Local news and events
30 September - Party noise. A polite, advance notice to let everyone in Hillview and surrounding neighbours that there will be loud, live music mid-afternoon until late evening coming from our garden on Saturday, 30th SEPTEMBER. Thank you, Alison Ward.
Wednesday Walk 4 October - Celebrating new footpath gates. This month the beginning of our village walk will take in the newly placed footpath gates on Footpath 4. This means we have now established 36 gates on seven footpaths around Uffington! Replacing stiles with gates on footpaths, provides access to the open countryside and the well-recognised benefits of this for the whole community.
We will be joined by Rachel Sanderson of Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment, the land owners and representative of official bodies contributing to this project and of course, Pete Noll of Noll Countryside Services who installed the gates.
Gathering as always in the car park of Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall car park, Uffington. In order to allow time to celebrate this successful project and thank those involved we will meet a little earlier at 9:15am. The walk will then head off via The Green over the railway towards Moor Mill Farm on a circular route via Fernham. Map attached, with photos of the September walk: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/90c0f18b-8673-61c5-96de-fec83e1b14f0/Walk_on_4_October.pdf
Hope to see lots of you there, sunny intervals, 17 degrees and a light breeze predicted. The Wed Walking Committee, Verity, Pamela, Joe and Hilary
White Horse Gardening Club 5 October presents 'A Spoonful of Herbs' at 7.30 pm on Thursday 5 October. See attached poster: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/227b8b94-b0ef-c1cd-efad-78d1ddeaf1e2.jpg
Sunday 8th October at 10.00 am - HARVEST FESTIVAL at St Mary's Uffington. All are welcome!! Please bring any dried, canned or fresh produce with you - tins, pasta, rice etc. which will go to Wantage & Grove Foodbank. There will be refreshments after the service.
Stefan Plant Memorial Service – 12 October. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Thursday 12th October for Stefan Plant, who lived in Uffington. 11.00 am at St Mary's Church. We will then walk to the Jubilee Field to plant an oak tree in memory of Stefan, followed by buffet at the Fox and Hounds pub from 12.00 pm. All welcome. Charity donations can be made to Jack Price Project Empowerment Program
General
Age UK Falls Prevention Programme. Helping older people across Oxfordshire to 'Stay Strong and Steady.' We are pleased to launch a new falls prevention programme this week during Falls Prevention Awareness Week. Working in collaboration with Move Together (a project delivered by Active Oxfordshire and the district councils) the initiative will support older people across the county. See poster attached:
https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/45891323-e6a9-7a99-c518-9489f6cc3fe3/Age_UK_poster.pdf
The full press release is available here: age-uk-oxfordshire_stay-strong-and-steady_in.pdf (ageuk.org.uk)
Join us at our online webinar on Thursday 19th October, 10-11am, to find out why Stay Strong and Steady is so needed across Oxfordshire, what the programme involves and how those you are working with can benefit from taking part. Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/vPSwVLAZ5b
From the Vale - Including everyone is focus of two Vale champions. Two Vale champions are working to make sure everyone is included and represented in the district. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Plans for reservoir continue despite local objections. Plans for an expanded controversial reservoir near Abingdon have again been criticised by local communities, with Vale of White Horse District Council urging water providers to consider alternative solutions. The council has reaffirmed its objections to the reservoir in a formal letter to Thames Water following submission of their revised Draft Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) to government. ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- Residents urged to `Check it before you chuck it'. We are urging residents to `Check it before you chuck it' as part of a drive to increase the amount and quality of recycling in the district. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have launched a new campaign asking people to check before they chuck items in their recycling bins. An estimated ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Highways - road closure notice – 24 October. We have been notified of the closure of White Horse on 24 October 2023 between 09:30 and 15:30, to facilitate laying of new duct. The suggested diversion is: via White Horse, Station Road, Road running west from Oldland Copse, Fernham Road and vice versa.
From the Police
Trading Standards September Scams Newsletter. Please see attached: Scam Newsletter 2309.pdf
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 1st October: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/fc4d1c3b-dd1c-f347-8e0c-220c6b8da1c0/wsh_2023_10_01.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 22 September 2023 Local news and events
White Horse WI - every fourth Wednesday of the month. September's meeting is next Wednesday 27th September 7.30-9.30pm in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall. This month our guest speaker is Jane Dickinson who will be talking about Women of Oxford. Jane will explain how women came to be allowed to study at Oxford University and will highlight some of the key women of Oxford throughout the town and university, including Shirley Williams, Annie Roberts, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, Olive Gibbs, Jane Cooper, Emma Wilding Davison and Grace Hadow, to name but a few.
New members are also very welcome! For further information please e-mail: whitehorsewi@oxfordshirewi.co.uk
Wednesday 11 October, from 1945-2100. Friends of Tom Brown's School Museum.
LIVING HISTORY: REBUILDING THE WILTS & BERKS CANAL, by Brian Stovold and Ian Mitchell, in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall.
Join two senior members of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust who will talk about the history of the Wilts & Berks Canal from its origins in 1793 to its abandonment in 1914. They will also cover the development of the Trust from its modest beginnings in 1977 through to present day restoration progress, plans and challenge; with a focus on the West Vale including Shrivenham and our own Uffington Gorse.
Tickets are £3 for TBSM Friends, £5 for non-Friends. Tickets available at the door from 1915.
18th October. Daoiri Farrell in Baulking. We are down to single figures in ticket numbers for the talented young Irishman Daoiri Farrell so if you are thinking of coming give us a call on 01367 820282.
Harvest Supper Fundraiser. The Friends of St Nicholas, Baulking invite you to our Harvest Supper Fundraiser - Saturday 21st October 7pm, at Spencer's Farm, Baulking, SN7 7QE. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/4eb59624-8f6a-d37a-6068-f53663d48853/Harvest_Supper_Baulking.pdf
Three course dinner and raffle. Soft drinks available but please bring any other refreshments you may want as we will not have a licence. Tickets available from Web address: http://st-nicholas-church-2.sumupstore.com/
Or email: fosnbaulking@gmail.com for more information. Tickets £20pp. Please advise of any dietary requirements
General
Foodbank. This is a reminder of the Foodbank boxes in the church and village shop, for harvest collections. Items needed should be everyday family foods such as cereals, pasts, rice, savoury meal packets, and tinned items. Thanks to the support of Rose and Dave Holborow it is hoped that many of the donations will be made from items purchased in Uffington Stores.
All donations must be sealed and within 'best before' dates! They will be taken at regular intervals to Wantage and Grove Foodbank.
Children's Air Ambulance are marking their tenth anniversary this year and would like to thank Uffington for allowing them to have two clothing banks in the car park. This has helped them to divert over three tons of clothing from landfill this year.
David Johnston MP – Latest article. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/2c868a4e-cd61-c7f5-716c-b943315facd5/David_Johnston_MP_September.pdf
Uffington LTC Autumn Update. I hope you're all well and not too washed out by all the damp weather! Also hoping you're managing to play some tennis despite it! I just wanted to update you on the fabulous day we had last Sunday 10 Sep at our annual tournament, and to call for players to join our imminent winter league, starting in October.
The tournament is always a lovely occasion and this year didn't disappoint. We had 14 players of all abilities, and managed to run 2 courts of qualifying rounds from about lunchtime to mid-afternoon, during which most people played with most people and against most people on their court, with the highest scoring mixed pair from each court meeting for a final. I was delighted to present the coveted trophy to Ruth and Luke Thomas, with Neil Reynolds and Giles Dawson close runners-up. There was tea, sandwiches and cakes for all afterwards and lots of lively and fun discussion on the play! I do hope more can join in next year. It really is open to all ability levels and everyone is incredibly welcome. Group photo attached:
Our winter league matches will start soon (first match 8 Oct) and I'd like to invite all club players to consider playing. It's a very friendly mixed league (2 mixed doubles pairs for each match), played mostly at weekends against clubs across Wiltshire, and again all reasonable players would be most welcome to join in. We're in the bottom division of the league so there is no pressure to be of a high standard, so if you enjoy a competitive game, do volunteer. The match schedule is 8/14/ 22 Oct, 5/7/19/22 Nov, 3 Dec, 14/20/28 Jan and 4/11/25 Feb. I would send these as a table but the clubspark software won't let me! If you'd like to be in the team, please contact me (email – robhart100@yahoo.com) before the end of this week (Fri 22 Sep - today) and advise which dates you can play, your email and phone number, and I will be in touch direct with a team list and schedule before the end of the month.
Thank you very much and looking forward to hearing from league volunteers very soon.
Rob Hart, Club Chairman, Uffington Lawn Tennis Club
From the Vale
Vale news for September – See:
Vale News: September 2023 - Parishes (emailblaster.cloud)
New Oxfordshire wide air quality website launched. A new Oxfordshire air quality website was launched on 18 September, providing up to date air quality guidance and resources for across the county. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Leader's statement - Botley Road closure. Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of the Vale, said: Like many, I'm disappointed with Network Rail's news that they're keeping Botley Road closed until October next year. The original plan had been for the road to reopen this October for six months over Christmas. This is very frustrating for so many, access to Oxford has become………… You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
YourOxfordshire - Action plans, air quality and Oxford United decision. See: Action plans, air quality and Oxford United decision (mailchi.mp)
Cheaper park and ride bus travel deal extended until April 2024. A deal which offers discounted parking and bus travel at Oxford's park and rides has been further extended to April 2024. Last October, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach launched a new combined ticket for Oxford's park and rides which covers both parking and return bus travel to the city centre. Read the story on the Oxfordshire County Council website
Half a million pounds on offer to strengthen community groups in Oxfordshire. Grassroots organisations in Oxfordshire can now apply for their share of a replenished £500,000 fund, helping to support residents to live well and independently in their communities.
Following on from the success of last year's community capacity grants, Oxfordshire County Council has relaunched the fund for 2023/24 which will be administered by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, Community First Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Community Foundation. Read the story on the Oxfordshire County Council website
Oxfordshire's transport and travel bulletin. See: Modular Template Patterns (mailchi.mp)
From the Police
Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel - how can it help you? What is the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel (CSARP)? If a victim or survivor reported allegations of child sexual offences before 5 June 2013 and the police or the CPS decided that no further action should be taken at the time, they can request that the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel reconsider the decision, if they are not satisfied that the original allegations were dealt with appropriately. CSARP is a joint enterprise between the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Cases will be considered if: - The report is about an alleged sexual offence against the victim or survivor;
- The victim or survivor is referring to a report previously made to the police about the sexual offence;
- A decision to take no further action was taken by the police or by the CPS;
- The alleged sexual offences were committed when the victim or survivor was under 18 years of age;
- The alleged offender may still pose a risk;
- The alleged offence was committed in England and Wales;
- The case was investigated and marked no further action by police or CPS before 5 June 2013.
It is important to note that even if the victim or survivor has previously asked the police or the CPS to look at the decision they made previously, their case will still be considered. Find out more information from the attached leaflet. CSARP-Leaflet-A5-4pp.pdf
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 24 September is not yet available.
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 15 September 2023 Local news and events
Art club and lunches. Walfinch who provide independent home care are running an art group in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall in Uffington on Wednesdays 10:30-12:00. The class is for pensioners and those in need of care. The classes are informal and relaxed. Materials and refreshments are supplied. All abilities welcome. The art classes have started. They will run from 13th September to 18th October, there will be a week's break then start 1st November - 6th December – in 6-week blocks.
Lunch club. We will also be running a lunch club from 12:00-1:30 for pensioners and those in need of care on the following dates. 8th, 22nd November and 6th, 20th December.
Both events are free of charge but we will be expecting donations towards running costs. For more information, please contact Hannah.tomlin@walfinch.com
Wednesday 11 October, from 1945-2100. Friends of Tom Brown's School Museum.
LIVING HISTORY: REBUILDING THE WILTS & BERKS CANAL, by Brian Stovold and Ian Mitchell, in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall.
Join two senior members of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust who will talk about the history of the Wilts & Berks Canal from its origins in 1793 to its abandonment in 1914. They will also cover the development of the Trust from its modest beginnings in 1977 through to present day restoration progress, plans and challenge; with a focus on the West Vale including Shrivenham and our own Uffington Gorse.
Tickets are £3 for TBSM Friends, £5 for non-Friends. Tickets available at the door from 1915.
From the Vale
Free facility hire launched for Wellington Gate community. Wellington Gate residents and non-profit organisations can now apply to hire free local facilities and event space to help connect the community. Vale of White Horse District Council has secured funding from local developer, Persimmon Homes (Wessex), to help community groups access local facilities while plans for a new Community Hub are being finalised. Local ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Oxfordshire transport and travel bulletin. See: Modular Template Patterns (mailchi.mp)
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
The Weekly Sheet for Sunday 17 September is not yet available.
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 12 September 2023 This is an interim newsletter, to get some urgent / important items out in a timely way.
Uffington Parish Council
AUTUMN COURIER - photos and articles wanted. We hope you have enjoyed the colour covers on the past year's editions of the Courier. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/09ad8ea1-ec62-415f-e361-3852c811e967.png
These photos have all been taken by local residents. We try and feature a local view or scene as far as possible so if you have any seasonal photos* that you would like to be considered for use, please send them to courier@uffington.net At present we are seeking a summer/ autumn cover for the forthcoming Autumn edition.
Also, if you have any articles covering local events or organisations, please send to the above address by 15 September.
Thank you.
* Photos should be in 'upright'/'portrait' orientation and as high as possible resolution.
New Rural Bus Services? Oxfordshire County Council have opened a consultation with proposals for new rural bus services, with the aim of restoring coverage removed some years ago. The 2023-24 budget includes £800,000 for the provision of improved rural transport, linking villages with nearby market towns or Oxford. For many communities this will herald a resumption of public transport coverage for the first time since 2016.
There are a number of new routes proposed and of these, Route C (Faringdon to Wantage) is relevant to Uffington and local villages; it is: Letcombe Regis, Letcombe Bassett, Childrey, Sparsholt, Kingston Lisle, Uffington, Woolstone, Shellingford, Fernham, Longcot, Little Coxwell.
The proposed timetable, with some OCC Notes and Queries is attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/172cc24f-4c74-b62e-6b29-2cc4467315fc/Proposed_Service_C.pdf
The Parish Council's preliminary views on this are: - This is a very short consultation, too quick for the Courier, hence on this newsletter and on Facebook (12 September).
- It must be welcomed as a green initiative, but when the bus was removed in 2016, we went to great trouble to offer alternatives, and there was zero take up – nobody seemed to notice the bus had stopped. Will it be reliable / fast enough to tempt people out of their cars today?
- We need to know how committed OCC and government are to continuity of funding, as it could be competition for the UBW Community bus; the Minibus AGM will be discussing this at their AGM on 17 October – all welcome! BUT note that the new service will not go to Baulking or Woolstone.
- If you look at the 'particular questions for Service C' it would be good for school children going to Wantage, but only if the shaded service (0806 at Uffington) runs and if so, a minibus with 16 seats is unlikely to be enough. (Information on current numbers from Uffington would be helpful.)
If you have comments please respond by 25 September to this email or direct to: mike.oldnall@uffington.net
General
Long shot for a WHS Programme. "To complete my collection of White Horse Show programmes, I am seeking a copy of the 1998 programme. I appreciate it is a long shot, but would anyone have a spare that they are prepared to part with or that they would let me photocopy?' Paul Armishaw 820385.
From the Police
Appeal for witnesses following serious injury road traffic collision – South and Vale. We are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage following a serious injury collision on the A420 Fernham Road, Faringdon.
At around 7.35am today 12/9, there was a collision involving a motorcycle, a Citroen van and a Jaguar E-pace. The rider of the motorcycle, a man in his twenties from Oxfordshire, suffered a suspected broken jaw. He remains in hospital at this time in a stable condition. No one else was injured.
The driver of the Citroen, a 25-year-old man from Swindon, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and driving whilst over the specified drug limit. He remains in custody at this time.
The road was closed for recovery and investigation but has re-opened.
We are appealing for anyone who witnessed this collision or anyone who has dash-cam of the incident to please come forward.
If you have information, please provide it through our online site, or by calling 101, quoting reference 43230408511.
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