UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Village Shop and Post Office. Unfortunately, the sale of the shop and post office has fallen through. This means that Rose and Dave will be continuing to own and run the shop until further notice and will be seeking a new owner with immediate effect.
Courier Cover Photos. With different colour covers now being used for each edition of the Courier, we are always on the lookout for suitable cover photos. By 'suitable' we like to have local photos in upright (portrait) format. Photos should be of good quality (high resolution) and we can scan any printed photos if necessary.
With Spring on the way, it's time to get snapping (or sorting through earlier photos on phones, cameras or in shoe boxes). We are interested in potential cover photos for the 2025 summer, autumn and winter editions. To encourage submissions, we are offering a prize of £20 for any photo selected for use (any photos used will have the owner acknowledged in the magazine unless they do not wish to be mentioned). Photos for the Spring edition should be submitted to the editor Giles Dawson courier@uffington.net by 16 March 2025.
Planning applications. The district council has received a planning application, reference P25/V0153/HH, for development work at the following location: Vale Cottage High Street Uffington Faringdon. The application is for: Installation of freestanding electric vehicle charger to driveway of listed cottage. You can see details of the application on our website by clicking this link
WHAT'S ON - IN & AROUND UFFINGTON
Uffington Market and Café – Sunday 2 February from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm. Please support the new style Uffington Market on Sunday 2 February, which has 23 stalls attending; poster attached:
https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/bca31030-91c6-f79e-dcb7-f87b47b6d5b3.jpg
Uffington Wed Walk - 5th February - Faringdon circular walk. The First of our Weds Walks for 2025 will be a 5 mile circular walk from Faringdon, heading east out of Faringdon over Folly Hill towards Wadley Manor, returning via Stanford Place, as per map, attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/254fab59-b4d0-ef24-cb1a-f9153358a0c4/Uffington_Wednesday_Walk.pdf
Meeting initially at Uffington Village Hall car park at 9:20 for car sharing and a 9:30 start. The meeting place in Faringdon will be the junction of London Street and Stanford Road at 9:45. Road side parking available along both roads. Weather looks very promising, route chosen for relatively good ground but obviously not possible to stay completely dry underfoot right now. Look forward to catching up with everyone. The Walking Committee - currently Verity, Dave and Pamela. Verity Cavanagh - veritycavanagh@gmail.com 07975861790
White Horse Gardening Club – Thursday 6 February at 7.30 pm, in the THMH. Anne Swithinbank, of Gardeners Question Time fame, on 'Replant, Propagate, Plant and Prune – See: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/894cc91c-6d90-d49c-46a7-775e8d71a0c7.png
UFFINGTON BAULKING AND WOOLSTONE MINIBUS ASSOCIATION. Annual General Meeting - Friday 7th February 2025 at 7.30 - The Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Uffington. All are welcome to attend the meeting, whether current users of the minibus or not, to hear about the recent progress of the Association and what it is able to do for the community. There will be an open forum.
FROM THE VALE
The January edition of Vale News for 2024. See: The January edition of Vale News for 2024
(Those using the brown bin garden waste collection service should note the article on forthcoming Garden Waste changes).
The county council must make its position on devolution geography clear. Cllr Bethia Thomas, the Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council has written to Cllr Liz Leffman, the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, urging her to move swiftly to explain her council's position on a preferred geography for a Mayoral Strategic Authority. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Shock at Network Rail's disappointing announcement. Local residents and businesses will have reacted with shock at Network Rail's admission that the Botley Road will be closed for another year and a half, that's according to the Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
COUNTY NEWS
Road closures. 9 to 15 February - Woolstone, Woolstone Road. This is a 24 hour closure for installation and maintenance of fibre cables. The effect of the Order is to temporarily prohibit any vehicle proceeding in that part of Woolstone Road running from the B4507 junction northwards to the junction with The Lane. The alternative route for traffic is via B4507, B4000, Station Road, B4000, Longcot Road, Claypit Lane, Woolstone Road or Marsh Way and vice versa.
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 2 February: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/160a8df7-c16c-2941-91ac-79beb5fd1913/wsh_2025_02_02.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 24 January 2025 UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Planning. The district council has received a planning application, reference P25/V0037/LB, for development work at the following location: Manor Cottage Uffington Faringdon. The application is for: Installation of log burner including new chimney pot to existing chimney. You can see details of the application on our website by clicking this link
WHAT'S ON - IN & AROUND UFFINGTON
Uffington Community Garden - our RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, on Saturday 25th January. Uffington Community Garden will be holding our RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch event at the garden tomorrow, from 1pm until 3/4pm. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/e7dad3a4-2d9f-d643-2106-9c6b13f530fb/Bird_watch_.01.pdf
The Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Association AGM – 27 January. The Annual General Meeting of the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Association will take place in the Small Meeting Room in the Hall on Monday 27 January 2025 at 1900. The meeting is open to members of the public, providing an opportunity to learn about the management and running of the Hall.
Uffington Market and Café – Sunday 2 February from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm. Please support the new style Uffington Market on Sunday 2 February; poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/a241aba4-4717-ef52-c57e-8da7e383f368.jpg
White Horse Gardening Club – Thursday 6 February at 7.30 pm, in the THMH. Anne Swithinbank on 'Replant, Propagate, Plant and Prune'; See: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/1f861b4f-2056-662b-eccc-64029376a9f1.png
UFFINGTON BAULKING AND WOOLSTONE MINIBUS ASSOCIATION. Annual General Meeting - Friday 7th February 2025 at 7.30 - in the THMH.
Looking further ahead – dates for the diary:
Wilts and Berks Canal Trust - Notice of Extraordinary Meeting of West Vale Branch on 18 February. There will be an extraordinary meeting of the West Vale Branch of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust at the Prince of Wales pub in Shrivenham at 7pm on 18 February 2025.
The main purpose of this meeting is to elect a new chairman of the branch, and potentially to appoint other officers as necessary. Many of you will know that our chairman, Ian Mitchell, has announced his resignation. Ian has contributed a great deal to the branch, and he will be hard to replace. In the short term we need a chair of meetings and someone to represent the branch at occasional Trust meetings. Ian carried out a great number of other important duties, but a new chair might only take on a bare minimum of these duties in the first instance and then grow into the role. Please contact another member of the committee if you would like to discuss the post and duties.
The branch is actively seeking more committee members. A potential outcome is that the administrative duties might be shared out amongst a greater number of people, but we do require more committee members to do this. The committee would welcome interest from members who do not necessarily want to get their feet muddy but are able to contribute their time and skills to the administrative running of the branch. If interested in a nomination or in a committee post or duties, please contact Ian Horsfall, Secretary West Vale Branch, t: 0845 625 1977, e: ian.horsfall@wbct.org.uk w: https://www.wbct.org.uk
Uffington Community Garden AGM – Saturday 22 February. In the Fox and Hounds, at 3.00 pm. Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/232ae3d7-8445-f46f-a981-117fffabfa86.jpeg
Friends of Uffington Museum – AGM, on Monday 24 February. In the THMH at 7.00 pm.
Uffington Museum - 'Spirit of the Ridgeway' on Wednesday 26th February. Jim Gunter will present a talk, in the large hall of the THMH. Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30 start. Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/1d47caca-e586-5361-2bb3-30c50cea1a77/Spirit_of_the_Ridgeway.pdf
GENERAL
Volunteer Vacancy – Secretary – Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Management Committee. The Management Committee of the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall (THMH) are looking for a volunteer to fill the position of Secretary. The Management Committee meets once per month and the THMH Council meets up to 4 time per year. The intention is that no meeting should last longer than 90 mins.
The Secretary issues the agendas for these meetings and produces the meeting minutes. Additionally, the Secretary supports other Committee Members with the management of documentation using Dropbox. The THMH is run entirely by volunteers for the benefit of the local community. This is a volunteer position which provides the opportunity to help with this endeavour. If you are interested in volunteering please contact: information@thmh.co.uk
FROM THE VALE
Environment Agency and government need to do more to prevent flooding in the Vale. The decision to drop a scheme to improve flood defences in the Thames Valley has been branded `disappointing', and the government should do more to protect communities, according to the Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council. 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
Your Oxfordshire. Be your own boss, investing in the future and reducing energy bills. See: Be your own boss, investing in the future and reducing energy bills
THAMES VALLEY POLICE
Police Witness Appeal. Investigators from Oxford are appealing for any witnesses for an assault causing injury on Cornmarket Street, Oxford. 4 males attacked another male who was with a group of girls, on 30th December 2024, 00:15am – 00:18am - Outside Starbucks Coffee and opposite Greggs. The offenders may have been throwing bags of rubbish at people and into the roads in the area leading up to the assault
If you witnessed the incident, or have any recorded footage or relevant information, please get in touch by calling 101 or via our website quoting reference number 43250009245.
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 26 January: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/143672f0-1012-8e0c-1b5c-a69e4c1d9a38/wsh_2025_01_26.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch Uffington Community Garden - our RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, on Saturday 25th January.
Uffington Community Garden will be holding our RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch event at the garden on Saturday 25th January, from 1pm until 3/4pm. It is completely FREE so please come and join us in this national survey of how our British birds are getting on and what we can do to help them. - We will talk you through how it works, if you have not been involved before.
- Wear warm clothes. We have seating but bring a cushion if you like.
- We will have bird identification sheets and pencils to tick off what you see on the day.
- We will have warm soup and coffee and cake to share as well.
- Everyone welcome, including children with a responsible adult.
- We look forward to seeing you at the garden (behind the Fox & Hounds pub).
Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/ac813451-962d-34db-f98a-14a2dd58159a/Bird_watch_.pdf
Village news 17 January 2025 UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Planning. Appeals. The Planning Inspector's decisions in respect of the various appeals concerning land known as Lakeview, Baulking Lane, Oxon, SN7 8NR have been notified - APPEALS ALLOWED (but with limitations). For more information, see: Planning Application P23/V0072/DA
Parish Council meetings. This is a reminder that Agendas and Minutes of Parish Council meetings are routinely available in the Parish Council pages of the village website as follows:
WHAT'S ON - IN & AROUND UFFINGTON
Uffington Market and Café. First Sunday monthly, 10.00 am to 12.30 pm, except January – this is under new management, watch out for details of new stalls joining us! Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/c62bc345-3e44-749b-3600-e27b4bd0b0c3.jpg
White Horse WI - Wednesday 22 January at 7.30pm. A reminder that the next White Horse WI meeting is on Wednesday 22 January at 7.30pm when we leap into the year with seated Zumba. Please note that this will take place in the small hall. It's also that time of year when we need to vote for one of four resolutions that will be put forward as the campaign for National Federation. We look forward to seeing you there.
Friday 24 January, at 6.30 pm – Burns Night at Baulking. Cast off the January blues and join us at St Nicholas, Baulking; last few tickets remaining! Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/2767de38-08dc-d6e9-fbcb-51e985d6ccae/Burns_Night_2025.01.pdf
White Horse Gardening Club – Thursday 6 February at 7.30 pm, in the THMH. Anne Swithinbank on 'Replant, Propagate, Plant and Prune'. Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/873fe07c-8a34-e09b-cfb7-5736e7b87e26.png
The Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Association – AGM on 27 January. The Annual General Meeting of the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Association will take place in the Small Meeting Room in the Hall on 27 Jan 2025 at 1900. The meeting is open to members of the public, providing an opportunity to learn about the management and running of the Hall.
UFFINGTON BAULKING AND WOOLSTONE MINIBUS ASSOCIATION. Annual General Meeting - Friday 7th February 2025 at 7.30 - The Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Uffington, Small Hall. All are welcome to attend the meeting, whether current users of the minibus or not, to hear about the recent progress of the Association and what it is able to do for the community. There will be an open forum.
Church Bridge afternoon – Wednesday 12 February, in the THMH from 2.00 pm. More information attached, including contacts for entering: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/89e04dc5-c2f2-1801-3f3e-372f0234c832/Church_Bridge_Afternoon_2025.pdf
GENERAL
Babysitting Services. Elsie Preece is available as a babysitter covering Uffington (and surrounding villages if lifts are provided). She is a very sensible and responsible Year 10 student. If of interest, please contact Ed on 07880 728188.
Annual Swire Ridgeway Arts Competition. The organizers are calling for entries to the 2025 competition: 'Your Parish will have associations with the Ridgeway National Trail and I'd like to take this opportunity to invite your parishioners to enter an art competition celebrating the Ridgeway. An Ancient chalk route that extends for 83 miles from Ivinghoe Beacon in the east to Avebury in the west, the topography, views, changing landscapes and vistas makes an excellent subject for artists.' There are 4 sections for the competition: - Photography
- Wall art (in any medium)
- Sculpture
- Written Work
The competition and exhibition on the weekend of April 26 and 27 2025 will be held at The Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall in Uffington, Oxfordshire.
Jane Imbush, 07739 644064 and Nathan Boyd, 07936 172815. Joint Administrators, Swire Arts Prize
A flyer for the competition is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/_compresseds/2f0f4c3c-7669-2e27-e76e-ac0750ea4ed9.jpg
Volunteer Vacancy – Secretary – Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall Management Committee.
The Management Committee of the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall (THMH) are looking for a volunteer to fill the position of Secretary. The Management Committee meets once per month and the THMH Council meets up to 4 time per year. The intention is that no meeting should last longer than 90 mins.
The Secretary issues the agendas for these meetings and produces the meeting minutes. Additionally, the Secretary supports other Committee Members with the management of documentation using Dropbox. The THMH is run entirely by volunteers for the benefit of the local community. This is a volunteer position which provides the opportunity to help with this endeavour. If you are interested in volunteering please contact: information@thmh.co.uk
FROM THE VALE
Oxfordshire should move quickly on Local Government Reorganisation. It is in the interests of local communities that Oxfordshire is at the forefront of government plans to reorganise local councils. That was the message from the Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council as she welcomed a decision this week by the Cabinet at Oxfordshire County Council to write to the government requesting Oxfordshire be included in the `fast track' for devolution and local government reorganisation. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
COUNTY NEWS
Road closures. 20 to 24 January - Kingston Lisle, Road running North through Kingston Lisle. To facilitate structural vegetation removal and brickwork repair of railway bridge. Suggested alternative route: Via Road running north through Kingston Lisle, Fawler Road, Station Road, Baulking Lane and vice versa.
THAMES VALLEY POLICE
PCSO recruitment now open. Are you a confident communicator, with strong relationship building and problem-solving skills? If so, then have you considered a career as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)? As a PCSO you will play an important part in protecting your community, in a role where no two days are the same. You can make a change and see the impact first-hand in the heart of your community. Apply now: tvpcareers.co.uk/roles/pcsos/
Theft of vehicles. Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in performance cars being stolen. Can I remind people to please keep their keys if they are keyless in a Faraday pouch or box and in a safe location within the address. I would also encourage were possible to keep cars blocked in on the drive and any additional security features will also deter people. Trackers and Apple air tags are also a brilliant way of protecting your vehicles and assist us in locating vehicles and offenders. Please remain vigilant and if you see anything suspicious, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Booking.com users targeted with scam messages. Those using the platform Booking.com to book their holidays or accommodation are being warned they could be targeted with emails or messages requesting payments from hotels who have had their account taken over by fraudsters. Between June 2023 and September 2024, Action Fraud received 532 reports from individuals, with a total of £370,000 lost.
Insight from Action Fraud reports suggests the individuals were defrauded after receiving unexpected messages and emails from a Booking.com account belonging to a hotel they had a reservation with, which had been taken over by a criminal. Using this account, the criminals send in-app messages, emails, and WhatsApp messages to customers, deceiving them into making payment and/or requesting credit card details. The specific account takeovers are likely to be the result of a targeted phishing attack against the hotel or accommodation provider, and not Booking.com's backend system or infrastructure. More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/9427aa09-f0d7-a16f-857b-7c265eca6f90/Booking.com_scam_docx.pdf
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 19 January: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/56870b43-cff4-761a-bdf2-bf5687cf1005/wsh_2025_01_19.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
