NOVEMBER 2024
HANBOROUGH WAR MEMORIAL. PHOTO BY T. WYATT
Herald Contact Details
Editor � HanboroughHerald@gmail.com
Advertising Officer: Val Pankhurst
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☎ 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
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Your Letters
To the Editor. Hanborough Herald
9 Oct 2024
Stop destruction of the Oxfordshire countryside
A quote from ‘Trainsplit’ advertisement. Cotswolds
“Explore the golden-hued Cotswolds, famous for its rolling hills, honey-coloured villages and scenic autumn walks.”
The recent flooding of the Evenlode Valley is the latest of many signs warning us all of the folly of covering the countryside whether this be with houses, glass, steel or concrete. When the proposal to build a solar power station eleven miles long was proposed I thought it was a joke. Surely no-one would be so stupid, so crass and so insensitive to the green landscape and the small stone villages to embark on such an offensive project.
The green belt and green area between the City of Oxford is a vital link with the Cotswolds. To destroy this agricultural land and cover it over with concrete, steel and glass or Jerry-built houses is a crime. We, who live in the villages threatened by this monstrosity must resist it by every means in our power
Yours. Stephen Hurst Resident Church Hanborough
Waste & Recycling
Your collection day is Wednesday
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
Unless delayed by a Bank Holiday (*) 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
861025
Parish Council November Report
Parish Council Meetings
The next meeting of the Hanborough Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 12th November at 7:00pm in the Pavilion.
An agenda will appear on the noticeboards and on www.hanborough-pc.gov.uk by the preceding Thursday. Members of the public are invited to join the meeting and can make statements or queries by prior written request to the Clerk. This needs to be done by midday of the day before the meeting. Please note that meeting dates may change.
Defibrillator awareness training
Hanborough Parish Council organised some awareness training sessions for residents on use of defibrillators. These were well attended and we thank Eynsham Medical Group for their support. There will be more event in the future.
Parish Council vacancies
We have two vacancies currently and are keen to hear from anyone wishing to join council. We have a busy and diverse agenda and would like to hear from anyone with a passion for the local community.
Land transfer adjacent to the playing fields
Land known as the Cala field has been transferred to Parish Council after conclusion of a long legal process. See separate report on this.
Millwood End/Swan Lane sign
Also after a long process we are pleased to report that the sign has been refurbished and returned.
The Council worked hard to keep this beautiful old sign and are very grateful to Blenheim who completed the work and OCC Highways for enabling it.
Grants
Council awarded a grant to the Scouts to help buy some much needed new tents. Around 75% of the local Scout group is from Hanborough.
Audit news
The Finance Officer is pleased to report that we have passed both stages of our internal and external audit with only minor points noted and our financial processes are considered sound. The auditors and financial reports have been published on the Hanborough website.
Hand and Shears Asset of Community Value
Land referred to as The Hand and Shears was nominated as an Asset of Community Value by Hanborough Parish Council. The nomination was approved by West Oxfordshire District Council and listed as an Asset of Community Value on the 07/08/24. On 1st October 2024, the Council received formal notification of the owner’s intention to dispose of the above-named Property.
A six-week moratorium has now commenced and will run until 11th November 2024. During this period requests to be considered as a potential bidder in relation to the property can be submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council. Please contact the clerk in the first instance and I can direct you to other parties interested in forming a bid. Parish Council itself is not in a position to bid.
OCC Fix My Street Super User scheme
Would you be interested in assisting OCC by raising works orders for minor road and footpath repairs. Training available. Please contact nigel.Clark@Oxfordshire.gov.uk
Bin Emptying Schedule
WODC empty our bins in the parish and we are scheduled to be emptied every week on a Friday.
Sometimes, waste bins can overflow and if this happens regularly we will ask for additional visits. If this happens, residents can now report this on the WODC website at the link below. www.westoxon.gov.uk/ overflowingbin
Parish Council Website
Hanborough Parish Council continues to put agendas, minutes and other important documents on this site. You can also contact us through the website for non urgent enquiries. www. hanborough-pc.gov.uk
Reporting highway problems http://fixmystreet.oxfordshire. gov.uk
Oxfordshire County Council provide the website above for public to report any highway related problems. Councillors would like to encourage residents to use it for any concerns you have be it pot holes, damaged signs, overgrown paths etc. The site makes a permanent record of your report and will give you a reference number to follow up if necessary. The registered problems are also visible to others and will help us to understand where there are issues.
Planning
Although Hanborough Parish Council has the opportunity to comment on planning applications made, WODC make the decision to grant or otherwise. Applications can be viewed at the following site.
http://publicaccess.westoxon. gov.uk/online-applications/
There is also a service that allows you to register to automatically receive updates on any new planning applications in your area. You can register at the following location. https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/ registering-on-our-website/
Hanborough Parish Councillors
Richard Devereux-Cooke (chair)
☎ 07785 391189
� richarddevereuxcooke@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
Sam Newman (vice chair)
� sam.newman@hanborough-pc.gov.uk
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
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Hanborough Manor CESchool
It has been a very busy term for the children and staff at Hanborough Manor. The children have all settled into their new year groups and are working their personal bests.
Our Year 6 children have visited Wales for their residential this term. They went to Kilvrough Manor where they had a week of outward-bound activities. The children (and staff) represented the school brilliantly and demonstrated our school vision in action, where they had to be courageous when faced with challenging situations.
Stay and play sessions for preschoolchildren
We are running two ‘Stay and Play’ sessions for preschool children over the next term. If you have a child who is under school age and you would like to join us for one of these sessions please come along on either Thursday 24th October at 1.30pm or Tuesday 12th November at 9.45am. These sessions will last an hour and will be an informal opportunity to visit our Foundation Stage area with your child and meet some of the staff. Our Foundation Stage children will be taught in a different part of the school during this time. We look forward to seeing you then.
Is your child due to start school in September 2025?
If you have a child who is due to start school in September 2025 please come and have a look around our lovely school. The deadline for applying for a school place is January 2025 and we would be proud to be chosen as the school to start your child’s education. We have the following dates where you can book onto a tour:
• Friday 8th November at 11am
• Monday 11th November at 9.30am
• Friday 22nd November at 11am
To book onto one of our tours please contact the school office by email on office.3147@hanborough-manor.oxon.sch.uk or telephone 01993881446
Sarah Nickelson and the Hanborough Team
LIONHEART LATER LIFE PLANNING.CO.UK Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Property Trusts, Pre-paid Funeral Plans, Equity Release & Probate Free quotes and advice with home visits if needed. 01993 220281 / 07769730616
Are you a pensioner? You
could be entitled
to a winter fuel payment.
Are you eligible? How to claim pensioncredit.
Pension credit is complicated, so rather than trying to work out if you can get it, you can use the Government’s free pension credit calculator via gov.uk
To do this it’s easiest if you have details of your current earnings, benefits and pensions to hand (for you and your partner if you live with them). It will then give you an instant estimate of how much you are due.
If you would rather talk to someone, there is a free government helpline you can call. Again it is best to have your details to hand. In England, the pension service helpline is 08007310469 .
How do I apply if I am eligible ?
To claim , you can either do so online at gov.uk, or call the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234, and they can fill the application for you over the phone. (Lines are open Monday to Friday , 8am to 6pm)
You will need the following information about you and your partner if you have one.
• National insurance number.
• Information about any income, savings, and investments you have.
• Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to. (This is usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age).
• You’ll also need your bank account details.
• Depending on how you apply , you may also be asked for your bank or building society name, sort code and account number.
Contributed by Cllr Lidia Arciszewska; lidia.arciszewska@westoxon.gov.uk
Hanborough Parish Council are disappointed to announce that the November training sessions for residents to learn how to use adefibrillator and CPR have had to be cancelled. Wehope to resume these sessions again in the Spring of 2025.
Councillor Tom Lewis
Hanborough: village or small town 2?
Following up on an article in the August issue of the HH, we can now report that a couple of Hanborough Parish Council members recently held a short meeting with a small number of local people who shared the same thoughts and concerns. We all felt that it was important that the people of Hanborough have some control and say in future village planning and how it is assessed going forward. Subsequently we have now formed a small committee / group to do this.
Following much debate, we agreed that because of the size, demographics and the geography of the parish that the best way forward was to do a Neighbourhood Plan and not a Village Design Statement. A Neighbourhood Plan will set out the vision for our area and the planning policies for the use and development of land in Hanborough. These policies will be at a local level to support the strategic policies within West Oxfordshire. Plans will be focused on guiding development rather than stopping it. A Neighbourhood Plan will give our community an increased ability to influence planning within the area. When adopted by West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) the Neighbourhood Plan will become a statutory plan carrying equal weight to the wider Local Plan and will be used in making decisions on planning applications in our area. This will involve much work in the form of surveys and canvassing of opinions of the local people, businesses, land owners and activity groups etc. We will also work in unison with WODC.
Your views are paramount in this and we will be asking more and more for your help as we move through the various steps of assembling this Neighbourhood Plan. Together we can make a difference of how “we” want our villages to look, feel and work for us all going forward over the next ten years or so. It cannot be emphasised enough as to how important this will be. For the Village Appraisal 1996, there was a committee of 12 plus around 50 helpers. We will need some help too when assembling this Neighbourhood Plan. Therefore, if you feel that you may have a bit of free time or perhaps some expertise we may be missing out on in this quest, then please get in touch with me at the email address below. Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Nov 6th We will try to keep you up to date with the news of our mission as we move forward, please look out for this in the HH.
Mike Franklin, resident and HPC councillor Mikefranklin18@outlook.com
Oxford Bus Museum
inc. Morris Motors & Historic Cycle Collection
Readers who have been on one of our free historic bus rides will know that there is always a conductor dressed in 1950s summer uniform with a mechanical ticket machine. Older readers will remember the machines in use until the mid1970s. The picture is of a Setright Ticket Machine SM.B is one of the ones we use. It has been adapted for use after decimalisation.
Henry Roy Setright, known as Harry, was an Australian who liked gambling on the horses. He was born in 1886 and trained as an engineer with NSW government railways.
Just before the First World War ‘pooled betting’ was legal in Australia and there was competition to manufacture a ‘Totaliser’ machine for calculating and displaying the odds for each horse. The first Totaliser was manufactured by Automatic Totalisers, which was set up in 1917. Harry was their works manager. Harry had already developed his own design for printing betting slips to avoid the delays as the bookie laboriously hand wrote the slip. In 1922 Harry sold his business to Automatic Totalisers and two years later moved to France to join the large Chambon Company, which was developing techniques for printing and rolling paper.
Machines for printing betting slips were not much different to what was required to produce transport tickets. In the 1920s the number of passengers seated on each bus was
Community asset
Tincreasing. The existing pre-printed travel tickets for each fare had to be punched. Faster ticket issue would safeguard revenue and was thus attractive to bus operators.
In 1928 Harry was in England, no doubt to exploit the legalisation of ‘pooled betting’. He designed the ‘Setright Ticket Register’ that printed on cards manually inserted into a one inch slot in the machine. The machine printed variables such as fare paid, stage boarded, class of ticket and date. Initially the machine could print 19 different fare values.
in June 1931 he formed ‘Setright Registers Limited’ (the Company), which took over his premises, licences and other business assets.
The next improvement was to replace the ‘L’ shaped machine with one that had ink ribbon housings above and below the machine. These machines went into mass production in the late 1930s. Walter Alexander and SMT were major customers with 4,000 in use in Scotland. These companies were still using their machines until decimalisation in 1971.
The Setright Ticket Register was less successful in England, so Harry introduced a roll ticket machine known as the ‘Setright Roll Ticket Register’ and later Setright Model A (SM.A). The main disadvantage of the SM.A was that the continuing need to rewind the ribbon. The number made was small. However, there were significant back room savings for operators with the recon-
he Parish Council is very excited to announce that the piece of land to the south of the playing fields is now owned by the parish, after many years of protracted legal admin. The stipulation on the use of this land is for recreation, leisure and community use. The Parish Council has some ideas for how this area of land can be used for the benefit of all but would love your ideas too and your support in making this happen.
There is plenty of space for a range of activities and some of the ideas suggested so far are a community orchard, tennis courts, community wood and wildflower meadow. Get in touch with either the clerk clerk@hanborough-pc.gov.uk or Lucy Tritton lucy.tritton@hanborough-pc.gov.uk if you would like to get involved, want more information or have some ideas of your own. This is a fantastic opportunity and asset for our community. We look forward to hearing from you.
Harry died in 1942, but his Company continued.
In 1944 the company filed a patent for the Setright Model B or SM.B. All variables required for the ticket issue were put in a single vertical column or turret on the top plate of the machine, which proved to be the defining characteristic of the machine. Works serial numbers were stamped on the small rectangular makers plate affixed to the front of the machine. Purchasers could have their own numbering system engraved on the front plate. The Company made over 100,000 machines after the war.
City of Oxford Motor Services took three batches of the post war Setright SM.B. The first were acquired between 1953 and 1956 and were numbered 001 to 215. The second was bought in 1961 and numbered 300 to 464. The final batch were bought in 1971 for decimalisation.
Source: Anthony Cross The Setright SM.B 2017 Ticketronic
Hanborough GardenClub
November Report Membership
I’m often surprised to have come to November so quickly. So here we are. The weather in November with the shorter days, is colder. (By the end of the month sunrise is 8am and sunset 3.50pm.) There is usually an increase in rainfall – it has the second rainfall peak of the year. So with the wet, especially after our sodden September, and the cold it’s best to take precautions, especially with plants in pots, and protect any tender plants in the soil. As soon as my dahlia leaves begin to die I lift the tubers and dry them off in the greenhouse, before packing them away. Some feel confident to leave tubers in the soil and protect them with a thick mulch, but with my claggy clay soil, I can’t take the risk.
On a brighter note, Timothy Walker’s talk in October gave us all inspiration to include water features in our gardens, not only to add a new dimension and a wider choice of plants, but for wildlife. He was as entertaining as ever.
If you have any gardening ideas and tips that you’d like to share, or feel the need of gardening advice please do let us know by using the Contact button on the website. www.hanboroughgardenclub.org/
The Committee is in the process of compiling our list of speakers for 2025, which will be unveiled shortly.
If you would like to become a member for the remainder of 2024 the fee is £5. For further details please see the website for details www.hanboroughgardenclub.org/ Membership entitles you to: free entry to talks, a discount card to use at local nurseries, and a free glass of wine or juice at every meeting.
All talks are at the Recreation Hall, Long Hanborough and start at 7.10pm. The talks are open to allwe 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/
Hanborough Nature Recovery Network
We continue to do small bits to improve our environment and make Hanborough and its environs a safer place for insects, mammals and plants (and for us).
River Evenlode
We continue to monitor the Evenlode by taking water samples every month. The data is used by Earthwatch (Freshwater Watch) to see patterns in the extent of pollution of the water. Pressure can then be put on those responsible for the pollution to clean up their act. Wewould all love to have a river that is clean and full of aquatic life. This is sadly not the case at the moment. Ifyou would like to volunteer or want to find out more information you can do so here: https://www.freshwaterwatch.org/
Litter
picking and hedge planting
We have planned some litter picking sessions for early 2025 and the dates are below:
• Sunday 12 January 9.00 am
• Saturday 15 February 9.00 am
• Sunday 9 March 9.00 am
Meet up points will be decided nearer the time. We have litter picks and bin bags. Please bring gloves and hi viz if you have them. These are usually very productive sessions (and good fun too) and it is a great feeling afterwards that you have done something really worthwhile. Please come along if you can and find out more information by going to our Facebook page and searching for Hanborough Nature Recovery.
Our talks for the remainder of 2024 are
Thursday 28th November no meeting.
Thursday 5th December Recreation Hall, 7.30. AGM and Quiz, details will be confirmed soonest.
We are also hoping to do some hedge planting in the parish during December. If you would like to help then please do get in touch using the email below.
Hedgehogs
There are many advantages for having hedgehogs in our gardens, not least they love slugs so if you are having trouble with slugs think before scattering slug pellets around your plants. The most harmful slug pellets (metaldehyde slug pellets) were banned for outdoor use in April 2022, so if you have these in your shed, please don’t use them. These were banned because they were so harmful to other animals.
Hedgehogs will be hibernating now and love piles of wood and leaves to snuggle up in. We tend to have fewer bonfires but if you are having one, make sure there are no hedgehogs in there by resitting the bonfire on the day of burning and start the fire from one end so that hedgehogs have a chance to escape.
You can provide a home for hedgehogs by making or buying a hedgehog house or station. Or just provide some place in your garden with a pile of logs and dead leaves.
For more information on how to help our hedgehog population go to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society website https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/ helping-hedgehogs-2/
If you are interested in getting involved in HNRN please contact lucy.tritton@hanborough-pc.gov.uk
TFreelandDistrict
he Rainbows and Brownies have been working on their Innovate badge and Go Motorsport badge. They have:
• been engineers to see if they protect them from breaking (the Rainbows even gave the eggs names – picture right)
• had an evening of mime related activities and games,
• made small cars from kits and built their own Lego racing cars.
A group of brownies and guides have also been away onan outdoor activities weekend to PGL in Wiltshire doing activities such as fencing, raft making, giant swing and problem solving.
Long Hanborough Guides have continued with Oxtrail activities relating to friendship, crafts, and fun games.
We know time can be tight, that’s why we have flexible volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference at a time that works for you. We are still in need of helpers for our older section guide units.
If you are interested and free on a Monday or Tuesday, please get in touch: freelanddistrictguiding@ btinternet.com
This month we’re looking for new volunteers to join our team. Are you the person we’re looking for? Firstly, we need someone to help maintain our Scouts minibus. Volunteering to help look after our minibus is a unique and rewarding way to make a practical impact on the lives of young people in our community. By ensuring that the minibus runs smoothly, you enable Scouts to embark on exciting adventures! Your contribution helps them access activities that build confidence, leadership, and teamwork. Plus, it’s a chance to use your practical skills in a meaningful way, all while being part of a friendly and supportive network. What does the role involve? Regularly checking the tyres, lights, oil, etc, to ensure everything is in good working order, and booking the MOT. This role would suit anyone with an interest in, and experience of, vehicle maintenance. Contact us at gsl@hfscouting.org.uk to offer your skills.
Secondly, we need adult volunteers to work with our youngest members, the Beavers. They meet on Wednesday evenings at Freeland Village Hall, from 5:30 until 6:45. Becoming a volunteer leader is an opportunity to
make a lasting difference in the lives of young people, while also enriching your own life. As a leader, you’ll guide Beavers through activities that foster essential skills like leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork, helping to shape responsible and confident young people. You'll have the rewarding experience of seeing young people grow, face challenges, and succeed – all thanks to the time and guidance you provide. Not only do you get to enjoy exciting adventures and be part of a close-knit community, but you also develop your own leadership and communication skills. Volunteering as a leader is more than just a role – it’s a chance to leave a lasting legacy and inspire the next generation! 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 & Freeland: now is the time to step forward and join our team, to help us make a real difference to our communities. Matthew Ruddle (Publicity Rep)
Hanborough WI
October is a special month for Hanborough WI. We celebrate our WI’s birthday at our October meeting, usually with some form of meal. This year the committee decided to provide a meal in The Recreation Hall for everyone. This meant more members were able to attend than if we had gone out. Sue Gibson and Penny Wedge organised a team of ladies to do everything. A buffet style ploughman’s supper was provided, with lots of extras and delicious puddings. This entailed a huge amount of work and members were very appreciative of all the work willingly undertaken by the team. Usually, we have a raffle at our meetings, but the committee members each donated a prize, gift wrapped, and every member had a free ticket. The winners enjoyed their gifts/prizes. Sue G. also provided us a with a fun quiz, which got us all thinking. We enjoyed it because it was more general knowledge, which meant each group scored well and had a sense of
Combe Mill
Blenheim Palace Sawmills, Combe, Oxon. OX29 8ET
Sun 1st December Christmas Fayre ‘NOT IN STEAM’
Annual Christmas Fayre 11.00am to 4.00pm. Don’t miss out, come along and bring the children ‘Listen to a story with Santa’ get a present, (book a slot from Combe Mill Web Site) Browse the Christmas Market Stalls for a Christmas gift, enjoy a BBQ, Mulled Wine & Chestnuts, Tea Room Open, Raffle with fantastic prizes, Tombola and Gift Shop. Combemill’s blacksmiths will be in the Forge to make pokers, with VIEWING ONLY in the Mill, no machinery operating.
Blacksmiths items on sale, made by our very own blacksmiths, make a very popular gift for Christmas.
Combe Mill a late 19th Century Restored Water Mill on Blenheim Palace Estate by the River Evenlode. Come along and see the Blacksmiths in the forge you might just be able to make a poker. Dog on Leads most welcome. FREE ENTRY & CAR PARKING
Combe Mill cannot be held reasonable for attractions that cancel.
Imagine A Boat
Imagine a boat with one sail, cresting moonlit clouds You are there, setting a course toward an endless sunrise With only the vastness of a liberated mind to guide you Ahead you watch as a single albatross breaks through And beneath the stars you travel on in companionable silence
divalde
satisfaction. Needless to say, one of the questions was about Sue’s singing hero, Cliff Richard!
The evening was longer than usual, lasting three hours, but the time went so quickly. Everyone chatted, laughed and had a lot of fun.
Carol, our acting President had a sad duty to inform us that another member, Jackie Bowden, had passed away the previous evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time. Carol also thanked the members who provided the tea at Joan’s funeral.
All women can be sure of a warm welcome at our meetings. If you are not sure if you would like the group, please come along for a visit. 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.
Elderberries
A social group for the over 65s with company, laughs and lunch!
And all of a sudden it’s October! I’m sure many of you will agree this year has flown by and we’re now fully in Autumn. As I write this we have 9 weeks left until Elderberries breaks up for our 2 weeks off for Christmas and we have a packed schedule up to the 18th December. Recently we were very pleased to welcome back David Sarbutts to lead our Harvest Festival. We have also enjoyed Alison from the Museum Service talking about the 1950s which was great fun with lots of personal stories and experiences from everyone. Additionally we have also had some relaxed days to chat or play scrabble or even all of us play boccia where I personally soon realised that enthusiasm does not equal skill!
WroslynRoad,Freeland,OX298AQ
OpenMonday-Saturday9.00am-5.00pm; Sunday9.30am-4.00pm
Tel:-01993881430
Website:https://freelandnurseries.wordpress.com/
•Springbulbs
•Winterfloweringplantsforbasketsand containers
•Ornamentaltrees,fruittreesandshrubs
•Maincroppotatoes
•Largerangeofcompost,bark,manureand mulches
•Eggs,jams,picklesandlocalhoney
•Logsandkindlingwood
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Herald Cryptic Crossword No. 159: November 2024
BY DIVALDE
This month’s answers may be foundat http://divalde.wordpress.com
Across
2 Stitch up picture surround (5)
5 6+6+500 is quite clear (5)
8 Freshen up melody (3)
9 Inform car pioneer I heard in Shropshire (7)
10 One of the A's from Abba (7)
11 Club collapse in heroic lair (7)
14 Lie and chat together is morally correct (7)
17 Ruins ma revisited in South America (7)
21 Former feature in Devon (7)
24 Anna and Tom married in a state (7)
25 Kidlington but not Bourton-on-the-Water apparently (7)
26 Raincoat back in river (3)
27 Takes off where spades may be kept (5)
28 Prime number recalculated there (5)
Down
1 Dear Pa emerged for procession (6)
2 Window dressing (6)
3 Curve spasm occurs in extreme north (6)
4 Absinthe smelt rotten in influential social hierarchy (13)
5 Batman has depression in front of Thor initially (5)
6 Flower girl with strings attached (5)
7 Avoid US city (5)
12 Mixed China without new beverage (4)
13 Rave about Ann Cleeves detective (4)
15 Dinosaur band live in tent Rex Harrison once owned (1,3)
16 Fan of Pinto (no pressure!) (4)
18 Fraud who squeezes dry (6)
19 Nuisance is lost in subtlety (6)
20 Upset mama is in pungent odour (6)
21 I desert Elvis for Eastern faerie folk (5)
22 Took us to 100 Acre Wood following AA (5)
23 High point of mural show (5)
Answers for No 158 October 2024
Across: 1 Pandemonium: 7 Glamis: 8 Easter: 10 Earp: 12 Oddball: 13 Homes: 14 Mai: 15 Knead: 18 Doone: 21 Inn: 22 Aping:
23 Acetate: 25 Inch: 27 Equate: 28 Imbibe: 29 Helen of Troy: Down: 1 Paladin: 2 Namibia: 3 Easel: 4 Over: 5 Uptempo: 6
Crusoe: 9 Aphid: 11 Almanac: 15 Kraken: 16 Epicure: 17 Digit: 19 October: 20 Notably: 24 Chief: 26 Neon:
Long Hanborough Methodist Church
Long Hanborough Methodist Church. Minister: Rev. Sue Jacobs, Tel: 07949 508017
Dear Friends,
How time flies! We are no longer the noticeably new family in the village and having been here two months now there are many familiar faces that I say hello to as we all go about our daily lives. It is good to be a part of this friendly community.
When you begin life as a Methodist Minister, for the first two years you are sent out wearing your ‘P plates’ and given the title of ‘probationer.’ During this time you are still under the close scrutiny of the church and part of a formal study programme. For my studies at present, I am looking at the demographics of the community we live in and trying to find out as much as I can about the area and the people in it. My what an interesting place Long Hanborough is!
As I have learned more about the community, I have been encouraging the folks at the Methodist Church to consider what it means to be ‘the church’ in this place. If we are to be ‘the body of Christ’, then it is our calling to reach out into the needs of this community. It is the aim of the Methodist Church to be a growing, inclusive, evangelistic and justice-seeking Church, providing a place of welcome for everyone within the community. As we strive to do this, you may notice us reaching out in new and creative ways in the simple hope of getting to know you better. We want to begin building stronger relationships with folks across our community so that we can support and encourage one another as we live lives as neighbours in this place.
So keep a look out for the Methodist Church in action in Long Hanborough. Please do come and join us in our activities as we seek to do a new thing to show our love, and God’s in this place where we live.
Every Blessing!
Rev Sue Jacobs.
Hanborough
‘Forget-Me-Nots’
Memory/
Friendship Cafe
every first Tuesday in the Month 10am–12noon next one Tuesday 5th November 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
Methodist Church November Services
3rd 10am Local Arrangement
10th 10am
17th 10am
24th 10am
Long Hanborough Methodist Church Women’s Fellowship
Meet on 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 2.00pm. All Ladies Welcome.
November
• 14th Amanda Stewart
• 28th Richard Bowler
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
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
Rev Sue Jacobs Remembrance
Mr Richard Bowler
All-Age Family Service
Rev Stephen Bywater
Holy Communion
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 17th November
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 November the focus of prayer willbe on Church Hanborough, MansellClose, Pigeon House Lane and Lower road.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5 v 18
Photo © T. Wyatt
Letter from our Rector, Rev Steve Stewart: Hanborough & Freeland Church
What actually is a “Christian”? …
Down the years, survey after survey has shown that many people – perhaps the majority of British people – believe the UK to be a “Christian” country. There is no doubt that certain aspects of our legal and constitutional system in the UK owe some sort of debt to the values of a Christianised historical tradition.
In addition, visit any town, city or country village, and there you will find parish churches with a particularly recognisable architecture – be that Norman Romanesque, mediaeval Gothic, Tudor, Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic revival or modernist.
Also, our musical heritage, be it from Mozart and Handel to gospel blues is woven into the soundscape of much of British history.
But this heritage, however “Christian” we may describe it, actually tells us very little about what it means to be a Christian. After all, Christianity is a phenomenon existed long before the cultural heritage to which it gave birth. Christianity was born at a different time in a different culture in a different country. There is nothing specifically “British” about
Christianity. It is a worldwide phenomenon, transcending culture, time and geography.
So what does it mean to be a “Christian”? Well, the clue is in the name: a Christian is a follow-up of Jesus Christ. But not just somebody who recognises that Jesus had some good things to say, or enjoys reading the Bible (where we find out about Jesus), or acknowledges that Jesus was a real historical person.
A Christian is somebody who believes that Jesus is the Christ. That this person named “Jesus” was the divine son of God, sent into the world to take the punishment for the bad things you and I have done and thought and said, and that he did so by dying on the cross. And that he was resurrected to life on the third day. In short, a Christian is somebody who believes that the things which the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) tell us about Jesus are true. That the Gospels are a faithful witness to Jesus’ identity, mission, death and resurrection. Believing anything less than this means that a person is not a Christian. That person may value highly all sorts of things about our Christian heritage. They may be good people and in some way morally upright, and they may even like
church architecture and the music of Handel, but they are not Christians.
One thing which the Bible notes about Christians, from almost as soon as Jesus had risen from the dead, is that they met together weekly. It is this that gave birth to the church we know today, and it is why the Christians in your villages still meet week by week to worship the risen Jesus.
But here’s the lovely thing: Christianity is not a restricted group of people. Coming to faith in Christ is open to anyone – even me, even you. And that means our churches are always a place where you will receive a warm welcome to our worship services, whether you believe or not. Our services are a place of fellowship, where you will hear the truth about Jesus Christ and learn of his infinite love for you.
With much love in Christ Jesus, Rev Steve Stewart, Rector, Hanborough and Freeland
If you would like to learn more about church and what it means to be a Christian, simply join us at any of our churches on a Sunday morning (see hfchurch.org.uk) or contact me for a chat at rector@hfchurch.org.uk
Photo © T. Wyatt
Hanborough & Freeland Church Services
Bladon
& Woodstock FlowerClub
Margaret Lang – 01865376587
We had a really, lovely meeting on 14 October with Emma from Signature Flowers. Her demonstration was very uplifting. Emma is a professional florist and does a lot of wedding, funeral and corporate events. Her flowers and greenery were top quality, and her arrangements consisted of one in a hatbox, a twisted hazel wreath, small bottles in a row, one on a black frame which she would use to display a table plan and a beautiful hand-tied one.
Our next meeting on 12 November will be an imposed workshop. At this workshop each member will be given flowers, greenery plus some unusual items like sticks, paper plate, string, and scourer. These items they will have to incorporate within their arrangement. They do not know what they will be given until the evening. It is great fun to see how they use all these items.
Our December meeting on the 4th will be an open evening to be held in
Exeter Hall, Kidlington. Arnaud Metairie, a world renowned demonstrator, with his title ‘Festive Floral Fantasy’. Tickets are £15 each, doors open at 6.15pm for 7.30pm. There will be retail stalls and a floral art stall. Tickets available from me on 01865 376587, also through the website bbandoflowers.org.uk
Our normal meeting place is the Bowls and Tennis Clubhouse, Cadogan Park, Woodstock. Meetings start at 7pm. Visitors always welcome with a charge of £8.
Hanborough MusicalFireworks NeedsYOU!
As the crisp mornings are now indicating, Autumn is fast enveloping us and this can only mean one thing, the Hanborough Musical Fireworks display will soon be lighting up our skies!
With such a hugely popular event, comes of course a lot of hard work and simply could not be possible without the help of all our volunteers and the support from our local community. We are always grateful for any assistance and so If you would like to help us raise lots of money for local charities, please do get in touch!
The event this year is being held on Friday 8th November, but there is plenty to do on the lead up as well as on the day/night and the morning after! Whether you like to be behind the scenes or public facing, we have jobs that would suit you so please do get in touch! 07747 184278 or longhanboroughfireworks@gmail. com
Many thanks in advance !!
The Hanborough Musical Fireworks Committee
Witney Music Society November Concert
The next concert in Witney Music Society’s new season will be a recital by award-winning pianist Ignas Maknickas. His programme includes works by Schubert, Bortkievicz and Chopin. The concert is at 7.30 pm on Friday 8 November at High Street 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
Church Road, Roosevelt Road, Pinsley Road & Churchill Way!
Dear Neighbours
It’s nearly that time of year again when the Hanborough Musical Fireworks display lights up our skies!
We understand the parking can be a frustration and so we will be directing cars down to the station carpark and will of course be putting out as many cones as we can again along Church Road to help ensure driveways are not blocked.
We know that people travel from outside the village and so to ensure your road is kept clear, we would like to kindly ask if you could also please help us by parking your car on your driveway just for the few hours on the night, if you’re able to do so.
The event, which this year is being held on Friday 8th November, is always a great success with lots of money raised for local charities but is only possible with the help of all our volunteers and the support from our local community.
If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 07747 184278 or longhanboroughfireworks@gmail. com
We hope you’ll join us at The Pavilion for some Mulled Wine! Many thanks in advance !!
The Hanborough Musical Fireworks Committee
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 Energy Group
(FEG)
The Warm Home Energy Day
Maybe you spotted children with sparkly flowers or the boy with a very impressive snake on their faces, on a September Saturday near Freeland? Yes? They were among the visitors to Freeland’s first Warm Home Energy Day. Together, the families were able to collect draught busting samples from the Low Carbon Hub stall, find out about grants and advice about making homes warmer and sustainable from the County Council retro-fit consultant and also ask their neighbours about how they chose their solar panels. FEG appreciates and thanks everyone for all the work and contributions made on the day - not only from our members and families, but also those from the representatives of Low Carbon Hub, Oxfordshire County Council and especially not forgetting the local neighbours who volunteered to chat about their experience in creating their own electricity.
Over 60 people dropped in for information over a cup of tea, a round of the ‘Grid Game’ or trying out the thermal imaging camera.
West Oxfordshire District Council was represented at the event by Liberal Democrat Councillor, Lidia Arciszewska and Roger Faulkner, the Conservative District Councillor also for Freeland and Hanborough, made the draw for the three full house energy surveys (each worth £600). The Eynsham company ‘Curiosity Box’ owner donated and made the draw for the prizes of a science box for each of the two winners for the children’s competition to name the ‘snuggled up house’.
This was the first warm home day we’ve held; the first step for many in working towards the community plan for net zero (CAPZero).
But, what as a reader from Long Hanborough, has this to do with you?
• Find out more about this local action plan, yes Long Hanborough is within the area, from www.lowcarbonhub.org/ cap-zero/
• Sign up for the newsletter on this link or use the QR code
The Rotary Club of Witney
We really need your help! If you would like to make new friends, contribute and give back to your community we are sure you would enjoy the sociability and activities Witney Rotary Club can offer.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4million members who unite to take action to create lasting change across the globe and locally.
We are always keen to help within our local communities both financially and with practical help.
Our next big event is the Switch On of the Christmas Lights in Witney on Friday 29th November. Come along and maybe have a chat to us (we are the ones in the yellow tabards!). Every year, we raise thousands of to support organisations and charities in Witney and the surrounding villages.
If you are interested in joining us, or just finding out more about we do, visit our web site: www.witneyrotary.org
North Leigh History Society
On November 5th Professor David Griffiths will be talking to us about 'The Vikings' in North Leigh Memorial Hall at 7.30 p.m. (OX29 6SA). Doors open at 7pm. All welcome. Members £20 per year, visitors £4 per talk. Further details are available from DianaPower (01993 882301) or Robert Kyte at kyterobert@gmail. com and 01993 880368
Oxford Flower Club
Displays of autumnal flowers were in abundance from our demonstrator Vijay Bhatia in September. Her creative use of pumpkins, hula hoops and driftwood for her ‘Out of Africa’ themed programme was truly inspirational.
Members excelled when invited to bring a display of their own. We welcomed 5 new guests who we hope will join as regular members.
In November we welcome Gill McGregor with a ‘Christmas Cheer’ themed meeting. Call Karen on 07967 555750 to join our friendly club.
Witney & Hanborough Dog Training Society
It is with some regret, after 50 years, to report the upcoming closure of the club.
I first attended 23 years ago as a trainee obedience handler and was very soon recruited as treasurer followed by course co-ordinator shortly afterwards.
Within a few years I stepped in as substitute trainer in the absence of our main trainer in the event of illness, bad weather preventing travel or holidays.
Fast forward a few more years and the subsequent retirement abroad of our trainer, I was approached by the members at the time to take on the role as permanent trainer. This, with the backing of The Kennel Club, I was happy to do.
I have been the sole trainer, PR/advertising, course co-ordinator and all admin roles with only a cosignatory for financial purposes for almost 10 years. The admin time spent far outweighs the actual time spent training in classes and as a result I have decided it is time to step aside.
Despite my best efforts I have been unable to secure a successor.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all club members past and present for their continued support many of whom have returned time and again with successive furry companions.
The current courses finish at the end of November and our final meeting will be Wednesday the 4th December for our Christmas party. This will follow the usual format of party food, raffle and party games (for the dogs). Fancy dress is optional (for dogs & handlers).
All members past and present are most welcome, with or without a 4 legged companion. Please contact me for further details:
Janet Guest.
Email: colinguest888@btinternet. com
Tel: 01993881187
Mob: 07719667557
U3a Woodstock &District
Our speaker last month was Frederick Dove, who gave us a fascinating insight into the Thalidomide scandal, which affected many births globally, mainly between 1958 and 1962. The drug, sold as a sedative, remained active for only a few hours, but if taken by women in early pregnancy, it could cause a miscarriage or serious damage to their unborn child. An informative, but also uplifting talk. Medical science and drug control have greatly moved forward since then, and research continues to bring new understanding.
Our next speaker meeting is on Thursday 5th November at St Hugh’s Hall, Hensington Road, Woodstock when Viviene Sieber speaks about Kino and Kinder – A family’s journey in the shadow of the Holocaust – a family history. 1.45pm for 2pm talk –visitors welcome at £2.
Interest groups continue to expand with German speaker sessions to be offered. The Singing group is to res-establish itself at the Scout and Guide Hut in Union Street, Woodstock on 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2pm - next date is 20th November. All welcome.
Please do check our website for further information: www.woodstocku3a.uk
Sue Blackshaw –Chair Woodstock & District u3a chair@woodstocku3a.uk
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
Eynsham Country Market
in Long Hanborough
Our market takes place every Thursday in Eynsham Square from 9am until 10.30am. We have organised a programme of Saturday markets for 2024 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 30th Nov, Christmas Market Long Hanborough
• Sat 7th Dec, Christmas Market Eynsham Square
Follow us on Facebook for updates on our events. We are always looking for new producers, so if you can bake, make preserves, make homemade crafts or grow your own veg and fancy joining a friendly team, why not get in touch for more information?
Email eynshamcountry market76@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.
An Inspector Woolf Special - Four Page Mystery
An Hour To Kill Pt 2
(Sunday 27th October 2024) from divalde
Previously: Controversial author Thomas Garrick has been murdered. Inspector Woolf must deduce who the guilty party is from the five guests gathered to discuss his new book.
'So who was last to see Mr Garrick alive?'
'It may have been me during breakfast Inspector,' said Xa, 'I took a fresh pot of coffee in to Mr Garrick just after Ms Scott and Mr Curry had left him.'
'And what time did you leave him?' Inspector Woolf addressed Dragon Books.
'Around 6:30,' said Polly Scott MD, 'to catch the 7 o'clock to Paddington.' Nathaniel nodded.
'It wasn't the easiest repast,' said Nathaniel the CFO, 'not a hint of contrition. His early morning bonhomie was turned up to 11. I was seething, I could have…'
'…what?' Baz, Garrick's lawyer shot him a half smile.
'… killed him perhaps?' intervened PC Franklin
'On your bike love,' snapped Nathaniel, 'I would happily have punched his lights out but murder? He was a charmless man who courted controversy to spice up an otherwise empty life. I actually felt sorry for him.'
'And I left early for the 8 o'clock to Reading,' said Baz unasked. 'No breakfast for me. I didn't see Thomas or these two.' He rummaged in a jacket pocket and retrieved an orange receipt which he handed to the Inspector, who took it nodded and handed it back. He glanced at Polly and Nathaniel who showed him their receipts too.
'A bit odd not to say goodbye to your host,' said PC Franklin.
'To be honest I didn't know he was up. And even if I did what more was there to say? Anyway, he was probably already dead!' Baz glared at Polly and Nathaniel.
'Hey, of course he was still alive. Xa saw him and the clock says so!' seethed Nathaniel.
'And where were you Ms Danvers?' asked the Inspector.
'Still in my room texting. She fiddled with her phone and showed the Inspector a stream of timed messages from 6:45 to 7:20. 'The first I knew about Tom's murder was when Xa raised the alarm around 8:30.' The Inspector turned to Xa.
'Where were you the rest of the morning?
'After bringing coffee I was alone in the kitchen. I was also in the laundry room which is very noisy. At just gone 8:30 I came back. That was when I discovered the body.'
'So!' announced Baz, 'Anita and Xa have no clear alibis.'
'Watch yourself,' Anita snapped, 'can you think of a single reason why I would? Just one! And the same goes for Xa; a more loyal friend my client never had!'
The air seemed to twist with expectation.
'So where does this leave us?' said Inspector Woolf, 'our prime witness, the Dragon Clock tells us Mr Garrick was shot at exactly 8 this morning. At that very moment Ms Scott and Mr Curry had been London bound for an hour and Mr Gordon was at the station catching the Reading bound train. Undeniably this leaves Ms Danvers and Xa alone in the house, with Mr Garrick. From about 6:30 to 8:30.''
'So we can safely conclude that neither Polly, Nathaniel or I did it, 'said Baz, 'QED it's one of these two. One must have heard the shot.'
'I wear earbuds in bed,' said Anita, anyway the killer could have used a silencer.'
Inspector Woolf stretched his aching back. He'd heard enough.
An Inspector Woolf Special - Four Page Mystery
'May I remind you,' he said at last, beginning to pace, 'that today is Sunday 27th October.' Mental shrugs all round.
'The day the clocks go back. Last night in fact or first thing this morning is what many people do. It was what Mr Garrick was doing at 8:00 am BST.' He produced the key. 'The killer struck before he could open the clock face with this, and reset the hour hand, which means he was actually gunned down at 7:00 GMT.'
He allowed the room to absorb the new reality and reframe alibis.
'At 7 o'clock GMT Mr Curry and Ms Scott were not an hour away but were still at the station waiting to board. And we have Xa's statement that sometime between 6:30 and 7 Mr Garrick was still alive. Ms Danvers timed texts provide a plausible lack of opportunity for her which leaves Xa. However…Ms Danvers?' Inspector Woolf extended his hand and Anita passed him her phone. He prodded a few wrong buttons and handed it to PC Franklin who found Anita's messages which she flashed to the group.
'There are three timed messages here,' she said, 'between Anita and Xa from 6:55 to 7:10 regarding future meetings and ensuring dates etc are in Mr Garrick's diary.'
'So all revised alibis stand up…save one,' said Inspector Woolf.
'Mr Gordon,' he said, 'we now find you had an hour to kill…as it were. Once Xa had left Mr Garrick you slipped in and fired the fatal shot. Now did you pull the trigger knowing that the clock would alibi you?'
'Inspector I can assure you that…'
'That was a rhetorical question Mr Gordon. I don't really care. All I know is that the facts do not support your alibi.'
Baz was up and ran out of the room. Inspector Woolf and PC Franklin gave chase and found themselves facing a snub nosed revolver he had pulled from the pocket of his raincoat hanging on the coat stand. Anita followed but recoiled at the sight
'That pompous fool betrayed me,' roared Baz, his face red with anger,' he ignored everything I said and then had the gall to fire me. He even talked of suing for professional negligence. I had dropped all of my other clients to provide the one to one service he demanded. I'm ruined. He was the villain here, not me, don't you see. And it was your doing Anita, whispering in his ear like some Wormtongue?'
He pointed the gun at her.
'And no need for a silencer this time.'
PC Franklin stepped forward and pulled a long telescopic nightstick from her belt.
'Don't be so silly Mr Gordon,' she said, 'did you really think we were unaware of your gun permit. I unloaded that thing ages ago when I searched everyone's bags and coats.'
Mr Gordon looked in horror at her and the gun. He hesitated just long enough for PC Franklin to lash him across the wrist till he dropped the gun. She snatched it up and unloaded it into her hand.
'Actually I didn't unload it but as bluffs go it was worth a shot; so to speak.'
The fury drained out of Baz. He was a defeated man.
'Betrayed by a grandfather clock!' said PC Franklin.
'Actually do you know why they are called grandfather clocks?' said Inspector Woolf, inappropriately to no-one in particular 'it is because of the old song. My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf, so it stood ninety years on the floor.'
He realised everyone was staring at him.
'Take him away PC Franklin,' he said at last
Inspector Woolf is taking a February break but will return in March in TheKing's Gambit. Instead, in the February edition we have an improbable tale called Treatment.
Hanborough Welfare Trust
Hanborough Welfare Trust (HWT) was set up many years ago to help those in need in the Parish. Its Trustees are aware that this help may be particularly needed during the current Covid-19 crisis.
It only has a limited amount of funds, but requests are invited at this time by any who live in Hanborough and may consider themselves and their need appropriate.
Please get in touch by emailing or telephoning Gill Breakspear on 01993 883914 gillbreakspear@btinternet .com or Rev Nigel Knights Johnson on 01993 359572 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
Hanborough Pre-School is held in the Pavilion at Hanborough Playing Fields. It is a fun and happy place welcoming children 2-5 years of age. Government funding for 15-30 hours is available for children aged three years or over and 15 hours for some two-year-old children. We provide a safe and friendly environment for children to learn through play with a strong emphasis on outdoor education. We are committed to Safeguarding and all our staff and volunteers hold a DBS check and are employed through a safer recruitment programme.
Current Session Times
Morning (8:45am-11:45am) or afternoon sessions (12:15pm-3:15pm)
Lunchtime Club 11:45am-12:15pm
What have we been up to?
We are finishing off our term fully exploring our families and what we look like. We have enjoyed creating self portraits, comparing our heights and discussing our different hair and eye colours. The children have enjoyed sharing pictures of their family and discussing our family members. We have also introduced weekly cooking sessions into our week and the children have enjoyed making pizza faces, flapjack and gingerbread people.
We have changed our Forest School sessions to Wednesday afternoons, and it remains a highlight of our week. The children have particularly enjoyed playing in the stream with their adults and making potions for the trees.
Availability
Availability- We are now full for this academic year and 2024-2025 but we have some spaces for 2025-2026 and we have now opened up bookings for 2026-2027.
Please get in touch via e-mail or our Facebook page.
For the staff at Hanborough Pre School it is important that we all continue our professional development. Over the past term, our team have completed insightful training into Autism and Sensory processing with different strategies that we can implement into our setting. This has been beneficial for children who can often struggle joining in with certain aspects of our daily routine.
We are looking forward to our Halloween disco on Thursday 31st October. This event is now full but please look out for any last minute cancellations on our Facebook page.
Rob Atkinson
Member of the Chartered Institute of Building
High quality DIY and general property maintenance
General Repairs –Carpentry – Decorating Plumbing – Fencing Prompt and reliable service. No job too small. Tel: 07876-275300
Based in Stonesfield email: robatkinson.ajdw@gmail.com
“A job done well”
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Veg-out
www.instagram.com/vegoutrecipes/ Biscoff cheese cake by Kate Ford
If you think it’s impossible to make cheese cake without dairy then think again. This plant-based, easy, no bake recipe by Kate Ford at The Veg Space.co.uk is totally convincing. The recipe uses Biscoff biscuits for the base but you could swap these for digestives and make it Gluten Free. Try topping the cheese cake with fruit instead of the Biscoff.
Ingredients: makes 6 mini cheese cakes
For the base:
• 100gBiscoff biscuits or digestive biscuits
• 50gvegan block margarine unsalted Flora
For the filling:
• 400g Violife vegan cream cheese(other brands can become too runny)
• 120g caster sugar
• 2.5 tablespoonvegan cream Elmlea plant doublecream
• ½ lemon
• 1 teaspoonvanilla extract
• 1 tablespoonsmooth Biscoff spread- optional
For the decoration:
• 100g smooth Biscoff spread – or fruit
• 6 Biscoff biscuits- or strawberry sauce
To make the bases:
• Melt the vegan block margarine in a bowl for 30 seconds in the microwave, or in a saucepan on the hob. Set aside.
• Crush 100g Biscoff / digestive biscuits in a bag with a rolling pin or similar, or blitz them in a food processor.
• Mix the biscuit crumbs into the melted margarine until they are fully combined.
• Press the crumbs into the bottom of each hole of the tin, (or into the base of the muffin cases, if using). Place in the fridge to chill.
To make the filling:
• In a large bowl or food mixer, beat together the cream cheese and caster sugar. (If you're using a food mixer, use just a medium speed - you need to be gentle with the cream cheese).
• Add the vegan cream, lemon juice, vanilla extract and Biscoff spread and mix until fully combined.
• Spoon the filling on top of the bases and smooth down with a knife, then level off the top.
• Put the cheesecakes into the freezer, (ideally overnight) take out and decorate with Biscoff warmed a little and then poured over 1-2 hours before you will be serving them.
Carole vegoutrecipes@btinternet.com
