Water pressure
There was a reduction in water pressure last night over post codes SN7, SN8 and RG 17. Thames Water were working on this overnight and this morning the TW website says:
'We're still asking customers locally to help the situation by using water sparingly – for example, by turning off sprinklers and hoses and taking only short showers.'
More information at: https://www2.thameswater.co.uk/network-latest/sn8-no-water
Village news 29 May 2020 Cancellation of the Uffington White Horse Show 2020
It is with great regret that the Organising Committee has decided to cancel this year's Uffington White Horse Country Show. Our overriding concern is the safety of all; the committee, volunteers, show participants and of course the public. All that committed to this year's show, in whatever capacity, are thanked for their marvellous efforts.
But we will run next year's show over the August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday. So we will be back and hope that all that give their support are able to do so next year. And should anyone else wish to volunteer to help, you will or course be most welcome. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2021.
Best Wishes, Callum Skeat
Chair WHS Organising Committee
From OCC
YourOxfordshire - Special wellbeing edition. Looking after yourself is so important, especially at this challenging time. This special edition of Your Oxfordshire is packed with ideas on looking after yourself and your family - from getting active to learning a new skill, from getting lost in a good book to mindfulness tips and ideas for keeping the kids entertained at home. See:
https://mailchi.mp/oxfordshire.gov.uk/youroxfordshire-wellbeing-special-edition-2708484?e=8a2a2b30de
Cycleways and footpaths to be cleared and repaired as council anticipates demand surge. See: https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cycleways-and-footpaths-to-be-cleared-and-repaired-as-council-anticipates-demand-surge/
From the Vale
Council Leader's letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, about the Prime Minister's senior advisor. See:
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2020/2020-05/council-leaders-letter-prime-minister-boris-johnson
Neighbourhood Watch
The Neighbourhood Watch June 'Our News' enewsletter is out.
With the lockdown remaining fully in place in Wales and measures in England altering, Neighbourhood Watch groups continue to support individuals and their communities to adapt, stay safe and manage the situation. We have been collecting stories of all the amazing work going on, several of which are in this newsletter. "The range of support offered is fantastic and a real testament to how Neighbourhood Watch groups all across England and Wales have stood up to support others and their communities".
John Hayward-Cripps, CEO, Neighbourhood Watch Network
We are fast approaching the annual Neighbourhood Watch Week, 7th - 13th June, and there is lots of information in this newsletter on how to get involved and get active in celebrating your neighbours. If you have plans to get involved, let us know by emailing enquiries@ourwatch.org.uk so we can support you.
Benefice 200 Club: Draws 3 and 4 for 2019/2020 Season
On the 27th May, in the true spirit of lock-down, the Benefice 200 Club held a Zoom Meeting to carry out both the postponed 3rd draw and the due 4th draw. In order to ensure complete impartiality, we decided that God's local representative should draw the balls. So we asked Rev Jeremy G to man the drum and call the winners. We were hoping to record the event but unfortunately the next generation of Goulstons had better ideas and occupied the would-be video-er! That said, we were able to carry out the two draws and the results are attached:
https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/de452178-c1a0-4ec5-a5f5-e97b6ae46969/BENEFICE_200_CLUB_DRAW_2019_2020_Draw_3.pdf
https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/a178ae5d-41ae-4421-9d96-2f0644476080/BENEFICE_200_CLUB_DRAW_2019_2220_Draw_4.pdf
Faringdon Rotary – Scarecrow Competition
Usually during Spring and Summer months the Rotary Club of Faringdon and District either promotes or assists cheerful local events, which could or cannot happen this year. The Lockinge Point to Point, the Duck Race at Milletts, the Truck Festival, the Buscot Runs all come to mind. In an effort to raise morale and provide families with a challenge to be inventive, co-operative, humorous, this poster invites participation, how to go about it to be found on it, and a number to ring if in doubt. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/33940d34-8762-4955-913f-f175f86ec4ba/scarecrow_poster_WIP.pdf
Will an Uffington entry win on the day?
Citizens Advice information
Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South and Vale has issued two press releases recently. The first is a tribute to our volunteers on the occasion of Annual Volunteer Week and the second is a general appeal for volunteer advisers. Please see attachments:
https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/43870be5-3578-475a-bd00-fa8def7137be/Citizens_Advice_thanks_dedicated_volunteers.01.pdf
https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/1b176c59-8882-4066-b78a-94a83c483a2a/Citizens_Advice_needs_volunteers_May2020.pdf
Uffington benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 31 May: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/865bd0bd-667d-45e9-b70e-cbc02cbb252e/wsh_2020_05_31.pdf
The link for the livestream Holy Communion at 10am on Sunday 31st May is https://youtu.be/xl9ekuA9ZX8
All service resources are in the Padlet link: https://padlet.com/sue_m_hannon/eyn1ab37n6j2
Village news 22 May 2020 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – information for all
Letter from the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, Paul Scully, to all postmasters, their staff and Post Office employees. See: Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to all postmasters
Ridgeway National Trail COVID-19 Update. In line with current government Covid-19 guidance, we are developing plans to help you to safely enjoy the Ridgeway. See: https://mailchi.mp/4c48984cf5fe/ridgeway-national-trail-covid-19-update?e=db029864d6
From the Vale
District Councils are to begin holding council committee meetings online via video conferencing from the end of May. See: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2020/2020-05/south-and-vale-begin-online-council-meetings
The latest government business grants scheme will not provide anywhere near enough cash to support the vast majority of local businesses. See:
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2020/2020-05/new-government-business-grants-not-enough
Bank holiday bin collections. Bins normally emptied on Monday 25 May will be cleared on Tuesday - Green, food and garden waste.
Uffington Post Office and Stores – Bank Holiday Monday 25 May
The Shop (including the Post Office) will be open from 7.00 am to 12 noon on Monday.
Village Fish 'n' Chips - returning to trade at Uffington
Following the slight relaxation of the lockdown advice given by the government, Stanley and Cheryl Farr would like to return to trade in Uffington on Tuesday next week, 26 May. We will of course implement social distancing measures, only one person at the counter at a time, markers to help people with distancing whilst queueing, and encouraging card payments.
'Thank you NHS' paintings
Maureen Wilsker from Witney - has made a series of 'Thanks NHS' paintings on slate, for people to display in widows etc on the Thursday claps; see attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/6956998d-cc8d-44a5-b2c7-afb8aa9697cf.jpg
Four of them have been placed outside the Shop; Maureen is giving them away free, but asking that whoever takes one makes a donation to a healthcare charity. Maureen is in her 80s and so 'isolating' at home. But she's looking for more materials for painting (the roofing slates were donated to her by a local builder). So, if people have any spare canvass, or light-coloured fabric (with no print), or thin wooden board, any donated materials can just be left outside the front door at 6 White Horse, and we'll deliver it to Maureen.
Evelyne Godfrey.
From the Police
Government Guidelines/Regulations – Shooting Activities. The Government updated its guidelines on Monday 11 May 2020. The regulations were published on Tuesday 12 May 2020 and we sought force legal advice to ensure that both the force and Thames Valley Police certificate holders were complying with the regulations. The details are attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/302b4727-a0f6-4408-8650-10daf24b7828/Government_Guidelines_shooting_May_2020.pdf
Late news: Office Closure - 22nd May 2020
Due to unforeseen circumstances the firearms licensing departments main office will be closed today and will reopen on Tuesday 26th May 2020. If you need to contact the department please email firearmslicensing@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk or contact via the Thames Valley Police website - Firearms Licensing online portal
Uffington benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 24 May. https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/ccf15916-3068-42ca-a49b-7a3142db4371/wsh_2020_05_24.pdf
All service resources are in the Padlet link: https://padlet.com/sue_m_hannon/eyn1ab37n6j2
Village news 15 May 2020 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – information for all
From the Police
Online Child Sexual Abuse - Do you know who your children are speaking to online?
During lockdown, many of us are turning online to stay in touch and this goes for children as well as adults. Sadly, some criminals are using these extraordinary circumstances as a way to exploit and target young people when they are online. Thames Valley Police have seen an increase in reports of online sexual abuse involving children since movement restrictions were introduced and are urging parents to take this opportunity to have honest conversations about online safety with their children and to review privacy settings on the apps and social networks that they are using.
To support parents during COVID-19, the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation and Online Protection division are producing fortnightly activity packs to help discuss staying safe online with your children. These age-appropriate resources, containing two 15-minute activities for each age group, can be found at www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Some useful links and more information are here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/350bff59-d5a1-41db-99c7-51ec0a8613aa/Child_sexual_abuse_Useful_Information_and_Links.pdf
Citizens Advice
Use new fast-track reporting for suspicious emails. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/a6e34cd3-32de-4c36-9db2-92d2323e1995/Citizens_advice_Reporting_susp._emails.pdf
YourOxfordshire – Recycling centres reopening, celebrating carers, bluebell woodlands and community support.
See: https://mailchi.mp/oxfordshire.gov.uk/youroxfordshire-recycling-centres-reopening-celebrating-carers-bluebell-woodlands-and-community-support?e=8a2a2b30de
Uffington Lawn Tennis Club
At last some good news! We can now play tennis on a restricted basis... In line with LTA guidelines the Club is delighted to announce that from today the courts are unlocked again for use. However, a number of restrictions will apply:
* All play must be booked on the Clubspark booking system to deconflict players - please remember to sign in to enable booking.
* Please be alert to the requirements of social distancing on the courts at all times - 2m minimum separation.
* Only singles permitted unless doubles players are all from the same household.
* Please bring your own balls.
* Please bring your own hand sanitiser.
* The nets should be left tensioned at all times, and if any adjustments are necessary, all surfaces should be cleaned afterwards with sanitiser. Same for the gate latch.
Owing to current restrictions we still cannot have any Club nights but we are looking into the possibility of a Club 'Ladder' competition. More information on this to follow. We are still hoping to hold our annual tournament, now planned for later in the year, on Sunday 13th September, but this will have to be reviewed as the summer progresses. So, let's get on the courts again, but please do stick to the guidelines and play safely.
Rob Hart
Chairman, Uffington Lawn Tennis Club
Re-opening of White Horse Hill car park
It is understood that the car park will be open on Monday, with signage on-site asking people to maintain social distancing.
Other matters
Vale of White Horse District Council Call for Sites – Local Plan 2041. The Vale has recently published our Local Development Scheme which sets out our proposed timetable to produce a new Local Plan 2041. Concurrently, it is also working on the proposed Oxfordshire Plan 2050. The first step in this process is to invite landowners, agents, developers, community groups and others to submit potential development sites for us to consider through a Call for Sites exercise. The deadline for this is 29 May. More information and how to submit potential development sites are attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/00324f06-bcf8-4021-b370-fb5048407799/Vale_Local_Plan_2041_Call_for_sites.pdf
Lockdown and the Courier. Copy date for the next Courier is 20 June – not far ahead. By then, if nothing changes, we will have been in some form of lockdown since 23 March – some 14 or 15 weeks. This extraordinary period in the history of the country, and particularly of the UBW villages, should be recorded in the Courier, so please send me any photos, stories or anecdotes you may have of what life is like in a pandemic - for all ages, good and bad - and thoughts on how society may change as a result. (If any individuals, especially children, are identifiable, I will assume that parental approval to publish has been obtained).
White Horse Garden Club
On VE Day some members of the White Horse Garden Club sold plants in their driveways for the Prospect Hospice in Swindon. They would normally have had the usual Plant Sale in the Village Hall, but .......
I have been able to send to the Hospice a cheque for £536.40. Enormous thanks to everyone who contributed so generously to this cause.
Patricia Dalrymple
From the Vale
Your VE Day pics. Thanks to everyone who sent in a photo of their VE decorations. We had lots of submissions from town and parish councils, district councillors, staff and residents - here's a video of everybody's efforts: https://youtu.be/MNaVeT0BhMo
Uffington benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 17th May: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/9d858287-e8d2-471e-800d-85a14bdcf9a8/wsh_2020_05_17.pdf
The link for the livestream at 10am on Sunday 17th May is: https://youtu.be/HiVW0grnIhk
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