Cotswold Link (West Oxfordshire) November - December 2018

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November / December 2018

Poorest residents could be exempt from council tax payments West Oxfordshire District Council is consulting with residents about amendments to its Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which if agreed, would completely exempt their poorest residents from council tax payments.

The changes proposed include: · Introducing a banded scheme which would see a simple flat rate percentage discount awarded, depending on a person’s total weekly ‘net’ income · Ignoring all child maintenance payments when calculating weekly income.

Cllr Toby Morris, Cabinet Member for Resources said: “We are keen to simplify the existing scheme. By introducing income bands we can help applicants budget over longer periods whilst ensuring those on lowest income receive the maximum amount of council tax support available.”

Residents identified as vulnerable or in receipt of a state pension will not be impacted by any of the changes.

The consultation is open to everyone and details can be found at www. westoxon.gov.uk/CTRS Paper copies of the survey are available for those without internet access.

These can be picked up from the Council reception points in Witney and Chipping Norton.

The consultation deadline is 9 November 2018. A report will then be considered by councillors before any changes to the current scheme are decided. These would come into effect from April 2019.

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inside

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Christmas Across The Cotswolds

We look at a selection of key Christmas events across the Cotswolds this year

Rememberance

We find out about the origin of wearing poppies

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Local News

Updates from the Council about local housing

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02 Council Tax exemptions 16 Local housing news local news Poppies: 10 Local housing news 16 The origin of wearing poppies events Christmas Quiz 12 Local events across the area 17 Enjoy our festive quiz Christmas 2018: garden view 14 Where to visit this Christmas 18 Leaf matter this late Autumn Recipe: astronomy our Christmas pudding How to view Mars 15 Enjoy 20 recipe cotswold link 22 Advertising Details & Index local news

local news

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Welcome to the November - December issue As we welcome Bonfire Night and the festive season, we get updates from across the region. There’s so many local events and places to visit this time of year, we provide details on pages 12 - 15. Don’t forget, if you have any news, events, updates or stories of local interest, please send them to editorial@jkanorth. com and we’ll do our best to publish them for you.

01609 777401 01609 779097 I hope you all enjoy this issue, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas cotswoldlink.co.uk

and a Happy New Year. I’ll see you again in January.

Best wishes,

Christine Campbell | Editor Cotswold Link Magazine is published in good faith and the editors cannot be held responsible in any way for inaccuracies in reports or advertising in reports or advertising that appear in this publication and the views of the contributors may not be the those of the editors. Adverts and advertisers Your Cotswold Link carry no implied recommendation from the magazine or the publishers. All rights reserved. All information is appearing in Cotswold Link Magazine correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to press. Cotswold Link Magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

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This advert from only ÂŁ70 every 2 months Reaching 18,500 homes & businesses across West Oxfordshire See p22 for full details.

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Local Plan given the final seal of approval Councillors have voted in favour of formally adopting the Local Plan for West Oxfordshire.

At an extraordinary meeting of the full council, the document which establishes a blueprint for the development of the District until 2031, was given the final seal of approval, ending a process which stretches back nine years.

The Local Plan sets out how the District can achieve economic growth and a housing target of 15,950 new homes, although some have already been built as the Plan covers the period from 2011 to 2031.

It identifies the most suitable sites for new housing and what accompanying infrastructure, such as road improvements, new schools and play facilities, is needed to achieve the greatest benefits for the new development and, wherever possible, a wider area.

Cllr James Mills, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “There are many competing demands in West Oxfordshire and we have had to strike a balance that secures the greatest number of benefits for the largest number of people.

Picture shows Cllr James Mills (left) and Cllr Jeff Haine at the West Witney development which is currently under construction

“But the adoption of this Plan means speculative developers will no longer have their way and ensures housing meets local need and employment requirements while also improving local infrastructure.”

The draft Local Plan was first submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in July 2015 but the Examination was suspended due to the Inspector’s concerns around housing targets and he requested that more work be undertaken.

It was re-submitted in March 2017 with 15,950 new homes proposed compared to 10,500 previously including a contribution of 2,750 homes towards Oxford’s ‘unmet’ housing need.

The Local Plan report has been accepted by the Inspectorate subject to the modifications set out in the Inspector’s report on www.westoxon.gov.uk/localplan2031.

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Applications are invited for four newly-built affordable homes that are the first to come forward as the result of a unique partnership between Blenheim Estate Homes and West Oxfordshire District Council.

A further 55 affordable properties are being built as part of the Hanborough Gate development, which is on the western side of Long Hanborough.

Photograph of Cllr Steve Good (left) and Matthew Neilson at Hanborough Gate.

The first four properties comprise of two 2-bedroom houses and two 3-bedroom houses and they will be available during October and November.

Rental levels will be priced at 60 per cent of the current market rate and so a two-bedroom house will be £173 pw and a three-bed house will be £214 pw.

Priority will be given to local residents, but all applicants must have been assessed in need of affordable housing and be registered on the Homeseeker Plus website.

Cllr Jeff Haine, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing, added: “Over the last few years we have had a number of planning decisions overturned because we did not have a Local Plan in place.

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Applications invited for affordable homes to rent

Anyone interested in applying for a socially rented home should visit www.homeseekerplus.co.uk or contact West Oxfordshire District Council on 01993 861000.

Cllr Steve Good, Cabinet Member for Housing at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “By working together, Blenheim is now delivering the first phase of an exciting new model for creating genuinely affordable housing at a cost that more people will be able to afford. This is good news and supports the diversity of housing provision.”

Matthew Neilson, Blenheim Estate Homes Head of Property and Development, said: “This initiative forms part of our long term aims to help and support local communities and we are looking to roll these schemes out at all our developments both now and in the future, allowing them to evolve as housing needs change.”

Blenheim Estate Homes will retain full ownership on socially rented homes.

Affordable homes at Hanborough Gate, and future Blenheim Estate developments, will be a mix of rented and shared ownership properties.

Blenheim Estate Homes, working in partnership with West Oxfordshire District Council, is intending to offer at least 300 affordable homes on future sites.

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Out & About First Monday Monthly

Alvin Roy Jazz Quartet play at the Swan Inn, 21 Acre End Street, Eynsham, OX29 4PE every first Monday of the month.

Entrance is free and the music is from 8.00 pm till 10.30 pm.

The style of jazz played is of the mainstream/swing variety and features tunes from the “Great American Song Book” as well as some original compositions. .......................................................

Every 2nd Tuesday n Chipping Norton Bliss Probus Club

The Blue Boar in Chipping Norton and meet at 12.00 midday every 2nd Tuesday of each month. We gather for drinks at 12.00, lunch at 12.30, followed by a guest speaker. We are a varied bunch of retired males who can guarantee you an equally varied menu of convivial banter and good company.

New members always welcomre, contact Pat Lake, our Secretary on: (01608) 643458 or plake1970@aol.com .......................................................

10th November

n Jody Kruskal At Wychwood Folk Club

Jody sings vintage American songs and plays tunes on the Anglo concertina. Hailing from New York City, he loves to perform in the UK where folks really appreciate what he’s up to.

His concerts in England offer a warm and engaging solo presentation of traditional and popular American songs from yesteryear. From witty and humorous ditties to songs that explore the depths of the human condition, His singing tells American stories that are hilarious, gritty and

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true stories of train wrecks and wrecked marriages, death row convicts and lonesome lovers, heroes, losers, swaggering braggarts, lazy slackers and slapstick fools.

The Swan, Ascott-Under-Wychwood, Shipton Road, AscottUnder-Wychwood, OX7 6AY £11 / 01993 832332 .......................................................

14th November

n The Arts Society Cotswolds November Lecture

11am to 12am. Cotswolds entitled Temples, Tombs and Treasures: in search of the Queen of Sheba by Louise Schofield. This lecture explores the fame of this Queen and her epic journey to the court of King Solomon with gifts of gold and incense.

For centuries, she has captured the imagination of great artists, inspired epic films and has led archaeologists to great discoveries of tombs and treasure in the Yemen and Ethiopia Lectures begin at 11.00 at the Warwick Hall, Church Green, Burford OX18 4RZ. Non-members are welcome (suggested donation £10). For more information see our website www.theartssocietycotswolds.org.uk .......................................................

16th November

n Raleigh-ing to the Cause A talk by Tony Hadland.

Tracing the use of the bicycle for military purposes and how Raleigh became a major manufacturer of munitions.

2.30pm. Great Rissington Club GL54 2LP. Visitors Welcome £3.50 to include refreshments.

For enquiries, contact Sue Brown on 01451 820233. .......................................................

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Having an event?

Email us your event details to: christine@jkanorth.com and we’ll publish it for you. Magazine distribution dates are on p22.

25th November

26th November

n A Celebration of Parry Centenary Concert

Hailey Deck the Halls

Sunday 25th November 2018 5.30pm (doors open at 5.00 pm) High Street Methodist Church, 40 High Street, Witney, Oxon, OX28 6HG. Programme: To include the following Hubert Parry (1848 - 1918) works: Directed by: Terry McNamara Organist: Francis Rumsey Soprano: Aileen Thompson Tickets: £10 in advance or £12 at the door or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/lowerwindrush (£10 plus £1 booking fee). Witney Methodist Church, 40 High St, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 6HG Contact telephone: 01865 300625 .......................................................

25 November th

n Burford Singers – Mozart Concert 7.30pm: Church of St John the Baptist. Church Green, Burford OX18 4RY For this celebration of the music of Mozart, including the Great Mass in C Minor, we are delighted to be joined by Ben Goldscheider, Winner of the Brass Category Final of the 2016 BBC Young Musician Competition who will perform the Horn Concerto No 4.

Tickets reserved at £23, £19, £15, unreserved £10. Online booking from 15th October at www.burfordsingers.org. uk box-office (Booking fee applies). Booking in person (unreserved tickets only) from The Madhatter Bookshop 122, High Street, Burford OX18 4QJ Full details and booking form available on our website www.burfordsingers.org.uk .......................................................

7.30pm, Hailey Village Hall, OX29 9UA Create Christmas wreaths, swags and other decorations. Members £3, Visitors £4.

Includes free glass mulled wine + mince pie. Bring scissors/ secateurs, evergreen greenery, Christmas accessories etc.

Oasis available to buy on the night. Tel 01993 700162 .......................................................

30th November n Hailey Bingo

Doors open 7.00pm, Eyes down 7.30pm, Hailey Village Hall, OX29 9UA Tel 01993 776471 .......................................................

3rd December

n Hailey Christmas Band Concert

Hailey Christmas Concert featuring Witney Town Band, Hailey Village Hall, OX29 9UA, 7.30pm, Tickets £6 - includes light refreshments. Bar. Tel 01993 776471 or on the door. .......................................................

General Information

Charlbury Museum, Market Street, Charlbury, is now closed until Easter Saturday 2019, while exhibits are reorganised for next year’s exhibition. See our website for more information about Armistice Sunday and Christmas late night shopping: www. charlbury.info/community/42.

The museum is run entirely by volunteers. To contact our curator, email curator@charlburymuseum.org.uk. .......................................................

Please note: the editors cannot be held responsible for any changes to events listed. Please contact event organisers directly. All events correct at time of going to press.

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Christmas Chipping Norton

The charming market town of Chipping Norton will gear up for its annual Christmas celebrations. Peruse the high street shops and Christmas market from 12-6pm on Sunday, December 9 where you’ll be able to find over 70 stalls selling local arts, crafts and foodie gifts, including Cotswold Distillery and Alex James Cheese.

There’ll be plenty of hot food and mulled wine to enjoy, as well as live music, fair rides, a magical Christmas lantern

procession, a life size snow-globe for festive selfies and a free-toenter pop-up Christmas cinema.

Christmas in Chippy is not-for-profit and organised by volunteers on a mission to bring the community together in celebrating Christmas and raising money for local charities. This year’s charities are

Across the The Lawrence Home Nursing Team (www. lawrencehomenursing.org) and The Friendship Club. Stay up-to-date with Christmas celebrations in Chipping Norton by following @Christmasinchippy on Facebook: www.facebook. com/christmasinchippy and Instagram: www.instagram.com/christmasinchippy.

Blenheim Palace

This Christmas, Blenheim Palace will be transformed inside and out, with celebrations promised to be bigger and better than ever. From Friday November 23 up until Thursday January 13, during the day visitors can enjoy a new indoor Cinderella experience taking over the Palace State Rooms, and in the evening, there’s the opportunity to stroll around the estate’s winter wonderland of illuminations.

Moreton-in-Marsh

There will be fun and festive treats, locally-made gifts and crafts, tasty local produce and a vast range of stalls at the annual Christmas Market taking place on Saturday November 24 from 9am. As evening approaches, the streets of Moreton-inMarsh will be lit up with the switching-on of the market town’s Christmas lights.

Keep up-to-date with the timing of the day’s events on the Moreton-in-Marsh Christmas Market and Lights Switch On Facebook page: www.facebook.com/moretonxmaslights

Chipping Campden

Picture-perfect Chipping Campden will host its exciting annual Christmas Market and festive lights switch-on on Saturday December 1. Over 40 stalls will be in attendance for unique gifts alongside a bevy of local entertainment, choir performances and delicious festive food. The Christmas Market will also be open the following day from 10am-5pm in the Town Hall.

Bourton-on-the-Water

From the first weekend of December until mid-January, visitors to Bourton-on-the-Water can expect to see a pretty lights display as well as the iconic Christmas Tree in the river.

Batsford Arboretum

Home to the country’s largest private collection of trees and shrubs, Batsford Arboretum will welcome some special guests to its beautiful surroundings this Christmas.

The Big Batsford Elf Hunt kicks off on Saturday December 1 up until Sunday January 6, when visitors can look for Santa’s missing little helpers. Father Christmas himself will visit the arboretum and take residence in his Grotto between 2-4pm on December 8 and 9.

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Cotswolds Cogges

Christmas Market Event time: 10:00 - 16:00 Venue: Cogges Manor Farm Tickets:£2 adult/£1 child or free for season ticket holders Come along to the annual Cogges Christmas Market on Saturday and Sunday 8th & 9th December 2018 10.00am - 4pm.

The Christmas market in the Wheat barn and Barley Barn will have over 60 stalls from local businesses, crafters and makers offering hand-made gifts, rural crafts, festive decor, and local produce, cakes, pies, speciality local beers and ciders, gift bags and hampers.

Meet Father Christmas in the manor house with a story and take home a present.

The Cogges volunteers will prepare a feast of wonderful treats for the day, with home-made mince pies to take home, and relishes and jams made with produce from the garden. Warm up with a spicy mulled wine in the kitchen,

soak up the Christmas spirit of Cogges.

Also visit the Cogges stall for lovely gifts hand-made by volunteers, lavender bags, hand sewn Christmas stockings, handdipped beeswax candles, wool, decorations, jams and more.

The festive cheer will be accompanied by music from local choirs.

Father Christmas will also be joining us, with more information about how to book your place in the grotto very soon! £2 entry to farm and grounds, manor house and market in the barns. £1 children or free for season ticket holders.

This is a fundraising event on behalf of Cogges Heritage Trust.

My Nan’s Christmas pud with Vin Santo MIXED DRIED FRUIT & CHOPPED NUTS

“This light, fruity Christmas pudding recipe makes buying one from the shops a thing of the past. ” SERVES: 8

COOKS IN: 3H 15M

Ingredients

DIFFICULTY: SUPER EASY

- Unsalted butter , for greasing - 500g mixed dried fruit , such as cranberries, cherries, apricots, sultanas, raisins - 100g dates - 3 tablespoons crystallised ginger - 1 orange - 125g suet - 125g plain flour - 125g caster sugar - 150g fresh breadcrumbs - 2 tablespoons Vin Santo or brandy - 1 handful of chopped nuts , such as pecans, Brazils, hazelnuts - 1 large free-range egg - 150 ml milk - golden syrup , to serve

Method

Grease a 1.5 litre pudding bowl.

Destone and chop the dates, and roughly chop the ginger, then place in a large bowl.

Finely grate in the orange zest, then mix all the remaining ingredients together, except for the golden syrup.

Transfer the mixture to the greased bowl and cover with a double layer of tin foil. Tie a piece of string around the side of the bowl.

Place the bowl in a large saucepan, and pour in enough water to come halfway up the sides of the bowl.

Bring to the boil, place a tight-

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fitting lid on the pan, and simmer for 3 hours – don’t forget to check the water regularly, making sure that it never boils dry, because if it does, it will burn and the bowl will crack.

When the time’s up, remove the foil, turn out on to a plate, drizzle with golden syrup and decorate it as you like. You can also light it with brandy if you want to be really fancy.

Recipe by Jamie Olivier

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Help on hand to bring empty homes back to use A letter has been sent to the owners of long-term empty properties in West Oxfordshire outlining the grants and low-cost loan schemes available to meet costs of bringing a property back into occupation.

In West Oxfordshire there are currently 317 residences identified as vacant and unused, 50 of which have been for over 2 years. It is estimated that such a property can cost the owner up to £10,000 per year in security, repairs, insurance, and council tax.

This year 15-21 October marks Empty Homes Week 2018 and West Oxfordshire District Council is working with the national campaign charity ‘Empty Homes’ to highlight the 300,000 long term unoccupied houses across the UK. Cllr Steve Good, Cabinet Member for Housing said, “Empty homes are a waste of a valuable asset especially when there are around 400 people in priority need on our Homeseeker waiting list. We urge people to consider how to best use their properties if they are empty and to contact us as we can offer advice and help.”

The local authority charges a 50% premium on council tax for any house left empty for more than 2 years. The Government has agreed to double the total cost from April 2019 on owners who refuse to address the issue.

It should be noted, however, that the Council Tax system provides statutory exemptions for properties left empty for a specific purpose – for example, when a person goes into care or during probate.

The Council has the power to enforce Empty Dwelling Management Orders and Compulsory Purchase Orders but prefers to work with owners to bring their houses back into use.

Anyone interested in letting a property through the Council’s waiting list can contact our Private Lettings Officer on 01285 623346 or email chauncy.seed@publicagroup.uk.

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Why wear a Poppy?

It’s over a century since more than nine million soldiers were killed during the First World War. The last of the veterans from that era are dead and many young people know little about the causes and devastating aftermath of the conflict. Many refuse to wear a poppy because they think it glorifies war.

Perhaps it’s more important than ever that we discuss the poppy’s place in history.

Much of the worst fighting in World War 1 took place in Flanders, the western part of Belgium.

The area suffered terribly, with homes, farms, roads and trees all completely destroyed. The land became a bleak, muddy graveyard for the thousands of soldiers who fell there.

One plant, however, thrived in the disturbed soil and that was the poppy. Year after year, as the warm weather arrived, the poppies bloomed and turned the grim bare ground into a sea of red.

At that time, fighting in Flanders was a young Lieutenant, Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician. In May 1915, his close friend and fellow soldier was killed in action. Seeing the poppies growing alongside his grave moved McCrae to write the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, which was later published in Punch magazine.

The idea to use the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for dead soldiers came from an American professor and YWCA worker, Moina Michael, in 1918. She wrote a poem in reply to McCrae’s called ‘We Shall Keep the Faith’ and started to sell

silk poppies. The idea was adopted by the American Legion in 1920 and she became known as ‘The Poppy Lady’.

In 1921, Anna E Guerin started making artificial poppies in France and gained the support of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, founder of the Royal British Legion.

The first poppy appeal was held on Armistice Day 1921. It was hugely popular and, despite a recommended selling price of threepence per poppy, single petals sold for £5. In all, the appeal raised £106,000 – that’s nearly £30 million in today’s terms!

In recent years some people have chosen to wear a white poppy, either instead of or alongside a traditional red one. White poppies symbolise pacifism and also remember the civilians killed in conflicts past and present, as well as the soldiers.

The idea is not a modern one as I originally assumed; it was initially put forward in 1926 by the No More War Movement, and the first white poppies were sold by the Cooperative Women’s Guild in 1933.

They are now distributed by the Peace Pledge Union, a British pacifist non-governmental organisation that works for a world without war.

However you choose to wear your poppy this year I hope you now have a greater understanding of the interesting and complex story behind this iconic flower.

By Sarah Davey

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Your Cotswold Link’s Family Christmas Quiz Relax and chill out, these assortment of questions are for the young and not so young. You may not even agree with all the answers but the quiz is for all of the family to participate and enjoy.

Good Luck, Wishing All a Happy and Joyous Festive Season – John Harris

1. Where did the Nativity take place?

2. What is a baby reindeer called?

3. Who wrote the song White Christmas?

4. Including Rudolph how many reindeer

19. What alcoholic sauce is usually served

Waitrose in 2010 with a whole orange inside?

34. One may have an “Aperitif” before the

pull Santa Claus’ sleigh?

21. What in the UK was traditionally mixed

Christmas dinner, what does this mean in the

5. In which 2 Oceans can you find a Christ-

into the Christmas pudding to bring good

original Latin?

mas Island?

luck to the recipient?

35. Which English Victorian cook wrote the

6. Which English leader banned Christmas

22. In what pantomime do Robin Hood

definitive Christmas cookbook?

in 1647?

and Maid Marion appear?

36. On the sixth day of Christmas my true

7. What are the gifts that the Three Wise

23. What phrase does the Giant in “Jack and

love gave to me?

Men gave baby Jesus?

the Beanstalk” use when he can smell Jack?

8. In what language does “Feliz Navidad”

Christmas Day 1914?

mean “Merry Christmas”?

24. Who is the Patron Saint of Children?

25. The following letters represent each of

9. In the 17th Century Cristmas cake was

the words in the title of which carol “OIRDC”

December 25th 1066?

made to be eaten by what day?

26. Who was Mummy seen kissing in the

39. Who composed “The Christmas Orato-

10. The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square,

famous Christmas song?

rio”?

London is an annual gift from which nation?

27. “O tidings of comfort and joy” are lyrics

40. How many ghosts are there in Christ-

11. Which Country introduced Christmas

taken from which carol?

mas Carol?

trees as a celebration of Christmas?

28. “Nadolig Hapus” means Happy Christ-

Answers on p22

12. Which Christmas Carol starts its second

mas in which language?

verse with “Christ by highest heaven adored”?

29. In which country is Santa Claus known

13. What is the time difference between

as “Pere Noel”?

Lapland, Finland and the UK in December?

30. What is a fe-

14. What did Santa Claus win in 1964?

15. Which rock singer starred in the film

male turkey called?

“Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence”?

name of Tiny Tim’s

16. Which was the first country to issue a

father in “A Christmas

Christmas postage stamp?

Carol”?

17. In which year was the Queen’s first TV

32. Which Nobel

Christmas message?

Prize winning author

18. Which “Happy Days” actor starred in the

wrote King George V’s

1979 movie “An American Christmas Carol”?

Christmas broadcast

in 1932?

with Christmas pudding?

33. In Dickens’“A Christmas Carol” what is

20. Who created a Christmas pudding for

Scrooge’s first name?

37. What famous event took place on 38. Who was crowned King of England on

31. What was the

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GARDEN VIEW

Leaf matter. Leaves matter!

Oh, those autumn leaves. So pretty on the trees but they can be rather inconvenient in the garden. If they drift too deep on the lawn the grass underneath will die so there’s nothing to do but rake them up.

However, these fallen leaves are a little autumn gift from nature and with them you can create leaf mould. Leaf mould is free garden nourishment, and it’s like feeding your soil with the finest fillet steak. Leaf mould is what’s left when the dead, fallen leaves from deciduous trees and shrubs are heaped up and allowed to rot down. As they slowly decompose, only the toughest bits remain, eventually forming crumbly, dark brown crumbs, a bit like chocolate sprinkles.

Leaf mould is easy to make, a delight to handle, and you can’t possibly overfeed your soil with it. Micro-organisms are the driving factor, performing an alchemy that gives the finished product an almost magical quality. Its fibrous nature retains moisture and enables free drainage, which means it also makes a great mulch for trilliums or wood anemones, whose natural habitat is woodland.

I adhere to a policy of only collecting leaves where necessary. Where they have fallen and are not obscuring the grass I leave them for the earthworms to pull into their burrows (I wrote last month about how I think of earthworms as my friends and so do nothing to discourage them).

rather than simply adding leaves to compost. It’s quite simple to construct a leaf cage using chicken wire and posts. You can even bag your leaves in punctured black bin bags and put them in an out-of-the-way corner. The puncturing is necessary to allow air to circulate. A leaf heap made this autumn will be ready by next autumn.

While you’re tidying up the leaves it can be tempting to cut down faded perennials. But if you leave them, in a month or so you will find they have turned into wonderful sculptural winter skeletons which look incredibly beautiful in the frosts. It’s all down to personal taste of course, but

Simply sweeping leaves off paths and decking or patios will keep the garden looking cared for. I also remove any that have drifted around my herb garden because herbs like to be able to breathe. These tasks alone give me enough leaves to create plenty of lovely leaf mould.

I often leave perennials standing until February or March simply to provide a bit of interest over the winter.

Happy gardening

By Rachael Leverton

If you have enough room, create a separate leaf heap

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The

New waste & recycling calendars now online

Cotswold Sky

Show your children the Planet Mars For the remaining weeks of the year if you look towards the South around 7.00 pm in the evening you will see the wonderful red planet of Mars. Now is the opportunity to show your children this most delightful planet before settling them down to bed. You will note that as the evening progresses the planet will move across the sky towards the South West before setting. In addition you will also note that it will be in a slightly different position each evening at 7.00 pm due to both the Earth and Mars both orbiting the Sun at different rates of motion.

What do we know about Mars?

Courtesy NASA

Is there life on Mars?

This is the $64,000 Question. NASA reports of “the possible presence of liquid water on Mars, either in its ancient past or preserved in the subsurface today”. Imagine the excitement if some form of microscopic life either past or present was to be found.

NASA’s Mars Exploration Program is exploring for these signs of life under a program known as “Seek Signs of Life”.

Show Your Children

I find that children (and for that matter the majority of adults), are always excited when seeing a planet for the first time. So don’t be bashful wrap up warm and show the children this most illustrious planet.

It will only take a few minutes and I guarantee they will ask you to see it again, you will not be disappointed.

West Oxfordshire’s new waste and recycling collection dates are now published for the next 12 months and can be viewed and downloaded online at www.westoxon.gov.uk As well as accessing online bin collection calendars, residents can register for handy weekly email alerts about waste collection dates, including a reminder the day before about which bins to put out and helpful information about changes to collection days over the Christmas period and bank holidays.

Over 10,000 householders are registered for email alerts and receive weekly email reminders of their next collection.

· The District Council’s Town Centre Shop and Elmfield offices in Witney · The Guildhall, Chipping Norton · Burford Visitor Information Centre · Carterton Town Council · Woodstock Town Council As well as bin collection information, residents can use the alerts service to receive information about planning applications registered near to their homes.

Paper copies of the waste calendars are available for those that do not have web access.

These can be picked up from:

Diary

Winter Solstice: Friday 21st Decem-

• Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and is the second smallest planet in the solar system and named after the Roman god of war.

It is described as the Red Planet because when the conditions are right it has a reddish appearance.

• A day on Mars is about 24.6 hours and a year is about 687 Earth days.

• Like Earth, Mars has polar ice caps, clouds in its atmosphere, seasonal weather patterns, volcanoes and canyons (which many years ago were considered to be canals).

• It has the tallest mountain in the Solar System called Olympus Mons which is 21km high and 600km in diameter.

• Dust storms are quite prevalent that can last for months so much so that NASA’s Opportunity Rover has been unable to recharge its batteries by using the solar energy of the Sun since it last sent a signal on June 10th 2018.

ber 22.22 hours. The Sun reaches its furthest point south giving us the shortest day and longest night.

Planets Mercury: Can be observed low down in the western sky at sunset on 6th November and low down at dawn in the eastern sky on 15th December.

Venus: From mid November will be observed around dawn in the east rising earlier each day so that in December will be clearly seen from about 04.00 hours.

Mars: Observable during both November and December (please refer to above article) Jupiter: Too close to the Sun during November to be visible and in December and very low at dawn to the left and below Mercury and Venus.

Saturn: Not observable during November but will appear low in the South West after sunset during December.

May I wish all readers a Wonderful Peaceful Festive Season John Harris

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