Parish Council Annual Assembly – Monday 8 April at 7.30pm
The agenda for the meeting and our Aims and Objectives for next year are here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/311d8a72-6105-4610-8f51-ad2a53a4d05a/Annual_Assembly_2019_agenda_and_aims.pdf
This is your opportunity to discuss with your Council what has been happening during the year, and to question us on the plans for next year. We hope to see lots of people there – refreshments from 7.00pm.
Christian Aid Lunches
There are only three lunches left in support of Christian Aid. The next one is at South Paddock House, Uffington on Wednesday April 3rd 2019, from 12.15 to 13.45, with a choice of soups and bread and cheese. All welcome, bring your friends.
Uffington Wed Walk 3rd April
The walk on Wednesday 3rd April will take in somewhere that we rarely get to: the delightful Hardwell Wood. This is on the south side of the B4507 in Woolstone parish. The public right of way goes up the west edge of the wood. This was cleared of fallen trees by the VOWH Ramblers path maintenance team, the Vale Path Volunteers, a couple of months ago. This 6.2 mile walk starts as usual in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall car park at 09.30. We'll walk to Woolstone via Broad Way and field paths, then via the church to Hardwell Lane and the B4507. After walking westwards on that we enter Hardwell Wood, walking up the edge until we emerge to open skies. We then continue to The Ridgeway, which we'll follow to White Horse Hill, then back to Uffington. Map of walk attached here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/840c7c91-fcba-4d01-86cf-84adbcef8f57/Hardwell_Wood_walk_3_April.02.pdf
The 2nd Wed of the month 'Up the Hill' walks are being postponed for now due to low numbers with the possibility of restarting later in the year if there is interest. For further details contact veritycavanagh@gmail.com
White Horse Garden Club
Plant Sale 11 May. 2.30pm - 4.00pm. This is our main fundraising event, and is always very well attended. Bring friends and family along. If you are bringing plants to donate or sell please label and price each plant. If you wish to sell your plants on a 50/50 basis please add an extra label to each pot with your name and the cost.
Exbury Gardens Trip. Sat 18 May 9.00am - 6.00pm There are still places available to see these outstandingly beautiful gardens near the New Forest.
They offer a stunning display of azaleas and rhododendrons and magnolias around this time. www.exbury.co.uk £25 inclusive of coach and entrance.
Restaurant available for lunches.
Jekka McVicar's Herbetum 11 July 2.00pm - 4.00pm Shellards Lane, Galveston, Bristol BS35 5SY. Largest collection of culinary herbs in Britain.
£15 tour and refreshments. Car sharing. www.jekkasherbfarm.com/herbetum
To book on either trip please contact visits secretary Hilary Deakin at: hilary@humanaspects.co.uk or 07802 426822
Everyone WELCOME at the White Horse Garden Club. Membership is £10 per annum. Visitors £2.50 per meeting. Raffle £1.
Venue: Thomas Hughes Memorial (large) Hall, Uffington SN7 7RA
White Horse Garden Club Committee: Verity Cavanagh, Alison Corley, Jane Cracknell, Patricia Dalrymple, Hilary Deakin, Pamela Preene.
Further information: Pamela Preene, T: 01367820251 E: parrottspreene@aol.com
From the Vale:
Register to vote in the 2019 local elections. See: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2019/2019-03/time-choose-who-represents-you-local-issues-make-sure-you%E2%80%99re-registered-vote-time-
Didcot Garden Town continues to move forward and receives £218 million investment. See:
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2019/2019-03/didcot-garden-town-continues-move-forward-and-receives-%C2%A3218-million-investment
Vale of White Horse Local Plan
Update bulletin No 11 is available in the UB NP website, here: https://www.ubwnp.net/references/documents/
Changes for all UK drivers when driving in the EU and EEA after Brexit
There is a good chance that a no-deal Brexit withdrawal will mean British driving licences will no longer be valid in the EU and British motorists will need to apply for International Driving Permits (IDPs) before heading to the continent. An IDP is essentially a translated version of your existing driving licence. It allows foreign officials to quickly and easily check your credentials. It costs £5.50 to buy and you can apply for one at the Post Office (click), or here: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/international-driving-permit
In addition to an IDP, it's likely that UK drivers will also need a motor insurance green card. This is a document provided by your insurer to prove that you have adequate insurance cover for driving abroad.
Further info here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-to-drive-in-the-eu-after-brexit
From Citizens Advice
Please find attached a press release about a new service to assist those who are applying for Universal Credit: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/59000290-b829-4971-bfed-9bf5f6b02fe4/CAB_Help_to_Claim.pdf
From the Police
Fraudsters send fake Virgin Media emails threatening "automatic disconnection"
Action Fraud has received over 100 reports about fake emails that purport to be from Virgin Media. The emails threaten the recipient with "automatic disconnection" due to "invalid billing information". The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking phishing websites that are designed to steal your Virgin Media account login details. Don't click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details.
For more information on how to stay secure online, visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk
Future events
Mario Lanza Concert in Wantage, on 27 April 2019; see poster attached: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/ce69551d-5b1d-423d-9995-4dd476e98a5b.jpg
Uffington benefice
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 31 March 2019 is here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/82d1f6ba-75dd-4b6a-8e33-2f0cbea79682/wsh_2019_03_31.pdf
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be held at St. Mary's Church on Wednesday 3rd April 2019 at 7.30 pm; the agenda is here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/008d59de-7cfe-4192-bb86-0ef37b31005f/ANNUAL_PAROCHIAL_CHURCH_MEETING_2019.pdf
Sunday 31 March is not only Mothering Sunday, but the clocks go forward one hour.
Finally, apologies for the duplication of entries which has occurred once or twice recently – I now understand why this has happened.
Village news 22 March 2019 Joan Little - RIP
We received the following notice from Lynne Creech, daughter of John and Joan Little, recently: 'My mother died on 16 February, aged 91. Her funeral was last Monday. Both my mother Joan and father John did a lot in raising money for the Village and Tom Brown's School (many years ago). Her ashes will be interred with my father's at the beginning of July (hopefully) in Uffington Churchyard.'
John Little was a previous Chair of the Parish Council and was the mastermind behind the setting up of the Tom Brown's School Museum. Should anybody wish to get in touch with Lynne, Karen Pilcher has her e-mail address.
Uffington Parish Council Annual Assembly 2019
Save the date – the Annual Assembly will be held on Monday 8th April at 7.30 pm, in the THMH, with refreshments served from 7.00 pm; more information here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/b8a3cb59-9970-46ed-a709-33ef9ecca6a1/Annual_Assembly_poster_2019.04.pdf
Red Nose Day
Thank you to everyone who sponsored kids taking part in the Gallopathon last Friday. Despite very high winds and the threat of rain, local Guides, Brownies, Scouts and Cubs raised an impressive £280.33 for Comic Relief.
Tina Monk (Brown owl)
From the Vale
OVO Energy Women's Tour professional cycling race Oxfordshire is expecting economic and health benefits from hosting the prestigious OVO Energy Women's Tour professional cycling race in June. See: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2019/2019-03/oxfordshire-get-business-and-community-boost-major-women%E2%80%99s-cycle-race
New housing project for vulnerable homeless people launched with Oxfordshire Mind. See: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2019/2019-03/new-housing-project-vulnerable-homeless-people-launched-oxfordshire-mind
Vale Council declares climate emergency and calls on government to support action on climate change. See:
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2019/2019-03/vale-council-declares-climate-emergency-and-calls-government-support-action-climat
From Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue
Have you ever thought of becoming an on-call firefighter? Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service are looking for On-call Firefighters to join their team!
Do you want to earn extra money, serve your community and save lives in a rewarding role? If so, a career as an On-call Firefighter might be just the thing for you. On-call Firefighters are the backbone of the fire service and anyone can be one. If you're employed full-time, are a parent, out of employment or just have some spare time, you can respond to emergency calls. On-call Firefighters are trained and paid for their time and service - and on average are expected to be called out two or three times each week for about an hour at a time - this can be at night or during the day.
They are looking for anyone over the age of 18, who is physically fit (this can be worked on), doesn't suffer from vertigo, claustrophobia or dislike the sight of blood. They need good common sense, to be enthusiastic, reliable and honest. If this sounds of interest, please visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oncallfirefighters
Future events
Good Friday 19th April, 2019 - The Peter O'Sullevan Lambourn Open Day – see attached poster: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/9d88bd14-8dd0-4061-b093-f2cf33c6cf95/LOD_2019_Poster_v.2.01.pdf
Uffington benefice
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 24 March 2019 is here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/cca81ca7-11da-4223-8a5b-bf4cf1522780/wsh_2019_03_24.pdf
URGENT APPEAL URGENT APPEAL – LOCAL ELECTIONS IN MAY 2019
This is an urgent appeal on behalf of Uffington Parish Council.
Did you know? - 4 of the current 6 members of Uffington Parish Council are over the age of 70 and some of them are planning to stand down in May
- Between them, the 6 Councillors have over 50 years' experience of serving on a parish council
- Parish councillors are volunteers and act in a non-political capacity
- No special skills are required; all that is necessary is a willingness to contribute to the well-being of the village
- If positions cannot be filled, the Vale District Council may have to nominate people until we can co-opt locally, and we might lose control of what happens in our village.
This is neither threat nor blackmail. We just want to encourage people to put themselves forward for election in the long term interests of the village. You would not be thrown in at the deep end but as a minimum you would be expected to attend our monthly evening meetings, read parish council e-mails, and contribute to discussions on the issues arising.
Elections take place every 4 years and we need new blood. Nomination forms have to be delivered to the Vale District Council by 4.00 pm on 3rd April, but an election will only be triggered if more than 6 people put themselves forward for election to the 6 places on the Council.
To find out more about the running of the Council and what being a councillor entails please feel free to speak to any member for more information.
Village news 15 March 2019 Missing persons appeal
I understand that the two boys missing yesterday have been found; many thanks to an Uffington resident who saw them and rang the Police.
Spring tidy of the Jubilee Field
Meet tomorrow morning at the Village Hall, at 10.00 am. The forecast at the moment is windy but dry!
Winter Lunches
The last of the 7 Winter Warmer lunches was held on 25th February, and we have now handed the magnificent profit of £1,230 to the PTA, who will in time let us know to what use they will put these funds. We were delighted and heartened by the numbers of people who came, often on cold and miserable days, to enjoy a simple lunch in the hall, and to donate so generously. There was always a buzz of conversation at the long tables, so we think that the varied company had as much to do with the success as the food!
Thank you to everyone who supported the lunches (and particular thanks to those who stayed and helped clear up afterwards), and you may be pleased to hear that we plan to continue them, starting in the autumn, so watch out for our publicity later in the year.
Fenella, Hilary, June, Nikki and Sarah.
Story of first woman infiltrated into France as radio operator during WW2 to be told by author Shrabani Basu in Oxfordshire this month
Best-selling author Shrabani Basu will be coming to Oxfordshire on 29th March 2019 to speak about the story of the first woman to be infiltrated into occupied France as an SOE (Special Operations Executive) radio operator during the Second World War – Noor Inayat Khan.
The talk will take place at Banbury Town Hall, starting at 7pm on 29th March, and will be a fundraiser for the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, based in Woodstock. The museum includes a 'Secret War' exhibit featuring Noor Inayat Khan and other women involved in wartime espionage operations along with its other county and regimental collections. Proceeds from ticket sales will support the museum's work in preserving the county's military heritage and launch a series of events and exhibitions focusing on the Second World War as numerous key anniversary commemorations approach. See the press release attached: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/a401a8fb-4cd0-458a-9014-5bef944e7de6/Shrabani_Basu_Spy_Princess_Press_Release.pdf
Tickets can be booked from Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum's website: www.sofo.org.uk/product/spyprincess/ or by calling 01993 810 211.
From the Police
The Faringdon Neighbourhood Policing team newsletter for March 2019 is here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/06dc0a89-be6a-4f4a-bc87-859cf2dd4f0f/Faringdon_NH_newsletter_March_19_2_.pdf
Scam Warning - Fake TV Licensing Emails
An ongoing TV Licensing phishing campaign, first identified by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) in September 2018, continues to be reported to Action Fraud in high numbers. Fraudsters are sending the public fake TV Licensing emails that are designed to steal their personal and financial information. Since April 2018, Action Fraud has received over 900 crime reports with victim losses totalling more than £830,000.
How you can protect yourself: - Don't click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details.
- Don't assume a phone call or email is authentic, even if someone knows your basic details (such as your name or address). Remember, criminals can spoof phone numbers and email addresses to appear as companies you know and trust, such as TV Licensing.
- Your bank will never call and ask you for your PIN, full banking password, or ask you to transfer money out of your account.
What to do if you've fallen victim: - Let your bank know as soon as possible and monitor your bank statements regularly for any unusual activity.
- If you suspect your identity may have been stolen you can check your credit file quickly and easily online. Use a reputable service provider and follow up on any unexpected or suspicious results.
- If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk, or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Friends of the Ridgeway Vale of White Horse Group meeting
The next meeting is to be held on Thursday 21st March at 7:30 p.m., at Old Town Hall, Faringdon. Speaker: Sarah Wright. Topic: Update on the Ridgeway National Trail.
Meeting Charge: £5 non-members, £3 members Further details: Phone 01367 710743.
From the Vale
Charity Golf Day A charity golf day is taking place on Friday 12 April for individuals, teams and businesses, hosted by Cllr Monica Lovatt; teams and sponsor opportunities available. See: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2019/2019-03/charity-golf-day-%E2%80%93-teams-and-sponsor-opportunities-available
Government pledges £218m for major transport improvements in Southern Oxfordshire. See:
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2019/2019-03/government-pledges-%C2%A3218m-major-transport-improvements-southern-oxfordshire
Charity fund raiser – an evening with Al Sylvester
Josh Rosum has organised a fundraising event which takes place on Saturday 30th March in Faringdon - there will be an afternoon and evening event - to fund the cost of going to Kenya to volunteer in a small village, and he will also be making a donation to the charity Combat Stress. See attached: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/8a72987b-86b9-425d-ad86-dd17eeb0f695/Charity_fundraiser_30.3.19_pdf.pdf
For tickets please contact traceyrosum@gmail.com;
Uffington benefice
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 17 March 2019 is here: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/fd2b24d0-1981-40d0-8987-54e90f7b247c/wsh_2019_03_17.pdf
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