Talbot’s subject is ‘Fruit for small gardens’. Please join us if you can. Guests and visitors are always welcome for a small charge. Cheryl Barnes, Chairman, Tel 01491 614 928
news from krakatoa pre-school Welcome to the new term! We returned to find that some of the play equipment was badly damaged by the wind. The committee kindly helped clear and tidy the play area so that the children can continue to use the outside environment. We also welcomed 2 new children, Sophie from Lewknor and Daisy from Stokenchurch. To coincide with World Book Day on 6 March, we will be looking at different books. The children have already made a picnic and been to the moon in a rocket from the story ‘Whatever Next’, used pictures of the food when listening to the story of the ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar’, made some bread using the ingredients from the story ‘The little Red Hen’ and have been learning how to do different dances, such as waltz, highland fling, rock and roll, and tango from the story ‘Giraffes can’t dance’. Please mark in your diary for the annual Easter trail, with proceeds going to the pre-school. See the advertisement on page 8 for further details. It’s a fun morning out with egg decorating and other activities at the hall after the hunt.
In a time when everyone seems so busy and distracted and acts of kindness and generosity appear to be few and far between it is truly heartening to find people who step up and show genuine care and consideration. Our school, Lewknor C of E, is a wonderful place of learning. It is a small, happy family but our facilities are somewhat limited for certain activities. Each year we provide a hot Christmas lunch to the staff and children, a small gesture to show how much we appreciate everyone. The kitchen is really not set up to cater for hot meals – especially for around 100 people! Whilst parents step up with a real spirit of Dunkirk, it is a real juggling act to create a good meal for everyone. A few weeks before Xmas we decided to approach local businesses to see if there was any chance they could help, in any way. As this is the only hot meal that the school has each year we wanted to try and provide a really lovely lunch. In all honesty we didn’t feel very hopeful, however we then spoke with the staff at the Lambert Arms who showed the true spirit of Christmas. Not only did they agree to cook the turkey for the meals, they showed real generosity by donating the meat and also providing the roast potatoes. These may seem small things but this kindness made the organising of the lunch so much easier and ensured that a really lovely meal was enjoyed by all. We cannot thank the staff enough for their kindness. It was truly heart warming to have such wonderful support, with no expectation, and to know that real community spirit is just around the corner. The Lambert Arms should be very proud of themselves and they have distinguished themselves from other places through demonstrating genuine care for their community.
Royal Horticultural Society Qualified Female Gardener Knowledgeable gardening service including plant care advice, planting plans, seasonal pruning, garden maintenance Phone: 01844 354097 / 07977 853522 Email: BESgardening@talktalk.net
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Needles and pins
THE GRAPEVINE Firstly, may I wish all feb/march Grapevine readers 2014 a Happy and
prosperous New Year. The atrocious weather continues, but hopefully Spring is not too far away. This is often a time of year when people think about Spring cleaning and decorating, or generally trying to brighten up their home after the long dark winter months. With this in mind, and prompted by the imminent arrival of a new sofa, I thought it might be timely to consider some ways in which you can do this, looking in particular at soft furnishings.
Needles and pins
As always, whilst there is such extensive choice in the shops it is still very rewarding to make something of your own. Let’s take at look at making cushions. The photo illustrates a simple but effective one I have been making which, when finished, will grace my new sofa.
with alison swain
To make this you need the following:- 2 large squares of fabric, any type you like, cut to the size you would like your cushion to be, usually 12 to 18” square. Look through remnants in fabric shops or haberdashery departments as these Using different patterned fabrics for each letter, are often just about the right size and cost next round to nothing. Youdraw will also need athe longcard narrowtemplate on the reverse side length of contrast make aand nice then border, carefully cut out the shape. offabric the tofabric some odd scraps of patterned fabric and Stitch these on to one of the large squares of fabric perhaps some old buttons or beads. You will thatpolyester is to bewadding the cushion front. Don’t worry about also need some or a cushion pad. trying to sew them on with small tiny stitches – in
.
fact using a thicker thread and using a large stitch
On some paper or card, draw and then cut out can be ormore effective. templates of the letters shapes you would Use your imagination, and buttons, beads etc to further embellish the cushion. like on the cushion for example ‘home’ or ‘welcome’. Using patterned for you then need to form the Asdifferent shown in thefabrics picture, each letter, draw round the card template on edge around the outside of your cushion with the the reverse side of the fabric and then carefully narrow fabric, cut out the shape. Stitch these on toby onefirst of thepinning and then tacking in Then take the square for the cushion back large squares ofplace. fabric that is to be the cushion front. Don’t worry about trying to sew them on with small tiny stitches – in facton using and place topa thicker of the front with the right sides thread and using a large stitch can be more effective. Use your imagination, and buttons, beads may I wish all Grapevine readers a Happy together. Sew round the cushion, being careful etc to further embellish the cushion.
Firstly, and prosperous New Year. The atrocious weather to stitch through all layers including the edging As but shown in the picture, you then formfar theaway. edge around the outsideLeave of yourapproximately cushion with continues, hopefully Spring isneed not totoo fabric. a 10cm gap which will the narrow fabric, by first pinning and then tacking in place. Then take the square for the cushion This is often a time of year when people think allow you to then turn the cushion right side out. back and place on top of the front with the right sides together. Sew round the cushion, being about Spring and alldecorating, orthe generally Your contrast fabric will now form a nice border to carefulcleaning to stitch through layers including edging fabric. Leave approximately a 10cm gap trying towhich brighten home after right the side long cushion. the will allow up you their to then turn the cushion out. Yourthe contrast fabric willInsert now form a filling, finally sew up the nice months. border to the cushion. Insert the filling, finally sew up the gap withwith small, small, neat stitches dark winter gap neatandstitches and there you have there you have your own handmade cushion. Why not make two in complimentary colours. your own handmade cushion. Why not make two With thisI had in mind, and theissue imminent intocomplimentary colours. planned to talk prompted about curtainsby in this as well, but seem have used up all my words space sofa, for now.I Curtains are it so might easy to make and compared to buying readymade, can save arrival ofand a new thought be timely you a lot of money, as well as enabling you to have the exact design and colour/pattern that you to consider some ways in which you can do this, I had planned to talk about curtains in this issue want – maybe even with matching cushions! looking in particular at soft furnishings. as well, but seem to have used up all my words and More on this next time! space for now. Curtains are so easy to make and As always, whilst there is such extensive choice in the compared to buying readymade, can save you a lot shops it is still very rewarding to make something of money, as well as enabling you to have the exact of your own. Let’s take at look at making cushions. design and colour/pattern that you want – maybe The photo illustrates a simple but effective one I even with matching cushions! have been making which, when finished, will grace my new sofa. More on this next time! To make this you need the following:- 2 large squares of fabric, any type you like, cut to the size you would like your cushion to be, usually 12 to 18” square. Look through remnants in fabric shops or haberdashery departments as these are often just about the right size and cost next to nothing. You will also need a long narrow length of contrast fabric to make a nice border, some odd scraps of patterned fabric and perhaps some old buttons or beads. You will also need some polyester wadding or a cushion pad. On some paper or card, draw and then cut out templates of the letters or shapes you would like on the cushion for example ‘home’ or ‘welcome’.
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Yipee!! Warm rain! summer at last!
THE GRAPEVINE FEB/March 2014
Need a venue? Having a party?
MARTYN OTTERY
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
Why not book The Jubilee Hall, Lewknor? Available for hire for a variety of social events and functions. Including Children’s parties, wedding and anniversary parties, meeting and fund raising events. For details of rates, or to book the hall for your events or parties, please contact Jean on 01844 354875
LAMPS & LED’S TO LIGHT INDUSTRY NO CALL OUT FEE, NO FUSS 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE SMALL JOBS A SPECIALITY PLEASE CALL MARTYN ON tel: 07792 697 608 OR 01844 281 758 email: martynottery758@btinternet.com2 WHEATFIELD COTTAGES, STOKE TALMAGE ROAD, WHEATFIELD, THAME, OXON, OX9 7EP
REGLER & COMPANY _____ SOLICITORS _____ 51 High Street, Chinnor, Oxon OX39 4DJ We specialise in Conveyancing, Wills and Probate, Matrimonial and Family Law. Please telephone us for a quote. Home visits can be arranged for Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney Fixed fee interview (£50.00 for half an hour)
01844 354555 email:info@reglerandcompany.co.uk www.reglerandcompany.co.uk
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THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
OILSERV Oil Boiler Servicing and Repairs at a reasonable price.
Service ÂŁ75 Contact Ian on:
01844 281256 / 07745 405453
ianoilserv@aol.com
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THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
• • • • • • • • • • •
Effective treatment for all ages
Osteopathy
General foot care Bunions Cracked heels Corns, callus and verrucae Problem nails In-growing toenails Foot and heel pain Athlete’s foot and fungal infections Diabetic assessments and footcare Biomechanics and gait analysis Sports injuries
Also: Cranial Osteopathy Paediatrics & Post-natal Osteopathy
Podiatry
Saturday appointments Ian Luxton D.O Victoria Inglis-Smith B.Ost, MSc Roger Whalley M.Ost
Appointments Monday – Saturday
Registered Osteopaths
The Luxton Clinic Stonor House 57 Lower Road Chinnor . OX39 4DU
Back Pain Frozen Shoulder Headaches Hip Pain Knee Pain Migraine Muscle Strain Neck Pain Sciatica Sports Injuries Tendonitis Tennis Elbow
Tel: 01844 352200
also at Thame Road, Longwick. If you would like to make an appointment please phone
01844 352200 Debby Luxton BSc (Hons), MChS
HPC Registered Podiatrist
Stonor House 57 Lower Road Chinnor OX39 4DU
Cross Keys Practice High Street Princes Risborough HP27 0AX
www.theluxtonclinic.co.uk
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THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
INTERIOR
AND EXTERIOR DECORATOR
01844 353 688 07989 189 896
geofferee1976@hotmail.com
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THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
SUDOKU
Please see page 19 for the answers It’s easy to play Sudoku! Simply fill every column, row and 3x3 boxPrintfreeSudokuPuzzles.com so they contain every SudokuPuzzles.com number between 1 and 9. Puzzle Set #D7638 Level: Difficult Level: Easy
DIFFICULT
EASY
8 6
9 2 3 6 5 2 4
9 1 6 5
9 8 5
5
3 4 1
7 9 2 1 8 3 9 2 8
6 7
1 3 7 2
1 2 9 2 3
1
7 9 A
A
2 3
1 1 6
3
4 5 6 7 8 6
1
5
2 3 5
8
9 1
6 3 2
17
2
1 6
THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
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SudokuPuzzles.com Level: Easy [Key]
Solutions
THE GRAPEVINE PrintfreeSudokuPuzzles.com
feb/march 2014
Puzzle Set #D7638 Level: Difficult [Key]
easy
DIFFICULT
3 7 8 6 4 5 1 9 2 9 2 4 8 7 1 3 6 5 6 1 5 3 9 2 4 7 8
6 2 9 8 5 4 1 3 7 7 3 8 2 1 6 9 4 5 5 1 4 7 9 3 2 8 6
8 6 1 4 5 7 9 2 3 7 9 2 1 8 3 6 5 4 5 4 3 9 2 6 8 1 7
1 9 7 5 8 2 3 6 4 4 6 2 1 3 7 5 9 8 8 5 3 6 4 9 7 1 2
1 3 7 2 6 8 5 4 9 2 8 9 5 1 4 7 3 6 4 5 6 7 3 9 2 8 1
3 7 6 9 2 8 4 5 1 9 8 5 4 7 1 6 2 3 2 4 1 3 6 5 8 7 9
LOCAL FLOODING
A
Flooding in Postcombe and South Weston since the beginning of 2014.
7 8 6 1 9 4 2 3 5 During 4 5the severe 9 weather 2 3of the7 past6few weeks 1 8we have had areas of the parish which have been flooded. The the 2 most3serious 1 incident 8 5occurred 6 in9Postcombe 4 7 night of Thursday 6th February and Friday 7th Febru6 9 5 4 2 8 3 7 1 8 4 7 3 1 9 5 6 2 1 2 3 7 6 5 4 8 9
ary when the Fire and Rescue Services were called to three properties in Box Tree Lane where water had to be pumped out of the ground floor areas. The reasons for the flooding are being discussed between the owners of the properties and the owners of surrounding land. The Parish Council with both SODC and OCC are investigating whether there are problems with the storm drain that runs below the road.
9 1 2 6 7 3 8 5 4 The area around the junction of Box Tree Lane and 5 Road 6 is4one of9 the 8lowest1points7in the 2 parish 3 Lower and water is prone to collect here and will on occasion 3 along 7 the 8 length 5 of4Lower2 Road1 and9the bot6 spread
over the same night but that cleared quite quickly.
A
Duncan Boulton
3 2 9 4 8 7 5 1 6 1 7 6 2 3 5 9 4 8 5 8 4 9 6 1 7 2 3
Councillor On behalf of Lewknor Parish Council
FOR A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN 4 Choose 1 8 from 6 our 7 wide 3 2 5 of 9 range garden services: design and 9quality 5 landscaping, 2 8 1 plants 4 3and6 7 6maintenance. 3 7 5 We 9 tailor-make 2 1 8 our4 service for you. For a free, no8obligation 6 3 visit 1 and 5 written 9 4 estimate 7 2 2from9 RHS 5 qualified 7 4 staff, 6 8call 301844 1 279430 or 7email 4 info@brannfordsgardens.co.uk 1 3 2 8 6 9 5 B Full details at www.brannfordsgardens.co.uk
tom section of Box Tree Lane. This resulted in a large B storm drain being build along the length of both roads about 15 years ago. The drain generally works well but we would ask all residents of both Box Tree Lane and Lower Road to regularly check the grids outside their properties the&present severe weather Instructions, Tips, especially Answers, during Reprints more Sudoku Puzzles Instructions, Online!Tips, Answers, Reprints & more Sudoku Puzzles Online! to ensure they are clear of debris and that the water is running into the drain. If you find that the water is not running away please call Dave Baldwin of Monson Engineering on 01491 823474. Monson are the SODC contractors who will investigate the problem. The only other reported incident was that the road through South Weston was flooded for a short time
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THE GRAPEVINE feb/march 2014
LEWKNOR PARISH DIARY february 2014 16th February holy communion 9.00am st. margaret’s 23rd February holy communion 9.00am st. lawrence
march 2014 2nd march holy communion 9.00am st. lawrence 16th march holy communion 9.00am st. margaret’s 16th march family service 10.30am st. lawrence 1oth march parish council meeting 7.30pm jubilee hall 27th march county council bi-election 30th march holy communion 9.00am st. lawrence If you would like to include any events or meetings in the diary, please let the editor know via the grapevine email address: grapevinemagazine@hotmail.com an online version of the grapevine is available at http://issuu.com/grapevinezine/doc
LEWKNOR PARISH COUNCIL www.lewknor-pc.org.uk
Recent Local Planning Applications Below are the planning applications that have been considered by the Council and their current status: P13/S3660/HH Hill Barn Cottage, South Weston Erection of a single storey side extension and detached car port approved P13/S3924/LB Lower Vicar’s Barn, Wormsley Estate Variation to internal layout of the barn, as Planning Approval Reference No P13/S1295/HH Decision awaited P14/S0123/HH 1 Town Farm Close, Lewknor New external swimming pool and associated works Decision awaited To view the full planning register go to: www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/find-application/planning-application-register
defribillators Lewknor Parish Council has been discussing the nationwide community initiative to get defibrillators installed in public places for public use in an emergency. Each defibrillator costs around £2,000. (For more information go to: www.communityheartbeat.org.uk). While the parish council can pay part of the cost, councillors want to gauge the level of support from residents: Would you be prepared to help fundraise or donate towards the cost of getting defibrillators installed in our parish? Please send your comments and/or pledges to: lewknordefib@hotmail.co.uk Thank you.
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