Local news
Royal visit to Uffington's Community Garden on 24 March. See attached, from the Court Circular in today's edition of the Times: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/8167593a-3e99-052f-6046-ea3393b2e623/Royal_visit.pdf
Jubilee Field Spring Tidy. Don't forget – tomorrow at 10.00 am, at the Village Hall.
Ukrainian refugees. We have become aware that there are several people in Uffington who are thinking about taking in refugees from Ukraine. We thought that it would be a good idea if we formed an informal group so that we will know where other refugees are living, and are able to talk about our experiences, problems and swap tips. At present the reason for this communication is to be aware of who might be a host and start to form a group. In due course all those who express an interest in accommodating refugees will be invited to a meeting in the village hall where we can get to know each other and form a support group. It would be good if the Ukrainians coming to Uffington can have contact with others from their country and have a social group of their own.
If there are people in the village who would like to help but do not have the accommodation to be able to have them to stay, we would like to hear from them so they can join in with the mutual support of the host families and guests. Please contact:
Fay Forster 01367 820363 fayforster@yahoo.co.uk
Felicity Thomas 01367 820516 fthomasa@aol.com
Swire Ridgeway Art Exhibition / The Leprosy Mission. Many of you will have attended one or more of the excellent Swire Ridgeway Art Exhibitions organised by the Friends of the Ridgeway. Last year, because of Covid, the exhibition had to be held online, but this year it will be back 'live' in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall over the weekend of 2 & 3 April.
The Friends of the Ridgeway are very kindly allowing The Leprosy Mission to use the small hall on Saturday 2 April to raise funds for the charity. We shall have a plant sale, sell some cakes and books, hold a raffle and show some films about the work of The Leprosy Mission. I do hope you will come and support the charity and also enjoy the exhibition. If you have any plants we can sell (house, garden or seedlings), they will be gratefully received.
Mike Thomas. Tel 07803 035603
Faringdon Singers concert at Buckland – Sunday 3 April
There are a number of Faringdon Singers in Uffington, and we are very keen to support them by advertising this concert as widely as possible, especially as all donations will be given to Ukraine. For more information, see: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/db7b9174-a24f-3909-be2a-6d1b6dc5f218/UKRAINE_CONCERT_AT_BUCKLAND.pdf
On behalf of the Families and Friends in Bereavement Study Team
We are researchers in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Southampton undertaking a study that has developed a web-resource to support families who have been bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
We would like to hear from either: - Members of the public who have experience of bereavement of a relative, friend, neighbour or someone who is important to you, from any cause, from the beginning of 2020
- Professionals who have supported anyone who has experienced a bereavement since the beginning of 2020
For more information and details of how to contact the study team, see attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/03b1a7ba-794f-2839-9afd-d21ca2a426a3/The_Families_and_Friends_in_Bereavement_Study_Team.pdf
Uffington Baulking and Woolstone WI
For want of a nail ……..Our institute was formed in 1928 and has run continuously through good times and bad during the last 94 years. However, on Tuesday, Uffington Baulking and Woolstone Women's Institute was suspended for want of a committee.
The WI provides a chance to meet new people and make new friends. Over the years U.B.W. WI has enjoyed, pilates, quizzes, craft demonstrations, talks, walks, outings and theatre visits.
At county and national level there are even more opportunities to learn new skills. The WI also has a proud history of campaigning, from equal pay for equal work, cervical screening, plastic pollution, all topics chosen by the members and effecting women.
Is there anybody out there who thinks that belonging to such an interesting and outgoing organisation might bring more sparkle to their lives and would be willing to help get the group up and running again? If so please contact: Catherine.blaxhall@btinternet.com
Vale District Council news
Plans for an enormous reservoir near Abingdon should be halted due to significant environmental concerns says the Vale of White Horse District Council in its response to Thames Water's public consultation on futureproofing water supplies in the area. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Waste crews in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse will use an electric waste truck for the first time over the next few weeks. The refuse truck (nicknamed `Glitterball') will be used during a four-week trial in the districts to see if an EV is a feasible option for South Oxfordshire and Vale of ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
From the Police
March update from the Police & Crime Commissioner. See: March update from the Police & Crime Commissioner (campaign-archive.com)
Village news 18 March 2022 Local news
Please find attached David Johnston MP's latest article: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/18d510ac-466d-8a75-9f85-976d1c72c2f0/David_Johnston_MP_April_Article_.pdf
Jubilee Field Spring Tidy. Don't forget that the Spring Tidy will take place on Saturday 26 March. We hope to see as many people as possible turn out for this job, to tidy up for the summer. Meet at the Village Hall on Saturday 26 March at 10.00 am, equipped with your usual gardening gear, including wheelbarrow, secateurs, saw and rake if you have them.
White Horse in Crocuses. Do look out for the beautiful White Horse in purple crocuses currently in bloom to the west of the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall. The bulbs were provided in 2017 by the Rotary Club of Faringdon & District and planted by a group of Uffington villagers. They celebrated the centenary of the Rotary Foundation and recognise the amazing work Rotary International has done (with Bill Gates) since 1985 to eradicate polio across the world. Thanks to their efforts, this dreadful disease is now found in just two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan).
Ukraine. Huge thank you to everyone who supported the Coffee Morning in Aid of Ukraine in St Nicholas last Friday. An amazing amount of more than £1,610 was raised at the sale along with two collections from St Nicholas and a charitable donation in the sum of £2,000 has been send to the Red Cross for Ukraine. This would not have been possible without the generosity of all who attended an enjoyable event. Thank you to the organisers, the Cracknell and McCullough families, and all who helped on the day and provided cakes and biscuits.
Canal Briefing Meeting, East Challow, 23 Mar 22. This is a final reminder / invitation to you to attend the Wilts & Berks Canal (WBC) briefing meeting for Oxfordshire we're hosting on 23 Mar 22. This is being held at East Challow village hall, where the WBC crosses the A417 Wantage / Faringdon Road. You will be able to view parts of the canal itself within a few minutes' walk either to the east or west – strong shoes are advocated if you intend to do this.
Schedule. We're assembling over tea / coffee / biscuits from 14.30, with the hour-long formal briefing presentations commencing at 15.00, to be followed with a 30-60 minute Q&A session; we aim to be out of the hall by 17.00 latest. If you are intending to attend, we'd be grateful for an indication thereof, to ensure we adequately cater for you and / or your colleagues, by reply to this email - peter.scatchard@wbct.org.uk - text or voicemail to 07775 631 044.
Community Speedwatch Newsletter No 3. PC Lee Turnham's latest newsletter on the Community Speedwatch initiative is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/2036e772-97ac-4b17-8777-5f84e4cfae5e/CSW_newsletter_3_2022.pdf
We still need a few more volunteers (4 so far) to make this worthwhile in Uffington; if interested please respond to this email.
Vale District Council news
Council Tax Rebates. For more information on the £150 council tax rebates which are available to most households in England whose primary residence is valued in council tax bands A to D, see:
Support for energy price rises – the council tax rebate - Vale of White Horse District Council (whitehorsedc.gov.uk)
Homes for Ukraine. The government has launched a sponsorship scheme for residents wanting to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. The link below includes a link to the government's website where individuals and organisations can register their interest to provide accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and find out more about the scheme.
See: Homes for Ukraine - Vale of White Horse District Council (whitehorsedc.gov.uk)
Infrastructure for Didcot. Millions of pounds have been secured for vital infrastructure, health provision and tackling climate change as part of a planning application for Didcot. Developers will have to provide the funds as part of an application for up to 4,254 homes, 35% of which will be affordable, at Valley Park near Great Western Park ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Climate change. Communities looking to tackle climate change in the Vale are being urged to apply now for a share of a new £50,000 council grant. Applications are now open for Vale of White Horse District Council's Climate Action Fund to help local groups, with up to £5,000 on offer for individual projects. The fund is open ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Oxfordshire's transport and travel bulletin. See: Modular Template Patterns (mailchi.mp)
Your Oxfordshire: Business support and being proud to care: Your Oxfordshire: Business support and being proud to care (mailchi.mp)
Thames Water. The Parish Council and at least one resident of Uffington have written in very strong terms to Thames Water about the on-going tankering of sewage from the treatment works and the lengthy closure of roads around Baulking for the installation of a new water connection. TW response is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/ded568f7-3a16-cd7f-62b5-30ef68a4bbe6/TW_response_of_16.3.2022.01.pdf
Highways. We have been notified of the following forthcoming road closures, all on the B4057, and all to facilitate surface dressing works: - 3 and 4 May. Kingstone Lisle / Uffington, B4507, Broadway to Blowingstone Hill.
- 4 and 5 May. Woolstone / Compton Beauchamp / Uffington, (Broad Way to jct Knighton Hill)
- 4 to 6 May. Kingstone Lisle / Sparsholt / Childrey, (jct B4001 to jct Blowingstone Hill)
- 5 and 6 May. Letcombe Regis / Childrey.
Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. Letters from Liberation: Commemorating the Liberation of Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp Video Link: https://www.sofo.org.uk/whats-on/lettersfromliberation/
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet with services and readings for the next three Sundays: 20th March, 27th March & 3rd April 2022: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/e26b89bd-adfa-2b60-60bc-1975536930b8/wsh_2022_03_20.pdf
Please note that due to paternity leave and holiday, the next Weekly Sheet will not be until Sunday 10th April. All services (including Easter) during April and beyond are in the calendar on the Uffington Benefice website https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Britchcombe Farm Britchcombe Farm
Uffington Parish Council was expecting that the CEO of Lovat Parks Ltd (Raoul Fraser) would attend the Council meeting on Monday 14 March, to discuss his intentions for the camping fields of Britchcombe Farm.
Mr Fraser has notified us this afternoon that he is unable to attend on Monday. The Parish Council will now attempt to set up the meeting for another occasion.
For the avoidance of any doubt, the Parish Council meeting will continue as scheduled on Monday, starting at 6.30 pm in Uffington Village Hall. The agenda is available in the website: Uffington Parish Council - Meeting Agenda and on the notice board.
Village news 11 March 2022 Donating Goods for Ukrainian Refugees. The British public have been amazing in their response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. A number of collection centres have been overwhelmed with donations and have been forced to suspend accepting anything more for the time being. However, the Polish Community Centre in Swindon (which was featured on the national TV news last week) has established a partnership with Phoenix Enterprises who are still collecting. Their address is:
Phoenix Enterprises, (Old George White Building), Unit D, Athena Avenue, Elgin Industrial Estate, Swindon, SN2 8EJ.
Telephone: 01793 542321
Working hours: 1000 - 1600
A full list of what they need is given on the Facebook page of the Polish Community Centre
https://www.facebook.com/Polish-Community-Centre-Swindon-164048493609799/
Thank you for supporting the people of Ukraine. Mike Thomas. 07803 035603
Donated goods for the people of Ukraine can also be taken to Cynthia Bullpitt at 64 Princess Gardens, Grove, OX12 0QL. She is co-ordinating several vans over the coming days and weeks (one has already reached Ukraine). They need more or less the same things as listed on the Polish Community Centre Facebook page (see above). Alternatively see Yolande Riggs' entry on the UBWKL&F Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/393757220772296/buy_sell_discussion
The Polish shop in Abingdon Tel 01235 797272 may resume accepting donations next week, but phone first.
Fund raising for Ukraine.
If you are looking for an opportunity to donate money to the refugee crisis in Ukraine or Afghanistan, you could try the Disasters Emergency Committee: Home | Disasters Emergency Committee (dec.org.uk) The UK Government will match pound-for-pound up to £20 million donated by the public to this appeal.
(See the warning from the Police about scammers – below).
Vale District Council news
Cllr Emily Smith, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, has issued a statement on the war in Ukraine: "Like many Vale residents I am deeply concerned about the conflict and humanitarian emergency in Ukraine. I recognise that many of our community members, their family and friends are directly affected. "I have joined local ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
This week is Food Waste Action week when our focus is helping residents to reduce food waste, a contributor to climate change. It is estimated that the majority of food waste (70 per cent) which is thrown away in the UK comes from households so we can all do our bit. In ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Thousands of council taxpayers in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse will soon receive a £150 council tax `rebate' to help with rising energy bills. The government has announced that most households in council tax bands A-D will be eligible for the rebate however, contrary to some reports, the `rebate' will not be ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Your Oxfordshire: Zero emission zones, SEND and transport plans. See: Your Oxfordshire: Zero emission zones, SEND and transport plans (mailchi.mp)
Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum
Agent Sonya - A Soviet Spy in Oxfordshire – see photo: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/_compresseds/667270d0-7d36-b69d-781b-74660f6c8228.jpg - Online Talk available on the museum website from 7pm, Tuesday, 29th March 2022
- Ursula Beurton, Soviet 'Agent Sonya', lived in North Oxford, Kidlington, Glympton and Great Rollright during the 1940s
- Speakers Professor Anthony Glees and Patrick Marnham
- Free to view on the museum's website, with donations welcome.
Video Link: https://www.sofo.org.uk/whats-on/agentsonya/
From the Police
Donate Safely. Please protect yourself with the following information: - Scammers will pretend to be legitimate well-known charities, creating their own charity names, and impersonating people impacted by the war in Ukraine.
- Scammers will be cold-calling, direct messaging and creating fake websites and pages on social media to raise funds. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments in unsolicited emails, texts or social media messages. They may attempt to lure you into unwittingly downloading malware onto your device or take you to a fake website to steal your money and personal information.
- Do not donate via fundraising pages on platforms that do not verify the legitimacy of the fundraiser or that do not guarantee your money will be returned if the page is determined to be fraudulent.
- Be careful about crowdfunding requests as these may be fake and also come from scammers.
- Check the terms and conditions of funding platforms and ensure you are dealing with official organisations. If you are unsure, make your donation to an established charity instead.
- If you think you have paid money to a scammer, please contact your bank immediately.
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/charities
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 13th March: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/0dd968b2-83bd-b5eb-eeff-9d61d5043def/wsh_2022_03_13.pdf
https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
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