GR A PEV INE THE
summer 2015 edition 293
Thurburn family picnic, Lewknor. Rev. Mar tin Thurburn was the vicar at St. Margarets from 1920-1934.
news from the parish I’m ignoring the rain outside the window and appreciating how green and lush the village looks right now. All this sunshine then rain can only be doing good things for anyone entering produce in the Horticultural Show in September. All the details are inside, including classes and prizes. I think I’m abandoning the fruitcake this year and might go for a preserve instead! On to not so nice village news. It seems the problem of dog mess is still ongoing in the village. We are aware that 99% of dog owners are responsible and pick up after their dogs, but that still leaves the 1% who don’t and allow their dog to foul on footpaths and also on the field at the village hall, a field that was recently used for the School fete and the school sport’s day. It’s
an undesirable part of owning an dog but something you have to take responsibility for none the less. More pleasant news! The race meet in aid of Krakatoa’s outside space resurfacing fund was a great success. The children enthusiastically shouted their horses on, and some adults did the same! Krakatoa would like to say a huge thanks to all who came to support and massive thanks to the Leathern Bottle for hosting the event helping to make it such a great success, one they hope to repeat in the future. dates for the diary 5th Sept Dad’s Day Out 12th Sept Ride And Stride 13th Sept Lewknor Horticultural Show
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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faster broadband arrives in lewknor!
The faster Broadband “cabinet” at the Lambert Arms is now live for Lewknor residents, to upgrade yours contact your service provider who will guide you through how to upgrade if you wish to. Do note that it isn’t compulsory to upgrade. If you choose to, they will send a new router and charge accordingly to your service agreement, speeds will vary throughout the village but on average it could be 25-40 download speed for medium upgrade, or a lot more for the higher upgrade. Postcombe and South Weston aren’t currently being upgraded, but the PC will continue to lobby Oxfordshire County Council and BT for updates. www.betterbroadbandoxfordshire.org.uk
Lewknor horticultural show Planning is well under way for this year’s fete and show – please put the date in your diary now 13th September, starting at 2pm. We would like lots of people to enter the classes this year – don’t worry about the standard, it’s fun to take part! There are a few changes to classes. In the domestic section, Class 40: chocolate cake instead of cupcakes, in the art and craft section we’ve added a class for budding artists. The photographs this year will be either a photo taken in Lewknor or Postcombe, or a photo of water or a portrait. In the children’s section we’ve added a junk model vehicle and the children’s painting will be titled Birds. The full programme is included in this Grapevine on page 5 so there is plenty of time for your creative juices to get f lowing! The gardens of the whole parish will be judged towards the end of July. The categories are: the best large, medium and small garden, plus the best containers and the best wildlife garden. Eppy Hodgson is the judge and she devotes a tremendous amount of time to walking through the villages looking at front gardens. If anyone would like her to judge their back garden as well, please contact her on: 01844 351419 or moorcourt2002@yahoo.co.uk.
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(People already on her list for back gardens will be included automatically) She would love to have some new gardens to look at! The residents of our villages are always very generous when it comes to contributions for the various stalls. Please could you donate tombola or raff le prizes, bric-a-brac or books. We can turn your unwanted items into money, at the fete, for our local good causes. Or perhaps make a lovely cake for the cake stall. All contributions will be very gratefully received. Please contact either: Caroline – 01844 352720 or Christine – 01844 353283 So, do please come to the fete/show. Remember, 13th September at 2pm: beautiful exhibits to look at, lots of games and stalls to enjoy, sumptuous teas and barbecue, it should be a great afternoon and even better, at 4 o’clock, we auction all the produce – delicious home-grown fruit, veg and cakes at great prices. See you ther e!
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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THE GRAPEVINE summer 2015
BOOK CLUB at lewknoR The Little Old Lady who Broke All the Rules Catherina Ingleman-Sundbergh The Little Old Lady who Broke All the Rules by Catherina Ingleman-Sundbergh was heralded on its cover as ‘The International Best Seller’ and, as a result, this raised our expectations for it to be an enjoyable read. We naturally did not read it in its original Swedish so we have to accept that much of its quality as a novel had perhaps got lost in translation. Potential readers may prefer to omit the brief synopsis of the plot which follows but it may be helpful in deciding whether or not to read the book. It is a lighthearted look at a group of five very elderly pensioners living a dreary existence in a retirement home in Sweden. One of them Martha, aged 79, decides that she is going to find a way to a more suitable environment as the home begins to deteriorate as a result of the penny pinching attitude of its new owners. She persuades her four friends to embark on a life of crime with the (incredible) aim of qualifying them all for a spell in one of (what she believes to be) Sweden’s ‘comfortable’ prisons. The five friends, therefore, abscond from Diamond House to take up residence in the Princess Suite at the Grand Hotel and with their combined expertise they succeed in stealing two paintings from the National Gallery in Stockholm. They blackmail the Museum for 10 million kroner, half of which they incompetently manage to lose almost immediately, and the remainder they leave stuffed down a drain pipe at the hotel. They are however arrested for stealing the paintings which have now disappeared but they succeed in being sent to prison where they discover the reality of prison life. Nothing daunted on their release they return to Diamond House where their plotting begins again. Their ambitions grow and by the end of the book they have liberated 19 million kroner from the ATM machines scattered throughout Stockholm after which they wing their carefree way to the bright lights of Barbados. Our discussion focussed on the description of zimmerframe toting residents of a dismal residential home which, for a couple in our group, raised the spectre of a future just a few years off which was depressing in the extreme. What was alarming was that the author of the book was highlighting the conditions that some
elderly face in Sweden which, in view of the reputation that the Scandinavians have of spending a great deal of their GNP on welfare issues, seems to imply they do no better than anywhere else in the world on the care of the old. Nonetheless, Catherina InglemanSundbergh has already embarked on a sequel but, we have decided, this will not be in our reading list. The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez looked as though it might be an interesting read as none of us had any personal experience of Afghanistan and we felt it might provide a different view of a very troubled city and country. The story is based on the author’s own time in Kabul when she ran a café which provided her with idea to capitalise on this experience by writing a novel. Rodrigues describes a culture very far from the democratic society we are familiar in the West and, in particular, the constrained and difficult lives that Afghan women are forced to live. She makes clear the deteriorating situation in Kabul as the Taliban once more emerge, as American and British troops are withdrawn from the country, and the poverty and destitution of those displaced from their homes in other parts of Afghanistan. BUT a critical article about Rodriguez and her initial enterprise of running a beauty salon and school, when she first arrived in Kabul as part of a non-governmental organisation, alerted us to the fact that she had been economical with the truth in an earlier memoir of that affair. Indeed, her own description of her early life in small town America suggests a Walter Mitty type character. This impression was reinforced by her admitting she had married an Afghan man within 21 days of their meeting when they did not share a common language and with her knowing he already had a wife and children whom he was still very much involved with in Dubai. Needless to say this marriage did not last. CONTINUED PAGE 6
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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Lewknor Parish Fete & Horticultural Show th
Sunday 13 September from 2pm Jubilee Hall, Lewknor Attractions include:-
Horticultural Display & Auction Bouncy Castle BBQ, Refreshments Skittles & Lots of Family Activities
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THE GRAPEVINE summer 2015 So the Coffee Shop in her story provides only the background for a collection of stereotypical characters with only an older Afghan woman, who had grown up in a time when Afghanistan had been a relatively stable country and had held on to ideas of a more independent role for women, providing an inkling that there were more nuances of life within Afghan society than the novel provides. Our next book was Mr Rosenblum’s list by Natasha Solomons which proved to be somewhere between the previous two in theme and treatment. The eponymous hero is a Jewish emigre who had fled with his wife, Sadie, to the UK from Nazi Europe just before the Second World War. He had been given on arrival a list of ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ which describe English culture and custom in order to integrate successfully with the native population. He follows the list to the letter and in due course through his own hard work by the end of the war, he is the owner of a carpet factory in the East End and he is enormously proud that his only child, Elizabeth, is studying at Cambridge. However, there is one ambition which he has failed to achieve from his list and that is joining a golf club. Rejected by all the clubs he applies to join, he decides the only solution is to construct his own golf course and he sets out to do so buying a derelict cottage on a large plot of land in Dorset. The model he intends to follow is the links course at St Andrew’s (despite his new property being nowhere near any sand dunes) and he writes to the famous golfer, Bobby Jones, hoping to recruit him to help with his project. He intends to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth which is to take place the following year with the opening match on his new course. The book from then on is a mixture of fact and magical realism occasionally comedic centring on the local legend of the ‘woolly pig’ and as with all fairy tales ends happily ever after. Needless to say the film of the book is already in the making! For us book- club members, we regretted that the author, who admits in the epilogue, that she based most of the factual elements on the history of her grandparents, refugees like Mr Rosenblum, had not written a straightforward memoir of their lives in their homeland and the trials and tribulations they had faced in the UK. This story, we thought, would have proved to be illuminating rather than fantastical. However, we agreed that the passages in which she describes rural England are beautiful and accurate. These she has based on her own experiences as a shepherdess before she became a writer. Next month we are reading The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James which will be entirely different! Elan Preston-Whyte. Tel. 01844 350 382.
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news from st. margarets The church held a tea and coffee morning, with cakes and a BBQ at Town Farm on Saturday 11th July. A fantastic day was had by all, and in lovely sunshine. The children especially had a great time playing in the garden. We raised a fantastic £385, which will be shared by the school and the church. Thanks to school for organising the bric-a-brac collection, to everyone who made cakes especially June Waterson and Rosemary Ashby, to Claire and Raymond Nicholson for a great job on the barbecue and to my granddaughter Rebecca for helping with the bric-a-brac sales. Jean Senior
friends of lewknor school A very big thank you to everyone in the community who has supported our school and helped FoLS achieve a successful year. We have raised just under £7000 for our school since September and we have helped our school provide enriching resources and experiences for the children - from trips to the Tower of London top the Sheldonian music concert for the whole school, humanities resources, maths resources and books, all of the children have really benefited from everyone’s hard work and generosity - so THANK YOU!! The FoLS 100 Club is now running and we have had our first 3 draws: The 100 club winners for June were: 1st prize £25 - Jenny Wilson 2nd prize of £15 - Catherine Gallacher 3rd prize of £10 - Vicky Ashby The 100 club winners for July were: 1st prize £25: Dave Smith 2nd prize £15: Catherine Gallacher 3rd prize £10: Alex Hinckley The 100 club winners for August were: 1st prize £25: Alex Hopkinson- Woolley 2nd prize £15: Dennis Van Dijk 3rd prize £10: Catherine Gallacher If you wish to join the 100 club then please contact Fols: mcarpenterhanson@.gmail.com and a form can be emailed or posted to you. Its well worth investing £12 a year!!
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needles and pins Needles and pins
with alison swain
n all good Well Lewknor people should be thinking about their – it’s nearing that time again when all good the paper is torn away. Some of this work can also be Lewknor people should be thinking about their created ourse getting on with your knitting, stitching etc all in around what is called cutwork, where threads onions, roses, jam making and of course getting on of the fabric are cut and removed leaving an open area – the horticultural show.stitching etc all in readiness for the with your knitting, to be stitched and embroidered as in the photo shown. big event of the year – the horticultural show.
Here the cut away areas have been stitched into an ewing and knitting categories for the first time. Now open thatsquare pattern with a very fine stitch known as a Last year saw the introduction of the sewing and dove’s eye added and some beading in between. e we see lots more entries andthat find knitting categories for thethis first year time. Now theseout what feature let’s hopeand we seeknitting, lots more entries e final method is known as bobbin lace. Here the ough they are area regular labelled sewing I have itThon this year and find out what hidden talents are in the thread is wound onto small wooden bobbins and then are fairly flexible and so range of different village. Although theyaarewide labelled sewing and knitting, crafts the threads are twisted and plaited to create the lace. I have it on good authority that these categories are This is usually done on a stiff pillow – traditionally fairly flexible and so a wide range of different crafts filled with straw but nowadays usually polystyrene. will be welcomed for entry. Dressmaking pins are used to hold the threads and this issue as I heard that someone was hoping to enter pattern in place until it is complete. The bobbins Th is leads smoothly into my topic for this issue as I nswer is yes, that will be fine and well done you ! are used in pairs and typically have coloured beads heard that someone was hoping to enter some lace threaded on wires through the ends so that each pair making for the show – the answer is yes, that will be can easily be identified. ways. Crochet was fine andlace well done you !a technique that particularly Having tried doing bobbin lace some years ago I can deprivation and became a cottage industry for many Lace can be made in three main ways. Crochet lace safely say I won’t be entering any in the show – my lace the usual crochet, butthat used finer threads and hooks pillow and and bobbins etc are currently lying unused in was a technique particularly developed in Ireland deprivation and became cottage stitches the loft waiting for a lot of rainy days or several weeks tifs which during were times thenofjoined together witha small industry for many women and children. It was similar with nothing else to do. It is quite complicated and rns to follow limited,butso women learnt by watching to thewere usual crochet, used finer threads and hooks slow to grow – or at least mine was – so I look forward and consisted of making patterns and motifs which to seeing someone else’s creative flair in the show. samples. There would be experts in particular patterns, were then joined together with small stitches known as each other to create a tospecific a the summer and don’t forget to take that barsinororder brides. Written patterns follow weredesign, limited, thus Enjoy so women learnt by watching others work and from stitching or knitting on holiday with you! seeing finished samples. There would be experts in particular patterns, who would then exchange work escribes –with it uses only needle and thread and many each other in a order to create a specifi c design, thus a very early type of production line. e
ff d e d ds d d n. Needle lace is exactly as the name describes – it uses itched intoonly anaopen square with aarevery stitch needle and thread pattern and many stitches used fine to up and create the pattern. It is often stitched onto me beadingbuild in between. stiff paper to hold it all in place until finished and then
n lace. Here8 the thread is wound onto small wooden ed and plaited to create the lace. This is usually done on straw but nowadays usually polystyrene. Dressmaking
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JEAN SENIOR 07825813137
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SUMMER
YOGA
Summer 2015 ‘Drop In’ Classes Jubilee Hall, Lewknor Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th August 7pm – 8.30pm £8 per session *Or £27 for all sessions*
A chance to start or continue your yoga practice during the summer break. The classes are suitable for all levels, incl. beginners.
For More information please contact Vicki Austin on 01844 347162 or 07947 149675 Or visit her website for full details of all classes offered
www.yogaaylesbury.co.uk 10
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lEWKNOR pARIsH COuNCIl www.lewknor-pc.org.uk
uPdate reGardinG neiGhBourhood Plan The Parish Council would like to thank Ian Hargrove for taking time to search for all the information he could obtain about a Neighbourhood Plan, he has reported back that he looked at a number of draft plans and feels it would take a lot of expertise and time to achieve the type of document that needs to fulfi l all the Council requirements, and be in accord with their development plan. It has been really helpful that quite a few residents have offered to assist, however Ian feels that at the moment it really is a huge undertaking both in time and money. Th is doesn’t preclude taking the idea forward in the future, and we will keep everyone informed.
There is more information on the SODC website, ‘Neighbourhood Plans’
Walk to remember
Take a 10k evening walk in memory of a loved one and raise money to help people living with a terminal illness. Blenheim Palace, Saturday 8 August Sign up at mariecurie.org.uk/walkoxfordshire
Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland) A160e
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Friday mornings 9.30-11.30am Chinnor Village Hall TiddlyPeeps is a friendly social group for mums to be, parents, grandparents, nannies, childminders, carers, babies and toddlers. TiddlyPeeps is a non-profit making organisation, run by a committee of volunteers, first started in July 2007. We pride ourselves on being a very friendly and welcoming group and are very fortunate to have have a supportive, friendly and enthusiastic committee (all of whom can be recognised by their committee badges!) As well as the usual selection of baby, toddler and pre-school toys, we regularly put out play dough and arts and crafts (seasonal when appropriate). We also have home-made cakes one Friday a month, messy play and occasional visitors. We generally run every Friday morning from 9.30-11.30am in Chinnor Village Hall. We stop play at approximately 10.30am to sit down and the children have a drink and a biscuit (both provided) - this is followed by singing, which is usually led by a committee member. We charge ÂŁ1.50 per family to cover our running costs. Tea/coffees for adults are served by dedicated local volunteers, whose support we are most grateful for. If you would like to get in touch or would like more details, please feel free to contact us.
www.tiddlypeeps-chinnor.co.uk
e-mail@tiddlypeeps-chinnor.co.uk or ask to join our facebook page - TiddlyPeeps
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 purposes. 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 decision awaited 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 decision awaited 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 decision awaited vi) P15/S1834/HH 1 Beacon View, Lewknor Erection of single storey timber frame building 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 C of E primary school It has been a busy term for pupils and staff at Lewknor C of E Primary School, as there have been lots happening. May started off with our May Day celebrations, and our May Day King and Queen from Year 6, along with many proud parents and staff, watched as the children danced around the maypole. Children in Infants were amazed when they returned after Easter to see how much the ducklings, they had watched hatch a few weeks earlier, had grown. Year 2 went to Hurst Water meadows as part of their project on studying bugs and saw caterpillars develop into chrysalis before turning into beautiful butterflies in their classroom. We had Science Week for the whole school in June when children studied different parts of the human body, including digestion, the skeleton and the brain (they even dissected some real brains!!). All the children went to Field Farm with the older children being transported there in a tractor trailer. Once at the farm they had a guided walk, met many animals and learned what sort of crops are grown locally and how the food ends up on our plates. At the end of June we had Sports Day. The weather was kind and there were lots of winners but overall the Green Eagle House came first, followed closely by the Blue Owls and Red Kites. Despite heavy rain on the 13th, FoLS (Friends of Lewknor School) held a very successful Circus-themed Fete to raise funds for the school and we can’t let June pass by without congratulating Year 5 who all passed their cycling proficiency test. As we moved into July, Head Teacher Mrs Cole, was delighted when we found out that we had a 100% pass rate in the Year 1 phonics screening test and that all children in year 6 had attained level 4 and above in reading, writing and maths SATS. This is an excellent achievement by the pupils and their teachers. The annual production, The Heroes of Troy, took place over two nights and the children gave outstanding performances on both nights. All staff and parents were so proud of the great effort the children had put into learning their lines and the enthusiasm they showed in their performances. As we move into the end of a school year we will be sad to say goodbye to our Year 6 pupils but know they have had a good time at Lewknor and will do well as they move onto secondary school in September. If you would like to see photographs of any of the events then please take a look at our website: www.lewknor.eschool.co.uk.
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WATLINGTON GARDENING CLUB Why not join our Gardening Club or come as a visitor to see if you enjoy our talks including free coffee and biscuits at the end of the meeting? We meet on the first Wednesday of the month in Watlington Town Hall at 7.45pm. Free parking is close by in the town car park. During the summer months we also do garden visits and a coach trip further afield. The next meeting will be: Wednesday 2 September at 7.45pm Brian Fisher is coming to talk to us about the Potager’s Garden – incorporating attractive edible crops into the ornamental garden including pots. The September meeting will start with a short AGM followed by the speaker. Watch this space for our new programme which will start in October. For further information please contact Caelia Pereira, Chairman, 01491 612368 or Email: caeliaperiera@aol.co.uk 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 from July www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries @OxonLibraries
Oxfordshirelibraries
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INTERIOR
AND EXTERIOR DECORATOR
Providing exceptional customer service since 1974
MOTs : TYRES : SERVICES : REPAIRS LOAN CARS : LIFTS & COLLECTIONS
01844 278177 Camp Industrial , Rycote Lane, Milton Common, Oxon, OX9 2NP
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Address: Blue Cross, London Road (A40), Lewknor Tel: 0300 777 1500 Fax: 0300 777 1501 Email: lewknor@bluecross.org.uk
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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
tuesday night YOGA AT 7-8.30 PM CONTACT VICKI ON 07947 149 675 0R 10844 347 162
wednesday night DOG OBEDIENCE AT 6-8 PM
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LEWKNOR PARISH DIARY july 2015 19th july holy communion 9.00am st. margaret’s 19th july family service 10.30am st. lawrence
august 2015 16th august holy communion 9.00am st. margaret’s 9th august children’s church 10.30am st. margaret’s there is no parish council meeting scheduled for august
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
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