UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Councillor Appointments. At the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 12th May, Councillor Robert Purdie was appointed to the post of Chair of the Council and Mike Oldnall to the post of Vice Chair. The meeting also welcomed the two new parish councillors, Ross Kuklinski and Suzie Metcalfe-Hatton who were co-opted on 8th May 2025 to replace Councillors Dave Garwood and Nigel Puddicombe who have retired.
Courier Cover Photos. Just a reminder that we are still looking for a nice summery photo, preferably in portrait format or crop-able to portrait format, to use for the cover of the Summer 2025 edition of the Courier. Please send any photos you think might be suitable and you would like to be considered, to the editor Giles Dawson (courier@uffington.net) and copied to Mike Oldnall (mike.oldnall@uffington.net ) by 23 May. All other articles should be submitted to the editor by 15 June. Thank you.
WHAT'S ON - IN & AROUND UFFINGTON
WHITE HORSE GARDENING CLUB - PLANT SALE TRAIL - Saturday 17th May 10am – 1pm.
Cakes and refreshments in the church. Please bring plants to any of the 6 venues: Orchard Cottage, Garden Lodge, The Anchorage, Parrott House, Britchcombe View and Waylands.
Come and buy plants – bring your neighbours, friends and relatives. Cash donations only.
The Community Garden has flowers, fruit and veg plants for sale - annuals and perennials - all organically grown in peat free compost and all attractive to pollinators - bee friendly!
Plant sale poster: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/ebfcabc7-e9b8-35ab-e90a-15be693f3b88.jpg
Trail map: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/ee987b21-ea98-5cbf-972c-431604d11c77.jpg
Church Cake Sale on Saturday 17 May. In St Mary's Church porch - Cake Sale from 10am. Coffees to be served, outside if dry. Contributions of cakes, biscuits, scones etc most welcome.
Pingpongathon final - Sunday 18 May, 9 till 9, Uffington Sports Club. BOING!BOING!BOING! will be the sound this weekend emanating from Uffy Sports Club. Our PINGPONGATHON table tennis club players will be keeping the ball racing to and fro, for twelve whole hours continuous. Drop in and watch the action! Sunday 18th 9 till 9, Uffington Sports Club. This Charity event shares donations for two local causes - Autism and Animals. See: Fundraiser by Beth Griffiths : Pingpongathon
Walking football – From Monday 2 June. We are really excited to be starting a new Walking football season at Uffington Jubilee Field, starting Monday 2nd June at 10:30. If you have never had the time to play now is your opportunity. The sessions are open to male and female seniors.
Other opportunities: - Art and craft group runs on a Wednesday in the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall 10:30-12:00. All abilities welcome.
- Seated exercises runs on a Thursday 10:30-11:30 at the Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall.
We always look forward to welcoming new faces along. Enquiries to Hannah at: hannah.tomlin@walfinch.com
GENERAL
Church Working Party. A huge thank you to all those who worked so hard in the churchyard last Saturday morning. We had 12 helpers including two children and were brilliantly guided by Jo and Steve, the experts in biodiversity. We all learnt a lot and the children loved finding bugs and creepy crawlies among the wild flowers and long grass. A huge thank you also to Fay, who provided much needed and delicious refreshments at half time! The churchyard is looking so beautiful as a result of everyone's hard work and we all enjoyed being there on such a lovely sunny morning.
The next working party will be on Saturday June 21st from 10-12am so do come and join in the fun. Children very welcome.
Friends of the Ridgeway. The 2025 AGM of the Friends of the Ridgeway will take place on Zoom at 18.30 on 10 June 2025. The agenda (and a link) is attached here: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/2d22bd21-9d71-c44f-3124-cf7cd7411c1d/Friends_of_the_Ridgeway_2025_AGM_Agenda.pdf
The 2024 annual report, the draft minutes of last year's AGM and the latest newsletter (May 2025) are available on the website: https://ridgewayfriends.org.uk/
FROM THE VALE
The May edition of Vale News for 2025. See: The May edition of Vale News for 2025
Major council IT system maintenance from 24 May for around one week. Towards the end of May, we are carrying out a major piece of planned essential maintenance work on the council's IT systems. This work is unavoidable and has to take place in order to secure the future of our IT system and the services it enables. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Get ready for a fun filled summer in the Vale. Description: Children, adults and families across the Vale are gearing up for a jam-packed summer of fun with free and low-cost activities and places to visit. Throughout the summer, the council's Active Communities team will host a variety of events, including community walks and football sessions; there will be something for all ages and abilities ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Let's talk rubbish! Tell us what you think of our waste services. Complete the 2025 Waste Survey. You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Cabinet Members and Chair confirmed at Vale of White Horse District Council - May 2025. Councillor Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council has this week (Wednesday 14 May) announced details of the council's new cabinet. Cllr Emily Smith returns to the Cabinet as the member responsible for Planning Development. Cllr Smith previously served as Council Leader and was co-chair of the Joint Audit and Governance Committee. ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
Leader's statement - Report to Council - 14 May 2025. Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, delivered her latest Report to Council at the meeting on 14 May 2025: Firstly I want to welcome you all here tonight to mark the beginning of a new municipal year. I almost feel like a veteran these days, though I know many of ... You can see details on our website by clicking this link
COUNTY NEWS
Oxfordshire's transport and travel bulletin. See: Modular Template Patterns
Your Oxfordshire. Volunteering, bee-friendly and fun at the museum. See: Volunteering, bee-friendly and fun at the museum
THAMES VALLEY POLICE
Action Fraud Alert: rise of extortion phishing email reports. Action Fraud are urging the public to look out for phishing emails that relate to extortion as the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) received over 2,924 reports in March 2025, a staggering increase compared to only 133 reports made in February. The reported phishing emails received by the National Cyber Security Centre's SERS relate to a type of extortion referred to as 'Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion' (FMSE). More information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/875a08a4-a63f-eebf-a508-33833b73e642/Action_Fraud_Alert.pdf
The latest Trading Standards Scams Newsletter. Please find a link below to the latest National Trading Standards Scams Team newsletter. Attachments: Scams Newsletter May 25.pdf
May update from the PCC. We are pleased to share a link to the latest e-newsletter from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber: May e-newsletter from your Police & Crime Commissioner
Oxfordshire Careers Event - May 31st. We're excited to invite you to the Thames Valley Police Careers Event taking place at the Saïd Business School, Oxford, on Saturday 31st May, between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Whether you're considering a career as a Police Officer, looking into roles such as PCSOs, Special Constables, Detention Officers, or exploring opportunities in ICT, Contact Management, or volunteering, this is your chance to find out more. You'll have the opportunity to: - Speak directly with our officers and staff from a wide range of departments
- Get insights into recruitment, training, and day-to-day roles
- Explore volunteering opportunities
Interested in attending? 👉 Sign up here to let us know you're coming. Walk-ins are also welcome on the day! Whether you're actively looking or just exploring, come and discover how you can make a difference with Thames Valley Police.
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 18 May: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/e723f84a-3ce4-f384-d202-e37a5c0b17d8/wsh_2025_05_18.pdf
Deanery Evensong at St. Mary's Church, Uffington on Sunday 18th May at 6pm. Please come and be part of this Deanery Celebration of Choral Evensong.
Museum Talk "Bronze Age Hoards" 12 May - Cancelled Museum Talk "Bronze Age Hoards" - Cancelled for Monday 12th May.
Tomorrow's Talk at the Village Hall has been postponed to a later date. Apologies for any inconvenience. A new date will be published in due course.
Village news 9 May 2025 WHAT'S ON - IN & AROUND UFFINGTON
Tomorrow - Churchyard Working Party. Our next Churchyard Working Party will be on Saturday May 10th, tomorrow, from 10-12am. All are very welcome with mowers, strimmers, shears, brushes, clippers etc. Half time refreshments will be served!
Monday 12 May - Bronze Age Hoards – Digging up the past. An Uffington Museum talk by Sally-Anne Spence at 7.30 pm on 12 May, in the THMH; more information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/8957cb82-7e03-94db-38cd-f0b6d5c66c66/Bronze_Age_Hoards_12_May.01.pdf
Saturday 17 May – Plant sale. White Horse Gardening Club Plant sale from 10.00 to 13.00. See attached for the sale locations around the village: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/173564d8-7bf5-3581-46c1-cd1e4f08f415.jpg
DATE CORRECTION!! Pingpongathon Charity Event will be on SUNDAY 18th May, from 9am to 9pm at Uffington Sports Club. All welcome to come and watch throughout the day!
Friday May 30th - Lucy Farrell and Catherine MacLellan, St Nicholas Church, Baulking, Friday May 30th. Lucy and Catherine got together on Prince Edward Island, Canada with Lucy as a more recent resident and Catherine with a heritage there. Lucy sold out her show in Baulking a couple of years ago with her poetic and unconventional songs. She is at the forefront of contemporary English folk working with The Unthanks, Eliza Carthy and The Furrow Collective.
Catherine has won more awards in Canada than a horse has got hairs and has released 7 records in the past 20 years as she has toured the world. The pair of them together make for a superb evening of great musicianship, wonderful singing and fabulous songs. Tickets are £17 from cowmuckp@gmail.com
Save the date:
Friday July 4th at 7pm - ORGAN RECITAL by Joe Barber. St Marys Church, Friday July 4th at 7pm, for approx. 1 hour. Doors open 6.30 for drinks and nibbles. Retiring collection.
GENERAL
Elm Tree Surgery Newsletter. See attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/2c6762f7-8e12-3418-a02f-fea607138b46/Elm_Tree_Surgery_Newsletter_2_2025.pdf
FROM THE VALE
£100,000 available for climate and nature recovery projects. Great news for local community groups looking to tackle climate change and help nature recovery as the Vale of White Horse District Council's Climate Action Fund opens for applications today (Tuesday 6 May). 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
Our News May 2025 is here! Here's the latest edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales. This month we've got… - Our meeting with Crime and Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson
- The Youth Council are recruiting, find out what they've been doing
- An exciting new partnership with Future Proof Estate Planning
- Secure your outside spaces with essential tips from Patlock
- Community news
Also - we really want your views on how we can improve our newsletter, please tell us what you think in the survey. Read the May edition of Our News
We hope you enjoy this issue - do share it with your neighbours, friends, and professional networks.
Police Appeal. Investigators from Oxford are appealing for any witnesses for an assault causing injury in the Oxford Retail Park carpark, Ambassador Avenue. A male has attacked another male before getting into a Green Mini Cooper with a female and driving away. Details: Friday 2nd May 2025 - Around 2pm- Outside Boots the Chemist.
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 43250214832
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 11 May: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/7401b3a4-6d9d-e371-81cc-fbb3180e9c4e/wsh_2025_05_11.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
Village news 2 May 2025 WHAT'S ON - IN & AROUND UFFINGTON
Sunday 4th May at 10.00 am. Service to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. At St Mary's Uffington. ALL are WELCOME
Sunday 4 May, from 10.00 am. Uffington Market and Café. 25 stalls AND a children's treasure hunt. Poster attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/0b0a720e-c5ce-d710-8f22-27a078a55637.jpg
Tuesday 6th May, from 3.10pm. A Crafting session in Church for children, of all ages and accompanying adults. All are most welcome in St Mary's. We finish with a reflection and a song. There'll be squash and biscuits for the children, and a cuppa for the grown-ups.
Uffington Wed Walk - May 7th - Great Coxwell - Badbury Clumps.
Hi Everyone. May's Walk will be a circular walk from Great Coxwell and the Great Tithe Barn via Badbury Clumps. Meeting as always initially at the Uffington Village Hall car park for car sharing at 9:20 to set off at 9:30. Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington SN7 7RE.
Alternatively, for those who prefer to drive to the start of the walk it will commence from the Great Barn in Great Coxwell at approx 9:50. Would suggest parking in the village and walking through to the Barn as parking on the road outside the Barn can be limited. Weather forecast perfect for walking - no rain sunny intervals and light breeze. Hope to see lots of you.
Walking Committee – Pamela, Hilary and Verity - veritycavanagh@gmail.com or 07975 861790
Wednesday 7 May - St Mary's Annual Church Meeting. The APCM is on Wednesday 7th May, at 7.30pm in Church. Come along and see what we do, meet our PCC, and join in. ALL are most WELCOME - from Rev. Jeremy and Team.
Saturday 10 May - Churchyard Working Party. Our next Churchyard Working Party will be on Saturday May 10th from 10-12am. All are very welcome with mowers, strimmers, shears, brushes, clippers etc. Half time refreshments will be served!
Monday 12 May - Bronze Age Hoards – Digging up the past. An Uffington Museum talk by Sally-Anne Spence on 12 May, at 7.30 pm in the THMH; more information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/32deaa2a-1f97-f502-a327-5bce211e4d9d/Bronze_Age_Hoards_12_May.pdf
PINGPONGATHON! Charity Event - Saturday 18 May - 9am to 9pm. 12 hour table tennis team marathon keeping that ball flying continuously over the net! Drop in and watch a while, it'll make you smile! Anytime from 9am to 9pm at Uffington Sports Club. Supporting two local charities: - - Pennyhooks Farm…" working for autism"
- RSPCA Oxfordshire…" every paw matters"
All welcome!…you may just spot a local character there at times causing chaos!
Uffington Table Tennis Club 🏓 Queries to Paul: paulwhite.smp@me.com
UFFINGTON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Uffington C of E Primary School - Outdoor Play Initiative. We are excited to announce the launch of our new lunchtime play provision at Uffington Church of England Primary School! This initiative will provide our children with the opportunity to enjoy outdoor play on the field all year round, promoting physical activity, creativity, and social interaction.
To make this initiative a success, we are seeking donations of the following items – see attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/8ce7a192-d42c-9de4-02ac-aaa59969aa75.jpg
If you have any of the items pictured or similar ones that you would like to donate, please contact the school at 01367 820296. Your generosity will greatly benefit our children and help create a vibrant outdoor play environment.
GENERAL
Wanted - Treasurer needed for 1st Stanford in the Vale Scouts Group. We need a Treasurer to support the group. If you can help with this role or if you are keen to find out more about volunteering within our group, please email: michellegarwood@kascouts.org.uk
We have lots of different roles within the group, so there is something for everyone; more information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/79d20bea-2287-cae9-c2b2-140eb3531c2d/Treasurer_Role_April_25.pdf
Wanted - new players/members. Shrivenham Netball Club are looking for new players/members or people looking to just try the sport and see if they like it. There are 4 opportunities for free in June – see attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/images/bce7c89b-b261-1b45-05c2-a18c6b0b0f3e.png
Any queries to Jenny at: jp@waymarkproperty.co.uk or Mobile: 07766 903837
FROM THE VALE
Bank holiday waste collections | Normal collection day | Revised collection day | | Monday 5 May | Tuesday 6 May |
COUNTY NEWS
Road closures.
Fawler Road on Sunday 4 May. The road running through Fawler will be closed on 4 May from 10.30 to 18.00 for a village street party for VE Day.
Your Oxfordshire - Shaping local nature, views on electric buses and new activities. See: https://mailchi.mp/oxfordshire.gov.uk/youroxfordshire1may25?e=8a2a2b30de
FROM THE CHURCHES OF UFFINGTON BENEFICE
Please find attached the Weekly Sheet for Sunday 4 May: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/3043de2e-1cd4-43d6-1009-b59d1b14c2d9/wsh_2025_05_04.pdf
Deanery Evensong at St. Mary's Church, Uffington on Sunday 18th May at 6pm.
Please come and be part of this Deanery Celebration of Choral Evensong; more information attached: https://mcusercontent.com/c90a1a7b6d1f693a28c947f92/files/0adbcdc0-18e3-d521-2597-f4c2804819fd/Evensong_May_18_Poster.pdf
For all information, please see: https://www.uffingtonbenefice.com/
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