Grapevine Magazine April 2022 by sara-jane morley

LEWKNOR PRIMARY 1902

Nº330 - APRIL 2022 LEWKNOR SOUTH WESTON POSTCOMBE

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE 2

FROM THE PARISH Today’s glorious sunshine, black sky, 5 snowstorms and then hail has made for quite exciting weather...and now the woodburner is fired up again... bring back the sunshine! Lewknor Neighbourhood Plan have written an extensive study into the structures that are already listed grade I and II in the parish and those that should be considered as heritage assets. There is a questionaire at the back of this edition to be filled in. Please read the article as to why this is improtant for the future of the village. There is also still time to fill in the questionaire attached to the last Grapevine about a 20mph

LEWKNOR PRIMARY WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN ENTHUSIASTIC PERSON WHO IS ABLE TO HELP SUPPORT A CREATIVE FUN, ACTIVE, SAFE PROVISION FOR OUR AFTER SCHOOL CLUB AT LEWKNOR PRIMARY. YOU WILL KEEP ALL CHILDREN SAFE, ENGAGED, HAPPY AND ENTERTAINED. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, WHY NOT POP ALONG AND MEET US? PLEASE EMAIL THE OFFICE: office.3184@lewknor.oxon. sch.uk or call Gemma on 01844351542 for more info

speed limit in the village. If you have mislaid that edition then you can call Caroline Hjorth

on 01844 352720 or email: clerk@lewknorparishcouncil. gov.uk.

Looking forward this month, Krakatoa will be having their popular Easter egg hunt on 9th April, starting at Jubilee Hall. This time there will be 2 trails so that more ages can join in. Details on page 7. And don’t forget we’re hoping to do a Jubille celebration on 3 June...watch this space!

FIX MY STREET REPORT, VIEW OR DISCUSS LOCAL PROBLEMS ON FIXMYSTREET.COM OR DOWNLOAD THE APP. HOW TO REPORT A PROBLEM

parish diary april 2022 11.00am

09 EASTER EGG HUNT

Jubilee Hall, Lewknor

7.30pm Parish Council Meeting Jubilee Hall, Lewknor

7.30pm Maundy Thursday Service St. Margarets, Lewknor

9.00am Holy Communion St. Lawrence, Lewknor

10.30am Morning Worship St. Margarets, South Weston

may 2022

7.00pm Annual parish meeting (all welcome) followed by Parish Council meeting Jubilee Hall, Lewknor

9.00am Holy Communion St. Margarets, Lewknor

june 2022 From 1.00pm

03 Jubilee Celebration (TBC) Lewknor

1. Enter a nearby UK postcode or streetname and area. 2. Locate the problem on a map of the area. 3. Enter details of the problem. 4. Sent to your council for action

JACK GORDON DECORATING

WATLINGTON SOLICITORS

ALL TYPES OF DECORATING UNDERTAKEN INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR

Stefanie O’Bryen

• Conveyancing • Family Matters • Probate • Wills

20 Shirburn Street Watlington, OX49 5BT Contact your local solicitor for a friendly and efficient service Telephone: 01491 614 700 Email: info@watlingtonsolicitors.co.uk Out of hours messages: 01491 614 357 Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors regulation Authority No 405842

Ring or email for a free quote: info@jackgordondecorating.co.uk 07590 517 444 www.jackgordondecorating.co.uk

Grapevine Magazine grapevinemagazine@hotmail.com

Search facebook.com for: LEWKNOR LIFE LEWKNOR LIST SOUTH WESTON, ADWELL AND POSTCOMBE (SWAP) POSTCOMBE PEOPLE

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE 3

Your Parish, Your saY LEWKNOR PARISH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Lewknor neighbourhood PLan PLEASE LETParish US KNOW YOUR VIEWS ON: NON-DESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSETS (NDHAS)

Dear All It has been some time since we have been in touch - our apologies for being rather quiet. Although NP progress was slow during the height of the pandemic we have since then been working through procedural tasks which need to be completed before we can submit the draft plan to SODC and then to an independent examiner.

2 drop-in events are being held

If a house or building is named as an NDHA it doesn’t mean that changes to it are automatically disallowed due to this status, rather it means that it would be f lagged up to developers and planners early in the application process as a local asset to help them understand that any changes should be sympathetic to the character of the building or to the area it sits within. Planners are likely to make this assessment in the case of these older properties even in the absence of a list, because part of their responsibility is to assess a property’s attributes when considering any application, but inclusion would f lag a property’s importance to all parties who are involved in alterations or developments at an early stage.

sat 14 april 10am to 1pm jubilee hall, lewknor sun 22 april 10am to 12.30 pm england’s rose, postcombe One of the more interesting areas of our recent work has been to assemble a Non-Designated Heritage Assets list for the parish which is something that can get produced at the time of making a Neighbourhood Plan or can be issued by a local council. Non Designated Heritage Assets are houses/ buildings/interesting historical sites which are given enhanced consideration if a planning application of any sort is made nearby to one. We had a useful meeting with SODC to help us understand the value of bringing such a list together. Our conclusion was that it’s a worthwhile thing to do for this parish. We hope you agree.

For more information about NDHAs please see (the full appendix, which is available on our website, www. lewknorparishnp.org, and at locations in the three villages (see below) and at https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/ hpg/has/locallylistedhas/.

Come along and find out more about what residents of the Parish think about issues such as We would be grateful if you could take a look at the NDHA housing needs, PubLic transPort, communitY faciLities, Parking It is important to note that this is not the same as a Grade 1 or 2 list on the following pages and let us know what you think listed building which is overseen by Historic England. (There using the form on the back page or by email. ProbLems, motorwaY noise. is a list of these included underneath so you can see that, if your favourite house isn’t on the NDHA list, chances are that it is already protected by being Grade 1 or 2 listed).

Once we have made any amendments the list will be Have a chance to discuss the results of the first consultation survey with members of the included in the draft plan. SODC may disagree with some of nominations so we can’t guarantee anything listed Neighbourhood Plan team over coffee and cake,our and help develop a Vision forthat a Parish that you Non-De signate d He ritage Asse ts are locally ide ntifie d here will be finally designated as an NDHA. willaswant to live in. to the local community. Maybe you something special walk a child to school past a really interesting old house each

If you have any further questions get in touch:

Everyone welcome attend either There will be a children’soractivity a prize morning oris perhaps you walkto your dog along past themeeting. moat and email: lpnp.consult@gmail.com tel: 01865and 522287. enjoy the setting. draw for all those who attend. The Neighbourhood Plan team, made up of local residents, are working hard to prevent

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE 4

LISTED BUILDINGS GRADE I

OUTSIDE THE VILLAGES Lower Vicar’s Farm Barn, North of Lower Vicar’s Farm

GRADE II

LEWKNOR Knapp Farmhouse, Weston Road Barn and stables North of Knapp Farmhouse, Weston Road Home Farm, Hill Road Ye Olde Leathern Bottle, High Street Town Farm and wall, High Street The Old Coach House, High Street The Old Vicarage, High Street The Old Rectory, High Street Lewknor Church of England School, High Street No 2, Church Lane Church Farm, Church Lane The Manor House, Weston Road Moor Court, Weston Road

St Margaret’s Church, Lewknor Hall Barn, Church Lane, Lewknor SOUTH WESTON The Old Rectory, Rectory Lane Manor Farm Granary, North-East of Manor Farm Manor Farm Cottage POSTCOMBE England’s Rose, London Road Poplars Farm, Box Tree Lane Adwell Farm, Box Tree Lane Barn, North-West of Adwell Farm, Box Tree Lane Elsdale Cottage, Box Tree Lane

PROPOSED NON-DESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSETS

LEWKNOR CONSERVATION AREA

AROUND THE HISTORIC CENTRAL CROSSROADS These properties in the immediate vicinity of listed buildings make a significant aesthetic contribution to the street scene and visual impact at the entrance to the main conservation area. 2 & 4 WATLINGTON ROAD, LEWKNOR Built pre 1810 these semi-detached dwellings are constructed of f lint with brick dressing in the Chiltern vernacular. The cottages are thought to be constructed using materials salvaged from the old windmill at South Weston. The ground f loor sash windows of No 4 are known to come from Thame Park and Haseley Manor, it has an extension built in the 1920s for use as village shop/Post Office. OLD FORGE, HIGH STREET, LEWKNOR Built in the 1800s, set at an angle to the High St, using f lint with brick dressing in the Chiltern vernacular, this building was used commercially as a forge and smithy prior to conversion to a private dwelling. A date brick “JB 1846” is at top right of front RH window. The Barney family were the local smiths for several generations, until 1965. 2 WESTON ROAD, LEWKNOR Date bricks “WH1812” & “King 1812” are displayed on this building of f lint with brick dressing, in the Chiltern vernacular, which was previously a terrace of 3 worker cottages including a former tan yard. The rear of the building reveals bricked up windows and doorway. 8 WESTON ROAD, LEWKNOR Built pre 1810 of f lint with brick dressing in the Chiltern vernacular and visible from the historic entrance to the village this property was previously two cottages and was once used as the village butchers.

TERRACE COMPRISING 13 TO 21 HIGH STREET, LEWKNOR The previously grade III listed terrace was built in the early 1800s of flint with brick dressing contains the Old Post Office, The Cabin, Spiders Web and No 21. THE OLD POST OFFICE, 13 HIGH STREET, LEWKNOR This large end of terrace property was once used as village Post Office and (manual) telephone exchange, while also providing accommodation for the postmaster. Adjustments to window shape were made when it was converted from the Post Office to a residential dwelling. THE CABIN, 15 HIGH STREET, LEWKNOR This property has a centrally positioned front door and an individual porch style. SPIDERS WEB, 17 HIGH STREET, LEWKNOR The cottage has an offset front door, a large arched window and an individual porch style. 21 HIGH STREET, LEWKNOR The property has been formed by the merging of numbers 19 and 21. TERRACE COMPRISING 3, 5, 7, & 9 HIGH STREET, LEWKNOR Built as infill prior to the 1901 census this terrace of four red brick houses with tiled, jerkinhead (clipped gable) roofs is an illustration of how the village developed both in size and provision of dwellings for local workers in the Victorian era. ‘W’ plaque in centre terrace. The cottages were built for Major Timothy White, who inherited the Lewknor and Nethercote estates in 1890. MOOR COURT COTTAGE, WESTON ROAD, LEWKNOR Set within the smaller conservation area this 18th century cottage originally a pair of cottages, built in flint with brick quoins, is associated with Moor Court and the Manor House, both listed and forming an important grouping.

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE 5

THE SPRINGS WITHIN THE ALLOTMENTS, HIGH STREET, LEWKNOR The site of the rare chalk springs is likely to have led to the development of Lewknor as a settlement. It is a notable feature in the conservation area and was originally the “Town Pond”. Evidence of now dismantled watercress beds is still visible.

LEWKNOR (OUTSIDE OF THE CONSERVATION AREA) 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, & 26 WESTON ROAD, LEWKNOR These two terraces, each of four late Victorian cottages have rendered walls under tiled, jerkinhead (clipped gable) roofs. A stone plaques at first floor level in each terrace with the initial “W”, one half covered by an extension to one cottage. The cottages were built for Major Timothy White, who inherited the Lewknor and Nethercote estates in 1890.

SOUTH WESTON ST LAWRENCE’S CHURCH, SOUTH WESTON The church was rebuilt in gothic style in 1860 in flint with stone dressings on the site of a 14th century church. The church holds a prominent, elevated position and holds aesthetic value making a positive contribution to the street scene. Tomb recess in the sanctuary preserved from the earlier church. There is a Medieval tub font. WATERMILL & THE OLD MILL, SOUTH WESTON The Domesday Book mentions a mill on this site, which is next to Manor Farm. Redevelopments and renewals through the centuries mean that the mill building is an example of an overshot watermill with a water wheel; the “current” mill wheel and water race dating from the 19th century. The outbuildings have been converted into a dwelling. The Watermill and The Old Mill form a group which is directly related to the listed Manor Farm.

POSTCOMBE The original focus of Postcombe Village centred on the triangular “Godcake”, formed at the junction of Box Tree Lane and Lower Road. The Godcake remains the focal point for social and other gatherings. Five of the oldest village dwellings encircle the junction, the four listed here date from the 17th and 18th century with the fifth being the Grade II listed Elsdale Cottage which dates from the 16th century with a later 18th century addition. At least three of the buildings have evidence of “wattle and daub” construction, at least one using ‘which-earth’ sourced from Adwell. The godcake is a name derived both from a Warwickshire expression to describe a triangular road junction created by the passing of horses and carts and from the name of triangular pastries given by godparents to godchildren known as Coventry Godcakes. ADWELL FARM COTTAGE, BOX TREE LANE, POSTCOMBE Brick, colourwashed house with some evidence of timber frame on west elevation. Previously Grade III listed, and possibly 17th century, this cottage is was previously two cottages and is attached to Elsdale Cottage with a party wall.

SUNNYVIEW, BOX TREE LANE, POSTCOMBE Built of old red brick, formerly a pair of 18th century workers cottages remodelled internally in the 20th century to form a single dwelling. THE OLD BAKERY, LOWER ROAD, POSTCOMBE This brick built former village bakery dates from 1828 verified by a dated brick uncovered when concrete rendering was removed some years ago to expose the original red brickwork. ELM TREE COTTAGE, LOWER ROAD, POSTCOMBE This cottage is believed to date from at least the 18th century. 1 & 2 BANKSIDE COTTAGES, BOX TREE LANE, POSTCOMBE This pair of rendered and colourwashed 19th century cottages, at the entrance to the older part of the village, have aesthetic value and a positive effect on the street scene. BOX TREE HOUSE, BOX TREE LANE, POSTCOMBE This imposing brick built 18th century property was previously the Box Tree Public House. It is aesthetically important occupying an elevated position above the lane.

OUTSIDE THE VILLAGES REED’S FARM, STOKENCHURCH The farm dates from the early 19th century. It is built with flint and has brick dressings. UPPER VICARS FARM, STOKENCHURCH Part of the farm is understood to date from the 17th century, possibly earlier. It is built with flint and has brick quoins.

ARCHAELOGICAL SITES WITHIN PARISH MEDIEVAL SHRUNKEN VILLAGE, LEWKNOR Heritage Environment Records indicate that during routine air surveys, conducted in the 1970s by the M40 Research Group, evidence of previously unrecorded earthworks were seen to the North and North West of St Margaret’s Church at Lewknor. They appear to be the remains of a medieval village including a street, ridge and furrow, a boundary bank and a possible village green with house platforms either side. MEDIEVAL MOAT AT MOOR COURT, WESTON ROAD, LEWKNOR The moat surrounds, but is not included in, the Grade II listing for Moor Court. The water filled moat is trapezoidalshaped measuring 90m x 90m. Retaining banks are present on the North and South Western sides. The age is uncertain as the moat does not feature on 17th century maps. RAIL TRACK ROUTE FROM LEWKNOR HALT TO WATLINGTON STATION The former track bed running from the corner of Hill Road, behind Field Farm, heading toward Shirburn and Watlington parishes is still clearly defined. It adds to the evidence of former transport methods and routes existing in the parish. CHILTERN RIDGEWAY Part of the nationally designated Ridgeway runs through the parish of Lewknor. The route is believed to be prehistoric.

G GR RA AP PE EV V II N NE E M MA AG GA AZ Z II N NE E 7 6

POSTCOMBE POSTINGS

BRINGING THE POSTCOMBE COMMUNITY TOGETHER

t seems difficult to know where to begin. In the last issue there were many reasons to say thank you to people who had helped to bring the Postcombe community, friends and families together, to enjoy being able to meet face to face and celebrate - the easing of lockdown and Covid restrictions, Christmas and looking forward to a brighter New Year.

The cottage is located along one side of the triangle in the middle of Postcombe. Incidentally, these triangles of roads, originally formed by being used to turn around horses & carriages are called God Cakes, as being similar to traditional triangular puff pastries filled with mincemeat given in the Middle Ages by godparents to their godchildren at New Year.

This time, there are more people to thank, but the reasons are very, very different. The invasion of Ukraine by Putin’s forces and the appalling suffering of the Ukrainian people has, we’re sure, shocked, and saddened everyone. Collections have been ongoing in schools, shops, local pubs etc. Here in Postcombe, Sam Simon at Ruby Cottage on Box Tree Lane, has set up a collection point to gather specific items that are desperately needed by the poor souls still in Ukraine and the millions of refugees forced from their homes. Donations are taken to central sorting points and then put straight onto lorries bound for Poland.

Elsdale was marketed as part 16thC & part 18thC (being 2 separate houses joined together). Some internal timbers had been tested using dendrochronology, the oldest of those being dated at around 1200! We recently joined a Facebook group called ‘Tudor & Medieval buildings’ out of general interest but also as a chance to learn more about buildings of this type and perhaps obtain a more accurate date than that we had. We sent the group some pictures taken inside, outside & in the thatched roof space of the “16thC” part of the cottage. We had an amazing response with over 600 replies in 24 hours. Many were from members admiring the building - one American found it hard to believe that ordinary folks in England still lived in such beautiful old dwellings! More importantly, some historians on the site identified that the blackened rafters & ‘first thatch’ indicated that the cottage was built as a Hall: with no internal walls, ceilings or chimneys. Smoke from a central fire would have slowly percolated out through the thatch leaving soot on timber & thatch. Other members noted that the building method included ‘crucks’, large, angled oaks that would support the structure. Both of these features point to that part of the property probably being constructed in the 15thC. Many of the internal oak beams show that they were re-purposed, possibly from an earlier building on the site.

The response to the requests for help that went out to Postcombe and then to the wider Lewknor Parish , on the Postcombe Postings Facebook page and the flyers delivered door to door was incredible. To date at least two vans full of nappies, baby food, toiletries, tents, sleeping bags, buggies, push chairs, torches, batteries etc have been dropped off and then delivered. Sam says she has been overwhelmed by the response and generosity of the community. A very big thank you to Sam and those involved in collecting and delivering the donations and a huge thank you to all those in our community who managed to find some way to contribute

(PHOTO)

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those caught up in the terrible situation.

POSTCOMBE – A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY In the last issue, we asked if any members of the Postcombe community might like to provide some insights, stories or little know information about Postcombe, its history etc. John and Valerie Godfrey who live in the oldest house in the village have been kind enough to do just that, so here is a glimpse of the story of Elsdale Cottage:

One mystery about the cottage is how it managed to survive the June 1643 Civil War skirmish that saw the Royalist troops burning down Postcombe, which had been used as a Roundhead garrison. We were informed that the cottage had a well in the front garden, covered over for many years. We decided to expose the well and construct a functional well head. The depth of the well is 16’ (4.88m) with the current surface water level at 11’ (3.5m) down. Hopefully, we will find out more interesting facts about Elsdale and Postcombe in the coming years. To that end, we would very much welcome any snippets of information about the cottage & Postcombe from whatever source.”

“On purchasing Elsdale Cottage in 2020, we became custodians of a special historical building in addition to acquiring a ‘new’ home.

John & Valerie Godfrey

SAVE THE DATE COFFEE MORNING FRIDAY 6TH MAY - VENUE TBC 10.30AM – 12.00PM

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE 7

EASTER EGG HUNT

APRIL 9TH 11AM-2PM JUBILEE HALL, LEWKNOR FOLLOW THE CLUES TO FIND YOUR EASTER EGG ON A CHOICE OF TWO TRAILS!!

£5 PER ENTRY REFRESHMENTS, CRAFTS, BISCUIT DECORATING, HOT DOGS, BOUNCY CASTLE, PRIZE DRAW

AND REAL LAMBS TO FEED!!! LOOK OUT FOR THE EASTER BUNNY FOR SURPRISES!!!

ALL PROCEEDS TO KRAKATOA PRE SCHOOL REG CHARITY NUMBER: 1022381

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE 8

BOOK CLUB

The Penguin Lesson and Frog Music:

f you missed the Book club article last Grapevine thank you for noticing. I wish I could say that my busy social life and the many calls on my time prevented my completing the article. Alas I just missed the deadline by sheer carelessness. Since the last Grapevine we have read The Penguin Lesson by Tom Michell (2015, 240 pages) Frog Music by Emma Donoghue (2014, 416 pages) and Piranest by Susanna Clarke (2020, 245 pages) The Penguin Lessons is the true story of the relationship between a young Englishman and a penguin. Tom Michell went to Argentina in the 70s to teach at an English boarding school. When on holiday in Uruguay he rescues a penguin covered in oil. He found the animal among thousands of dead penguins caught in an oil slick, this was the only survivor. He cleans the bird and hopes to return it to the sea but the penguin refuses to be parted from him. Only a naïve young man, as Mitchell was at the time, could have imagined that it would be possible to smuggle a living penguin onto a bus and across the border into Argentina. This was all happening in the 70s during a time of disturbance in Argentina and during the run up to the Falklands War. These are touched on in the book but the main narrative is about the penguin that Michell names Juan Salvador. We all found this book a delight to read. Tom Mitchell wrote it when he was in his 60s so he is looking back many decades but it still has the feeling of the exploits of a young man out in the great wide

world for the first time . Though he relates various conversations with Juan Salvador they are never cloyingly cute but seem to be exactly what the bird would have said in the circumstances. This is Michell’s first book. When he returned from Argentina he worked in computer programming, teaching, engineering, research and development and in the family business. He now lives in Cornwall. Emma Donoghue is an Irish-Canadian playwright, literary historian, novelist and screenwriter. Her 2010 novel Room was a finalist for the Man Booker prize and an international best seller. She adapted it for the screen and was nominated for the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay. We had read Room some years before and so we were interested to see how Frog Music compared. We all noticed that the style was very different and at 416 pages there was certainly more of it. This novel is based on an unsolved murder that occurred in 1876 in San Francisco. This is a very intricate novel which is sometimes played in flashbacks. Frog Music as a title refers to the fact that some of the characters are French and that the murdered woman earns her living catching frogs for restaurants. Snatches of song, many French in origin, are woven into the text and there is a glossary of them at the back of the book. The characters in the book are part

of the lowlife of San Francisco. Blanche is a dancer and prostitute who emigrated to America when Arthur Deneve her lover and his friend Ernest Girard leave a circus in Paris because Arthur had had a fall. Blanche is supporting all three and her son now supposedly living in a healthy country area. One night when Blanche is returning home she is knocked down by a young woman riding a Penny Farthing bicycle. This woman is Jenny just out of prison for wearing male attire. She is a free spirit who earns her living by catching frogs. They strike up a friendship. Conversations with Jenny make Blanche look into the conditions in which her child is kept. They are appalling. She takes the child home and this starts the disintegration of her life with Arthur and she gives up her job as a dancer to care for her son. Eventually she and Jenny move out of the city but they are not safe. Jenny is shot through the window of their refuge. Blanche suspects that she may have been the victim because she had bent down to untie her shoe and avoided the shot. This book suggests a possible reason for the murder and a possible murderer through the eyes of Blanche. It divided the Book club. Some e njoye d the story but some found the characters unsympathetic. If it was ever filmed it would be X rated. If you are interested in coming along to a meeting with no obligation to join contact Luarena Durston on 07791 442209. Jo Blenkinsop

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE 9

LOCAL HISTORY

ADWELL HOUSE DAFFODIL DAY

WHEATFIELD PARK

n the road from Adwell to Stoke Talmage, Wheatfield has a population of just 22 and was already documented as having a manor owned by Robert DʼOyly (a Norman nobleman) in the Domesday Book of 1066.

chambers, buttery, beer cellar, wine cellar, nine other chambers, and “offices” including a bakehouse and a brewery. In 1662, the house was assessed for hearth tax as having 15 hearths. By 1700, the manor had a dovecote, a hop-garden surrounded by a canal, the house had a T-shaped plan and its surroundings included a flower garden, a fountain You may have seen the small church of St. Andrew on the brow of the and a pond. The house was rebuilt in the 18th century, probably for hill into Wheatfield and a loan grade II listed stable block further along John Rudge who moved to Wheatfield after he bought the manor in 1727. the lane which is now divided into residential properties, a little further Rudgeʼs new Georgian house was called Wheatfield Park. A drawing still, a farm. But what did they once belong to? from about 1750 shows it as having five bays, with two storeys plus attic dormer windows. When his son Edward Rudge died in 1763 there was Above is a print of Wheatfield Park, then called Whitfield, as it looked in still a dovecote, and by then the stables had been built. the 1790ʼs from the lane through the hamlet. The large ornamental lake is now a cow pasture, but if you look closely next time you drive through After Lord Charles Spencer completed the purchase of the manor you can still see many trees are landscaped and itʼs easy to imagine in 1770, he seems to have had Wheatfield Park enlarged with where the house once stood. the addition of a bow-fronted north wing. By 1787 there was an ornamental lake in front of the house. The house caught fire on New The description on the print reads: Yearʼs Day 1814. Fire engines from Shirburn and Watlington fought ‘FOR beauty of situation, and the charms of nature, which owe little to the the blaze, but were hampered by a severe frost that had frozen much touch of art, few places exceed this small but elegant seat; which stands on of the available water. This was during the Napoleonic Wars, and the right of the London Road from Tetsworth, in the county of Oxford, and French prisoners of war on parole from Thame came to help. Their is distant between three and four miles from that pleasant little town, and French officer helped to organise the villagers to fight the fire, but about forty-one from London. when he proposed that half of the house could be saved by blowing up the other half, Lord Charles Spencer refused stating that he feared WHITFIELD was originally purchased by the late Duke of Marlborough, for the safety of the crowds of people and of St. Andrewʼs church. who died in October 1758; and by whom it was given to his second son, Lord Wheatfield Parkʼs stables, coach-house, farmhouse, an 18th-century CHARLES SPENCER, brother of the present Duke, as part of his patrimony. barn and other farm outbuildings detached from the house escaped the fire. The coach house, stables and farmhouse form three sides of Elizabeth, the second daughter of his Grace, the Duke of Marlborough, a courtyard, with a wall enclosing the fourth.ʼ intermarried with her cousin John Spencer, son of Lord CHARLES SPENCER, In the 17th century Wheatfield had a substantial Rectory, which is the the present possessor of WHITFIELD, MARCH 10, 1790. large property on the curve going into Wheatfield. It was assessed at six The House, which is a regular and agreeable modern edifice, contains a few hearths in 1662 for the hearth tax. Adam Blandy, who was Rector 1709–22, very excellent original paintings, exclusive of some and family ones.’ had the house rebuilt. Frederick Charles Spencer became rector in 1820 and had Blandyʼs rectory remodelled and extended in 1823, adding the The following is taken from British History Online: present Doric porch but retaining the Queen Anne style south front. In the 20th century the house ceased to be used as the Rectory and in 1928 it ʻThe Tippings had a manor house built in the late 16th or early 17th was sold to the lord of the manor, Lieutenant Colonel Aubrey Vere Spencer century. It stood just west of St. Andrewʼs church. In 1637 it had a great DSO, who renamed it Wheatfield House and made it the manor house. It is parlour, hall, great chamber, drawing chamber, five other principal also a Grade II listed building.

GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE 10

LIFESTYLE

DRESSING HAPPY

here is a lot of talk about dressing to lift your mood or Dopamine dressing at the moment and the impact that wearing colour can have on our mood and consequently on our well-being. What exactly is Dopamine dressing? Dopamine is a hormone, released from the brain that reduces tension and anxiety, and generates a feeling of joy and happiness. Quite simply, by wearing bright colours that we like, we activate the Dopamine hormone and so a happy feeling. Hence, it is often known as the ʻHappy Hormoneʼ. How does it work? We process colour on the right, intuitive side of the brain and shape and intellect on the left. This means that to fully understand how colour affects us, we need to combine our emotional side with our intellectual, factual side of the brain. Our eyes see colour as light. The light vibrations are transmitted to the brain, where they are converted into electrical impulses and sent to the gland which controls the hormonal system. When we chose colourful outfits that we feel good in, the brainʼs cells detect this and release the Dopamine hormone, which makes us feel happy. Each day we may feel the need for a distinct colour because our emotions continually change, we will all have varying

colour requirements to help us keep a healthy balance. Dopamine, the happy hormone, lifts our mood when it is released. And colours promote the release of Dopamine. When we see ourselves in a colour we like, the brain releases Dopamine and so we feel a sense of optimism, positivity and happiness. Knowing that the colours we wear can have an impact on our mood is immensely powerful. The colour Orange, for example, is associated with positivity and optimism. Blue, thought to be the worldʼs favourite colour, creates a sense of calm and with the release of Dopamine, reduces anxiety so bringing a feeling of tranquillity and happiness. Just by adding a pop of a colour to your outfit, one that you like and enjoy, will generate Dopamine and lift your mood. Whatever your palette, whether you are a warm / Spring or Autumn Season or a cooler / Summer or Winter, just by adding one of your best and favourite colours will have a positive impact on your mood and how you feel! Try it today! Ellen Peters, House of Colour Thame

GRAPE EV V IIN NEE M MAAGGAAZZIINNEE 1110

LEWKNOR PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATIONS AS OF 28TH MARCH 2022

I) P21/S4555/FUL Beech Grove Farm, Thame Road, Postcombe The conversion of a barn to a single residential dwelling (use class C3) together with associated infrastructure. DECISION AWAITED II) P22/S0596/HH 10 High Street, Lewknor Single storey front extension. Single storey and first floor rear extension. New porch at front of property. Re-orientation of bathroom and bedroom 3 DECISION AWAITED III) P22/S0629/FUL Hill Farm Hill Road near Lewknor Demolition of existing house and redundant agricultural buildings and construction of new replacement house 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

(PHOTO)

FA B R I C F I E L D S Non repelis sin re solori delit erorum ditiae am verum harum doluptia ium exerae. Nam everfero blatur simus essitius re, con presci omnis h A n D msa Asundio D E C oditati u R t Ablaborectur I nS, SoF t F uil R n I S h conse I n g Svolenda & u pndicit, h o L S t E Ry repudi imolum, 8 4 4 3 5 daerfero 0 350 qui a nulpa esto es doluptae0 1invelen dolore laboribusa etume ipicte sam undi solorep eratur sequi aut volo ius est, conet qui solorias delliqui nonseri osantia pro quam quam fugia dus veliquam qui alis qui offici dollorem velignamHigh nosae. Seditionsedis eturita voluptas ipit Street aces essequid maxim ex esto quam, te acipsum laccabo repelendit, Lewknor andebist inum quodipsaerum adis expe seque Oxfordshire OX49 5TNnonsequias et est possunt ipsam quibus, nos01844 vel enis as ad 350 350qui doluptat et, corro im sit.

info@fabricfields.co.uk

Tues-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm Sat 9.30am-1.30pm

TUESDAY YOGA AT 7.00PM CONTACT VICKI ON 07947 149 675 WEDNESDAY WOMEN’S STRENGTH CIRCUIT CLASS AT 6.30PM THURSDAY PILATES AT 5.30PM - 6.30PM AND AT 7.00PM - 8.00PM CONTACT NICOLA ON 07793 021 155

(SUBJECT TO COVID REGULATIONS)

INTERIOR

AND EXTERIOR DECORATOR

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

NON-DESIGNATED HERITAGE ASSETS QUESTIONNAIRE Please let us know your views (by Saturday 30th April 2022) 1. Have we missed something which you feel should be included? Please give reasons.

2. Have we included something which you feel lacks merit? Please give reasons.

3. Do you have any additional information about something on the list? We would be grateful for any information.

Please complete the form here or download from our website (www.lewknorparishnp.org) and return by 30th April 2022: By email to lpnp.consult@gmail.com Or drop in the collection boxes at the following addresses : 8 Weston Road, Lewknor (by side door) Salisbury Lodge, South Weston Tanglewood, Lower Road, Postcombe A copy of the appendix will be in each of these collection boxes for you to consult, as well as on our website.