Grapevine October/November 2015 by sara-jane morley

GR A PEV INE THE

OCTOBer/NOVeMBer 2015 ediTiON 294

St. Margarets 2015 by Stanley Durston

NewS frOM The PariSh Autumn is here once again and the hedgerows are bursting. My sloes are sitting in the freezer ready for some gin and my Christmas Limoncello will be made this weekend, although I’m trying not to think of that big day looming too much...it’s only October after all! I hope everyone enjoyed the Horticultural Show this year. A full report of all the winners is on page 3. There were some lovely exhibits as usual and it was great to see so many of our younger villagers taking part. This year also took a very healthy some of money to be divided between local causes. On page 6 we have some photos of inside the bell tower at St. Margaret’s, taken by Alison Swain

who was lucky enough to scale the tower whilst plans are made for the restoration of the church. It’s so important to the village that we get behind the restoration as the church is a beautiful and historical building. And unfortunately, we have the dog mess issue once again. Please see Jean Senior’s piece on page 5. Places are currently available at our preschool in Lewknor for 2 1/2 year old to 5 year olds. It’s a lovely pre-school with fantastic staff. A really welcoming and nurturing atmosphere. If you’re interested at having a look around, call Jeanette on 07919081088 to come and meet the team. www.Krakatoapreschool.co.uk.

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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Lewknor horticultural SHOW REPORT This year’s show and fete were a great success. There were more visitors than we can ever remember and more entries into the various classes. The children’s classes in particular were well supported – I’ve never seen so many miniature gardens on display! The display of children’s artwork was very interesting. Well done to Elliot Seston, from Lewknor School, for winning the Junior Shield for the 3rd year running. The quality of some of the entries was very high in flowers, vegetables, baking or handicrafts and the list of winners is as follows:The Middleton Cup for the most points: Christine Smith The Ridone Cup for the runner-up: Tar a Hargrove The Scott Cup for the Family with the most points: Val and K arl Rolfe The Rose Bowl for the best flower arr angement: Val Rolfe The Gifkins Cup for the best single exhibit: Rosemary Ashby The Junior Shield: Elliot Seston Anyone who studied Rosemary’s knitted shawl would have seen the exquisite workmanship. It definitely deserved the title “Best in Show” We were so pleased to find that everyone’s hard work had been worthwhile – as well as it being a sociable and enjoyable afternoon, with lots of entertainment and opportunity to meet up with old friends, the event also raised £2050 for local good causes, far exceeding sums raised in previous years.

Special thanks to all those who helped to make the day successful, donating prizes, baking cakes, running stalls, lugging furniture, too many to name you all, but thanks to Ian Hinckley for his impromptu commentary, Martin Ottery for the loan of his PA system and his excellent Tin Can Alley game, Neil Allen of course, for conducting the auction in his usual inimitable style, Julie Gordon for baking such a fantastic prizewinning cake and especially Karl Rolfe and Luke Brown for bidding with such fierce determination against each other in the auction, in order to buy said cake. (Luke won, paying the grand sum of £21 and he said it tasted as good as it looked!) Eppy Hodgson enjoyed judging the village gardens in July. Once agin a lot of hard work, great creativity and marvellous enthusiasm. THE ALABASTER CUP FOR THE BEST LARGE GARDEN: ALEX EASTICK It ticked all the boxes for being a ‘family garden’ THE TROTMAN CUP: JULIE GORDON A little ‘mini Chelsea’ with her small garden THE ROSE BOWL: ANNA MORGEN Once again, perfection with her pots, tubs and baskets, with flowers, fruit and vegetables THE DESBOROUGH CUP FOR VEGETABLES: ALEX HINCKLEY Huge hard work and creativity towards the self sufficient lifestyle BARBARA MULLINS WILDLIFE CUP: TARA AND IAN HARGROVE Masses of water life, bird life and insect friendly plants and shrubs.

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 www.jackgordondecorating.co.uk

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BOOK CLUB at lewknoR the portr ait of a lady Henry James The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James presents a problem for the reader who is accustomed to the modern novel, but when it was first published in the nineteenth century, this was not an issue because it appeared in serial form for a reading public which had few of the distractions which compete for our attention today. However, the novel provides a collection of characters whose portraits help to illustrate that of the eponymous young American, Isobel Archer, whose fate is determined when she unexpectedly inherits a considerable fortune, which gives her the means to steer her own course in life - a rare opportunity for a young 19th-century woman. But despite her intelligence and determination and having refused the hand of Lord Warburton, a very wealthy peer, and Caspar Goodwood, a young assertive and prosperous American, she becomes ensnared in a web of duplicity woven by the man she chooses to marry, Gilbert Osmond.

Berwick on Tweed. His purpose at the outset is to post a letter to an old acquaintance, Queenie, who, he has learned, is terminally ill in a nursing home. However, he comes to believe after a chance meeting with a young woman, that his pilgrimage will effectively keep Queenie alive and may in fact cure her. En route he meets a great variety of people some of whom he finds are unexpectedly kind-hearted and helpful while others become the usual hangers- on, looking for a purpose in life, who highjack Harold’s cause. Providing the reader suspends a certain amount of belief in the likelihood of the story in order to prevent common-sense breaking in on behalf of Harold and wishing he would just hop-on a National Express bus, then the novel provides a charming if rather depressing tale of travelling hopefully towards an uncertain destination. Harold becomes a more sympathetic character and for those who want to know Queenie’s side of the story, Joyce has written a sequel and the film of the ‘unlikely pilgrimage’ is already being made. Elan Preston-Whyte 01844 350 382

Henry James sets his novel in England among the upper classes and in the romantic Italian cities of Florence and Rome which he knew well as a child and young man. Isobel is thought to have been based on his beloved cousin Minnie who died of tuberculosis when she was only 21. This event affected James deeply for he saw Minnie as a free spirit, `a plant of pure American growth’, amongst the polished ladies of their time. The very air of Newport was “vocal with her accents, alive with her movements”.’ At the end of A Portrait of a Lady, while Isobel, unlike Minnie, doesn’t die James leaves her future indeterminate. The reader is therefore left wondering what will happen to her as she returns to Rome. So for those in our group who managed to reach the end, the consensus opinion feeling of thankfulness that woman have more opportunities now, a 100 years on from when the book was written, to choose their own path in life. Our next book could not have been more different as it involved a recently-retired male protagonist and a far less attractive one in The Unique Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. Harold embarks on a journey by foot from the West Country to

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

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fOOd aNd driNk

wiTh CaTheriNe gaLLaCher

season of roasTs and Mellow fruiTfulness...

To the delight of certain amongst us - I’m thinking of you, Mr. Hinckley - autumn is well and truly upon us. Sunday afternoons find us Lewknorians basking in the gentle, yellow glow of an autumnal sunset and delighting in the mixed aromas of woodsmoke and roast dinner...or down the pub getting leathered because it’s raining AGAIN!!! As the barbecue is consigned to the shed our Sundays become centred around the good old Sunday roast; last weekend we had a big ole leg of lamb from Kevin at Calnan Brothers in Watlington, naturally. I like to make small holes in it (the tines of our carving fork are ideal for this but you will find your own perfect implement!) which i stuff with slivers of garlic, anchovy and rosemary. Rub it all with sea salt, no need to add any fat, then roast the bejesus out of it. A truly magnificent feast. I am sorry to say that my family, when presented with the beautiful, fragrant leg of lamb last Sunday, cried as one, “yay! Shepherd’s pie on Wednesday”! I have a feeling the boys may even have high fived each other, much to the disgust of their Father. It is a funny beast, the Shepherd’s pie. Done well, it is a meal of deep, complex flavours; the ultimate in comfort food. Otherwise, it’s just, well, chewy mince and lumpy mash really. This is how I do it and it works for us. Many of us have our own method, often passed down through family members. Maybe we could do a feature article on the favourite family recipes of Lewknor...Ed? you will need: Leftover cooked lamb, or use beef for cottage pie.

4 large carrots 2 onions 2 sticks of celery Lamb stock Tomato purée Ground cinnamon Cheapo red wine Worcestershire sauce Splash of dry sherry, plus extra for glugging Flour Potatoes for mashing, red ones mash best Butter Strong cheddar Start by making what the Italians call soffritto, the French call mirepoix and we Brits call “a fine dice of carrot, celery and onions”. Suggestions please for an appropriate English word. Then fry it on a medium heat in a knob of butter in a pan which has a lid. If you’re short of time you can stick it in a food processor to save all that chopping! you don’t want any colour on it, just softening. When your diced veg mix is nicely soft, stir in a teaspoon of cinnamon and grind in a bit of pepper. Then sprinkle over flour and stir in until the mix is all dry and the butter has been absorbed by the flour. Now slosh in your sherry. you could also put some in the pan! Sorry. Only about half a glass. Don’t ask me why, blame my Nanna, she swore by it. Wine time next, about a couple of glasses but keep going until the veg is all covered. Take some good kitchen scissors and, holding a bit of lamb over the pan, snip it in. No need to be too precious, just roughly cut it all up into smallish bits until you’ve used it all up. All the bits of garlic, anchovy and rosemary will also plop in, so much the better! Give it all a good stir then add tomato purée (please not ketchup!) and a good splash of Worcestershire sauce. If you have some lamb stock cubes, you could crumble one in now or throw in the leftover lamb gravy from Sunday. My ex flatmate used to put in a teaspoon of English mustard too, which works, but you must absolutely not put any form of pea anywhere near this mixture, just plain wrong. Put the lid on the pan, turn it down to a low heat and simmer for twenty minutes. Whilst your lovely, lamby mix simmers gently, make some mash. Alternatively, use pre-done supermarket mash and have another sherry; nobody here would judge you! Transfer the mix into an ovenproof dish

THE GRAPEVINE OCT/NOV 2015 and carefully spoon over the mash. Put it on an oven tray to save the bottom of your oven then cook for 30-40 minutes at about 180. With 15 minutes to go, take it out and grate some cheddar on top then return it to the oven until it’s golden brown. Really, really delicious with some minted petits pois if you’re posh, or mushy if you’re like me. And a blob of HP.

By law, you must clear up after your dog. The penalty for not doing so is a £1000 fine. If we catch anyone committing this crime, we will report you to the police, with the possibility of naming and shaming you too! LPRG&H Committee

This cries out for a soft, juicy red. Try a Californian Merlot, the organic Bonterra range has an excellent one, available at Waitrose or Majestic. Or try the CoOp Chilean Fairtrade Merlot which is a steal at around six pounds. Cheers folks!

Books to borrow or buy through donation now available in St.Margaret’s. There is a good range of children’s and adult’s books, fiction and non-fiction. Please feel free to swap books, borrow or buy. Any proceeds will go directly to the upkeep of the church. Please pop in and take a look!

news from st. margarets

Wool appeal! Everyone has an unfinished knitting project at the back of their cupboards! Heather Weston’s mum would gratefully accept donations of wool in any colour or amount for recycling into blankets for homeless and international charities. Please call Heather on 07968 280 856

It is with regret that we have to mention yet again the instances of people not clearing up after their dogs on the recreation ground. The hall committee would like to point out that preschool children, as well as children from Lewknor Primary School use the field at the hall on a daily basis and those few people who do not pick up after their dogs, are putting the health of our children at risk. PLEASE BE A R ESPONSIBLE DOG OW NER!

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RESTORATION AT St. MARGARETS As part of the plans and preparation for the reordering, every aspect of the church has to be looked at and checked to ensure nothing has been left out of our restoration plans. On 15th of September some of the PCC (namely Peter and June Waterson, Jean Senior and I) met up with the architects to examine the Crypt and the Bell Tower.

Our reason for trying to look at the crypt was not merely a perverse curiosity! In order to make an application for a grant from the Heritage Lottery fund, to help finance the work, we need to have as full details as possible on all aspects of all the building.

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts with a screwdriver and a large crowbar, kindly provided by Jean, we were unable to gain access to the Crypt. We had thought it might not be possible as Peter had recently conducted a funeral where someone

present (a member of the Fane family) was able to share some old knowledge about the Crypt. It apparently was sealed in 1928 by order of the Home Office. This was following it having been flooded with water during a particularly wet year, when apparently coffins were found to have been floating around inside!

Enough said – moving onto the Bell Tower was somewhat more successful and more accessible. The attached photographs will tell you more of a story than I can. Looking out through those tiny slit windows at such a different view of Lewknor from high up was really something. I found myself imagining all the people from long ages past who may have trodden their way up and down those stone steps – who were they and what did they do such different times those would have been. We have such a wonderful historic building that is our village church – please do give it your full support in whatever way you can. Alison Swain, Secretary to the PCC.

If reading this column over the last year or so has inspired you to get interested Secondly don’t in go sif crafts of any sort then you may be interested, if you have the time and money, income you are to will - you will want Knitting and Stitching Show – I’m certainly planning to go if I can. It’sme a super event fort THE GRAPEVINE OCT/NOV 2015 th to the keep the you 7busy fo enthusiast. The next forthcoming and nearest one is in October from through several hort Alexandra Palace in London. In the midst of all

There are lots of workshops youaNd can join to learn all sorts of new techniques; some NeedLeS PiNS need some down tim and others charge, wiTh but most areSwaiN quite reasonable, starting at £5. There are galle aLiSON or afternoon tea a exhibitions displaying all kinds of work, including professional artists, there are choose from, providing a welcome opportunity and to refuel and re shows and lectures you canyou listen to from the experts. The exhibition is huge want to treat yourself the “Tea Rooms” in the Londesa If reading this column over the year or so has crowds and the show. There are also indoor picnic everything from beads to last batik, patchwork to prefer pom-poms! r eand l aofxany i n g areas if you spot in w inspired you to get interested in sewing or crafts to take your own food. sort then you may be interested, if you have the time afternoon

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and money, to visit The Knitting Stitching Showsome words of advice for any newbie visitor. Firs Having been a few yearsand ago, I have the crowds and the – I’m certainly planning to go if I can. It’s a super comfortable shoes because in the course of the day you can clock up a very long p i c n i c areas if y event for the craft enthusiast. The next forthcoming and nearest one is in October from the 7th to the 11th walk by the time you’re been round ev at Alexandra Palace in London. The show Secondly don’t go if you don’t haveruns anyeac dis t h e Thursday income you are willing to part with becaus 7.00pm. me - you will want to buy all manner of stuff It i s keep you busy for many monthscheaper and s a d v a n c e through several horticultural show exhibits! rather th

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£14.00, with concessions being £12.50 and children from 5afternoon to 18 pay £6.50.tea If youand go as athere mini group (4 many a orare are free car parks, can– get very busy unl There are lots of workshops you can joinAlthough to learn all there adults) the price drops downthese to £11.00 excellent choose providing opportunity to refuel and your purchases sorts of from, new techniques; some aarewelcome free you and others value forto a day out. Although there free carThere parks, might prefer leave the carreview at are home. are lotsth charge, but most are quite reasonable, starting at these can get very busy unless you get there really you want to treat yourself the “Tea Rooms” in the Londesborough Room provide thesowebsite plenty abo £5. There are galleries and exhibitions transport displaying andearly you mightgives prefer you to leave the carofatinformation home. There are lots of ways to get by public r ealll akinds x i nofg work, including professional artists, spot inthere which totransport have a delici and there are fashion shows and lectures you can and the website gives you plenty of information about afternoon listen to from the experts. The exhibition is huge these options. tea away from the hustle and b sells everything from beads to batik, and theandcrowds and the show. There are also patchwork to pom-poms! Check out the website here: p i c n i c areas if you prefer to take your ow www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com Having been a few years ago, I have some words of to find out lots more, details are also to be found on advice for any newbie visitor. Firstly, wear comfortable facebook and twitter The runs each day from 10.00 till 5 shoes show because in the course of the day you can clock t up ahvery long e distance walk by the time you’re been Thursday having a late evening Need heLP wiTh yOur COMPuTer? round everything. Secondly don’t go if you don’t have 7.00pm. any disposable income you are willing to part with • Using the internet because - trust me - you will want to buy all manner • Setting up email of stuff that will keep you busy for many months and • Buying and selling ebay your ticket on I t see you through i s several horticultural show exhibits! cheaper toonbuy • Downloading your digital photos advance rather thanspreadsheets, pay on etc the day. Th • Word-processing, In the midst of all this activity you will, of course, For affordable, one-to-one p rneed i c esome f odown r time to just relax and enjoy lunch or adults is £14.00, with concession tuition in your home, call afternoonand tea and there are many areas5to to choose £12.50 children from 18from, pay £6.50. If you go Sharene as a on mini group (4 adults) t 08711 296 454 providing a welcome opportunity to refuel and review

drops down to excellent value for a day out. your purchases thus£11.00 far. If you–want to treat yourself the “Tea Rooms” in the Londesborough Room provide a calm relaxing spot in which to have a delicious, full Although there are free car parks, these afternoon tea away from the hustle and bustle of the

can get very busy unless you get there really you might prefer to leave the car at home. There are lots of ways to get there b 7 transport and the website gives you plenty of information about these options. Check

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LEWKNOR PARISH COUNCIL www.lewknor-pc.org.uk

REMEMBER YOU CAN NOW RECYCLE SMALL ELECTRICALS & TEXTILES

On Grey bin day you can now put small electrical things into a plastic bag next to your bin and they will be taken away, obviously larger things such as microwaves, fridges & washing machines can’t go, however by contacting www.southoxon.gov.uk/bulkywaste you can find out more information on how to get them collected. Textiles can also be put in a carrier bag but put out on green bin day, not good quality things just worn out or ripped clothes, curtains etc EXTRA COLLECTION FOR AUTUMN GARDEN WASTE

Week beginning 12th October for Postcombe, & Tuesday 13th for Lewknor there is an EXTRA bin collection of garden waste. Just leave it in a bag or box next to your bin (one bag only). If you would like to pay for a garden waste bin go to www.southoxon.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call 01749 341247 to order one for £35 per year

Mobile Library Visit Poster v2.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2015 09:01 Page 1

Your Mobile Library visits

ASTON ROWANT THE GREEN every THE FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH 11.20AM - 11.35AM www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries @OxonLibraries

Oxfordshirelibraries

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LEWKNOR PARISH COUNCIL www.lewknor-pc.org.uk

Recent Local Planning Applications Below are the planning applications that have been considered by the Council and their current status: i) P14/S3832/FUL The Barn, Weston Road, Lewknor Amendment: Retention of new barn for showroom/storage purpose. Change of use from agriculture to part car storage, rebuilding of cars & engines & part servicing of TVR vehicles; erection of a single storey extension approved ii) P15/S1542/O Outline application (for access only) For the erection of three detached two-storey dwellings and a pair of two-storey semi-detached dwellings with parking, garaging, access and amenity space decision awaited iii) P15/S1595/HH Meynell (Formerly Field Farm Bungalow) Shirburn Road, Lewknor A detached ancillary outbuilding & a reconfigured parking area approved iv) P15/S1597/FUL Meynell (Formerly Field Farm Bungalow) Shirburn Road, Lewknor Erection of 2 no. 6m shipping containers in connection with the small holding approved v) P15/S1799/FUL Hill Farm, Hill Road, Lewknor Change of use from disused barn/stable to indoor swimming pool to be used as ancillary accommodation; & creation of barn-type opening in existing converted barn approved vi) P15/S1834/HH 1 Beacon View, Lewknor Erection of single storey timber frame building approved vii) P15/S2459/T56 Adjacent to Cop Field off Salt Lane, Adwell Proposed base station upgrade works at adjacent to Cop Field Prior Approval not required viii) P15/P2478/FUL Mill House, South Weston Removal of Condition 6 of planning permission P14/S3926/FUL (Code for Sustainable Homes) Approved ix) P15/S2705/PDO The Stables, Church Lane, Lewknor Change of use from office to dwelling house Decision awaited x) P15/S2886/FUL The Old Inn, London Road, Postcombe Erection of single-storey timber clad storage building to rear of premises Decision awaited xi) P15/S2985/FUL St Margaretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Field, 8 & 9 Shirburn Road Lewknor Demolition of existing two dwellings and erection of new single dwelling with garaging outbuildings and other works to provide landscaping and a new access, parking area and renewed gardens 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

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LEWKNOR BLUE CROSS On Saturday 28th November, from 11am-4pm, we have our Christmas event. There will be mince pies, stalls and Christmas cards for sale and people are welcome to bring their dogs along too. We始re also looking for more short-term foster carers for some of our animals! For example, we始re looking for places for animals who have just had an operation and need somewhere to recover before they can go up for rehoming, or some of our existing foster carers have been looking after some mum cats and their kittens, and getting them well socialised before they start looking for a new home.

BLUE CROSS, LONDON ROAD (A40), LEWKNOR, OXON, OX49 5RY 0300 777 1500

waTlingTon gardening CluB The new programme for 2015/2016 includes such subjects as clematis, plant collecting, the history of trees, euphorbias, colour in the garden..... Why not join our Gardening Club or come as a visitor to see if you enjoy our talks? NEXT MEETINGS at 7.45pm in Watlington Town Hall: wednesday 7 oCToBer Speaker: Everett Leeds. Subject: Clematis through the Seasons. wednesday 4 noveMBer Speaker: Pamela Holt. Subject: Plant Collecting in Peru. An account of 4 months plant collecting for Kew from desert coast to Andes. wednesday 2 deCeMBer Christmas Social wednesday 6 January Speaker: Dr Michael Keith-Lewis. Subject: History of Trees Watlington Gardening Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month in the Town Hall at 7.45pm. Free parking is close by in the town car park. We have a programme of speakers throughout the year and garden visits in the summer including a coach trip further afield. Our meetings include a plant table and free coffee and biscuits. For further information please contact Caelia Pereira, Chairman, 01491 612368 or Email: caeliaperiera@aol.co.uk

FOUR PAWS cAt ReScUe cHRIStMAS GIFt & cRAFt FAYRe 8tH NOVeMBeR At BeNSON PARISH HALL, SUNNYSIDe, BeNSON, OX10 6LZ IF YOU WOULD LIke A StALL At tHe GIFt & cRAFt FAYRe, PLeASe cONtAct MIcHeLLe FOR A BOOkING FORM AND cONDItIONS FOUR PAWS cAt ReScUe MIcHeLLe - 07780 470417 MIcHeLLe@cHAkRAPAtcH.cO.Uk WWW.FOURPAWScAtReScUe.ORG.Uk

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(Rosie Young, retired nurse living with cancer)

“Having an advocate at my appointments j u st m a d e a l l t h e d i ffe re n c e i n t h e world, because I didn’t have to be the R o s i e -‐ t h e -‐ n u r s e , R o s i e -‐ t h e -‐ p a t i e n t , Rosie-‐the-‐everything. I could just focus on me and what people were saying to m e , k n o w i n g t h a t my a d v o c a t e w a s writing stuff down and if I got it wrong , then she’d talk me through it but also would help me challenge… If it hadn’t been for the advocate being there and stepping in I think I might have ended up having completely the wrong type of treatment for me.”

A new service run by Oxfordshire Advocacy in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, providing one to one support for anyone aged 50+ affected by cancer, whether they are a PaNent or a Carer. Give us a call on 01865 230203 Email us at copa@oadg.org.uk If you know of anyone affected by cancer and aged 50 or more If you feel that they might benefit from having a Macmillan trained volunteer to support them at appointments or with gePng the pracNcal help they need If you are interested in volunteering yourself

Icknield community college

Top performing subject areas, all achieving more than 74% A*-C include:

Icknield Community College achieved its best ever results yet again this summer. With an 11% improvement on last year’s results, 65% of students achieved 5+A*-C including English and Maths. 70% of students achieved 5+A*-C grades.

Biology Chemistry Computing Drama English Geography Maths Media Studies PE Physics RE

There were record results in English for a second year running with 91% of students achieving A*-C grades, with Maths results also signif icantly above the national average at 78%. The progress our students have made in Maths and English is really impressive. 92% of students made expected progress in English (which would be considered outstanding by Ofsted) for the second year running. I would like to congratulate all of our students who have achieved success and thank the staff and parents who supported them to do so.

Top performing students include: Eliza Naismith: 6A* 3A Zahra Kahn: 2A* 6A 1C Ben McCrindle: 2A* 5A 1B 1C Oliver Sumner: 2A* 4A 2B 1C Louis Preece: 2A* 2A 5B Alex Birtles: 8A 1B Megan Bunce: 6A 2B 1C

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Heating oil and red diesel Theft of heating oil and diesel has been a problem for many years as heating oil and red diesel is an attractive proposition for thieves who actively target fuel tanks at farms and rural domestic properties. If the tank is damaged by thieves it could also cause an environmental catastrophe. The Oil Firing Technical Association for the petroleum industry (OFTEC) offer advice and guidance for those who use and store oil at their premises. Contact OFTEC on 0845 6585 080 or visit www.oftec.org. There is a security advice leaflet on www.oilsave.org.uk Where to locate your tank The position can have a significant effect on its vulnerability. If it is close to the house and overlooked then the thief may consider the chances of being seen, too high. If it is close to the road or other access points, then it will be an easier target. Hiding it behind the garage or other structure is commonplace but can be an advantage to the thief. If tanks are to be stored in an outbuilding, then there are strict regulations which must be followed and advice should be sought from the Fire Service and OFTEC. Security measures Padlocks: Closed shackle padlocks offer the most resistance to the bolt cropper. Control switches: Use control switches to control the flow of oil and isolate the electricity supply when the tank is not in use. Oil level gauges: Remote gauges are available which will set off an alarm if the tank level suddenly drops or falls below a quarter full. Proximity GSM alarms: Battery operated motion sensor alarms can alert designated mobile phones that motion activity detected around the tank CCTV: This can be set up to watch over an isolated tank and may act as a deterrent to thieves. Defensive planting: Nature’s way of helping reduce crime. Thieves will not want to fight their way through or over a thorny hedge. Ripped clothing or blood may help the Police identify an offender. Walls, Fences and Trellis: Constructed in close proximity to the tank may restrict access. Cages, Grills and Guards: Metal cages, grills and guards are available with lockable access points. Ensure someone is available when the tank needed to be filled. Security Lighting: If your tank is visible from your home, this can deter thieves. Low level “dusk til dawn” or PIR motion detection lighting can be an effective crime deterrent.

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HOME SECURITY

Thames Valley www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk

For more crime reduction tips visit: www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Distraction Burglary

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INTERIOR

AND EXTERIOR DECORATOR

Providing exceptional customer service since 1974

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Lee Beckett

Address: Blue Cross, London Road (A40), Lewknor Tel: 0300 777 1500 Fax: 0300 777 1501 Email: lewknor@bluecross.org.uk

THE GRAPEVINE OCT/NOV 2015

The Home Care Specialists

Do you need a Helping Hand? Our local care team has been providing award winning quality homecare since 1989. A family run company we offer you a one-to-one full time Live-in Care service that enables you or your loved one to remain at home with compassion and dignity by assisting with: personal care, companionship, errands and housekeeping. So if you are looking for an alternative to residential care or as a short term answer whilst recovering from illness or operation then we’re here to help.

If so, check if you’re eligible for a FREE boiler! The Oxfordshireshire Affordable Warmth Network is pleased to be accessing ECO grants in partnership with British Gas to offer free replacement boilers to homeowners and private renting tenants whose boilers are rated D or below and are in receipt of certain benefits. An easy way to check your eligibility and to discover how else we can assist you is via our freephone helpline:

0800 107 0044 Or email us:

awn@nef.org.uk

Funding is only available for a limited time, so please don’t delay. Lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

To find out how we can help you, call: 0808 180 1016 or visit: www.helpinghands.co.uk

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THE GRAPEVINE OCT/NOV 2015

LEWKNOR PARISH DIARY OCTOBER 2015 4th october holy communion 9.00am st. lawrence 11th october children’s church 10.30am st. margaret’s 12th october parish council meeting 7.30pm jubilee hall 18th october holy communion 9.00am st. margaret’s

NOVEMBER 2015 1st november holy communion 9.00am st. lawrence 8th november children’s church 10.30am st. margaret’s 9th november parish council meeting 7.30pm jubilee hall 15th november holy communion 9.00am st. margaret’s If you would like to include any events or meetings in the diary, please let the editor know via the grapevine email address: grapevinemagazine@hotmail.com

Visit us at: The High Street Lewknor Oxfordshire OX49 5TN 01844 350350 fabricfields@aol.com Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 1.30pm