Local news and events
Serenade to Music by Vaughan Williams. A concert in Wantage Parish Church at 7.00 pm on Saturday 27 May. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/14e3db9f-6bb0-a7b3-2167-89fd02214d2c/I_HAVE_A_SONG_TO_SING_OH_v2_1_.pdf
Friends of Tom Brown's School Museum. Guided Tour Behind the Scenes at National Trust Coleshill - Wednesday 7 June 2023 - from 2.00 – 4.00pm
The guided tour behind the scenes of the Coleshill Model Farm will examine its history, its buildings and planned conservation work, as well as the story of the house. The tour will also include a detailed look at the newly opened Heritage and Rural Skills Centre which aims to share and develop traditional conservation skills, knowledge and expertise to address the UK's decline in traditional building techniques and rural crafts. The guided tour will end at 4pm with complimentary tea and biscuits in the Carpenters' Yard Timber Store. Transport to the new National Trust car park at Coleshill will be self-drive.
Tickets are £8 for TBSM Friends and £12 for non-Friends, to a maximum of 20 people. To book, please email the museum [ uffingtonmuseum@gmail.com ] before 30 May 2023 with your full name and tell us if you are a Friend or a guest and we will get back to you with payment information.
Uffington Gardens Open Day, Dog Show and Children's Games - Sunday 11th June 12 noon to 5pm. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/5f3b1300-d871-4a2b-8d4d-c0fa596f08f5/Poster_Open_day_and_dog_show.pdf
Shellingford School Summer Fun Day – 17 June, from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm. More information here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/6ae856a3-9fc4-8592-8634-9c09c48503ff.jpg
From the Vale - Leader and Cabinet Members confirmed at annual Vale of White Horse District Council meeting. Councillor Bethia Thomas has been confirmed as the Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council. Cllr Thomas, who became leader last December after previous leader Cllr Emily Smith stepped down, was officially confirmed as leader again at Wednesday's (May 17) full council meeting following the results of the local elections in May. ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Have a splashing good time across the Vale this summer. Preparations are ramping up as the splash pads in the Vale are being prepared to be switched on for the summer. The splash pads in Memorial Park in Wantage and Abbey Meadow in Abingdon are both managed by Vale of White Horse District Council. This year will be the first full summer season that the ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Council grants now available for food banks and community larders. Councils offer financial support for community organisations as food prices continue to rise and increasing numbers of people turn to food banks for essentials. The voluntary food network, voluntary and community organisations such as food banks, food larders and community fridges for residents, plays a vital role supporting people but demand for ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- £100,000 now available for community climate projects in Vale. What do sculpture making sessions in Abingdon, a car sharing club in Harwell and a community garden in Stanford in the Vale all have in common? The answer is they have all benefited from the Vale of White Horse's Climate Action Fund which provides grants of up to £5,000 for climate-related community projects in the ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Comedy, crafts and a whole lot of fun this half term. Kids of all ages have a range of activities to choose from across South Oxfordshire and the Vale this half term. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have planned a week of free and low-cost family fun including table tennis, nature walks, Xplorer and multisport activities. There's much more to table tennis ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
The Parish report for May is attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/f90c9d18-f3c8-b3c4-48c5-d151f8891caf/Parish_Report_OCC_May_2023_.pdf
From the Police. From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 28 May: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/565ae4bb-82d9-f829-7f7f-e6d5018aab2c/wsh_2023_05_28.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 19 May 2023 Local news and events
White Horse Gardening Club. Plant sale tomorrow from 10 am to 2 pm. The map of all sale locations is here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/72309fb7-8225-b1ce-6542-56a66592e1d2.jpg
Countryside Day – 21 May. The Old Berks countryside day is at the Kennels, Faringdon SN7 8ES on Sunday, from 10.00 am. See: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/bd198728-4013-9199-bbb2-3c912c1f44b5.jpg
OBH Events (oldberkshunt.co.uk)
Friends of Tom Brown's School Museum. Guided tour behind the scenes at National Trust, Coleshill, on Wednesday 7 June 2023 from 2.00 – 4.00PM. The guided tour behind the scenes of the Coleshill Model Farm will examine its history, its buildings and planned conservation work, as well as the story of the house. The tour will also include a detailed look at the newly opened Heritage and Rural Skills Centre which aims to share and develop traditional conservation skills, knowledge and expertise to address the UK's decline in traditional building techniques and rural crafts. The guided tour will end at 4pm with complimentary tea and biscuits in the Carpenters' Yard Timber Store. Transport to the new National Trust car park at Coleshill will be self-drive.
Tickets are £8 for TBSM Friends and £12 for non-Friends, to a maximum of 20 people. To book, please email the museum [ uffingtonmuseum@gmail.com ] before 30 May 2023 with your full name and tell us if you are a Friend or a guest and we will get back to you with payment information.
White Horse WI. We really hope lots of you will join us on Wednesday 24th May at the THMH at 7.30pm to discuss the formation of a brand new WI for Uffington and the surrounding villages. Everyone is very welcome and there will be cake!
Catherine Blaxhall
General information
Climate change. The World Meteorological Association said this week that global temperatures are likely to breach 1.5 degrees of warming within the next 5 years, and some of the young residents of our village are making their voices heard about this urgent issue. Please see attached their poster reminding us there is "no Planet B", and of the need for us all to do what we can to help the environment: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/a1d02f1c-d3b0-b5b3-6f78-4bcbed87f4c7.jpg
Jubilee Field / Pond area. The timber remaining from the felled poplar is now available for personal use.
From the Vale
Local Elections 2023 - the results. Thank you to everyone who voted in the 2023 local elections. For all the results, please head to our Vale of White Horse Local Election page. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Your Oxfordshire. Health checks, Pride and test drive EVs; see: Health checks, Pride and test drive EVs (mailchi.mp)
Fostering in Oxfordshire. We are promoting Foster Care Fortnight, that starts on Monday 15th May. In Oxfordshire, we are really keen to connect with communities and encourage more residents to become foster carers. We're looking for more foster carers in Oxfordshire to provide a safe and secure home to a child when they are unable to live with their parents. It may be for a short period of time, or they may stay with a foster family long term. The dedicated website explains the steps: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/children-education-and-families/fostering
Our foster carers receive: - A welcome payment of £1,500
- Generous fees, paid in addition to the child's allowance.
- Dedicated social worker support.
- Access to professionals, support groups and specialised training.
If you feel you could be a foster carer, please register your details here to find out more
https://service.oxfordshire.gov.uk/fosteringenquiry
From the Police. Thames Valley Police statistics show nearly 1 million contacts from the public, 170,000 incidents attended and 31,000 arrests, in a single year. New statistics show Thames Valley Police received nearly one million contacts from the public, attended 170,000 incidents, and made 31,000 arrests, in a single year – with officers driving more than 13 million miles in the process. As part of our ongoing commitment to inform the public of the work we do, today we are releasing statistics on our activity from the last financial year, from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. Read more on our website.
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 21st May: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/3fc63dd4-14d4-f397-8908-fd997d3e7b4a/wsh_2023_05_21.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Cancellation of Morris Dance Talk THMH Wed 17th May CANCELATION OF THE ANCIENT ENGLISH MORRIS DANCE TALK scheduled for 7.30pm on Wednesday 17 May 2023 at the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall.
Unfortunately the speaker has been admitted to hospital and will be unable to deliver the programmed talk.
However, the Icknield Way Morris Men who were to perform before the talk, will instead be dancing at the Fox & Hounds from 8.00pm that evening. All will be most welcome to attend.
Uffington Parish Council
The Parish Council is seeking to co-opt two Councillors. Only five candidates stood for the Parish Council in the May 4th election. Because there were seven vacancies, that meant the election was not contested and the five candidates were all elected to the office of the Council at the Annual General Meeting on 9 May. The five are: Richard Charles, Katherine Foxhall, Simon Jenkins, Fenella Oberman and Mike Oldnall.
Having a full complement for the Parish Council is important for the well-being of the village, in that much of the Council's work underpins its normal daily life, e.g., reviewing planning applications, coordinating the recent very successful Big Picnic Lunch last Sunday, improving the footpaths around the village, and looking after the Jubilee Field, the Old School Room, the Burial Ground and the defibrillators. Some of these are fun, some are challenging, some are routine, but all are essential to the smooth running of the village and require volunteers to do the necessary work.
The Council is now seeking two volunteers to be 'co-opted' as councillors. A co-opted councillor must volunteer and then be accepted by the Councillors before becoming a fully-fledged member.
If you would like to apply to be considered for co-option onto the Parish Council, please apply before Friday 2 June to Julia Evans, Clerk, at clerk@uffington.net with a short note saying why you would like to become a councillor. Eligible candidates will be invited to attend the Parish Council meeting on Monday 12 June, at which it is hoped that two new councillors will be confirmed.
If you would rather not become a councillor but would be willing to help with other village tasks on behalf of the Parish Council from time-to-time, please let Julia Evans our clerk know at clerk@uffington.net and we will be in touch to discuss any opportunities as they arise.
Local news and events
Pop-up Caf̩ on Broad Street Р11 till 2 -ish on Saturday 13 May. Please support Sarah and Tony in their new venture, using local produce, at Belmont House, Broad Street, tomorrow. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/2ffbace7-3440-1df5-f640-301165abe69b.jpg
Uffington Farmers Market. This Sunday from 10.00 am. Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/57288fc6-694c-b12b-a2a5-d3630153fce2.jpg
Friends of Tom Brown's School Museum // Talk on Wednesday 17 May 2023 at 7.30pm at the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington. [Morris dancers from 7.00 pm]. THE ANCIENT ENGLISH MORRIS DANCE – by Mike Heaney.
Mike Heaney has been researching morris dancing for over forty years. His talk at 7.30pm draws on material from his new book "The Ancient English Morris Dance" which brings together the fruits of his research to provide a comprehensive narrative history of morris dancing from its introduction to England in the fifteenth century to today. He will be joined by the Icknield Way Morris Men who will be performing before the talk from 7.00pm -7.30pm, and again afterwards (from about 9pm) in the Fox & Hounds.
Entrance £5 (Friends of the Museum £3). Tickets on the door from 7.00pm.
Vale Community Impact Pop-up Cafe – Thursday 18 May 2 - 4pm. The next VCI Pop-up Cafe has been booked at the Uffington Village Hall for May 18th, from 2 - 4pm. It's a free cafe with hot drinks and free cake; an opportunity to get together and chat with lots of folk, of all ages, from around the local area. VCI will be on hand to explain the benefits the organisation can provide, this event being part of their Good Neighbour scheme. If folk need a lift to the hall, they can call 07458 130408 or email gns@vci.org.uk
White Horse Gardening Club – Plant sale on Saturday 20 May. Plant sale trail around the village on Saturday 20 May, from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. More information here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/751a4aa8-661b-5235-2f79-326804dd88bd.jpg
White Horse WI - 24 May. We really hope lots of you will join us on the 24th May at the THMH at 7.30pm to discuss the formation of a brand new WI for Uffington and the surrounding villages. Everyone is very welcome and there will be cake! More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/e7b5bb9e-0ada-e8af-3d5b-42a73d7e5e97/White_Horse_WI_Open_Meeting.pdf
Catherine Blaxhall
Summer Music in Bluegrass Baulking. There are two fabulous shows at St Nicholas Church, Baulking in the coming weeks. - The first features Bill and The Belles from Johnson City, Tennessee on Thursday 15th June. This USA trio combine bluegrass and country roots with glorious vocal harmonies and outstanding musicianship on banjo, fiddle and guitar. All three of them are award winning and have toured the world bringing to the stage " an uplifting live show full of engaging humour and all around revelry".
- The second features those veterans of Uffington Gordie Mackeeman and His Rhythm Boys on Wednesday July 5th for their 6th visit in just 10 years. Most of you will know what Gordie and the band are all about, the ace fiddle playing, his frenetic loose limbed step dancing or the stellar musicianship of his multi instrumentalist comrades, his Rhythm Boys. They are in demand all over the world and the UK from Glastonbury, Womad, Celtic Connections, Cambridge Folk Festival to Baulking! This is a much smaller venue than they usually play so don't miss out.
- Tickets for Bill and the Belles are £15 and for Gord and the boys £18 from 01367 820282 or via Cow Muck Promotions on Facebook. Doors open 7.30pm for both events.
General information
David Johnston MP Article for May is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/269acea0-c2bf-34c8-8e99-a20eb2852800/David_Johnston_MP_May.pdf
Volunteer Awards. Volunteer's Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities. More information can be found on the website link Volunteers' Week – Volunteers' Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution volunteers make. (volunteersweek.org)
Community First Oxfordshire are very aware of all the wonderful work volunteer groups carry out in our county and nominations are now open and will close on 30th May 2023. The following categories for a volunteer award are: - Young Volunteer Under 25
- Long Service Volunteer
- Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer Organisation of the Year
If anyone in the community would like to volunteer someone they know, and who they feel should be recognized, from one of the many voluntary organisations in the village, please use the link below to submit your nomination(s).
OCVA - Volunteer Celebration Awards - nominations open! - Oxfordshire Community & Voluntary Action
From the Police.
Thames Valley Police thanks residents, businesses and visitors following the Coronation weekend. Thank you to everyone who safely celebrated the Coronation last weekend across the Thames Valley. Hundreds of our dedicated officers and staff worked tirelessly to support numerous community events across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, including The Big Coronation Lunch and The Big Help Out events.
On Sunday, Windsor took centre stage for the Coronation Concert inside the grounds of Windsor Castle. Thousands of people also watched the festivities at a screening on the Long Walk.
Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: "The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla was a momentous occasion in our country's history. Thames Valley Police was proud to support our communities across the Thames Valley in their celebrations. I would like to thank all local residents, businesses and visitors to the Thames Valley this weekend for their support and cooperation.
I would also like to thank my officers, staff and volunteers who helped to keep everyone safe this weekend. We couldn't do it without the amazing team effort of our communities, partners and workforce. Thank you."
Need to safely dispose of unwanted knives? In support of Operation Sceptre, the national week of action to reduce the threat of knife crime, we would like to remind residents that there are knife amnesty bins located around Oxfordshire for you to safely dispose of your knives and bladed articles. The bins are available to use all year round and you can dispose of your knives anonymously. You can find the amnesty bins in the following locations across Oxfordshire:
- Abingdon Police Station, Colwell Drive, OX14 1AU
- Banbury Police Station, Warwick Rd, OX16 2AE
- Oxford Police Station, St Aldates, OX1 1SZ
Amnesty bins located in other areas of the Thames Valley are listed here.
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Flowers for the Coronation. Many thanks to the team who do the flowers in St Mary's – see attached photo: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/a8fa5d1c-bf8b-c65c-6dee-486b81fda90f.jpg
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 14 May is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/ca496f5e-7234-fb5e-2e6f-ad9397455694/wsh_2023_05_14.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
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