EYNSHAM
Council & Community Issue 16 – December 2015 - January 2016
NEWS
“For your tomorrow, we gave our today” – Eynsham Remembrance Sunday 2015 Eynsham has a great record for keeping up tradition – and for welcoming newcomers too. Like riding a bike, the balance probably works best if you don’t think about it too much. So living with change is nothing very new, though the pace seems to be picking up (page 3). As ever, this issue brings ways to get involved, help if you need it and plenty to enjoy as well. A special mention for the exciting skate-park project (page 12) and team of young volunteers (page 17). And thanks to everyone young and old who so generously share their time. 1
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
Call to action
Churchyard closure
… and a heart-warming response from local residents IF YOU WORK IN HEADINGTON please consider writing to Stagecoach and asking why you can’t get there by bus. The earliest Oxford-bound S7 service currently leaves The Evenlode at 09:32, Monday-Friday only. If there is enough support from potential customers for extending these hours, Stagecoach may be interested. You can write to the company via FREEPOST, Stagecoach Oxfordshire or email oxford.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com Ironically the County Council has voted to withdraw bus subsidies entirely, though it has funds to upgrade our bus shelters (page 6). At least your wait will be more comfortable. If you feel strongly about the 18 route or Dial a Ride, you may still be able to influence final budget decisions in February: email charles. mathew@oxfordshire.gov.uk (Ed). I FELL OFF MY BIKE in the village a couple of months ago and landed on my head, which started bleeding heavily. At least six people gathered round – every one of them concerned, kind, practical and truly reassuring. A retired fireman fetched a first aid kit and bound up my head where I lay. Another good Samaritan tucked her shawl around my shoulders, which was such a comfort. And a family brought my bike home – all the way to Cassington – and made me a cup of tea.
St Leonard’s Church PCC (Parochial Church Council) has asked for this notice to appear in Eynsham News Proposed Closure of St Leonard’s Churchyard, Eynsham Further to our consultation in 2014, we have received notification from the Ministry of Justice confirming the first part of the churchyard closure process for St Leonard’s Churchyard. A notice which announces the Secretary of State’s intention to apply for a closure Order, including any exceptions, will be published on the church notice board in the Square. The MOJ has also advised Eynsham Parish Council and West Oxfordshire District Council. For further information please contact the Church Office at 21 High Street, Eynsham: 01865 883325 email stleonards_stpeters@ btconnect.com
It’s good to share
… this ‘random email’ from Alan & Sophia Cooke Thank you and your team for your newspaper that is delivered through our door every couple of months. My husband and I always enjoy reading it and finding out what’s going on. I work in public services and rarely receive positive feedback from communities, so I hope you don’t mind us getting in touch! Now part time as a mummy, I enjoy every moment of what Eynsham has to offer and the services and support available to families. This is made a lot more accessible by your newspaper and it excites me every time. We are especially pleased to hear about the funding for redevelopment of the Eynsham skate park as we regularly meet and see the young people heading that way on our road. 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 25 January – copy deadline Friday 8 January. • 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.
2
PLANNING FOR 250-PLUS NEW HOMES As the Neighbourhood Plan (NP) team look back over the last six months, issues are coming into sharper focus and we need to be sure our views are not diverging from those of fellow residents. We now need to explore a range of alternatives, and your input through the village questionnaire (details at the end of this article) is really important. Like it or not, over the next fifteen years several hundred houses will be built in the village. We cannot oppose that but, once the NP is made, we can decide where houses are built, and get maximum community benefit from the developers in terms of roads, education and leisure facilities. Our biggest issues are poor road links (A40 and Toll Bridge) with traffic congestion in the village and a lack of school places. Neither can be remedied by a NP alone; but new homes can bring extra funding. Larger sites are more effective at getting developers to pay towards roads and schools but they need more careful design and the NP would strengthen the District Council’s Design Guide to ensure this. Close to historic buildings or the conservation area, new homes must fit in by using traditional forms and materials. Elsewhere, do you agree that modern, well designed and efficient ecohomes, set in adequate green space, could look at least as good? We need to explore the possible sites for such new homes. Development to the east is ruled out by Oxford’s Green Belt so the most likely areas are to the west, where piecemeal planning proposals are already in place, or a larger site to the north of the A40, which is no further from village facilities than the western sites. Good walking/cycling routes under or over the A40 would be essential but the land has good access to both A40 and B4044 routes. Evidence suggests that more small homes are needed. We need starter homes for newly qualified staff for existing & future technology businesses; we need homes suitable for older residents to down-size into, perhaps associated with communal and care facilities. Demand in the local affordable housing sector is mainly for 1–2 bed homes. Small homes push up the density which needs to be offset with green space in the overall design. The industrial area is key to the long-term viability of the village, providing jobs for residents, trade for the shops and income for the community. The area needs a major facelift and while there may be opportunities for a combined scheme including some housing, as suggested by many people, it would need to retain its business focus. 3
The NP team are aware that our thinking about how the village could develop has changed over the last six months. Are we able to take village opinion with us or have we lost touch? Our village questionnaire asks some of these big questions at www.eynshamfutures.org.uk where you can also find out more about our progress and we are always keen to hear your views, preferably by e-mail at eynshamfutures@gmail.com or you can call 01865 880106 or ‘like’ us on Facebook and join the discussion. You’re also welcome to come to a meeting on 15 December and 19 January in the Bartholomew Room.
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 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) 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, 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 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
See also Village Hall – feature on page 5 Baptist Church Hall: 07900 066471 Bartholomew Room/Sports Pavilion: 07956 901622 Music Room: 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: 07919 605544 White Hart Function Room: 01865 883093 4
Local councils 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 Ross Macken 01865 882415 – see page 6 Andy Mosson: 01865 880889 Sue Osborne: 01865 880285 Nick Relph: 01865 464264 Dennis Stukenbroeker: 01865 880609 Mark Zumbuhl: 01865 422207 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 OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (OCC) Charles Mathew: 01865 882205 County Hall: 01865 792422 WEST OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL Your WODC councillors’ monthly ‘surgeries’ have been cancelled in view of limited take-up. Peter Emery: 01865 731199 Edward James: 01865 731009 Peter Kelland: 01865 880028 Council Offices: 01993 861000
Festive recycling Waste collection days slip a bit over Christmas/ New Year but extra recycling can be put out in open cardboard boxes or clear bags – one type of material in each and glass in the black box only for safety, please. Normal/revised dates follow: • Wednesday 30 December Saturday 2 January • Wednesday 6 January Friday 8 January • Wednesday 13 January Thursday 14 January Garden waste collection resumes on Wednesday 20 January. Christmas trees and greenery should be put in the garden waste bin, or cut it up and left beside it if too large – or if you don’t normally use this service. Dix Pit recycling centre closes at 15:00 on 24 & 31 December and all day on 25–26 December & 1 January. Normal hours 08:00–17:00, seven days a week. 5
Halls for hire
Village Hall, Back Lane – see page 4 for other venues. A popular central venue, comprising main and small halls with well equipped kitchen. The halls can be hired separately or combine to offer a large spacious facility. The main hall boasts an impressive stage and the small hall opens on to a south facing courtyard. Disabled parking is on-site and the hall is close to the free village car park. For regular bookings or special events please contact Rachel Cassar: 01865 881624 or email bookings@eynshamvillagehall.co.uk
PELLMANS Your Local Solicitors
Business and Employment Law 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 20mph results
Richard Andrews – Parish Council Vice-Chairman Thank you to the 29 individuals and 2 business owners who responded to article in the last edition. Special thanks to Eynsham Cellars who conducted an in-store poll with 25 customers for 20mph and 7 against. Most responses were very positive about 20mph. Safety of walking and cycling were the prime concerns. Problem roads mentioned were mainly entry/exit roads to the village while Acre End, Merton Close and Queen Street were also mentioned. Problems cited for a 20mph limit were difficulty of enforcement and drivers distracted by checking their speed rather than looking out for pedestrians while driving; others thought it a waste of money as there hadn’t been any problem yet. Given better than four to one support for the proposal, the Parish Council will be looking at implementation; the next step will be to do some design work and find out how much it will cost
In brief
Rachel Faulkner – Clerk to the Parish Council OXFORD ROAD SKATEPARK: With the majority of funds in place, we can get on to the more exciting business of choosing the best design and value for money for the extension – read all about it on page 12. BARTHOLOMEW SPORTS CENTRE: In the run-up to the 10th anniversary of the Sports Centre, the Parish Council would like to hear from local residents and groups about their experiences of this facility. Please get in touch – my contact details are on page 5. BUS SHELTERS: Following a request from a resident regarding seating at the bus stops in the village, the Parish Council has managed to secure some funds for a refurbishment of all of the bus shelters. This will include seating, where possible and new glazing. The council hopes that this work will be undertaken before the end of the year and that residents will enjoy the smarter looking shelters. 6
Lost opportunity?
Dennis Stukenbroeker – Chair, Planning Committee The Parish Council was ‘very disappointed’ by Oxfordshire County Council’s approach to its Investing in the A40 consultation. At an exhibition in the Village Hall on 10 October, Eynsham residents were presented with a range of alternatives for addressing the chronic traffic congestion between Witney and Oxford. These included a dedicated bus lane, a dual carriageway north of Eynsham, a guided busway partly on the old railway line, or a rail or tram link along similar routes. Residents criticised the county council’s statistics on who uses the A40 and limited detail on how any of these schemes would integrate into the community was provided. No supporting documents have been made available on the consultation website. None of these have any funding from either OCC or central government. The last passenger train ran through Eynsham in 1962 and a dual carriageway project was abandoned by the Department of Transport in the 1990s. OCC does have £35 million from the governmentbacked Local Growth Fund for improvements to the A40 in and around Eynsham. However, this is linked to its greater Science Transit project to promote high tech development in the county. At a briefing of October’s Parish Council meeting, County officers Lisa Michelson and Odele Payne informed the Council that consultants were to be instructed in early 2016 to just look at the A40 and public transport aspects and no consideration was to be given to the impact on Eynsham as a whole. Minutes for the July County Council Cabinet meeting, which approved the scheme, reveal that these improvements include a 500–1000 car park & ride north of the A40 at Eynsham, at a site yet to be disclosed. Junction improvements on the A40 at Eynsham will include Elm Place, Cuckoo Lane, Witney Road, the Eynsham Service area and the Evenlode pub, with proposed changes to Eynsham roundabout. The Science Transit changes to the A40 at Eynsham were not part of the Investing in the A40 consultation and were omitted from the County’s previous Connecting Oxfordshire: Local Transport Plan 2015–2031 consultation in April. As a result, neither Eynsham residents nor the Parish Council, had the opportunity to put their views to OCC about these major changes before they were approved. The Parish Council is currently drafting, through Eynsham Futures, a neighbourhood plan for at least 250 new homes in Eynsham. The A40 is a major constraint on any further development of Eynsham. Unless the A40 improvements connect with the necessary improvements to Eynsham’s road network, it will be difficult for Eynsham to fulfil the requirements for new housing under West Oxfordshire’s draft Local
Plan. West Oxfordshire has already refused consent for two proposed developments totalling 96 homes primarily because of the Witney Road and A40 access problems. The Parish Council’s full response to the Investing in the A40 consultation is at Eynsham Online http://tinyurl.com/eynsham-A40-response
New councillor
Our great outdoors
Ross Macken joined the Parish Council in November and is now a member of the Finance and Play Area Committees. There are still two vacancies if you are interested!
Oxford Preservation Trust has recognised Wharf Stream Way as one of the best environmental projects in the area. Above L-R, Heather McCulloch of WODC with Gordon Beach and Sue Osborne of the Parish Council Sue adds, I am thrilled to bits that Wharf Stream Way has won an award at OPT Awards 2015. It’s a great accolade and thanks are due again to everyone involved in creating the route so far. I’m sure there will be more news to come as the Way continues to take shape. I have received an alert about a slippery step on the footbridge in the corner of the south playing field which I am pursuing; in the meantime please take extra care when using the bridge. Footpaths committee members are in the process of walking all the rights of way in the parish for our biennial report to OCC in 2016; please do let us know if you come across any problems and we will be happy to follow them up. I plan to arrange some volunteer working parties at the Fishponds over the next few months. I have been given two whitebeam trees which need to be planted; and the remains of the hoggin used on the access ramp needs to be spread along some of the other paths. There is always scope for some general tidying and under-brush clearance too. Please look out for dates and join us if you can! 7
We moved to Eynsham in March 2012. I am married to Julie and we have two children, Felix (15) and Neve (13). We also have cats, chickens, bees and will shortly get a dog. We have been very happy living in the village and very impressed by the efforts that so many people make to ensure this is a great place to live. When Rachel asked if I was interested in a role on the parish council I immediately saw this as an opportunity to make my own contribution to the village as well as getting to meet some more of the residents. I enjoy running and cycling around the country lanes close to Eynsham. I like working on cars, I have a 1966 Volkswagen Caravanette and have recently bought myself a Triumph motorcycle. I am an operations director for a global medical diagnostics manufacturer. We have a facility in Abingdon which originally brought me into the area, however I now mostly work from home and travel a fair amount as part of the job. I am hard working and enjoy operating in a fast paced and challenging environment solving issues with limited amounts of resource. I am hoping that skill set will be useful to the Parish Council.
Age no barrier
Early learning Did you know The Orchard Children’s Centre can help you in applying for primary school places for your child? The deadline is January 2016. If you would like support with the online application process, please call 01865 880686.
14 on-call firefighters from Eynsham Fire Station are aiming to raise awareness, support and lots of money for Cancer Research, Helen & Douglas House and the Fire Fighters Charity. Please visit their fund-raising page https: //www.justgiving.com/teams/eynsham-firefighters “We are doing the South West Tough Mudder (a team-orientated 12 mile extreme obstacle course) in Cirencester on 20 August 2016. Admittedly, most of us agreed to this before seeing the obstacles but it’s too late to turn back now! Some of us are approaching the big 50 (for a couple it has already passed them by) and we are in no doubt that this will be a challenge. So we’d be really grateful for your support.”
Eynsham Dental Care
Improving access Eynsham Medical Centre has set up two new services to improve access and response times: • The Neighbourhood Access Hub at Windrush Health Centre in Witney will offer a same-day appointment when no urgent slot is available at the practice. • Early Visiting Teams will respond to requests for urgent home visits while your GP is still at the surgery.
KAVANAGHS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Are you looking for an award winning local firm of chartered accountants to deal with your tax, accountancy, VAT or payroll affairs? We offer free consultations, fixed fees and flexible working hours to meet your needs. Give Jan or Kevin a call now on 01865 883597, or check out our new website at
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Large Free Car Park
Dental Implants
Free NHS care for under 18s
www.kavanaghsaccountants.co.uk 1 Abbey Street Eynsham OX29 4TB
Telephone 01865 880047 www.eynshamdentalcare.com 4 Cassington Road, Eynsham, OX29 4LF 8
A memorable afternoon
Lastly, Robin Saunders and Andy Hamilton planted a cherry tree in the recently-redeveloped grounds at the front of the school. Planted around the start of the current Reception children’s arrival, it will grow with them as they progress through primary school, and beyond. It was a truly memorable afternoon for a truly memorable man. “Thank you Robin for everything you have done for this school and its community,” said Ian Moore. ALPS Centre Manager Bev Green says...
Official opening of the Robin Saunders building Many Eynsham residents know of Robin Saunders for starting Evenlode DIY, being part of Eynsham Morris, receiving an MBE for services to the village in 2002, accompanying primary school children on Year 6 residential visits or training Year 6 Morris men. You may not know that he has recently retired from his role as a school governor after over 20 years – during which he lent his tremendous knowledge of the building trade and generously shared his time, not least for the development of two new Reception classrooms opened in September 2014. The new build has given 4-5 year olds a purposebuilt centre and designated outdoor learning and play spaces, as well as creating much-needed room for the older children within the main school. It houses Owls Class and Kingfishers Class and sits in the same grounds as the Nursery class which is open full-time for 3 and 4 year-olds, the school’s youngest children. Head teacher Ian Moore sings Robin’s praises: “Without Robin this project would never have got off the ground, literally. He devoted his skills, knowledge and time to developing the new classrooms in a way I was unable to when I arrived. He persevered through revisions of plans, delayed planning applications and all sorts of other difficulties and was always positive. I receive many enthusiastic comments from families and visitors about our new classrooms; older year groups really appreciate the increased room they now have too.” Robin officially opened the new building in October, unveiling a plaque in his honour before children, staff and visitors – Cllr Charles Mathew, Chair of Governors Kirstie McKenzie-McHarg and CEO of Eynsham Partnership Academy Andy Hamilton. He was then guest of honour at a tea which featured cakes festooned with Robin motifs, art-work, models and memories of the building from the Reception and Year 1 children; and a video of the modular building being delivered to the site. 9
I am proud to announce that Bartholomew School has been recognised by the Carers Trust and awarded the Gold Standard for the care we provide for our young carers. This is a national award, with only four schools achieving the gold award. If you feel that you are a young carer or if you are a parent or carer of a child who is a young carer, then please do contact me, either by phoning the school (01865 881430) or via our dedicated email address: youngcarers@bartholomew.oxon.sch.uk
EYNSHAM POST OFFICE – NEWS / MAGAZINES 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
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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Sam Stronach is working to set up community plans in places where there are Cottsway properties. Eynsham and Charlbury have been chosen as pilot projects, to learn from two very different areas. I know Eynsham has been working hard towards a Neighbourhood Plan to cover housing location/ design standards, businesses, green spaces and schools, etc. Housing Associations are now also working with local residents, community groups and organisations to establish similar plans – using surveys, focus groups and community events around main themes to identify neighbourhood issues and priorities. Residents will then have an opportunity to feedback on the actions taken that would make a difference to people’s lives, such as community events, information days, clean-up days, training opportunities, etc. I am still very much in the planning stage and will be liaising with Eynsham Parish Council and local community groups in future. You can follow our progress on facebook.com/cottswayconnect or twitter @cottswayconnect and we shall be setting up online consultation soon so watch this space!
GreenTEA in winter 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
It’s that time of year again when we begin to think about keeping warm and keeping our bills down. Did you know that a gap of only 1mm around your front door creates a draught equivalent to that of a hole the size of an A4 sheet of paper? • we offer thermal imaging for household and businesses which show the heat loss from your house or office • we have leaflets with practical advice on energy efficiency and insulation • we have links with local builders who are practical experts in insulation • we also have some small grants available for those who might find it difficult to pay for draught proofing or other work.
Web: www.annelryan.co.uk Telephone: 01865 880858 FaceBook: Anne L Ryan Twitter: @movingtone LinkedIn: Anne L Ryan
We are also looking for people to join our thermal imaging team – we give training on how to use the camera but if you don’t fancy camera work we are also looking for help with arranging visits to homes and businesses. Contact Sue Raikes: 01865 464021/ sue.raikes@appleinter.net 10
Present tense?
Eric White begins to see that change must be embraced I moved to Eynsham at the end of the 1970s, having fallen in love with the place after a visit one evening in 1977. It was smaller and less busy than it is now but the spirit of Eynsham life has remained the same. My recent exhibition Eynsham Past & Present included paintings from the 1980s as well as the present day. One view from the toll bridge featured an elongated green mound, the result of dredging at the bend in the Thames just upstream of the bridge. It was a very minor landmark but I missed it when it was removed. The junction of High Street, Queen Street and Oxford Road, seen in artwork from the 1980s, shows how the detail has changed. Gone is the informality of the grass-edged footpath and in place of Algar Motors there is now new housing infill. Gone too is the tumble-down nature of the barns at Abbey Farm, which I captured shrouded in snow in the early 1990s. More striking perhaps are the changes at St Leonard’s House, still the vicarage in the early 1980s. A painting I completed then (below) shows the old entrance, with a simple five-bar gate, set to the south side rather than centrally placed. There were far more trees to the front too, while the ogee archway from the abbey guards access to the gardens to the rear.
Santa’s elves © Harold Jerred Santa’s sleigh has undergone its annual spruce up and is ready to whisk him around the streets of Eynsham and nearby villages. Final schedule at Eynsham Online from 30 November, provisional dates below for Eynsham in December (18:00–20:15 each night): • • • •
Wednesday 9 Thursday 10 Wednesday 16 Thursday 17
East Eynsham Central Eynsham West Eynsham Spareacre Lane area
EYNSHAM GOOD NEIGHBOUR NETWORK, run entirely by volunteers, provides support for anyone in need within the village. They also offer a volunteer transport service, for hospitals, clinics, etc. • EGNN: 07443 564516 • Eynsham Car Scheme: 07469 764174
A STABLE RELATIONSHIP Baby Born In Cowshed Housing Shortage Blamed
As I walk around the village I see so many views I wish to paint: houses, not all of them grand; shops and businesses; open spaces, trees and fields; rooftops and ever-changing light. Having closely observed these scenes, I am acutely aware of all the changes in my time here; but although I look back with nostalgia, I realise that change has to be embraced. After all, the Eynsham of today is just as likely be looked on with a yearning for the past by generations yet to come 11
A baby has been born in a COWSHED, because there was no room in the hotels. The mother, a teenage girl, was travelling with her husband to register for the census. “There simply wasn’t anywhere else to put them,” explained the manager of the hotel. When asked whether he hadn’t been unnecessarily greedy, he replied, “What do you mean? I’ve given them a ten per cent discount haven’t I?”
Health Scandal
The case highlights the appalling state of Bethlehem’s public health services. Despite it’s position as a provincial centre, it doesn’t even have a hospital. “That’s because they haven’t been invented yet,” explained a local government official. “The other reason is that no one really cares about the poor anyway. Especially not poor people who get themselves pregnant.” © Nick Page
Over to you
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Triangular shaped floating flat bank 0.8m high Relocated existing handrail Ledge 0.5m high Sidewalk style manual pad 0.2m high Wallride Road gap 0.8m wide with brick texture Descending ledge Bowl corner 1.2m high
9 Mini ramp with hip 1.2m high 10 Fire hydrant 11 Bowl corner 1.5m high 12 Quarterpipe 0.9m high
Another good season
Skatepark extension
The Association Croquet team did well in their league matches and Ian Lowdon won the Jemima Stokes Challenge Cup. They are pleased to be getting new members but still looking for a few more, so why not give it a (free, no-obligation) try next spring? The Golf Croquet team had representatives in the finals of the Grass Roots and Centre Stage competitions at Ashby in September. These are national competitions for high and medium handicap players respectively, a bit like golf. For the second year running, the Club won the Centre Stage Cup – see presentation photo below. Tony Newport: 01993 830572
With the majority of funds in place, we can get on to the more exciting business of choosing the best design and value for money for the extension. We have approached three skate-park design companies and have had two designs back. They both incorporate and make best use of the facilities already there, but add in extra bowl corners, mini ramps, etc. We can tweak these designs to ensure the majority of the users are happy, be they skaters, scooters or BMX bikes. We would welcome any comments on the designs from users of the skate-park or their parents, so if you would like to see the other designs or see anything in particular incorporated please get in touch: eynshamskate@gmail.com We hope that building work will start mid Spring
Eynsham Croquet Club has enjoyed hosting visitors and sharing the clubhouse again – highlights follow
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Better by bike?
Helping out GATEHOUSE: The usual help is needed on 29 November and 10 January – providing sandwiches, fruit and cakes (preferably home-made). Please indicate sandwich content (cheese, egg, tuna or ham are very welcome), date prepared and maker’s name. Home-made cakes should be labelled please, showing possible allergens. In winter items of warm clothing (scarves, pullovers, bobble caps, gloves, socks) are much appreciated. Raymond & Revel Elliot: 01865 881346 ONE WORLD WEEK: In spite of the unpleasant weather, our sale on 24 October was well attended. Those who came enjoyed the opportunity to buy Christmas cards and gifts and to have a chat with friends over a cup of tea or coffee. The representatives of the charities appreciate the chance to tell people a little of the work that they support. Overall £1,100 was made. All of this money will go to help those at home and abroad who are in need. Angie Cox
Chris Baker reports on the A40 cycling experience Travel down the A40 between Eynsham and Cutteslowe, and you may well see cyclists on the designated cycle paths on either side. There are more every year: the Council has a bicycle counting machine near the Cassington traffic lights, and this has recorded a doubling of cycle traffic over the last 9 years. The A40 path is currently the only way of reaching Oxford whilst staying out of the traffic. Not being in the traffic lane itself is, of course a lot safer. Cyclists are much less affected by the current Wolvercote Roundabout roadworks than motorists – though the cycle path on the south side is currently shut at Cassington, so it’s necessary to cross at the lights there, and possibly cross back at Wolvercote. (After Christmas the plan is that this will be reversed, with the north side shut at Cassington). But it’s nothing like the delays frustrating motorists! The roundabout improvements should help cyclists when completed, because the traffic lights that will control roundabout will make it safer to cross the roads there. The cycle paths are far from perfect (poor surfaces and overhanging trees in places) but they are perfectly usable – even after dark, with good modern cycle lights. Cycle path users have formed an email mailing list to share information and discuss things of interest (such as the current roadworks). For more information see http://a40.bike/ For drivers using the A40, please do realise that you cross an official cycle path as you join or leave the road (e.g. at one of the petrol stations or lay-bys). Look out for cyclists (check your wing mirror)! Cyclists can be hard to see, can be moving quickly, and may have little chance to see you if you swing quickly out of the traffic and into the cycle lane. 13
ROTARY CLUB OF EYNSHAM: Thanks to all who supported the Charity Race Night in Bartholomew school hall in October. Well over £1,000 was raised during the evening and will go a long way in helping us make further donations to local projects and charities. The ROYAL BRITISH LEGION thanks local residents and businesses for supporting the Poppy Appeal again. The RBL does use the money to help veterans from both world wars and also from recent conflicts, as well as Forces families who may need support both financially and emotionally. Our final total is not yet in but over £2,000. Julie Jordan WORK PLACEMENTS: Do you work for a company that may be able to offer one of our students a placement for one week next year? Work experience helps students with their transition from school to work or further education, helps them make decisions about their future and prepares them for the world of work. We are always looking to establish new links with local companies and if you think you may be able to offer a place from Monday 25-Friday 29 April, please contact Linda Williams: direct line 01865 733334/ email careers.4054@bartholomew.oxon.sch.uk And finally… THE CARRIER BAG CRISIS: If you must spend 5p on a plastic carrier bag why not save them up, cut into strips and knit or crochet into something attractive and longer-lasting to carry your shopping? With dedication the bags could be sorted into colours so your design features stripes or a motif. This will almost certainly develop conversation at the till to a fascinating level, now “D’ya wanna bag?” is no longer a regular line. Judith McAllister
People
glove puppet won BBC television’s Talent Night. Many Eynsham pictures in the talk reflected events such as the advent of rock’n’roll in 1955, the Lady Chatterley court case in 1960 and man’s landing on the moon in 1969. Royal stories turned up too, including one of Joan Stonham’s sister in 1952 with Camilla Shand who is now Duchess of Cornwell. There was also a picture of Sylvia Moorey (née Hale) at Heathrow Airport in 1967 with her sister Phillis Pimm. Sylvia had left Eynsham for Australia in 1957 and this was her first return visit. Martin Harris also announced that her son Peter was getting married in Australia that very weekend. Revd Michael Farthing gave a moving account of The Rosebud from a wreath on the coffin of the Unknown Soldier in 1920. In December 2000, as duty chaplain at Westminster Abbey, he was summoned to receive the rose at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior before it was presented to the Imperial War Museum. Then before we knew it, we’d returned to 2015 where famous people still included Nicholas Parsons, Sooty... and of course Queen Elizabeth II.
Life during the 2nd Elizabethan era – Eynsham style Back in September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II became our country’s longest reigning monarch. Eynsham History Group chairman Martin Harris, supported by Rev Michael Farthing and Steven Braggs, gave a talk to mark the occasion. Martin depicted the timeline with photos from family, friends and Eynsham people, saying, “I hope to make you think about what you would include if you were compiling a list of events, people, culture, politics or any aspect of British life since 1952.” For each decade, Steven Braggs briefly charted changing domestic technology such as television, washing machines, transistor radios, phones and fridges. Martin gave an informative and entertaining flavour of the last 63 years. In the year Elizabeth became Queen, The Goons were at their peak on radio; broadcasting legend Nicholas Parsons was resident comedian at the Windmill Theatre; Vera Lynn had 3 hits in the first UK singles chart; and Sooty the
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Hello, my name is Clive Tanner and I am the new Chairman of Eynsham Carnival Committee. I have been involved for the last 11 years as ‘Field Director’ and ‘Equipment Manager’. You have probably seen me round the village helping put up bunting and erecting home-made signage. As Chairman, I want this wonderful village event to carry on for many more years, so I hope to meet this target and pass this legacy on to the younger generation in Eynsham. We are now in the first stages of planning for our 70th anniversary Carnival on Saturday 2 July 2016. If you have any ideas or wish to join our team, feel free to contact me anytime: 01865 880994.
A musical miscellany
Larry Poole has an update on the Eynsham music scene The Community Choir is going from strength to strength and has some 25 members. You are warmly invited to a Christmas Concert at St Leonard’s Church on Sunday 6 December at 20:00, to hear songs from many cultures including Oxfordshire. The choir learns by ear and sings from the heart. Come and enjoy a glass of wine and mince pie with them – donations welcome. Eynsham Acoustic (formerly the Folk Club) has returned to its spiritual home in the back room of the White Hart, where they meet at 20:00 on the first Sunday of every month. The atmosphere is lighthearted and fun and everyone is welcome, whether to sing or play or listen. Any instrument, as long as it’s acoustic!Contact June & Larry Poole: 01865 375130/ Paul Rhodes, oxpipes@gmail.com One of the products of the Acoustic Club meeting was the emergence of a great little group who call themselves the Pocket Handkerchief Jazz Orchestra. Three ladies in perfect close harmony, a ukulele, double bass and snare drum / cymbal make the lineup. If you haven’t heard them perform and you enjoy light jazzy styles delivered in an entertaining and crisp sound, don’t miss them. There will be a Valentine’s Day tea party in the Tolkien Room, in conjunction with Cornucopia, on 14 February next year – details to follow later. The ‘sessions’ have also come back to the White Hart, in the main bar on the second and fourth Sundays at 20:30. If you like a good sing, or are happy to play or listen to melodeons, concertinas, guitars, clarinets, etc. in full folk mode, just turn up and join in. Details from Toby Goss: 07553 743570/tgoss8@gmail.com With the Christmas season almost upon us, don’t forget the annual carol singing at the Swan, 19:30 Wednesday 16 December, hosts Keith and Alex. Lastly, a date has been fixed for next year’s folk weekend: 11–12 June, coinciding with Open Gardens once more. Put it in your diaries!
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Alan Craft DCFMCA
Mc Timoney Chiropractor GCC registered Tel: 01865 882992 www.chiropractorcraft.com
Recreation
AGE UK COMPUTER CLASSES: Do you want to learn how to send emails or photos, or shop online? Our very kind Age UK volunteer runs one-to-one computer lessons for beginners every Tuesday. Sign up for a course or session tailored to your needs with our Computer Buddy! Call in or ring Eynsham Library: 01865 880525. EYNSHAM BRIDGE CLUB is a small friendly group who meet every second Monday evening in the Tolkien Room, to play uncompetitive Rubber Bridge – £5 to join and £2 per session. Why not come along and meet us? We regret that we cannot offer training to beginners. Contact Richard Keed: 01865 881016/richard@richardkeed.co.uk EYNSHAM CHORAL SOCIETY Christmas concert is in St Leonard’s Church on 5 December at 19:30. We are singing two lovely pieces by Britten – ‘Jubilate Deo’ and ‘Ceremony of Carols’; ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’ by Fauré which is really beautiful; and a challenging piece by Parry, ‘Ode on the Nativity’. Tickets £10/12 from Evenlode DIY or on the door. Would you like to sing Bach’s magnificent St John Passion with us? Our first rehearsal is Tuesday 5 January 2016 at the Primary School – concert 14 May. All ages and voices welcome (particularly tenors) for this friendly, no-audition choir. Enquiries to Olaf Rock: 01865 43011/ocr@cloverplace.co.uk
EYNSHAM DAY CENTRE runs on Mondays all year round and is open to anyone over 65. We meet in the Village Hall from 10:00–14:30 – please come and visit us any time. We enjoy tea & biscuits plus a chat on arrival, before a few exercise routines approved by Age UK. Afterwards, everyone chooses what they’d like to do in small groups – art/craft, card games, shove ha‑penny, flower arranging, knitting and sewing,
scrabble and puzzles. We have a lovely home cooked two-course meal. In the afternoon we all join together for either a sing-along, Boccia bowling/Kurling, bingo, quizzes, gardening, talks, film shows, church services or children entertaining. We finish with tea or coffee and cakes and all go home happy and uplifted from a fun friendly day together. Linda Young: 01993 701082/ lindamckeer@hotmail.com ENC is nearly 10 years old! What began as an idle conversation at a summer barbecue nearly 10 years ago, has now blossomed into a thriving netball club. In 2006, a small group of mums decided to get together to play netball. Now we’re proud to have grown to around 80 members ranging from 12 years old to 50+ and have five teams playing in the Oxfordshire League. Not bad for a small village! The Junior Club began in 2013 with the help of a Sportivate Grant and this year we have seen the first junior members graduating to the Adult Club. It’s great to see them develop as players and continue with the sport. However, it’s not just for the love of netball, the club has a strong social element and many friendships have formed over the years. We’re really grateful for the support we’ve had from local businesses and from the Parish Council. Please look out for our fundraising quizzes (next one February 2016). We’re currently looking for a sponsor. If you’d like to help us or are interested in finding out more about the club, do email eynshamnetball@gmail.com or visit www.eynshamnetball.co.uk Andrea Langton The OASIS carol service in Eynsham Baptist Church on Thursday 10 December at 14:00 will be followed as usual by tea. August OASIS has again been very successful and much enjoyed; we would record our very grateful thanks to the Parish Council, Eynsham News, the Rotary Club and Greens Funeral Services who all generously supported us financially this year. Lin Miller OPEN GARDENS: We are now looking forward to the summer of 2016, with a proposed date 11–12 June. The next planning session will be on Tuesday 19 January at 20:00 in the Tolkien Room beside St Peter’s church – do come along. Martin Flatman: 07719 646790/email frmartinflatman@gmail.com The PRIMARY SCHOOL PTA has arranged a Family Bingo on Friday 22 January at the Primary School – doors open at 18:45, eyes down at 19:00. Seats need to be booked as this is popular! Call/text 07986 099173 or email eynshamprimarypta@outlook.com
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WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
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. Over 100 banners paraded from Christchurch Meadow up to the Cathedral on 15 September to mark the English WI centenary (Eynsham WI started in March 1923). It was really a fantastic experience and quite moving to see them all brought in and taken down to the front. We had a lovely service. Christine Ashmore
Young volunteers
Stephen, Angus, Finn, Aidan, Jamie and Tillie (above, L-R) plus David, Yasmin, Jas and Saffron Eynsham Youth Club has a team of friendly, enthusiastic young volunteers who are always there to provide emotional and physical support to the youngsters if they ever need it. It is really important that youngsters who come along have someone of their own age to talk to. Young volunteers also help operations such as running the tuck shop and signing people in, as well as organising small group activities to encourage the youngsters to get more involved. These activities range from table tennis tournaments to Just Dance competitions, to even some relaxed cooking in the kitchen. It all brings everyone from the youth workers to the youngsters that bit closer together and makes EYC a very relaxed, social environment. Anyone in Year 9 and above at school can take on the wonderful opportunity to become a young volunteer and meet new people whilst in the process, gaining experience which will prove invaluable in the future. 17
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
Christmas at the Three Eynsham Churches ‘The Real Christmas Story’
We welcome you to any of these services Eynsham Baptist Church Wednesday 9 December 10:15 Nativity Play for the under 5s Sunday 13 December 15:00 Songs of Praise Sunday 20 December 10:30 Morning Service 18:30 Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve – Thursday 24 Dec 18:00 Carol Service at Beech Court Nursing Home 23:30 Midnight Communion Christmas Day Friday 25 Dec 10:00 Family Service 01865 882203 www.eynshambaptistchurch.co.uk St Peter’s Catholic Church Christmas Eve – Thursday 24 Dec 18:00 Carols & first Mass of Christmas (especially suitable for children) 23:30 Midnight Mass Christmas Day – Friday 25 Dec 10:00 Christmas Morning Mass New Year’s Day 1 January 12 noon Mass 01865 881613 www.stpeterseynsham.org.uk
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.
St Leonard’s Church of England Sunday 29 November 17:00 Christingle Monday 14 December 10:30 Christmas Event for under 4s 18:30 Scouts and Uniformed Carol Service Sunday 20 December 18:00 Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve – Thursday 24 Dec 17:00 Crib Service 23:30 Midnight Communion Christmas Day – Friday 25 Dec 08:30 Holy Communion 10:00 All Age Christmas Service 01865 881323 www.stleonardseynsham.org.uk
email robbie@rw-carpentry.co.uk www.rw-carpentry.co.uk call Robbie on 07980 620566
THE THREE CHURCHES Monday 7 December – Carols 13:45 Day Centre, 15:00 Beech Court Thursday 10 Dec – Oasis Carol Service 14:00 at Eynsham Baptist Church Wednesday 16 December 19:30 Carols at The Swan
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What’s on November 29 Gatehouse Volunteers – see page 13 29 Litter Pickers, Baptist Church Hall 13:45
December 2 Primary School Concert, St Peter’s Church 18:30. 3 History Group, St Leonard’s Hall 19:30. Pamela Richards, Indentures (plus seasonal refreshments) 3–5 Bartholomew Musical, 18:30. A Christmas Carol 5 GreenTEA, Eynsham Emporium 10:30–12:00. 5 Choral Concert, St Leonard’s Church – page 16 5 Community Cinema – page 18 6 Community Choir – page 15 8 Women’s Institute, Back Lane car park 18:15. Christmas party. Enquiries: 01865 882011 9 Garden Club, Village Hall 19:00. Christmas Party. 9, 10, 16, 17 SANTA’S TOUR – page 11 10 Oasis Carols, Baptist Church – page 16 14 Friends of Helen & Douglas House, The Talbot 19:30. Quiz night. 15 Eynsham Futures, Bartholomew Room 19:30 – p 3 16 Carers’ Group, Eynsham Emporium 11:00. 16 Eynsham Society, Village Hall 20:00. Party 16 Carols at the Swan, 19:30 – all welcome 17 Country Market, St Leonard’s Hall 09:00–10:30. Last of 2015 and closed in January
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Blood donors welcome, Village Hall 13:30–15:25 and 16:15–19:30. Tel: 0300 123 23 23 Christmas Concert, Music Room 11:00. All welcome but ring to reserve a free seat: 01865 882880 For General Building of the highest quality Extensions & Conversions Renovations & Refurbishments
2015 revisited
Thanks for these highlights of the Eynsham year • My moment of the year was the start of the best organised Shirt Race I’ve ever attended. So far. • 5am, Sunday 6 September, Eynsham/Swinford toll bridge, beautiful sunrise with dreamy, low mist over fields and river, inspirational! • Wharf Stream Way with the kids and the dog. 19
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January 2016 2 GreenTEA, Eynsham Emporium 10:30–12:00. 8 Eynsham News copy deadline – page 2 10 Gatehouse Volunteers: 01865 881346 – page 13 12 Women’s Institute, St Leonard’s Hall 19:30. Valerie Burton, Witney Mills 13 Garden Club, Village Hall 19:30. AGM plus guest speaker. Enquiries: 01865 882417 19 Eynsham Futures, Bartholomew Room 19:30 – p 3 19 Open Gardens, Tolkien Room – page 16 20 Green waste/Christmas tree recycling – page 5 20 Carers’ Group, Eynsham Emporium 11:00. Contact Pamela Richards: 01865 881396 21 History Group, St Leonard’s Hall 19:30. Roger Barnes, History of change ringing 22 Primary School PTA, Family Bingo – page 16 27 Arts Group, Bartholomew Room 19:30. AGM 28 Organic Group, St Leonard’s Hall 19:30. Christine Briner: 01993 868693/p.briner@virgin.net 29 Community Cinema – page 18
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
Planning ahead: Eynsham Society members planted 600 English bluebell bulbs in the Millennium Wood in October – image © Eleanor Chance 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 25 January – copy deadline Friday 8 January. Visit Eynsham Online at www.eynsham-pc.gov.uk
Our sponsors Thanks again to Eynsham Dental Care and the Eynsham Churches for their support - relevant features continue. Printed in Oxford by Holywell Press. 20
Timberyte Unit B Anvil Court Stanton Harcourt Road, Eynsham, OX29 4UD timberyte@hotmail.co.uk