YOUR MINIBUS - APPEAL FOR SUPPORT
The minibus is a valuable community asset which has come through the covid emergency and the unavoidable retirement of some volunteers in reasonable shape – unlike some similar associations. However, as we mentioned in the recent report of the AGM the management team has been in place for many years and the situation is not sustainable.
We are urgently seeking a volunteer who can deal with the administrative jobs which are an essential part of providing a good service to our users. This entails taking bookings, maintaining essential driver and member records including licence checks, scheduling driver duties on community services and the custody and review of key documents in conjunction with the rest of the team.
A warm welcome awaits a willing volunteer, and John Hatcher, Chair, who has been filling in as Administrator/Secretary for some time will be delighted to provide more information and, in due course, the necessary guidance for a hand over.
Please call John on 01367 820417.
White Horse Gardening Club – 'Easter and Spring Traditions'
The next meeting of the WHGC is to be on Thursday 2 March at 7.30 pm, in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/8edf36ea-c8e3-b726-c8d9-500241917855.jpg
Village news 24 February 2023 Local news.
Shrove Tuesday. A huge thank you to all who supported my Pancake Parties on Shrove Tuesday in aid of ACCESS. I am immensely grateful to those who cooked, tossed, washed up and generally helped out, as well as the 75 people who came and enjoyed pancakes, viewed my new house, and donated so generously; an amazing £800 has been raised, and I know that Thomas Swaroop will be absolutely delighted to receive this for his charity. That amount of money will go a long way in Bangalore to help with children's schooling, and feeding and generally supporting needy families.
Fenella
Please keep dogs under control. An out-of-control dog has been seen this week chasing / worrying sheep in the village. Worrying can be fatal to sheep and can cause ewes to miscarry their lambs; they can also become injured during their panic to flee from dogs. It is an offence to allow a dog to worry sheep. Worrying includes attacking or chasing sheep and, in some circumstances, farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering their sheep.
It is vital that you keep your dog on the lead around livestock, even if you can usually trust it to come to call. If you live in or near a farming area, you must make sure that your dog cannot escape from your property, as it may find its way onto land containing sheep.
Pre-Election Period Guidance. As you are probably aware, elections for local councils (parish, district and county) will take place on 4 May 2023. The VOWHDC has provided some guidance on filling in the necessary nomination forms for a parish councillor here.
If you are interested in making a contribution to life in the village, why don't you: - Come to a 'taster' Parish Council meeting at 6.30 pm on 13 March, in the Village Hall?
- Talk to any of the existing Councillors?
Uffington Wed Walk 1st March 2023. Faringdon via Littleworth, Tagdown Barn and returning via The Faringdon Folly. Meeting initially as always in the car park at Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington SN7 7RE at 9:20 for a 9:30 start, and car sharing to Faringdon. If you would like to head straight to Faringdon, meeting place for start of walk is junction of London Road and Stanford Road. There is usually parking space along either of these roads. Walk commencing from here at approx. 9:50. Let us know if you are meeting us in Faringdon.
Looking forward to walking with the group again and hopefully some milder weather as we head into Spring. Pamela, Joe, Verity and Hilary
Verity Cavanagh veritycavanagh@gmail.com 07975 861790
Lent Lunches – for Christian Aid. There will be a holy Communion service in St Mary's at 11.30 am each Wednesday morning during Lent, followed by lunch at a different venue each week, from 12.15 to 1.30 pm. On 1 March, it will be at 'Coopers' Woolstone (Heneage Legge-Bourke - 820039).
Coming to Uffington – new 'Clubbercise' fitness classes. These classes will run every Tuesday from Tuesday 7 March at 8.00 pm in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall. See the following for more information: https://www.facebook.com/clubberciseakrotiri
And on Instagram also: https://www.instagram.com/clubbercise_uffington_emily
Any queries to: Emily Barclay, 07923 290120.
Friends Of Tom Brown's School Museum // Talk - Wednesday 8 March 2023, 7.30pm. Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington.
TREASURES OF OXFORDSHIRE. Join Edward Caswell, Oxfordshire's Finds Liaison Officer, presenting highlights of the county's finds, including exciting treasure cases, breaking news and local stories that can be found out about Uffington and its surround parishes held in the ever-expanding Portable Antiquities Scheme database currently holding 1.5 million finds.
Entrance £5 (Friends of the Museum £3). Tickets on the door from 7.00pm.
Songs of Nations - A concert featuring songs and readings inspired by the folk music of the world, at St Nicholas Baulking, at 7.30 pm on 11th March 2023. By St James Singers - Sung "a capella ".
Free entry, donations welcome
General information
Come & Meet Enrych - 4pm 21st March or 7pm 27th March. Enrych are holding an online Zoom event on 21st and 27th March, to raise awareness of our charity and volunteering opportunities in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Please see link below for details:
Come and Meet Enrych - Online Event
Vale District Council news - Vale news February 2023. See: Vale News - February 2023 - Residents (emailblaster.cloud)
- EV charging has doubled in first six months of the council scheme. Our installation of Electric Vehicle chargers at its car parks has seen charging volumes double in its first six months. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Vale's budget for 2023/24 protects frontline services, funds future-proof projects for climate and communities and helps with the cost-of-living. Careful financial management means Vale of White Horse District Council can continue providing support for local people affected by the cost-of-living crisis and can secure investment in reducing the carbon impact of council-owned buildings like leisure centres. Councillors voted unanimously to approve a budget for 2023/4 that shows a financial position that continues to improve ... (This is an update on last weeks' notice and includes information on council tax for the coming year). You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Leader's Statement - Anniversary of Ukraine invasion. Cllr Bethia Thomas, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, has issued a statement on the war in Ukraine: 'This Friday 24 February marks one year since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Our hearts go out to people who have had their lives overturned by this devastating and illegal war and reaffirm ... ' You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- £2 million boost for community and neighbourhood facilities. Seven projects which will help increase life chances and support local businesses will benefit from £2 million in government funding. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have been allocated £1 million each from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund to provide better community and neighbourhood facilities and improve public open spaces to ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Household Support Fund closes but help is still available. Household Support Fund closes but help is still available. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have now closed the Household Support Fund and are no longer accepting any new applications for this fund. £139,615 has been made available to residents in the Vale and £142,615 to residents in South Oxfordshire to ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
School Buses and Spare Seat Scheme ('SSS') for Uffington. So far it's likely there will be 15 or 16 spare seats on the Childrey / Sparsholt / Baulking / Kingston Lisle bus which goes within 10 yards of Uffington bus stop, so would add no cost to pick up 15/16 paying passengers. It's a no-brainer! But if they terminate the 15 free places for Childrey children, I don't know what size bus would then be needed and whether there will be any spare seats at all!
Either way rural residents are getting a rum deal from the school transport team! There is no need for this upheaval especially as SSS pays its way and could actually contribute to the costs of running the free service. Comments or queries to Cllr Yvonne Constance - Yvonne.Constance@Oxfordshire.gov.uk
Oxfordshire Transport & Travel Bulletin. See: Modular Template Patterns (mailchi.mp)
Your Oxfordshire. Support for communities, your views on education and free health checks. See: Support for communities, your views on education and free health checks. (mailchi.mp)
From the Police.
Have Your Say & Crime Prevention Event 24-02-23. Come chat with your local neighbourhood officer PCSO Pack this Friday 24th February at St Albans Church, Hill Road, Watchfield, from 4 till 6pm. The Watchfield & Shrivenham Community Larder is also being run from here at this time, open to all, providing a warm space with drinks & food.
Police & Crime Bulletin Feb '23 - Forensics centre, more police, and more…See: Police & Crime Bulletin Feb '23 - Forensics centre, more police, and more… (matthewbarber.co.uk)
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 26 February is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/7c2572d9-0b54-433f-cfa5-7dc6100aa3be/wsh_2023_02_26.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 17 February 2023 Local news.
Pop-up Caf̩ on Broad Street Р11.00 am till 2.30 this Saturday 18th February. Please support Sarah and Tony in their new venture, using local produce, at Belmont House, Broad Street, on Saturday. This is a community facility and they need your support to make it work!
Shrove Tuesday. There will be pancakes in aid of ACCESS, the charity in Bangalore, India, supporting the disadvantaged children of quarry workers, on Shrove Tuesday 21st February at 2 Lower Common Cottage, Lower Common, Uffington SN7 7SQ. Please come either between midday and 2pm, or 5.30pm and 8.30pm to enjoy pancakes with both sweet and savoury fillings, with a soft drink or glass of wine, and make a donation to ACCESS.
More information from Fenella (01367 820230 or 07748 792765), or attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/991c28f5-2bd3-0a4b-151e-4253b9ec2e49.jpg
Lent Lunches – for Christian Aid. There will be a holy Communion service in St Mary's at 11.30 am each Wednesday morning during Lent, followed by lunch at a different venue each week, from 12.15 to 1.30 pm. On 22 February, lunch will be at Midsummer House, Woolstone, (Penny Spink – 01367 820219).
Maintenance Work in Uffington Gorse. The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust will be closing Uffington Gorse/Fox Covert for the day on 22nd February 2023. We have a tree surgeon coming in on that day to drop some of the high-level branches that have broken off on some of the trees. Given that some of the branch may fall across pathways we thought it best to restrict access to the work party.
The woodland will be reopened as soon as the work is complete. We will put notices up on the gates to let walkers know.
THE CORONATION BIG LUNCH ON SUNDAY 7 MAY. Following the coronation on Saturday 6 May, Sunday 7 May has been designated as a national day for street and village parties. It is to be followed on Monday 8 May by another bank holiday! The Village Hall has been booked for the day (12 - 4pm) on Sunday 7th and the Jubilee Field will be available for BBQs, games and picnics.
The Parish Council is looking for groups or individuals to organise sports, games, and other entertainments for the village – some funding will be available. IDEAS PLEASE and VOLUNTEERS to any member of the Parish Council! Or by response to this email.
General information
David Johnston MP – Latest article. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/3c872cba-63c1-ec0e-8545-1bf338599af8/David_Johnston_Article_February.pdf
Campaign to Protect Rural England - Oxfordshire - TRUSTEES WANTED.
Do you care about your local countryside? Want to make a difference?
Due to retirement of current trustees, we are looking for an Honorary Secretary and a Board Member to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity to play an influential role in a respected and long-standing environmental charity, applying your experience to make a real difference and to be part of a friendly group that is passionate about the Oxfordshire countryside.
Application deadline is 30 March 2023 in the first instance, but we are happy to receive expressions of interest on an ongoing basis. For further info, please contact our Branch Director, Helen Marshall.
E: director@cpreoxon.org.uk
T: 01491 612079
See our website for more information: wwwcpreoxon.org.uk
Vale District Council news - Public give their ideas for future of Abingdon town centre. Thousands of comments from residents, community groups, businesses and visitors have contributed to a document that sets out possibilities for how some locations in Abingdon town centre could be improved. In summer 2022, Vale of White Horse District Council and its consultant team including Carter Jonas and Glanville, asked people their views on some of ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Hundreds use new website to help shape districts' future. A new interactive website helped ensure communities had their say on the future of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. The website was created by the two district councils to ask people their thoughts on their Joint Local Plan. The plan will help guide the councils when deciding on new housing and jobs ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Vale sets out a budget for 2023/24 that protects frontline services, funds future-proof projects for climate and communities and helps with the cost-of-living. Careful financial management means Vale of White Horse District Council can continue providing support for local people affected by the cost-of-living crisis and can secure investment in reducing the carbon impact of council-owned buildings like leisure centres. The council's Cabinet has recommended councillors approve a budget for 2023/4 that shows a financial position that continues ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Leader's statement 15 February 2023 Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, delivered her Leader's statement to Council at the meeting on 15 February 2023.... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Leisure centres to be greener thanks to £6m funding. Air Source Heat Pumps, solar panels and other energy efficiency measures will be installed at Wantage Leisure Centre and the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon. Vale of White Horse District Council was successful in its bid for the government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and has been awarded £5,992,916 in funding which will ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Parish Report for February 2023. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/0364cf60-925b-7717-312a-b07b05ec2369/OCC_Parish_Report_Feb_2023.pdf
From the Police.
TVP joins South Central Ambulance Service and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service for an Emergency Services Careers Fair, 26 February. Become part of the Blue Light family and start your journey towards a new career. Thames Valley Police (TVP), Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) and South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) are coming together to host an emergency service careers fair.
This event is a one stop shop for those who are looking to join the emergency services. It's a chance to meet members from the frontline who will be on hand to share their real-life experiences and give you a glimpse into their working lives.
The breadth of career opportunities doesn't stop at the frontline. Recruitment specialists and current employees will be on hand to tell you about the wide range of opportunities available, from office-based support roles, community engagement and apprenticeships, right through to volunteer work. You will get the chance to receive advice on entry routes, eligibility, and the general recruitment process, as well as tips on how to apply.
Visit Eventbrite to secure your place at the Emergency Services Careers Fair on Sunday 26th February.
More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/35caacfb-a0b0-c659-132c-ec88b8a662c1/Blue_light_fair.pdf
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 19 February is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/cdcaa0ea-5eb5-cc2b-fabe-9cd9b97090cd/wsh_2023_02_19.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 10 February 2023 Local news.
Uffington Parish Council meeting on 13 February. Please note that this month's meeting will be held in the Old School Room (Museum) at the usual time of 6.30pm. The Open Forum will be at 7.00 pm.
Winter Soup Lunches have now finished.
Huge thank you to everyone who helped with this endeavour.
To the soup makers, general helpers and in particular the table and chair movers, and not least those who came to enjoy the soups. We built up to a good number of people who stayed and chatted with friends in a Warm space.
It was never intended as a fund raiser, but donations received and support to pay the hall and possibly the expenses from a grant applied for by the Village Hall means there is around £700 and possibly £900 to go to a good cause.
I would like to donate two thirds to the Trussel Trust which supports the food banks in the UK and the remaining third in light of the recent earthquake disaster to the DEC appeal for Turkey and Syria.
Thank you again to everyone, I enjoyed organising the lunches with a great team of helpers.
Many thanks. Hilary Deakin
Consultation - 20mph Speed Limit for Uffington
Excessive vehicle speeds in Uffington has been an ongoing issue and the 20mph scheme has been on the Parish Council's radar and agenda for more than a year and there were articles in the last two editions of the Courier (Autumn and Winter 2022). The Autumn edition included a short survey and the feedback from that showed that the vast majority (83%) of respondents were in favour of a 20mph scheme. Following this survey, the Parish Council decided to back the proposal and has notified OCC Highways accordingly. The OCC process includes a formal, legal, consultation from OCC Highways which has now started.
More information on speed reduction in Uffington is on the website here including links to the OCC documentation, including the consultation plan (map) of the proposed 20mph limit. This subject will be on the agenda for the Parish Council meeting on Monday 13 February and anybody wishing to discuss it should come to the Open Forum at 7.00 pm in the MUSEUM.
All those wishing to make their views known to OCC Highways should complete the survey available at: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/uffington_20mph2023 by Friday 10th March 2023.
General information
Thames Water and Sewage Pollution – an Introduction. There has been a lot of discussion in the media in the last year or so over the deplorable performance of the UK's water companies in dealing effectively with sewage. Water companies, including the largest operator, Thames Water, have been heavily criticised in a Government report for their "shockingly poor performance" in failing to reduce untreated discharges into streams, rivers and the sea.
Please find attached an introductory paper on the subject. This includes information specific to Uffington, where you can find out more, and what you can do about it. https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/cda63cca-bfa1-6142-3bcb-6a448b226f62/Thames_Water_sewage_pollution_Feb_2023.pdf
Vale District Council news
Hundreds use new website to help shape districts' future. A new interactive website helped ensure communities had their say on the future of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. The website was created by the two district councils to ask people their thoughts on their Joint Local Plan. The plan will help guide the councils when deciding on new housing and jobs ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Your Oxfordshire. Half term fun, support for young people and more hosts needed; see: Half term fun, support for young people and more hosts needed (mailchi.mp)
Highways. See above for a consultation on the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Uffington.
From the Police.
Loan Sharks. Oxfordshire Trading Standards have asked us to share this warning. Please be of aware of loan sharks. Loan sharks prey on people and will often charge you a lot more than you borrowed, you end up in an endless cycle of borrowing more money which is hard to get out of with high payment plans. Loan sharks can also result to intimidation and in some cases violence if you are unable to pay. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/8e5f899f-7bfd-39d7-e7b1-4eb0454b1bf0.jpg
New state-of-the-art forensics centre planned for Thames Valley. Thames Valley Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner are delighted to reveal plans for a state-of-the-art forensics centre as part of a wider improvement programme to transform forensic services across the force area. The purpose-built centre in Bicester will become the main forensics hub for the force, containing laboratories, new digital technologies and dedicated training facilities.
The Forensic Improvement Programme will see significant investment over the next three years to transform Thames Valley Police's forensic services, improving investigations and the outcomes for victims. Read more about our exciting plans on our website.
Neighbourhood Watch. We are delighted to bring you February's edition of OUR NEWS – our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales. This edition includes advice on how to steer clear of romance fraud this Valentine's Day, as well as three major cybercrime predictions for 2023, and details of a new app for reporting hate crime against the LGBTQ+ community. It also features tips for bringing your community together – from how to organise a street party for the King's Coronation, to how to recognise and celebrate those that go above and beyond in their communities. As well as warning of the risks of not using a qualified plumber, it includes information on how to let fresh air into your home, whilst keeping opportunistic intruders out. READ THE NEWSLETTER HERE
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 12 February is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/4d8397c8-d22b-53b4-175c-a7e5cb789bf5/wsh_2023_02_12.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
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