July/august 2013 Edition 281
thE GRaPEVInE
St. Margaret’s, Lewknor
neWs frOM the PArish
I think I may have been a little presumptuous last edition with my excitement over the forthcoming sunshine. Well, I keep being reliably informed, whether by old wife’s tales or the meteorological office that there is fair weather ahead. Although looking at the looming grey clouds out the window as I type, it’s hard to stay an optimist! Hopefully the sun will shine on the evening of 13th July, when the village is turned over to the annual Safari Supper. There are still tickets available from Victoria at 07899 914 221. This includes a threecourse meal at three different houses and an evening of meeting old and making new friends. The evening is on behalf of Krakatoa Pre-school. Looking ahead to September, the Lewknor Horticultural Show will be held at Knapp Farm on the 15th. If you would like to enter a category or have items to donate for the tombola, please see the full article on page four. The proceeds
for the event are shared between Lewknor C of E Primary School, Krakatoa Pre-School and the Jubilee Hall. It’s a great day, so please come along and support the village. St. Margaret’s Church would like to say a huge “Thank you ” to Ernestine Denham and Neil Allen for all their hard work over the last few years as vital members of the St Margaret’s Church Council. They have now decided to step down and as a result the council are looking for new members to join Rev. Peter Waterson, Ian OrrEwing, Tracey Avery, Libby Jackson, Alex Hinckley and Victoria Balls. It’s a small friendly group that meet once every few months for a short meeting to discuss the church and the way forward, have a glass of wine and nibbles! If you would be interested in joining them, please give Peter a call on 07747 757657. Have a great summer everyone and see you in September!
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. 1
THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
what’s on
in Oxfordshire Peace in the Park 12,13, &14 July, Nuneham Park, Oxford The festival includes: meditation pavilions, big talks from the main stage, small talks from the big ideas pavilion, 30 minute life changer seminars, plus acoustic music in the historical grounds, tea under the trees, meadow maze, outdoor artwork & even more fun activities for kids and adults. Free event
Macbeth 1-13 July, Oxford Castle Tomahawk Theatre returns to the Castle for the 4th year running to tell Shakespeare’s tale of ambition, power, love, loyalty and betrayal. Set against the magnificent Castle backdrop Macbeth will be a dynamic, action packed 2 hours, including an interval. It will feature battle scenes, music and dance while always remaining faithful to the great story and beautiful language. Tickets: From £12.00
Eels 19 Aug, O2 Academy Oxford Eels is an American alternative rock band, formed in California in 1995 by singer/songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Mark Oliver Everett, better known as “E”. They have announced a show at O2 Academy Oxford following the band’s appearance at this year’s V Festival! Tickets: £23.50
London to Oxford Bike Ride 7 Jul 2013 07:30 - 17:00 One day only Enjoy a great day cycling from London through the Chilterns to Oxford in aid of St Mungo’s charity for the homeless (60 miles). Starting from Syon Park in Brentford (TW8 8JF start 7.30-9.30am), we first visit Fulmer and Burnham Beeches before stopping for lunch by the river at Marlow. The route then heads up into the Chiltern Hills and across Christmas Common to Chalgrove on the way to the finish at Oxpens Meadows. Here you can enjoy live music, refreshments and a wellearned drink in the beer tent! Contact: john@ bike-events.co.uk or 0117 989 7080 Tickets: £20.00
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Big Botanic Backpack
until 31 Oct, Botanic Gardens, Oxford Borrow A family- friendly Big Botanic Backpack (produced in collaboration with St Kenelms’ School). Use the activities inside to open up a world of exploration and investigation, helping you to learn more about the glasshouses and garden. The backpack contains activities suitable for a range of ages, to help you get the most from your visit here. 9am-4.15pm. Adults: £4.50, Children: free
SUPPORT FOR older people
Watlington and District’s Age Concern’s “Thursday Social Club” and “Drop In” are working with the NHS and Social Services to provide company, interest and assistance to older people, including those who are virtually housebound. Between 12 and 20 people attend the Thursday Social Club each week for a good meal (cooked on the premises) and a varied programme of activities. We have recently had several weeks with members of the Oxford Concert Band, ending with a full concert for over an hour. The Oxfordshire Museum is booked for a number of visits to show us, explain and discuss some of their moveable exhibits. Other visitors include a local author, a frozen food company and a woman selling clothes for the older figure. Other regular activities include exercises to music while sitting down, quizzes and participative games. The manager, Sylvia Allen (01491 612237) assistant manager, Kate Hammond, and a cook are employed and several volunteers assist. Some of those who attend are brought by Watlington’s Voluntary Car Service, which also collects from neighbouring villages; some are brought by friends and some walk. Watlington and District Age Concern’s secretary is Doreen Hobbs (01491 612209) and Chairman is Tom Holden. If you would like more information or have anyone interested in attending, please ring Sylvia or Doreen. Alternatively my wife, Barbara, (vice chairman) and I (Treasurer 01491 612143) would be very happy to come and call on anyone interested; Barbara has been a regular Thursday Social Club attender since returning from hospital after her September 2011 stroke.
THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
UPDATE ON
SOHA Housing
After speaking with Helen Nouvelle at the offices of South Oxfordshire District Council, the Parish Council has been informed that things appear to be on track for completion in October. There have been no houses allocated yet, as the bidding process will only be online from September. Anyone can look at the houses available by going to www.oxfordshirehomechoice.org.uk and clicking on the SODC logo. From there you can view all local Housing Association houses for rent or shared ownership. The Lewknor houses will be on view from September and if everything is on time it will give the prices per month, who is eligible to bid, as well as house details. Although you can only bid by logging in with your own pin number, for those who would like to put their name on the housing list there is a link on the website too, or call Helen’s office on 01491 823 3456 Caroline Hjorth
Lewknor Parish Fete
This year’s Horticultural AWARDSshow and fete will be held on Sunday 15th September at Knapp Farm and in the coming weeks THE MIDDLETON CUP you will be Awarded to the overall winnerall of the receiving a leaflet outlining theshow classes you can enter including several new clasees. In the THE RIDONE CUP vegetable section will be extra classes Awarded there to the runner-up for sweetcorn, French beans and cherry THE in GIFKINS CUPsection we have tomatoes, whilst the fruit Awarded for the single best exhibitdomestic in the show section Autumn raspberries. In the we have included a newCUP class for cupcakes THE SCOTT andAwarded 2 completely new classes for number sewing to the family with the highes combined of and points. Thereflecting winners of the the Middleton and Ridone cups are not by knitting interest generated eligible for this award the Lewknor sewing club.
The classes are for all standards of gardeners, so come along and have a go! There will be stalls and games available, as well as a BBQ. As usual, we will have the traditional auction of items at the end of the show. If you have any items to donate for the tombola, bric-a-brac, books or crockery for the plate smashing stall, or would like to lend a hand on the day, please contact Christine on 01844 353 283. Best Kept Gardens Judging will take place at the end of July. Are there any new, aspiring gardeners out there in Postcombe, South Weston or Lewknor? If you would like to have your garden included in the competition please ring our judge Eppy Hodgson on 01844 351 419. There will be another show meeting on Tuesday 16th July, 7.30pm at 22 High Street Lewknor. Please come along if you can help. Let’s make this year’s show better than ever! We hope you enjoy the day!
LEWKNOR PARISH FETE & HORTICULTURAL SHOW 2013 2012
THE BARBARA MULLINS CUP Awarded for the best wildlife garden this year is The flower arrangement theme ‘green and white’ and the children’s painting ROSE‘Faces’. BOWL competition is titled Awarded for the best flower arrangement
This is a well established JUNIOR SHEILD event that is Awarded for theby highest of points won by an This entrantyear under the supported thetotal whole Parish. 15 years old proceeds will be shared between The Jubilee Hall, Lewknor Primary, Krakatoa Preschool and PRIZES St. Margaret’s Church. Prize £1, £1, 2nd 2nd Prize Prize 50p, 75p,Third Prize 50p 1st Prize 30p We want to make this year’s show a great success so please enter as many classes as possible.
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AT KNAPP FARM, LEWKNOR
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15th SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9THFROM FROM2PM 2PM
ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE THE HORTICULTURAL DISPLAY AND AUCTION, SIDESHOWS, STALLS, TEAS AND A BBQ
THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
JOHN HOWELL MP WRITES
June is often a busy month in communities with many events taking place. It is no different in Parliament. In addition to the regular pattern of business a number of organisations hold events to inform and update MPs about their work. Constituents often ask me to attend specific events which represent their interests and I do my best to do so when other commitments permit. Although I go to many of these I recently attended three events which I know are of interest to many constituents. The first of these was the launch of the National Autistic Society’s campaign to draw attention to the needs of adults with autism. The second was arranged by the Alzheimer’s Society during Dementia Awareness Week. The purpose was to promote better understanding of the issues relating to living with or caring for someone with dementia. The third was SUDEP Action, an event run by the national epilepsy charity to raise awareness of their work especially in seeking to reduce incidents of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). These sessions are of great value in ensuring that MPs are aware of both the issues and also the work being done around them. Being informed is important both to enable MPs to lend support as appropriate and also to be able to make sound judgment when called on to do so. At the beginning of June the Energy Bill was approved in the House of Commons and passed to the House of Lords for their consideration. The bill seeks to make provision for reforming the electricity market for purposes of encouraging low carbon electricity generation or ensuring security of supply. There was a particular debate over bringing forward the introduction of a clean energy target which attracted media attention. In the end members rejected this call for two key reasons. Firstly it would have run the risk of increasing consumer prices at a time when many people are already struggling with their energy bills. Secondly it was agreed that it was more sensible to set the target in 2016 when it can be considered in a more rounded way as part of the decarbonisation of the whole economy together with the rest of the developed world. The issues around Bovine TB have also been
on the agenda. This is a serious disease which has been steadily increasing over the last three decades. Seeking to control it has been costly to the taxpayer and the disease itself has taken its toll on our farmers. At a recent meeting with local farmers the effects of the disease and the associated restrictions were explained to me. Parliament agreed a pilot badger cull in two TB hotspots based on evidence from the Chief Scientific Advisor and the Government’s Chief Veterinary Officer with both of whom I had a separate meeting. The pilots will be overseen and evaluated by an independent expert who will report back to Ministers before any further action is taken. However, there is no sense in which the pilots will be a precursor either to the eradication of the badger or to a national cull. Small businesses are key to the local economy and our community life. I was therefore pleased to support the launch of the Federation of Small Business forthcoming ‘Keep Trade Local Challenge.’ You can find out more on the FSB website at http://www.fsb. org.uk/thamesvalley/ktl-challenge. I regularly meet with owners of local businesses to learn more about the challenges they face and discuss how the measures that government has introduced to help are working out in practice. At the end of this month will be the annual ‘Armed Forces Day’. I was pleased to meet with the Station Commander at RAF Benson recently for a regular update and also whilst there to be able to lend my support for Armed Forces Day. This year it is on 29th June. Details can be found at http://www.armedforcesday. org.uk/ Further details of the proposed legislation and the work of Parliament is available on the parliament website at www.parliament.uk As always I am interested to hear views on the proposals before the House. For more information my website is regularly updated and offers information on my work both in Westminster and in the constituency. The address is www.johnhowellmp.com In addition, if you would like to subscribe to my free e-newsletter please e mail me at: john. howell@oxfordshireconservatives.com You can also follow me on twitter @johnhowellmp
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
icknield
NEws from
As this will be the last newsletter to the village magazines for this year, I would like to wish everyone a very relaxing summer with the hope that the weather is kind to us all during August!
The Blue Cross will be having their annual Family Fun Day at Lewknor Blue Cross, London Road (A40), Lewknor on Sunday 14th July 11am – 4pm.
community college
Icknield Community College has had an extremely busy year and I am looking forward to the GCSE results due for our Year 11 students. We received a visit from the Exams Inspector during the exam period. He stated that our practice was exemplary in every way. Congratulations to Mrs Howden, Mrs Drinkel and all in the Exams Invigilation team for their glowing report!
the blue cross
There will be a dog show, refreshments, bric-a-brac, homemade jams and chutneys, dog and cat stalls and children’s games amongst others! For more information on the Blue Cross, please visit their website at: www.bluecross.org.uk
Student Successes It is always good to hear about the achievements of former students. This year, four of Icknield’s former students achieved a First Class Honours in their degrees. This is excellent news and I wish them every success in their chosen field. Staff Progression It is always the nature in schools for teaching staff to continue their professional development by moving on, often because promotion opportunities arise in other schools. This year, as always, various members of staff will be leaving. I have been very pleased with the number of applications we have received for advertised post and the many fantastic appointments we have made. This is a testament to the school that other teaching professionals wish to join the team. There will be a full list of all staff on our website at the beginning of the new academic year. Whole School Student Involvement Last year, Icknield celebrated the Olympics with a whole school trip to Tisley Park in Abingdon where we also invited the new students who will be joining us in September. This day was so successful, we are taking the whole school (including our new students) to Tisley Park on 10 July. On 26 September we will be holding our Open Evening for prospective parents and students. I would also welcome any members of the local community to come into school to see how we continue to grow and improve. Mat Hunter (Head teacher)
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Royal Horticultural Society Qualified Female Gardener Knowledgeable gardening service including plant care advice, planting plans, seasonal pruning, garden maintenance Phone: 01844 354097 / 07977 853522 Email: BESgardening@talktalk.net
THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
FOOD AND DRINK
with Catherine Gallacher
salad days Well, now that it is officially summer (ish) I think it’s about time we ate some salad! Don’t worry though, it’s not rubbish girl-salad but a really yummy Niçoise with plenty of man appeal.
the dressing, they take about 20 minutes. Take your peeled garlic and rub it firmly all around your serving dish to give a hint of garlicky flavour then add your lettuce. We use Romaine “Dolce Verde” as it’s beautiful but ordinary Romaine or Little Gem will do. Keep the leaves intact and use them to line your dish, sprinkling on some dressing as you go. You need to get the eggs on to boil about now. Please use free-range; we get ours from Jean at Town Farm, freshly laid by her rescue hens and they are beautiful. Bring them to the boil then reduce the heat so they are just about simmering this prevents a grainy texture. It is a very personal thing but we like ours only just set and ever so slightly soft in the centre so we do them for 6 minutes from boiling but it’s entirely up to you. When they’re done, put the pan in the sink and run the cold tap into it to stop them cooking in the residual heat.
To feed 6 (or 2 in my house!) you will need:
I ng red i ents • 150ml good extra-virgin olive oil • 75ml white wine vinegar • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1 clove garlic • About a dozen new potatoes, cooked & sliced • At least 6 free range eggs • Half a cucumber, sliced • A dozen baby tomatoes, quartered • One red onion, chopped • 2 tins good quality tuna in oil • One whole lettuce • About 150g trimmed green beans • A handful of black olives, if you like them • A few anchovies, ditto method The key to any salad is a decent dressing so combine the oil, vinegar and mustard in a jug. No need to season, I like to do that as I go to avoid “pockets” of salt and pepper. It is worth pointing out that if you’re including anchovies, go easy on the salt! Add a splash of water to your dressing to emulsify it. Hopefully, your potatoes are merrily boiling away whilst you’re doing
Now for the tomatoes and cucumber. Peel the cucumber first if you like to then slice and blot with kitchen paper. Quarter the tomatoes (lots of tasty varieties out there at the moment, baby plum being the sweetest I find) then layer them on top of the lettuce and sprinkle with more dressing. The fine green beans should only take 2 minutes to boil then plunge them into ice-cold water to stop the cooking process. These can then go in the dish, along with the onion. Now peel and quarter your eggs and put them on top. A word about the tuna: Please don’t be tempted to use fresh tuna steak. Delightful though it is, you need very good quality tinned tuna and it must be in oil. Robin at The Granary sells some beautiful Ortiz white tuna in olive oil for £7.49 a pop or Waitrose does a cracking Albacore in a jar for about 4 notes. Pick of the bunch, however, is Asda Extra Special tuna fillets at £1.98 a can. Absolutely wonderful flavour and not chunks, not even steak but FILLETS!!! Comes in either sunflower oil, which you’ll need for this recipe, or spring water. OK, so chuck your tuna on and anchovies and olives if you like, a final
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013 glug of dressing and lunch is served. Eat in the garden with fresh crusty baguette and copious amounts of chilled rose. Which brings us neatly to the important bit. Rose is really the only thing to drink with a Niçoise, preferably from southern France for authenticity. Waitrose do a cracking Peys d’Oc rose called Coquille d’Oc with, predictably enough, a picture of a shell on the front. Or the reliably good Argentinian stable Finca Flichman do a fab Malbec rose, also available from Waitrose or if you’re shopping at Majestic it’s well worth asking the knowledgeable staff for a recommendation (don’t try this at Asda though...!) Some people think they are above drinking rose, in which case you are seriously missing out but at a push you could try some old-style French or Italian whites, Vermentino di Sardinia springs to mind, or if you really, really must try a light red from the Loire valley-made from the gloriously cherry-scented Cabernet Franc grape they are light enough to chill. Look for Saumur Champigny, vielles vignes (old vines) if you can find some. Cheers!
any children of their own. The second part of novel is the story of Harry Cort, written as a memoir contained in the package from the solicitor. Cort is trained to become a secret agent working for the Foreign Office. His role is to learn what the policies of Britain’s potential allies and enemies are amongst the European powers as this will influence Britain’s own policies. He plays a crucial role in the power play between the various nations in 1890 in Paris and also, in the relationship between John Stone and Elizabeth. The final part of the story belongs to a letter written by John Stone which recounts events in 1867 when he was on a European Grand Tour ending up in Venice. But he does not reveal anything about the child mentioned in his will, whether it ever existed or not, until the very last pages. If you have the time to read this historical-mystery novel, which is an amalgam of John le Carre’s and Henry James’s style of writing, you will not be disappointed.
BOOK CLUB at lewknor Stone’s Fall
The Man With The Wooden Hat
Ian Pears
Jane Gardam
Stone’s Fall by Ian Pears was our Book club read in May. It was well over 500 pages long but for once, the plot was so intricate and the story so well-told that it held one’s interest to the end. A brief outline of the story is as follows. It begins in Paris in 1953 with a retired BBC journalist, Matthew Braddock, attending the funeral of a woman he knew as a young man, but had not seen for many years. He meets the dead woman’s solicitor there, who informs him that there is a package for him back in London, which was only to be given to him after this woman’s death. The story travels back in time to 1909, when Braddock, then a novice reporter on a London paper, first met the beautiful and mysterious Elizabeth. Equally mysterious was the death of her husband, Baron Ravenscliff, (born John William Stone), as a result of a fall from the window of his home in Belgravia, and hence the title of the novel. Elizabeth tells Matthew she has chosen him to investigate the bequest revealed in her husband’s will of an unknown child whom Stone believed to be his, he and his wife do not have
We read The Man with the Wooden Hat, by Jane Gardam in June and we all found it, in different ways, an interesting read. Its setting in Hong Kong after World War II, introduced us to a very different way of life compared to that in Britain at the time and reintroduced us to characters Gardam had written about in her first novel in the trilogy, Old Filth. Although many of us had to admit we needed to reread this to remember what happened to Edward and Betty Feather whose stories are interwoven in the present novel. The basic plot concerns Edward who, at the outset of the book, has been made a Queen’s Counsel and who has written to Betty to ask her to marry him. She agrees but on the eve of her wedding meets Edward’s adversary in court, Tim Veneering and wishes she had met him two hours earlier when her future life might have been very different.
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The author very cleverly alters from time to time the person who narrates the story and so allows the reader to enter the thoughts and feelings of the main characters, but this often leaves the reader unsure about what exactly happens to the others in the narrative. These unanswered questions
thE GRaPEVInE July/august 2013 made us all feel we needed to read more of the trilogy to fill in the gaps although we suspect that even if we did that Gardam would still not allow us to tie up the loose ends. Final assessment; an intriguing story told by a talented author who leaves one wanting more.
This group is financially supported by Oxfordshire County Council. Further details can be obtained from Pamela Lee, at Chiltern Centre on 01491 575575 or email: chiltern@chilterncentre.demon.co.uk. Our website is: www.chilterncentre.org.
Next month we are reading Private Peaceful by Michael Mapurgo, which is set as his Warhorse was during the First World War. If you are interested in joining us for a glass of wine and an interesting evening’s discussion of the book, then I can be contacted on the number below.
this terM
elan Preston-Whyte. tel. 01844 350 382.
kRakatoa This is one of busiest times when we prepare the final reports for the children who are moving on to Primary. We are currently printing photos to have the profiles as up to date as we can. If you wish to make an appointment to see your child’s key worker, we can arrange this. The profiles will also be available to view at our AGM, which may be more convenient. We are concentrating on all things ‘under the sea’ and ‘at the seaside’. We will also be preparing for our sports day to be held at the end of the term. We will be saying a fond farewell to Aleks Berg who will be leaving us at the end of June. The whole family are going back to America. We would like to thank the Berg family for bringing and teaching some American traditions to the preschool, such as Thanksgiving, American Independence Day etc. Thank you! Jeanette Portnall (supervisor)
Did you know there is a social group for 18-30 year olds who have a learning disability that live in South Oxfordshire area called BREAKAWAY GROUP? This group meets up on a monthly basis for a wide variety of activity and entertainment: for instance: bowling, go karting, theatre trips, meals out, pottery painting, overnight breaks. New members are always welcome. Once registered, the young person can decide which outings they would like to participate in. This is a great way for parents and carers to receive a break whilst their young person benefits from stimulating social activity. The criteria are that the young person should: • • • • • •
be aged between 18-30 years old and have a learning difficulty. live in south Oxfordshire. be able to engage in group activity and enjoy socialising. be able to be supported in a 5:1 staff ratio (or be able to bring a support worker if additional support required). able to get to an agreed meeting point, not normally more than 15 miles from home. be able to fund their own costs (ie: cost of admission/ticket prices).
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 9
THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
an a to z
Brassica nigra (mustard)
of herbs
Borago Officinalis (Borage)
Also know as: Bee bread, Star flower The Common Borage is a hardy annual plant coming originally from Aleppo but now naturalized in most parts of Europe and frequently found in this country, though mostly only on rubbish heaps and near dwellings, and may be regarded as a garden escape. It has long been grown freely in kitchen gardens, both for its uses as a herb and for the sake of its flowers, which yield excellent honey. The whole plant is rough with white, stiff, prickly hairs. The round stems, about 1 1/2 feet high, are branched, hollow and succulent; the leaves alternate, large, wrinkled, deep green, oval and pointed, 3 inches long or more, and about 1 1/2 inch broad, the lower ones stalked, with stiff, one celled hairs on the upper surfaces and on the veins below, the margins entire, but wavy. The flowers, which terminate the cells, are bright blue and starshaped, distinguished from those of every plant in this order by their prominent black anthers, which form a cone in the centre and have been described as their beauty spot. The fruit consists of four brownish-black nutlets. The juice in syrup was thought not only to be good in fevers, but to be a remedy for jaundice, itch and ringworm. Culpepper tells us that in his days: ‘The dried herb is never used, but the green, yet the ashes thereof boiled in mead or honeyed water, is available in inflammation and ulcers in the mouth or throat, as a gargle.’ Borage is much used in France for fevers and pulmonary complaints. By virtue of its saline constituents, it promotes the activity of the kidneys and for this reason is employed to carry off feverish catarrhs.
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The annual black mustard can grow 2m high with bristly lobed leaves. Yellow flowers are followed by smooth seed pods. Probably originally from the Middle East, it is widely cultivated. Sow the dark, round seeds in a sunny position in rich soil in spring and harvest just before the pods open in late summer. Dry the seeds in their pods. The seeds are hotter and more pungent than those of the white mustard and contain an acrid oil and sulphur (which discolours silver spoons). It is a stimulant, irritant and emetic ( a tablespoon of mustard flour in lukewarm water promotes vomiting). Used as a poultice the oil draws blood to the surface of the skin, thus soothing the part. It can also be applied to the chest to sooth bronchitis. Pour hot water over bruised seeds to make a soothing bath for tired feet.
spiced lemon vinegar 6 quartered lemons 4 pints white vinegar 50g allspice berries 50g white mustard seeds 50g black peppercorns 50g grated horseradish 1 mace blade 6 cloves 75g natural salt Pour the vinegar over the spices in a pan and bring slowly to the boil. Rub the lemons with the salt and put them into a deep bowl. Pour the boiling vinegar and spices over them, cover with a cloth and leave for four days. Strain into a clean sterilised bottle, pressing the juice from the lemons. Use as a marinade or mixed with oil as a dressing for pork or potato salad.
thE GRaPEVInE July/august 2013
nEEDLEs anD PIns
with Alison swain Well despite the very variable English weather, nothing new there, it is actually summer and the evidence is all there in the garden with lots of lovely flowers blossoming and heady scents of lilac, roses, lavender and others. This prompted me recently, which I now share with you, to make that rather old fashioned item of bygone days, a lavender bag. Modern life may continue to change at a pace beyond our expectations but some things are worth trying to preserve. There is still a delight in opening your wardrobe and drawers to breathe in a delightful fragrance that lingers on your clothes. Here’s how to make a very simple one and a photo of the bag I’ve just made, which I hope shows up well in print – probably better in colour in the online version. You need a small piece of Aida fabric, tapestry needle and embroidery thread in whichever colours you want to use for your design, plus a small piece of any scrap material and your lavender heads from the garden I have cross stitched a design of lavender flowers to match the filling, but you can create whatever picture or pattern you like. Try using just a few colours in various shades, this one has purples and blues in very pale to very dark and just two shades of green for the stems / leaves. You could work a rose design in various pinks. For the filling stitch a small inner bag from any scrap of material and fill with lavender heads and perhaps some soft toy stuffing if you want to make it a bit plumper. Insert and sew neatly all round your design and finish off with a narrow length of ribbon to decorate and hang up.
reading and I can’t resist sharing a few details with you. This is from “The Needlewoman” published in March 1931 – price 4d. Just over 1½ p ! Here are some quotes from an article in the magazine:“To instil in young children a love and understanding of tapestry, which is one of the oldest of the arts, is certainly worth while” ! And talking of a children’s’ tapestry set:“children will love to work a gay nursery picture” How our language and lifestyle has changed. The article closes with the news that at your local needlework shop “supplies are rather limited at the moment” – a sign of the austerity of that era. Suppose that puts paid to doing some gay tapestry with the children during the summer holidays then!
Many thanks to Mrs Donne of South Weston for all the lovely threads and fabrics she has donated to the stitching club which I’m sure will be put to good use. Our group, small in number at present, has met just once so far due to everyone being so busy, but it was most enjoyable and we will be getting together again soon. Please feel free to come and join us – no experience necessary as we can all learn from each other. Mrs Donne also gave me some old patterns and sewing magazines which make for fascinating
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thE GRaPEVInE July/august 2013
SUMMER
YOGA Summer 2013 Drop In Classes Jubilee Hall, Lewknor Tuesdays 30th July, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August 7pm – 8.15pm £8 per session *Or £32 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 07947 149675 or jayayoga@yahoo.co.uk 12
THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
LEWKNOR PARISH COUNCIL www.lewknor-pc.org.uk
Recent Local Planning Applications Below are the planning applications that have been considered by the Council and their current status: P13/S0241/LB Lower Vicar’s Barn, Wormsley Estate, Stokenchurch Listed Building Consent: Refurbishment of barn for use as artist’s studio approved P13/S0789/FUL The Old Inn, London Road, Postcombe Change of use from office to Early Years Setting for Children aged 6 weeks to 5 years To be considered by Parish Council on 13th May withdrawn P13/S1318/HH Manor House, Weston Road, Lewknor Erection of a detached timber framed outbuilding ancillary to The Manor House No decision P13/S1295/HH Lower Vicars Barn, Wormsley Estate, Stokenchurch External alterations to Lower Vicar’s Barn for use as an Artist’s Studio in connection with and ancillary to the occupation and use of the existing property approved
To view the full planning register go to: www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/find-application/planning-application-register
MARTYN OTTERY
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
LAMPS & LED’S TO LIGHT INDUSTRY NO CALL OUT FEE, NO FUSS 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE SMALL JOBS A SPECIALITY PLEASE CALL MARTYN ON tel: 07792 697 608 OR 01844 281 758 email: martynottery758@btinternet.com2 WHEATFIELD COTTAGES, STOKE TALMAGE ROAD, WHEATFIELD, THAME, OXON, OX9 7EP
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thE GRaPEVInE July/august 2013
Need a venue? Having a party? Why not book The Jubilee Hall, Lewknor? Available for hire for a variety of social events and functions. Including Children’s parties, wedding and anniversary parties, meeting and fund raising events. For details of rates, or to book the hall for your events or parties, please contact Jean on 01844 354875
WHAT’S ON AT JUBILEE HALL, LEWKNOR
MONDAY NIGHTS Chinnor Kettlebells at 6.30pm (Contact Daren on 07801 553 019)
TUESDAY NIGHTS Yoga at 6.45pm (Contact Vicki on 07947 149675 or on 01844 3471620)
For details of rates, or to book the hall for your events or parties, please contact Jean on: 01844 354875
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Little Red Duck Co.
"Wish you had an extra pair of hands, a few more hours in the day......Well now you can!" Little Red Duck Company offers a friendly, fully insured, professional cleaning service to take away some of the stress of your day! Feel free to call or email with any questions about the services we can offer. Zoe: 01844 351333 or 07976 503075 Web: www.littleredduck.co.uk Email:
littleredduck@hotmail.co.uk Reg No. 07560762
FOR A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN Choose from our wide range of quality garden services: design and landscaping, plants and maintenance. We tailor-make our service for you. For a free, noobligation visit and written estimate from RHS qualified staff, call 01844 279430 or email info@brannfordsgardens.co.uk Full details at www.brannfordsgardens.co.uk
THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
Martyn Ottery Electrical
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
• • • • • • • • • • •
Effective treatment for all ages
Osteopathy
General foot care Bunions Cracked heels Corns, callus and verrucae Problem nails In-growing toenails Foot and heel pain Athlete’s foot and fungal infections Diabetic assessments and footcare Biomechanics and gait analysis Sports injuries
Also: Cranial Osteopathy Paediatrics & Post-natal Osteopathy
Podiatry
Saturday appointments Ian Luxton D.O Victoria Inglis-Smith B.Ost, MSc Roger Whalley M.Ost
Appointments Monday – Saturday
Registered Osteopaths
The Luxton Clinic Stonor House 57 Lower Road Chinnor . OX39 4DU
Back Pain Frozen Shoulder Headaches Hip Pain Knee Pain Migraine Muscle Strain Neck Pain Sciatica Sports Injuries Tendonitis Tennis Elbow
Tel: 01844 352200
also at Thame Road, Longwick. If you would like to make an appointment please phone
01844 352200 Debby Luxton BSc (Hons), MChS
HPC Registered Podiatrist
Stonor House 57 Lower Road Chinnor OX39 4DU
Cross Keys Practice High Street Princes Risborough HP27 0AX
www.theluxtonclinic.co.uk
Newington nr stadhampton oxon ox10 7aw www.newington-nurseries.co.uk tel: 01865 400533 closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
REGLER & COMPANY _____ SOLICITORS _____ 51 High Street, Chinnor, Oxon OX39 4DJ We specialise in Conveyancing, Wills and Probate, Matrimonial and Family Law. Please telephone us for a quote. Home visits can be arranged for Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney Fixed fee interview (ÂŁ50.00 for half an hour)
01844 354555 email:info@reglerandcompany.co.uk www.reglerandcompany.co.uk
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
SUDOKU
It’s easy to play Sudoku! Simply fill every column, row and 3x3 box so they contain every number between 1 and 9.
Please see page 19 for the answers
EASY
DIFFICULT
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
SPECIALISTS IN CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Professional & Experienced Technicians - Providing The Very Best Service
• Commercial & Domestic Carpet Cleaning
• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Carpet Stain Removal Specialists
• Competitive Prices
• Upholstery, Curtain & Rug Cleaning
• 30 Years Experience
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• Furniture Repair & Restoration
• Rapid Drying System
Call for a Free Estimate 01865 892 350 The Revival Company I 46/47 Monument Park I Chalgrove I Oxford I OX44 7RW Oxford@revivalco.co.uk
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
Solutions
easy DIFFICULT
asking communities to record how their road verges are looking this summer by taking photos and sending in stories. The Wild About Plants team is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature, as part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. It is a partnership project involving organisations throughout the country.
Wild plant charity Plantlife are hoping to reach out to many wild plant enthusiasts and nature lovers by inviting them to become wild plant ‘pioneers’ and subscribe to a free quarterly e-learning bulletin to learn more about our native wild plants via the ‘Wild About Plants’ project website - www. wildaboutplants.org.uk . The May e-bulletin is out now and the August issue being written as we speak! The Wild About Plants team deliver Plantlife’s outreach programme and work to help people reconnect with the outdoors and their local greenspaces. Working with schools, families and communities from all walks of life and with fantastic free downloadable resources, the team hope to engage people with the nature on their doorstep. In recent years subscribers have been asked to record the plant life in their local area and recount what they used to see/pick and forage for.
Our wild flowers and other plants are wonderful, not just for the beauty they bring to our lives but for the vital role they play in supporting wildlife, cleaning our air and water and helping in the fight against climate change. Finally, did you know that the County flower of Oxfordshire is the Fritillary? For further information, see: www.plantlife.org.uk
Plantlife have just launched “Flowers on the Edge” their annual road-verges campaign. They are
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THE GRAPEVINE July/August 2013
LEWKNOR PARISH DIARY july 2013 15th july
Parish council meeting
21st july
7.30PM
holy communion 9.00Am
21st july FAMILY SERVICE 10.30Am
jubilee hall
st. margaret’s St. Lawrence
august 2013 11th aug holy communion 9.00Am 18th aug holy communion 9.00am
St. Lawrence 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 an online version of the grapevine is available at http://issuu.com/grapevinezine/docs
council tax scam Residents are being warned to be on their guard against bogus officials offering council tax refunds or threatening them with fines. There have been several incidents reported across Oxfordshire, including in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. The fraudsters operate by ringing, texting or visiting residents claiming to be from the local council, valuation office or some other company that deals with changes to council tax banding. They suggest that you are either due a council tax refund, or owe more council tax and must pay it promptly to avoid a fine. They will then ask for personal information and bank details to process the refund or payment or they may ask for a fee to secure a refund or band reduction for you. If you receive one of these calls, texts or visits, do not give out any personal information, end the call as quickly as possible and do not give any money to anyone who visits your home. The fraudsters can get aggressive and ring back if you put the phone down but this is all part of the scam to make you act as they want. Neither South Oxfordshire nor Vale of White Horse DC would ever call residents directly to demand bank details in this manner. Where it is believed that someone either owes or is owed money they are invited to contact the council themselves to arrange payment. You will never have to pay a fee to have your council tax band reduced. It costs nothing to make an appeal against the band your home is in. If there is any change to the amount you have to pay you will receive a bill through the post explaining the situation. If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of a call concerning your council tax account please call 0345 302 2313 (South Oxfordshire residents) or 0345 302 2315 (Vale residents). To report a suspected incident of the scam, residents can contact Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards on 0845 051 0845
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