No 477
FEBRUARY 2025
Herald Contact Details
Editor � HanboroughHerald@gmail.com
Advertising Officer: Val Pankhurst
� hheraldadverts@gmail.com
☎ 07772 094819
Distribution: Sarah Nicholls ☎ 01993 881466
Management Committee: All of the previous plus:
Chairman: Nigel James ☎ 01993 881711
Treasurer: Michael Greenway ☎ 01993 357014
Committee Member: Jane Lewis ☎ 01993 883077
Where can I get a copy of theHerald?
If you do not have a copy of the Herald delivered to you, they are available from the following locations: •
Note from the Editor
would like to say a big thank you to The Hanborough Fireworks Committee for the very kind donation to the Hanborough Herald. As always, it is a great pleasure to help local organisations such as yours however we can.
Waste & Recycling
Your collection day is Wednesday
Unless delayed by a Bank Holiday (*)
Wednesday 19th February
BLUE lidded bins are for all recycling except glassbottles/jars. In GREEN weeks, general recycling, glass, food waste, cooking and engine oil, batteries, bagged fabrics, shoes, small electrical items and garden waste will be collected. In GREY weeks, general rubbish and food waste will becollected.
Residents can now report a missed bin collection via this online form: westoxon.gov.uk/missedbin
Visit the website or contact us to:
• Sign up for garden waste collections (chargeable service)
• Report a missed collection (within two working days)
• Request a food waste caddy
• Replace a damaged or broken bin
• Ask a question about recycling
� www.westoxon.gov.uk
01993 861025
Hanborough Parish Councillors
Richard Devereux-Cooke (chair)
☎ 07785 391189
� rdc@hanborough-pc.gov.uk
Michael Franklin
� mikefranklin18@outlook.com
Rod Fraser
☎ 01993 880195
� rod.fraser@hanborough-pc.gov.uk
Rich Fuller
☎ 01993 880337
� rich.fuller@hanborough-pc.gov.uk
Tom Lewis
� HPCTLCH@gmail.com
Steve Nicholls
�
Steve Page
☎ 07703 545349
� steve.page@hanborough-pc.gov.uk
Jack Thorne
� jackfthornehpc@gmail.com
Lucy Tritton
☎ 01993 881597
� lucy.tritton@hanborough-pc.gov.uk
Officers of the Parish Council
Jon Gammage, Clerk
☎ 07909 514884
� clerk@hanborough-pc.gov.uk
Adrian Edwards, Finance Officer
Also with responsibility for Planning, Cemetery & Allotments matters.
✉ Fermain, East End, North Leigh, Oxfordshire, OX29 6PZ
☎ Office Hours: 01993 773532, Mobile: 0776 7020 290
� hanboroughpcfinance@outlook.com
County & District Councillors supporting Hanborough Parish Council
Liam Walker, County Councillor
☎ 07850 014350
� Liam.Walker2@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Lidia Arciszewska: District, Councillor
☎ 01993 882427
� lidia.Arciszewska@westoxon.gov.uk
Roger Faulkner: District, Councillor
☎ 07930 306114
� Roger.Faulkner@westoxon.gov.uk
Hanborough Manor CESchool
Happy New Year from all at Hanborough Manor. We have started the new year well with the children learning new topics. Here are a few highlights from last term to show what they children had been learning.
HOLLY CLASS (foundation stage)
What a fun and busy 2nd Term we had. We enjoyed learning about various celebrations, with a few weeks on our space theme. The Children have thoroughly enjoyed playing in our Role Play Space Station in the classroom. We were lucky enough to visit the Space Dome at Hanborough Preschool and for one of our snack times we all tried real astronaut food from NASA. Lots of us found it fun to act out the story ‘Whatever Next’ in small groups and then we made our own junk modelling space rockets.
ASH CLASS (Year 1)
Between dressing up as Gladiators, real-life Gladiators, and the Key Stage 1 Nativity, the term was great fun. The children enjoyed dressing up as Times Table Rockstars and enjoyed creating Gladiator names for Children in Need; not to mention the physical challenges children took part in to raise money for the charity. It was a real treat to welcome Steel to Hanborough Manor and into our classroom –the only guest (so far) to walk on his hands!
OAK CLASS (Year 6)
Last term, the class were trained to be mental health ambassadors in conjunction with the charity 180. They got to run the session for the Year 3 class and are looking forward to celebrating Make Me Smile Day next term with the whole school. Some of our wonderful children have also volunteered their time at lunch and break to be mental health ambassadors to the rest of the children in school.
We have spaces across the school
If you are interested in a school place for your child please book a tour by contacting the school office by email on office.3147@hanborough-manor.oxon.sch.uk or telephone 01993881446
Sarah Nickelson and the Hanborough Team
A. R. COOK Windows & Doors
High quality windows & doors installed with care by your local craftsman Alistair Cook 10 The Pieces, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2JZ Tel: (01993) 210067 Mob: 07774524679 alistair_arc@yahoo.co.uk
The Hand and Shears: January update
It’s clear there is massive community support for the Hand and Shears to remain as a pub
The Hand and Shears in Church Hanborough has been on the market since 1 October, with a guide price for offers set by the vendors, Wells & Co, at £600k. A group of Hanborough residents who are concerned about its future has formed a non-profit company and triggered a six-month moratorium on the sale, which WODC can impose because the pub is listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). Until the end of the moratorium on 31 March it can only be sold either to a community group, or ‘as a going concern’: ie to be run as a pub.
Our group developed a questionnaire (launched at Hanborough Fireworks) which has attracted huge interest. Of the 564 who replied by 1st January, 491 think it is important or very important to have a pub in Church Hanborough. More than half would use it at least once a fortnight (some even said daily!). A similar proportion expressed interest in either buying a community share in the pub, joining a steering committee or supporting efforts to get the pub up and running in another way. Ithas been picked up by our County Councillor, Liam Walker, and by the Oxford Mail. It’s clear there is massive community support for the Hand and Shears to remain as a pub.
Our group has had viewings of the premises, contacted local organisations and national experts, and met regularly. All the indications are that the building requires significant investment in repairs and refurbishment in order to be of long-term value to the community – and
that the vendor’s expectations of price are excessive, even if the funds could be raised.
What else might happen? The chief risk is that an unscrupulous developer offers over the odds to acquire something they believe could be used just for residential purposes. We are heartened by assurances that WODC would be extremely unlikely to grant permission for ‘change of use’, since it is the only pub in the village, and it is an ACV. In one local instance, it was 10 years before a purchaser was able to occupy a village pub they had ill-advisedly bought to use as a house.
So what is our group doing right now? We are fortunate to be working with a local bidder who we believe will invest in and operate the kind of pub we all want. So at the moment, we are not raising funds; though who knows what lies ahead. We wait with our fingers crossed.
John
Corlett, for the Hand and Shears Community January 2025 Contact: handandshearsltd@gmail.com
To respond to the questionnaire, visit www.bit.ly/HandandShears or point your phone camera at this QR code
Oxford Bus and Morris Motors Museums
(Open Wednesdays and Sundays 10am until 4pm)
Early ticket machines
Come along to the museum on Sunday 16 or Wednesday 19 February when we shall be running buses for half term. A conductor will issue an old mechanical ‘Setright’ bus ticket to all visitors, who have a ride on one of our buses. The Oxford Bus Company bought 215 Setright machines between 1953 and 1956 and another 164 in 1961. They were in use until the 1970s when electronic machines made them redundant. So what was before the Setright?
From about 1890, conductors would carry a rack of coloured pre-printed tickets and a Bell Punch machine. The tickets would be numbered and bear the fare information. A different coloured ticket would be used for each fare. Early tickets had the names of the fare stages printed along the edge and the conductor would punch a hole in the ticket to indicate where the passenger boarded the bus. Hence conductors became known as ‘Clippies’. Later the stage names were replaced by numbers, so the tickets could be used any route.
When an inspector got on the bus, he could inspect each passenger’s ticket and, knowing the fare paid and the stage boarded, could check that the passenger had not travelled too far.
If the company suspected that a Clippie was not accounting for all the fares, it could unlock the Bell Punch machine, and empty the little coloured punches, separate them by colour, count them and thus establish what the total fares should have been.
Bell Punch machines were widely used for fifty years, and I can remember them still in use in the early 1950s. Frank Collingwood
Hanborough Neighbourhood Plan
Initial Public Consultation
Saturday 8th February 2025 2.00 – 6.00 pm
Recreation Hall, Long Hanborough
HAVE YOUR SAY IN HANBOROUGH’S FUTURE
Aims of the consultation
• To set out the Neighbourhood Planning process, the timetable and why it is being done
• To get feedback from residents on key local issues to guide next steps towards a wider community consultation
• To meet the Hanborough Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
Programme
There will be a welcome session at 2.00 pm repeated again at 4.00 pm. Welcome sessions will last approximately 30 minutes include an introduction to the Neighbourhood Plan and a chance to ask questions.
YOUR IDEAS AND THOUGHTS are vital for the working group, on your behalf, to take the Neighbourhood Plan forward.
There will be four drop-in discussion stations around the hall where you will be able to chat to members of the Hanborough Neighbourhood Plan Working Group and Community First Oxfordshire, who are supporting us with the plan. You will be able to discuss ideas as to how you would like Hanborough to evolve over the next 20 years. Refreshments will be available
Update on Hanborough: Village or small town?
Last Year, HPC councillor Mike Franklin wrote articles in the Herald about Neighbourhood Planning and how this could help Hanborough people have some control and say in future village planning and how it is assessed going forward. He wrote that a Neighbourhood Plan could set out the vision for our area and the planning policies for the use and development of land in Hanborough, and act as a guide at local level to support the strategic policies within West Oxfordshire.
Since that time, with parish council support, a group of local volunteers have taken the first steps towards creating a Neighbourhood Plan for Hanborough. West Oxfordshire District Council have accepted the designation of our area for the purpose of producing a Neighbourhood Plan, and we are now ready to progress. The next important step is to share information and gather
feedback from residents as a guide towards a wider community consultation later this year.
Your views are paramount in the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan which will give our community an increased ability to influence planning and facilities within the area. What would you like to see in Hanborough? How would you like to see our area develop?
To gather your views and opinions we would like to invite all residents to an initial public consultation at 2:00-6:00pm on Saturday 8th February 2025 at the Recreation Hall, Long Hanborough. Here, you will be able to see details on the Neighbourhood Planning process, the timetable, why it is being done – and, very importantly, provide feedback on key local issues you wish to see included in a wider community consultation. On the day, there will be welcome sessions at 2:00pm and
again at 4:00pm including an introduction and a chance to ask questions.
When adopted by West Oxfordshire District Council the Neighbourhood Plan will become a statutory plan carrying equal weight to the wider Local Plan and be used when making decisions on planning applications in our area – so it’s important everyone’s views are heard.
We look forward to seeing you at the initial public consultation on 8th February.
As a volunteer group of residents, we are looking for help to assemble this Neighbourhood Plan. If you have any free time or any expertise you feel may be valuable to us, then please do get in touch at the email address below.
Hanborough Neighbourhood Plan Working Group Via email: Mikefranklin18@outlook.com
Hanborough GardenClub
February report Membership
We had a busy 2024 with a great variety of talks and trips beginning with our very own Rob Hancock giving a full and informative talk about dahlias. Highlights for me included trips to the RHS show at Malvern and the garden at Broughton Grange. Talks that stood out for me were by Neil Clennel about the Wychwood Forest project - his energy for the project was very infectious, and by Timothy Walker who spoke about bog gardens. Timothy’s talks are always so full of information, going for the history of water in gardens to how to create one yourself.
If you would like to become a member or renew your membership for 2025, please go to the website for details www.hanboroughgardenclub.org/. Membership is £20 for the year. Membership entitles you to: free entry to talks, a discount card to use at local nurseries, a free talk voucher for a friend or member of your family and a free glass of wine or juice at every meeting.
All talks are at the Recreation Hall, Long Hanborough and start at 7.30 pm. The talks are open to all - we are a very friendly club and at each talk we have refreshments and a raffle. For up to date information and information about how to become a member, please visit our website www.hanboroughgardenclub.org/.
Events for 2025
Thursday 27th February
How Enclosure Shaped Oxfordshire’s Landscape by Deborah Hayter Deborah will tell us of the history and impact of enclosure of the land in Oxfordshire.
Thursday 27th March
Swifts by Dr Andrew Lack Dr Lack, of the Dept. of Environmental Biology at Brookes, will be giving us his expert talk about swifts.
Thursday 24th April
TBC
Thursday 29th May
Gardens in Pictures by Lucy Tritton Lucy, HGC Chair, will be giving a talk about plants in paintings.
June
Trip to the National Herb Centre in Banbury, details tbc.
Bladon and Woodstock Flower Club
Margaret Lang
We wish all the readers a very Healthy and HappyNew Year and hope that you all had a MerryChristmas.
After our wonderful Christmas demonstration at Exeter Hall, we have not met since. So, we start with our first meeting of 2025 on 10 February with Carol Gardiner a National Demonstrator with her title ‘Winters Palette’.
After this our March meeting will be the AGM on 10th. This does not usually take very long so we take a break for coffee/tea and then have a speaker. We have got
Simone Squire with her talk title ‘More than a slab of chocolate’. Subscriptions are due at this meeting which will be £42 for the year. This is extremely good value for the year when one considers the quality of demonstrators and excellent varied programme we have. If you are interested in joining us and would like to know more about the Club, please contact me on 0186376587. We meet at the Bowls and Tennis Clubhouse, Cadogan Park, Woodstock on the second Monday of the month with meetings starting at 7pm.
WFreelandDistrict
e are looking forward to the new term, with new girls joining us. The rainbows and brownies are doing badges towards the ‘Be Well’ theme focussing on mindfulness and living healthy lives. We will also be celebrating Thinking Day around the 22nd February. This year’s theme is 'Our Story' and will give the chance to reflect on the symbolism and values of Girl Guiding and explore what it has meant to be a Girl Guide and Girl Scout over the years. We will also be celebrating Easter, Shrove Tuesday to name a few.
Are you looking for something new to do in 2025? Ourguide units really needs helpers on a Monday or Tuesday night for a couple of hours. Anything you can spare would be really appreciated. You don’t need any particular skills and can be any age freelanddistrictguiding@btinternet.com
We need more adult volunteers to work with our youngest section: the Beavers. They meet on Wednesday evenings at Freeland Village Hall, from 5:30 until6:45.
Why You Should Become a Beavers Leader
Becoming a Beavers leader with our local group is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in your community while having fun and learning new skills.
Make a Lasting Impact
Beavers (ages 6-8) are at the start of their Scouting journey. As a leader, you’ll inspire them to discover new skills, build confidence, and work as a team. Whether it’s organising games, outdoor adventures, or crafts, you’ll help shape their character and create memories they’ll treasure.
Rediscover Adventure
Scouting isn’t just for the kids - you’ll rediscover the joy of trying new activities. It’s a chance to embrace adventure, learn alongside the children, and maybe even conquer a challenge yourself!
Join a Supportive Community
You’ll become part of a welcoming network of Scouts leaders, sharing ideas, laughter, and experiences. The friendships you’ll form often last a lifetime, and you’ll enjoy being part of something bigger.
Flexible and Rewarding
Worried about time? Scouting offers flexibility to fit your schedule, with plenty of training and resources to help you succeed. You choose how much time you can commit, and every moment makes a difference.
Boost Your Skills
From leadership and organisation to communication and problem-solving, you’ll gain skills that are valued by employers – and it looks great on your CV.
Keep Oxfordshire’s Scouting Spirit Alive
By volunteering, you’ll contribute to a long-standing tradition of community spirit in Freeland and Long Hanborough, ensuring the next generation thrives.
If you’re ready to inspire, grow, and have fun, becoming a Beavers leader is an incredibly rewarding choice. Your local Scouts group would love to welcome you! So, please contact us at gsl@hfscouting.org.uk to express your interest and for further details.
We are very fortunate to have such active Scouts groups serving our young people in Hanborough and Freeland: make 2025 the time for you to step forward and join our team, to help us make a real difference to our communities.
Matthew Ruddle (Publicity Rep)
Hanborough Women’s Institute Report
As predicted the December 2024 meeting of your WI was a great success, lots of fun, games, food and drink. A lovely start to the Christmas period.
In January, we had Thea Rogers as our speaker, and she took us through a half hour seated Zumba class. This was great fun and enjoyable. She was an excellent instructor and covered the four dances used in Zumba. Despite the frosty and very cold weather, this happened in the freezing week of January, over thirty ladies attended and this included four visitors! I am full of admiration for all who came. After our exertions, everyone was more than ready for refreshments, particularly the tea and coffee. I would like to give a shout out for all the members who are part of the rota to provide refreshments and wash up. As readers may be aware, refreshments feature quite heavily in our meetings. They provide not just the snack and drink, but an opportunity for everyone to have
Elderberries
a good chat and catch up with each other. Socialising and communicating in person are key to good mental health.
This month, February, the committee take a wellearned break from organising and running the meeting. It’s called Member’s Night, and a group of ladies will organise the entire evening. These evenings are always a pleasant surprise, as the theme is kept a secret, but always enjoyable.
If you would like to find out more about your local WI, you are very welcome to attend as a visitor, to see if you like us and what we are about. All women can be sure of a warm welcome at our meetings. There will be no obligation to join. We meet on the second Thursday of each month at The Recreation Hall. Meetings start at 7.30pm and last to between 9 and 9.30pm. Please call Carol Bower on 01295 881930 to arrange a visit.
A social group for the over 65s with company, laughsand lunch!
Well Christmas already feels a long time ago and we are already back at Elderberries for 2025! But before I look ahead I will look briefly back at last year.
2024 was my 10th anniversary of being the manager at Elderberries and I can honestly say it has been an amazing 10 years! I vividly remember my first day and how nervous and unsure I was about taking on such a big responsibility but the moment I stepped into the hall I was greeted with warmth and kindness by helpers and members alike and that made me realise what a special place it is.
One of the first people to say hello was Falmai Gathercole, a much loved and very much missed lady. She was so kind and thoughtful to everyone at Elderberries and someone who helped me in those first few months and will always be remembered We have already started 2025 as we mean to go on, with Bob singing for us and all of us joining in-and some of us up dancing! Elderberries is about being together, so bring on the next 51 weeks!
Combe Mill
Blenheim Palace Sawmills, Combe, Oxon. OX29 8ET
We would like to thank all the visitors who came along to support Combe Mill during 2024 all are welcome back again for 2025, looking forward to seeing you all .
Combe Mill will be opening again to welcome all to our late 19th Century Grade II Listed Building, in its day was the workshop to Blenheim Palace Estate.
Out first ‘IN STEAM’ event is the 16th March 2025. STEM – Change & Adapt, bring the family along, childrenare FREE, there will be lots to do with some very
interesting items to see, you might just be able to make a poker with the Blacksmiths. Tea Room, Gift Shop & Tombola will all be open. Bring the dog and parking isfree.
Come along and met our STALLHOLDERS at the SPRING MARKET, take a look around and support the local small business, Stall holders please contact combemill@talktalk.net if you would like an OUT SIDE STALL PITCH with your own Gazebo.
Wroslyn Road, Freeland, OX29 8AQ
Opening hours 9.00am–4.30pm; Sundays 9.30am–4.00pm
Tel:-01993 881430
Website:https://freelandnurseries.wordpress.com/
• New season’s vegetable and flower seeds
• Seed potatoes
• Spring bulbs, primroses and polyanthus for early colour
• Main crop potatoes -25 kg and 10 kg bags
• Logs and kindling wood
• Comprehensive selection of wild bird products
• A good selection of greetings cards
YOUR LOCAL HANBOROUGH BASED LICENSED TAXI COMPANY. (6 SEATS) RELIABLE & REASONABLE RATES ALL AREAS AIRPORTS & SEAPORTS
MOB. 07919 675150 07554 066861
Herald Cryptic Crossword No. 161: February 2025
BY DIVALDE
This month’s answers may be foundat
http://divalde.wordpress.com
Across
1 Author never changed (5)
5 Bores transmogrify when not drunk (5)
8 Midas owns Cretan mountain (3)
9 Famous Italian city planner (7)
11 Singe the French king (7)
15 Inexperienced without sin (6)
16 Home is home to meditative aid (2)
17 Russian port means Lord of the East (11)
22 I hear insect is alive (2)
24 Marine order is to stay (6)
25 Female follows club heroine (7)
29 Air con reassembled with a wind instrument (7)
30 Gallivant in Brigadoon (3)
31 Author may survive outside all winter (5)
32 Meaning Caruso for instance (5)
Down
1 Home to Romeo and Juliet (6)
2 Pupil activity before shape shifting (7)
3 Cleaned reshaped and interwoven (7)
4 Record set in Jedi school (4)
5 Droop before a long story (4)
6 World Cup winner soiree (4)
7 Teases torn clothing (4)
12 Higher than a saint (4)
13 Trust without foundation is corrosive (4)
14 Eastern cooking vessel in Star Wars films (4)
17 Dave rewrote religious text (4)
18 Demagogue supresses eagerness (4)
19 Nasi goreng ingredient for Frankenstein's assistant (4)
20 Cook painting for Rod (7)
21 Too vain to reappraise applause (7)
23 Partisan non-blond (6)
25 Cleansing vessel upheld by Black Sabbath (4)
26 Deity sounds less icy (4)
27 Mr Pop seen in gig gyrating (4)
28 Vein revealed in exploded diagram (4)
Answers for No 160 December 2024
Across: 1 Keir Starmer: 8 Eva: 9 Murderess: 11 Poser: 13 Joe Biden: 16 Lea: 17 Ceded: 19 Roget: 20 Obama: 22 OXO: 23Isotherm: 26 Dubai: 28 Advantage: 31 Nun: 32 Donald Trump: Down: 2 Emu: 3 Rodeo: 4 Throb: 5 Rus: 6 Refs: 7 Labradoodle: 9 Millwood End: 10 Spectre: 12 One: 13 Java: 14 Eurasia: 15 Ingot: 18 Doom: 21 M.I.A: 24 Heard: 25 Rotor: 27 Band:
29 D.N.A: 30 Gem:
• All RoofingRepairs
• Slating, Tiling,
•Flashing,etc
• uPVC Fascia
Roofing
and Building
NorthBank,105HighStreet,Finstock,ChippingNorton,OxonOX73DA Telephone:01993868557 MJgibbsroofing@gmail.com
LIONHEART LATER LIFE PLANNING.CO.UK
Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Trusts, Equity Release and Grant of Probate.
Free quotes and advice with home visits. 01993 220281 / 07769730616
• Soffits &Guttering
• Alterations
•AllBrickwork &Repointing
Snowflake and Star
Here was a garden that become a land of snow, Sylvan for silvern shrouds across Winter's black night, Hawthorn, Briar and Wily Witch Hazel will know, That Spring's dawn chorus heralds more than new light, Warming wreathed doors opening onto the verdant site, Voluble crow and crafty daw emissaries from afar, Declare the dream is over, and time must take flight, To step out is to step in, to have faith in who you are, Now go lightly without equal like snowflake and star.
divalde
Eynsham Country Market in Long
Hanborough in 2025
Eynsham Country Market would like to thank everyone who turned out to support us in 2024 which was our 40th Anniversary year. Our Christmas market on 7th December in Long Hanborough Recreation Hall was particularly busy and we hope that all our customers enjoyed their Christmas treats and are now ready to sample more locally made produce from ECM. Our first market of 2025 in Long Hanborough will be our Easter themed market on Saturday 12th April when we will be selling simnel cakes, Easter biscuits, iced ginger cookies, chocolate Easter treats, preserves, savouries and much more. There will also be a wide range of home-made crafts and gifts and we will be serving hot tea, coffee and bacon rolls.
Our regular Thursday markets in Eynsham Square, from 9am until 10.30am, start on Thursday 6th February. We have also organised a programme of Saturday markets for 2025 which run from 9.30am until 12pm in the Square and also the Recreation Hall Long Hanborough. We look forward to welcoming you to our special events:-
• Sat 12th April: Easter themed Market at Long Hanborough
• Sat 17th May: Plant sale, baking and craft market Eynsham Square
• Sat 20th September: World Wide Kitchen in Eynsham
• Sat 25th October: Halloween and Harvest at Long Hanborough
• Sat 29th Nov: Christmas Market Long Hanborough
• Sat 6th Dec: Christmas Market Eynsham
Please follow us on Facebook for updates on our events in Eynsham and Long Hanborough. We are always looking for new producers, so if you can bake, make preserves, make home-made crafts or even grow your own veg and fancy joining a friendly team of local people, why not get in touch for more information?
Email: eynshamcountrymarket76@ gmail.com
North Leigh History Society
On Tuesday 4th February Gillian Cane will be giving a talk on the Mitford sisters at our next meeting. The family became particularly wellknown in the 1930s for the six Mitford sisters, who were celebrated and sometimes scandalous figures. Do come and join us! We meet on the first Tuesday of the month in North Leigh Memorial Hall, OX29 6SA at 7.30 (doors open at 7pm). All welcome. Members £20 per year, visitors £4 per talk. Further details are available from Diana Power (01993 882301) or Robert Kyte at kyterobert@gmail.com and 01993 880368
Eynsham Rotary Club
Rotary hosted a very successful CPR Training evening with Thames Valley Air Ambulance last week. We all learnt a lot about the charity. As well as the CPR, we were also shown how to use a defibrillator.
Sadly, we have to let everyone know that our meetings will no longer be held at The Swan in Acre End Street as Gordon and Kay are retiring and the company has not yet found a replacement landlord. We would very much like to thank Gordon and Kay for looking after us so well in the 6 years that we have been meeting there. Gordon joined our Club as soon as we arrived at The Swan and has been a valued member, full of enthusiasm and good ideas. We will miss him/them and wish them all the very best for their future.
In future our Club will be meeting at The Red Lion. Our usual pattern of meetings will persist – a business meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, and a social/speaker meeting with a meal on the 4th Tuesday. Our next speaker will be from the reading charity BookMark on February 25th We welcome new members so maybe you’d like to come and check us out. Further details are shown on our page at Eynsham Online. Wishing you all a very HappyNewYear.
Tessa Hammond Rotary Club of Eynsham - Publicity
U3a Woodstock &District
The Woodstock & District u3a speaker meeting, as we came too in early January, was The Magic of the Hive from our own Andy Pedley – we learnt much about the fascinating and intelligent world of honey bees –the only living being except man who can direct others to the source of food. We thank Andy for stepping in at the last moment as our original speaker was unwell.
Next month sees a visit from William French. As a young gunner serving in the Falklands war William French could hardly have dreamed that he would end up on the Royal Yacht Britannia working for the late Queen and her family. An excellent and entertaining speaker and we look forward to the meeting on Thursday 6th February at St Hugh’s, Hensington Road at 1.45pm for the 2pm talk – visitors welcome at £2. On 6th March we have Robert Brewer with ‘The Roles of a TC/Film extra and how anyone can do it’.
Interest groups continue to expand with cribbage due to be added to the variety of activity.
Please do check our newly updated website for further information: www.woodstocku3a.uk and we look forward to seeing you sometime soon.
Sue Blackshaw – Chair Woodstock & District u3a
Age UK Oxfordshire
Age UK Oxfordshire is a local independent charity supporting older people in Oxfordshire. We have a variety of services available to help you to live independently and live life to the full. Our services range from support at home to helping link you into your community, from foot care clinics to exercise classes. We offer a free information and advice helpline, as well as one-to-one support if you have been a victim of a scam. To find out more about how we can support you, please visit www.ageuk.org.uk/ oxfordshire, call 0345 450 1276 or email contactus@ageukoxforshire. org.uk.
Burford Orchestra March concert
29th March 2025
St Mary the Virgin Church, ChurchGreen, Witney.
Come and listen to Burford Orchestra playing Beethoven’s iconic 5th symphony plus melodic pieces by VonWeber and Dvorak.
Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets (£10 for adults, £1 for children) available on the door or via TIcketSource
For more information see www.burfordorchestra.org.uk
Witney Music Society Concert
In February, the Witney Music Society concert will be given by Emma Johnson (clarinet) and John Lenehan (piano). Their programme will include works by Finzi, Brahms, Schumann and Poulenc. The concert is at 7.30pm on Friday 14 February.
The final concert in the 2024-25 season will be given by Trio Isimsiz, an acclaimed piano trio. Their programme features works by Haydn, Brahms and Schubert. The concert is at 7.30pm on Friday 14 March.
Both concerts will be at HighStreet Methodist Church, Witney. Tickets (£18, £1 for under 19s) will be available at the door from 7pm or in advance online.
For more information, please telephone 01993 898020 or visit the Witney Music Society website www.witneymusicsociety.org.uk
Woodstock StrokeClub
Stroke survivors and their carers welcome
Come and join us for a friendly chat and a cup of tea/coffee at The Community Centre, New Road, Woodstock, OX20 1PB
We meet every other Tuesday from 10:30 to 13:00 hours
Full programme of talks & activities Wheelchair accessible access
Contact Mike on 07432 704042 or e-mail: mikeshipway71@gmail.com for further information
Freeland Wine Club
We have started the year with a meeting in the Village Hall on the 31st Jan at 7.30. The evening will showcase 6 wines from around the world presented by the committee and accompanied by matching snacks. A chance to get to know more about the wines and the committee. In addition a welcome wine on arrival and the special wine raffle to make the event complete.
Entrance is £10 for members (Membership £10 for the year including the free event in Nov) and £14 for guests.
The program will continue in March (28th) with a presentation by Tim North of Joie de Vin entitled “WINE
THE FRENCH
USUALLY KEEP FOR THEMSELVES”
Contact freelandwineclub@ gmail.com
Langel Probus
Langel Probus is a social club for retired and semi-retired men with a business or professional background, to meet like-minded-fellows-twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 9.30 for 10.00 am in the upper hall, Witney High Street Methodist Church. In addition we organise trips to places of interest and also arrange a number of social events when partners are invited.
Our forthcoming talks are :
• 12th February Colin Wade speaking on How to Write a Novel
• 26th February member Iain McGill speaking on Death in the Irish Sea
If you are interested or want further information please email our Secretary at secretary@ langelprobus.org.uk or alternatively look at our facebook page www.facebook.com/langelprobus and also our club calendar https://sites.google.com/view/ langelprobusinwitney/ club-calendar
Prospective members can come 3 times without having to join.
North Leigh Roman Villa Open Days
2024 was a busy year at North Leigh Roman Villa. Major conservation and renovation work was conducted to help support and care for the site, enabled by a very generous donation from the Michael Bishop Foundation to English Heritage, whose Project Manager oversaw the work.
The failed roof of the Mosaic Building was replaced over the summer, with green oak roof timbers supporting larger skylights and improved rainwater protection. As long as tanins drip from the green oak beams in cold damp weather it has been necessary to cover the mosaic to protect it. The essential work on the roof has safeguarded the mosaics for future decades and generations.
Conservators, supported by many volunteers, worked tirelessly throughout the year to repair the damaged stonework of the exposed North West range of the villa. Lime mortar was used to replace failed cement mortar applied in past repairs. Please come along in 2025 to one of our Villa Open Days to see the site looking its best. Mosaics open 11am to 5pm on the following weekends:
• May 17 & 18
June 21 & 22
• July 19, 20, 26 & 27
• August 2, 3, 16, 17, 30 & 31
• September 20 & 21
For more details about openings and access to the site (which can be arduous if you have mobility issues), please visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/north-leigh-roman-villa/ Follow us on X / Twitter: @villa_north
To join Friends of North Leigh Roman Villa or arrange a special opening email: nlrvvols@gmail.com
St. Peter’s RC Church,
Eynsham
Parish priest Father Mark Lagorio can be contacted by phone on 01865881613 or email stpeterschurcheynsham@ gmail.com
Address: Abbey Street, Eynsham OX29 4HR
Phone: 01865 881613
Website: www.stpeterseynsham.org. uk
The church is open for Public Masses on Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 10am. For any Weekday Masses, please see the website.
Oxford Flower Club
Christmas Cheer and Flair was very much the theme demonstrated at our last meeting. Gill McGregor gave us a humorous and entertaining afternoon, during her third visit to Oxford Flower Club.
Gill is a respected international floral art designer, author, demonstrator and teacher. She has a passion to share her inspiration through the demonstrations she carries out around the country. Members enjoyed her fabulous displays as well as learning interesting facts and techniques, in particular leaf manipulation.
In December, members enjoyed a tasty festive lunch at Frilford Golf Club. Stunning far reaching views over the golf course and a delicious meal made for a great afternoon.
Events to come:
• February - 'the master and the apprentice' with Jane Belcher and Angela Edmonds
• March - demonstrator Elaine Stoner Call Karen on 07967 555750 for further information.
An Inspector Woolf Two Page Mystery
Double Helix
from divalde
Doctor Elias Drake had been found guilty of the murder of Professor James Templar. The case was as they say open and shut. Drake had motive, means and opportunity and the DNA evidence was overwhelmingly against him. Inspector Woolf was now sitting opposite Drake in the Prison visitor's room.
'Doctor, I am reopening the case. I would like you to take me through the events that led to your conviction.'
'What's the point Inspector? The Prosecution case was water tight.'
'But for one thing Doctor. Professor James Templar is not dead.'
Doctor Elias Drake, stared back at the lugubrious figure across the table. Drake's body language was hopeless defiance. Nevertheless he found it in him to go over the salient points. Inspector Woolf listened intently.
'Templar was Department Head at the Genetics Research Institute at Oxford University. We were developing new techniques in familial genetics. I wrote a paper: Familial DNA. Naturally I asked Templar to take a look. The next thing I knew the paper had been published in Nature under the solitary authorship of Templar. He had plagiarised my work and taken sole credit. Legal action on my part failed. He was and still is a pillar of a scientific establishment that run as a pack. Smelling the blood of a wounded pariah, I became ostracised. I was lucky to get mere lab work. Templar effectively took my life from me.'
'Hence the poetic justice the courts saw in you taking his.'
'Quite so. Five years passed and out of the blue Templar got in touch. He said he wanted a reproachment and could we convene at Templar Hall, his Gothic pile just outside Oxford. Naturally my response was less than courteous but he insisted saying he regretted the way the world had closed ranks on me. Unconvinced, I nevertheless agreed. On arrival we chatted cordially of this and that but eventually the elephant in the room shuffled its considerable feet.'
'Templar didn't go as far as admitting culpability but he did insist he would credit me for my involvement. It was only fair. I held my tongue. He was all bonhomie and braggadocio. I shuffled along in his wake as he gave me the tour, Real Tennis courts, Capability Brown landscaping and his Tower Armoury where we examined a vast collection of medieval weapons. The vulgarity of Templar Hall was Templar incarnate. The police arrested me the following day. Templar's body had been found in the library cut down by a broadsword with my fingerprints all over it.'
Inspector Woolf, PC Franklin and an anxious young bespectacled man followed Ingmar the cadaverous Swedish retainer deep into Templar Hall. Fiona Templar sat primly at one end of a long sofa in the centre of a wellappointed sitting room lined with faded tapestries. She forced a smile and bade them sit as Ingmar slipped away like a broken promise.
Inspector Woolf glanced around at the inglenook fireplace, bookcases, sofas and armchairs; especially the armchairs. He saw enough to endorse his suspicions.
'Thank you for agreeing to meet us and I'm sorry we have to revisit such painful memories but there have been some developments. Doctor Max Jennings head of forensics, you met when he took DNA samples and finger prints from your husband and from the rest of the house.' Jennings half rose, bowed slightly, couldn't decide whether to shake her hand then sat back down. Fiona Templar smiled indulgently.
'It's nice to have someone to talk to,' Fiona said with wounded pride, 'I write for a living now. Romances. Ironic really now I'm all alone.'
'On the day of the murder,' persisted the Inspector, 'Dr Drake departed
An Inspector Woolf Two Page Mystery
mid-morning and your husband's body was discovered at around three in the afternoon by Ingmar, in the library.'
'That popinjay Drake didn't even wipe the sword hilt clean,' said Fiona Templar, 'his DNA condemned him. Poetic justice if you ask me for a scientific charlatan.'
'Ms Templar,' said Jennings, 'your husband's paper, Familial DNA has become an authorised reference work for forensic pathology departments across the British police force. obliging us to re-run tests to back up existing observations. This is how we picked up tiny mutations between DNA samples from the body and hairs from Mr Templar's hairbrush. Initially the differences were too slight to register, but now we realise they are not absolutely identical. The samples are from two closely related people. Siblings certainly but more than that. Madam, would it surprise you to learn that the man murdered in the library was not your husband?'
'I think I would know my husband after all these years,' Fiona flared with indignation.
'I don't doubt it Mrs Templar,' intervened the Inspector, 'and as such you of all people would know that the man murdered in the library was not him!'
'The body was that of Mr Templar's twin,' said Jennings, 'thanks to Familial DNA, twins' DNA can no longer be regarded as absolutely identical.'
Two things happened at once. The doorbell clanged and Ingmar was talking to someone in the hall before entering the lounge, crest fallen between two large policemen. A door to the neighbouring library opened and a tall silver haired gentleman entered.
'Enough Inspector!' the deep baritone was defiant.
'Mr Templar, you save us the trouble of searching the house for you.'
PC Franklin sat down just an inch or so from Fiona who recoiled at the sudden invasion of her personal space.
'So is there anything pertinent to the case you would like to add or clarify?' PC Franklin asked facing her directly, 'the insurance policy you took out on your husband's life for instance?'
'Stop, stop, I beg you,' implored Templar, 'of course all this proves is that Drake killed the wrong man. Perhaps I may have contributed a tad by not clarifying the point. But all I am guilty of is seizing an opportunity Drake's moment of insanity presented.'
'Not so,' said Jennings, 'you see we found considerable amounts of your brother's DNA exclusively in the East Tower, above the armoury. He has left no DNA anywhere else which is odd for a murder scene. There is only one conclusion. He must have been murdered in the tower, before he was brought to the library. An act that removes Doctor Drake from the frame and puts you in it.'
'Ralph was a useless lowlife, a homeless embarrassment,' said Templar with a half-smile, 'this was the best thing he ever did for me. I had airbrushed the waster out of my life, until Fiona suggested we bring Ralph in off the street, lodge him in the tower and then invite Doctor scapegoat. We saw a golden opportunity to put a stop to his bleating. Two birds with one stone...Very clever my dear.'
''Perhaps you should have read Familial DNA!' said PC Franklin, 'and life in prison? Not that clever.' .
'And Mr Templar,' said Inspector Woolf, 'when you leave a room in a hurry, to give the impression your wife lives all alone, remember to plump up the armchair cushions. Take them all away PC Franklin.'
Inspector Woolf will return in Perfume in the Breeze
Hanborough Welfare Trust
Hanborough Welfare Trust (HWT) was set up many years ago to help the needy in the Parish. Its Trustees are Aware that this help is needed by some just as much now as in the past. Although funds are limited, any individuals or families who live in Hanborough are welcome to apply if they consider themselves and their need appropriate. Please do so by contacting either by emailing either GillBreakspear on gillbreakspear@btinternet. com, or Rev Nigel Knights Johnson on nigelknightsjohnson@ gmail.com
Freeland
WalkingGroup
The group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for a walk of about 5 miles followed by lunch at the place, usually a Pub, where the walk begins. Sometimes the walks, led by a club member, are local but at other times we travel by car to the Pub from which the walk begins and where we have a meal together afterwards. If you would like to join us on a walk please contact me at hjdalton43cv@gmail.com so that I can put you in touch with the person leading the walk that month and they can send you details of the walk, when to meet and a menu so that you can preorder your lunch. New members very welcome.
Janet Dalton
Long Hanborough Methodist Church
Long Hanborough Methodist Church. Minister: Rev. Sue Jacobs, Tel: 07949 508017
Dear Friends,
As this is the first Hanborough Herald of 2025, I begin by wishing all of you a blessed new year. We had a fabulous Christmas at the Methodist Church and it was great to see so many new faces joining us in church for the various different events and services we held. We hope you felt warmly welcomed. It was also a real privilege to welcome the children from Hanborough Manor to share Christingle workshops with us. The children’s behaviour was exceptional and their manners a delight. Both staff and parents should be very proud of the young people we have in our community.
As we launch into the new year, the people called Methodists make our annual covenant promise. At this very special service we are reminded of God’s gracious offer to be in relationship with us and love us no matter what. In response, we offer who we are back to God inviting his ways to be written on our hearts guiding us in all we do. This is not an exclusive offer to those of us who attend church. God longs to be in relationship with all his people. Perhaps 2025 is your year to accept his offer. Having asked God to guide us, we feel led to offer something different to the families and young people in our community. From February 14th we will be launching Messy Church once a month on a Friday. Our doors will be open from 3:15pm and families are invited to join us for activities, informal worship and some dinner before heading home for the weekend. There is no need to sign up and the session is free but donations are welcomed. We’d love to see you.
If any of my monthly ramblings have raised questions for you, please call in to the Methodist Church for a chat. The coffee and cake is at its best on a Friday!
Every Blessing, Rev Sue.
Hanborough ‘Forget-Me-Nots’ Memory/ Friendship Cafe
We had a great time in December, we did a Christmas word search and unscramble and we also had a Christmas quiz, can you name all 9 of Santa’s reindeer? At 11am 20 or so children came from Hanborough Manor School to sing Carols to us, this was enjoyed by all, thank you.
We would like to say a big ‘Thank you’ too to the Co-op for providing us with sausage rolls, mince pies, crackers and presents for our party.
We meet every first Tuesday in the Month 10am12noon.
The next one is Tuesday 4th February at Long Hanborough Methodist Church
For people with memory loss and their carers
Contact: Judy Haynes email: jandg@cahaynes.plus.com or Tel: 01993 882379
Rev Sue Jacobs, Methodist Minister @ Long Hanborough, Davenport Rd, Bampton, Minster Lovell and Sutton.
Long Hanborough Methodist Church Women’s Fellowship Meet on 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 2.00pm. All Ladies Welcome.
February
• 13th Rev Sue Jacobs • 27th Members meeting
We would warmly welcome any ladies who would like to join our Fellowship whether regularly oroccasionally.
Long Hanborough Methodist Church is available for bookings Our premises are disabled and dementia friendly. For enquiries and bookings please contact JudyHaynes on 01993882379
Scrabble Group
If you enjoy word games but don't have anyone to play them with why don’t you come along to our ‘Scrabble Group’ which meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in ‘the Milner Room’ at Long Hanborough Methodist Church, 2.00 – 4.00pm. We could offer other games as well if you would prefer.
We are a very friendly group and have a lot of fun, we are not at all
Methodist Church February Services
2nd 10am Rev James Skinner
9th 10am Mr David Sarbutts
Rev Sue Jacobs
16th 10am
All-Age Family Service withHoly Communion
23rd 10am Local Arrangement
competitive. The cost per session is £2.00 including tea/coffee and a biscuit. Do come and join us, you will be assured of avery warmwelcome. Contact Judy Haynes 01993 882379 or email: jandg@cahaynes.plus.com
A warm welcome to all new residents
If you have just recently moved into Hanborough/Church Hanborough and have not yet received a ‘Welcome Pack’ do please let us know so that we can give one to you.
This is a scheme run by the Hanborough Churches and the pack contains information with contact numbers about things that go on in the villages and a map to help you find your way around.
Has a new family arrived near you? We could love to welcome them and give them a ‘Welcome Pack’. If so, please contact Judy Haynes on 01993 882379 or email: jang@cahaynes.plus.com
Young Church meets at 10am, sharing a short time of worship in church before leaving for their own activities in the hall.
We warmly welcome you to our Church and pray you will find blessing in our midst and leave with the love, joy and peace of our risen Lord Jesus Christ in your heart.
All-Age Family Services every third Sunday of the month at 10.00am
• Something for everyone
• A warm welcome guaranteed
• Come and give us a try.
• Next one 16th February
• All are welcome
The Churches in Hanborough will be focusing some of their prayers on the Community and will be praying for a part of the villages’ community each month
In February the focus of prayer will be on Station Hill, Park Lane, Blenheim View, Burleigh Court and Hanborough Park.
Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41 v
Photo © T. Wyatt
Hanborough & Freeland Church
Hanborough & Freeland Church Services
Photo © T. Wyatt
PROBLEM FEET?!
NAIL CUTTING. CORNS. CALLOUS. HARD/DRY SKIN. FOOT MASSAGE.
TREATMENT IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWNHOME!
Sharon Davies MCFHP/MAFHP 01993 891132
OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE
REGISTERED MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF FOOT HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Hanborough Mammoth 2025
Woodstock Natural History Society
Woodstock Natural History Society’s monthly meetings, to which all are welcome, are held at St Hugh’s Hall, Hensington Road, Woodstock, from 7.15 pm until 9.00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. Tuesday 14th January saw our Members’ Photo Evening, to which around 20 members submitted pictures they had taken across the year.
Our Tuesday meetings are augmented by a wonderful programme of guided walks, social events and visits; contact us for details. We are looking for a new Walks Organiser, who could be an individual, a couple, or two friends, and would welcome volunteers. The next two Tuesday evening meetings are as follows:
• 11th February Pete Barker, “Cape to Kenya: Penguins to Elephants and Much in Between”
• 11th March Dr Duncan Murdock, Dept of Palaeobiology, Univ of Oxford, “Dinosaur Highway”.
Register by 28th February deadline call Nigel on 01993 881711
We would love to see you at one of our events, and very much hope that you will want to become a member (£15 p.a.). For a copy of our programme please email contactwnhs@gmail.com, or turn up at one of our Tuesday evenings. We are also keen to help young people into an appreciation of nature, and will do what we can to assist schoolteachers wishing to embark on relevant projects.
Stephen Vickers (Dr), Meetings correspondent, WNHS
Age UK Oxfordshire is a local independent charity which helps enable older people in Oxfordshire to live life to the full. We provide free local information, advice, and a wide range of support services, from exercise classes and digital support to telephone befriending and bereavement support – with much more in between.
Find out more, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire or email contactus@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk or call 0345 450 1276
• Domestic electrical repairs and installations
• Commercial electrical repairs and installations
• Solar panel systems [PV]
• Battery storage installations
Unit 1, Cotswold business park, Range Road, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 0YB. www.greenerohms.co.uk
Veg-out
www.instagram.com/vegoutrecipes/
As we say goodbye to January, it got me wondering whether the number of people taking part in “Veganuary” will have increased on last year’s record of 25 million worldwide.
Of course, you can try “Veganuary” any month of the year, please follow the links here to find out more. https://responsibleeatingandliving.com/favorites/ matthew-glover-jane-land-veganuary/
Quinoa (keen-waa) tortillas
Like me you have probably heard of Quinoa and maybe have tried it cooked and added to a salad but did you know this highly nutritious, Gluten Free seed can be easily blended into a batter and made into tortillas/ wraps? Quinoa wraps by mjandhungryman.com
Made with just quinoa and chia seeds, these healthy quinoa wraps are a delightful addition to any meal, from tacos and burritos to a tasty treat for kids.
• 1cupyellow/white quinoa (185g)
• 1 1⁄2cupsroom temperature water
• 2tablespoons milledchia seeds, optional from (Grapetree £1.99)
• Optional flavourings, salt ½ tsp, nutritional yeast, herbs?
Instructions
1. Rinse the quinoa under cold running water in a finemesh strainer. Transfer to a large bowl and cover with water. Use enough water to submerge the quinoa completely. Allow the quinoa to soak for at least 3 hours.
2. Drain and rinse again under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining residue.
3. Drain and add to a high-speed blende along with water, chia seeds, and optional seasoning(s). Blend until smooth. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes or so.
4. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Spray with a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil. Pour about 1⁄2 cup of the quinoa batter into the pan. Quickly, using a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup, spread the batter as thin as you can in a circular motion without breaking it.Do not spread using the tilt method. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on one side, wait for it to cook before flipping. Flip and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter.
Notes
• If your batter keeps breaking, lowering the heat will help. You can fill holes with extra batter.
• Transfer leftover wraps to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. You can place a small piece of parchment paper between each wrap to prevent sticking.
www.mjandhungryman.com/quinoa-wraps-tortillas/
Carole
vegoutrecipes@btinternet.com
