TIDDINGTON WITH ALBURY & MILTON COMMON

What amazing summer weather we have had! Incredibly high temperatures – see the weather statistics on page 5 for the details.

Maybe the gardeners amongst us will be glad of advice on drought conditions from the Gardeners’ Question Time panel on 4 October. Enjoy a ploughman’s supper too (see page 4). There will be a welcome return of the Heart of England Jazz Band on 1 November (for details see page 7).

Two favourite annual events to make a note of are the Church Christmas Bazaar on 15 November (see page 4) and a Carol Evening on 15 December (details in the next Newsletter).

Zena Knight

COMMUNITY WASTE SERVICE

CONSULTATION

Enclosed with this Newsletter

is a questionnaire asking for

residents’ views on the service which

South Oxfordshire District Council

provides and the changes that

have been made during the summer.

PLEASE HELP THE PARISH COUNCIL

IN ITS EFFORTS TO HAVE THE SKIP

LORRY REINSTATED BY

COMPLETING THE SURVEY AND

RETURNING BY 17 OCTOBER

THANK YOU

THANKS

Mac and Pat Wise would like to thank all who helped to celebrate their Ruby Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, 30 August and made it so memorable. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did and we are glad that we chose to live in Tiddington, it is a very special place.

Thank you for the wonderful gifts, they were very much appreciated.

A special thanks to Nic and Ian, Mandy and Stuart, Alan and Joyce and Lynn and Peter, who worked so hard to make it extra special.

Here’s to the next forty!!

Pat and Mac Wise

A THANK YOU!

My family and I would like to express sincere thanks to all friends and neighbours for their support in many ways, messages of sympathy, cards, flowers and donations for Thame Cottage Hospital, following the loss of Marion.

Bill Brownsill, Bank House

Parish Council News

Affordable housing survey – many thanks to all those who took the trouble to complete the survey. Suzanne Willers (nee Gibbins) is busy analysing the answers and will report to the monthly Parish Council meeting on 6 October. The findings will be included in the next edition of the Newsletter. Congratulations to the winner of the draw, Mr Austin.

Planning – the Lantern Service Station outline planning application for change of use and office space of 500sq.m has been granted. Any first floor office space is to be contained within the roof space of the building.

Community waste service – the changes made to our skip lorry schedules during the summer, the details of which have been mentioned in several previous newsletters, and which have also meant the loss of the non-recyclable waste lorry, are now being reviewed. Residents are urged to complete the questionnaire enclosed with this Newsletter and the Council hopes that there will be widespread support for the reintroduction of a monthly skip lorry to Tiddington and Milton Common.

Tiddington with Albury Parish Council Members

Chairman John Nowell-Smith 339650

Econ.development, businesses

Vice Chairman William Tremayne 279797

Public transport, planning, highways,

footpaths, street furniture

Councillor Roy Boughton 339497

Health and safety

Councillor Ken Field 339671

Housing, planning, building & controls

Councillor Alan Stratton 339430

Sport, recreation, arts, tourism, grants,

awards, lottery

Councillor Janet Willis 339415

Environment, conservation, recycling,

waste

Clerk Zena Knight 339340

24 Albury View, Tiddington

Environment and recycling – the Council hopes that Kate Aydin from the OCC Community Action Group (CAG) will attend the Parish meeting on 3 November to explain the initiative set up for the exchange of unwanted goods and other projects to help the preservation of the environment. Further details on this will be posted on the Notice Board.

Pelican crossing – this has not been included in the programme of schemes for this financial year, but may be considered again for 2004/05. The higher cost of the Parish’s preferred location made the scheme prohibitive. The Council agreed to offer some finance towards the project if this would expedite the matter.

Thame Area Forum – the next meeting will be held on Thursday, 20 November at 7.00pm in Thame Town Hall. The agenda will be posted on the Notice Board when received.

Bus services – Thames Travel provides an early morning service (no.110) from the Three Pigeons at Milton Common to Haddenham Station on Mondays to Fridays at the following times:-

Three Pigeons 6.40 7.28

Haddenham Stn 6.50 7.38

Haddenham Stn 6.52 7.40 18.05 19.08

Three Pigeons 7.02 7.50 18.15 19.18

(The 19.08 awaits arrival of 19.04 train from London)

Red Rose runs a service (no.111) on Tuesdays from the Three Pigeons to Thame Town Hall at

11.03 – 11.15 returning at 13.20 - 13.33

South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011, second deposit draft – a copy is available from the Clerk and any comments on the plan should be sent to SODC by 17 October.

From your County Councillor

The Oxfordshire County Council Draft Structure Plan went “on deposit” on 26 September, which means that it is available for comment (Clerk has a copy). There are several meetings in October (at Fleet Meadow Community Hall, Didcot on 9 October and the Town Hall, Oxford on 13 October) and I would urge anyone who is interested or concerned in what Oxfordshire should be like in the next decade, to go along and find out what is planned. Your views will be taken into account, but we need to hear them!

The main issues for South Oxfordshire are where housing should go, and whether it is a good or bad idea to build in the Green Belt, and also where to get the minerals like gravel to supply Oxfordshire in future years.

You will be aware that a proposal to build houses south of Greater Leys is quite a contentious issue, and if you feel strongly about this or any other issue, this is your chance to have your say.

You can also find copies of the Structure Plan documents and response forms in all Libraries, so that is another way to take part in the consultation.

If you have trouble finding a way to make your views heard, please let me know, and I will do what I can to make sure your views are taken into account.

If you would like to contact me about this or anything else, please use these details

anne.purse@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Tel: 01865 351404

Anne Purse, The Cottage, Otmoor Lane, Beckley, Oxford, OX3 9UX

I will be at all the meetings, and I hope to see some familiar faces!

Anne Purse

County Councillor

From your District Councillor

The second deposit draft of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan has now been published and can be inspected by arrangement with the Clerk. The Oxfordshire County Structure Plan has also now been published (see above).

There is one significant difference between the two plans. The County plan allows for the development of 1,000 dwellings in the Oxford Green Belt near Sandford. The District Council is totally opposed to this. It is a flagrant departure from Green Belt policy and if allowed may lead to further unwelcome development, destroying the integrity of the Green Belt.

The County plan also envisages sand and gravel extraction in the neighbourhood of Berinsfield and Stadhampton, which is not something of which the District Council approves.

There is also a suggestion that a new settlement town might at some future stage be considered beyond the Green Belt, which might have a severe impact if it were to be in our area.

Also on planning matters, the new system for processing applications is settling down and the time between registration and determination has been reduced. One consequence is that Council officers now approve more applications without further reference to the Parish Council after the initial consultation. Applicants and others affected by the application are advised to keep in touch with the Planning Department to monitor progress.

A copy of a questionnaire seeking your views on waste removal services is included with the Newsletter. Please fill it in. The questions are, in my view, loaded and do not address the points the Parish Council has raised. I am taking this up with the officer concerned and would suggest you add your own comments when completing the form.

John Nowell-Smith

Tel: 339650

Refuse skips

For green compostable waste only

Thur 30 Oct 8.00-9.50 Station App

Skips are available every Saturday at:

Wheatley Primary School, Littleworth Rd

8.00 – 12.00

1^st & 3^rd Saturday for garden waste

2^nd & 4^th Saturday for non-recyclables

Thame Cattlemarket

8.00 – 12.00

Separate container for garden waste April-October

Church News

There is still no news concerning a new vicar. However, the new Team Rector, James Watson is being installed as Vicar of Wheatley on 19 October. He will be pressed to restart the process of filling our vacancy as a matter of urgency. Until the appointment is made the pattern of services is likely to continue as it has over the last few months. The Christmas service of Lessons and Carols will, as usual be at 6.00pm on Christmas Eve. We look for a full house with lots of children.

A “Gardeners’ Question Time” evening is being held in the Village Hall on Saturday, 4 October at 7.30pm in aid of the Church. Tickets are £6.00 each to include a Ploughman’s Supper. The panel is drawn from Waterperry Garden Centre, so is extremely knowledgeable. This is a good way of benefitting yourselves, while helping a good cause at the same time, so please come.

John Nowell-Smith

ST HELEN’S CHURCH

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Saturday, 15 November, 2.30pm

Cakes & Provisions White elephant

Christmas decorations

Raffle Tombola

Tiddington Village Hall

The Annual Fete and Funday took place over the August Bank Holiday. The event was blessed with great weather and a fantastic turnout of punters eager to spend their pennies (and pounds)! I am pleased to say that the whole day (including the Pig Roast in the evening) raised just over £800.00. Congratulations go to all the winners of the various games including the lady who won £65.00 in the “£1 in the bucket” raffle. The money raised will be used to help pay for the upkeep of the Hall and it’s 50^th Birthday redecoration.

On behalf of the Village Hall Management Committee, I would like to pass on my thanks to everyone who helped make the day a great success. Thanks go to all the people who gave up their time to help and, of course, you the villagers who spent your money!

With regards to the Hall decorating, I would also like to thank all those who gave up their precious time to help re-paint the inside in time for the Fete. Hopefully next year we will be able to give the outside a fresh look.

Our next event will be the return of the Heart of England Jazz Band on Saturday, 1 November. Tickets are available now from me or any other committee member, priced £6.50 for adults and £5.00 for under 18’s and over 60’s.

The Hall of course does not run itself and I would like to pass on my personal thanks to members of the current management committee for all their help over this past year. In November it will be our Annual General Meeting. If you would like to express your opinions on how the Hall is run, or perhaps would like to become a member of the committee, then please come along to the Village Hall on Monday, 10 November at 8.00pm.

Alan Stratton

Chairman, Village Hall Committee

Weather statistics

‘Tis the last rose of summer!

We have experienced a summer to remember, with people dying from heat exhaustion in Paris, with most of southern England changing from green to brown.

July

Number of rain free days 22

Rainfall 2in 60mm

Highest temperature 94degF 33degC

August

Number of rain free days 28

Rainfall .4in 10mm

Highest temperature 96degF 34degC

September up to 21st

Number of rain free days 18

Rainfall .15in 5mm

Highest temperature 78degF 26degC

The recorded temperature anywhere in the world is done in the shade. In sunshine the temperature is much higher!

Glen Evans

THAME AREA FORUM

Thursday 20 November, 7.00pm

Thame Town Hall

Subjects for discussion to be announced

Representatives from SODC, OCC, Aylesbury Vale Primary Care Trust and other local organisations will attend

Free legal advice over the telephone

The Community Legal Service is providing a new service in South Oxfordshire

Trained legal advisers are available to help with any debt or benefits problems and can provide continuing legal support until the problem is resolved.

To get advice call one of the following numbers (charged at local rates)

Debt 0845 120 2951

Welfare Benefits 0845 120 2954 or 2940

Tiddington Cricket Club

Now that another playing season has drawn to a close, we have time to reflect on our performances. It has been a difficult year for our groundsman, with no rain to mention since the end of July! Many thanks to him.

The first XI finished in a highly creditable 2^nd place in Cherwell’s Division 3, but may miss out on promotion if, as expected, only one side is promoted from each division. Our second XI, now much younger than in previous years, has struggled to compete in Division 4 and will start next season in Division 5, where hopefully they will return to winning ways.

Despite the fact that many of last year’s third XI players have been promoted, the third XI have performed well with a new crop of young players. So, much credit to the support from the senior players in the team in providing the platform that the younger ones can play around. Incredibly, since 19 July and during a period when many players are unavailable due to holidays, the thirds have remained unbeaten!

Our Sunday League team finished mid-table with a number of good performances, including a massive 307 runs scored in the allotted “40 overs” against Beaconsfield.

Despite obvious disappointments, there is much to be pleased about this year, including the continued success of our junior teams, and much to look forward to next season.

That cricket is possible at all in its many forms is due to those who give their time to score, umpire, provide teas, organise teams, coach, prepare the grounds etc, etc, etc. The support we receive is second to none, so sincere thanks to everybody who has contributed.

The Aunt Sally season is now over with our Wednesday night team finishing 2^nd in Division 6 of the Oxford and District League, and our “A” and “B” teams on Friday nights finishing 4^th and 6^th respectively.

On the social front, winter darts on Friday nights starts in October and Monday night cribbage has already started.

This year’s Players’ Meeting takes place on Sunday, 12 October in the Clubhouse at 6.30pm. Prospective new players are always welcome. The season will be reviewed and playing officers elected.

The Annual Dinner Dance and presentation of awards take place on Saturday, 18 October in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Tickets available from Neil and Tracy on 339178.

Ray Manning

United Neighbours In Tiddington

The Bingo in July was well attended and we raised almost £100.00 towards our charities. All prizes were donated so thanks to all who contributed and those who supported us on the night.

The August meeting barbecue for members and their partners was a relaxed and informal affair. The weather was kind to us and many thanks to the two “chefs” who did a superb job with the cooking.

Our next meeting will be on 21 October in the Village Hall at 7.45pm and will include a talk by Ken Wells from the Thames Valley Police. The november meeting will be on the 18^th.

Events coming up – a trip to the dogs on 16 October, a race night on 15 November, a shopping trip to Swindon on 20 November, and the Dinner Dance on 6 December. If anyone would like a ticket for any of these, please contact Josie Adams, Julie Smith or any committee member.

Please come along to any meeting as our guest if you would like to see what we are all about.

Pat Wise

Waterstock & Tiddington W.I.

During the summer break, various members have enjoyed the activities arranged by the County Federation and there will be more to follow in the autumn. They include an afternoon of poetry readings – favourites offered by members to share with others, and the Icknield Group meeting on Thursday, 30 October at Sydenham. This meeting will include a demonstration entitled “A Beautiful Experience” and given by Clarins.

At our monthly meeting in September, we were unfortunately let down by the booked speaker, so members had a chance to have a chat and catch up with the news of the summer.

On 9 October we will hear about the re-introduction of the Red Kites to the Chilterns from David Lovegrove of the RSPB. The competition is for a depiction of “Autumn Beauty” in any medium. The winning entry will go forward as the Institute’s entry for the Group meeting competition.

On 13 November Gordon Dempster will share “Museum Pieces” with us and the competition is for vases.

On Saturday, 11 October, we will be holding a Produce and Handicraft Show in Tiddington Village Hall. Members from the Institutes of Chinnor, Holton, Moreton, Sydenham, Thame and our own will display their efforts and have them judged during the morning. From 2.30 – 3.30pm anyone is welcome to come along and view the beautiful work that will be displayed.

On Wednesday, 26 November, Oxford Operatic Society is organising a coach, calling at Tiddington, to the production of “Oliver” at the Playhouse. The cost for coach and ticket will be £14.00 or £13.00. If anyone is interested in joining us, please contact Zena Knight on 339340 before 9 October.

We hold our monthly meetings in Tiddington Village Hall on the second Thursday in the month at 7.30pm. Visitors are very welcome.

Zena Knight

Internet Users

Bring a world of possibilities to Tiddington!

Broadband availability is subject to local demand, with each locality having a fixed target before BT can enable an exchange. If people in the area vote and reach that target BT will consider enabling the local exchange.

What are the benefits of Broadband?

§ “Always on” Internet access. You can surf the net and use the phone at the same time.

§ An Internet experience up to 10 times faster than normal dial-up connection. Waste less time waiting for large attachments like digital photos and software to download.

§ Unlimited Internet access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week typically for around £27.00 per month with no Internet call charges.

To register your interest go to www.bt.com/choosebroadband

Mark Stoker

Women’s Institute

Icknield Group

Produce and Handicraft Show

Saturday, 11 October, 2.30 – 3.30pm

Tiddington Village Hall

View the work of members from

Chinnor, Holton, Moreton, Sydenham, Thame and Waterstock & Tiddington Women’s Institutes

Wheatley Library

A video sale will be taking place from Tuesday, 21 October, so pop along and get a bargain for the winter evenings.

Children’s storytime is on Tuesday, 28 October from 11.00 to 12 noon. All 4-8 year olds welcome. FREE tickets to be collected in advance from the library.

Carole Underwood

Library Manager

News from Newington Nurseries

Unusual plants for autumn colour.

As summer turns to autumn, keen gardeners start looking for something to add new life to their borders. It’s times like this when favourites like Crocosmias, Japanese Anemones and Sedums start to work so well. But if you are looking for something a little different there are plenty of other options.

Two late flowering prennials that are surprisingly rarely seen in our autumn flowering gardens are the Toad Lily (Tricyrtis Hirta) and the Turtlehead (Chelone Glabra). The Toad Lily produces masses of white and purple chequered orchid-like flowers throughout autumn, while the Turtlehead has spikes of truly unusual hooded pink or white blooms. Both are just under one metre tall so, like the Crocosmia, they are useful for the middle of the border. And if you can’t resist another Crocosmia, but would like a variety with a twist, try the yellow version, Norwich Canary.

Staying with autumn flowering plants, not many gardeners naturally associate clematis with autumn colour. There are, in fact, some beautiful varieties in bloom now. The flamboyant Clematis tangutica produces masses of yellow bell-shaped flowers, while Clematis texensis Princess Diana is showy with trumpet-shaped cerise flowers. The flowers of both varieties are followed by fluffy seed heads lasting well into winter.

From flowers to foliage – what is available but unusual? The feathery leaves of Nandina Domestica turn the richest colours in autumn and as an added bonus, the plant bears glossy red berries during the winter. Don’t just choose russet hues for autumn interest though. Set them off against contrasting colours such as the cool blue foliage of the Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus Scopulorum “Blue Arrow”). This narrow upright tree looks stunning set against the season’s reds and oranges. Or you could try one of our favourites the Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria Japonica). You can buy this as a standard or as a lovely rounded specimen. After this year’s warm dry summer, these are now putting on masses of lush green growth so they will look good in any autumn garden.

§ Newington Nurseries is on the A329 just outside Stadhampton

§ Tel: 01865 400533

“Knock, knock” “Who’s there?”

Opening the door to just anyone is no joke…

The advice from Thames Valley Police is:

BE SAFE – if in doubt, don’t let them in

§ Don’t trust callers you don’t know – men, women or children

§ Always secure your door chain before answering the door. If you are in doubt, don’t let strangers into your home

§ Ask all callers for identification and close the door while you check it

§ If you’re worried, keep the door closed and call the police

§ If you know anybody who is preying on elderly or vulnerable people, or if you’ve been a victim yourself, tell the police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111. You won’t be asked for your name, you won’t get involved and your information could help to make the community safer

South East Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust

Living Well Programme

Tuesday, 28 October, 10.00 – 12.00

A six-week course

Christ Church Centre

Henley on Thames

A free course for adults with a long-term medical condition such as MS, Arthritis, ME, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Back Pain etc.

It is a self-management course to help people learn new skills, gain confidence and knowledge to help them manage and live with their condition

For further information contact

Hayley Reynolds on

Freephone 0800 052 3225

NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2003

residents’ views on the service which

‘Tis the last rose of summer!

July

August