GR A PEV INE THE
may/june 2014 edition 286
mrs scott, school mistress at Lewknor village school, talks to her pupils about national savings. according to the original caption, it is friday, which is savings day at the school. this week the total amount saved is £2 5s 6d (1941)
news fRom the paRish loads to look forward to over the summer if the April showers that have been going for months finally hold off. The children of lewknor Primary withstood the weather valiantly at the Maypole celebrations this month. They all, well, nearly all, happily danced and sang through the showers and cold! The lewknor Flower Festival is on through 20-22 June in aid of St. Margaret’s Church. The church will not survive if we do not continue to support events like this, so if you can do anything to help or can sponsor a display, see the advert on page 11. Hopefully we can recreate the fantastic time everyone had at the Jubilee Street Party, at lewknor Fun Day on Saturday June 28th. Th is event is for the whole family, not just the children! Advert on page 5. Th is year’s Safari Supper, will now take place later in
the year, September 20, to make sure everyone has had their holiday’s and can either host or partake! If you would like more info or would like to hold a dinner party, please contact victoria. See the poster on page 12. Several people in the village have asked who is doing such a fantastic job at keeping the churchyard in such beautiful order. We would like to say a huge thank-you to whoever it is. you know who you are! And a huge thank you to Peter and June Waterson for cleaning the church on their day off !! Finally, this year’s Horticultural Show will be upon us before we know it, so start getting those award-winning vegetables on the go and tidying up your flower beds. Please see page 7 for more info. dates For the diary: howden Jones - 7 June (Jubille Hall, see page 2) lewknor Flower Festival - 20-22 June lewknor Fun day - 28 June (see page 5) safari supper - 20 September (see page 12)
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 may/june 2014
what’s on in oxon the beach 24th may-15th sept, castle qtr, oxford The return of Oxford’s only beach to Oxford Castle Quarter this year will be music to the ears of many. Thirtytwo tonnes of sand, palm trees, deckchairs, volleyball nets, peep boards, and cocktail umbrellas will all be making another welcome appearance within the stunning and historic site of Oxford’s former gaol and prison. Tickets: Free
all in some way connected with Oxford University, the exhibition relates contemporary experiences of the Great War. One theme of the exhibition is the challenge of leadership during wartime, and it features letters of two Prime Ministers, one brought down by the war, and another whose experience as an officer in the trenches was the foundation of his political career. An unauthorised diary kept by the Colonial Secretary provides a window on Asquith’s Cabinet, complete with character sketches of some of the leading players, including Winston Churchill. Tickets: Free
oxford pride 7 june, oxpens meadow Follow the Oxford Pride Parade through the historic streets of Oxford then join in the celebration at Oxpens Field for a fun day out! The Parade meets at Ship Street (just off Cornmarket) before setting off at 12 noon along Cornmarket, Queen Street, New Road, and through Oxford Castle before taking in Paradise Street, Norfolk Street, and arriving at Oxpens field for around 1pm. www.oxford-pride.org.uk/
inspir al carpets 13th june, O2 academy, oxford Inspiral Carpets are ranked as one of the leading bands on the Madchester indie scene during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Rediscovering their garage band roots, Inspirals will be recording their first material in 15 years coupled with a worldwide tour. Tickets: From £24.50
vintage & classic car show 8th june, Churchill & Sanderson This is a bi-annual event, held on the village green. As well as nearly five hundred cars, motorbikes and vintage tractors on show there are entertainments, live music, stalls and sideshows, rides for children (of all ages) and a variety of refreshments. www.churchillsarsden.com/
The Pir ates of Penzance 28th june, waterperry gardens This is a smart, sharp and witty production; costumes, make-up and lighting are really excellent, the atmosphere is electric, the timing is always superb, and everyone has a good time, including the actors themselves! Tickets: From £5.00
The Great War: Personal Stories from 12th june, Bodleian Library Using letters and diaries of politicians, soldiers and civilians,
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Stefanie O’Bryen Family Solicitor Divorce • Conveyancing • Probate • Wills Contact your local solicitor for a friendly and efficient service Telephone: 01491 614 700 20 Shirburn Street Watlington, OX49 5BT Email: SOBfamlaw@hotmail.com Home appointments by arrangement
THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
douglas geeling I would like to thank all those who said or sent me kind wishes and sympathy when Douglas died on the 7th April in the John Radcliffe Hospital. It was obvious that his Geordie accent and sense of humour made a deep impact on those he knew in the village or through playing golf. I remember his horror forty years ago at seeing men pushing prams and going shopping in Watlington having been brought up in Newcastle where, “women were women, and men were men.” The years gradually changed him and he enjoyed his life in the surroundings here and loved returning home after his many working forays abroad. His car was his legs for the last few years until Christmas. He had already told Father Gerry (he had a deep Catholic faith) and Keith his golfing partner in December that he thought he was dying, but never said a word to me. I would particularly like to express my deep gratitude to Trish and Philip Nunn for caring so well for us both (and now watching over me) and to Peter our vicar and to Keith, Jean, Fran and Pam for practical help and advice during this difficult and emotional time. Margaret Geeling
BOOK CLUB at lewknoR the other side of you salley vickers The Other Side of You by Salley Vickers was our book for discussion in March. Interestingly, some of the themes of the previous William Boyd book resurfaced in this later one. This time, however, the novel’s narrator was a psychologist dealing with patients who had made serious attempts to kill themselves. Elizabeth Bonelli is one such patient and her story is revealed as she and David MacBride, the doctor ‘treating’ her find common ground where they can meet and find a resolution for their individual problems. Hers is a tragic love affair which has ended, his is a childhood trauma which has haunted him ever since.
The book is mainly set sometime in the last third of the twentieth century and we debated whether Elizabeth would have acted as she did as a result of a lack of will to continue living or because she couldn’t withstand the pain of life without her lover. The pros and cons of suicide morphed into a discussion of the rights and wrongs of euthanasia (which is not raised in the book) but as death is such a prominent feature of the plot, as it concerns the painter Caravaggio, it did not seem so abstruse. Salley Vickers uses painters as an adjunct to her novels, her first book dealt with the Guardi panels illustrating the story of Tobias and the Angel in the Chiesa dell’Angelo Raffaele in Venice. Her prose is lucid and precise but not everyone enjoyed the characters she creates. Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw is a classic novel which was one of his later works when he began to dictate his novels rather than write them. It may be for this reason that his prose became more convoluted making many of his sentences require a second or third reading to understand his meaning. However, the book is short and its plot one of ghostly horror. While few in the group had read the book, some of us had seen either the TV drama or the older feature film in which a Deborah Kerr played the young governess who is put in charge of the two beautiful young children, Flora and Miles. We do not learn the governess’s name or little of her background apart from her being the youngest child in the large family of a rural clergyman. She has been appointed to replace the previous governess, Miss Jessel, who has mysteriously disappeared after being dismissed at the same time as the valet Quint died. The idyllic setting of the country mansion and its parkland in which the new governess finds herself, together with her angelic- looking charges, lulls both her and us, the readers, initially into a sense that all is well with the world until the appearance of a strange man staring at her from a tower. From then on the story darkens and the tension rises to a climax, which although shocking, leaves the ending indeterminate and the reader still with many unanswered questions. There were mixed feelings in the group about the book, a minority only enjoying it but it made for an interesting discussion because of the many different opinions about the plot and the prose. Next month we are reading Room by Sarah Donoghue, which was shortlisted for the MannBooker Prize. Elan Preston-Whyte. Tel. 01844 350 382.
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THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
the church of st. margaret, lewknor
The existing service is based on the 1662 Book of Common Prayer service of Holy Communion.
Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting April 2014- - - - - and for the future?
We are hoping that the new service will be at 10.30am and, like the Easter service, be directed at children and young people and will include modern hymns and worship songs and encourage the children to get involved. There will also be communion but it will be at a level that the younger ones can understand and will encourage them to take part and ask questions.
The annual meeting of the St. Margaret’s PCC took place in the church on the 23rd of April 2014. Mr Ian Orr-Ewing relinquished the post of Church Warden after fourteen years in post. As Vicar I thanked Ian for all his hard work and commitment to the church in general and for all the assistance, support and encouragement he had given me in my first four years in post in the six villages. I am most pleased to announce that Jean Senior was unanimously elected to replaced Ian as Church Warden and we are prayerfully hopeful of appointing a second Warden to work alongside Jean before too long. Many items were discussed at the meeting relating to the future of the church and the moves towards making the building more useful and available for the Lewknor Primary School and the community. Previously produced plans are currently being reviewed and new suggestions, designs and ideas considered. Some funding for these preliminaries are being made available from within the Diocese and we are hoping that more substantial funding will become available from other sources to allow the consolidated project to take shape. I must emphasise once again that we do not have the option of doing nothing and carrying on as before! The consequences of inaction will be the closure of the church completely. The Easter Sunday service at St. Margaret’s, at which we were joined by the congregation of St. Giles Church Tetsworth, was a great success. The service was well attended with a great level of support from Lewknor villagers. It was a much more modern service with hymns, songs and modern language, children were the focus of the service and I got the impression that they enjoyed it all, perhaps especially the Easter eggs! With children especially in mind the “Young Puzzlers” meetings are to be made more frequent with the next step being to have a monthly event, led by Carole Galvin, a fascinating story teller who enthrals not only the young ones, but their parents and grandparents too. The PCC are also planning for an additional service to the current 9am, third Sunday of each month service.
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All this is still in the planning stage, but it’s not envisaged that it will be in any way a “Sunday School” in the old fashioned way, but perhaps more of a playsing-and-pray event. Don’t just ‘watch this space’, get involved, give us your ideas, ask questions, give it a go!! The church is a valuable space for the school and the village both now and in the future and if we don’t use it -------!! Please feel free to contact me about any of the above, or indeed with any thoughts or queries you may have. I am only too willing to listen, act, enlist new helpers and find a good village focused use for the enormous amount of talent and resourcefulness residing in Lewknor. Thank you for reading my ramblings and best regards, Revd. Peter Waterson. Tel: 01844281462 Mob: 07747757657 Mail to: peter-waterson@virginmedia.com
news from krakatoa pre-school
This term the children have really enjoyed learning all about things that grow and have been busy planting seeds. We now have lots of seeds growing, including cress, carrots and radishes, which the children will hopefully try! If you haven’t already been over to ‘like’ our new Facebook page, please do so at the following link: facebook.com/Krakatoapreschool Dates for the diary: Monday 7th July - Krakatoa AGM - 7.30pm at the hall. ALL welcome, not just committee members. Sat 20th September village safari supper (£25 each and all proceeds to the pre school - great way to meet new people and have fun!) http://krakatoapreschool.co.uk/
THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
Lewknor Fun Day Saturday June 28th 2014 Bring along a picnic and a bottle Bar-b-que available Bouncy castle for the kids and superheroes fancy dress competition Lewknor Village Hall grounds Starts at 1pm ‘til 4pm A chance for the village to get together have some fun and meet new people This is not a fundraiser but proceeds from the bar-b-que will go to the village hall.
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THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
food and drink
with catherine gallacher
ROAST FREE-RANGE CHICKEN WITH GARLIC GRAVY AND POTATOES 2 WAYS!
Cut the heads of garlic in half across the width and tuck these four pieces under your chicken then roast at 180 for an hour. As soon as the chicken is safely tucked up in the oven, put a large pan of salted water on to boil. It is impossible to perform mundane kitchen tasks without a glass, so pour some wine/beer/ champers and peel half of your potatoes. Cut them into roastiesized lumps and boil for about 8 minutes then drain them in a colander and leave them to dry. When your oven timer pings, arrange the parboiled spuds around the bird (adding a slug of olive oil if there is insufficient oil in the roasting dish) and chuck it back in the oven for a further forty minutes.
You will need: • 1 large chicken with giblets • 1 packet of salted butter • Fresh thyme and/or sage, whatever is in the garden • 2 heads of garlic - yes HEADS, not bulbs! • About 8 large potatoes, preferably red as they mash well (Desiree are best) or Maris Piper are good too. • Stock vegetables: 1 onion, 1 carrot, 2 celery sticks, 4 bay leaves, a few whole black peppercorns • 1/2 bottle of white wine • Also some good strong cheese for the mash. I use mature cheddar or just use up all the odds and ends in the cheesebox. You will need about 150-200g, grated. We cooked this by accident last Sunday and were reminded how fantastically tasty it is. I say “by accident” as we were supposed to be having oregano roast chicken with Greek potatoes and a lovely, minty, feta cheesy Greek salad. However, the weather spitefully nnnnlet us down so we had to come up with a plan B, not involving a Sunday trip to Waitrose. Mr. Gallacher was the most use he’s been for a good few years in reminding me of a Nigel Slater recipe involving a chicken, some potatoes and an obscene amount of garlic. This is a loose interpretation of that recipe, relying on us cobbling it together from the fug of our wine-addled memories... Right, you will need a large, free-range chicken. We usually ask at Calnan Brothers, Watlington, for a 2+ kilo one with giblets in a bag and it is unfailingly delicious. Gently ease the skin away from the flesh and rub some butter onto the flesh and a couple of sage leaves, if you have them. Season all over with a generous amount of salt and pepper and shove a few sprigs of thyme inside the body cavity, then place the bird in a good, large roasting tin.
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Whilst you chicken and roasties are sizzling away, peel the remaining spuds and cut them into chunks. Place them in a large pan of salted water and simmer for about 20 minutes until they are soft then drain them and employ your favoured mashing method; some use a ricer, some a food processor but we use a good, old-fashioned hand masher. I say “we”; I actually play no part in mashing as it is, without question, a job for the man of the house. I love my mash tasty and buttery so I add about half a pack of butter (I know, I know) but not if my doctor is reading this. I also add copious amounts of salt and white pepper but no milk, as I prefer it that way. You will have your own preferred way of doing it - the only hard and fast rule is that there must be absolutely NO lumps!!! OK, chuck your mash in a warmed dish in a very low oven with a bit of buttered greaseproof paper on top. Remove the chicken and roasties from the oven and transfer these to a plate or dish to rest in the very low oven with the mash. Carefully pour the contents of the roasting dish into a pyrex jug, leaving the garlic in the tin. Squeeze out the middles of the garlic cloves into the tin then remove the empty husks. With a wooden spoon, mash up the garlicky goo with all the bits in the bottom of the tin then put the tin on the hob and add a tablespoon of flour. Keep stirring, then, when all the flour is absorbed, add a couple of glasses of white wine or cider and bring to the boil. Using a spoon or baster, take your pyrex jug of goodness and remove the layer of fat from the top (it will have clearly separated) and pour the remaining meat juices from the bottom of the jug into your roasting pan on the hob. You can crumble in a chicken stock cube for even more flavour or use one of those fancy ones Marco Pierre-White is so keen on. When the time comes to serve, you can just chuck it all on the table with a bowl of salad or green veg and some crusty bread for mopping and let everybody dive in. The intensity of flavour is just astounding! (Ccontiued page 9.)
THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
LewKnoR fete and show It’s time to start planning this year’s event and the first meeting will be on Monday 2nd June at 7.30pm at 22 High St, lewknor. At this meeting decisions need to be made! Which village organizations will share the proceeds, which stalls are most profitable, who will be asked to run them, etc. Please come along and offer your help and suggestions – new people and new ideas always welcome. This year there will be an extra dilemma to resolve – which venue to choose? For many years we have been very fortunate with our setting – the beautiful gardens and timber barn at Knapp Farm, by the kind permission of Mrs. Susan Watt, who has always made us most welcome and put up cheerfully with the annual invasion. However, last year the weather was so bad, torrential rain all afternoon, that we had to move at the last minute to the village hall. The village hall is an extremely convenient facility, we are very lucky to have it in lewknor, but it doesn’t have the same ambience as Knapp Farm garden in the autumn sunshine. The problem is that some people actually preferred it as the venue – they mentioned the easy parking, the more convenient kitchen facilities, and, of course, the toilets! So, please let the organisers know your views, they will go with the majority. either come to the meeting or phone Kathy 01844 352729 or Christine 01844 353283. They look forward to hearing from you.
GIFT STALLS
LINE DANCING
NEARLY NEW KIDS CLOTHES
BOOK STALL
BUCKING BRONCO
LEWKNOR WILD WEST RODEO! PRIZE RAFFLE FAMILY FUN DAYCACTUS HOOPLA COME AND JOIN IN!! BBQ & BAR
CAKE STALL
SATURDAY 14 14TH JUNE MUSIC LEWKNOR VILLAGE HALL NEAR JUNCT 6 OF M40 12 NOON – 4PM GAMES FOR ALL AGES TIN CAN ALLEY
PAN FOR GOLD
BOUNCY CASTLE TODDLER PLAY AREA
PONY RIDES
All proceeds to Friends of Lewknor School (FOLS) Charity No: 1045910
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THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
Needles and pins sides. If you are unused to sewing it Following on from last time let’s get back to making those curtains. If this is the first time yo haveMake made your own I suggest starting with either a plain or a very small prin athenmitred corner at fabric the bottom This means you won’t have to worry about matching the pattern if you have to cut more tha one fabric width. turning in the corner first before turni Here’s a very simple example to illustrate how to calculate the fabric quantity you need:can make it easier to sew. • Assume you have found some material that you like which is 150cm wide •
You are making curtains to fit a window 70cm width by 100cm length.
Remember from last time that we need to add on approx 20 – 30cm extra for the hem an heading at the top so for each curtain we will need a length of 130cm
Needles and pins For each 70cm width curtain, made to double fullness, means you will actually need 140c
with alison swainwidth for each curtain – so if the fabric width is 150cm this means you will have enough wi
Following on from last time let’s get back to making those curtains. If this is the first time you have made your own then I suggest starting with either a plain fabric or a very small print. This means you won’t have to worry about matching the pattern if you have to cut more than one fabric width. Here’s a very simple example to illustrate how to calculate the fabric quantity you need:• Assume you have found some material that you like which is 150cm wide • • You are making curtains to fit a window 70cm width by 100cm length. Remember from last time that we need to add on approx 20 – 30cm extra for the hem and heading at the top so for each curtain we will need a length of 130cm. For each 70cm width curtain, made to double fullness, means you will actually need 140cm width for each curtain – so if the fabric width is 150cm this means you will have enough with one width for each curtain, leaving 10 cm over for side hems / turnings. With each curtain length needing to use 130cm of fabric – this means that for two curtains you will need 260cm or 2.6 metres of fabric in total. You will also need some thread in a suitable colour to match your fabric and 2.8m standard gathering tape for the heading.
one width for each curtain, leaving 10 cm over for side hems / turnings. With each curta length needing to use 130cm of fabric – this means that for two curtains you will nee 260cm or 2.6 metres of fabric in total. You will also need some thread in a suitable colour match your fabric and 2.8m standard gathering tape for the heading
For a professional finish you can stitch a small
Measure and cut your fabric very carefully – if the curtains are very large this is usually mo curtain weight into the corner which will help easily done by spreading your fabric out on the floor.
it to hang nicely. Side turnings can be machined stitch or you can slipstitch by hand.. is aand very small which If you have aSlipstitch sewing machine know how toneat use itstitch then that will be much quicker, b don’t worry ifbe not,almost it is possible to make from them completely by hand. Begin by turning in th should invisible both sides of the sides. If you are unused to sewing it is best to pin and tack these in place before stitching fabric as shown in Diagram 2. This is preferable Make a mitred corner at the bottom of the curtain, as shown in the diagram below, b for the bottom hem as it is less noticeable than a turning in the corner first before turning the sides and hem. Ironing the hems into place fir canmachined make it easierfinish. to sew. Making curtains withup athestraight
For a professional finish you can stitc it to hang nicely. Side turnings can be hand.. Slipstitch is a very small neat of the 1. For a professional finish you can stitch a small curtain weight into the corner which will he the b it to hang nicely. Side turnings can be machined with a straight stitch or you can slipstitch b hand.. Slipstitch is a very small neat stitch which should be almost invisible from both side of the fabric as shown in the diagram. This is finish preferable f
the bottom hem as it is less noticeable than a machine finish.
2.
Measure and cut your fabric very carefully – if the curtains are very large this is usually most easily done by spreading your fabric out on the floor.
After hemming measure the curtain again and then turn the heading allowance to ensure you have exactly the correct curtain length. Pin on the heading tape ensuring it is the right way round so you can access and adjust the cords. Pull the cords out slightly at one end and tie them together in a knot. At the other end ensure the cords are free and pulled out slightly – these should be left loose ready for gathering later. Turn the ends of the tape under and slipstitch in place ensuring the cords are left free.
Making up the curtains If you have a sewing machine and know how to use it then that will be much quicker, but don’t worry if not, it is possible to make them completely by hand. Begin by turning in the sides. If you are unused to sewing it is best to pin and tack these in place before stitching.. Make a mitred corner at the bottom of the curtain, as shown in Diagram 1, by turning in the corner first before turning the sides and hem. Ironing the hems into place first can make it easier to sew.
Machine stitch the tape onto the curtain along the top and the bottom edges. Pulling on the cords from the loose end gather the curtain until is is the desired width and then knot the cords to keep it in place. Ensure the gathers are spread evenly across the curtain. Finally insert your curtain hooks and hang curtains in place. Good luck! My fellow columnist of ‘food and drink’ fame would probably suggest that a large glass of wine be appropriate at this point – and how right she is! Have one to celebrate your sewing success!
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After headi
After hemming measure the curtain again and then turn th heading allowance to ensure you have exactly the corre
THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
last time I visited the Co-Op in Watlington they had a Kiwi Pinot Noir from villa Maria on offer at 25% off (I think!) which is the ideal partner for this dish. Plenty of fresh cherry fruit to balance out the richness of the gravy but not too heavy a red to overpower the chicken. Or you could go classic Burgundian Pinot Noir if you feel like splashing out, although if you’re going French you’d get better value from the loire valley; Saumur Champigny is classy, light and fruity and won’t break the bank. As with all lighter reds, you can give it a quick chill in the fridge if it’s a hot day. If you go down the white route, you’ll need something relatively gutsy to stand up to the strong, meaty, garlicky flavours of your meal so maybe a good, oldfashioned Chardonnay would cut it. Or get to Asda for the deal of the month on the wonderful Torres vina Sol. This is a blend of indigenous Spanish grape varieties and shows fresh melon fruit and bags of style. Most places sell it for around the £7-8 mark but our friends as Asda have reduced it to a fiver. Perfect summer glugging so get a case in! Well, the sun appears to have found us over the last few days, so hope you’re enjoying being outside in your garden (or les’s!) relishing good food and wine in our beautiful village. Cheers!
garSingtOn OpEra DO YOU LIVE IN A NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT EMBRACES COMMUNITY SPIRIT? DO YOU WANT A BIGGER BACK GARDEN? DO YOU WANT TO CREATE THE OUTSIDE SPACE OF YOUR DREAMS? We are looking to make the ultimate back garden for a group of neighbours who would be willing to transform their own back gardens into an amazing communal space. It doesn’t matter whether you are a seasoned gardener or a horticultural virgin – we have a team of experts who will advise and help you to create your very own Garden of Eden. For more information call Victoria or Felicity on 0207 907 3470 or email: communalgarden@silverriver.tv
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
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
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 yearround 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 4 JUNE John Watmough will talk about getting cactus to flower. WEDNESDAY 2 JULY will be our Summer Social and the venue will be announced in the members’s newsletter. We have several visits planned. The first to Kingsbridge Farm, Steeple Claydon on Wednesday 28 May. The cost will be £6.50 including tea. We will be travelling in cars. The second visit is our annual coach outing on Wednesday 11 June to Longstock Water Gardens, (John Lewis Partnership Gardens) Stockbridge, Hampshire. This will include a visit to their nursery and cafe. Price to be confirmed. Cheryl Barnes, Chairman, Tel 01491 614 928
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THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
this month in the garden with sara jane morley
get stuck in
Cottage Gardens. Both titles are unfortunately out of print, but can be picked up second-hand on Amazon. To make sure your displays really do look spectacular over the whole summer, make sure you dead head. There’s something very satisfying about deadheading, or maybe I’m just strange! Keep your containers well watered, and most summer bedding plants do prefer to be positioned somewhere that gets a good amount of sun. A couple of hours before you plant, make sure both your plant and the soil where you placing them get a good soaking of water.
Before I get into anything else, I have to pass on this great tip or I’ll forget! It came about as I’ve been completely re-planting the beds and decided to remove all my spring bulbs, not a decision I wanted to make, but they made such a feeble display this year, I thought drastic action was needed. If you also dig up your bulbs whilst planting and are unsure what to do with them, first remove any dirt from the bulbs (do not wash!) and keep them in a cardboard box, not plastic, in a dry place, separated by newspaper until next autumn. Now for the great tip. If you are like me and run to the garden centre like an excited Tigger in the autumn to buy up all the bulbs possible, then run out of time to plant them, store them in the fridge. Bulbs need a period of 6-8 weeks of cold before they begin to grow. This way you can plant them out in the spring and they will grow along with those you got in during the autumn and you should get a fine display. Now is the time to really get stuck in with your containers and hanging baskets as the threat of frost should be no more. The same goes for your summer bedding plants, like pansies and lobelias, or if you’re trying to be bee friendly like me, try antirrhinum, (snap dragons) or a cosmos. Garden centres carry a mind boggling amount of plants to choose from, so it’s always worth investing in a good handbook if you’re not sure what to buy, that can explain all year round care. There’s a lovely book called Create A Cottage Garden by Kathleen Brown, which gives a ‘recipe’ for making the most of your borders, or Geoff Hamilton’s
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It’s also time to start mowing the lawn once a week (if it’s not too wet) and trimming back the hedges. Please check in the hedge for nesting birds before you get the electric clippers out. If you have been growing tomatoes, they can be moved outside, and remember to keep pinching out the side shoots and support them with canes. This way, the fruit will be concentrated to the main stem. If you sowed some salad leaves, radishes or early potatoes, they should be ready to harvest towards the end of the month. With lettuce, a good tip is to keep removing the outer leaves so you get a good concentration of leaves at the heart. When you do harvest, try to do it earlier in the day when it is cooler. The same goes with herbs, which should be picked only when they have established themselves as a strong plant. Enjoy the fruits of your labour!
JACK GORDON DECORATING all types of decorating undertaken interior or exterior Large or small Ring or email for a free quote: jackgordon44@aol.com 07590 517 444
THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
COME AND JOIN THE FUN
ASTON ROWANT VILLAGE FETE
A QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH VILLAGE FETE GAMES, STALLS AND FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY REAL ALES PIMMS TEAS & CAKES AUCTION OF PROMISES LIVE MUSIC BBQ PONY RIDES BOUNCY CASTLE FACE PAINTING MUCH MORE...
SUNDAY 6 JULY 2014 TH
12:00pm - 2:30pm
ALL PROCEEDS TO ASTON ROWANT SCHOOL
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THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
SA FA R I S U P P E R 13th July, Lewknor 20th September lewknor
Tickets ÂŁ25 per person (includes 3 course meal and a tour of the village!)
in aid of Krakatoa Pre-school, Lewknor contact Victoria on 07899 914 221 for tickets 12
THE GRAPEVINE may/june 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 may/june 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 may/june 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 may/june 2014
INTERIOR
AND EXTERIOR DECORATOR
01844 353 688 07989 189 896
geofferee1976@hotmail.com
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THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
printfreesudokupuzzles.com puzzle set #D7578 level: Difficult
3
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5
It’s easy to play Sudoku! Simply fill every column, row and 3x3 box so they contain every sudokupuzzles.com level: Easy number between 1 and 9.
1 3
Please see page 19 for the answers
7
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THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
SPECIALISTS IN CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Professional & Experienced Technicians - Providing The Very Best Service
• Commercial & Domestic Carpet Cleaning
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Call for a Free Estimate 01865 892 350 The Revival Company I 46/47 Monument Park I Chalgrove I Oxford I OX44 7RW Oxford@revivalco.co.uk
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5 6 3 4 7 8 1 2 9 9 2 8 5 6 1 3 7 4 1 4THE7GRAPEVINE 3 9 2 may/june 6 8 2014 5
sudokupuzzles.com level: Easy [Key]
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chiltern society
A
June 5 – Try Nordic Walking
B the road next to the common – parking on the common is not permitted. Walk type: Entry level Nordic Walking suitable for a wide range of abilities. Some hills, but taken at an easy pace. To Bring: Light walking boots or shoes.
6Nordic7Walking 4 Taster. 2 Hyde 1 Heath. 3 911.00-12.30. 5 8 Tips, Answers, &please more visit: sudoku puzzles Online! Nordic walking is a fast9growing fitness activity with overInstructions, 10 To bookReprints you place, 8 5 3 4 7 1 6 2 million enthusiastic participants worldwide. It’s suitable for all http://chilternsociety.org.uk/activ-events.php ages and fitness levels, simple to learn and really sociable. The 1 designed 2 9poles8make6walking5 feel 7 4 reduce 3 specially easier and pressure on knees and hips. You use all the major muscles in the body and burn up to twice as many calories as ordinary walking. It’s so effective that it is being used for weight loss, rehabilitation and sports specific training all the over the UK and those that have tried all agree that being outdoors was energising and that they felt fantastic afterwards!
5 4 8 6 2 1 3 9 7 9 1 6 7 3 4 8 2 5 2 3 7 5 9 8 4 1 6
However, it is not simply a case of grabbing a pair of poles and walking with them! It requires the correct technique in order to get the whole body working and it is essential you learn. The Chiltern Society is offering free Nordic Walking tasters with Melissa Laing of MCL Fitness – an Outdoor Fitness instructor with over four years Nordic Walking instruction experience.
3 8 1 4 5 2 6 7 9 7 6 5 1 8 9 2 3 4 4 9 2 3 7 6 5 8 1
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FOR A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN Choose from our wide range of quality garden services: design and landscaping, plants and maintenance. We tailor-make our service for you. For a free, noobligation visit and written estimate from RHS qualified staff, call 01844 279430 or email info@brannfordsgardens.co.uk Full details at www.brannfordsgardens.co.uk
A ‘Learn to Nordic Walk’ session will ensure you get the full benefit and fastest possible results, alternatively, private one hour technique sessions are available through Melissa. After completing this course you will be certified competent to join a Nordic Walk – anywhere in the UK! Free of charge, Instructions, Reprints sudoku puzzles pleaseTips, bringAnswers, trainers with a good & gripmore or walking shoes plus Online! clothing suitable for the weather on the day and any personal food/drink or first aid items. Walk Type – some hills, some stiles and some uneven ground. Nordic poles are provided. Meet: Cricket pavilion on Hyde Heath common, near Amersham (opposite the Plough pub). Parking: Please park on
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THE GRAPEVINE may/june 2014
LewKnoR paRish diaRy may 2014 19TH MAy PARISH COUNCIl MeeTING 7.30PM JUBIlee HAll (SPeCIFICIAlly FOR MeMBeRS OF THe PARISH TO COMe AlONG)
june 2014 8TH JUNe FAMIly SeRvICe 10.30AM ST. lAWReNCe 15TH JUNe HOly COMMUNION 9.00AM ST. MARGAReT’S 16TH JUNe PARISH COUNCIl MeeTING 7.30PM JUBIlee HAll 29TH JUNe 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
Ring the bells!
Stories
Join us for
Young Puzzlers at St. Margaret’s, Lewknor
Play with friends!
Craft & colouring
Every second Sunday of the month (except August) Suited to 2-8 year olds (siblings more than welcome) Tea, coffee, squash and homemade cake provided! 20