Uffington Parish Council
Sunday 29 October - Jubilee Field Tidy. The Autumn tidy of the Jubilee Field will be held on Sunday; please meet at the Village Hall at 10.00 am equipped with normal gardening tools.
FIBRE BROADBAND. The Parish Council is still trying to discover and monitor when and where fast (or full) fibre broadband is available in Uffington! If anyone has an Airband or BT (or other) fast fibre broadband contract up and running in the village, we would be grateful if you could email your address and broadband supplier to broadband@uffington.net . We understand this is now available in at least the Shotover Corner area – despite the Airband website saying it is not yet available! BT/Openreach is also about to provide a full fibre connection to the Village Hall.
JUBILEE FIELD TREES AND PLAY AREA. During the past week there has been some damage to trees on the Jubilee Field and potentially dangerous 'constructions' in the play area using small branches which were then left in situ. Parents are requested to supervise their children and not let them damage or spoil facilities which are available to others. Please be aware that the play and village hall areas are monitored by CCTV so are able to identify offenders.
Local news and events
Uffington Walk Wednesday 1st November - Hatford Circular Walk. Given the recent wet weather for the November walk we have chosen a favourite route that should be relatively dry underfoot. A circular walk from Hatford - 5 miles.
Meet at Uffington village hall car park at 9.20am for car sharing and a 9:30 departure. Or if you would like to make your way straight to Hatford please let us know. Parking in Hatford available in Sandy Lane about 200 metres on the left. Sandy Lane is the turning by the phone box. The walk will commence at 9.45am. The route is flat, with a pleasing variety of wooded and open surroundings. We walk into Buckland Warren, then past the old golf course before returning along Frogmore Brook.
Fingers crossed the weather will be kind to us. Hope to see lots of you there. Verity, Pamela, Hilary and Joe. Enquiries to: Veritycavanagh@gmail.com 07975861790
Thursday 2nd November, White Horse Gardening Club. The next meeting will be at 7.30 pm on in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall. The talk will be on Gardening with Ornamental Grasses. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/c8c0d434-1253-c2d5-54e2-fc34442fb9f0.jpg
Saturday 4th November. MUDDY CHURCH returns in all its autumn glory. An informal gathering for people of all ages; come alone or with family (toddlers upwards). Bring a simple pack lunch; we meet in Shellingford School car park at 1pm, and then a short walk into the woods, where we have a camp fire, muck about a bit, and sing a song. All are welcome.
Sunday 5th November. ALL SOULS' EVENSONG, 6pm, at Woolstone. A service to remember any who have died this past year. If you would like to add to the list, send the name of your loved one to info@uffingtonbenefice.com or let Hugh Baxter know. All are welcome.
Wednesday 15th November 2023. Friends of Tom Brown's School Museum.
SEX, DRINK AND DEATH IN THE 17TH CENTURY - By Tim Healey in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall from 19.45-21.00.
Join Tim Healey, writer and broadcaster, for a romp through the pleasures and perils of life in the 17th Century, featuring bawdy frolics, alehouse revels, highway robberies, civil war, fire and plague. Hugely entertaining, the talk also gives insight into evolving customs of courtship, celebration, faith and burial at the dawn of the modern age.
Tickets are £3 for TBSM Friends, £5 for non-Friends. Tickets available at the door from 19.15.
Thursday 16th November - Spirit of the Vale Christmas Fair. 10.00 am to 7.30 pm, at The Barn, Eastmanton House. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/aa41623a-763e-c63a-836e-e1e8971d9ef6/Christmas_Fair_16_November_.pdf
From the Vale
Brown bin subscribers can leave out extra garden waste. Residents who are subscribed to the district council brown bin garden waste service in South Oxfordshire or the Vale of White Horse can have extra garden waste collected for free, on their normal collection day only, between 30 October and 10 November. Householders will be able to put out a maximum of up to four additional ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Vale of White Horse welcomes A34 Lodge Hill scheme funding announcement. Vale of White Horse District Council has welcomed the news today that Oxfordshire County Council's A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme has been awarded £17.33 million of government funding from Homes England's Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land (BIL) fund. The Lodge Hill junction, located between Abingdon and Oxford, currently only has north-facing slips. The proposed scheme will offer ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
New grant to help people stay warm and fed this winter. A new food and warmth grant will help support people in our communities this winter who may otherwise struggle to afford essential things. Access to nutritious food and warm homes are basic necessities, but the ongoing impact of the pandemic on people's finances, health and wellbeing has been further heightened by the cost-of-living ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Affordable housing grant to help address urgent need. More affordable, energy efficient homes will be built in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse thanks to a new improved grant process. As part of the district councils' work to help meet the urgent need for genuinely affordable housing in the region, local developers, Community Land Trusts and self-builders can apply for a ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
YourOxfordshire. Bus funding secured, LTNs to stay and winter support; see: Bus funding secured, LTNs to stay and winter support (mailchi.mp)
Lowering energy bills for Oxfordshire residents. We are dedicated to helping households on a low income improve the energy efficiency of their homes, lower their bills, and reduce their carbon footprint.
We have been able to secure government-backed Home Upgrade Grant funding to install energy efficient measures such as insulation, solar panels and heat pumps in residents' homes. We have the funding, now we need to let people know about it - which is where you come in! We want home owners and landlords to register their interest in grant funding via our 'Welcome the Warmth' website. We are relying on your support to direct people to where they can get help.
For more information, see: Lowering energy bills for Oxfordshire residents (mailchi.mp)
Autumn Advice from Community First Oxon and AF Affinity. (This is for those with oil-fired boilers). Autumn has arrived! With turning leaves, cooling temperatures, darker nights and winter approaching, it may be a good time to check how much heating oil you have.
As we head towards the winter months, typically prices increase, and delivery time frames extend but Affinity will give you a price before your order is placed and the current delivery times for orders is up to five working days. Our only advice at present is not to leave it until winter to fill up your tank and please keep a check on your oil tank and oil levels and place your order as soon as you are able. Further information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/4ccde25b-4148-da82-08cb-744668509a03/Checking_oil_tanks.01.pdf
If you are not a member of the Community First Oxfordshire Discount Scheme, they may be contacted on P: 01865 883488 W: www.communityfirstoxon.org
From the Police
Police & Crime Bulletin Oct '23 - Tackling shoplifting, crime figures down. See: Police & Crime Bulletin Oct '23 - Tackling shoplifting, crime figures down (matthewbarber.co.uk)
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 29th October: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/5de8c1ef-d695-c172-0211-3549d591ccdb/wsh_2023_10_29.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
European Summer Time ends at 02.00 on Sunday 29 October, when the clocks go back 1 hour.
Village news 20 October 2023 Uffington Parish Council
Flooding. After a night of heavy rain, and more to come, there is flooding on many roads, particularly in the Shotover, Woolstone Road and Fernham Road areas of Uffington. The stream out of Uffington, past the allotments on the Fernham Road, is now at capacity and it will take time for the flood water to disperse.
The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning as follows: Flooding is possible for: River Ock from Watchfield to Abingdon including, Stanford in the Vale, Charney Bassett, Lyford and Garford, and also the Letcombe Brook at Wantage, Grove and East Hanney.
Monitor local water levels and weather conditions before driving. Be extra careful before driving through floodwater of unknown depth and be mindful of pedestrians and roadside property by not driving fast.
GRANTS (to village organisations) and DONATIONS (to external organisations). As mentioned in the Autumn Courier, the Parish Council is committed to making grants and donations to local groups (the policy and application form are on the website ) but has received no applications so far this year.
Any group wishing to make an application should do so to the Clerk by 31 October so that it can be considered at the next Council meeting on 13 November.
Local news and events
White Horse WI. For our next meeting we are visiting Tom Brown's School Museum, Broad Street, Uffington on Wednesday 25th October at 7.30pm where we will get to meet Sir John Betjeman's bear Archie. We will meet in the village hall car park at 7.15pm and walk over to the museum together. Please bring along with you a treasured bear (to meet Archie), torch and wear hi-vis if you are able to. For those who cannot manage the walk, please park along Broad Street by the church and we will meet you at the museum for 7.30pm. New members are always welcome! For further information please email: whitehorsewi@oxfordshirewi.co.uk
White Horse Gardening Club. The next meeting will be at 7.30 pm on Thursday 2nd November, in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall. The talk will be on Gardening with Ornamental Grasses. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/de416ca2-2e62-df6d-308a-f2b7556ff44d.jpg
Wednesday 15 November 2023. Friends of Tom Brown's School Museum.
SEX, DRINK AND DEATH IN THE 17TH CENTURY - By Tim Healey in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall from 19.45-21.00.
Join Tim Healey, writer and broadcaster, for a romp through the pleasures and perils of life in the 17th Century, featuring bawdy frolics, alehouse revels, highway robberies, civil war, fire and plague. Hugely entertaining, the talk also gives insight into evolving customs of courtship, celebration, faith and burial at the dawn of the modern age.
Tickets are £3 for TBSM Friends, £5 for non-Friends. Tickets available at the door from 19.15.
Organ Recital – 18 November. The re-arranged date for the Organ Recital in St Mary's Church by Joe Barber, (organ scholar from Oxford) is Saturday November 18th at 6pm, in St Mary's Uffington. It will be followed by drinks and refreshments. Retiring collection for St Mary's.
From the Vale
Councils support staff with pledge for the Real Living Wage. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have pledged their ongoing commitment for paying staff at least the Real Living Wage. Both councils currently ensure all directly employed council staff receive at least the Real Living Wage and have done for several years. The Real Living Wage (currently £10.90 with an update due ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Leader's statement - 11 October 2023. Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, delivered her Leader's statement to Council at the meeting on Wednesday 11 October 2023. Tonight I am here as leader of our council to report on progress in our district since we last met; I know that in my position it is easy to ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
More than £56,000 given away for climate action projects. Buying water butts for Watchfield residents, restoring neglected woodland in Hinksey and insulating Littleworth Village Hall are just a few of the projects offered financial support by Vale of White Horse District Council through its Climate Action Fund this month. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Nearly £2 million of extra bus funding set to improve and secure services for passengers - Money to fund £1 Sunday fares in December and countywide day tickets
- Improvements coming to urban and rural routes, including extra services
Read the story on the Oxfordshire County Council website.
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 22nd October: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/bd47c549-bce6-e8c3-9c3b-1e6ded8516bf/wsh_2023_10_22.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 13 October 2023 Uffington Parish Council
Save the date - Jubilee Field Tidy on Sunday 29 October. The Autumn tidy of the Jubilee Field will be held on Sunday 29 October; please meet at the Village Hall at 10.00 am equipped with normal gardening tools.
Apologies for the confusion as the Autumn Courier has Saturday 28 October for this task, but attendance on Saturdays has been sparse of late and it has been suggested that changing to Sunday (as a pilot) may enable more people to attend – especially as the clocks will have gone back overnight, enabling an extra hour in bed!
Local news and events
Uffington Farmers Market. This Sunday from 10.00 am. See attached poster: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/4f0d3098-521a-9983-3e68-869744b0df0e.jpg
UBW MINIBUS ASSOCIATION. A reminder that the AGM of the Association is to take place on Tuesday 17th October at 7.30 pm in the Small Hall of the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall.
The committee is very much hoping that those in the community who value the minibus as an amenity will come to the meeting. The Association is looking to the future and the views, and interest, of our communities will be of vital importance in shaping policy.
Wednesday 15 November 2023. Friends of Tom Brown's School Museum.
SEX, DRINK AND DEATH IN THE 17TH CENTURY - By Tim Healey in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall from 19.45-21.00.
Join Tim Healey, writer and broadcaster, for a romp through the pleasures and perils of life in the 17th Century, featuring bawdy frolics, alehouse revels, highway robberies, civil war, fire and plague. Hugely entertaining, the talk also gives insight into evolving customs of courtship, celebration, faith and burial at the dawn of the modern age.
Tickets are £3 for TBSM Friends, £5 for non-Friends. Tickets available at the door from 19.15.
General
Food bank. A car load of donations to the Food bank both from the church harvest collection and the box in the shop was delivered yesterday to the Food bank. Very many thanks to all those who have contributed. These collecting points will continue for as long as the need is there.
David Johnston MP. David's latest article for October is attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/74096c87-84f5-e377-5cdf-5a594f63e581/David_Johnston_MP_October.pdf
From the Vale
Vale News: October 2023. See: Vale News: October 2023 (emailblaster.cloud)
Note: The brown bin service - you can put an extra garden waste out on your normal garden waste collection day between 30 October and 10 November. You can leave out up to four standard sized (60L) sacks worth per brown bin subscription, or in boxes /containers equivalent to a binful. But please, no rubble or builders' waste bags!
The Vale steps up to help families who supported the UK's military operations in Afghanistan. An innovative new arrangement will support the welfare of families from Afghanistan who have contributed to the UK's military operations in their country. Families who had put themselves at risk by working and fighting for the UK, were forced to flee their home country when the Taliban regained control. Since then, many of them have ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Joint leaders' statement to mark World Homeless Day - 10 October. The following is a joint statement by the leaders of Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils, Cllrs Bethia Thomas and David Rouane to mark World Homeless Day on 10 October: "As international attention focuses today on homelessness, we believe everyone should have somewhere they feel safe and secure that they can call ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Young artists encouraged to display their work in Wantage. The Beacon in Wantage is reaching out to local schools and youth groups to display artwork on their Art Wall, showcasing local young talent and celebrating the community in the building. Pupils at Grove Church of England School, Wantage, were the first to have their art displayed on The Beacon's Art Wall earlier this year. ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Road closure Ashbury on 16 October. Highways have notified a Temporary Road Closure and "No Waiting" restriction at Ashbury, B4000 (between Pound Piece and jct Kingston Winslow) between 08:00 and 17:30 on 16 October.
The suggested alternative route: via B4000 Station Road, B4000 High Street Shrivenham, B4000 Highworth Rd Shrivenham, B4508, A420 Swindon Rd, A417 Stanford Rd and Faringdon Rd, B4001 New Rd, B4507 Childrey to Ashbury and vice versa.
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 15th October: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/34589549-c616-9f5b-4d0d-30b5b596bebd/wsh_2023_10_15.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 6 October 2023 Uffington Parish Council
AUTUMN COURIER. The online version of the Courier is now available here. The paper copy will be distributed over the next few days.
We always welcome contributions from the villagers of Uffington, Baulking and Woolstone. In particular, we are keen to receive, ideally seasonal and local, photographs for the front cover and articles covering local activities from clubs and organisations. Please send contributions to the editor, Giles Dawson Giles Dawson . Advertising is also supported at very reasonable rates, details and costs are published in each edition.
The Winter issue will be delivered early in the New Year and the closing date for submissions is 15 December.
Local news and events
Organ Recital postponed. The organ recital advertised for Sunday October 15th has regrettably been postponed until further notice; the organist, Joe Barber, is currently unwell and not able to practice.
October Pop Up. This Saturday 7th 10.30 – 2.30 ish, at Belmont House, Broad Street, tomorrow. Bring your old vinyl records if you want a sing along.
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. will go to Wantage & Grove Foodbank. There will be refreshments after the service.
REMINDER - 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.
UBW MINIBUS ASSOCIATION. A reminder that the AGM of the Association is to take place on Tuesday 17th October at 7.30 pm in the Small Hall of the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall.
The committee is very much hoping that those in the community who value the minibus as an amenity will come to the meeting. The Association is looking to the future and the views, and interest, of our communities will be of vital importance in shaping policy.
General
Benefice draw results. Rev Jeremy and Julia did the Draw after the Harvest Service at Shellingford on 1 October at 10.15. Results as follow (some Divine Intervention!)
£200 - Ball 39 - Rev J Goulston
£100 - Ball 57 - John & Susie McCullough
£100 - Ball 189 - David Forster
£50 - Ball 92 - Sue Saunders
£50 - Ball 171 - Fay Forster
£50 - Ball 83 - JA & J Reid
£50 - Ball 87 - James Lonsdale
£50 - Ball 67 - Ed & Jenny Preece
From the Vale - 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
- Fun for all the family this October half-term. A range of free and low-cost fun activities are available for children and their families during the October half-term across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. Provided by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, sessions include fun outdoor orienteering and events inside such as dance, sports, theatre and much more. Here's a full run down of ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
- New Cabinet Members confirmed at Vale of White Horse District Council. Councillor Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council has today (2 October) confirmed details of the council's new cabinet. The new cabinet has been confirmed as: Cllr Bethia Thomas said: "I'd like to thank our existing cabinet members and welcome our new cabinet members. Our new cabinet is a true example of ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
County news
Parish Report. Please find attached Parish Report from Cllr Yvonne Constance: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/c52a0c37-d200-30d4-71ee-beef26c96b1c/OCC_Parish_Report_Oct_2023_.pdf
YourOxfordshire. New cabinet members, stop smoking and planting trees. See: New cabinet members, stop smoking and planting trees (mailchi.mp)
From the Police
Police & Crime Bulletin Sep '23. See: Police & Crime Bulletin Sep '23 - (matthewbarber.co.uk)
The October edition of OUR NEWS is here. Here are some highlights in October's edition: - A celebration of our National Crime and Community Conference 2023, and our Volunteer Awards 2023 winners
- We announce our new partnership with SimpliSafe, with benefits for our members
- The Lookout student magazine is back - you can read it now!
- Get Safe Online invite you to join a free webinar on internet safety
- The Children's Society shares free resources on spotting and preventing child exploitation, with invitations to free webinars this autumn
READ THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER HERE
From the Churches of Uffington Benefice
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 8th October: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/afde87d4-4b50-1b7a-3ae1-e9eab57332ce/wsh_2023_10_08.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
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