LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
Uffington Farmers Market. This Sunday, from 10.00 am at the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall. Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/f8afec68-107a-5313-980f-3514a6c05446.jpg
Christian Aid Lent Lunches in Uffington Benefice on Wednesdays, 12.15-1.30, following the Holy Communion Service at 11.30 in St Marys. 28th February: Courtesy of Janice Sharp, The Stables, Shellingford. Tel 718584.
White Horse WI. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 28th February at 7.30pm. This month our guest speaker is Karen from Textiles in Oxford who will be talking about stitch and textile art. We do hope she brings lots of artwork to show us! We meet in Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except August). Guests and new members are always welcome! For further information please email: whitehorsewi@oxfordshirewi.co.uk
White Horse Gardening Club – 7 March. Peter Skeggs Gooch will be speaking on 'Clematis' in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm on 7 March. Poster here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/a3bbb0dc-3411-efd0-7ce0-b1beb2ffee13.jpg
GENERAL
Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment - 2023 Round-up! TOE have been very generous in helping to fund the installations of kissing gates on footpaths around Uffington in recent years; their 2023 newsletter is here: Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment 2023 Newsletter (mailchi.mp)
FROM THE VALE
Public services remain secure in draft Vale 2024-25 budget. Public services provided by Vale of White Horse District Council remain secure thanks to careful financial management. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
COUNTY NEWS
The latest news for your communities - important update; see: The latest news for your communities (mailchi.mp)
YourOxfordshire. County budget agreed, apply to be a firefighter and support for young people. See: County budget agreed, apply to be a firefighter and support for young people (mailchi.mp)
FROM THE POLICE
Exciting vacancy for a brave horse in our Mounted Section. Our Mounted Section needs your help. Do you have a brave horse suitable for a career in the police?
We are looking to recruit a new police horse to our team. In this exciting role, your horse will join an integral part of our police force. The Mounted Section assist in a range of ways across the Thames Valley and Hampshire, including high visibility patrols at demonstrations and in the night time economy, assistance in searches and patrols for missing people, as well as support to other forces with their operations and patrols.
Our mounted officers and police horses have extensive experience from scanning and managing large football crowds, to protecting the Royal Family and have supported local officers in arrests for a wide range of offences during their daily patrols.
We are asking the public to get in contact with any horses which they believe would be a good fit. We are looking for the following; - Between 16.3hh and 18hh;
- Mare or gelding;
- Between the ages of 4 – 11;
- Heavier breed such as a shire cross or Irish draught;
- Quiet, level headed horses which are good to shoe, clip and travel in a lorry;
- Trainable with good temperament and no vices or behavioural traits;
- No medical issues;
- Ability to walk, trot and canter and ideally be able to jump a small course of fences;
- Will hack alone and in company;
- Good in traffic;
- Safe in open spaces.
All horses chosen will be required to undergo a six-week trial where we assess their suitability to the role and vetting.
Owners can be reassured that their horse will be with us until retirement. Our horses receive the best care including regular physio and chiropractor visits, regular turnout, and are engaged with a variety of work including hacking and schooling.
Owners can also have the knowledge that their horse will be serving the community, and they can watch their horse on deployments, such as escorting the King up the racecourse at Royal Ascot.
If you have a brave horse that's looking for a fulfilling role within a dedicated team, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact the Mounted Section if you feel you have what we are looking for.
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 25 February: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/fd0b56ca-7c01-aaba-92e7-fbe250b68bfb/wsh_2024_02_25.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 16 February 2024 UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
The pond. The recent removal of the three large poplars beside the pond has resulted in a very different outlook and view of the hitherto rather concealed pond. The principal function of the pond is to act as a useful buffer for the storage and gradual release of water to the High Street ditches, but is also a wild life habitat as well as a visual asset.
The Parish Council is mindful that it made a commitment to replant the area and is now calling for ideas. There is a limited budget for setting up a new 'landscaping scheme', which must be low maintenance long term. Possible options could include: - Grassing over
- Grassing over, with new trees / shrubs / bulbs – how many and of what type?
- Utilising the three poplar stumps as picnic tables or seats – or something else?
- Allowing the brambles to take over
- Extending the hedge on the (raised) verge towards the High Street junction
If you have any ideas, or would be willing to help develop the area, please send them to fenella.oberman@uffington.net
Courier photos and articles. The deadline for articles for the Spring edition, 16th March, is looming so please keep this in mind and send any articles to the editor, Giles Dawson, at courier@uffington.net in good time.
We are also keen to use local, seasonal, photographs for the cover (in portrait (upright) format please). With signs of spring now appearing I'm sure there must be some excellent photo opportunities. Please submit to the editor as for any articles. Thank you
LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
Friends of Uffington Museum. A reminder that the AGM for the Friends of Uffington Museum will be held on Tuesday 20th February at 7pm in the village hall. Refreshments will be provided & we welcome new & existing Friends to join us.
Christian Aid Lent Lunches in Uffington Benefice on Wednesdays, 12.15-1.30, following the Holy Communion Service at 11.30 in St Marys. 21st February: courtesy of Heneage Legge-Bourke, Coopers, Woolstone Tel 820039;
White Horse WI. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 28th February at 7.30pm. This month our guest speaker is Karen from Textiles in Oxford who will be speaking about stitch and textile art. We do hope she brings lots of artwork to show us! Guests and new members are always welcome. For further information please email: whitehorsewi@oxfordshirewi.co.uk
Charity fundraiser 23 February. We are hosting a charity fundraiser on 23rd February from 7:30-11:30pm in the village hall - Uffy Winter Fest, with a variety of live music, bar and raffle. We are raising money for CRUSE bereavement counselling and Alzheimer's UK. We are looking for any contributions for the raffle. Poster is attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/62c488a0-a714-c79e-729b-fa497ef2b666.png
Any queries, please contact Angus on dewiltona@gmail.com
GENERAL
Shrove Tuesday pancakes. Another hugely successful Shrove Tuesday event was held to raise money for ACCESS, the charity we support in Bangalore - 60 people came for pancakes at lunchtime and in the evening, and a wonderful £675 raised.
ACCESS does wonderful work for underprivileged women and children in Bangalore, helping so many children to achieve their potential with education from nursery age up to university as well as teaching women tailoring skills to allow them some independence. What we raise all helps toward running this very worthwhile charity. Thank you to everyone who came and donated so generously.
David Johnston MP. Please find David's latest article attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/b5eb1938-531c-532d-a7d9-916d4b5d9f13/David_Johnston_MP_February_1.pdf
FROM THE VALE
Flooding financial support for residents and businesses. This information has been forwarded to those who are known to have suffered from flooding recently. If you were affected, please note:
Details of the financial support available to residents and businesses in our districts that were flooded as a result of Storm Henk last month are up on our websites - the links are below. Anybody affected should follow the instructions on these pages and we'll get in touch with them to discuss the financial support available to them. We will update the procedures once the county council has got its ducks in a row on process, but until then, this will get the ball rolling and ensure everyone has reported the flood appropriately. See: Vale flooding financial support page
The February edition of Vale News for 2024. Welcome to our February edition of Vale News. In this month's roundup, we've got important information on changes to the way you apply and use postal and proxy votes, a free compost giveaway and a thank you for being amongst the best recyclers in the country! See: The February edition of Vale News for 2024 (mailchi.mp)
Councils have a joint plan for action on air quality. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have adopted a new joint Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) to improve air quality in the districts over the next four years. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Securing a sustainable future for The Beacon Arts Centre and Community Centre. Robust plans are being prepared this month to secure a sustainable and `best value' future for The Beacon Arts and Community Centre. The arts and community centre has provided Wantage and the surrounding areas with an important and lively focus for arts and the community since 2014. The Beacon supports the wellbeing of residents by ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
New planning rules mean good news for nature recovery. Biodiversity Net Gain, which came into law nationally on 12 February 2024, is not a new concept for the councils, whose officers have been working on similar approaches to enhancing the wildlife value of new developments since becoming the first authorities in the UK to successfully secure a BNG agreement in 2013. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
COUNTY NEWS
Oxfordshire's transport and travel bulletin. See: £425,000 of grants awarded to improve community transport in Oxfordshire
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 18 February: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/f8d8bc38-db46-2b31-149b-5ca45bfabe89/wsh_2024_02_18.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 9 February 2024 UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Please note that the Council meeting on Monday 12 February will be held in the Old School Room, at 6.30 pm, with the Open Forum at 7.00 pm.
LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
Pop-up Caf̩ on Broad Street Р11 till 2 -ish on Saturday 10 February. Tony and I will be making this a donation only event because we are short on time. We want to keep it going as we think for some of the 'Uffington long timers' and 'new to the village' this has been a nice time for a chat and a laugh. Thanks, and best wishes, Sarah and Tony. Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/9646aa95-5087-e011-d6c0-e18c3c82171f.jpg
Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. There will be pancakes in aid of ACCESS, our charity in Bangalore, India, supporting the disadvantaged children of quarry workers, on Shrove Tuesday 13th 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. Offers of help to both cook or serve would be much appreciated!
There is limited parking at 2 Lower Common Cottage, as well as at the beginning of Lower Common or at the village hall. Further information from Fenella (01367 820230/07748 792765)
Christian Aid Lent Lunches in Uffington Benefice on Wednesdays, 12.15-1.30, following Ashing Service at 11.30 in St Marys.
14th February: courtesy of Joanna Jenkins, South Paddock House, Uffington; queries to: 01367 820776.
Charity fundraiser 23 February. We are hosting a charity fundraiser on 23rd February from 7:30-11:30pm in the village hall - Uffy Winter Fest, with a variety of live music, bar and raffle. We are raising money for CRUSE bereavement counselling and Alzheimer's UK. We are looking for any contributions for the raffle. Any queries, please contact Angus on dewiltona@gmail.com
Poster is attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/8a50d196-612e-7207-c83e-697955a6cd92.png
Church Bridge Day – 28 February. The usual Afternoon of Bridge in aid of our 4 Churches will be held on Wednesday 28 February in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall. If you are a Bridge player do come and join us. We would welcome contributions of cakes, sandwiches, etc., for our well-known teas. Any cakes that are left over will be sold at the end of the afternoon. More information and entry form here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/7df67b3a-83f5-ddce-553a-c1834323389f/Church_Bridge_day_Feb_2024.01.pdf
GENERAL
UBW Minibus Association – New Minibus. The Management Committee is extremely pleased to announce that an order has been placed for a new 17 seat minibus which, is due to be delivered within a few weeks.
This has been possible through generous grants from Oxfordshire County Council and the White Horse Show Trust, together with our own reserves. We are sure users of the minibus will wish to join us in expressing thanks for the grants. Additionally, we hope to be able to announce shortly some additional funding which has enabled us to have the new minibus fitted out to offer a good level of comfort, including softer seating and a heater for the passenger cabin.
The driving experience should be made more relaxing through a number of improvements over the present vehicle, including a reversing camera and front parking sensors.
Use of the minibus has been on an upward trend since Covid, justifying this investment. The minibus does a regular run to Wantage on Wednesday and Friday morning, picking up in the local villages. Additionally, it is possible to hire the minibus, on a self-drive basis. Subject to a driving licence check it is possible for most people to drive the minibus on their own car licence.
If you wish to use the minibus for either the routine trip to Wantage or for individual hire please email: UBWMININBUS@OUTLOOK.COM
Volunteer Drivers Required. This is a good moment to mention that Minibus is run as a non-profit community facility and the twice weekly runs to Wantage, relies on volunteer drivers. We are looking to increase our driver pool to ensure the resilience of this Service. If you would enjoy driving the new bus and contributing to the success of our Wednesday and Friday morning services to Wantage contact us UBWMININBUS@OUTLOOK.COM. The average commitment is one morning per month.
COUNTY NEWS
YourOxfordshire. Reporting problems with our roads, road safety and a career with children. See: Reporting problems with our roads, road safety and a career with children (mailchi.mp)
FROM THE POLICE
Thames Valley Alert. We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales. Here are some highlights in February's edition:
Don't have your heart broken by scammers - read our advice on spotting the signs of romance fraud
Issue 6 of The Lookout is here, with fresh perspectives on student safety and crime prevention from our student writers
SimpliSafe share tips on protecting your home and loved ones
Read new case studies from the Government's Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) on-the-spot policing pilot programme
READ THE FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER HERE.
February 2024 Scams Warnings. Please find below a link to the National Trading Standards Scams Team's February Scam Newsletter.
Attachments: Feb24 Scams.pdf
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 11 February: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/4bca66f1-c440-58cd-db2d-ec222c5dc8ef/wsh_2024_02_11.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 2 February 2024 LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS
The Rise and Fall of the Cravens – Wednesday 7 February at 7.45 pm. 'Until 1953, the village of Uffington was owned by the Craven family, with many streets and properties featuring the 'Craven' name. Join us on the 7th February to learn about the history of this famous family'. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/cf66f03d-4e2f-ea1d-ee42-ca59eddd2627/Rise_and_fall_of_the_Cravens.02.pdf
Pancake flipping for dementia U.K - Wednesday 7 February. We are having a pancake flipping competition with coffee and of course pancakes next Wednesday 7 February, to raise funds for dementia U.K. at the Thomas Hughes memorial hall, 11:45-12:45 after art class. Everyone is welcome. Queries to Hannah - hannah.tomlin@walfinch.com
Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. There will be pancakes in aid of ACCESS, our charity in Bangalore, India, supporting the disadvantaged children of quarry workers, on Shrove Tuesday 13th 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. Offers of help to both cook or serve would be much appreciated!
There is limited parking at 2 Lower Common Cottage, as well as at the beginning of Lower Common or at the village hall. Further information from Fenella (01367 820230/07748 792765)
Lent Lunches. "Please support fundraising for CHRISTIAN AID by attending a Lent Lunch at various locations in the Benefice on Wednesdays, from Ash Wednesday 14th February. Locations as per details in Church Weekly Sheet and on notice boards in the parishes in the Benefice and Uffington Stores. Homemade Soups, Bread and Cheese etc.
Advance news - Saturday 23rd March there will be a LENT LUNCH AT UFFINGTON VILLAGE HALL from 12noon to 2pm.
Save the date – Lambourn Open Day. The 2024 Lambourn Open Day will be held on Good Friday 29 March. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/a56f46d4-2dd4-1e8c-3e6e-146a8ce76c26/LOD_2024_Poster.pdf
GENERAL
Latest News from North Wessex Downs National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). See: Latest News from North Wessex Downs National Landscape (mailchi.mp)
FROM THE VALE
Game, Set and Match! £165,500 investment in new tennis courts for Abingdon. There's great news for tennis fans, who will soon be able to play all year round thanks to a revamp of the courts in Abingdon. Work is due to begin on Monday 5 February to install four new 3G Artificial Turf Pitch (ATP) tennis courts at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre. These ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Successful recycling districts urge residents to reduce and reuse before recycling. Residents in South Oxfordshire are officially the best recyclers in the country, with residents in the Vale a close third, according to a government league table. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
COUNTY NEWS
The latest news for your communities. See: The latest news for your communities (mailchi.mp)
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 4 February: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/e050b7d3-59a6-a7eb-d9d2-471e72514835/wsh_2024_02_04.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
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