CLOSURE OF LONDON ROAD - Blewbury
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Number 617 February 2020
CLOSURE OF LONDON ROAD
To enable the installation of new water services, the A417 will be closed between Westbrook Street and Nottingham Fee
for four days, starting Tuesday February 18th. Through traffic will be diverted from the west at the new roundabout near
the Kingswell and from the east at the junction of the A417 and A329 at Streatley, but it is likely that residents will see an
increase in traffic in Westbrook Street, South Street and Bessels Lea as local drivers divert around the roadworks.
VILLAGE HALL REFURBISHMENT - AT LAST!
Great news – the refurbishment is underway! Our builder is MD Group, who specialise in
public sector refurbishments. They are based in Bristol and have an office in Abingdon. Their
site manager is Kevin Campbell. It has taken a while and a lot of work and we couldn’t have got to this point without the
support of the whole village, which has raised £150,000 through fundraising events and donations. This is a tremendous
achievement. We have also received substantial donations from the Lottery, FCC Communities Foundation, DEFRA, Sport
England, the Vale of White Horse District Council, Garfield Weston Foundation and the Bernard Sunley Foundation. A full
list of supporters will appear on the website and in the refurbished hall. We are grateful to them all.
During the works, which are expected to take until 19 June, the hall will be closed and access will be under the control of
the site manager. No-one should try to enter the hall without the permission of the site manager. To reduce the chance of
unauthorised entry to the building site, the locks to the main hall entrance have been changed. The Post Office will remain
open until work starts on the refurbishment of the Post Office itself in April, when it will be closed for about two weeks.
Unfortunately, it has not be possible to keep the Doctor’s Surgery open during the early stages of the refurbishment and
the surgery will remain closed until further notice*. If we can re-open the surgery safely and without disruption before
the end of the works, we will do so.
The contractors have constructed a compound to house their equipment and service buildings. This has reduced the size
of the car park and access to the gate through to the school from the car park will be down the path at the back of the hall.
Inevitably there will be times when access to the car park will be a challenge. Apologies in advance and please bear with
us. With this in mind, it would be very helpful if visitors to the post office and the school avoided driving unless absolutely
necessary while the work is going on.
Finally, a reminder to local artists who are considering putting forward proposals for an art project integrated with the
refurb (see Christmas Bulletin), the deadline for submissions to lisashayler@aol.com is February 1st.
I’m sure we are all delighted to see the real work finally starting. Steve White
*During the closure period, prescriptions can still be ordered by emailing woodlands.medical@nhs.net
THANK YOU FROM BLEWBURY SCHOOL
Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to the
fundraising events over the past 2 years that has enabled
the PTA to purchase new playground equipment for the
school. Special thanks to Lydia Inglis for her sponsored half
marathon and for the kind donation from the Ratpack
event. It is fantastic to finally have the climbing frame in
place and it is fair to say that it has been a huge success with
the children which makes it all worth while. We are
continuing to fundraise and look for grants to support the
school and further improve the outside space and support
the curriculum. Our next big event is ColourFest on
SATURDAY 16th MAY. We will be running the fantastic
colour 5K course as well as expanding the event this year to
an amazing bar, delicious BBQ and live music bands. This will
run throughout the afternoon and into the evening and will
be a great event for ALL the village. Please save the date.
BULLETIN STOP PRESS SERVICE
If you would like to receive urgent village news and information by email, you can sign up to the Bulletin Stop Press service
at www.blewbury.co.uk. Powered by MailChimp®, all emails are blind copied so no addresses are shared.
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PROJECT RESOUND UPDATE
The full scheme of window, banners and lighting is now successfully installed in St Michaels and
only a few finishing touches are left to complete the project. The window was blessed by the Bishop
of Dorchester during a special service on 7th January and in celebration, the Westminster Abbey
Company of Ringers completed a full peal of Stedman on Blewbury bells (that’s 5040 distinct
changes of the ringing order of the bells made continuously over 3 hours). The window and
dedication event were featured on Radio Oxford and also in the Oxford Times. We hope that everyone has now
had the opportunity to see the full window scheme illuminated from both the outside and inside of the church and
enjoy its reflections and colours.
We have raised £74,006 (as of 12th January) and we are currently projecting to come in slightly under budget at
£78,000. In addition to George – Don’t do that! on 25th January, and continuing generous donations, we have one
final event planned on the morning of 1st February during which we hope to hit our target!
Exhibition and sale of artefacts from Edwardian Stained Glass
Saturday 1st February 2020 – St Michael’s Church, 10am - 12.
Renowned artist David Harber has now produced the first large sample artefact from the Edwardian Glass
window previously installed in St Michael's church, Blewbury. We will be displaying all sizes of artefacts available
to order and purchase directly at this event, with prices ranging from £10 to £450.
Elphin’s “A Pain the Glass” cards and jigsaws will also be on display. Card with envelopes £1.50 or four for £5.
Jigsaws £29.99 (500 pieces) and £34.99 (1000 pieces).
Tea and Cakes will also be served. All welcome!
If you can’t make the event you can find out more from Gill Loyd at gillianloyd@gmail.com or on 01235 850459.
JustGiving https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Resound.
Thank you for all of your support during the last 18 months - Project Resound Team
CAROL CONCERT 2019
Despite the torrential rain and muddy lanes, the Church was packed for our 2019 Carol Concert. Over 100 people took
part in the Choirs, Brass Band, and orchestra and the sound filled the Church with joy and the anticipation of all the
Festivities to come. The readings were so appropriate: ‘Ark’ by our Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and read by Sue Lay
highlighted the current climate change crisis; ‘The Nativity Play’ from Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell and read by Catie
Flye was hilarious and emphasised ‘our Brian’s’ ability to make a big part out of a small part (now where have we heard
that before) and Chris Mousley Jones’s vivid acting of the scene from Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol was perfect.
Children from the School sang ‘We Three Kings’ and were rewarded with a well deserved standing ovation and the whole
evening was held together perfectly by our conductors Richard Blackford and Ian Barlow. It was a magically wonderful
evening and thanks to everybody – whether you were actively participating or just enjoying singing the Carols at the tops
of your voices. The retiring collection was £750 which was shared between the British Heart Foundation and the Salvation
Army. Thank you. PM
Blewbury Village Society
The BVS Christmas events were once again very successful,
despite efforts by the weather to disrupt proceedings.
Many people helped – lots of thanks to them – but special
mention should go to Team Leaders Caroline Pettigrew and Rob Marsden (along
with The Pre-school Team).
There were more than 150 Christmas Eve presents from Santa and some 100
entrants for The Boxing Day Walk. BDW results were:
• The large team prize was won by “The All Blews”
• The medium team prize went to “50 Walks in 50 Years”
• The small team winners were the “The BAF” (Red Sparrows)
• Ron Freeborn won the individual category with “Ron Freeborn”
• Additional prizes went to; Best Child - Whose Dark Materials? Oldest
Memory - Token Effort; Most Topical - Boxing Day Indecision
Ron & Malcolm appear to be having a This year the Roger Cambray Memorial walk was favoured with better
good time at the 50th Boxing Day Walk weather and a good number of walkers took part.
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The next dates for donations to the Didcot Food Bank are Saturday 1st February until Monday 10th February. There
will be a collection box as usual during these dates outside the Charity School House (opposite the Church) and
please do not leave any donations outside the dates stated if the box is not there. There is always a box at the
Post Office for donations at any time but they will only be delivered to Didcot once a month.
The Food Bank are always pleased to accept donations of tinned or dried foods with a sell by date at least of one
month. They are always grateful for tinned meat or fish, tinned vegetables including potatoes, carrots, tomatoes,
peas and green beans and tinned fruit, UHT milk and UHT fruit juice, pasta, rice or similar but not fresh foods as
they cannot be stored, They will also accept toiletries, household cleaning materials, and dog or cat food.
There is a lot of personal contact between the Action Group and the Food Bank and they are enormously grateful
for the donations they receive from Blewbury. If you could donate even one or two items a month, this will really
help. Most of us in Blewbury are very fortunate and it is quite impossible to imagine not having enough to eat.
Our thanks to Ann and Peter Saunders who have organised the Food Bank collections for many years. This will
continue to be handled by the St Michael’s Action Group and any queries should please be directed to Pat
Mattimore 851088 or email bernardmat@btinternet.com. Thank you
NEW COUNCIL MEMBER NEEDED
The Parish Council has a vacancy for a new councillor. Being involved with village affairs at this level is worthwhile
and non-political. The work the council does and the decisions it makes are affect the village environment and
wellbeing of its residents but is not very high profile. The meetings are held monthly on the second Wednesday of
the month beginning at 7.30pm and we are usually through by around 9.30pm. If you would like to join us please
contact the Clerk – Liz Cooper at blewburypc@gmail.com and ask for more information.
BLEWBURY CLIMATE ACTION
Our Ideas meeting on January 8th was a great success. Plenty of people came and they had masses
of ideas about what we should do. I ended up with well over 150 ideas on post-it notes to sort into
groups, then the people who came to the meeting will be able to decide which ideas they were most
concerned about and which they want to follow up.
The climate news is still alarming: 80% of the Australian Blue Mountains temperate forests and 50% of Gondwana
tropical rainforests burned in the bushfires and thousands of people are homeless. But there is also good news:
more big business and organisations are divesting from fossil fuels. But we need to continue with action to help
reduce carbon emissions. I’m hoping one of our new action groups will put pressure on the big companies and
organisations that are slow to change by writing emails and letters that show we care!
By the time you read this the World Economic Forum in Davos will be over. President Trump’s opening speech was
depressing (see blewburyclimateaction.com for details) but I hope big business has seen through him.
Do follow our blog, ‘like’ our Facebook page so that others will read it, and email us with your opinions to
info@blewburyclimateaction.com. Finally, please see the Sustainable Blewbury entry for details of two joint BCA/SB
events and a talk that are all motivated by our aim to live more sustainably. Jo Lakeland
BLEWBURY LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
Despite the fact that WW2 finished 75 years ago this year, wartime memories are still vivid, which
we realised when we had a query from Canada recently about a plane crash here in 1941. The
group has a wonderful account of the crash from an evacuee who was a schoolboy here, and we
would be delighted to hear from anyone else who has information about it. Maybe your parents
or grandparents have recollections? History isn’t just old bones in the ground or kings and queens,
fascinating as that can be, it’s also everyday life and death for all of us.
Our meetings range over all sorts of topics and visitors are always welcome.
Next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 11th at 8pm in the History Room, Parsonage Lane.
Contacts: Mark at markpalethorpe@talktalk.net or Audrey 850427 or audreyrosettalong@gmail.com.
DON'T MISS OUT: QUIZ NIGHT 7th FEB
Tickets are still available for the Croquet Club's winter social on 7th Feb (doors open 6.30; quiz starts 7.15). Open
to all: no specialist croquet knowledge required. With the village hall now being refurbished, this will instead be
held at East Hagbourne's hall (53 Main Road, East Hagbourne, OX11 9LR).
£10 in advance, or £12 on the door, including ploughman's supper and soft drinks. Wine available. Table bookings
(max 7 people) also available for £60.
Tickets from David Long: 07484 360169, or secretary@blewburycroquetclub.org.uk
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Try something new in 2020…
Do you like meeting new people? Do you like trying new activities? Not want to sign up for something long term? Want to feel
part of something creative? Plans for our summer production have already started and we are starting to gather a production
team and find those who would like to be involved in various ways, with small or larger non-acting roles. Teams are
made up of experienced people who are keen to share their experience with new volunteers who enjoy either offering their
existing skills or learning new ones. If you have a few hours to spare and would like to get involved with this community activity,
meet local people and have a little fun there are many roles (large and small). They vary from helping at the bar, seating the
audience, stage management, to painting scenery, sewing, assisting with lighting, sound, posting posters and social media,
etc, etc… A lot of these activities take place during May and June well in advance of the performances with groups gathering
to construct the set, make costumes, gather and customize props, prepare the sound and lighting… There are things that can
be done at weekends, weekdays and evenings. Please just call 01235 850537 or e-mail blewburyplayers@gmail.com for
a friendly response and more information with no pressure to commit to anything outside your comfort zone! Why not make
2020 the year to dip your toe in and join in!
Romeo and Juliet performance dates are 15th-18th July 2019 at Blewbury’s
Orchard Dene Garden Theatre. During January we’ve been busy having lots of
discussion with director Christopher Staines about scripts, design and plans for
rehearsals. We are excited about meeting all those auditioning in early February.
Look out for …
• Our lovely Friends of the Blewbury Players secretary, Roger Colebrook hopes to send invitations soon for our Friends’
Evening to be held in March.
• Chris Whatmore has kindly offered to do one of his informative talks about Romeo and Juliet before the production in July.
NATURE NOTES
Several people have see egrets on the Cleve, usually just one but sometimes two. The Cleve is not a hospitable
habitat so it is curious that they are there; it is exposed to public gaze and to my knowledge is short of food. The
small fish have gone and the most life I have found there are Daphnia water fleas, not enough to feed large birds.
The watery grounds of the Manor would appear to be more suitable, but maybe the birds are searching for food.
Naturalists in the past called the egret The Great White Heron Egretta alba when it was a rare visitor from the
continent. Less rare today, we are privileged to have them here. They have settled in Devon but I think they mostly
come from Norfolk after crossing the North Sea. There is also a small egret E. Garzetta, a sociable bird found in
colonies. Sadly these visitors are unusual as there is much less wildlife now than when I started writing Nature
Notes. Bernardine Shirley-Smith
BLEWBURY AND UPTON VILLAGE PRODUCE ASSOCIATION – Your Local Village Gardening Club
Another year, another decade and another gardening season to look forward to. Now is the time to look
at seed catalogues in ernest to decide what to grow for the coming year. I belong to the National Allotment
Society and receive a quarterly magazine which is very interesting and a Kings Seeds catalogue, plus free insurance
for the allotment. The seed catalogue provided to NAS members by Kings is almost half the price of their normal
catalogue which is very useful as I’ve noticed the cost of seeds in other catalogues and garden centres seem to have
increased so much over the last few years.
The VPA is now looking forward to 2020 and the Schedule for the Summer Show being held on Saturday 4th July is
about to go to the printers. The refurbishment of the village hall has commenced and is expected to be completed
by the 19th June which means we should have a newly refreshed building for the Show. If completion is delayed, it
will take place in Blewbury School, so whatever happens it will still go ahead.
Don’t forget, If you would like an electronic copy of the Schedule, it is available now, contact the VPA via the
following email address: vpa.in.bl.up@gmail.com
Update on my allotment – I’ve been flooded three times so far this winter! Overwintering broad beans are
managing to survive and overwintering onions are about six inches tall. My hens have survived the floods with
pallets in their run and plenty of perches to sit on. I’ve spent the last few weeks digging trenches around the
chickens’ run to move the water into the trench at the boundary fence. I took the plunge nearly four years ago to
have hens. I began with two hybrids (Polly and Dolly) and a rescue hen (Holly). Sadly, Dolly died last summer, so
in September I bought three cross breeds and as they live on the allotment I named them after some of the
vegetables I grow – Shallot, Pumpkin and Borlotti. They’ve settled in really well and have been laying ever since.
More news about the hens next month.
DID YOU KNOW? Healthy, mature APPLE TREES will bear between 100 and 200 kilos of fruit every year and dried
FIGS contain about 60 per cent sugar, making them an excellent energy snack.
Happy Gardening Eileen
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UNITED CHARITIES OF THE ANCIENT PARISH OF BLEWBURY
Registered Charity No: 203538
News – Contact details
Following our advert in the November Bulletin, we are pleased to announce that we have appointed a new Clerk
to the Trustees as well as a Guardian of the Almshouses. We would like to thank Sarah Donne for all the time and
commitment she gave to the Charity in her role as Clerk and Treasurer. Going forward – for all matters relating to
the Charity please contact: unitedcharities@outlook.com Thank you Trustees (UCAB)
BLEWBURY WI NEWS
Hello, again, to everyone. The following events are lined up for February and we would love any new
members to come and join us in a friendly atmosphere.
1) Tuesday, 4th February. Lyn’s Walk. Catch the 10am bus to East Hagbourne. We will walk the footpaths
there, have coffee in The Fleur and walk home via Upton. Most of the walk will not be very muddy, but the
last mile from Upton may be muddy so wear appropriate footwear and bring your pole if you need one.
2) Wednesday, 5th February. Scrabble at Judy’s. 7.30pm. Please ring beforehand.
3) Friday, 7th February. Craft evening at Liz’s. 7pm. Please bring bottle, nibbles etc.
4) Friday, 14th February. Coffee morning at Cilla’s. 10.30am.
5) Friday, 21st February. Talking Science at R.A.L. Harwell. 1.30pm. “ Earth’s climate evolution: 800 million
years of climate change and its multiple causes.”
Dr. Colin Summerhayes, Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge University.
6) Wednesday, 26th February. WI Main Meeting. 7.30pm. in the Melland Room. Speaker, Richard Anderson:
“What is it?” - a not-to-be missed fun talk about antiques.
7) Mah Jong. Monday afternoons at 2.30pm. At different venues. Contact Sharon for details. (850412)
For more details of any of our events, or if you wish to join us, please ring Cilla on 851966 or visit our web page,
http://blewburywi.wordpress.com where you will find more information. Love from Cilla.
BRIDGE CLUB
The club has moved temporarily to Blewbury School to allow the Village Hall to be refurbished. It is planned to play
all our sessions there for the next few months. Entry will normally be possible from 7.10pm and parking is available
- please reverse park neatly and not leaving large gaps between vehicles, in order to maximise the space available.
Ken Angus has co-ordinated a marketing campaign locally, posting notices about both our Friday Novices Sessions
and our teaching programme on local websites and on public noticeboards in Sports facilities and similar venues. A
new series of lessons for beginners is due to commence on February 10th. Novices Sessions continue to be popular
and numbers have been bolstered by some of the beginners from last year's teaching. There is always room for
more though!
We now hope to give further thought to the possibility of holding some seminars for Improvers on topics which
may be of interest. Michael Allen 851870
CROQUET CLUB - LAWNS CLOSED
Regrettably recent adverse weather means we've had to close the croquet lawns, probably for the rest
of the winter. With regular maintenance closing the lawns during March anyway, we may not reopen
until the start of the new season in late March/early April - watch this space!
David Long, Secretary, Blewbury Croquet Club
BELL RINGING NEWS FROM BLEWBURY TOWER
It seems a long time since Christmas when we rang for Christmas services. On Boxing Day, a quarter peal was rung
during the Boxing Day Walk to celebrate the completion of Project Resound, the installation of a contemporary
stained-glass window dedicated to bells and bell ringing. As has become tradition, we rang out the old year and
rang in 2020.
On Tuesday 7th January we welcomed the Westminster Abbey Company of Bell Ringers, who had accepted our
invitation to ring a peal in the afternoon prior to the service of dedication of the new window. We hope that many
of you heard the bells that afternoon they certainly sounded amazing. The church was packed in the evening for
the service of dedication by Bishop Colin of Dorchester.
A big thank you to Rob Nickless for organising the outing on January 18th when all the bells in the Benefice were
rung plus those at Streatley and Moulsford. Thank you also to Jo Nickless and family plus helpers who organised a
fantastic lunch at North Moreton Village Hall and those who helped and organised the tea at Blewbury. The day
finished with a meal at The Fleur.
As always, we are happy to welcome visitors to our regular Friday evening practices 8-9.30pm.
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News from St. Michael’s
Rector - The Revd Jason St. John Nicolle
SERVICES AT ST. MICHAEL’S
Sundays 8am Holy Eucharist on first Sunday.
10.30am Parish Eucharist every Sunday except first Sunday.
10.30am Family Service usually on first Sunday
Wednesday 12.30pm Pram Service on first Wednesday (in the Benefice Centre)
Thursday 10am Holy Eucharist
10am Mothers’ Union Eucharist on third Thursday
Bookings for Weddings & Baptisms can be made at the Benefice Office on Saturday
mornings between 9am and 11am. Enquiries can be made by phone on 850267 or
e-mail office@churnchurches.co.uk.
Events – February
Drop-in Coffee Morning Every Wednesday 10.30 Benefice Centre
Join us for lively conversation, good company and refreshments.
Food Bank Collection Saturday 1 February until Monday 10 February
St. Michael’s Action Group regularly collect items for the Didcot Food Bank. Drop off at the Old School
House between these dates or at the Post Office anytime.
Sunday Club Sunday 16 February 10.30 St. Michael’s Church
Held on the 3rd Sunday of every month for children of 4 years upwards.
CYGnet Youth Group Sunday 16 February 18.30 Brookdene, Watts Lane B
A regular Sunday evening group usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 6.30-8pm
All young people of secondary school age are welcome to come along.
Baptism
On 19 January Fearne Allen-Wright was Baptised at St. Michael’s Blewbury.
Ash Lent Groups 2020
Wednesday Plans are starting to be made for a
Service series of Lent Groups for later this
term, but it would be good to have
some new ideas: creative, biblical, practical, artistic
26 February 2020 or controversial!
8pm Benefice Eucharist Please let Rev'd John know your thoughts as soon
with Imposition of Ashes as possible. jphclarke@gmail.com – 01235 512987
at St. Michael’s Blewbury
Churn MU Notice of AGM
This will take place on Sunday 2 February at 3pm in the Benefice Centre. We begin with
worship, followed by the business meeting, time to make some plans for 2020 and
tea. Members, please come if you can and we welcome others who are interested in finding
out more about MU. Our Area Vice President hopes to join us. Please send apologies to The Revd Louise
Butler.
** Please bring along re-saleable, re-usable items for a 2020 MU fundraising venture**
10Hand in Hand Confirmation
Helping our children
to grow in faith. Preparation
for Young People
A taster session for parents.
Wednesday 12 February Revd Louise is starting a group
at 8pm in the Benefice Centre. for young people of secondary school age
in the spring.
Time to explore the Christian Faith
with Revds John and Louise; Please contact her if you are interested in joining.
practical & fun ways to share this with our children. The Revd Louise Butler,
revlouiseb@aol.com - 07837 009730
Further details from the Revd Louise Butler,
revlouiseb@aol.com - 07837 009730
Gallery 46
Do you like art? The other week I happened to be in Oxford, and I took the
opportunity to visit the Ashmolean. I fancied looking at some of their European
art, and so I ended up in Gallery 46. This gallery focuses on works from the 17th
century.
One particular work caught my eye. It was painted in the 1630s by an artist
called Pier Francesco Mola, whom I’m afraid I’d never heard of. The painting is
called Narcissus and Echo. According to the ancient Greek myth, Narcissus fell in
love with his own reflection, and in due course wasted away from love of what
he could not have. This myth has given us the word “Narcissist” and “Narcissistic”, which we use to
describe people who have an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves. The key word here is
“excessive” – it’s perfectly normal to have an interest in ourselves and in our appearance. But in some
cases our interest in ourselves becomes so extreme as to be harmful - harmful to ourselves and harmful
to others.
In short, it is easy to become so self-focussed that we lose touch with the world around us. We cease to
care about other people and the environment about us. Sadly, some forms of spirituality can encourage
an unhealthy focus on ourselves, and some spiritual activities are little more than fashionable ways of
gazing at our own navels.
Reflecting on ourselves and our own lives is important, but it is only a starting point. Within the Christian
tradition, the next stage is to reflect on how God is active in our lives, and how God wishes to transform
our lives for the better, so that we may be more effective in being channels of God’s love , not only in our
own lives but in the lives of our communities. Yes, as Christians we reflect upon our own lives, in all their
depth and complexity, but we do so in order to be better able to serve others. We seek to understand
ourselves so that we may serve others better.
It will shortly be Lent, traditionally a time for us to reflect on our lives and think about how we might
better serve our communities. May our reflections this Lent bare rich fruit - in our own lives, yes, but
especially in the lives of our communities.
Fr Jason
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12FROM OUR CANADIAN CORRESPONDENT
I used to think that ‘Neighbourhood Houses’ were the Canadian equivalent of Citizens Advice Bureaux but they are
actually more akin to a Community Centre (although not connected to churches), their aim being to build and
strengthen their communities in accordance with each neighbourhood’s different needs.
They grew out of the Settlement movement in England and the US in the 1880’s where the ingrained class structure
was discriminatory, resulting in a huge gap between the rich and the very poor. The name refers to the settlement
of some members of the middle and upper classes into poor areas of London who acted as volunteer “settlement
workers”. Some of the wealthy late Victorians recognized that the exponential growth of cities during the industrial
revolution resulted in levels of poverty and disease that exceeded anything seen before or since. They lived
alongside these people and shared their knowledge and skills rather than dispensing charity, enabling people to
improve the quality of their lives, coincidentally inventing the profession of social work. (I am indebted to
Wikipedia for this, and so much more, information).
Neighbourhood Houses (NH) offer support on a wide
range of topics including immigration, housing,
learning English, and information on local resources,
but also offer much more down-to-earth help such as
inexpensive meals, childcare and help in finding
jobs. Warm and friendly places, where all ages and
nationalities can come together to plan an active role
in civil society, as well as seeking advice and material
help. They are funded by public dollars at all levels of
government, private foundations, grants and
donations. My local Little Mountain Neighbourhood
House (LMNH) opened its doors on Main Street in
1978 with a small group of committed volunteers and
staff. LMNH created vital programming such as Early Years for children 0 - 6 years, Children and Youth (including
after-school literacy programmes), pre-teen drop-ins, homework clubs, youth leadership; Newcomers and
Refugees from the Chinese, Latino, Philippine, Syrian, and Vietnamese communities with specific focus on English
language learning; Seniors programs. Many other local groups make use of the NH to hold their meetings.
Interestingly, they had not heard of the Men’s Shed movement so I was able to point them in the right direction!
My local Community Garden at Riley Park is a “food security” project of LMNH; local residents are encouraged to
learn how to grow their own food and join in with picnics and potluck lunches; groups such as Newcomers
Community Kitchen, Friday Community Meals, and other food related programmes benefit from surplus produce
from the Garden. Angela Hoy (angelahoy23@gmail.com)
NEED HELP WITH MONEY MANAGEMENT?
Trained coaches from award-winning charity Christians Against Poverty are running free money management
courses in the local area. They are for people from all walks of life - and faiths, or none - helping them budget, save
and spend well with the aim of teaching skills and spending habits which last a lifetime. Courses run at different
times of day and on varying days of the week including a three-session Saturday brunch opportunity in Harwell in
March: please visit www.capmoneycourse.org for more information all courses all over the country, and to book.
POST OFFICE NEWS
Maggie & I are both unavailable for a short while, I have arranged for Frances to come in to cover, but she's from
Pangbourne PO, and still has to do her usual days there! Opening hours over the affected period (Thursday 30th
January to Friday 7th February) will be as follows:
• Thursday 30th & Friday 31st - 8.30am to 3pm
• Saturday 1st & Monday 3rd - Closed
• Tuesday 4th - 8.30am through to 3pm
• Wednesday 5th - 8.30am to 12 noon
• Thursday 6th & Friday 7th - 8.30am through to 3pm
• Saturday 8th onwards - as usual!
The Royal Mail collection will be at 12 noon-ish, so anything handed in after that will go the following day.
While the Village Hall is being refurbished, we have no loo nearby, so you may find a ‘Back in 10 minutes’ note on
the door, and a chair!
Interesting 'video games' stamps on sale now, and 'visions of the universe' are out mid February.
Love from Karen & Maggie
13G
14Our first Repair Cafe
Saturday 29th February, 2 to 4 pm, in the Melland Room, Blewbury Clubhouse
You will be able to get something fixed, save money, help save the planet, and have a cup of coffee and home-
made cake all at the same time. If it’s worn out, torn or has just stopped working, don’t throw it away – bring it to
our Repair Cafe and we’ll try to fix it. We hope to have volunteers who can sharpen tools and knives, do electrical
and mechanical repairs, help with sewing and upcycling clothes, fix bikes, and stick things back together. All repairs
are free, but a donation to cover expenses would be appreciated. More details in the next Bulletin.
The mind-blowing truth about our food – a talk by Anthony Simpson
Monday 9th March, 8.00 pm, in Blewbury Manor Barn
Anthony gave us an excellent talk on electric cars a year ago. In this talk on food he will look at the surprising range
of impacts of our food choices: Is food responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all forms of transport?
Is our diet sustainable in a net-zero carbon world? Do we need to eat animal produce for protein and calcium? Do
we grow enough food to feed the world? Local food is much better, isn’t it? All this and more!
Tickets £6 including a drink and nibbles, on sale in February at the Post Office.
Love Food Hate Waste
Saturday 14th March, 10 am to 12 noon, in the Melland Room, , Blewbury Clubhouse
Would you like to save food, save money and help the planet? Love Food Hate Waste is a workshop put on by
Blewbury Climate Action with the help of the WI that can help you do all that. A free event with ideas on how to
use all the food you buy, avoid waste, and have a free lunch afterwards! Save the date. More in the next Bulletin.
BLEWBURY FREECYCLE
E-MAIL TEL NO.
FREE ITEMS TO A GOOD HOME
Richard Bird
HP Envy 5020 inkjet printer - has never been unpacked. richard.bird2012@btinternet. 850258
com
Samsung Solo-Sensor Microwave, 750 W, black finish (23 litres Jo Lakeland
850490
capacity) 5 years old, rarely used, PAT tested 13 March 2019. info@blewburyclimateaction.com
Solid timber adjustable bookshelf H 200cm (approx) x W 122cm Chris Whatmore
851055
x D 22cm. Splits into 2 units for transport. editor@blewbury.co.uk
To freecycle your item please send a short description, email & phone number to Lydia Inglis (lydandmuz@gmail.com)
To find out more about Sustainable Blewbury go to www.sustainable-blewbury.org.uk.
Getting involved is fun and can contribute to the village and its environment. To participate, or to receive
our free bi-monthly Newsletter, email us at info@sustainable-blewbury.org.uk or phone 01235 850558.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A FRIEND OF BLEWBURY PRE-SCHOOL?
Have your children or grandchildren who attend, or have attended, Blewbury Pre-School – or perhaps you have?
This year, ahead of our 50th anniversary next year, we are looking to create a Friends of Blewbury Pre-School group.
The aim will be to keep Friends up to date with what we’re planning – including things like fundraising events.
We’d love as many people in the village (or those who’ve left but want to keep in touch!) to join us as a Friend of
the Pre-School. Perhaps you’d just like to hear what we’re up to, or want to get involved in an event; whether you
want to make a donation, or would like to help by providing advice or skills – we’d love to hear from you!
To be added to our new Friends of Blewbury Pre-School group (don’t worry – we’re not going to bombard you with
emails!!) please email: chair@blewburypreschool.co.uk. Thanks to those who have already said they’d like to join
– we’ll be in touch shortly.
Don’t forget you can also help support Blewbury Pre-School by getting fresh free-range eggs from the Post Office,
or ordering wood for your log burners by emailing: committee@blewburypreschool.co.uk
PATIENTS URGED TO HELP THE NHS HELP THEM THIS WINTER
Winter the busiest time of year for the NHS, so patients are being reminded to use Emergency Departments in Oxford
and Banbury only in an emergency. There are many alternatives available for non-emergency situations. For example:
• Minor cuts and grazes, bruises and minor sprains, coughs and colds – SELF CARE (stock your medicine cabinet)
• Minor illnesses, headaches, stomach upsets, bites and stings – YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY
• Feeling unwell? Unsure? Anxious? Need help? – CALL NHS 111
• Persistent symptoms, chronic pain, long-term conditions – ASK YOUR GP (Out of hours call 111)
• Choking, chest pain, blacking out, serious blood loss – A&E or 999 EMERGENCIES ONLY
For more information please visit https://bit.ly/2Rjnhiv
15A
16BLEWSHED NEWS
We welcomed expert Didcot and District Woodurners Club members Mick Curran and Trevor Cox, to December’s
club meeting and enjoyed a spellbinding show of master craftsmen demonstrating and explaining their art. Beneath
a shower of wood shavings, Mick produced a wonderful variety of beautiful items, that included attractive
Christmas tree decorations. Several members of the audience were inspired to have a go themselves so the Shed
woodturning lathe is going to be busy. Trevor gave us some invaluable woodturning tips and showed members how
to sharpen their tools properly.
Following on from our community project to carve and replace
missing oak bosses for the church ceiling, the Project Resound
team noted that a circular boss that used to guide one of the bell
ropes was also missing. Mike Wrottesley has turned a new one
which will be fitted above from the bell-ringing chamber now the
Project Resound scaffolding has been taken down.
Mike Magnay has now completed the two new wooden cold
frames for Blewbury school’s gardening club, and these are now
installed and being used.
Shed meetings are in the old scout hut on the second Wednesday
of each month, and non-members are welcome too. In addition, Mick and Trevor at work
the Shed is open each Tuesday and Saturday afternoon from 1.30-4.30pm and all are welcome. This is a perfect
opportunity to use the facilities and to bring up any potential community projects. The next Shed meeting is
7.30pm, Wednesday 11thth March when we will focus on ‘Workshop Safety’. Mike Magnay will lead the session
and all are welcome to contribute. NB. There is no club meeting in February as most of the committee are away,
but the Shed will be open on Tuesdays and Saturdays as usual. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you are a
member! We look forward to seeing you.
Mike Magnay, club chairman https://blewshed.home.blog/news/
BLEWBURY PRIMARY SCHOOL JOINS OXFORD DIOCESAN SCHOOLS TRUST
Blewbury Primary School has now become part of Oxford Diocesan Schools
Trust. This change in the School’s status was marked by a special school
assembly on January 7th. After this Assembly members of the Blewbury village
community joined School Council members, School staff, Interim Academy
Committee members, and several representatives of the Oxford Diocesan Trust
for tea and cakes in the School Hall.
The picture shows some of the School Council members holding the ODST
confirmation of the School’s new status along with (from right to left) Becky Costello, the Headteacher, Anne Dellar,
the Chief Executive of ODST, and Kevin Moyes, who is the Chair of the Interim Academy Committee.
After this event Becky Costello, and Kevin Moyes said: ‘The school looks forward to being part of the ODST family
of schools, sharing expertise and supporting each other.’ They described joining the Trust as ‘evolution’ for the
School, and part of their journey back to a ‘Good’
Ofsted rating. They added ‘So far, we have worked
closely with the trust on developing teaching, learning
and leadership, and we look forward to seeing the
impact of this over the coming terms.’ Roger Murphy,
Blewbury School’s lead governor for community
engagement, said that joining the Trust would present
Blewbury with a range of 'new opportunities
and expertise'.
Blewbury joined ODST in December, having already
received some support from the trust. It will benefit
from working closely with several Good and
Outstanding-rated ODST schools nearby, such as
Northbourne CE Primary and The Hendreds’ CE
Primary. It is the 35th school to join the trust.
Anne Dellar, Chief Executive, ODST said: ‘Blewbury is a welcome addition to the ODST family of schools, and we
are well placed to support it. ODST’s purpose is to provide children with a high-quality education, while encouraging
schools to keep their unique identity, and we are very committed to ensuring Blewbury offers this for its community.’
17PARISH COUNCIL
Notes of the Parish Council meeting held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 15 January 2020 in the Melland Room.
Present: Chris Lakeland (Chair), Jane Gibson, Mark Shayler, Lydia Inglis, Miriam Jacobs, Michael Penington and
Vaughan Humphries. Also present Elizabeth Cooper (Clerk) and David Hollick (Lengthman). Apologies were received
from Mark Blythe, Councillors Sarah Medley and Hayleigh Gascoigne. County Councillor Mike Fox Davies is currently
unwell we hope he will be back with us before too long.
On the advice of the Finance Committee it has been decided to set this year’s Parish Precept at £65,000. This is a
modest increase on last year’s level and, although regrettable, barely covers the increasing cost of devolved work
from District and County and extra pressure on village amenities caused in part by our bizarre climate. If anyone
would like further insight into how the Parish Council works and what costs are incurred, now is your chance.
A vacancy has arisen due to the resignation of Councillor Charlotte Cameron who we thank for her excellent service.
Expressions of interest in joining the Parish Council will be welcomed by the clerk blewburypc@gmail.com or you
can talk to any councillor about what is involved. The contract for the refurbishment of the Village Hall has been
signed. Work will start on 20 January and should be completed by the end of June. As a result of the bad weather
we are still waiting for the work on the skate park to take place. Miriam Jacobs will be joining the Sustainable
Blewbury committee as a representative of the PC.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
All Blewbury planning applications, decisions and Parish Council responses, including items under consideration,
can be found in the ‘Parish’ section of the Blewbury website (http://blewbury.co.uk/parish/planning/), which is
updated every month. Links are provided to the main Vale Planning site, where full details can be found.
Responses from the Parish Council:
P19/V3253/FUL Rumseys Barn, London Road - Conversion of existing double garage & swimming pool to form new
dwelling. BPC has no objection.
Decisions from the District Council:
P19/V2624/HH 12 London Road – Demolition of existing rear extension and proposed construction of new real
single storey extension. GRANTED
P19/V3102/HH. 4 Whites Orchard - Garden building. GRANTED
Enquiries regarding planning in the parish may be sent to blewburypc@gmail.com
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 12 February in the Melland Room.
NEED TO CONTACT YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS?
Mark Blythe, The Manor, Berry Lane Miriam Jacobs, Tudor Cottage, London Rd
Charlotte Cameron, Gatehouse Studio, London Rd Chris Lakeland, 4 Westbrook Green
Jane Gibson 5 Westbrook Green Michael Penington, Cleve Cottage, Chapel Lane
Vaughan Humphries, 3 Cossicle Mead Mark Shayler 2 Eastfields
Lydia Inglis, Chapmans, Nottingham Fee Elizabeth Cooper (part-time Clerk) 07968 772935
You can also email the part-time Parish Clerk at blewburypc@gmail.com
BLUEBERRY PUB CHRISTMAS
QUIZ WINNERS
The picture shows members of the
victorious team, The Flying Scots,
with their trophy after winning the
Blueberry Inn Pub Quiz in December
2019. The team consists of
Blewbury WI Ladies and one
husband but are so named as the
inaugural members are all Scottish...
From left to right, they are Karen
Foreman, Lyn Blackie, Shirley Davis,
Kath Butler and Joan Robertson.
Well Done everyone!
Sandra Lewis
18THE BULLETIN CHRISTMAS QUIZ - A TREK IN THE COUNTRY - THE ANSWERS
How shall we get there? 35. The Railway Children 69. Bread
1. On the Buses - in which direction are we going? 70. Honey I Shrunk the Kids
2. On a Bicycle Made for Two 36. North by North West 71. Oranges Are not the Only Fruit
3. The Lady in the Van 37. Northern Lights 72. Bananas
4. Brian Ferry 38. North West Frontier 73. Charlie and the Chocolate
5. How to Train Your Dragon 39. Westward Ho! Factory
What is the weather forecast? 40. West Side Story 74. Sweets for My Sweet
6. Little Miss Sunshine 41. The Wicked Witch of the West 75. Cool Clear Water
7. Some Like it Hot 42. East of Eden The wildlife we saw
8. Thunder and Lightning Polka [by 43. South of the Border - Birds
Johann Strauss] 44. South Park 76. The Eagles
9. The Wind in the Willows 45. West Wing 77. H Is for Hawk
10. Baby, it’s Cold Outside I think we’re Lost! 78. Blackbird
11. The Tempest 46. We’re on the Road to Nowhere 79. The Lark Ascending [by Vaughan
12. It’s Raining Men 47. Don’t Blame Me Williams]
13. Stormy Daniels 48. We are Poor Little Lambs Who 80. I’m Alan Partridge
14. Hail Caesar Have Gone Astray 81. The Maltese Falcon
15. Snow White and the Seven 49. Can’t Find My Way Home 82. Ode to a Nightingale
Dwarfs 50. We Gotta Get Out of this Place 83. Upstart crow
How strenuous a walk do you want? Now what do we do? - Mammals
16. Easy Rider 51. I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue 84. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
17. Gentle on My Mind 52. Don’t Cry for Me Argentina 85. Sheep May Safely Graze [by J S
18. Short People 53. Help! I Need Somebody Bach]
19. Rambling Rose 54. You’ll Take the High Road and I’ll 86. The Desert Rats
20. Die Hard Take the Low Road 87. The Deer Hunter
21. I Would Walk 500 Miles 55. Let’s Stick Together 88. The Fantastic Mr Fox
22. Walk on the Wild Side 56. I Know Where I’m Going 89. Squirrel Nutkin
23. Climb Every Mountain 57. Follow the Yellow Brick Road 90. Stag at Bay [by Sir Edwin
Can you read the Ordnance Survey 58. We’re on the Road Again Landseer]
map? Let’s stop for some liquid 91. The Taming of the Shrew
- point out the main features refreshment 92. Pop Goes the Weasel
i. In the natural environment - which pub? - Insects
24. Ain’t no Mountain High Enough 59. Down at the Old Bull and Bush 93. Ant and Dec
25. Happy Valley 60. Jamaica Inn 94. Madam Butterfly
26. A River Runs Through it 61. The Inn of the Sixth Happiness 95. Flight of the Bumblebee [by
27. Forrest Gump 62. The Crown Rimsky-Korsakov]
28. Over the Hills and Far Away 63. The Pub with no Beer 96. Lord of the Flies
29. The Top of the Lake - and then? 97. The Wasps [by Vaughan
ii. In the built environment 64. Skip to My Lou Williams]
30. Miracle on 34th Street What did you pack for lunch? 98. The Beatles
31. Bay City Rollers 65. American Pie Time to go home
32. The Bridge 66. Green Eggs and Ham 99. Homeward Bound I Wish I Was
33. Paths of Glory 67. Chicken Run Homeward Bound
34. On the Road Again 68. Salad Days 100. Goodbye-ee
AND the winners were:
1. The Bramhill Bunch [awarded the Silver Salver];
2. Peter and The Wolffs;
3. Jo Laugharne and Lydia Wanstall.
Congratulations to these and all the other quizzers. Very few points separated you all; indeed we had to
use the tie-breaker again to decide the first two places.
Some tie-breakers that amused us were:
Weather - Cloudy with a chance of meatballs (f);
How strenuous a walk - The running, jumping and standing still film (f);
Ord. Survey - Cliff Richard (p), The railway cutting by Paul Cezanne (art);
Lunch -The potato eaters by V. van Gogh (art), What’s eating Gilbert Grape (f), Mean Mr Mustard (s)
19Autumn Leaves Dates for February 2020 Bingo, Bring & Buy, Teas etc. February 4th & 25th in the Melland Room
at 2pm. February 18th AGM. 2pm in the Melland Room. Any new Members will be made most welcome. If you
would like to join us and for further information call Norman Webb (850700) or Doreen Tyrrell (850332)
Free IT advice for Blewbury computer users is available on Tuesday 18 February 2020 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon in
Aston Tirrold and Aston Upthorpe Village Hall (OX11 9EQ). At about 10:30 there will be a discussion about Apps. Astons
Online helps people be confident, effective and safe users of email and the Internet. Our free-of-charge events cater for
all types of computer and user issues in a friendly and informal atmosphere, see www.astonsonline.uk for details. Tell us
you’re coming if you can, especially if you want one-to-one help. (theastonsonline@gmail.com or phone 07780 958249)
FLYING SQUAD Number 07891 768197 If the Flying Squad telephone holder is not available, you will be put through
to voicemail and you will hear a message which starts – ‘Hello, this is the Blewbury Flying Squad phone ……’ and you will be
prompted to leave a message. Wait for the beep at the end of the message and give your name and telephone number and
you will be phoned back as soon as possible. Please speak clearly. Please note that the Flying Squad is a voluntary service
that relies entirely on people’s personal time and vehicle availability, so we need as much notice as possible to arrange a
driver. Please also note that journeys to the Horton Hospital in Banbury are not available from the Flying Squad.
BLEWBURY POST OFFICE OPENING HOURS
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays - 8.30 am - 12 noon and 2.30 - 5 pm. Wednesdays - 8.30 am - 12 noon.
Saturdays - 9.30 am - 12 noon. See page 13 for variations to these opening hours in February.
February Bin Collection Days: Food waste bin: every Tuesday. Grey bin or pink sack: Tues 11th and 25th. Green
bin or sack, and brown bin: Tues 4th and 18th.
VILLAGE DIARY for February 2020 Page
Saturday 1 10am-noon Exhibition & sale of artefacts, St Michael’s church 3
Sunday 2 10.30 am Family Service, St. Michael’s church 10
Tuesday 4 2.30 pm Autumn Leaves Bingo etc., Melland Room 20
Wednesday 5 12.15 pm Pram Service and sandwich lunch, Vale Room 10
Wednesday 5 7.30 pm Poetry Group meeting, Benefice Centre
Friday 7 6.30 pm Croquet Club Quiz, East Hagbourne Village Hall 5
Tuesday 11 8 pm Local History Group meeting at Robinson’s, Parsonage Lane 5
Wednesday 12 7.30 pm Parish Council meeting, Melland Room 18
Tuesday 18 London Road closed for four days 1
Tuesday 18 2 pm Autumn Leaves Bingo etc., Melland Room 20
Wednesday 19 8 pm Pub Quiz, The Blueberry 12
Wednesday 19 7.30 pm Deadline for March Bulletin – Swallows, Church Road
Friday 21 8 pm Blewbury Wine Appreciation Society wine tasting, Vale Room
Tuesday 25 2.30 pm Autumn Leaves Bingo etc., Melland Room 20
Wednesday 26 7.30 pm WI Meeting and Talk: “What Is It?”, Melland Room 9
Saturday 29 2-4 pm Sustainable Blewbury Repair Café, Melland Room 15
HOW TO ADVERTISE IN THE BULLETIN The Bulletin welcomes advertisements from organisations and individuals based in Blewbury and immediately
neighbouring villages. Space permitting, we also welcome ads from further afield if they do not duplicate existing local services, are not widely
advertised elsewhere and are likely to be of interest to village residents.
Display advertisements must be submitted in one of three rectangular sizes:
•60mm wide x 40mm high (cost: £2.00) •60mm wide x 85mm high (£4.00) •90mm wide x 65mm high (£6.00)
Artwork should be in black and white only (please note: white text on a black background does not print well). Photographs can be printed but with
some loss of quality for technical reasons. If you don’t have the facilities to create your own artwork, you can send the required text for us to fit into
an appropriately sized box. If you are advertising a village event you also have the option of presenting it as plain editorial, i.e. not highlighted in a
box, in which case there will be no charge.
All advertisements should be submitted to the Editor in the first instance, either emailed to editor@blewbury.co.uk as a Microsoft Word, Microsoft
PowerPoint, JPEG or PDF attachment, or typed/handwritten and sent to Swallows, Church Road, Blewbury OX11 9PY. If your advertisement is
accepted you will be advised when and how to make payment. Please note that payment must be received before the Bulletin goes to press. If you
require repeat insertions over multiple months, you will be referred to the Advertising Manager to make the appropriate arrangements.
WRITTEN CONTRIBUTIONS We are always happy to receive editorial contributions, which will be printed either in 18 cm or 6 cm wide columns at the
editors’ discretion. Text and photographs can be submitted in the same way as advertisements – see above. Anyone supplying information for
publication must be responsible for the accuracy of their report. We require name and contact details in all cases, although if requested these will
not be published. The editor reserves the right to reject submissions. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Bulletin.
For the Bulletin web site see www.blewbury.co.uk.
The Blewbury Bulletin is published at Swallows, Church Road, Blewbury, OX11 9PY. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of published
information, the Editor and Officers accept no responsibility for the consequences of any errors. Problems receiving your Bulletin? Call 01235 851055.
Editor: Chris Whatmore, Swallows, Church Road, OX11 9PY tel 851055 editor@blewbury.co.uk. Postal & Email Distribution Manager: Helen White,
Southbourne, Bessels Way, OX11 9NJ tel 850483 mail@daisyh.net Advertising Manager: Elizabeth Murphy, The White House, London Road, OX11 9PD tel
851244 elizabeth.murphy52@gmail.com Treasurer: Paul Letchfield, Penbury, Bessels Lea Road tel 850916 paul.letchfield@tiscali.co.uk Webmaster: Peter
Willison, Fleetwith, Nottingham Fee, OX11 9PG tel. 850936 peter@willison.co.uk.
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