UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
The Council would like to wish all residents of Uffington, Baulking and Woolstone a very Happy Christmas and a healthy, successful year in 2025.
WHAT'S ON - IN & AROUND UFFINGTON
This Sunday, 22 December – Most talked about horse in the country – to parade (free) in Kingston Lisle. Forget the Grand National winner…the Racehorse Thank You Ma'am is probably the most talked about horse in the UK after getting Royal Approval! His next run is planned for Saturday 21st at Ascot and he will be paraded for his fans & interested parties from 11.30 on Sunday outside the Blowing Stone Pub Kingston Lisle. It will be an opportunity to meet the team/fellow members and see a racehorse with enormous potential, trained locally & for free! If you are interested in joining the journey or need a truly unique/innovative present (for yourself) check out www.theposhpundit.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you there!
Rupert Adams, The Posh Pundit Racing Club Tel: 07841 011584. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/f216ff7f-8633-e0bc-fa1b-9df08e3a8317.jpg
This Sunday. ALL will be made WELCOME at St Mary's Carol Service this Sunday 22nd December at 6pm in Church. There will be readings and, I hope, some of your favourite carols, plus a few 'special numbers' from our excellent Choir. Do stay for mince pies and mulled wine afterwards!
Uffy Winter Fest – 28 December
Join us on 28th December at Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington, for a fantastic evening of live music featuring Bush Fyre, Double Tap, and Alex Golec. Enjoy a cash bar, raffle, and delicious food from the Whitehorse Box Pizza guys! Doors open at 7.30 PM. Entry is free – donations welcome! We would welcome contributions to the raffle - please contact Angus via email on dewiltona@gmail.com. Looking forward to seeing you there. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/ac317679-fe69-aaec-b6b5-6c95a921de00.png
GENERAL
Stamps and Computer Ink Cartridges. Please note that I am no longer collecting stamps for The Leprosy Mission. However, the Sobell House charity shop in Wantage (beside Sainsbury's) or The Hub in Shrivenham will be pleased to accept them.
I am still collecting computer ink cartridges for recycling - black or colour, used or new, original or remanufactured, but not laser or toner (and, please, not leaking). Please put them in the collection box at Uffington Post Office Stores. Thank you to everyone who has already donated ink cartridges. To date you have raised nearly £400 for the Suited & Booted charity and saved over 18kg of plastic from landfill.
Mike Thomas
FROM THE VALE
Leader's Report to Council - 18 December 2024. Well, they say that a week is a long time in politics and that has certainly been the case this week! I had been jotting down notes a week ago, and I had thought the focus of my update tonight would be the long-awaited confirmation that HIF1 would proceed, something Vale has long supported as ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
(Meaning of HIF1: Vital transport infrastructure to reduce congestion and offer more sustainable travel options in and around Didcot and its surrounding villages has been given planning permission; see: Planning approved for major infrastructure project for Didcot and surrounding areas )
Members allowances to rise for first time in four years. Councillors hope a rise in allowances will open the door to a wider group of people being able to represent their local communities. Vale of White Horse District Council has agreed to a rise in councillor allowances for the first time in four years, following recommendations from an independent panel. However, councillors have agreed that ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Waste collections over the holiday period.
| Normal collection day | Revised collection day | | Monday 30 December | Tuesday 31 December | | Monday 6 January | Tuesday 7 January |
More information here: Christmas Waste - Vale of White Horse District Council
Christmas tree collections. Real Christmas trees can now be left for recycling in the fenced area on Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall car park, by 12 January; see: Christmas tree collections - Vale of White Horse District Council
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for 22nd December to 5th January: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/c88910ae-fd93-192b-c52e-7eca02087732/wsh_2024_12_22_to_01_05.pdf
Please note the next Weekly Sheet, (for 12th January 2025), will be sent out on 9th January.
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
(Editor's note: No newsletter next Friday, unless there is something worth saying - at any time) .
Village news 13 December 2024 UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Potholes – Hall/Shop Car Park. The Council is very aware that the potholes at the entrance/exit to the Hall/Shop carpark are getting worse and worse with the very wet weather. These have been reported to OCC and we have been advised that they will be repaired as soon as they are able to do so.
Parking – School and Waylands. The Council continues to receive complaints from local residents that thoughtless parking is causing problems with deliveries and for passing traffic in the school/Waylands area. All drivers and residents are asked to be considerate when parking, even if for only a short time, and to use existing parking areas as far as possible for longer periods.
WHAT'S ON - IN & AROUND UFFINGTON
Uffington Christmas Market – Sunday 15 December - this Sunday. This has been arranged to replace last weekend's Farmers Market, in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, from 10.00 am. More information here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/225a64ae-c3af-8e0c-d49b-a382efccc607.png
Tuesday 17 December - Join us for a heartwarming Ukrainian Christmas Dinner in Faringdon!
🌟 When: December 17, 6:00 PM
đź“Ť Where: Faringdon Baptist Church
🎟️ Donation: From £15 per adult, £5 per child (cash donations are welcome)
Thursday 19 December – A Christmas soup lunch in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall at 12.30 pm. This will be run by Walfinch home care providers and open to all. Any queries to Hannah at hannah.tomlin@walfinch.com See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/84a86d4a-b01b-9d13-e5a8-1c347e340a82.png
A celebration of Christmas Music - 18 December. Avebury Vocal Ensemble in St Mary's Uffington on Wednesday 18 December, at 7.00 pm. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/0764917d-ecd1-d73b-ce46-0858494eba2f/Avebury_vocal_Christmas_2024.01.pdf
FROM THE VALE
Councils' future plan takes next step forward. A plan for the future in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse has taken its big next step forward. The two district councils have been working together to produce a Joint Local Plan (JLP), which aims to help meet their local communities' need for affordable housing, jobs and infrastructure while tackling the climate ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
A statement from Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council. This year seems to have galloped by and I can hardly believe we are now so close to Christmas! As I think back on the last 12 months, it's definitely been another very busy year for us all. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
COUNTY NEWS
The Proposed Central Shrivenham Parking Scheme. Whilst not everyone uses the Shrivenham GP Elm Tree Surgery, you may be interested to hear that OCC is proposing a new parking scheme for central Shrivenham – details of the proposal are here Shrivenham: Central area - proposed parking restrictions | Let's Talk Oxfordshire .
Elm Tree Practice is very concerned that this will reduce accessibility to healthcare in Shrivenham if implemented. The consultation is closed, but you can read more about it (link above), and register any objection in the Change.org petition here: https://www.change.org/p/cancel-the-proposed-central-shrivenham-parking-scheme
Your Oxfordshire. Dear Santa, marvellous makers and investing; see: 🎅 Dear Santa, marvellous makers and investing
THAMES VALLEY POLICE
TV Licensing scam warning. A message from the TV Licensing Communications team: To help keep the public scam safe, TV Licensing has released a refreshed public vigilance campaign called STOP, CHECK, ASK. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/0fbe6219-f6c2-3131-8921-34a1d8ba0f60/TV_Licensing_scam_warning.pdf
Cost of Living Payments Scam. There are criminals (scammers) attempting to get personal information from residents by sending out texts suggesting that residents are eligible for Cost of Living payments. If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the Cost of living payment, this might be a scam. If you are eligible for Cost of Living payments, see attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/f9bafc5b-8c25-ac85-498f-addaef7a66ba/Cost_of_Living_Payments_Scam.pdf
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 15 December: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/59f626a8-555f-fdc8-56f1-5329ffe19d48/wsh_2024_12_15.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Digital cafĂ© on 12 December Digital CafĂ© – Thursday 12 December, tomorrow, in the THMH, from 10.30 am to 12.30. This is a second opportunity to learn about the various NHS Apps coming into general use. Strongly recommended! See: 
Village news 6 December 2024 UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Planning.
Maleficent Meadows, Baulking Lane. The Appeal in respect of the development at Baulking Lakes (previously refused by the District Council) was completed last month. The Inspector's decision is expected to be available in 6 to 8 weeks.
Courier 200th Edition – FINAL CALL. The Winter 2024 edition of the Courier will be the 200th edition – celebrating 50 years of the Courier! Giles, the Editor, would like to make this a special edition by including a range of 1975-ish related village memories from Uffington, Baulking and Woolstone. If you have any ideas or photos for potential articles for this special edition, please let Giles know ( courier@uffington.net) sooner rather than later – the cut-off for suggestions and articles is 7 December. If you would like to chat to someone about your memories of that time, please also let Giles know so we can get someone to pop round and have a chat with you. Thank you.
Local Government Boundary Commission Report for Vale of White Horse. The Commission has produced its final report which proposes to leave the Stanford ward unchanged with Uffington, Baulking and Woolstone all in the same ward as requested in local responses. More details are at: Vale of White Horse | LGBCE
WHAT'S ON - IN & AROUND UFFINGTON
Farmers Market. This Sunday from 10.00 am. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/952fc37a-fe3b-8824-1e96-bc996b1d008a.jpg
Uffington Museum - Saturday 7 December. The Museum will be open for festive refreshments and the sale of gifts on Saturday 7 December, from 11.00 am. Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/fa51be14-7116-40c5-9829-c180059e9757.jpg
White Horse WI – Wednesday 11 December. It's party season - White Horse WI will be holding its Christmas celebrations at the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall on Wednesday the 11th December at 7:30pm. Dress for the season! We will be enjoying mulled wine (provided by the committee) and if you are able, please bring along some party snacks to share. Along with a book wrapped for the present exchange. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Digital CafĂ© – Thursday 12 December, in the THMH, from 10.30 am to 12.30. This is a second opportunity to learn about the various NHS Apps coming into general use. Strongly recommended! More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/56307d00-10cd-3c75-69f2-3e4e71d6208c.jpg
Tuesday 17 December - Join us for a heartwarming Ukrainian Christmas Dinner in Faringdon!
🌟 When: December 17, 6:00 PM
đź“Ť Where: Faringdon Baptist Church
🎟️ Donation: From £15 per adult, £5 per child (cash donations are welcome)
Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Ukraine with:
✨ Delicious national Ukrainian dishes and drinks included with your donation
✨ A captivating choir performance under the direction of the talented Natalia Pryiska, bringing the magic of Ukrainian Christmas carols to life
✨ Exciting prize giveaways
✨ A cozy and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for sharing the spirit of the holidays
Part of the proceeds will be donated to support charitable aid for Ukraine. Don't miss this unique opportunity to enjoy a festive evening filled with culture, warmth, and generosity!
Thursday 19 December – A Christmas soup lunch in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall at 12.30 pm. This will be run by Walfinch home care providers and open to all. Any queries to Hannah at hannah.tomlin@walfinch.com
Uffy Winter Fest – 28 December
Join us on 28th December at Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington, for a fantastic evening of live music featuring Bush Fyre, Double Tap, and Alex Golec. Enjoy a cash bar, raffle, and delicious food from the Whitehorse Box Pizza guys! Doors open at 7.30 PM. Entry is free – donations welcome! We would welcome contributions to the raffle - please contact Angus via email on dewiltona@gmail.com. Looking forward to seeing you there. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/f639251a-2135-cc33-69f7-2b9b55cf9c0c.png
GENERAL
UFFINGTON GORSE TOWPATH IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC FOR SAFETY REASONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. The northern section of the canal towpath is currently closed due to safety concerns. A large tree has partially fallen and is lodged in an unsafe position following the recent storm. Please do not cross the barriers or enter the taped-off area until the issue is resolved.
The rest of the woodland remains open to visitors. Volunteers from the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust have recently worked to improve access by chipping and spreading woodchip on some of the worst sections of the footpaths.
Children's Air Ambulance. The three Children's Air Ambulance clothing bins have again been emptied and a quick check with the organisers reveals we have already donated more than three tonnes of useful clothing this year. The charity are extremely grateful for the contribution this makes to their fundraising activities. However, do please read the information printed on the bins. This clearly lists the items that are of value and is designed to avoid donations that have no recycling value and must be disposed of as rubbish.
The charity has two helicopters that cover most of England and every single flight costs more than £3,000. If you wish to find out about their valuable service and the need for funds to make it happen, their website is Children's Air Ambulance - The Air Ambulance Service
FROM THE VALE
Revamp to White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre reception complete. A £160,000 full refurbishment of the reception at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon completed this month. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Vision for the future of sports pitches and leisure facilities approved. A vision for the future of sports and leisure facilities across South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Districts was top of the agenda last week. Both South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are committed to creating healthy and inclusive communities. The aim is to support ... 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
THAMES VALLEY POLICE
Say 'no no no' to buying an e-scooter this Christmas. The festive season is almost here, and we know many people will be considering asking for, gifting or purchasing an e-scooter. We want to ensure that anyone doing so is aware of the law and dangers surrounding e-scooters.
E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence and insurance. It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters. Meaning if you use a one in public, you risk it being seized. You can ride them on private land, such as in a garden, but only if you have the permission of the landowner to do so. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/8c371b15-a543-3e12-7c10-a0ea7be43dc8/E_scooters.pdf
The December 2024 edition of OUR NEWS is here. 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 December's Our News newsletter: - Remember the NW Shop when buying your Christmas gifts
- Enter ERA's prize draw to win a home security bundle over £200
- We're proud to introduce our new partnership with Phonely, working together to keep you protected from scams
- Making your lists and checking them twice... cybersecurity with Avast
- SimpliSafe offer advice on keeping your home secure this Christmas, and how to have fun at the same time
- LockLatch share recipes for festive homemade dog treats - don't forget to check out their PetLatch product!
- The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) help us stay safe over the festive period
READ THE DECEMBER NEWSLETTER HERE.
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 8 December: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/ea176494-a3dc-dbf1-a8a3-8ee8be2bff9b/wsh_2024_12_08.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
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