EYNSHAM
Council & Community Issue 14 – August - September 2015
By a twist of fate, two significant local projects were unveiled as we went to press. A newly-enabled BT cabinet in Queens Lane offers superfast broadband to 73 residents and businesses, should they opt in to the service. More details and a list of suppliers at www.betterbroadbandoxfordshire.org.uk Of wider interest will be Oxfordshire County Council’s £38m scheme to unblock the A40 – an Eynsham park and ride; improvements to existing junctions; a bus lane into Oxford; and a bus priority lane on the approach to the toll bridge. We can welcome the aim behind these measures, whatever our views on the detail. Eynsham News continues working toward a connected community while we wait. 1
NEWS
Rotary Club of Eynsham members and friends admiring the new ramp they have funded at the Fishponds – image © Harold Jerred, story on page 11
In this issue • • • • • • • •
Eynsham futures Contact sheets Public services Home front Over to you Local people Recreation, group updates What’s On
3 4 – 5 6 – 9 10 – 11 12 – 13 14 – 15 16 – 18 19 – 20
Never a dull moment
Received with thanks
Our advertisers, sponsors and generous volunteers made it possible for Eynsham News to hand out £2,000 in grants to local charities / good causes this year. Each of the four has written to thank us for their £500.
New recruits are welcome at Eynsham Fire station. Come and say hello any Tuesday night from 19:00. You could become the next firefighter in our fantastic crew! Carnival photo © Stuart Smith
Everybody needs help at some time or other and the ALPS Centre is a hub for academic, emotional, social and behavioural support for all Bartholomew students. Bev Green says “The donation will fund an angling programme, a group work project run by the Young Anglers Club with support from the Angling Trust. The project has been very successful in the past and has led to some of our students becoming very keen anglers!” Bridewell Organic Gardens writes “This was a wonderful surprise and is very gratefully received. It will be used to support people with severe and enduring mental health problems who use our garden. Please convey our thanks to everyone involved, your support really is appreciated by everyone here.” On behalf of August OASIS, Lin Miller writes “This will enable us to continue to provide interesting and varied workshops and speakers for OASIS, which is so much enjoyed by our senior citizens. Please pass our thanks to all on the Eynsham News team. You do a really great job keeping us all up to date with village events and I know how much hard work is involved.” And Ian Miller writes from Eynsham Cricket Club, “As you are obviously aware, our members have spent many months trying to sort financial difficulties – your donation is a most welcome bonus for us.” Do contact any of the team (below) with ideas for future donations, if our balances allow next year.
EYNSHAM NEWS is published by a local, not-for-profit voluntary group, set up solely to produce a community newsletter of broad general appeal. Free delivery to every household is arranged by volunteers. Eynsham News is also online, for family and friends around the country and overseas: visit http://issuu.com/eynsham1/ Local stories, snaps and snippets are always welcome. Next issue will be out on 21 September – copy deadline Friday 4 September.
• Editor Joan Stonham, 28 Beech Road Eynsham: OX29 1LJ: eynsham.news@gmail.com • Distribution coordinator Pam Breeze: 01865 880725 • Advertising/sponsorship Sandy Hellig: 07551 876285, email sandy.hellig@gmail.com • Treasurer Tom Smith: thomassmithwm@gmail.com
Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the News Group. Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product, service or event.
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Good neighbours Neighbourhood Plan 2031 We face many challenges in Eynsham – piecemeal development proposals, pressure on schools, medical services and sewerage, gridlocked traffic. There is growing demand for extra-care housing for older people. The community needs to work together towards a balanced approach to future development. The NP project aims at exactly that! The NP must support and enhance Local Plan policies and cannot seek to oppose or undermine them. West Oxfordshire’s Draft LP has identified sites which might be suitable/available for 250-plus homes between 2019 and 2024. Until it is law, WODC must decide applications using national and ‘current’ local planning policies: the development site owners want permission now. There is a danger of uncoordinated development and inadequate infrastructure planning. Many people responded to our leaflet and launch in March, our stand at the Community Day and displays in the Library and Primary School. Another 127 visited our Carnival Stall. We’re meeting local businesses, the school Partnership Academy and developers. We hope soon to involve the clubs and Student Council. It’s already clear that people want to preserve, protect and enhance our strong community spirit and friendliness, our green and historic spaces, access to the countryside and our thriving shops and services. Whatever development comes, the key concerns are an existing over-stretched infrastructure, traffic congestion and parking problems; and local employment opportunities. In other words, development must be contained and managed. These pointers will shape what the NP hopes to achieve. We’ll expand this vision with a questionnaire setting out the options. We’ll also gather evidence of types of homes and businesses needed – and their possible impact. Keep in touch at www.eynshamfutures.org.uk or on our Facebook page, or email Posy Parrinder at eynsham.futures@gmail.com
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Can you lend a hand? Eynsham Car Scheme – taking residents to hospitals, clinics, etc. – is currently short of volunteers drivers so if you can spare a few hours from time to time it would really help. Please call 07469 764174 / email info@egnn.org.uk
Transport subsidies Your Parish Transport Representative writes
The Dial-a-Ride service and the 18 bus are again under threat from Oxfordshire County Council budget cuts. Residents have until 14 September to tell the County Council what they think. For more information and to comment visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/stconsultation OCC intends to cut £2.6m from their supported transport services. This could mean that funding for Dial-a-Ride would be ended altogether and bus subsidies could also be ended or severely curtailed. Dial-a-Ride is a door-to-door service for those who are unable or have difficulty using public transport, with trained drivers to assist the mobility impaired. OCC took it over in 2012. While a county council has a legal duty to have regard to the transport needs of the elderly and disabled, it is not required to provide a subsidised service. Instead, it is looking to volunteer community transport schemes, such as Eynsham Car Scheme, which itself is having difficulty recruiting volunteer drivers. OCC proposes to fund start-up schemes but no money will be available to existing groups. Eynsham Parish Council provides a grant to the Car Scheme. OCC saved the fully-subsidised 18 bus route from Bampton to Oxford via Eynsham in its 2014 review. If it now decides to end all subsidies this would disappear. OCC’s preferred option is to reduce bus subsidies by £2.3m, which it says means the 18 route is at low risk of closure but one subsidised evening journey on the 11 Witney to Oxford run is likely to stop.
Eynsham churches
Contacts
ST LEONARD’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND Vicar: The Revd Morey Andrews 01865 881323 Curate: Revd Kath Cooke 01865 881366 Church Office & Secretary: Jan Macdonald 21 High Street 01865 883325 email stleonards_stpeters@btconnect.com SUNDAY SERVICES Holy Communion 09.00, Morning Service 10:45, Evening Service 18:00 WEEKDAYS Monday Prayer Meeting 07:00, Wednesday Communion 09:30
Allotments: John & Sara Bannister, 01865 880324 Bartholomew School: Witney Road, 01865 881430 Carnival: Julie Jordan 22 Back Lane, 01865 880042 Chemist: Lloyds Pharmacy 64 Acre End Street, 01865 881283 Childcare: Health Visitors, 01993 881887 Chiropody: Baptist Church Hall 2nd Monday, 01865 880871 Dentists: 4 Cassington Road, 01865 880047 Dogs: WODC, 01993 861020 - see page 9 Electoral Services: WODC, 01993 861410 Fire Station: Station Road, 01865 881337; emergencies 999 Flooding: early warning 0345 988 1188; sandbags WODC 01993 861000 (out of hours 0845 3039706) Gas: enquiries 0845 835 1111, leaks 0800 111 999 Grass Cutting: Parish Council, 07956 901622 Hazeldene Close: open space and street lights Remus Management Ltd, 0121 766 1480 Library: 30 Mill Street, 01865 880525 Market: St Leonard’s Church Hall, 01865 880928 Medical Centre: Conduit Lane, 01865 881206 Noise: WODC, 0845 3039706 (24 hours) - page 5 Pest Control: WODC, 01993 861060 Planning: applications WODC 01993 861420 Play Areas: Parish Council, 07956 901622 Playing Fields: Management Committee Sue Brown, 01865 464267 Police: Village Hall Back Lane, incident reporting 101, emergencies 999 Post Office: 39 Mill Street, 01865 881159 Primary School: Beech Road, 01865 881294 Recycling: District Council, 01993 861025 Road Repairs: Oxfordshire Highways, 0845 310 1111 – emergency reports only, see page 9 Social Care (OCC): 0845 050 7666, emergencies 0800 833408 Sports Centre: Back Lane, 01865 731090 Street Cleaning: WODC 01993 861020 Street Lights: 24 hour fault line 0800 317802 Toilets: Back Lane Car Park, 01249 822063 - page 6 Waste Collection: WODC, 01993 861020
ST PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH www.stpeterseynsham.org.uk Parish Priest: Father Martin Flatman 01865 881613 / 07719 646790 / frmartinflatman@gmail.com SUNDAY SERVICE Sunday Mass 10:00 Saturday Mass of Sunday 19.30, Tuesday Holy Hour 16:30, Benediction 17:05 EYNSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Minister: Revd Zoltan Biro 01865 881670 Church telephone / answerphone: 01865 882203 Church Secretary: Denise Launchbury, 82 Shakespeare Road 01865 881128 / eynsham.baptists@btinternet.com Church Treasurer: Bob Thiele 01865 426203 SUNDAY SERVICE with Junior Church 10:30; Songs of Praise 2nd Sunday of month 15:00.
Halls for hire
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Baptist Church Hall: 07900 066471 Bartholomew Room/Sports Pavilion: 07956 901622 Music Room: – new! 07971 529242 Primary School Hall: 01865 881294 Red Lion: 01865 882903 Scout Hall: 01865 881787 Social & Sports Club: 01865 881234 St Leonard’s Hall: 01865 880107 Tolkien Room & garden: - see page 5. 07919 605544 Village Hall: 01865 881624 White Hart Function Room: 01865 883093
Local councils
Halls for hire
EYNSHAM PARISH COUNCIL (EPC) Richard Andrews (Vice-Chair): 01865 880106 Jane Baldwin: 01865 435129 Gordon Beach (Chairman): 01865 880979 Andrew Bickley: 01865 884496 Sue Brown: 01865 464267 Patricia Crowley: 01865 731303 Peter Emery: 01865 731199 Andy Mosson: 01865 880889 Sue Osborne: 01865 880285 Nick Relph: 01865 464264 Dennis Stukenbroeker: 01865 880609 Email formula: firstname.lastname@eynsham-pc.gov.uk PARISH CLERK Rachel Faulkner, 1 Glovers Close Woodstock OX20 1NS: 07956 901622 email epc.clerk@eynsham-pc.gov.uk – new!
Tolkien Room at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Abbey Street – next in our series
WEST OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Small, well-equipped hall – holds about 55 people seated – and fully equipped kitchen with the best view in Eynsham. Large car park; wheelchair access and toilet. The large patio windows open to give a pleasant open air space when the weather is good. Ideal for small children’s parties, dinner parties, meetings etc.
Your WODC representatives hold a ‘surgery’ every 1st Wednesday 18:30–20:00 at the Bartholomew Room.
Please contact Catherine Barton: 07919 605544 / c.barton0660@gmail.com
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (OCC) Charles Mathew: 01865 882205 County Hall: 01865 792422
Peter Emery: 01865 731199 Edward James: 01865 731009 - see below Peter Kelland: 01865 880028 Council Offices: 01993 861000
PELLMANS Your Local Solicitors
Party time?
Business and Employment Law
Cllr Ed James has a guide to late night entertainment A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) allows a business or organisation to operate above and beyond their standard premises licence. They are used by schools, pubs or charities when hosting an event – a play, fête, festival. A TEN is processed through WODC after consultation with the Police and Environmental Health. If they have no objections the event can go ahead. There is no further public disclosure. Complaints can be made as usual: if crime-related to the Police, if noise-related or environmental health to WODC. You are strongly recommended to report concerns at the time, so officers can assess the situation as it happens – for noise disturbance call 0845 3039706 (24/7). Such grievances will not prevent the event in question taking place (unless in extreme cases – a riot). However, complaints will be taken seriously and will influence further applications for a TEN. 5
Contracts, Legal Compliance and Disputes
Property
Buying and Selling Homes, Commercial and Agricultural
Wills, Probate and Trusts
Tax Planning and Lasting Powers of Attorney
01865 884400 www.pellmans.co.uk 1 Abbey Street, Eynsham, Oxford OX29 4TB Home visits and evening appointments available
Public services
All council contact details are listed on page 5. Please note, the Parish Clerk’s email address is now epc.clerk@eynsham-pc.gov.uk
Footpaths
Sue Osborne – Chair, Footpaths Committee A big thank you to the County Council’s Countryside Service team for their recent work on the Eynsham Mill walk http://tinyurl.com/EynshamWalk1 The section along the river Evenlode has been cleared of undergrowth and is beautiful to explore; you can often see kingfishers here. The footpath leading from Cassington Road to the A40 and beyond was planted over with crops; this has been reported and the landowner has been approached by OCC, so hopefully it is now clear – or will be very soon! Please report any rights of way problems – or praise – to me or directly through the website: https:// www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/report-issuepublic-right-way Thank you and enjoy your walks!
Green energy
its energy bills. The money saved will be re-invested in the Pavilion for the benefit of the wide range of local groups who use the Pavilion every week, such as footballs clubs, cookery and arts classes. Chairman Gordon Beach comments, “The system was installed in just a day. The solar panels will now sit quietly on the roof for the next 25 years generating clean solar electricity. People using the Pavilion during daylight hours will be using solar energy to power things like the lights and boiling water in the kettle. The display unit in the main room shows how much electricity is being generated by the system, which will help educate people about solar energy – it even generates electricity on cloudy days!” Local environmental group GreenTEA supported the Pavilion’s ambitions to reduce its carbon emissions and encouraged installation of the panels following experience at the Village Hall. Jason Arnold, installation manager at Solarcentury explains, “The Pavilion can now apply for the FeedIn-Tariff which means it will earn money for every unit of electricity generated and every unit of unused energy it feeds into the grid. So as well as being a green energy commitment, the solar installation is going to have a positive financial impact for the Pavilion, which
Notice boards
Parish Council Chairman Gordon Beach The volume of posters on the parish boards is a tribute to the energy of the community. May I remind users, however, that they should try to put up items no more than two weeks before an event; and that if the notice is for more than one date it should be A5 size or smaller – half the size of this page – to leave space for other users. Broadly the notice boards are not abused but in future but we shall not hesitate to remove items that do not fit these criteria, or are of a commercial nature, as soon as we see them.
Oxford Road
Rachel Faulkner – Parish Clerk
The Sports Pavilion on Oxford Road has a new solar PV (photovoltaic) system on its roof, donated by Solarcentury. The 16 solar panels form a 4kWp system that will meet 40% of the building’s energy needs every year. The Parish Council installed the solar system to help reduce its energy bills and lower its carbon footprint. The building will be powered by solar electricity during daylight hours, reducing reliance on using energy from the grid which will lower 6
Eynsham Parish Council is considering the future of the building that currently houses the public toilets on Oxford Road playing field – north. The toilets are managed and maintained by West Oxfordshire District Council, who have given notice that they will be closing the facility next summer as they are very rarely used and therefore very inefficient. The Parish Council owns the building but does not have the funds to take over the running of the toilets. We should be interested to hear from any interested parties who might like to rent the facility. With the necessary permissions, it could perhaps be converted into an office or used for storage.
If an alternative use is not found the Council will consider demolishing the building later this year. Please contact me by email: epc.clerk@eynsham-pc. gov.uk
Planning
Dennis Stukenbroeker – Chair, Planning Committee Three applications to build housing on the west side of Eynsham have been refused by West Oxfordshire District Council. Eynsham Parish Council objected to the applications. JA Pye’s proposal to build 19 houses on its land west of Fruitlands was refused in January by WODC, which imposed a tree preservation order on the whole site. Pye is reported to be appealing the refusal. Gladman Developments were also refused consent in January for 49 dwellings on land west of Station Road. It has appealed and a public inquiry will be held at a future date. Vanderbilt’s application for 77 dwellings at Eynsham Nursery was refused by WODC’s Lowlands Area Planning Committee on 22 June.
contribute to the infrastructure that Eynsham already needs, such as schools and health care. Thames Water has expressed concern that the sewage system could not cope and Oxfordshire County Council’s emerging A40 improvement strategy needs to be considered to try and address Eynsham’s traffic problems. Through Eynsham Futures, the Parish Council is working towards a comprehensive development plan for the whole village – more on page 3.
Word on the web
Are you a regular visitor to Eynsham Online? Your feedback could be vital as the Parish Council considers how to make it work better on smartphones and on tablets. Do pass on your thoughts – what contents and features you use most (or least), or find frustrating. Just use the Contact form at the top of every page, or have a word with Joan Stonham (shown) or email online@eynsham-pc.gov.uk If you have time to discuss some of the issues in more detail, it would be great to hear from you too. A focus group needs to be small and representative so please don’t be disappointed if you’re not chosen – your suggestions will be very welcome all the same.
The Acre End Pre-School Summer Fête 2015 committee would like to thank the local companies who kindly donated raffle prizes, to help to raise money towards the running of the pre-school. We made £587! Thank you very much. In the latest proposal, agents Kemp & Kemp say an application will be submitted in August for 150 units on land south of Bartholomew School playing fields. A public exhibition was held in the Baptist Church hall on 24 June. In the absence of an up-to-date WODC local plan and an adopted neighbourhood plan for Eynsham, developers and their agents have been seeking to rely on government changes to national planning law which include a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’. While these homes are needed, the Parish Council feels all the schemes are for isolated developments with poor access which do not relate to each other or the village as a whole. They would not adequately 7
Learning spaces
Another update from Eynsham Community Primary School – keep in touch at www.eynsham.oxon.sch.uk The summer term passed in a whirl of of trips and activities, including May Day and the Summer Fayre. Years 1 and 2 enjoyed a trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park in relation to their topic on rainforests. Years 4 and 5 had a fabulous wet day at Hill End, imagining themselves shipwrecked on a desert island with rival tribes there too. They made shelters, built fires, collected food and water and played a giant game of capture the flag. Year 6 spent a final transition day at Bartholomew School in preparation for September’s move and threw themselves into their end-of-year play
Eynsham Dental Care
after completing their final tests (SATs). Year 3 shared Tudor dances with parents; and Foundation enjoyed their annual trip to Blenheim Palace and Gardens. This was also a busy term across Eynsham Partnership Academy (EPA) with Years 3, 4 and 5 taking part in partnership athletics and cricket events at Bartholomew School, plus a musical partnership event. Year 5 pupils from Eynsham, St Peter’s Cassington, Freeland, Hanborough Manor, Standlake and Stanton Harcourt primary schools prepared songs on a summer theme, supported by Bartholomew’s Head of Music; and on 24 June they gathered in Bartholomew Sports Hall with choirs and music groups from the secondary school, to put on a tremendous concert for over 350 parents. The Rotary Club was also involved, providing refreshments and raising £270 for link schools in Kenya as well as instruments for EPA. The evening was great fun and also inspirational for the Year 5s to see the musical opportunities available to them in future. So the school year is over and the children are enjoying the summer break. However, preparations are already being made for September with next year’s foundation classes full; new staff appointments completed; various internal building works about to begin; and external fencing and remodelling of the front space complete. We are really looking forward to another successful school year, building on the new curriculum and other initiatives begun this year.
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Tooth Whitening
Large Free Car Park
Dental Implants
Free NHS care for under 18s
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Telephone 01865 880047 www.eynshamdentalcare.com 4 Cassington Road, Eynsham, OX29 4LF 8
Cleaning up
Policing update
Another report from PC Martyn McHale You can cut down unwanted sales and marketing phone calls by registering your number with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS): 0845 070 0707 / www.tpsonline.org.uk The service is free to you and binding on UK companies. It does not cover ‘scam’ calls: the simplest and most effective way to deal with them is... keep calm and hang up.
West Oxfordshire District Council appeals for help in tracking down Eynsham litter louts The heap above, plus two dining chairs, a suitcase, clothing and wooden crates, was piled up by the recycling banks at Back Lane car park on 2 June. WODC treats such incidents – increasingly common, alas – as fly-tipping. The containers are provided for recycling excess household waste. It is an offence to dump anything outside them, whether it is recyclable or not. Dix Pit waste and recycling centre is just over 3 miles away, after all; and abandoning material here leaves the Council – funded by taxpayers – the burden of clearing it away. New signage is on order for installation shortly and CCTV or more frequent emptying are under review. Meantime, if you have any information please contact the Council’s environmental enforcement officers: 01993 861060 / www.westoxon.gov.uk/report
Road repairs You can ‘Report a road problem’ at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk – or visit http://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk
EYNSHAM POST OFFICE – NEWS / MAGAZINES
Doggie bag?
39 Mill Street, Eynsham OX29 4JX: 01865 881159 Mon - Fri 09:00 – 17:30, Saturday 09:00 – 12:30 Free personal banking with all major banks Business banking with Co-op – Santander –Barclays – Clydesdale – BOI Foreign Currency / Euros & Dollars, Travellers’ Cheques Travel Money Card Plus – 0% commission Passport and ID photos; Passport Check & Send; on the spot Travel Insurance; Motor Vehicle Licence; Rod Licence Mobile E-Top-Up & Vouchers – International Calling Cards Gift Vouchers / Postal Orders / MoneyGram – Parcel Force Cards / Stationery / Toys / Dry Cleaning / Laundry Fax / Photocopy – Video Transfer National / Health Lottery – Free 24 hour ATM
One District Council is consulting residents on a new system under which any dog walker found without a bag to collect waste could be fined £100. 9
BEECH COURT NURSING HOME “a home from home” for your elderly relations
Home front
37 Newland Street, Eynsham OX29 4LB Tel: 01865 883611
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Samantha Bond, now starring in ITV period drama Home Fires about the Women’s Institute in World War II, had an earlier role as Miss Moneypenny to Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond (no relation) back in 1995– 2002. It turns out she comes from a family of Eynsham paper workers – including a great, great, great, great uncle James Bond. The link was uncovered by London amateur genealogist Roy Stockdill.
Access for all
It’s pleasing to note two prompt responses to Nick Lewis’s report on wheelchair access to Eynsham shops and services. We’d be happy to publish comments / updates from other places too.
Whole Voice
unlock the potential of your natural voice A great way to develop yourself, your voice production and your singing ability. One-to-one – voice workshops – group work for schools – businesses – charities – therapists Web: www.annelryan.co.uk Telephone: 01865 880858 FaceBook: Anne L Ryan Twitter: @movingtone LinkedIn: Anne L Ryan
The Parish Council has discussed the issues over access to the Bartholomew Room – this image © Arthur Green – and the possibility of changing the meeting venue. The Clerk is to investigate the cost of / possibilities for installing a lift in the Bartholomew Room. Future agendas will include a statement to confirm that meetings can be moved to downstairs room. Harrison’s café on High Street is limited by a narrow pavement but discussions on a ramp extending round the corner are already under way. Charmaine and her staff will always help people up the step, if they ask (and space allows); or bring out a takeaway for wheelchair users; or deliver to seats in the Square. 10
Ron Feasey reports on yet another project – see cover image. Below, Rotary riding high in the Carnival parade You may have noticed that there is now a ramp leading down to the bridge across the Old Chilbrook. It is intended that this will enable wheelchair and buggy users to use the circular path around the Fishponds without having to negotiate steps. Two new information boards will also be in place very soon with a new colourful plan of the site. This work has been carried out by the Parish Council as part of their development plan for the Fishponds and funded by a £3,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Eynsham.
Further work by Rotarians and other volunteers is planned to improve the surface of the path in places where tree roots have become exposed. The Rotary Club also intends to provide and sow wild flower and grass seed on the bank formed by excavation of the ramp. Rotarian Ron Feasey said “We have given money and support to needy causes in the village every year since our Club started in 2011. Beneficiaries have included organisations such as the Primary School and the Day Centre but also many individuals, where donations have been given on a strictly confidential basis. Hence many of our contributions to our community pass unseen. However, the Fishponds improvements which we have funded will remain visible to all for many years and we hope will be enjoyed by the entire village”. Fishponds Committee Chairman Sue Osborne is extremely grateful for the support, help and enthusiasm of the Rotary Club. She looks forward to furthering this cooperation at the Fishponds, as well as other projects, so that Eynsham’s facilities can continue to be improved for residents of all ages and abilities.
Were you there?
Selected snaps from 4 July © Ian White – Julie Jordan has a final message overleaf
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Over to you Eynsham Carnival Chairman Julie Jordan offers a final message. Contact her on 01865 880042 / email: eynshamcarnival@btinternet.com
Wow, what a great day that was! I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and didn’t get too sunburnt. The Carnival Committee would like to say congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part or helped with the running of this year’s event. Hopefully next year being the 70th anniversary will be just as fantastic if not better. But Carnival 2016 will happen only if volunteers come forward to join the Committee. We are grateful to the few who have offered help beforehand; but we still need people who can seriously commit throughout the year and ensure continuity by overseeing the entire Carnival day itself. PLEASE get in touch before it’s too late … Don’t let this Carnival be the last!
JOIN THE IMMORTALS: Up to 200 athletes tackle a 112-mile cycle ride from Farmoor Reservoir on 16 August as part of a tough triathlon. The route enters Eynsham at the toll bridge, turns west at the roundabout then heads off to Sutton. If you can help with marshalling or at drinks stations, please contact Steve Elliott: 01935 426779 / steve@fullonsport.com
Well done and thanks to Caleb Andrews from Eynsham Primary School for this super, summery drawing! You’ll find it online as well if you Google “Eynsham Colouring Corner”.
Lend a hand
Were you a member of 1st Eynsham Brownies – or do you know someone who was? Eynsham Brownie unit is 60 years old in the New Year, though we know it was around before then; and we are hoping to put together a history of the unit for a celebratory afternoon tea later in 2016. If you have any old photos, articles or memories then we’d love to hear from you! Contact Sinead Andrews: 01865 731233 / 1steynshambrownies@googlemail.com
Eynsham Museum Fund has a long-term aim of establishing a museum in the village to display the history of this special place; nurture the pride of the community for its roots; and provide an inspiration for future generations. The fund is managed by Oxfordshire Community Foundation (Registered Charity no: 1151621), which handles all donations and reclaims any eligible Gift Aid. Please contact Steve Parrinder by email: eynshammuseumfund@outlook.com or visit: www.justgiving.com/Eynsham-Museum-Fund 12
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Local walks
A reminder about Wharf Stream Way, now well worth a visit as Eynsham Society members can confirm. Below, Heather McCulloch at WODC has an update; thanks again to Gavin Robinson for the photo We had a very enjoyable day at the second “Walk and Talk” along the Wharf Stream Way on 13 June and the weather did nothing to dampen our spirits. It was a chance for everyone to see the progress so far and give feedback and for the organisers to say “thank you” to everyone who has helped along the way. We walked the route, shared what we know about its various features and talked about future plans. We are very grateful to the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) for supporting the project. The remainder of the funding comes from developer contributions. We have decided to add 7 simple waymarker posts to the route to help navigation. Ideas for further artworks are also taking shape – something made of railway sleepers close to the unused railway line and a fingerpost close to the weir. If you have any feedback or suggestions please have a word with the Parish Council Clerk (details on page 5) or contact me: 01993 861562 / heather.mcculloch@westoxon.gov.uk
Sadly, there’s a sting in the tail from Sue Osborne of the Footpaths Committee: “We are lucky to have some fantastic residents in Eynsham who are willing to help clear up after our ignorant litter-louts. 80 beer cans and 9 cider bottles were found dumped about a hundred yards up Bridleway 206/31, which runs up alongside the A40 garage workshop. These have been deposited over a two-week period by someone who prefers to buy their alcohol at the Spar. Also, our lovely Millennium Wood has been defiled by thoughtless louts who dumped their litter all around the willow arbour. “If anyone is caught leaving rubbish around, they can be subject to a hefty fine. Please, please take your litter home. It really isn’t difficult.” 13
Fay Taylor-Ball looks forward to seeing you again on Saturday 19 September in the Village Hall Just eight weeks and counting down … It’s time to get thinking about your entries for Eynsham Village Show 2015! The Class List has been online for a while now and very soon you will find paper copies of the schedule and entry form around the village. We have a new baking challenge for the men this year, so we hope you enjoy making, testing and tasting French macarons – we want to see six that Mary Berry would be proud of! In celebration of the WI centenary, there’s a special flower arranging class this year, so we hope lots of our local WI members will enter that – but of course all classes are open to everyone and you can enter as many times as you like in each class. Have fun out and about with your cameras and phones over the summer too. This year’s photography classes are: • • • • •
Beauty of the Earth Faces Doors Celebration Circles
We welcome new Committee member Claire Singleton. Claire has very kindly agreed to take over as Treasurer from Kirstie McKenzie-McHarg, who stood down after last year’s show. Thank you for your work over the last few years Kirstie and welcome Claire! Even if you don’t enter the show, please pop along and see what others in the village (and beyond) have been up to. And if you note the 2016 photography subjects, you can spend a whole year ‘snapping’ ready to enter next time. There will be no excuse! Contact Fay on 01865 464117 or email: fay-t@tailoredlearning.co.uk
People Patricia Leopold – who is quite coincidentally the Secretary to Bartholomew Players – received an MBE for services to higher education in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Hats off to BikeSafe supporters Bram Hauer, Maarten van Hardenbroek and Steve Harrington from Eynsham who completed the London Nightride on 6-7 June for the B4044 Community Path Campaign – and thanks to everyone who sponsored them to make it all worth while. Cheers to the Saunders family, whose Shirt Race entry brought a whole new meaning to the Nut Award on the 40th anniversary of Evenlode DIY – photo © Ian White
Warmest congratulations to Cub Scout Leader Rose Green – seen here with County Commissioner Phil Earl and UK Deputy Chief Commissioner Tim Kidd, whose twin brother lives in Eynsham as it happens. She received her Chief Scout’s 40 years’ length of service award at the County Awards Day on 9 May at Youlbury Scout Activity Centre – only two years overdue. Thanks to Richard Sonley for the photo.
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Prof Margaret Marker died in Northumberland on 12 June, age 83. She had lived in retirement in Wytham View and was active in the Eynsham Society, where her geographical knowledge was much appreciated; and also at St Peter’s – having joined the Catholic Church in South Africa on account, as she said, of its witness there. She was the first woman to become a professor and head of department at the University of Fort Hare, the oldest black university in South Africa, which educated many of its leaders including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela. Margaret’s fearless advocacy of black higher education was recognised by the award of a medal. John Dowling
Jane Phimster
Archaeology is about uncovering how people lived in the past. Jane works within the buildings department at Oxford Archaeology, as a specialist in modern military studies particularly the cold war. I work on projects ranging from royal palaces to government bunkers. In the last decade the importance of understanding and preserving our recent past has been increasingly recognised, especially through events such as the First World War centenary. Recently I have been mapping the remains of WWI wireless stations; recording and conserving the American airbase at Upper Heyford; and exploring the central government war headquarters at Corsham, where the PM and 4,000 staff would have gone in the event of nuclear fallout. Much of the information about military installations is still classified, so I am involved in a lot of detective work in the archives and collaboration with military or technology experts. My type of archaeology can include building records, landscape surveys and assessments of significance. At Corsham we had experts analysing telecomms equipment, to find out who the government was trying to make contact with at different phases of the cold war. This striking mural survives in the canteen.
I have been involved with English Heritage at Upper Heyford for over a decade, in all the phases from conservation plan to demolition. Another EH conservation plan – this time at Dover Castle – threw light on the secret wartime tunnels which played a keyrole in the D-Day landings. Oxford Archaeology is an educational charity so as well as undertaking research for a variety of national and regional bodies, we work to widen access and engage people in the study of their area – by way of websites such as Corsham’s, presentations to public meetings and specialist seminars. At Upper Heyford I’ve been helping set up a heritage centre and preparing information boards for visitors, so we can understand the past and use it to guide the future. Is there someone in the village you’d like to read about? Please email Lucy Traves: lucytraves@gmail.com 15
Alan Craft DCFMCA
Mc Timoney Chiropractor GCC registered Tel: 01865 882992 www.chiropractorcraft.com
Recreation Are you ready for a Record Breaking summer at Eynsham library? Weird, wonderful and wacky records from around the world await discovery by children who get involved with Summer Reading Challenge 2015 from now to 12 September. They are encouraged to read at least six books over the holidays – to explore astonishing real-life achievements and world records while collecting rewards such as wristbands, medals and certificates. The challenge can be achieved in just 3 library visits. All they have to do is join up at the library and it’s FREE! So look out for fantastic new books, exciting puzzles and fun record breaking activities at the library over the holidays! Pssst! there is also a reading challenge for adults. We hope to see you soon. There are activity sessions too – ‘Minibeast Records Breakers’ on Friday 7 August at 13:30 and ‘Record Breaking Relics’ with Oxford University Museums Service for children aged 5–11 on Wednesday 19 August from 10:30–11:30. Book your tickets in the library / call 01865 880525. HOLIDAY FOOTBALL COACHING for boys and girls aged 5–13 is on offer from Monday 10-Thursday 13 August at Eynsham Primary School – all abilities welcome. Cost £37.00 (4 days) or £10 per day, 10:00–14:30. Bookings/enquiries to Mark: 01865 735898 or 07795 342509 email: mark@premiersoccercentres.co.uk
This open water swim series, born from a desire to swim wild, will launch on Sunday 6 September in the beautiful landscape of Eynsham, overlooked by Wytham Wood. Bob Gibson and Darrin Roles explain. Open water swimming has taken off in recent years; and wild swimming offers untold adventures through wonderful countrysides. Swimming a journey with a destination in a controlled group of well organised swimmers is safe and a very rewarding experience. The Eynsham-Kings Lock 4K, along a beautiful stretch of the Thames to the west of Oxford, is aimed at all levels of swimmers – whether you’re looking for a first taste of river swimming or training for an Ironman and want to cover the distance before your main event. The Oxford Mail reporter is doing the event and training with us leading up to the swim. So come join us in what promises to be a great experience, starting from the first stroke.
Are you 8-10 ½ years old? Do you like fun, challenge and adventure? Then Eynsham Cubs is for you! We are starting a new cub pack and looking for new members for September – boys and girls – on Thursdays 19:00–20:30. There’s something for everyone at Cubs – going to camp with our friends, making and floating boats, making scarecrows, learning first aid, camp cooking, making treats for mum, going on hikes and earning badges for our achievements. To find out more contact Rose Green: 01865 883910 or email: rosetta.green@btinternet.com 16
CREATIVE EMBROIDERY: this group meets in the Village Hall on Thursday 13:30–15:30 in termtime, starting 17 September – all abilities welcome. Contact Judith Gussin: 01608 641295 or email: judithgussin@talktalk.net EYNSHAM CHORAL SOCIETY is a friendly, no audition, community choir with a wide range of ages and experience. We invite new members to join us on Tuesday 7 September at 19:30 in Eynsham Primary School, to start preparing for a great Christmas concert – with Britten’s Ceremony of Carols – on 5 December at St Leonard’s Church. Contact Olaf Rock: 01865 430118 or email: ocr@cloverplace.co.uk EYNSHAM FAMILY PROJECT meets again on Tuesday 15 September at Ready Steady Spice from 20:00–22:00 for a discussion on internet safety. We are also having our first daytime meeting on Wednesday 16 September in The Music Room (The Gables), off Queen Street, from 10:00–12:00 – speaker to be confirmed. Cost £10 for members, £15 for guests including food. Book with Gemma Ferrier: 07971 529242
EYNSHAM GUIDE UNIT received a £300 cheque for supporting the Bartholomew Players’ Friday supper show Night Must Fall in May. Above are Chairman Gareth Hammond with Assistant Guide Leader Sinead Andrews and the Guides who helped on the night (L-R) Cordelia, Lorna, Libby and Emily. They provided raffle prizes, sold tickets in advance, set up and took down tables, cleared away dirty dishes and washed up! The money will be used to buy two banners displaying the Eynsham Guides and Brownies logos, for use at events such as Carnival, and to take the Brownies and Guides to an overnight camp in the autumn. ROTARY CLUB OF EYNSHAM: The new Rotary year commenced on 1 July with Kevin Timms as new Club President. We meet in The Evenlode on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month. The next Club event will be our annual Charity Race Night on Friday 16 October (venue to be confirmed). New members are always welcome – contact Alan Longford: 01865 464179 or Pauline Timms: 01865 880654. 17
THE NEWLANDS INN Tracey and Ian would welcome you to join them at the Newlands for good quality reasonably priced local ales, and a great relaxed atmosphere. There is a pretty courtyard garden with a quiz night on the first Thursday of each month and an informal fun music quiz every Sunday afternoon at 4pm (with nibbles of course !!) CHEERS
Carnival winners
Please see Julie Jordan’s final message on page 12 Decorated Vehicles & Large Walking Groups • Class 1 Winner Eynsham Brownies & Guides ‘1970s’ 2nd First Eynsham Scouts ‘Summer Camp’ • Class 2 Winner Singleton Family ‘Star Wars’ • Class 3 Winner Rotary Club of Eynsham ‘Frozen’ 2nd Leggett Dancers ‘Strictly’ • Class 4 Donna Jones Trophy Eynsham Brownies & Guides ‘1970s’ Fancy Dress • Class 5 Winner Forster / Gover / Warriner ‘Walk like an Egyptian’ 2nd Charlie / Suzzanna/ Karys / Robert ‘Witches & Wizards’ • Class 6 Winner Chloe Cottrell ‘Turtle’ 2nd Ella / Ahmet ‘Fairy Godmother’ 3rd Evie Cottrell ‘Mermaid’ • Class 7 Winner Abby & Marie ‘Shaun the Sheep / Bitzer Dog’ 2nd Beth Cooper ‘Evil Fairy’ 3rd Evie Walker ‘Cat’ • Class 8 Winner WI ‘Celebrating 100 years’ 2nd Martha & JoJo ‘Dads’ 3rd Ella Walker ‘Army Girl’ Colouring Competition Under 5s 1st Drew Porter 2nd Darcey Beesley; 6-10 years 1st Kate Lees 2nd Lily Forsler
RW CARPENTRY Over 20 years’ experience in a wide range of carpentry services for home and businesses - no job too big or small. Contact us for a free site visit and quotation. email robbie@rw-carpentry.co.uk www.rw-carpentry.co.uk call Robbie on 07980 620566
SHIRT RACE • Men’s Race 1st Darrin Roles & Lee Hilsden; 2nd Ashley Roles & David Church • Ladies’ Race 1st Bianca Landell & Lucy Treadwell; 2nd Martine Summers & Caroline Ogden • Mixed Pairs 1st Emily Fisk & Thomas Brooker; 2nd Alan Craft and Sarah Venn • Fancy Dress 1st John Abbey & Peter Shrimpton; 2nd Sam Goodall & Ryan Hicks; Joint 3rd Bianca Landell & Lucy Treadwell, Howard Humphries & Graham Reading; 5th James Fisk & Paul May • Nut Award Nic Saunders & Trish Parlett 18
What’s on July 26 29 31
Litter Pickers, Baptist Church Hall 13:45 Arts Group, Bartholomew Room 19:30. Members’ Show & Tell. Enquiries: 01865 722989 Opera Anywhere, St Leonard’s Church 19:30. Pirates of Penzance. Bookings/enquiries: 01865 735910
August 1 GreenTEA, Eynsham Emporium 10:30–12:00. 2 Acoustic Club, White Hart 20:00. Contact Paul Rhodes: 01865 731787 5 Council Drop-in, Bartholomew Room 18:30 – page 5 6 Country Market, St Leonard’s Hall 09:00–10:30. Free tastings – all things tomatoes 7 Activity Session, Eynsham Library 15:30. Minibeast Record Breakers – page 16 10 Friends of Helen & Douglas House, The Talbot 19:30. Quiz night. 12 Garden Club, Village Hall 19:30. Victoria Logue, Extending the season. Enquiries: 01865 882417 13 Arts Group, visit to Kelmscott Manor Garden. Contact Diana Homer: 01993 84224 18–20 August Oasis, Village Hall 10:30–15:30. Contact Sue Butler: 01865 881690 19 Activity Session, Eynsham Library 10:30. Record Breaking Relics – page 16 19 Carers’ Group, Eynsham Emporium 11:00. Contact Pamela Richards: 01865 881396 25 Eynsham Futures, Bartholomew Room 19:30 – page 3 26 Eynsham Society, Back Lane car park 11:30. Visit to Chavenage House, Tetbury. Enquiries: 01865 880123
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28 Blood donors welcome, Village Hall 13:30–15:25 and 16:15–19:30. Tel: 0300 123 23 23 30 Litter Pickers, Baptist Church Hall 13:45 19
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September 2 Council Drop-in, Bartholomew Room 18:30 – page 5 3 Country Market, St Leonard’s Hall 09:00–10:30. Free tastings – gluten-free cooking 5 GreenTEA, Eynsham Emporium 10:30–12:00. 6 Gatehouse Volunteers: home-made food for the Oxford shelter. Enquiries: 01865 881346 6 Swim Oxford, Eynsham Lock – page 17 6 Acoustic Club, White Hart 20:00–22:00 8 Women’s Institute, St Leonard’s Hall 19:30. Circle dancing with Lily. Enquiries: 01865 882011 9 Garden Club, Village Hall 19:30. Rose Hardy, Hardy’s hardy plants. Enquiries: 01865 882417 14 Neighbourhood Action Group, Bartholomew Room 19:00. Contact Ron Hollis: 07770 466237 14 Friends of Helen & Douglas House, The Talbot 19:30. Quiz night. 14 Eynsham Charities Trustees – grants for relief of need, hardship or distress, or for educational purposes. Please apply in good time to Robin Mitchell: 20 High Street OX29 4HB / robinmitchell255@gmail.com 16 Family Project, Music Room 10:00 – page 17 17 History Group, St Leonard’s Hall 19:30. Martin Harris, The second Elizabethan era. Enquiries 01865 882400 16 Carers’ Group, Eynsham Emporium 11:00. 19 Village Show, Village Hall – page 13 25 Community Cinema – page 18 26 Swap Shop, Sports Pavilion 10:00-11:30. Enquiries 01865 881095 27 Litter Pickers, Baptist Church Hall 13:45 These listings are open to all community groups and we welcome photos too – see page 2 for contact details. Next issue will be out on 21 September – copy deadline Friday 4 September. Visit Eynsham Online at www.eynsham-pc.gov.uk – please note the request for feedback on page 7
Our sponsors Thanks to Eynsham Dental Care, and the Eynsham Churches for their continuing support. We’d like to thank all advertisers and sponsors who help us reach 2,000 homes six times a year, with comprehensive coverage of local activities and events. If you would like to advertise in future, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Sandy Hellig: 07551 876285, email sandy.hellig@gmail.com
Printed in Eynsham by Berforts Information Press 20
Village Show winners one and all – image © Sue Chapman
The Joinery Shop Windows, Doors, Staircases, Book cases, All Bespoke Joinery, Timber, Sheet Materials planed and cut to size. Mouldings to pattern. Picnic Tables, Gates, Garden Seats, Fencing Materials
Tel 01865 883058 Fax 01865 883493 Mobile 07770766532 Timberyte Unit B Anvil Court Stanton Harcourt Road, Eynsham, OX29 4UD timberyte@hotmail.co.uk