| Request for volunteers please!
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd April, 9-5 pm - In THMH - Refreshments and fun!
Mike Thomas, the local Speaker for The Leprosy Mission (TLM), and Sue Jennings are holding a fundraiser for Purulia Hospital, India, which has no Outpatient department and only 2 toilets, and sees up to 300 outpatients a day!
They are asking if you would like to be involved in any way, be it for an hour or two on one of the days, serving refreshments in the kitchen, arranging a raffle, plant stall, playing music or singing, (in the small hall), or beforehand baking, making sandwiches etc. do get in touch with Sue or Mike please.
We are particularly looking for people to help the Cub scouts serve teas.
There is more information on the poster attached: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/86ec2211-a4e1-4e6b-94c2-8340369b78fd/Leprosy_appeal_23_and_24_April..01.pdf
We want to help make this a fun family event. We look forward to hearing from you soon, and welcome suggestions!
jenningsue@gmail.com 820013 or 07956534478
ukmcthomas@gmail.com 820516
Many thanks,
Sue Jennings and Mike Thomas
Village news - 24 February 2017 | Quiz Night – Saturday 18 March
The PTA of Uffington Primary School will be running a quiz night in the THMH on Saturday 18 March – doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30 start. We are raising money for the children of Uffington Primary School to enhance their education by purchasing equipment/books and paying for extracurricular activities. The PTA looks forward to seeing lots of people there, in support of this worthy cause.
Tickets are £5 per adult from Sam at sam@eurofinefoods.co.uk
More information is on the poster here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/c4591669-2c89-45ec-82a5-e968116841bb/Quizposter_18_March.pdf
Benefice Weekly Sheet
The Benefice weekly sheet for 26 February is attached: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/9ecabf59-dd30-4490-8289-e5b9cd7f8e58/wsh_2017_02_26.pdf
National Plant Monitoring Scheme
Do you know anyone with an interest in wild plants or who would like to learn more about them? As the weather warms and the days get longer we are looking for people to help us.
The National Plant Monitoring Scheme is helping us to understand what is happening to different habitats across the UK and is set to run for a number of years. The Scheme has been running for two survey seasons and over 900 volunteers have signed up and been out surveying. One of the reasons the scheme has enjoyed such good success in attracting volunteers is because of the support of local parish councils. Many of these volunteers are new to plant surveying and have found the scheme accessible, are enjoying taking part and are exploring places to close to them and finding out new things. Volunteers are supported by materials which are sent to them, online resources and free training courses.
Do you know somebody who enjoys being outside? There are still opportunities to get involved with the scheme as a volunteer. In fact the more volunteers we have the more information is generated allowing us to get an even better understanding of what is happening in the landscape.
Who we are and what we need:
This scheme is a partnership between Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI); JNCC; Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) and Plantlife and is backed by the government. Volunteers are recruited and supported to survey 5 plots in a kilometre square close to where they live. The plots will be surveyed twice a year. The kilometre squares to monitor have been identified by stratified random sampling. The plants have been chosen as indicators of the health of individual habitats. There are 3 levels volunteers can participate at depending on confidence and knowledge and support will be provided both through training; web and telephone. More help please.
Some information is available here:
http://www.npms.org.uk/sites/www.npms.org.uk/files/PDF/NPMS%20flyer.pdf.
The live map on the NPMS website shows the squares that are available: http://www.npms.org.uk/square-near-me-public?dynamic-return_all_squares=true
We particularly need to promote the scheme in remote areas as well as areas contain including those with coastal and upland habitats.
To sign up please visit www.npms.org.uk or for further information please email support@npms.org.uk or phone 01722 342743.
Hayley New
NPMS Volunteer Coordinator
Direct Dial: 01722 342743
14 Rollestone St, Salisbury, SP1 1DX
Forthcoming Events - 1st and 2nd of March | WALK ON WEDNESDAY 1ST MARCH
Meet Uffington village hall at 9.30am. Car sharing to Hinton Parva Village Hall (parking behind)
WALK - from Hinton Parva Village Hall up onto Ridgeway and then down into Bishopstone. Tour of Bishopstone and then circular route to Hinton Parva. Approx 4 miles.
Mr Stewart Smith from Ashbury has kindly agreed to lead the walk. He has a knowledge of the area and will point out areas of interest on the way.
The weather forecast is looking promising, mild and dry, so hope to see lots of you there, this is a lovely walk.
Pam, Lilly and Verity
Pam - parrottspreene@aol.com
Lilly - lilly@newhaven4.co.uk
Verity - verity@cavanagh1000.plus.com
WHITE HORSE GARDEN CLUB – MARCH 2017
The next meeting will be on THURSDAY 2ND MARCH AT 7.30PM IN THMH, UFFINGTON, SN7 7RA
TALK: CHANGING PLANTING STYLES.
BY: Mary Keen, an internationally renowned garden designer and writer who has worked in many grand English gardens, including at Lord Rothschild's private house, Eythrope, in Buckinghamshire.
Members free. Visitors: £3. Raffle £1
DON'T FORGET: WHGC PLANT SALE MAY 13TH 2.30PM – 4PM.
Propagate your seeds for this fund raising event.
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VISITS 2017
THURSDAY 18th MAY 6.00pm
Visit to Mary Keen"s garden at The Old Rectory, Duntisbourne Rous, Cirencester GL7 7AP. £10 including refreshments. Car sharing. www.keengardener.com
THURSDAY 1st June 6.00pm
Visit to The Mill House, Woolstone, courtesy of Justin Spink.
£5 members. £7.50 visitors. Refreshments. www.justinspink.com
THURSDAY 6th July 6.30pm
Visit to Eastleach House Garden, Eastleach Martin, Cirencester GL7 3NW
£12 includes introductory talk & leaflet with plan of garden.
Numbers limited to 30. Car sharing. Supper in local pub tbc. www.eastleachhouse.com
SATURDAY 5th August at midday.
Visit to Coton Manor Gardens, Coton Road, Northampton NN6 8RQ.
£6 per person. Lunch/teas available. Car sharing. www.cotonmanor.co.uk
Forms available at meetings to sign up for visits or email me.
Membership £10 per year. - Please do come along and bring your friends, neighbours and relatives. Membership cards for 2017 available at this meeting - JOIN US.
NOTICES
Letcombe Regis Garden Club next meeting is on Wednesday 15th March at 7.30pm in Letcombe Regis village hall when Michael Brown will be talking on 'Death in the Garden - Poisonous Plants, Myths, Magic, Passion and Murder'.
Plant sale on Wednesday 19th April at 7.30pm in the Letcombe Regis village hall.
Shrivenham and District Garden Club forthcoming trip to Malvern Show on Sunday 14 May. A coach will leave from outside the Barrington Arms at 9am and depart from the show at 5pm. We do have spaces for non-members and would be delighted if some of your members could join us. The cost, to include coach and entry, is £31 payable before 31 March. Further details can be obtained from Mike Sellwood on 01793 783254.
Look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday 2nd March
Pamela Preene (On behalf of the White Horse Garden Club Committee) Parrottspreene@aol.com
Village news 21 February 2017 | Shrove Tuesday, 28th February
Come to a Pancake party in aid of ACCESS, the charity we support in Bangalore, India, helping to educate the children of quarry workers.
Carl and Fenella will be serving pancakes at Norton House, Broad St, Uffington between 12.00 and 2pm and 6 and 8.30pm, with both savoury and sweet fillings, so come and make a meal of it and have a glass of wine too.
Donations in aid of ACCESS will be gratefully received. Enquiries: 01367 820230
From Thames Valley Police
TVP is appealing for witnesses following a series of thefts from vehicles and vehicle interference in Shrivenham. Between 16 and 21 February, there were 5 instances of "unknown offenders" breaking into cars and conducting messy searches in Shrivenham.
If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message please call the Police via the 24 hour non-emergency telephone number 101. Please make sure you…. - Secure your vehicle
- Set your alarm if you have one
- Park in busy, well-lit areas
- Remove all valuables and tools from the vehicle
- Register and mark any tools
- Stay vigilant!
Village news - 18 February 2017 | Benefice Weekly Sheet
The Benefice weekly sheet for 19 February is attached: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/b73c87b9-7cb4-42e9-86e1-fbd00915b028/wsh_2017_02_19.pdf
From Thames Valley Police – Rural Crime
An online discussion about preventing rural crime in Thames Valley is taking place on Thursday 23 February. It's just one of the events that form part of a month-long campaign on tackling rural crime that affects our rural businesses and farms.
Thames Valley Police is hosting the live web chat on Thursday 23 February from 6.30pm-7.30pm, aimed at anyone with rural interests in the Thames Valley including residents, visitors and workers.
A panel of representatives from the Thames Valley Rural Partnership will be on hand to take your questions. You can take part via our online discussion page, available via this link:
http://thamesvp.coverpage.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast
Questions can be submitted anonymously and you can also get involved via Twitter by using #AskTVP to submit questions.
From the Vale District Council – Budget for 2017/18
On Wednesday 15 February, Vale of White Horse District Council set its budget for 2017/18 with millions pledged to support local communities across the district.
Up to £18.8million is being made available over the next four years for a new leisure centre to serve Wantage and Grove, and the replacement of the outdoor swimming pool in Abingdon has been given the go-ahead with £1.3million. More than £200,000 in grants will be available to support community projects, such as improvements to village halls and providing new sports areas.
More information is available here:
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2017/2017-02/budget-commits-millions-vale-communities
Panto tonight, and other events | Village events
Stop Press: The Uffington Players are presenting Jack to the Future in the THMH tonight and Saturday. It's a celebration of 40 years of the Uffington Players and so features snippets from the top hits of the last 40 years. An evil sorcerer is trying to stop pantomimes but two plucky heroes go back through the last 40 years to pick up magic objects that will help keep pantomime playing at Uffington Village Hall in to the future.
There's a bar and Friday and Saturday tickets come with a hot dog (meat or vegetarian) at the interval. It's effectively the Uffington Players Greatest Hits!
You can buy tickets in the shop or https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/theuffingtonplayers
Free Taster event for the over 60s – Go Active Gold
Monday 20 February from 10.00am to 12 noon at the THMH. Queries to Luke Horton on 07717 346 351, or just turn up on Monday. Learn about the project, tell us about the activities you would like, and trial one of them.
Other events coming up – Save the Dates
Wednesday 12 April, from 2.00pm. A film afternoon for the over 50s in the THMH organised by Mandy Richens of Age UK Oxfordshire; free entry; tea/coffee and cakes will be available.
There is no need to book but for information on the film to be shown please contact Mandy on 07827 235429. More information here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/784d9b3c-f78a-4eee-93a4-a4b4fc25a1b7/Film_afternoon.pdf
Friday 14 April. The 2017 Lambourn Open Day will be held on Good Friday, 14 April. More information here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/6e4754d1-c88b-4005-b4f9-b9c52199c880/LOD_2017_Poster.pdf
One Oxfordshire | Apologies for a long e-mail, but this is an important topic for all of us, as beneficiaries in one way or another of the services provided by the County and District councils.
I attended a public meeting run by Oxford County Council (OCC) on 13 February. The meeting was to discuss the proposal for a unitary authority to cover the whole of Oxfordshire – i.e., including the areas covered by the four district councils and Oxford City. The term "unitary authority" was first used in 1969 in its current sense of a local government authority which combines the functions of a county council and a district council.
The proposals are available here: http://www.oneoxfordshire.org/
A press release from the Leaders of the South and Vale District Councils shows support but advocates a rather different approach: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2017/2017-02/council-leaders%E2%80%99-statement-single-unitary-council-oxfordshire
There is no point trying to rehearse the arguments here; the point of this note is to alert as many residents as possible to the proposals, and encourage you to make your comments on the consultation. In brief:
The aim
The aim is to abolish all six councils, (including OCC) and replace them with a new unitary authority for the whole of the county; it is claimed that could save £20M a year. The headline benefits are: - Simpler – one website, one phone number, one contact for all council services. In broad terms the current split is shown below.
- Better services – One council responsible for all local services
- More local – One Councillor representing the community who is also accountable for all council services in the area.
- Lower cost – No duplication, fewer senior managers
Expected time line - Consultation closes on 28 February
- The proposals paper goes to OCC Cabinet on 14 March
- The submission goes to the Secretary of State (DCLG) soon after 14 March
- S of S decision in the summer of 2017
- Implementation (new unitary authority for Oxfordshire) starts in April 2019
The current split of county / district council services is:
| County Council services | District Council services | Child protection
Fostering and adoption
Adult social services
Education support
Roads and transport
Fire and rescue service
Waste disposal
Public health
Libraries
Trading standards
Countryside access
Parking (park and rides around Oxford) | Housing and benefits
Parks and leisure
Local planning
Street cleaning
Waste collection
Environmental health
Council tax collection
Electoral registration
Parking (In district areas) | It appears that OCC intention is to complete the consultation and rapidly submit the proposal to DCLG. The alternative would be to wait at least another year for another round of approvals for unitary authorities and OCC sees a benefit in making the expected savings as soon as possible. That means that there is a huge amount to be decided before implementation in 2019 – in the same timetable as the Brexit negotiations.
OCC want comments on their proposals so please do so at: http://www.oneoxfordshire.org/
Is this a sensible way to go? There is no "right" answer to that question, but it is probably yes given the continuing austerity measures to be imposed by the Government, and the benefits listed above, but the urgent timeline means that mistakes will probably be made and there must be concern that rural villages will be the losers. Is the on-line consultation meaningful? Probably not; a conclusion may be that OCC has made up its mind and is going through the motions, but it is the only way of making your views known. There is a lot of devil in the detail.
If we don't speak up now, we can't complain later!
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