LITTLE MILTON    NEWSLETTER

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 14th September was attended by four Councillors, the District Councillor, the Clerk and one member of the public.Footpath in front of SOHA

The Clerk reported that he had spoken to Mr Peter Ronald of OCC concerning the footpath in front of the new SOHA houses. Mr Ronald has indicated that a feasibility study will be carried out by the County engineers in due course. The Clerk will keep the matter under review.

The Clerk reported that he had received a reply from the Chief Solicitor of OCC in response to the Council’s application to register the Triangle of Land adjacent to Wells Farmhouse as a Village Green. As a result a number of changes have been made to the application and this will be re-submitted to OCC. Mrs Mabel Wood has supplied a list of residents who have lived in the village for more than fifty years as it may be necessary to obtain statements to support the application.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had sent an e-mail with two photographs to English Heritage requesting that consideration is give to Listing the current British Telecom telephone kiosk. The Clerk will keep the matter under review.

Mrs Alison Shelton informed the meeting that OCC had informed the A329 Advisory Group that any works to modify the footways on Church Hill is unlikely to be successful in its bid for funding as part of the Community Safety Programme. However the introduction of a buildout on the corner of Haseley Road with the High Street would have more chance for funding.

Mr Stuart McGill reported that the siren, that goes off to notify users of the MUGA that the lights are about to go off, has caused some concern to adjoining neighbours to the Recreation Ground. The Council supported a proposal to have an alternative system within the MUGA Courts to ensure that any inconvenience was minimised.

The Clerk informed the meeting that SODC had refused planning permission for this application.

The Clerk informed the meeting that SODC had granted planning permission for this application.

The Chairman reported on the recent communication between OCC and the owner of Church Hill Cottage regarding the proposed works to restore the current wall. OCC have not accepted the proposed structure and are asking for full design details for the proposed outer wall. OCC have concerns about an adjacent manhole/underground chamber.

The Clerk reported that he had written to Mr Adrian Duffield, Head of Planning and Building Control at SODC, about the concerns that were expressed at the August meeting in respect of the communication between SODC Planning and local residents. Mr Duffield will investigate the concerns being raised and reply to the Council in due course. The Clerk will keep the matter under review.

SODC are seeking are currently reviewing their transport role and as a result are asking Parish Councils for their views on eligibility of bus tokens, the routes that people with free bus passes should be allowed use them on, and whether SODC should fund a Dial-a-Ride scheme in South Oxfordshire.

The Council agreed to support the Sustainable Communities Bill. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to our local Member of Parliament asking him to sign a Parliamentary Early Day Motion.

Mr Richard Alliston reported that the new hall was now completed. He reported on the need to spend additional money on the car park as although the contractor would have fulfilled their obligations, the resulting car park would have been unsatisfactory. The Council agreed the additional spend of £2,570 + VAT. The additional work should ensure that the village has a good foundation for any future car park project and in the meantime provide an adequate parking surface.

He reported that the opening day celebrations had gone off very well and that there would be no requirement on the Council to make any grant towards the operating cost of the hall.

The overall cost of the project had increased by a net £1,306. The clerk expressed his concern as the Council Cash Flow projections had assumed that the figures presented at the August meeting were very close to final figures. A significant element of the increase was being challenged and Mr Alliston hoped that he could reduce the increase in costs. It was hoped that the final figures will be available at the October meeting.

The Clerk highlighted the need for the Council to consider how the future maintenance of the car park should be managed. It was agreed that the clerk should make contact with The Orchard Pre-School and the Village Hall Management Committee to set up a future meeting to consider that issue and any other issues connected with the use of the Recreation Ground.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 12th October 2005 at 8.00 p.m. in the Pine Lodge (Village Hall) unless there is a need to convene any planning or other meetings. All notices of Council meetings are displayed on the Parish Council Notice board at the corner of Haseley Road and the High Street.

Please note that the complete minutes of the Council are now included on the Council website www.littlemilton.org.uk

Residents can see the records of the policies and practices of the Parish Council including minutes, financial information and responses to planning consultations, on request from the Parish Clerk (Raymond Fergusson –279150). Current Council member are:

Mr Stuart McGill Chairman Mr Simon Oddie Vice Chairman

Mrs Mabel Wood Mrs Isabel Fox Mrs Alison Shelton Mr Barry Coward

For a charge of £35 residents can arrange for their unwanted vehicle to be collected from within the District and a charge of £7 per bulky item e.g. fridge furniture etc. To arrange this service residents  can call the Public Amenities Team on 01491 823416 or print a copy of the form from the Council’s website www.southoxon.gov.uk .

Our nearest Rural Community Waste Sites are at Chalgrove Village Car Park and Wheatley Primary School, Littleworth Road.

The Oxfordshire County Council Waste Recycling Centres at Redbridge and Oakley Wood are open Monday to Saturday 8.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. and Sunday 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Week ending 1st October, 2005 - Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

Week ending 8th October, 2005 - Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

Week ending 15th October, 2005 - Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

Week ending 22nd October 2005 - Mrs E. Summers/Mrs Isabel Fox

Week ending 29th October, 2005 - Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

Week ending 2nd October -

Week ending 9th October - Sally Ann Dennis

Week ending 16th October - Sally Ann Dennis

Week ending 23rd October -

Week ending 30th October -

If anyone would like to help with the flowers please contact Teresa Quested on 01844 278922

Week ending 7th October - Tim Robinson

Week ending 14th October - Stuart McGill

Week ending 21st October - David Hawkins

Week ending 28th October - Raymond Fergusson

Week ending 4th November - Phil Jones

Just to let Villagers know that the Bell Ringers will be ringing in St. James’ Church, Little Milton on

Tuesday 4th October 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Tuesday 11th October 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Tuesday 18th October 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Tuesday 25th October 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

The tower will join the national ringing to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar on either Saturday 22nd October or Sunday 23rd October.

One of our most memorable holidays was taken in Southern Greece, and late one night we found ourselves high up in the mountains. We were miles from the nearest habitation. The air was still and warm. The trees nearby were motionless and sedate and majestic peaks stood sentinel over us. The night itself was cloudless and moonless. Here there was no urban glare to pollute. We were simply alone but never lonely.

Above us the heavens spread like a mantle of velvet darkness, bespeckled and dusted by a silver myriad of stars and universes not of our own. Once accustomed to the dark, we saw and perceived things which otherwise were hid from our eyes. We saw with an awareness. We were in a dimension which was not of this world. We seemed to feel and experience the touch of a reality which was of infinite immensity and warmth but yet was personal and individual. It passed any worldly understanding. We came to know the depth in meaning of the words of the Psalmist, who wrote, 'I will consider thy heavens, even the work of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained. What is man that thou art mindful of him?' (8:3-4).

But above all, I recall, the utterly stunning silence. Strangely enough, it was never empty; rather it seemed comforting and friendly, and at once vibrant with energy.

Darkness and Silence have many common attributes. Once we have become accustomed and adjusted to the darkness we can see a great deal-including things which we could not see but for the dark. Once we have become adjusted to the silence we find it is not at all the empty threatening thing we supposed it to be. All manner of messages may be picked up in it, including messages from the God, who in words of the old collect, 'puts into our minds good desires'.

Many people these days have become so inured to a background of noise that they've largely lost the ability to listen, and don't know what listening really means or the value of silence and how much there is to be heard in it.

The way to begin to recover that which might otherwise be lost, to enter the true silence that is of God, is to be consciously still with him. In the words of St. Anselm: "Come now, little man, put aside your busyness for a while from your tumultuous thoughts. Cast off your cares and let your burden and distractions wait. Take some leisure for God. Say now to God with all our heart ' I seek thy face O Lord, thy face I seek'." And when we so do, we begin to discover that in that

stillness God is, and then we will come to listen, and hear his still small voice speaking.

Our Sunday School celebrates this month its tenth birthday, and there will be two special events to commemorate this anniversary. Firstly, there will be a birthday party in the new Village Hall- the PINE LODGE-on Saturday 1st October between 4.30 and 7.30 p.m. If you or your children have had any connection with the Sunday School over the years, then do go along, you would be most welcome. After all you might meet friends you haven't seen for years, and it's always good to catch up on each other's news.

The second event is a Special Family Service on Sunday 9th October at 11.00 a.m. The Bishop of Dorchester is coming to us for this special Service. This will be the first time he has been to Little Milton, and we will all look forward to his visit immensely.

We welcome into the Family of the Church Thomas Samuel Brough who was baptized in St. James' on the 18th September. Do remember Sophie and Martin and little Lily, Thomas's little sister in your prayers.

Many thanks to all those who helped to decorate the church for our Harvest Service. Thanks also to everyone who provided gifts of fruit, vegetables, preserves etc. all of which will go to the Leonard Cheshire Home at Burcot. The service was followed by a Harvest Lunch in the Pine Lodge. A special thanks to everyone who provided the food and refreshments and to Sarah Jones for co-ordinating the lunch.

I would to thank everyone who supported the Ride and Stride on October 10^th, it was very much appreciated.

We’re back again!! This is a special month in the history of Saint James Church Sunday School as October 1^st marks our 10^th Anniversary! We were launched by Bishop Richard or Bishop Dick (as he was known) from Thame on Sunday October 1^st 1995 so we are officially 10 years old and we’re having a party to celebrate on 1^st October in the new Village Hall. We’ve invited back all our former children, teachers’ parents and clergy associated with the Sunday School during the past decade but if you haven’t received your invitation do telephone the number below.

This month our teaching dates are:

Sunday October 2^nd at 11.00 in Church – Godly Play Session I

Sunday 16^th at 10.30 in Spring Cottage – Brunch and Portfolio meeting

On Sunday October 9^th Bishop Colin will be joining us for the Family Service at 11.00 in Church.

Do come along to one, more or all of the above teaching/service events and be part of the celebrations!

For further information please ring me.

We are delighted to welcome eight new children to our school. Holly Kaylor joins Year 2, and William Blake, Callum Coates, Morgan-Olivia Fox, Charles Jewson, Bunty Matheson, Eva-Lily Sedgwick-Cowan and Emilia Wogan join our Reception Class.

During the first week of term, the whole school enjoyed a trip to Oxford – we had a picnic in Christchurch Meadow, and then walked to Modern Art Oxford. This exhibition at Modern Art Oxford is a display of art created by pupils in Oxfordshire schools and their communities on the Imagine theme. The work has been inspired by artists, museum collections and exhibitions of contemporary visual art, and forms the culmination of a two-year countywide collaborative visual arts project. Children were delighted to see their fish displayed in the stairwell, in what had been turned into a huge fish tank! We also saw slides of when the Imagine Team visited us, and created beautiful autumn trees, at the end of last year.

We are preparing for our Harvest Festival at present, which will take place in St James Church on Friday 30^th September. This year, we will be supporting Mary’s Meals – a charity providing meals for children in schools overseas, where food is in very short supply.

Was your child born between 1^st September 2001 and 31^st August 2002? If so, you should be making a decision about which school you would like them to go to! All applications for a school place must be received at Oxfordshire County Council by Friday 21^st November.

If you are interested in your child coming to Little Milton School, please do get in touch with us by telephoning 01844 279310. We would be delighted to show you around our school. We have a supply of the Information Booklets produced by the County Council, detailing all schools in Oxfordshire, and containing the application form.

The prize wining numbers, for August and September 2005, were drawn by the Little Milton School Children at their Good Work Assembly and were as follows:

1^st Prize No 3 Sarah Simmonds £27.00

2^nd Prize No 5 Sarah Jones £14.00

3^rd Prize No 88 Eve Hunter £10.00

1^st Prize No 59 Mr & Mrs Fleck £27.00

2^nd Prize No 80 Rhys Morrow ** £14.00

3^rd Prize No 60 Angela Jones £10.00

** donated to Little Milton School

Friends of Wells Farm will not be meeting this month due to commitments elsewhere. During the summer we have conducted various surveys and will publish some findings in due course.

We are delighted to say that the building was completed on time and on budget. By now, I hope most of you will have been to the new building. From the feedback that we have had so far, everyone seems delighted. There are a few minor items to be dealt with, known in the building trade as ‘snagging’, and these will be cleared up within the next 10 days or so. Curtains are due to be fitted in the last week of September and new chairs are due for delivery in the first week of October.

Outside, the contractors returned and created two disabled access ramps, one to the main entrance and one to the main hall, eastern fire exit. These are joined, by a pathway, to two disabled parking spaces in front of the main entrance. The path also extends to the fire exit on the western elevation of the main hall. Following this work, it was agreed with the Parish Council that the rest of the car park should have a minimum level of improvement and consequently works to the car park have been instigated. These works are not sufficient to give us a ‘good’ car park, that is something that will require expenditure of about £20,000, but the work will provide a solid foundation for the future work.

The final phase for outside will be planting of bulbs and shrubs in the newly created flower beds.

We had a great weekend on Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th September. Visitors were welcomed on Saturday afternoon with tea & coffee and then on Sunday, Mark Willis & Mark Platts organised an

afternoon of fun and games that was very well attended. Our sincere thanks to Mark & Mark for their hard work and enthusiasm.

The sunny afternoon weather stayed kind and we had a warm and still sunny evening. As a result we also had an immensely enjoyable time outdoors, enjoying our picnics and listening to the mellow jazz tones of Harvest Moon. Peter Vogt, Keith Warren Price and Phil Busby provided wonderful food from the barbeque and our warm thanks to the three of them for their hard work. One overheard remark

perhaps summed it up "I can’t believe this is Little Milton, it’s more like Hyde Park". Ten minutes after the last song, the rain started, by which time, it didn’t matter. Someone was smiling on us !

As mentioned last month, we want the Pine Lodge to be as perfect as possible for the Official Opening and it has therefore been postponed until Monday afternoon, 17^th October. By that date we can ensure that everything is as good as it can be when the local media and other guests see our new building. Do come along on that afternoon if you can, details will be posted.

We are delighted to say that the building has proved very popular already with hirers from both within the village and from the surrounding areas. Between now and Christmas, most Saturdays and many Sundays are booked both during the day and the evening. There are therefore a couple of things we would ask of you;

Book early, if you leave it till the last minute, you may be disappointed

Allow sufficient setting up time and clearing up time in the times you book

Note that due to demand, there is a maximum of 30 minutes turnaround time between bookings, for example last Saturday, the Pine Lodge was booked 9am – 1.30pm, 2pm – 6pm and 6.30pm till midnight.

Note that the building is completely "No Smoking" (smoke will set off the fire alarm)

Those living in the Parish of Little Milton will receive a discount of between 30% and 33% on the published Hire rates. Special rates will also apply if you make regular weekly or monthly bookings or you are organising a charity event. The new rates reflect the quality of the building and the facilities within it however you will find that after taking account of the village discount, the rates are very competitive when compared to other village halls in the surrounding area. If you would like to see a copy of the new Hire terms and conditions, please let Dee Waldron know on 278819 or ask any of the committee members.

Please contact our new Bookings Secretary, DEE WALDRON, 24 Chiltern View on 01844 278819 if you wish to hire The Pine Lodge

Quiz Night - October 22^nd will be our first Quiz Night. We are pleased to announce the return of the Little Milton Fireworks Spectacular - Saturday 5th November. Please see the separate announcements for further details.

Christmas Fayre – Saturday 3rd December – a date for your diary

There are a variety of additions that have been mentioned (an audio system and a cinema facility) and so our fund-raising activities will continue but we hope that by the end of October, all the building development matters will have been concluded. Your continued enthusiasm and support are therefore greatly appreciated.

Missing - Have you got them ?

We are missing some white cups and saucers. Have you got some stored at your house ? If you have, please let me know and I will collect them.

We are pleased to announce the return of the Little Milton Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday November 5^th, 2005 at the recreation ground. Bring the family and enjoy an evening of fun, food and fireworks, starting at 6pm with seasonal games. Seasonal costumes are encouraged with a prize for the best boy’s and girl’s costumes. A Firework spectacular will explode into the sky at 6.30pm so be prepared to "Ooooh! and "Aaaaah" . Ticket prices include soup and hot dogs (meat and veggie varieties).

Ticket Prices: Adults £5 each, School children £3, Family tickets £15 (2 adults, 3 children). A bar will be available. All proceeds to Little Milton Village Hall general funds

A village event, a balmy summer's evening.  And what a lovely time was had by all.  So good to see so many of the villagers enjoying an evening of Jazz music, relaxing in the warm summer evening adjoining the new village hall. 

Hot stuff, thanks to Pete, Keith and Phil, cool stuff thanks to the bar staff in the kitchen, nice tempo thanks to the musicians, and wonderful ambiance thanks to the people of Little Milton.

My thanks go to all those who's efforts made it possible.  My feeling is that we should do more village stuff like this, but I do realise the effort in bringing together such an event like this is huge (and often unseen), and I pass on my appreciation to all those concerned, and I am thankful for the weather as when I got around to buying a ticket they were sold out, but managed to buy on the gate!!(phew!!!!!!).

It has been estimated that there is enough loose change lying around in the houses of Britain to pay for the 2012 Olympics!!

We would like to collect all the loose change from Little Milton to help provide a Christmas Lunch for our Senior Citizens.

So please search coat pockets, drawers, handbags and even under the cushions of the sofa and see what you can find.

Please bring your contributions to 38 Chiltern View or 8 Old Field or if your bag is so heavy that you would like it to be collected then please telephone Teresa Quested 278922.

Many thanks in anticipation.

There will be a coffee morning at the new Village Hall (Pine Lodge) on Saturday 15^th October, 10.00 a.m -o noon to raise money for the Senior Citizen’s Christmas Lunch.

There will be coffee, cakes, raffle and a bring and buy. Do come and support us. If you wish to help or donate any items, please contact Janet Betts 8 Old Field.

There will be a 'Taster Session' in the newly refurbished Little Milton Village Hall (Pine Lodge) on MONDAY 10th OCTOBER at 10.30am.to establish how many people would be interested in attending a regular class.  This session is a combination of exercise including low impact, cardio vascular and Hatha Yoga to improve flexibility and breathing.  If you are interested then please come

along with your comfortable clothing and floor mat or blanket.  Everyone welcome.  For more info. ring Yvonne on 01844 279205 or just turn up on the 10th.

Strange goings on !... fruit trees stripped of fruit…..not in Little Milton.

Sadly I have to report that a local resident has had all the fruit stripped from the plum trees and pear trees. This appears not a simple prank by children. Has this happened to you recently? Please let the editor know.

This sort of activity is unacceptable and we must try and stop it.

Christine Bloxham spoke eloquently about The World of Flora Thompson at our September meeting, recalling the lives of ordinary people in an Oxfordshire village in Victorian times. Although this exceptional writer left school at 14, she went on to write her much-loved book Lark Rise to Candleford based on her early life in Juniper Hill, Oxfordshire, as well as running a literary society to teach other people how to write.

Her semi-autobiographical book portrays a dramatically different way of life. Villages were fairly isolated, with the carrier’s cart bringing in goods and acting as an important link across communities. At the church she attended in nearby Cottisford the vicar used to instruct the children that they must never rise above their station, while Cottisford School was so cold at the back of the classrooms that the ink would freeze in the inkwells. Every afternoon Flora and the other girls did needlework, which she absolutely hated. A happy time was spent preparing for May Day when the children built a pyramid of flowers and enjoyed gathering flowers and other materials from the fields and paths.

Yet there was change. In her own family, Aunt Queenie was a lace-maker producing Bucks Point Lace. By the 1880’s this was going out of fashion, being replaced by the machine-made and less expensive Nottingham Lace, her livelihood disappearing. Her father’s early employment as a

stonemason gave way to work as a jobbing builder. Life could be very hard. Flora’s father played in the Church Orchestra in Ardley, but he had to sell his violin to pay his wife’s medical fees, Flora

noticing just how much he missed his violin. Later, World War One took a tremendous toll on the village’s young men.

Her later life was very different, working for the Post Office, marrying and having children. The family moved to various places, including Devon, but she did not return to live in the Oxfordshire countryside of her childhood.

Other Activities: The WI’s events calendar is gearing up for autumn and Christmas with lots of different activities. Members can choose from events as diverse as Halloween Showcase 2005 at Exeter Hall, Kidlington, Music Tasters at Chipping Norton, the Degas, Sickert & Toulouse-Lautrec Exhibition at Tate Britain, Fun Table Tennis and Bellringing, orall, idlingtoHhH seasonal shopping at Bath Christmas Market plus Claverton Manor.

Group Meeting: We will be hosting the group meeting for our local cluster of WI’s on Thursday,

20^th October at the new Little Milton Village Hall. The evening’s highlight will be Turkish-inspired Belly Dancers. Competition is a collage - ‘Turkish Delight’.

Next Meeting: This will be held on Thursday 13^th October at Little Milton Village Hall featuring Dr. Barry Juniper speaking on The Origin of Apples. The evening starts at 7:45pm and visitors will be very welcome.

President: Anne Hawkins, Little Milton 279526 Secretary: Shirley Thomas, Little Milton 278976

Press Correspondent: Lyndell Dixon, Great Haseley 279275

Well, I am back, having had one of the greatest experiences of my life over 13 days and 6 hours of cycling, covering 1,027 miles and climbing 47,720 feet! All the training, and all of the planning still doesn’t really prepare you for the task of cycling 75 miles a day every day for a fortnight-with hindsight I don’t know what I would have done differently, but I made it, so I can’t have been too far wrong.

We took the train from Reading to Penzance on Wednesday the 24^th August. The rain lashed down at Reading, (not a hopeful start!) and after changing into our cycling gear in Penzance station we cycled the 10 miles or so to Lands End, and our starting point. The A 30 is not the best of roads, and there are a fair amount of hills, but we arrived without incident, and checked into the Land’s End Hotel, having a pleasant evening meal there and reading (with foreboding) the comments of people setting off and arriving in the visitors book. One guy had done it both ways in 14 days!

Thursday 25th arrived, and two perky cyclists set off with photographs at the famous signpost and at the Start/Finish line-where were all the others? (There are believed to be as many as 500-600 cyclists

do this every year-no sign!). I immediately got us lost at St Buryan, and eventually found the road by ignoring the directions and reading the map. Newlyn, Penzance, then hills, hills, hills. Pleasant run into St Austell and then a massive hill from St Blazey up to Lostwithiel, our stop for the night. Nice B+B, 73 miles covered, 5,200 feet climbed. Fish for dinner, washed down with red wine (Rob doesn’t drink white!).

Friday 26th- and a bad day. Late start (forgot to order breakfast ?!!!)-climbs onto Bodmin Moor, Cream tea at a lovely village called Minions, then more hills. Crossed the River Tamar into Devon, hoping that Devon would be kinder, but no-more big hills. Our low point after 4 hours and only 40 miles covered was arriving at an A road, being told to cross it, and seeing only a steep woodland path on the other side. Salvation came in the form of another cyclist who assured us it was the right way, and we cycled up it to discover a Viaduct (disused railway line) which gave us a flat run all the way to Okehampton and then on the old A 30 all the way to Exeter. 76 miles covered, 5,100 feet climbed-another nice B+B, a steak dinner, and the best ale in Exeter!

Saturday 27th-every cloud has a silver lining-after Exeter the terrain flattens as you move from Devon onto the Somerset levels. Followed the A38 until Taunton, and then down onto the towpath of the Taunton-Bridgewater canal. Lovely weather, beautiful scenery, peace and quiet, and joined by two Triathletes out for the day. Pub lunch on the canal near Bridgewater. Soon the pain of the last two days started to disappear, and we had an enjoyable run up past Weston Super Mare to Clevedon, only to find no B+B’s (all full on Bank Holiday Saturday-idiot!) and ended up in a trailer park (!), owned by a strange man in a dressing gown. 87 miles (5 wasted trying to find a B&B) 2,300 feet climbed. Chili Con Carne & Beer for dinner! Avoided the karaoke and bingo.

Sunday 28th-after a quick goodbye to the trailer park owner (still in his dressing gown!), on a gorgeous sunny morning we headed for Portishead and Avonmouth, and crossed the Avon Bridge and the Severn Bridge (M4) on the cycle lanes into Chepstow, and along the Wye valley. Stunning! Morning tea at Tintern Abbey, and then more beautiful scenery until Monmouth. (Crossed the A40 !) Joined for lunch by friends Ian and Carol, then onward north to Kington (keeping an eye on the Test Match at every stop!). Lovely old B+B-single rooms-great! Sumptuous meal-wine & beer! 79 miles, 3,360 feet climbed.

Monday 29^th- Early start, and immediately got lost and had to scale a massive hill-(so much for short cuts!) then a pleasant run through the Wales/England border country stopping for film and snickers bars at Bangor on Dee. Very pleasant village-friendly locals. Then up from Herefordshire into Shropshire, where the countryside flattens again, and we found ourselves skirting round Shrewsbury towards Baschurch and our B&B (The BrownHouse) at Ruyton X1 towns. Extraordinary couple- Roger & Yolanda-both accomplished novelists, with an exhibition garden on a dramatic slope down to the river, she a kit car fanatic, he a retired polymer testing scientist. Enjoyed their home brew (+curry and Ansells Mild!) before bed. Easy day-60 miles, only 2840 feet climbed!

Tuesday 30^th- Felt better after easy day and Ansells Mild! Pleasant run up through Shropshire into Cheshire, skirted round Chester and found ourselves in the Delamere Forest Park-very pleasant-then

into Motorways crossing M56, M6, M62 etc. By passing around Warrington, we crossed a river. "What’s that?" said Rob. "Haven’t a clue" said I, and looked at the map. The Mersey!. Then relatively flat cycling round the metropolis which is Greater Manchester. Then we were in Rugby League Territory- Widnes, Warrington, St Helens-when we finally saw signs for Wigan I couldn’t resist an Eddie Waring impersonation-Rob suggested I might get a slap from a local. He had booked a place which sounded countryfied and lovely-Daisy Hill Hotel-instead we were in Coronation Street! However, a great Italian meal and a few pints cured the problem. 70 miles, climbed 2140 feet. Starting to dawn on me what we have achieved so far-Lancashire-wow!

Wednesday 31^st August- Started by a climb onto the fells outside Bolton-first Highland cow-obviously lost-then on to Blackburn, and past Ewood Park (Blackburn Rovers). Stopped to buy new brake pads (all our brakes suffering) and then on up into the West Yorkshire Fells-and the heavens opened. Both of us absolutely soaked, no shelter, nothing to do but keep going. We peaked at 1400 feet, at High Bentham, then down into Kirkby Lonsdale, still raining, and stopped for tea in a Hotel-dripping wet!

Another 30 miles to go, and the worst of the whole trip-more climbs, more rain, a huge hill under the M6, then no sign of the hotel-both of us exhausted, wet and miserable. Finally it appeared, down a steep bank, and we arrived at 8.20pm-soaking wet, to find coach loads of Saga holidaymakers enjoying "We’ll meet again" while we ate a poor meal in the restaurant-a fitting end to a dreadful day! 84 miles, 6460 feet climbed.

£1200 raised in sponsorship-thanks to everyone involved.

The CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory carries out world leading research ranging from the vastness of space to the invisibly small world of nanotechnology. To celebrate Einstein Year we have put together a short series of summer lectures and invite you to come along and be inspired by science and scientists. All the lectures are free and many are suitable for families – age guidelines are shown for each lecture.

The South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA), as part of its South East Plan, has decided that 21,000 new homes must be built in Oxfordshire between 2016 and 2026 to meet the need for sufficient affordable housing and to keep the county vibrant and successful. It is likely that 10,000 of these new homes will have to go on previously undeveloped land in the county.

The county council has been asked by SEERA to focus most of the new housing in an area called the central Oxfordshire sub-region and we have prepared two broad housing distribution options for consultation. We want to know where you think the new housing should go.

Please read the consultation booklet, fill in the on-line response from and tell us what you think about our plans for new housing in the county. The closing date for this consultation is Friday 28 October 2005.

If you want to find out how we arrived at the two broad housing options we are consulting on here, take a look at the South East Plan page. Alternatively, contact the Planning Team directly on:

Tel: 01865 810434

Email: southeastplan@oxfordshire.gov.uk

For further information on the South East Plan visit SEERA's website at www.southeast-ra.gov.uk

After the recess the sewing group will meet again at the home of Mary Davis, Spring & Well Cottage, Haseley Road on Thursday 27^th October from 11.00 a.m. Anyone wishing to stitch and stay for a bite of lunch, please ring Mary on 279471 so that she may know numbers for catering.

Keep up to date with all the news, Trust walks, latest press releases, Trust Wildlife Fact sheets by visiting our website at www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/berksbucksoxon

On Thursday, the 1st September, we held our annual Harvest Festival at the Neighbours Hall.  We had a short service of Harvest hymns and prayers led by the Rev Victor Storey.  This was followed by a

sale of the huge amount of produce brought along which included vegetables, jams, flowers and fruit.  The sale raised the sum of £23.05 which will be sent to CLIC which is for cancer and leukaemia in children.  There was no meeting on the 15th September because it was Thame Show day.

 Our outing this month was on Wednesday, the 21st September when we went to Hampton Court.  Thirty-two members and visitors had a very enjoyable day and the weather was kind to us.  We all now know a little more about our history.

Please note that flu jabs will be available at our meeting on the 13th October which will be held at Potts Close.

Thursday 13th - Cake competition.  Raffle.  Flu jabs.  At Potts Close - 2.15 p.m.

Wednesday 19th - Outing for lunch and skittles at Bablock Hythe.

Thursday 27th - Meeting at Fullers Field - 2.15 p.m.

As part of Family Learner Week there will be taster computer sessions on making cards etc. This is open to all members of the family, whatever age. This will take place on Tuesday 11^th October from 9.30 – 12.30. Tickets are free but limited so please apply directly to the library.

A Children’s book sale will start on Tuesday 19^th October. Many excellent bargains to be found

Storytime. To take place on Tuesday 25^th October 11.00 to 12 noon. This event is for children 4- 8 years of age. Tickets are FREE, but limited so collect from the library as soon as possible.

Look forward to seeing you

Tuesday 2.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m. Wednesday 9.30 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. : 2.00p.m.- 5.00 p.m.

Thursday 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. Friday 9.30 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. : 2.00p.m.- 6.00 p.m

Saturday 9.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.

Do you have a garden, space and would like to look after our three Cocker Spaniels for 2/3 days per week.

The car service to the doctor or hospital is for anyone in the villages of Great Milton, Great Haseley or Little Milton. Passengers are required to pay:

Visit to Hospital £3.50 (including car park) Visit to Doctor £1.50

This service is made possible by a grant from the Parish Councils to cover the driver’s petrol cost.

We are very short of drivers and if there is anyone willing to give a small amount of time, possibly twice a month, to drive either to the doctor or hospital we would be very grateful.

If you want advice or general information call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. This is a 24 hour service staffed by nurses who can give confidential advice and information on what to do if you are unwell,

have any health concerns and give contact details or self help or support organisations. You can also visit their website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

If you need to visit a GP or health professional outside of normal working hours you can call our service on 0845 345 8995. We will then arrange for you to see the right health professional in the right

place. This service runs from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours over weekends and bank holidays.

In an emergency please call 999 to talk to the ambulance service.

We are looking for community-minded people who want to help others. The CAB in Thame is going from strength to strength, planning extra hours and outreach services, but we can only do that if we train more volunteer advisers. From body-piercing to benefits and builders to bankruptcy (and that’s only ‘b’!). This is your chance to learn about a whole range of social issues and help people in the community know about their rights and responsibilities. Training is free and leads to a nationally recognised qualification. We are planning a new group of trainees in October. The deadline for applications is 30/0/05.

For more details, contact Sarah on 01844 217186 or 01491 574508 or write to Thame CAB, Market House, North Street, Thame OX9 3HH, or e-mail Sarah on thamecab@cabnet.org.uk and come and join the charity for your community.

DEADLINE REMINDER – Please note that unless articles are in the hands of the Editor by the 20^th of the month (unless otherwise stated), such articles will miss the scheduled Newsletter. The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Parish Council. All material for inclusion in the November 2005 Newsletter should be with the Editor at 27 Chiltern View, Little Milton, by 8.00 p.m. on 20th October 2005. The Editor reserves the right not to print items submitted for publication and to edit those items, which are published.