Local news
'A WARM SPACE' - The Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall will be open on Wednesday mornings from 10.00 am for anyone who would like to get warm this winter and free to use for anyone struggling to heat their home. The hall will be a heated, safe and friendly place where you can comfortably spend time reading, studying or chatting with others. There is no age limit. Toys will be available for children. Teas and coffee will be available free.
Warm Spaces is a UK-wide initiative where people can gather for free in a warm, safe, welcoming place and maybe enjoy a hot drink and some company.
This event will be followed by Winter Soup Lunches starting from 12.00 noon, and you will be welcome to stay at the Hall for those as well.
Uffington CE Primary School. The Governing Body of Uffington CE Primary School are looking to appoint a co-opted Governor. Ideally, we are looking for someone with some knowledge and experience of finance but we would welcome a range of skills. The governing body has an extremely important role: it is responsible for working strategically in partnership with the Headteacher and staff to identify the most important aspects of the school that need to be improved, approving plans to achieve this and ensuring progress. Governors individually have no power but when governors act collectively as a corporate team, they are very powerful, as a corporate body not as individuals. All governors receive training to help them carry out their role. Oxfordshire Governor Services runs special induction courses for new governors – we expect all our governors to attend this training. If you think this might be an exciting opportunity for you, please do contact the school office for more information on 01367 820296 or email: office@uffingtonprimary.org
White Horse Gardening Club. WHGC Christmas Meeting - Thurs 1st Dec - Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington, SN7 7RH. Hall opens 7:00pm; talk starts 7.30.
Wine Tasting and Seasonal Refreshments. Join us for our special December Talk by the WOODCHESTER VALLEY VINEYARD –
Woodchester Valley | A Cotswold Vineyard and Winery (woodchestervalleyvineyard.co.uk)
There will be wine to taste and Seasonal Refreshments provided. Also, the opportunity to purchase their excellent wine produced in the Cotswolds. Enquiries: Pamela Preene - parrottspreene@aol.com
Visitors £3.
Pop up/in/out Café on Broad Street - …. for Christmas on Saturday 3rd Dec - 10.30 ish till 2.30 ish. Please support Sarah and Tony in their new venture for the community, using local produce, at Belmont House, Broad Street.
Uffington Christmas Tree. The 'Lights On' event will be from 5.30 pm on Friday 9 December. More information here:
https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/2d610884-86be-7557-8315-f3eca672c57e.jpeg
My Darling Clementine, Baulking. There are still a few tickets left for the Christmas show My Darling Clementine on Friday 9 December. The music will start at 8.30pm, 15 mins later than usual, so if you want to go to the switching on of the Christmas lights and come to the show you should have enough time. Tickets are £15 each from 01367 820282.
From Uffington Community Garden - Organically grown seeds. We have collected our own seeds and have much more than we need for the coming year so are keen to share the bounty. We would be very happy for people to obtain seed from us - having grown in Uffington soil so perfectly adapted to our own unique growing conditions. This is the time of year when people flick through seed catalogues and perhaps, they would like to see what we have on offer. Everything is organically grown (often biodynamically too) and not treated with fungicide etc. A list is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/0dcb5526-0672-3912-7de8-4830942054c1/Uffington_Community_Garden_Seeds_2022.pdf
You can get in touch on my landline (see attached) or can pop round to the garden - behind the Fox & Hounds on Saturdays, 2 - 4pm. Donations welcome, thank you.
Charity concert in aid of Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal – 6.00 pm on 27 November in All Saints, Woolstone – see attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/f0606fe1-495f-c3f6-fef1-9bbf6ce19524.jpg
Volunteers needed: Could you spare one or two Friday afternoons between 2pm and 3.30pm to lead a Dementia Friendly Singing Group in Faringdon? If you would like more information or think you could help, please contact Sarah Oliver via email: sarah.oliver5@nhs.net
Hayden's seasonal services – kindling at £4 per bag. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/9b76953a-e5af-c6f3-c363-6ad5f6e3e3b5/Haydens_kindling.pdf
Vale District Council news
A new housing delivery strategy and action plan to help bring more genuinely affordable homes to the Vale of White Horse has been approved by Cabinet Members. The new housing delivery strategy aims to meet current and future local housing needs and intends to bring more well-designed net zero carbon housing to help tackle climate ..... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Christmas hamper. People across South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse have the chance of winning a fantastic hamper worth £100 by putting their Christmas recycling knowledge to the test. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
As National Tree Week begins on Saturday, Vale of White Horse District Council is encouraging community groups and residents across the district to plant trees to help tackle the climate emergency. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Free parking. Shoppers in the Vale of White Horse are being given a helping hand to buy local this Christmas. People that can't come into their local businesses and shopping areas by walking, cycling or public transport can take advantage of free parking at the district council's car parks on some Saturdays in the run up to ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Your Oxfordshire - Budget consultation, bollards and support in one place. See: Budget consultation, bollards and support in one place (mailchi.mp)
Oxfordshire's transport and travel bulletin. See: Modular Template Patterns (mailchi.mp)
From the Police
Have Your Say and Warm Spaces 30 November 2022. Come 'Have Your Say' at Uffington Village Hall next Wednesday 30th November at midday till 1.00pm. Chat with your local neighbourhood officer PCSO Pack about your concerns in your area.
Warm Spaces is also being run at this time in the main hall from 10.00 am with free coffee & tea available to 11.30am, followed by Winter Soup lunches between midday & 1.30pm. This will take place every Wednesday leading up to Christmas.
Warm Spaces is a scheme helping to welcome those struggling to heat their homes this winter. Click here to find a warm space supported organisation with opening times & services near you: https://orlo.uk/4J1OH
Image of Car Released Following Theft in Idstone Oxfordshire. Thames Valley Police is releasing an image of a vehicle following a theft in Idstone, Oxfordshire. At around 12.05am on Sunday (20/11), three men attended a property on the road running through the hamlet and stole red diesel. Read the full release and view the image:
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/news/thames-valley/news/2022/november/21-11-2022/image-of-car-released-following-theft--idstone-oxfordshire/
Confirmation of The Appointment of Thames Valley Polices New Chief Constable. The appointment of Jason Hogg as Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police has been confirmed by Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber. Jason Hogg is the current Deputy Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, a position he has held since 2019. He will take over from current Chief Constable John Campbell who is due to retire at the end of March 2023.
OUR NEWS - Neighbourhood Watch national newsletter for England and Wales.
Welcome to our December OUR NEWS – the final newsletter for 2022. Yes, we hear you... it is not December just yet... but we wanted to get this to you in good time.
We know that everyone is under increasing financial pressure at the moment, which is why this edition highlights how to stay more protected this season whilst shopping online. If you are impacted by the cost of living and need some extra support, be that in financial support, money-saving tips; steps to avoid becoming a victim of crime, or support to help reduce loneliness and isolation, please visit our dedicated cost-of-living support pages on our website. The link is in the newsletter:
91255_Dec_2022_OUR_NEWS.pdf (neighbourhoodalert.co.uk)
From Thames Water - We're ending our hosepipe ban. We're pleased to announce that the hosepipe ban is over for everyone across our region. Thank you so much for all your efforts to help save water.
- What's changed? The wet weather throughout autumn has begun to make a real difference, following on from a year of below average rain. In many places the ground is becoming wet enough for water to sink down into the underground sources that feed local rivers. You've played a vital part by using water wisely – we're really grateful for all you've done.
- What about the coming months? We're working hard to improve things, with our teams fixing around 1,000 leaks a week. We still need more showers through the winter to continue filling underground sources and rivers, but our forecasts suggest that even 60% of normal winter rain will be enough to return to a healthy position.
- How can you still help? If you'd like to carry on the good work and keep saving water, this really helps the environment because we can take less from rivers and boreholes.
Water saving tips: Water saving tips | Water saving | Help | Thames Water
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 27th November: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/da48ae32-87c0-f00e-5d9b-855ae7c21ad6/wsh_2022_11_27.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 18 November 2022 General information
Bird Flu. Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) and Uffington is in a 10km protection zone around Swindon due to more local outbreaks. By law you must follow the hygiene and disease prevention rules. This is to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading. - keep birds in fenced or netted outdoor areas – follow guidance about netting outdoor areas
- prevent your birds accessing standing water – you can use netting to cover it (this does not apply in zoos)
- keep food and water in enclosed areas so wild birds cannot access them
- clean and disinfect all hard surfaces, concrete walkways, paths and similar surfaces regularly using a Defra-approved disinfectant
- check your birds' area regularly for contamination from wild birds and remove it – for example, faeces, feathers or carcasses
- discourage wild birds by using bird scarers, such as scarecrows
See attached poster:
https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/908b6b96-c2ae-fd72-7495-ce7f88dcb4cf/Bird_flu_in_the_area_general_public_poster_Nov_22.pdf
More information here: Bird flu: rules in disease control and prevention zones in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Ditches and Streams - Drainage. Now that the rain has arrived after the long hot summer, it is important that all streams and drainage ditches around the village flow freely. Would all riparian owners please make sure as soon as possible that their sections are clear. If you need assistance, please contact the Parish Council.
The Ridgeway – Advance notice. January 2023 will see the start of celebrations to mark 50 years since The Ridgeway was made a National Trail in 1973. As well as looking back through history, myths and memories, the anniversary year is also a time to shape plans for the future of this popular walking, cycling and horse riding route. As anniversary patron, Mary-Ann Ochota is inviting everyone to take part in making 2023 the year that sets the direction for the next 50 years.
The programme of events and activities begin in January, many of which are free of charge including a monthly challenge called #RidgewaySpotter that everyone can enjoy anywhere on the Trail! More information here: Making history on The Ridgeway with Mary-Ann Ochota (mailchi.mp)
Local news
Fancy Becoming a Magazine Editor?! Our long-standing Courier editor has regrettably decided to retire after 35 years and so the Parish Council is looking for a volunteer to take over the editorship on our quarterly magazine. There is no requirement to produce the content (short articles and advertisements) as these are provided from the various sources, but the job just requires an eye for the design and detail required to produce an attractive magazine.
Previous experience of similar work would be an advantage and a computer will be required. The current magazine is produced using Microsoft Publisher, but any similar software could be used and could be provided if necessary. The Parish Council will also pay any incidental expenses.
If you would like to be involved in recording the activities of the Uffington, Baulking and Woolstone area, and are interested in volunteering, or would like to discuss the task with a member of the Parish Council, please email your details to mike.oldnall@uffington.net by 25th November.
Spirit of the Vale Christmas Fair - Thursday 24 November. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/c7003df5-c211-1025-0834-fa961113e153/SoV_Poster_RevA_2022.pdf
Charity concert in aid of Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal – 6.00 pm on 27 November in All Saints, Woolstone – see attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/9f5d7d39-420f-a257-ddb2-1ccb6cc1e7e7.jpg
Good Neighbour tea n chat afternoon. Vale Community Impact (VCI) will be running their VCI "Good Neighbour" Tea n Chat on Wednesday 7th December between 2-4pm at the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington. A pre-Christmas get together for tea, coffee and cakes, a good chat in a warm space, everyone welcome. We especially want to encourage anyone who's thinking of volunteering as a good neighbour, as well as anyone in need of friendship.
What else do VCI offer? Here is one thing:
Vale Community Impact District Volunteer Drivers
We have volunteer drivers who their own cars. We operate out of a Wantage office but cover the West of the Vale. We take clients to hospitals, doctors and any other medical appointments. We take clients food shopping and to visit family members in hospital or care homes, and also drive clients to the local day centres. There is a fare: our minimum local fare is £6 return and from Wantage to an Oxford hospital is £28 return. We cater for elderly and infirm clients who do not have their own transport, cannot use public transport or who live where there is not any public transport. Website: www.vci.org.uk
Vale Area Covered: Wantage, Grove, Faringdon and the West of the Vale. How to book: Phone 01235 765348.
Reminder - December Wed Walk with Christmas lunch 7th December 2022
Hi Everyone, An early reminder of our December walk, and Christmas lunch at the Greyhound Pub Letcombe. The pub will need to know definite numbers plus all your menu choices by Friday 2nd December.
Looking forward to the December walk, we are planning a previously enjoyed walk from Letcombe Regis Village Hall OX12 9LJ - a circular walk heading up onto the Ridgeway, along and returning to Letcombe village and on to the Greyhound Pub. Meeting at Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Uffington at 9:20 for a 9:30 start and car sharing. Or, if you prefer meeting us at the Letcombe Village Hall at 9:45.
A table has been booked for 12:30. At the Greyhound. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to come along as we need to let the pub know expected numbers well in advance. The pub also requires our menu choices in advance, and we can choose from the A la Carte or Festive menu. Both menus can also be found on the pub web site: (Please note, you can choose from either menu but not mix and match between the two). https://www.thegreyhoundletcombe.co.uk
Looking forward to raising an early Christmas glass of cheer with you! Verity, Pamela, Joe and Hilary. Verity Cavanagh: veritycavanagh@gmail.com. 07975861790.
Carol Service. The Uffington Carol Service will be on 18th December. The Uffington Singers are looking for more recruits! We have quite a few already but hopefully there are some new people in the village who might be interested in joining us. No particular musical ability necessary but love of singing helpful!
First rehearsal in St Mary's on Wednesday 23rd November at 7.30 for one hour, and then on subsequent Wednesdays. Any queries to Linda Lord on lmlord75@gmail.com
Vale District Council news
Vale News - November 2022 - See: Vale News - November 2022 (emailblaster.cloud)
From the Police
Thames Valley Police Takes Part In National Knife Amnesty Op Sceptre – 14 to 20 November. Thames Valley Police is joining police forces across the country by taking part in Operation Sceptre, a national week of action designed to reduce the threat of knife crime across the Thames Valley by removing dangerous weapons from the streets. Read more: Thames Valley Police takes part in national knife amnesty – Op Sceptre | Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley communities asked for views on policing and crime. On the 10th Anniversary since Police & Crime Commissioners were democratically elected, an anonymous online survey has been launched giving Thames Valley residents the opportunity to share their views and experiences of policing and crime.
The survey asks for views about how safe residents feel in their local area, their experience of both crime and the police as well as questions on the future funding of policing. Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner said "Part of my role is to ensure there is a clear focus on the priorities that matter most to the public. I want to gain a real understanding of how crime is affecting communities, whether it is direct experiences of crime or issues that may be causing you concern in your local area. I also want to hear your feedback, whether good or bad, on policing; what the police are doing well and areas you think could be improved.
'To help me build up a picture across the Thames Valley, the survey will be available on my website all year round. It will provide an ongoing mechanism for people to share their views and keep me informed. Whether or not you have directly experienced a crime, I would encourage you to use the survey to share your feedback and tell me what is important to you. Your views will help shape the future of policing in the Thames Valley."
Results from the survey will be shared regularly on the PCC website, social media and other communication channels. To complete the survey, please visit the PCC webpage.
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 20 November: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/ca630c45-f6eb-b970-2d00-0ca91f17e124/wsh_2022_11_20.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 11 November 2022 General information
David Johnston MP – Latest article. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/7ea4f3e0-310d-7fd6-cf53-d303af4ac3ea/David_Johnston_parish_piece_8.11.2022.pdf
Local news
Remembrance Day parade. The Cubs, Scouts, Beavers, Brownies and Guides will be parading from the village hall to the church on Sunday for the Remembrance service. The parade will be leaving the village hall at about 9:45 to arrive in time for the service at 10.00 am. The young people will be very proud to have some of the village turn out to see them.
Uffington market. This Sunday from 10.00 am.
Warm Space Coffee Morning and Winter Lunches. Starting on Wednesday November 16th, before the Winter Soup Lunches, the Village Hall will be open from 10.00am until 11.30am for FREE coffee, tea, biscuits and also for children's drinks and snacks, so if you are feeling cold as the winter begins to draw in, come along and get warm. We shall continue on Wednesdays up to 14th December and open again on Wednesday 4th January until Wednesday 8th February. This session will be followed by Winter Soup Lunches and you will be welcome to stay at the Hall for those as well.
Spirit of the Vale – Christmas Fair. We have got a charity Christmas Fair called Spirit of the Vale coming up on 24th November from 10.30am - 8.00pm at Eastmanton House, Sparsholt, OX12 9PJ. The proceeds will go to Little Ducks Nursery and The Ridgeway Primary School, both in Childrey, and also to Church of the Holy Rood, Sparsholt. It is very much a showcase for local businesses with many of our stallholders coming from the local villages. Email: spiritofthevale@gmail.com or my number is 07889 707007 if you would like to discuss. Best wishes, Ruth Corfield.
Stamps and Computer Ink Cartridges for Charity. As Christmas cards start to drop through your letterbox (and throughout the year), please save the stamps for The Leprosy Mission. We take any stamps: foreign or UK, commemorative or ordinary 1st and 2nd class. Last year the charity raised over £50,000 from stamps, coins and other collectables. Please put them in one of the collecting boxes in our four village churches (Uffington, Woolstone, Baulking and Shellingford).
Also, please continue to put your used computer ink cartridges in the collecting box at Uffington village shop. To date this has raised nearly £140 for the Suited & Booted charity and saved over 5kg of plastic from landfill. Thank you. Mike Thomas 07803 035603
Uffington Baulking and Woolstone Minibus Association. The annual general meeting of the association will be held on Monday 5th December 2022 at 8.00 p.m. in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, and we hope to see as many residents as possible.
Vale District Council news
Covid Relief Awards. More than 2,000 businesses have received a much-needed relief award totalling almost £6.5 million to help reduce their business rates thanks to South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils. In total, £6,471,842 was allocated to businesses, using the government's Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF), to help organisations that were unable to receive previous ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Oxfordshire Treescape Project latest news. See: Oxfordshire Treescape Project latest news (mailchi.mp)
From the Police
November Our News - Neighbourhood Watch National Newsletter For England and Wales. See: 91167_Nov_2022_OUR_NEWS_small.pdf (neighbourhoodalert.co.uk)
Burglary - Advice and Home Security. Burglary - You think it won't happen...until it does. Please read our advice and share it with your neighbours and elderly relatives on how to keep your home safe this winter.
Advice Page is linked here: Protecting your home from crime | Crime prevention | Thames Valley Police
Home Security Guide is linked here: Secure Your Home - Keep Burglars Out (thamesvalley.police.uk)
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 13 November is not available yet, but the annual service of Remembrance will commence at 10.00 am in St Mary's Uffington.
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
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