EYNSHAM
Council & Community Issue 18 – April - May 2016
NEWS
“Cry God for Harry, England and St George!” image © Jane Tomlinson – see page 13 The Queen’s 90th birthday provides a rallying cry throughout this issue. But challenges come thick and fast from other quarters – not only local and national but personal too, for many of us. Once again the Neighbourhood Plan takes centre stage (page 3). The work of other hands is open for appraisal in stone (2, 11), in public walks and public affairs (7). Suggestions for your leisure time keep flooding in and there are opportunities galore to share. Plenty of food for thought then, whatever side you take on the Euro debate. 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
Perspectives
Thanks to Bill Middleton for this generous contribution Eynsham is an old village – very old if you accept that it was founded when work was started on the abbey in 1005. While the abbey is long gone, many stones have been “recycled” in the construction of stone houses and walls. But nowhere is the evidence of the old Eynsham more obvious than on the square. Now primarily a car park but, originally, probably the centre meeting space of the village. For markets, fairs and carnivals.
Dominating the square is St. Leonard’s church, the oldest and tallest building in Eynsham, part of which may have existed in the 14th century. If for no other reason, have a look at the church, both inside and outside. The whole structure, floor, walls and roof was largely erected 600 years ago. And next time you take a walk out of the village, maybe over Chilbridge or to Wytham Wood, and look back. The church tower is clearly visible (with towers and spires of surrounding villages). Imagine the view without most of the now visible buildings, without pylons and overhead cables. Imagine travellers, hundreds of years ago, walking to Eynsham from Oxford – or Witney. The tower would have been a sign, a beacon saying “you’re nearly there.” Head straight for the tower and you will be in the centre of Eynsham. Back in the square, pause, and imagine what it must have been like 600 years ago. No cars. No tarmac, no electricity or lights or refuse bins. No plastic things. Imagine the construction of the church. No cranes or drills or any modern tools. No metal posts and clamps for scaffolding. Scaffolding would have been suitable tree trunks, tied together with hemp. No nylon. We, in a way, live in a village with buildings erected at a time and in conditions which today are unimaginable – and would not meet health and safety regulations. How well do YOU know Eynsham? Did you identify/ locate the reclining nymph who featured on the cover of our last issue? Next time you take a stroll along Acre End Street, look up above the gate at number 80. Further suggestions and contributions welcome! Ed. 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 23 May – copy deadline Friday 6 May.
• 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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creating a Neighbourhood Plan for Eynsham Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey from the last Eynsham News. Over 70% of replies want us to consider the pros and cons of having a relatively large extension to the village. This shows that Eynsham’s response is not an instinctive “No” to development but it doesn’t give the go-ahead for large-scale development either. We have to be very clear that development can only take place under the right circumstances. Perhaps we can look at the situation like this. We current residents think Eynsham is a great place to live and we would be willing to share the benefits of living here with others as long as we don’t destroy those benefits in doing so. We may benefit too – new members for clubs and societies, more trade for the shops, the possibility for young people to move back to the village and money to spend improving public spaces. One comment added to a response was that “more people would make Eynsham feel less of a village”. This is something we will explore in more depth. Last year, you highlighted more traffic on village roads, places in school and nursery, doctors’ appointments and A40 traffic as needing solutions. With no space in the centre, new homes will go on the edge of the village so the Plan (NP) will insist all new traffic goes on new roads away from the village. With funding in place to reduce A40/Toll Bridge delays another major concern will be improved. School places must be found – one benefit of a larger development is to fund a new Primary School. The Medical Centre is big enough but the national shortage of GPs affects us too; more doctors will come when we have more people. There will be losses – it will take another 5 minutes walk to get to open countryside and some ‘views’ will go – but how does that compare to homes for hundreds of people who need homes and can contribute to the economic and social vitality of the village? The NP can also ensure that well-designed paths and public spaces make that extra walk more pleasant and be good for residents too. Our current task is writing NP policies. These are the rules which govern new development wherever it goes, whatever its size. Within national planning rules they allow us to define what must and must not be done when building in Eynsham. We know we must present evidence that will stand up against clever questioning by lawyers as developers will want the cheapest option, not the one that is best for Eynsham. To do this, we want to quantify, as much as we can, what makes Eynsham a good place to live. 3
Past consultations collected your concerns and hopes, likes and dislikes which we have included as much as the NP rules allow; now we must turn what you told us into things we can measure. To get this right, we are holding a public meeting on Thursday, 14 April in the Village Hall to take up the challenge of quantifying what makes Eynsham a ‘good village’. It is open to everyone whether you took part in previous events or not. Please keep in touch at eynsham.futures@gmail.com
Check out our new online consultation hub! We are consulting on a Community Plan for Eynsham and have invited Cottsway residents to feed back on what they would like to see in their community. For more information or if you have any questions please visit: www.cottswayconnect.co.uk/eynsham-community-plan Community Plans will sit alongside Neighbourhood Plans but are different because we are looking at smaller scale projects that are important to our residents, rather than the bigger strategic picture. We will also gather information from Cottsway residents via surveys, focus groups and community events to identify the issues and priorities for the community. The Community Plan will then set out the main priorities we have identified and the actions we will take to address them. We will report back regularly on progress with our actions.
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: Clive & Kathie Tanner, 01865 880994 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 - page 8 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 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: 01993 881487 Village Hall: 01865 881624 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 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 Peter Emery: 01865 731199 Edward James: 01865 731009 Peter Kelland: 01865 880028 Council Offices: 01993 861000
Halls for hire
Cricket Pavilion, Cassington Road OX29 4LF – image © Gavin Robinson. See page 4 for other venues The new pavilion is an ideal venue for meetings or children’s parties. There is a good stock of tables & chairs and acres of enclosed, safe green space where children can play and use the sports facilities. Pavilion and ground can also be hired for car boot sales, etc. The building accommodates up to 60 people, or 40 seated at tables. Facilities include three toilets, three shower areas, fully fitted kitchen; licensed bar (by arrangement); and a large private parking area. For bookings or enquiries please contact Frank Partlett: email eynshamccbookings@gmail.com
PELLMANS Your Local Solicitors
Business and Employment Law Contracts, Legal Compliance and Disputes
Property Elections for one of your WODC councillors and for the Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner take place on Thursday 5 May. You must be on the electoral register to vote on that date, or in the EU referendum on 23 June. If you are, you should have received a confirmation letter recently. If you are not already registered, you need to apply no later than 18 April – it takes only a couple of minutes. Find your National Insurance (NI) number first, then call the District Council on 01993 861410 or visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote It is now a legal requirement to register, even if you do not vote. Failure to do so may adversely affect your credit rating, so why take any chances? 5
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
We reported in 2015 (Eynsham News issues 15 and 16) that the Parish Council is investigating the possibility of introducing a 20mph speed limit throughout the village in order to reduce the risk of accidents and maintain or improve the enjoyability of roads and footpaths for all residents. The community makes good use of the streets for day to day necessities, sporting and social activities and we know that residents would like to see this way of life continue. At January’s Traffic Advisory Committee the Police representative stressed the importance of residents supporting the new limit and Stagecoach reported that 20mph would not be detrimental to the existing bus service. The County Council Traffic and Safety Improvement Engineer has now explained the steps necessary to introducing the new limit. The first step to measure existing traffic speeds across the whole village has been approved by the Parish Council. Once results of the speed survey and the costs of signs and traffic calming measures are known, residents will be consulted again.
Development update
Dennis Stukenbroeker – Chair, Planning Committee The aftermath of 2015’s conflict between Eynsham’s inadequate infrastructure and the pressure for development is going to extend through the first half of 2016, at least. As reported in the last Eynsham News, West Oxfordshire District Council wants 250 new homes in Eynsham but has refused applications for 305 on Eynsham’s west side. Three appeals from refusal of planning consent are currently pending and a fourth application has been put on hold. The appeal by Gladman Developments (15/00017/APPEAL) against refusal for outline planning permission for up to 49 homes on land west of Station Road was scheduled to be heard on 6
15 March 2016, with the decision by the government examiner expected to be published at a later date. The Parish Council objected to this development. The appeal by J A Pye (Oxford) Ltd (15/00022/ APPEAL) against refusal for 19 dwellings on land west of Fruitlands is scheduled to be heard on 13 April 2016. The Parish Council also objected to this application. The appeal against the refusal of 77 dwellings on the Eynsham Nursery and Plant Centre site (15/00040/APPEAL) on Old Witney Road is scheduled to be heard on 21 June 2016. The Parish Council also objected to this application. Proposals for up to 160 dwellings on the west side of Eynsham (15/03148/OUT) have been delayed following, among other reasons, Oxford County Council’s objection based on Eynsham Primary School being at capacity. The Parish Council also objected. Eynsham Parish Council objected to the Gladman development because of lack of public support and because it was deemed ‘not suitable’ in WODC’s Strategic Land Availability Assessment. The Parish Council objected to the other three developments because they were isolated developments with single accesses into the already crowded Witney Road. The Parish Council would like to see a co-ordinated development on the west side of Eynsham with a new access road connecting any new housing to both the A40 and the eastern Bypass so traffic would not have to go through Witney Road and the centre of the village. The latest in a long series of applications to develop land at The Gables at the junction of Queen Street and Newland Street and Cassington Road (15/04071/FUL) has been refused. The revised application for 10 dwellings was rejected by WODC, which said it ‘represents the partial loss of one of the few remaining undeveloped open spaces in the village’ and the entrance would ‘impact to the detriment of the substantial and attractive wall’ on Cassington Road. The Parish Council did not object. The applications and any accompanying documents can be viewed at www.westoxon.gov.uk
Hire charges
Rachel Faulkner – Clerk to the Parish Council Charges for the Bartholomew Room and Sports Pavilion will see a modest rise in April, though concessions for local and regular users remain significant – full details at Eynsham Online. The Council is also arranging for a bookings diary on the website, to show which dates are free.
Our great outdoors
Sue Osborne – Chair, Footpaths & Fishponds Committees The working party at the Fishponds on 24 January was a great success. We cleared a large part of the blackthorn clump and managed to spread the rest of the hoggin along two particularly muddy paths, which has much improved their surface. We didn’t need to plant the two whitebeam trees as we found that some mystery tree-planters had already done that job for us. Thank you so much, kind forestry fairies!
Footpaths I’m really pleased to report that, at long last, the “Pedestrians Crossing” signs have been installed on the B4449 near the start of the Wharf Stream Way. Thanks to everyone involved with this work. We are very aware that the Thames Water entrance of the Wharf Stream Way is looking particularly grim at the moment. We are meeting with a representative of Thames Water at the beginning of March to look at possible improvements there. Watch this space! It’s really nice to report lots of positive things this time. As ever, please do let me know if you come across any problems on your travels and we’ll do our very best to put them right. Happy walking!
Road closure A temporary road closure and “no waiting” restriction from B4044 Oxford Road roundabout to Farmoor for carriageway repairs starting 3 April for one night only between 20:00–06:00. Limited access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages, subject to the progress of the works.
Year 2015 review
photo courtesy Gavin Robinson I must extend thanks to everyone who turned up and mucked in. A big thanks also to Ross and Gav, who gave up another Sunday morning to dismantle the remaining picnic bench in the compound, transport it and reassemble it on Harvey’s House Mound, where it looks splendid. Extra thanks to Ross for mending it, too. The next working party is scheduled for Sunday 20 March. We’ll be clearing a viewpoint at the blackthorn clump and shifting some logs there to be used as seating, as well as tidying up some parts of the dry stone wall. If you fancy a morning of activity, please come along to the Fishponds car park at 10:00 with tools if you have them (wheelbarrows, loppers, saws, safety glasses (for the blackthorn and brambles), etc.), stout boots and gloves, and a hot flask. If bribery helps, biscuits will be provided. 7
The Annual Meeting for the parish of Eynsham takes place on Tuesday 26 April at 19:30 in the Village Hall. The reports will be available in the Library and at Eynsham Online the previous Friday. This is a chance to meet (and question) representatives from the local Police and Fire Service, county, district and parish councillors, primary and secondary schools, Eynsham Consolidated Charity & Bartholomew Educational Foundation, Playing Field and Village Hall managers and the Allotments Association. Do come if you can.
Speak out, stay safe
The children in Key Stage 2 of Eynsham Community Primary School were expecting a special assembly on Friday 12 February. They just didn’t know how special! Following the raising of over £2000 for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and an awareness-raising campaign last year, Headteacher Ian Moore was approached when the charity was looking for a school to work with on its new ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ campaign… in front of the CEO and another ‘special guest’. Who could not be revealed for security reasons as no other than the Prime Minister and MP for Witney, Mr David Cameron himself. The project aims to help children understand about abuse and support networks available from friends
Eynsham Dental Care
and family to teachers, the police and the NSPCC ChildLine 0800 1111. So along came discussions on democracy and politics, with the supposedly hypothetical question ‘If you could ask the Prime Minister anything, what would it be?’; arrival of a sniffer dog who quickly became very popular; and wide-ranging discussion among CEO, PM and Headteacher in the office.‘It is a oncein-a-career opportunity for a Headteacher to have ten minutes with the Prime Minister’ says Mr Moore. The children will always remember the day that the Prime Minister visited their school. Mr Cameron engaged with the children really well, giving insights into how the democratic process works and what his role involves. When asked by one of our Year 3 girls how old he was, he tested the children’s mathematical ability by saying he was born in 1966 for them to work it out. He was questioned about welfare, press intrusion and the possibility of the government running out of money. When asked what inspired him, Mr Cameron cited the cabinet office where the British government made the historic decision not to surrender to Nazi Germany. He explained that one of his favourite parts of the job was his weekly meeting with the queen, who was ‘very wise’. All in all it was a wonderful day for all involved. The children were buzzing afterwards and rushed out to tell their parents all about it at home time.
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Work in progress
Chips for dogs All dogs in England over 8 weeks old must be fitted with microchips from 6 April. The chips will be coded with owners’ details and owners who do not comply could face fines up to £500. Some dog charities such as the Blue Cross Rehoming Centre in Burford offer the service for free. Ministers hope the new law will help reunite owners with lost or stolen pets and relieve some of the burden on animal charities and local authorities. More information at www.westoxon.gov.uk/dogs
Community grants The District Council is inviting arts and heritage organisations across West Oxfordshire to apply for funding to help develop new projects and activities as well as ease running costs. Grants of between £100 and £500 are available for specific projects to be carried out by community groups and charities. Deadline for applications is 17:00 on 15 April. For d etails and application forms call 01993 861080 or visit: www.westoxon.gov.uk/communities
Regrettably there has been a recent increase in vehicles parking on the pavements in the village; this is both illegal and dangerous. Blocking the pavement means inconvenience to your fellow residents and in the case of parents with prams, or users of invalid chairs or scooters, forces them onto the road putting them at risk. Please think before you park on any pavement; we know that sometimes parking is difficult in the village but this is not the answer. We would very much appreciate it if all car owners parked sensibly and legally – reducing the chance of their being prosecuted or of causing others to step into danger. So think of the community and road safety; many thanks in advance for your co-operation. Ron Hollis: 07770 466237/email ron.hollis@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
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an update from Paul Stammers, image © Mark Harrison Building of the new Sixth Form block at Bartholomew School has been delayed while quotes for the work are compiled and assessed. However we hope to have the building finished by July. The slightly smaller cohort this year means fewer students will be taking exams in the summer, so it will be possible to cope with the exam season while the construction project is under way. But the school is still dealing with snagging issues that have cropped up with the new eight-classroom block and needs to arrange final funding matters. Things are progressing as planned with the Tower Block, so when this is sorted out the work should be completed by August 2017.
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
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Home front
A fuller update from Grant Paton’s Eynsham weather station – even more at www.odellweather.co.uk
37 Newland Street, Eynsham OX29 4LB Tel: 01865 883611
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The data recorded at Odell Cottage indicates that 2015 was, overall, slightly warmer that the average of the last 30 years and also a great deal drier. Total rainfall for the year was 552.6mm of rain – 120mm less than the average. • The second quarter of the year (April-June) was some 37% drier than the norm. April emerged as the driest month of the year, with only 19.8mm of rain: 50% less than the norm for that month.. • July was not only 47% drier than the norm but also witnessed the hottest day of the year at 35.5°C. • Rainfall for October, quite extraordinarily, was only 27.0mm against a usual 70.2mm. • The wettest month was November, with a total rainfall of 97.2mm – 48.3mm on 9 November being the highest in any one day of 2015. • And as most of you already know, December’s average temperature was a massive 10.6°C against a norm of 4.9°C.
Eynsham charities 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 trustees meet four times a year, in February, May, late August or early September, and November. The Consolidated Charity can make grants to relieve need, hardship or distress. The Bartholomew Educational Foundation can make grants to students, apprentices, etc. aged under 25. If you need help, write to the Charities’ Clerk Robin Mitchell at 20 High Street, Eynsham OX29 4HB or email: robinmitchell255@gmail.com during the month before the next meeting if possible.
Good neighbours 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. • • 10
EGNN: 07443 564516 Eynsham Car Scheme: 07469 764174
Amphibians are declining faster than any other class of vertebrates. The threats to them include habitat loss, pollution and a deadly fungal infection. Here in Eynsham you can help by creating a habitat for amphibians to breed: a garden pond. A network of garden ponds can provide substitute habitats for amphibians to reproduce in. There are many guides on the web to making your pond amphibian-friendly but the main points are that there should be no fish as they will eat the frogspawn; and the ideal depth is 18–24 inches. If you are hoping to attract amphibians, try to not use any chemical pesticides or other toxic substances in your garden as amphibians are very sensitive to these. The good news is that amphibians will clear up your slug problem, without the need for slug pellets – slugs are one of their favourite foods! Also providing some piles of logs and leaf litter at the bottom of the garden can give these animals an appropriate place to hide when they are not in the water. Let the amphibians come to you instead of translocating them from other ponds, to avoid the spread of diseases. For more information please contact Rachel Grant rachelannegrant@gmail.com or visit the website: http://savethefrogs.com/ponds/
Lord’s Farm renewed Oxford Preservation Trust is working to restore Lord’s Farm here in Eynsham. The farmhouse was bequeathed to the Trust by Miss Margaret Bunbury Foote in 1983 and leased out as a family dwelling until 2015. Since then, with much needed support from the William Delafield Charitable Trust, we have had the opportunity for some repairs and updating. The building is constructed of coursed limestone rubble thought to have been recycled from Eynsham Abbey and occupies a prominent position in the village. It comprises a late 17th century two up two down farmhouse, built over an earlier basement, with an adjoining barn. 11
Farmhouse and barn needed repairs to the roof structure, some patching of stonework and general internal upgrading. The stone slates on the roof were removed to inspect the timber frame below. This revealed some water damage to the timbers, now repaired in places and shored up with new supports. In removing the slates the builders found a number of surviving wooden pegs. The slates have been carefully ordered and re-laid over the repaired structure. Over the years many layers of paint and decoration have been added to rooms, often of inappropriate material. This is being carefully removed and has revealed original lath and plaster. The original, rather delicate features have been photographed and remain in situ under new lime plaster. In the bathroom upstairs we have also uncovered an interestingly curved wall, which is often indicative of an earlier staircase. This wall actually sits above the fireplace below where you can already see the bottom step of the earlier staircase.
The external walls have seen a number of repairs over the years with inappropriate cement mortar. This lets water into the building and damages the stones. Where possible it has been removed and replaced with a breathable lime mortar. OPT has been working hard to restore and repair this building in order for it to make a more positive contribution to the character of Eynsham. We have been building our relationship with the Eynsham community during this project and also through our Awards scheme, where the fantastic new Wharf Stream Way was awarded a Certificate in November 2015. We encourage the people of Eynsham to support Oxford Preservation Trust.
Over to you
‘Sunny Sunday springtime walk along the Thames path near Swinford Toll Bridge’ © Julie Sailing-Free
Eynsham Litter Pickers meet regularly on the last Sunday of each month at Eynsham Baptist Church Hall, Lombard Street at 13:45, for registration and to collect equipment (no litter picking on the last Sunday of March because it is Easter Sunday). Registration has to take place so that we know which areas we are covering, where the litter is to be placed ready for removal and also to fulfil our insurance requirements. We work in teams, and all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. When the Queen came to the throne litter was not the problem that it is today. Food packaging, plastic bottles, drinks cans and takeaway meals have all contributed to a growing menace that affects our streets, recreation areas, wildlife and rural areas; and damages our sense of pride in our surroundings. I am sure Her Majesty would be delighted if she knew that her birthday had prompted us to mark it in a practical and environmentally positive way. Trying to keep our lovely village free from litter is a thankless task but is very worthwhile. I am sure there are a lot of you who feel the same and could give a little time to this cause. I am calling on individuals, groups etc to do their bit and take part in our ‘Clean for the Queen’. Pam Breeze: 01865 880725/pam@crazybreeze.com
Shaun Rowland Building Contractors Ltd Family run business est. 1989
Road repairs The County Council continues to tackle missing kerbstones, potholes, etc. but needs you to put them in the picture first, using their online form. ‘Report a road problem’ on the OCC website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk – or go direct to http:// fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk
Eynsham Litter Pickers have registered to join in the national Clean for The Queen campaign to clear up Britain in time for HM Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday, which will be officially celebrated in June 2016. Our event will take place on Sunday 24 April (three days after the Queen’s actual 90th birthday) starting at 13:45. 12
Covering all aspects of construction work Small works, Extensions, Renovations, Loft conversions, New builds (NHBC registered builder) For a free quotation or advice - Telephone: 07957 360516 Email: shaun_rowland@icloud.com For more information please visit our website www.shaunrowlandbuilding.co.uk
ROBERT HUIE Robert Huie Garden Design 27 Queen Street Eynsham Witney OX29 4HH
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Tel 01865 731466 Mob 07796 145476 web: www.roberthuie.co.uk email: design@roberthuie.co.uk Twitter @robhuie
HANGING BASKETS: Eynsham residents are also being invited to decorate the village in the weeks leading up to Flower Festival (2–4 July) with hanging baskets outside your home using the Queen’s 90th birthday as a theme. There will be a £2 entry for the hanging basket competition. Your £2 will fund the prize which will be of a garden nature. A non Eynsham resident will judge the hanging baskets in the week leading up to the Carnival. Forms for the hanging basket competition can be printed off at Eynsham Online or collected and dropped off in an envelope with the £2 entry at Evenlode DIY or at Eynsham police office in the Village Hall. PCSO Helen Keen
Will power It is five years since this competition was held in Eynsham and in that time some new developments have sprung up, giving us new streets to explore for gardens that impress and together with the celebrations this year of our Queen’s 90th birthday we are looking to spruce up our village which we are already proud of. Here therefore is your opportunity to get involved and “show off ”. We have an early spring and hope we will have early blooms for May. The competition will be held during last week in May and first week in June. The categories will be: Best Enclosed Garden, Best Open Plan Garden, Best House Front, Best Business Front. We hope to announce the winners during the Open Garden Weekend 11 & 12 June with a poster and flyers in the programme, announcements in Eynsham Online and Eynsham News. Trophies and certificates to be awarded at a later date. Our next planning session is on 21 March at 19:30 in the Tolkien Room. Sandra Jinks: 01865 880835
23 April is both St George’s Day and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Eynsham artist Jane Tomlinson (born and bred in Stratford-uponAvon) has painted her own tribute to the world’s most celebrated poet – a map of Europe showing all the plays in their approximate locations. The original paintings are displayed in a gallery in Stratford-upon-Avon in April, but they’ll be back on show in Eynsham from 21–29 May, during Artweeks. Signed prints are available at http://janetomlinson. com
WHY NOT OPEN YOUR GARDEN? If you think your garden is not good enough to open to the public on our Village Open Gardens Weekend (June 11/12) please think again. Our visitors are probably more interested in a garden in progress than something too perfect. We already have two very large gardens and two tiny courtyard gardens and others inbetween, but would welcome a few more. This is also the Queen’s Jubilee Weekend so a great way for the village to celebrate it. Go on, be brave! Contact me even if you are not sure and I will come and look at it and encourage you. Martin Flatman: 07719 646790/email frmartinflatman@gmail.com 13
WANTED! Lighting operator for Eynsham’s amateur dramatics company, Bartholomew Players. If you are tech-savvy & enthusiastic, why not join us to create the quality productions we’ve become known for. We put on two shows a year in May & November. Come and join in the fun! Training will be given if needed. Come along from 19:45 on a Monday or Wednesday evening to the Village Hall to find out more, call Gareth Hammond on 07890 970479 or email bart. players@gmail.com
People
Eynsham has been home for a number of Polish survivors of the Second World War. My mother, Anna Sokulska, was one of these. She lived with me in Newland Street for two years before moving into a Polish care home in Devon, writes Diana Forster. My mother was one of the 1.7 million innocent Polish people deported to labour camps in Siberia and in Russia when Stalin’s forces invaded Eastern Poland at the start of World War II. The whole family, including my grandfather, grandmother and five aunts and uncles, was arrested in February 1940 and transported to Archangelsk. The journey was terrible as the deportees were locked in cattle trucks with little food and water, with no idea of where they were being taken or how long the journey would take. Their destination was a logging camp with accommodation in shared barracks where my family was forced to work in temperatures as low as -40°C on a starvation diet. The deportees were always hungry and had to look at a cabbage patch planted by the camp guards. This garden was forbidden to the inmates but my mother crawled on hands and knees at night to nibble
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the cabbage leaves. The guards assumed that animals had caused the damage. This memory of my mother’s inspired an artwork that I exhibited in Christ Church Cathedral last November as part of the Reflections on Humanity event. My artwork is a cabbage patch with 16 full sized cabbages made of a white plastic material arranged on a gravel of spent rifle cartridge cases. The cabbages look ghostly and ethereal: the white suggesting the snow and bitter cold of Archangelsk and the Archangel after which the region is named. The cabbage leaves have been nibbled by human teeth: mine. I made the cabbages by pressing molten white plastic onto real Savoy cabbage leaves which I nibbled before stretching the plastic around the teeth marks. I chose the Savoy because there is a Siberian variety. My mother and her family were released from the camp under the ‘amnesty’ granted after Hitler invaded Russia and Stalin joined the Allies. The family made their way south and my grandfather and uncles joined the Polish Units that were being formed to fight with the British against Hitler. My mother’s sister was left behind in the camp as she was too ill to travel, and sadly my grandfather died in the recruitment centre; but the rest of the family survived an extraordinary journey across the Caspian Sea to Iran, then Pakistan, and finally by boat to Tanzania, then part of British East Africa. The story of the deportations – and the dreadful suffering inflicted on so many innocent Polish people – is not well known in this country as the deportees were asked by the British authorities not to talk or write about their experiences. Stalin had become ‘good old Uncle Joe’ as he helped to defeat Hitler!
Alan Craft DCFMCA
Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled a plaque in memory of Dr Fred Wright outside the Village Hall on Friday 12 February. Dr Wright, known to everyone as Fred, was instrumental over many years in getting the Village Hall to become a reality in 2001; then took an active part as Chairman of the Management Committee until a year or so before he died in 2014. The Committee decided on a permanent tribute to his hard work in the form of an engraved stone plaque which is now a permanent feature adjacent to the main entrance. Fred was well known to David Cameron and when the Committee invited him to perform the unveiling ceremony the Prime Minister immediately accepted. This was carried out in the presence of an invited audience which included Fred’s wife Lillian and eleven other members of his family. Roy Wilkinson – Chairman of Eynsham Village Hall Management Committee
A new priest As most of you know, I will retire from being a full time priest at St Peter’s this May; and I had thought that we might have to share a priest with another parish. I am surprised but very pleased to announce that the Archbishop has appointed a priest to replace me. The new priest is Father Mark Lagorio who has been Parish Priest of the Catholic Church in Thame for the last 16 years. Thame is a lovely parish with two Sunday morning masses and lots of families and children, and so you can be sure that Fr Mark will continue to foster this atmosphere here in Eynsham. He will however inevitably be different from me. I will still live in Eynsham myself but will not normally be here on Sundays, as I will help out in other parishes, but you will still see me here occasionally. Martin Flatman 15
Mc Timoney Chiropractor GCC registered Tel: 01865 882992 www.chiropractorcraft.com
Recreation
Suggested donation and £20 and £10 for other siblings. please call: 07808 297043/email eynshamhc2016@gmail.com
FOLK WEEKEND SUSPENDED: After looking around at the many local events due in June this year, the Folk Weekend team has decided not to put on the usual three day event this year. The decision was largely due to it being the Queen’s 90th birthday on our regular weekend, and it seems that quite a few of Eynsham’s streets are already thinking about street parties. So we don’t want to provide an additional distraction; and we’d quite like to get to a street party or two ourselves! We will however be arranging a concert later, probably Saturday 12 November in the Village Hall. The aim is to showcase local talent to a local audience. As a rule of thumb, we are looking for acoustic groups, but we’re happy to have most genres of music, provided it’s locally grown. We’ll be trawling the community for Eynsham stars but if you are interested or you know of someone who might be suitable please let us know by email to info@eynshamfolkweekend.org.uk or via our Facebook page or phone 01865 375130. Larry Poole ADULT MARTIAL ARTS: congratulations to the team promoted to Yellow Belt in December. We still meet each Monday, 20:00–21:00 at the Sports Pavilion. Free trial sessions! Book with Claire Maden: 07540 316188/cmmartialarts@live.co.uk CAVE QUEST: an exciting new summer holiday club for children 5–11 years at Eynsham Primary School on 25–29 July. Five mornings of fun activities supported by the 3 Churches in Eynsham, the theme being “Following Jesus – The Light of the World”.
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DROP IN at Eynsham Emporium from 10:00–12:00 on the 2nd Monday of the month and meet your local Community Information Networker for info, advice and support alongside tea and cake. Whether you need help at home or want to find out more about local activities and support services, we can help! We work with anyone 18-plus, not just those over 50. Jess Swift: 07827 235457/ jessswift@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk LOST & FOUND: Over the past few years the Village Hall has accumulated a wide range of ‘lost property’ left behind by users of the Hall. If you believe you may have ‘lost’ something there, please contact us and provide a short description of the item. We will then let you know if anything resembles your description. In the first instance please call our Secretary Eve Hollis: 07721 004646/email eve.hollis@gmail.com Any items identified will be available for collection on any Monday in April by prior arrangement with Eve. After the end of April any unclaimed items will be taken to a charity shop.
Relative values Mix one glamorous American starlet (hiding a secret lover!) with one British earl, sprinkle in a redoubtable countess and a long-lost sister, and add in a generous dose of British upper-class society manners. Shake together in a country house overseen by a dry-witted and savvy butler. Result? An explosive concoction that results in a comedy of manners and a humorous observation of 1950s British class opinions and values. Noel Coward was the master of the genre in this era and Relative Values is one of his classic plays which does not disappoint. Bartholomew Players have cast a mix of new and existing members in this light comedy expertly guided by Laurence Goodwin, long-time actor with this group and co-founder of Thistledown Productions, who is making her directorial debut with the Bartholomew Players. In keeping with previous shows, Bartholomew Players will be partnering with a local group for the Friday night supper show – this time the Rotary Club of Eynsham who will share in the profits from the Friday night show to award to the local cause of their choice, so please do come along and support us on Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 May at the Village Hall. Tickets £9/£8 from Evenlode DIY, online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/bartholomewplayers or on the door; supper show £18 (advance booking only) from Denise Santilli: 07721 744020, bart.players@gmail.com
CHARITY FILM NIGHT, Saturday 2 April, Eynsham Village Hall: ‘A Private Function’ starring Maggie Smith and Michael Palin. An event to be hosted by the Rotary Club of Eynsham with John Richards, Eynsham Cinema, in support of two deserving charities: Helen and Douglas House and Young Dementia UK. Tickets £12 include a 2 course meal. Contact Harold Jerred 01865 881869 or Roy Wilkinson 07970 227364. Some tickets may also be available at Evenlode DIY. SCOUTING NEWS: we commemorate 100 years of Cub Scouting at 19:16 on Friday 16 December, when all Cubs all over England will renew their promise. We in Eynsham are doing lots of things to celebrate over the year: going to a county camp, crossing 100 things off our personal bucket list and trying to get a penny (coin) for every year from 1916 to now. We are still very short on old coins from 1916 to the 1930s – can you help? We have not found a 2016 penny either; who will be first to stick the penny in place? You can see the penny a year display in the Scout Hall and we would like to hear of any stories or picture about scouting from anyone in the past 100 years. Sue Greenwood SPOT THE INTRUDER: Occupying children over the Easter holidays can be difficult and expensive. So why not join in this fun activity, organised by GreenTEA, says Helena Nielsen. Contact her on 01865 880685 / helenasamthar@gmail.com From 19 March to 3 April, Eynsham shops are inviting an ‘intruder’ into their window display. The item will be something you wouldn’t normally expect to find in that particular shop. It will also be something that can help us in our challenge to reduce energy – such as a jar of local honey in the DIY shop, or an energy-saving light bulb in the flower shop – thus a Carbon Hero. Whoever identifies the most intruders will win a prize. Competition forms are available at The Emporium, Evenlode DIY or the library. SWINFORD SCOUTS: If you a boy or girl between 10½ and 14 and you like challenges, learning new skills, being outdoors and camping then Scouts is for you. We currently have spaces in the 1st Eynsham Scouts, Swinford Troop. We meet on Fridays 19:00-21:00 at the Eynsham Scout Hall on Back Lane. For more details contact Scout Leader Pete Clayton: 01993 779170 / pete.swinfordtroop@gmail.com 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
[IMAGE 18c – new advert in place of Robbie Watson]
Easter at our Churches Good Friday 25 March 10am Ecumenical Service in The Square followed by coffee and hot cross buns in The Baptist Church Hall. St Leonard’s Church of England, The Square Palm Sunday 20 March 09.00 Holy Communion (BCP) 10.45 All-Age Celebration Holy Week For additional opportunities to meet with Revd Morey Andrews to pray, please contact him on 881323. Monday 21 March 07.00 Prayer walk around Eynsham (meet at St Leonard’s) to pray for the village and community. 18.00-19.00 Church open for prayers Wednesday 23 March 12.00–13.00 Church open for prayers. Maundy Thursday 24 March 20.00 St Leonard’s Church Meal remembering the last supper and including Holy Communion; the church will remain open after the evening service until 23.00 for further silent prayer and reflection. Good Friday 25 March 12 noon Church open for quiet reflection 14.00 Last Hour of the Cross Saturday 26 March 20.00 Easter Vigil Easter Day 27 March 09.00 Holy Communion 10.45 Easter All -Age Holy Communion
Shiatsu Healing Massage Jo Ord
St Peter’s Catholic Church, Abbey St Holy Week 10.00 Mass Mon 21 March 17.30 Mass Tue 22 & Wed 23 March Holy Thursday 24 March 20.00 Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by Watch of Prayer till Midnight Good Friday 25 March 15.00 Liturgy of the Passion Holy Saturday 26 March 20.30 Easter Vigil & First Mass of Easter Easter Day 27 March 10.00 Sunday Mass Confessions after Mass on Sun 20 March & Mon 21 March 12 noon on Holy Thurs 24 March 10.00 on Holy Sat 26 March or on request
A deeply relaxing experience … Done through clothes using different pressure techniques… Facilitates flow of vital energy or Ki in the body…
07769 924717
jo@naturallyshiatsu.co.uk www.naturallyshiatsu.co.uk The Meridian Clinic Eynsham Emporium 32–34 Mill Street Oxfordshire OX29 4JS Jo Ord is a registered and fully insured Shiatsu practitioner with the UK Shiatsu Society.
Eynsham Baptist Church, Lombard St Maundy Thursday 24 March 12 noon Communion 19.30 Reflections and Communion Easter Day 27 March 08.00 A quiet reflective service and Holy Communion followed with breakfast 10.30 Family service and Holy Communion to celebrate Easter. There will an Easter egg hunt for children after the service. All are welcome to any of these services
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What’s on March 21 23 23 25 30 31
Eynsham in Bloom – page 13 Bartholomew orchestra & Choir, Main Hall 18:30. Karl Jenkins, The Armed Man – mass for peace Eynsham Society, Village Hall 20:00. Ivor Porter, Natural Britain – wildlife photos. Community Cinema – page 18 Arts Group, Bartholomew Room 19:30. Bob Wakefield, Etching as a sculptural process. Organic Group, St Leonard’s Hall 19:30. Enquiries: 01993 868693
April
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Specialising in the letting of property in the Eynsham/Witney area Professional advice Free market appraisal Competitive fees For individual service call Christopher Dodds - 01865 883108 cnd@abbey-rentals.co.uk 11b High Street Eynsham www.abbey-rentals.co.uk
l Charity Show, The Music Room 14:00. Penelope Milner, paintings; pastel portrait demonstration on Saturday morning 2 GreenTEA, Eynsham Emporium 10:30–12:00 3 Gatehouse Volunteers: 01865 881346 3–4 Road Closure – page 7 7 Country Market, St Leonard’s Hall 09:00–10:30. 11 Helen & Douglas House, The Talbot 19:30. Quiz night. 12 Women’s Institute, St Leonard’s Hall 19:30. Sharon Williams, The Wychwood Project – plus AGM. Enquiries: 01865 882011 13 Garden Club, Village Hall 19:30. Christie Leary, My organic garden 14 Eynsham Futures – page 3 20 Carers’ Group, Eynsham Emporium 11:00. 20 Eynsham Society, Village Hall 20:00. Mike Heaney, Morris Dancing & Eynsham Morris 7 History Group, St Leonard’s Hall 19:30. Robert Stewart Parker, an Egyptian Papyrus – plus AGM and refreshments. 27 Arts Group, Bartholomew Room 19:30. Lis Mann, A wartime refugee’s story. 24 Clean for the Queen – page 12 26 Annual Parish Meeting – page 7 29 Community Cinema – page 18 19
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May 1 Acoustic Club, White Hart 20:00. Enquiries: 01865 731787 4 Creative Writing, Eynsham Library 18:00 5 WODC elections, Village Hall 07:00–22:00 6 Eynsham News copy deadline – page 2 7 GreenTEA, Eynsham Emporium 10:30–12:00
The Joinery Shop 14 Garden Club, Market Square, 17th Annual Plant Sale. Enquiries: 01865 882417 15 Gatehouse Volunteers: 01865 881346 18 Carers’ Group, Eynsham Emporium 11:00. Contact Pamela Richards: 01865 881396 18 Eynsham Society, Agrivert visit (afternoon) – food waste into power. Enquiries: 01865 880563 21–29 Artweeks – page 13 28 Garden Club, Coton Manor – all day outing 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 23 May– copy deadline Friday 6 May. Visit Eynsham Online at www.eynsham-pc.gov.uk
Our sponsors Thanks again to Eynsham Dental Care, and the Eynsham Churches for their support in 2015/16 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. Looking toward year four, we aim to keep the mix of adverts/features, news and comment as before, so advertising space is limited (31%). If you are a current advertiser, or would like to advertise in future, we’d love to hear from you. For sizes, costs and deadlines please contact Sandy Hellig: 07551 876285, email sandy. hellig@gmail.com or visit http://eynshamnews.org.uk Printed in Oxford by Holywell Press 20
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