Parish Council News
Tree
Warden Scheme - South Oxfordshire District Council's Forestry and
Countryside service are undergoing a review of the pilot Tree Warden scheme
which covered the areas of Henley and Watlington.
The review will judge the success of the pilot scheme and determine if it could
be expanded throughout the district. The Parish Council has been asked whether
any of our residents would be interested in becoming a Tree Warden. The Tree
Warden Scheme is a national initiative founded by the Tree Council. It enables
people to play an active role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and
woodlands.
Tree Wardens are
volunteers who have an interest in the trees in their local environment. They
do not have to be tree experts because relevant on-going training will be
provided by the Council. Tree Wardens will act as the “eyes and ears” of the
Council’s Forestry & Countryside section within the local community and
their roles will involve:
- Gathering information: Undertake surveys of
local trees, so as to develop ideas for projects, discover where practical
help and advice is needed, and become aware of threats to trees that may
need bringing to the attention of the local authority.
Tiddington with Albury Parish Council
Members
Chair John Nowell-Smith 339650
Econ.development,
businesses
Vice
Chair Zena Knight 339340
Planning;
recreation, arts, grants
Councillor Ken Field 339671
Housing,
planning, building & controls
Councillor Elaine Horne 279520
Planning,
highways and Milton Common
Councillor Janet Willis 339415
Environment,
conservation, recycling,
waste
Clerk Jenny Stoker 339709
Thelma
Cottage, Tiddington
- Protecting trees: Inform the Council of
threats to trees, help to ensure compliance with Tree Preservation Orders
and planning consents. Report vandalism to newly planted trees, and look
out for trees showing signs of disease, or becoming dangerous through
decay.
- Community liaison / involvement: May be asked questions on what species
to plant, how to deal with a damaged tree, tree planting and aftercare.
Organise, or encourage others to organise, practical projects such as tree
planting for National Tree week or woodland management.
Please contact the clerk
or one of your councillors if you would like to help.
Donations have been made
to South and Vale Carers and the M40 Chilterns Environmental Group.
Local Government Act 1972
Tiddington with Albury Parish Council
Notice of vacancy in the office of
Parish Councillor
Notice is hereby given that due to the
death of Roy Boughton, a casual vacancy has occurred in the office of
councillor for the above Parish.
The vacancy will be filled by election, if
within fourteen days of the date of this notice, any ten local government
electors for the said parish submit a written request to the Returning Officer,
Council Offices, Benson Lane,
Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford,
OX10 8PH.
In computing the fourteen days, a Saturday
or Sunday shall be disregarded.
If no written request for an election is
received by the Returning Officer within the time specified, the vacancy will
be filled by co-option by the Parish Council
Dated this first day of December, 2007
Signed Jenny Stoker
Clerk
to the Parish Council
Green
Bins for recycling
Remember these may be collected free from
Tiddington Garage
Refuse skips
Skips for non-recyclable
waste are available on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at:
Wheatley Primary School, Littleworth Road
8.00 – 12.00 or until full
Skips for non-recyclable
waste are available every Saturday at:
Thame Cattlemarket
8.00 – 12.00 or until full
There are no longer skips
for garden waste
Recycling
News
Mobile phones – keep using – even easier than
re-using
Is your mobile
working? Rather than take the new phone
offer that most networks give every 18 months, switch to “Green Mobile”. They are offering £50 cash-back if you keep
your own phone. They also give £25 and
6% of your monthly bill to your chosen green charity. See www.greenmobile.co.uk
for further information.
Trees for bags scheme
W H Smith will contribute
0.25p to the Woodland Trust for each carrier bag that is refused at the
till. Their target is to fund 10,000
trees by the end of 2008.
Battery recycling
scheme
Tesco at Banbury, Bicester
and Kidlington will take AAA, AA, C and D size household batteries together
with button, mobile phone, laptop and rechargeable batteries for recycling.
Wheatley Community Action Group
Swap Shop
12 January 2008, 9.30 – 12.00
Merry Bells, Wheatley
Please
bring items early,
preferably no later than 10.30am
Bank Holiday
Refuse and recycling collection
You will be pleased to
know that over the Christmas and New Year period collections will be as normal
on Monday, 24 December and Monday, 31 December.
From
your Council Chairman
As the calendar year comes
to an end, I am happy to report that the Council is in good heart. We have, of
course, sadly lost Roy Boughton, and Angela Tremayne and Alan Stratton did not
seek re-election in May. However, Elaine Horne and Zena Knight have proved more
than adequate replacements. It is also a great shame that Jenny Stoker has
tendered her resignation as Clerk. Please see notice below if you are
interested in applying for the post.
A happy Christmas and
prosperous New Year to everyone.
John Nowell-Smith
339650
VACANCY
Applications are invited for the
posts of
Clerk
to Tiddington with Albury
Parish
Council
and
Editor
of the Tiddington with Albury and
Milton
Common Newsletter
Salary on Local Government pay
scales for
five hours per week.
The posts could be shared by two
people.
To commence on 1 March 2008
Apply to the Chairman, John
Nowell-Smith
Tel: 01844 339650
For an informal chat about the
duties
Contact the Clerk, Jenny Stoker
Tel: 01844 339709
From
your District Councillor
Two matters of particular
concern to parishes were debated at a recent Council meeting; one relating to
waste and the other to planning. The following resolutions were passed:
1. Council
approves the following collection services as part of the new waste collection
contract to start in 2009:
a.
weekly separate collection of food waste from a
kerbside bin
b.
fortnightly residual waste collection from a
wheeled bin
c.
fortnightly opt-in charged for garden waste
collection from a wheeled bin
d.
kerbside collection of dry recycling (at least
fortnightly)
e.
kerbside collection of glass (at least
fortnightly)
2.
Council consults with parish and town councils on
the discontinuance of the automatic referral of major and minor planning
applications to the Planning Committee in circumstances where a parish/town
council recommends approval against the officers’ recommendation of refusal.
Neither of these will have
any immediate effect and I will keep you informed of any developments.
John Nowell-Smith
339650
!MOST WANTED!
A Co-ordinator
for Tiddington
Neighbourhood Watch
If you would like to volunteer to help
support this valuable service,
please contact the Parish Council or
Milton Common NHW Co-ordinator
Elaine Horne 01844 279520
From
your County Councillor
Highways
Issues-Future Temporary Closure of A329 at Milton Common
The latest news we have is
that the closure of the A329 at Milton Common for the bridge safety repairs to
be done will commence in April 2008 with the exact start date still to be
advised. You will recall that I referred to this in the last newsletter.
In addition the M40 action
group are still trying to get the Highways Agency and the Government to install
noise reduction panels at the same time to make life more peaceful for the
people living in the properties alongside the motorway. However, whilst this
pressure is not at present bearing any fruit we will all keep trying. (see Action Group press release on p5 and article which follows – Ed)
Growth
in the Thame area and its effect on Lord Williams and the Icknield Schools
and their partner primary schools
Growth in the Thame Area
and the effects it will have on Lord Williams School
in Thame, the Icknield
School in Watlington and
their partner primary schools was discussed at a meeting in September. The current
situation is that the numbers of young people relative to the two secondary
schools are as follows:
School Net capacity No on register
Lord Williams 2037 2092
The Icknield 711 611
Over-subscribed Under-subscribed
Lord Williams 55 0
The Icknield 0 100
Discussions will take
place about the predictions of future student numbers which will be determined
by new housing projects in the area. I will keep you informed.
New
50mph speed limit on the A329
From 26 November (2007)
the A329 from Milton Common to Thame will have a 50mph speed limit bringing it
into line with the limit on the A329 from Milton Common to Stadhampton. The
introduction of the speed limit from Milton Common to Stadhampton was put in to
achieve a reduction in personal injury accidents and it is hoped that the new
limit will have the same effect on the stretch of road between Milton Common
and Thame.
As this is the last issue
of the Tiddington Newsletter before Christmas I wish you all a happy festive
season and a peaceful and successful new year.
Please feel free to
contact me about County Council issues that concern you.
My contact details are as
follows:
Address:
50 Hardings, Chalgrove, Oxford, OX44
7TJ.
Home
Telephone: 01865 891169
Email: david.turner@oxfordshire.gov.uk
David Turner
20 November 2007
Freedom of Information Act
Publication Scheme
Residents
of the Parish can see the records of the Council held by the Parish Clerk or
learn where they may be accessed. Records include minutes, financial
information and responses to planning consultations.
Application
can be made to the Clerk (Tel: 339709) and documents viewed by appointment. Any
copies required will be charged at 10p per page.
Boris Johnson, MP
Surgery Dates 2007/08
Thame Town Hall
Friday, 14 December 2007, 4.00-6.00pm
Friday, 7 March 2008, 4.00-6.00pm
To make an appointment to see Boris
please call 01491 612852
M40 Chilterns Environmental Group
PRESS
RELEASE
19th
November 2007
‘If you can find
the funding then we will build barriers’, says John Gardner, General Manager of
UK Highways, who maintain the M40 on behalf of the Highways Agency.
His offer came
during a presentation at the AGM of the M40 Chilterns Environmental Group.
Mr Gardner
explained that he must reconstruct two deteriorating bridges over the motorway,
at Milton Common and Stokenchurch. Existing bridges will need to be closed for
extended periods whilst the works are carried out. The two schemes are planned consecutively in
2008 and 2009, which may cause further disruption of the lives of local people,
who suffer from the noise of M40 traffic, night and day.
Ken Edwards,
Chairman of the M40 Group, stated that, although they recognise the benefit of
including the additional work, under current policies the Highways Agency will
not provide funding for improving noise barriers for these communities.
Local residents
queried the problems with the bridges - apparently designed for a 60 year life
- after 30 years. Many expressed
frustration with District and County Councils in Oxfordshire and
Buckinghamshire for failing to consult local residents. Mr Gardner expressed his willingness to
continue to examine the plans so as to minimize disruption, and to meet with
local people again. However, following
the Highways Agency’s refusal to fund improvement of noise barriers within the
schemes, an opportunity to bring lasting benefit to local residents continues
to be missed.
M40 CEG will continue
to pursue this opportunity with support of local residents.
Dr Ken
Edwards
Chairman
M40 CEG
01494
881266
briars.hey@btinternet.com
Bridgeworks at the M40/A329 Junction of the M40
M40 Chilterns Environmental Group – AGM, Oxford Belfry, 13 November
Elaine Horne and Tony Giddy of Milton Common attended the AGM on
behalf of the Parish Council and below is a brief report of that meeting to
complement the press release above and for those who were unable to attend.
John Gardner of UK Highways reported that the bridgeworks have now
been scheduled to commence around the Easter period in 2008 and he explained
the planned diversions that will be put in place during the 9 month closure
period. One lane over the bridge could be opened for 3 of the 9 month closure
period and pedestrian access will be allowed for
the majority of the time. On at least 4 occasions the M40 Motorway will be
closed overnight at Junction 7. Traffic going south will exit the motorway at
Junction 8a, be routed down the A40 and return on to the motorway at Junction
7. Traffic heading north will exit at Junction 7 and be routed through the
villages to return at Junction 8a. This will also be the case if any accidents
or traffic build-ups occur during the bridgeworks. There will be sleepless
nights and noisy days for those living on the west side of the A40 at Milton
Common and villages south of the M40.
While the bridgeworks are being undertaken, Darren Rhoden of the Highways
Agency was asked if they would take this opportunity to install effective noise
barrier fencing or bunds along the north side of the M40 at Milton Common where
housing exists. His response was that no funding was available regardless of
any opportunities that present themselves.
In addition, some members of the M40 CEG and I attended a House of
Commons debate on the M40 on 16 October. The four MPs who act for their
constituents along the M40 motorway from junctions 3 to 8, including Boris
Johnson, and fully support the M40 CEG, argued on behalf of the work undertaken
by the M40 CEG to have effective noise mitigation measures installed along the
M40 and low noise surfaces laid down. Boris Johnson and I have also requested a
meeting with Ruth Kelly to discuss with her why there is no funding available
to install “noise mitigation measures” along the M40 at junctions 7 & 8
where the motorway cuts directly through housing and should be considered as a
“special case” for funding.
If any readers are spirited enough to write to Darren Rhoden of
the Highways Agency (letters to Ruth Kelly get referred back to the HA) it
would be appreciated. We will arrange a further meeting in late January 2008 with John Gardner of UK Highways to discuss the planned
re-routing of traffic when the bridgeworks start.
You can contact me at TonyGiddy@aol.com or from 5 December Elaine
Horne at elaine@ace-training.me.uk.
From
the Vicar
The
Messiah
One of my favourite pieces
of music is Handel’s Messiah with its wonderfully powerful music and memorable
use of some of the great biblical passages. The work is magnificent music but
it is also a great work of theology. As we approach Christmas I especially
enjoy listening to the chorus based around the words of Isaiah 9:2, 6 & 7.
They refer to the coming Messiah proclaimed by the prophets and for Christians
this prophecy is fulfilled by the child born in Bethlehem.
These words have offered hope to Christians for hundreds of years. As
you hear them again this Christmas I hope the following short explanation of
their significance will deepen your understanding of Christmas.
Wonderful
Counsellor
The coming king will have
no need of advisers, for he will rule with wisdom. It reminds us of the crowds
marvelling at Jesus, as one who taught with authority.
Mighty
God
He is one who is mighty in
battle and victorious over all his enemies. So Jesus the Messiah, by the cross
and resurrection, battled against the powers of evil and triumphed on our
behalf.
Everlasting
Father
The term “father of the
people” was often used of popular leaders of Middle Eastern nations at the
time. It is therefore not inappropriate to describe the Messiah or Jesus as
God’s son in this way. He is the Son of the everlasting Father who cares for
his people, as a father cares for his children.
Prince
of Peace
The Messiah is described
here as the one who will establish peace. In the Bible, peace is not simply the
absence of conflict; it is the wholeness and security that comes with the reign
of God among his people.
* Take time to reflect on
these different titles for Jesus. How do they speak into your current
circumstances?
Jesus, the light of the
world, has come into a dark world marked by pain and suffering, disappointment
and frustration, despair and hopelessness. In him there is hope. In him there
is life. Here is good news!!
I hope you all have a
wonderful Christmas and look forward to seeing you at our Christmas services.
With best wishes
Caroline
TEAM NEWS
The Revd Richard Cowles,
Team Vicar of Cuddesdon, Horspath and Garsington will be leaving at the end of
January to take up the post of Vicar of Bray.
We will all miss Richard and family a great deal but we are delighted
that he has found such a suitable new post, and send our best wishes as he
prepares to leave us in the New Year.
Christmas
Bazaar
The proceeds of the Church
Christmas Bazaar held on 10 November amounted to £772.20.
Many thanks to all those
who supported the event in so many ways.
The money raised will help
towards funding the heating and stonework repairs to the Church.
Anne Edwards
Carol Evening
Monday, 17 December, 7.30pm
Tiddington Village Hall
Community singing with coffee and mince pies in
the interval
In aid of Cancer Research UK
Tickets: £2.00
for adults
£1.00 for children
Available from : Anne Edwards 339794
Philip
Sprott
10.5.1913
– 3.10.2007
Sadly our village has lost
another familiar figure. Mr Sprott, a fine old English gentleman, passed away
on 3 October.
I was happy to work as a
cleaner for Mr and Mrs Sprott at Tiddington House for a number of years.
After he lost his wife, Mr
Sprott moved to a small house in Thame. We often met on shopping trips and were
pleased to exchange our family news.
Although not taking a very
active part in village life, Mr Sprott was always interested in the local news
and supported the community.
He was a fine painter,
although he gave it up after being widowed.
Dot Wood
Milton
Common NHW (West Side)
Thursday 1 November 07 was the
launch date of a Burglary Reduction action month by Thames Valley Police.
They were pleased to report there
have been significant reductions in reported burglaries during the past year
and wish to see this trend continue. They
would like to ask for your support by taking the following steps:-
Please check all door and window
locks, (especially ground floor and to the rear of your property) including
patio doors and conservatory doors and windows.
Use a security chain on your door in
the event of any unexpected visitors.
With the darker evenings now upon us
ensure you have good lighting on the approach to and around your house.
Do not leave any tools or equipment
out or around the garden, especially ladders, which could be used to force and
gain entry.
Ensure all sheds and outbuildings
are properly secured.
Property mark valuable items,
Televisions, DVD players, Computers including laptops with an ultra violet
marker pen. (postcode & house number)
Please remember this year when
putting the Christmas tree up, try not to place in front of patio windows as
this can be too tempting for our would-be burglar, with presents laid
underneath the tree.
If you are going to be away over
Christmas for long periods please let me know.
During the Festive Season Dog Watch
is going to be in Operation.
If pets need to be looked after
during holidays and your direct neighbours are away – please give me a call.
The NHW Oil group has proved
successful in keeping the price of oil down.
Welcome to all our new neighbours in
Milton Common, some newer than others. If you would like to be part of the NHW
scheme please give me a call.
Last but not least enjoy the festive
season, keep safe and a Happy New Year to you all.
Elaine Horne
NHW Co-ordinator M/C
01844 279520
Neighbourhood policing
There
was an informal briefing at Thame Police Station on Monday, 12 November about
the implementation of neighbourhood policing. As a Parish councillor I was sent
to represent the Tiddington with Albury Parish Council.
I
met other councillors from the local villages; we were given a presentation by
Chris Hazell, Neighbourhood Sergeant.
We
come under Wheatley neighbourhood policing.
The
members of his team are:-
PC
Andy Clarke - Specialist
PC
Paul Gregory – Neighbourhood Officer
PCSO
Ken Cooney
PCSO
Dan Tucker
PCSO
Michael Jakes
What is neighbourhood policing?
It
is a way of providing a tailor made service in our area to tackle crime and
other issues that stop people from feeling safe.
Police
officers and staff will work with other agencies like our local council, as
well as members of the community themselves, to identify the issues most
important to us and our sense of security and find ways of tackling them.
In
the next newsletter I will be able to give you more details on Neighbourhood
Action groups and how they are formed.
Residents
are reminded that if you see anything you wish to report to the police that is
not an emergency ring 0845 8 505 505.
Elaine
Horne
Parish
Councillor
Waterstock & Tiddington W.I.
Carole Richardson’s talk on “Decorative
Living” in October gave an insight into the art of decorating furniture and
artefacts in the home from the early days in Germany to the canal boat art of
recent times. Illustrated with large detailed photographs on boards, Carole
Richardson also passed round beautiful examples of decorated boxes, plates and
bowls, which she had painted herself.
November’s meeting saw a change of
speaker. Ronald Perkins, an experienced photographer of 30 years, showed
stunning slides of the wildlife of Britain. Particularly beautiful
were his shots of birds in flight and he let us into the secret of how he
attracts the wildlife to capture his photographs.
On 13 December we celebrate Christmas
with entertainment from the Thame Players. Members are asked to bring a wrapped
present to exchange and a wine glass. The committee will provide refreshments.
There is no competition.
The speaker will be Russell Cherry on 10
January and his talk is entitled “The Thames from its source”. The competition
is for a gold coloured object.
Over sixty people attended the autumn
Group Meeting in October and we welcomed WI members from Holton and Waterperry,
Chinnor, Thame and Sydenham to our village hall. The speaker, Alastair Lack had
been in the World Service of the BBC and his history of the service was
interspersed with anecdotes about the many famous people he had met, including
Nelson Mandela and John Major. He is an excellent after-dinner speaker who now
does lecture tours of the States.
Advance notice is given of our WI Quiz
Evening which will be held on Saturday, 9 February in the Village Hall at
7.30pm. It will take the same form as in the previous two years – bring your
own food and drinks. Further details in the next newsletter.
We have welcomed two new members over the
last two months and we look forward to seeing you on the second Thursday of the
month for our regular meetings at 7.30pm in Tiddington Village Hall.
Zena
Knight
Tel:
339340
Tiddington Village Hall
Saturday, 1 December is the date for the annual
Tiddington Village Hall Christmas Dinner. Thanks to all of you who have booked
tickets. It promises to be another great night!
Once again, we will be hosting the ever popular Christmas
Bingo, which will take place on Tuesday,
18 December. All donations of suitable prizes are very welcome and a
committee member should call sometime during the previous week to collect. If
for any reason you don’t get a visit then please call me on 339430 and I will
drop round.
The permanent Christmas tree that was planted
earlier this year is beginning to establish itself but is a few years from
being ready for full decoration! So this year look out for something a little
different around the hall.
And finally, may I take this opportunity on behalf
of the Village Hall Committee to thank you for your support in 2007 and to wish
you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Alan Stratton, Chairman
01844 339430/278534
Tiddington
Cricket Club
With
the exception of the moles all outdoor activities have now ceased. Club teams
playing cribbage, ladies and men’s darts and indoor Aunt Sally are all having
some success although not yet challenging for honours. Thanks to everyone who
came to the quiz on 17 November. There was something for everyone in the
categories of questions, which included musical and pictorial rounds. But
judging by the number of questions answered correctly by some teams in the RV
and films rounds one can only conclude that these people have far too much free
time on their hands!
The
next quiz, in which all questions have a Christmas theme, will take place on
Saturday 15th December at 8.00pm. The format will be the same with a
maximum of six adults per team, the £5 per head entry again including supper.
Early booking is advisable. Details of further events will be posted in the
clubhouse.
In
addition to the regular Thursday and Friday evening opening in winter we now
open every Wednesday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunchtime opening often
extends to watch Premiership Football matches.
It
only remains to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ray Manning Tel: 338911
THAME
& WHEATLEY GROUP
DECEMBER
WALK
Saturday, 8
December
Meet at Tiddington
(Village Hall car park) 09:30am.
13 miles to Great
Haseley and Little Milton.
Pub stop. Contact tel. 01844 339969.
ALL WELCOME
University
of Oxford
Botanic
Garden
Winter
Lecture Series 2008
31
January Stephanie Donaldson: Organic gardening
14
February Sir Roy Strong: All change at
the Laskett
21
February Dr Ken Thompson: No nettles required
28
February Graham Rice: No more marigolds
13
March Ursula Buchan: Garden people
Lectures take place at 8.00pm
Nelson Mandela Auditorium, Said Business School.
Tickets £10.00 (includes a glass of wine)
or £45.00 for the series.
To
reserve tickets call 01865 286690
Newington Nurseries
Deck the
halls
Deck the halls this
year! It’s the holly and the ivy, door wreaths, table decorations, doorstep
planters and patio pots that bring the real sense of the season, along with our
all-time favourite, the Christmas tree. You could add to the enjoyment by
getting into living decorations and gifts. Spruce (Picea) and Christmas rose (Helleborus)
make the perfect partners for creating decorative Christmas magic in the garden
or on the patio.
Let’s look at real,
living trees for Christmas first. These come in all shapes and sizes from the
towering Colorado
spruce (Picea pungens) at 15m to its
baby brother ‘Montgomery’. This slow-growing shrub variety is more suited to
the kind of garden most of us have with its neat dimensions (1.5m height and 1m
spread as likely mature sizes). Smaller species and varieties are ideal for
container growing whilst if you have the space, the big ones make fabulous
specimen trees. A clump or line of them provides year-round shelter, as well as
giving the winter garden an honest breath of nature. Snow bearing down on
spruce boughs in winter is always a delightful sight that makes you feel
especially cosy when you’re wrapped up warm.
The true Christmas
tree, the Norway spruce (Picea abies)
can reach up to 40m in height, given ideal growing conditions, but Picea abies ‘Ohlendorffii’ is the
complete opposite. Slow-growing, rounded and bushy, this neat shrub reaches up
to 3m in height. ‘Nidiformum’ is another
cute little one reaching 1.5m in height, but spreading to between 3 and 4m with
a hollow ‘nest’ at its centre.
Complement your
evergreen planting with the wonderful winter-flowering Christmas rose (Helleborus niger). Flowers now are just so
welcome. Growing in small clumps, these delightful perennials produce charming
white or pink-flushed blooms. The five-petalled saucer shaped flowers are
beautiful and contrast well with the green or yellow centres. ‘Potter’s wheel’
with its bowl-shaped flowers is particularly glorious. Helleborus niger grows to a height of around 30cm and a spread of
about 45cm. ‘Alabaster’ bears lovely flowers too, creamy white and confident.
They are on the big side for Christmas rose, reaching up to 7cm across. These
plants are often found in a woodland setting so positioning them in a planting
combination with Picea is ideal.
Foliage and flowers
at Christmas and beyond will gladden the heart and bring decorative value to
the garden and home. For those of you searching for solutions to ‘what shall we
buy him/her this year’ questions, trees and perennials make interesting, fun
gifts for friends and family with a passion for plants. Beyond this,
establishing trees like this will improve your local air quality - evergreen
spruces having beneficial filtering and cleaning effects all year round.
For more inspiration
and advice, visit Newington Nurseries on the A329 just outside Stadhampton.
Tel: 01865
400533 ~ www.newington-nurseries.co.uk
Wheatley
Library
This
has been an eventful year at Wheatley Library. So many things have happened
that it is impossible to mention them all but here are a few highlights:
- The Big Wild Read
was very popular and we would like to thank all the children who
participated and congratulate those who completed the challenge and also
the parents who supported them.
- At the end of
October we held a children’s event called “Journey to Ancient Egypt” run
by Jude Barrett of the Ashmolean
Museum. This was
enjoyed by parents and children, who made a mummy out of papier mache
- The free access to
computers has continued to grow in popularity and it is now advisable to
book in advance if you wish to use one of our computer terminals in the
library. We currently have two for adults and one for use by children.
- We now have a new
“Crime Fiction” section which seems to be quite popular
Christmas
is approaching rapidly as I write this. At Wheatley Library the last day we are
open before Christmas will be Saturday, 22 December. Remember we close at 1.00pm
on this day. The library reopens again on Wednesday, 2 January 2008.
All
books issued after 3 December will not need renewing until after the New Year.
If you do need to visit a library the Central Library in Oxford is open on 28, 29 and 31 of December.
Don’t forget that books can be renewed online but you do need a “pin” number.
If you don’t have one please ask us next time you are in the library.
The
best days to take out DVDs are the 18, 19 or 20 of December when you get a
3-week loan period for the normal price for a week.
All
of us at Wheatley Library would like to wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas
and New Year. We look forward to seeing
you in the library.
Anne
Spruce
Library
Manager
Wheatley Library
Opening Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday 2.00pm – 7.00pm
Wednesday 9.30am – 1.00pm
2.00pm – 5.00pm
Thursday 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Friday 9.30am – 1.00pm 2.00pm – 6.00pm
Saturday 9.30am – 1.00pm
The Merry
Bells, High Street, Wheatley
Tel: 01865
875267
0845 8 505 505
The single number for non-emergency calls
NEWSLETTER
ADVERTISING
Eighth
page £5.00
Quarter
page £7.00
Half page £10.00
Whole page £15.00
Published
six times a year.
20%
discount to businesses within the Parish
The
above charges are to help cover the costs of printing
Please
make cheques payable to Tiddington with Albury Parish Council and forward to
24
Albury View, Tiddington, Thame,
OX9 2LY
Thame and District
Citizens Advice Bureau
Has
Christmas become too commercialised is a question that is often asked at this
time of year. That is for individuals to decide but the Thame and District CAB
report that every year in January and February they see an increase in the
number of people seeking debt advice. Christmas credit card bills are usually
the last straw for people who are already struggling to cope on a tight budget.
We
live in an affluent part of the country but hundreds of local people seek
advice each year with debt problems. In some cases, things have got so out of
hand that bankruptcy may be the only way out. Perhaps it’s because we are
surrounded by such obvious wealth that the pressures on ordinary people to
spend are much greater. It is especially difficult for parents when their
children clamour for the latest expensive gadget. Citizens Advice has five tips
on how to keep out of debt this Christmas.
1.
Be realistic about what you can afford.
2.
Work out how much you are going to spend on each
person - and stick to it. Try shopping just with cash and not using your credit
cards.
3.
Don't just run up an overdraft without talking to
your bank - this will be much more expensive than if you arrange it beforehand.
4.
If you do need to use credit, shop around for the
lowest rate.
5.
If you do get into difficulties, get advice as
soon as you can from Thame & District CAB. Tel 01844 217186
Thame
& District Citizens Advice Bureau
Market
House
North Street
Thame
OX9
3HH
01844
217186 thamecab@cabnet.org.uk
Contact
Tom Fox (Manager)
Thame and District
Citizens Advice Bureau
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Friday
9.30 – 4.00 Open
door
Wednesday 9.30
– 1.00 Specialist debt
clinic (appointment)
Thursday 9.30
– 1.00 Telephone advice
Advice line: 01844 214827
Appointments line: 01844 217186
A Drop-in session is held at the offices of
the United Reformed Church, Crown
Square, Wheatley on Monday mornings from 10.00am
To book an appointment ring 01844 217186
Great Haseley & District
Horticultural Society
We hope you will join us for
the Winter Garden Talk and Christmas Party on Tuesday 4 December at 7.30pm in
Great Haseley Village Hall.
Members may have ordered their catalogue for Mr Fothergill’s seeds,
don’t forget you get 30% off if you are a member of GHDHS.
Tips for December gardeners
Vegetables - Stake and
tie Brussels
sprout plants, they can get so top heavy they may blow over.
Fruit - Prune
gooseberry and currant bushes, aim for an open bowl shape.
Lawn - Rake up the last
of the leaves as they will kill the grass underneath. Keep off the lawn in frosty weather.
Bulbs - Keep an eye on
bowls of prepared bulbs like hyacinths and narcissi. They can be brought
indoors once the bud is 3.5cm high, to open in time for Christmas. In mid
December branches of winter flowering shrubs which are in bud can be cut and
brought indoors to open and add to Christmas displays.
Cuttings - Take root
cuttings of fleshy rooted perennials such as oriental poppies, Japanese
anemones and anchusa, which propagate easily this way. Dig up the plant, wash
off the roots and cut some of them into 5cm lengths, straight at the top and
slanted at the bottom, so you plant them the right way up! Replant the parent.
Plant the cuttings vertically in pots of cuttings compost with vermiculite for
good drainage, put them in a cold frame to root. Leaves should appear in spring
when the cuttings can be potted up singly to be planted out next autumn or
given away.
If you would like to join your
local gardening society, membership is only £3 a year.
Contact Membership Secretary
Sally Orriss at:
The Old Stores, Great Milton
OX44 7NL or on 01844 279231
Local Produce
and
Crafts Market
Tetsworth Village Hall
Saturday, 8 December
Saturday, 22 December
Stalls
include organic vegetables, pork, venison, traditional poultry, organic beef
and lamb, cakes, preserves and organic bread.
There
will also be plants, willow weaving and antler carvings.
Refreshments
will be available including an organic BBQ.
