LITTLE MILTON   NEWSLETTER

www.littlemilton.org.uk

NOVEMBER, 2005

PARISH COUNCIL

The Council meeting held on Tuesday 11th October was attended by all Councillors, the District Councillor, the Clerk and two members of the public.

Triangle of land adjacent to Wells Farmhouse

The Clerk reported that he had processed the application but was still waiting to complete the necessary statements from local residents to support it. He suggested that the Council purchase a publication from the Open Spaces Society that would allow the use of a standard form that could be used for evidence statements. The Clerk will actively seek to submit the application by the next meeting.  

BT Telephone Box

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had received a letter from English Heritage that stated that our application was being assessed and that we would be advised of the decision in due course.

A329 Advisory Group

Mrs Alison Shelton informed the meeting that the A329 Advisory Group had not met since the last meeting. Mrs Isabel Fox expressed her concern that there had been no meeting following the letter from OCC detailing their assessment of two proposals for the centre of the village. The content of the letter had been considered by the Council at their September meeting. The Council agreed that a meeting of the A329 Group should be convened and any outcome reported at the next Council meeting.

Recreation Ground

Mr Mark Willis was invited to report to the meeting. He stated that the expected expenditure on the recreation ground and play area was very close to budget although there were some over or under expenditure on individual items. He highlighted the need for the Council to consider the need to assess the recreation ground as it was deeply rutted in places and this was impacting on the mower. The recreation ground committee will present a recommendation to the Council.

The Clerk asked for clarification on the project to replace the siren system for the MUGA floodlight warning system. Mr Mark Willis reported that he was still awaiting the electrical wiring diagram from the electrician that installed the current system.

Planning

   P05/W0984/LB – Post Office Cottage 

The Council recommended that the application should be approved.

P05/W0869 – Orchard House: Windmill Hill

The Chairman informed the meeting that the application had been approved by the SODC Planning Committee.

Letter from Mr Boris Johnson M.P. re The Sustainable Communities Bill

The Chairman read out a letter received Mr Boris Johnson in response to the Council’s letter requesting him to support the Early Day Motion 641 and the Sustainable Communities Bill. His letter stated that he would fight to ensure that, real power is devolved down to local people. 

SODC: Extension of trial composting scheme

The Clerk informed the meeting that SODC were extending its service to compost garden waste from the kerbside until Friday 23 December. To encourage residents to use this scheme it has reduced the  cost of the paper composting sacks from 65p to 30p. However the green plastic sacks are no longer available.

Village Hall

Mr Simon Oddie chaired this agenda item as Mr Stuart McGill had declared a prejudicial interest.

Mr Richard Alliston informed the meeting that the number of outstanding items was now very small and that the hall was now in frequent use and the feedback had been very positive. The overall funding requirement from the Parish Council, excluding the secondary budget and car park, was £29,689. The clerk agreed with this figure. It was expected that the project would be closed at the November Council meeting as by then the final grants would have been received and any outstanding issues resolved.

Mr Simon Oddie extended his thanks on behalf of the Council to Richard and the rest of the Committee for their hard work and the delivery of an excellent facility for the village.

The Clerk circulated a forecasted Cash Flow of the Parish Council up to March 2006. This forecast an increase in reserves and this would be taken into account when the Council set its precept for 2006-07.

It was agreed that the consideration of how we should finance the future maintenance of the car park should be postponed until a decision is made on the establishment of a Village Shop/{Post Office adjacent to the village hall.

Village Shop/Post Office

The Chairman reported that he was meeting with Jane Barker of ORCC on Thursday 13^th October to explore the opportunities that exist in setting up a Village Shop/Post Office adjacent to the new village hall. The Chairman was asked to clarify the planning position, with Jane Randall of SODC, for any new building as it was not part of the planning permission for the new hall. The Chairman also stated that he would have the analysis of the questionnaire available for the next meeting.

Any Other Business

Mrs Mabel Wood raised her concern that the bend at the top of the Wheatley Road was now more dangerous due the fact the farmer had made an opening in the hedgerow to access hi field. The Clerk was asked to bring this to the attention of the Highways Department. (Action Clerk)

Mrs Alison Shelton expressed her concern about the long term future of the Lamb. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Punch Tavern inviting them to a future Parish Council meeting to discuss our concerns.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9th November 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.

R. Fergusson Parish Clerk

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

Freedom of Information Act – Parish Council Publication Scheme

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

SODC: WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT

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 .

SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

REFUSE SKIPS FOR NOVEMBER

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

Please note that the following items have now been classified as hazardous household wastes and will no longer be accepted in the community waste vehicles.

TV’s, Monitors, Fluorescent tubes, Air conditioning units, Fridges/Freezers, Asbestos, Tins of paint (even if empty), Oil or Oil tins (even if empty), Car batteries, Gas cylinders.

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.

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA FOR NOVEMBER

Week ending 5th November, 2005                                           -          Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

Week ending 12th November, 2005                                         -           Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

Week ending 19th November, 2005                                         -          Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

Week ending 26th November 2005                                          -          Mrs E. Summers/Mrs Isabel Fox

Week ending 3rd December, 2005                                           -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

Sally Ann Dennis 278029

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR NOVEMBER  

Week ending 6th November                             -                                             

Week ending 13th November                                       -                      A. Hawkins     

Week ending 20th November                                       -                      A Hawkins      

Week ending 27th November                                       -                      Advent

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

Teresa Quested

GRASS CUTTING

Week ending 4th November                                                     -          Phil Jones

With another grass cutting season behind us and I would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped to maintain our churchyard and to Mark Willis for all the strimming.

Raymond Fergusson

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING NOVEMBER

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

Tuesday 1st November                                                           7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Tuesday 8th November                                                           7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Tuesday 15th November                                                         7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Tuesday 22nd November                                                        7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Sunday 27^th November                                                            9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.

Tuesday 29^th November                                                           7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Raymond Fergusson (279150)

WHAT MEAN THESE STONES?

One of the most enduring memories of my time in Rotterdam was to be invited by the British Legion to take part in a Service for a group of, what the Legion likes to call, pilgrims. They had made the journey from England to one of the very many Commonwealth War Grave Cemeteries which are to be found all over the Low Countries.

On arriving at the entrance of the cemetery, I was ushered through a small gate in a very high hedge. My breath was taken away, with the sight of row upon row of War Graves, stretching far into the distance. I cannot think of any other sight which had moved me so.

In the party of pilgrims were younger people, as well as the more elderly. They had come to remember, to recall, a loved one, or someone who had in some way been part of their life. Perhaps they had known them, or if they personally hadn't, in some way, what they were and what they had achieved had an influence on them, even to this day.

After a short Service, I wandered along a row or two, and straight away you could see that some of the headstones had no name inscribed on them. But it was a young Jewish lady who sought these out, and as best as she could, place a small pebble on each, so that those unknown, would not be forgotten.

In all of this, like every pilgrimage, every pointing to a saved name on a stone, or through the symbolic placing of a pebble on the stone of an unknown soldier, there is a restoring of the individuality of each person. The soldier unrecognized and unknown becomes known again-a young man, a great grandfather, a lover, a person from down the road, someone who lives on in the memory.

Each stone with an honoured name, recorded or unknown, has someone who owns it. Each stone records someone who is, someone who lives in the sight of God. God sees each one of them still. God cannot forget. And God sees them with us who remember. And God sees what he can bring about, for us and for our world, from what they achieved in life and death, and from what they suffered and from what we, in our today, achieve and suffer.

For those pilgrims to the Cemetery, their loving remembrance where the name of those who gave their lives, stand, is far more than a backward look in time. It is an enduring reminder of the love and mercy of the Almighty and Eternal God: which surrounds us all and urges us onward into the more abundant life with Him.

Jesus said: “ Low, I am with you always, to the end of time”.

Victor Story (01844 279498

FROM THE RECTORY.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY.

Remembrance Sunday falls on Sunday 13^th November.  This year the Benefice Remembrance Service will be held in St. Peter’s Great Haseley at 11.00 a.m.  The Service will begin by us gathering at the War Memorial where we shall be laying a wreath before we move to the Church for the Service.

At each of the other two Services in the Benefice that day a wreath will be laid and the Two Minute Silence will be kept.  At Little Milton at 8.00 a.m., during the Communion Service this will take place at the Offertory, and at Great Milton, immediately after the 9.30 a.m. Sung Communion.

It seems to me that as the years pass, there is within us all a much greater need for us to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.  Every year is different, and each year something occurs which changes the way we remember.  Our Services that day give us the opportunity to bring all of our remembrances to God, offering them in the sense that his Holy Spirit will direct and hallow them aright in the ways of his Kingdom of Love, Justice and Peace.

HARVEST 2005.

As usual the fruit and produce that we collected, was taken to the Leonard Cheshire Home at Burcot near Dorchester. A letter, of thanks was received, and one sentence in the letter caught my eye. It read, “Your Harvest Festival gifts are very much appreciated by our residents, and each year they look forward to receiving them. Thank you all so very much.”

THE TENTH ARRIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL.

The tenth anniversary of our Sunday School was celebrated in grand style. Firstly there was the party in the Pine Lodge on the 1^st October, and a good number of past and present pupils and teachers came together to celebrate, and celebrate they did.  The Lodge was filled with the sounds of very very happy people. It was good to have Jenny Hyson; the Diocesan Children’s Adviser was with us.  Over these ten years, she has been a tremendous inspiring source of help and encouragement to everyone connected with the Sunday School.

The Family Service on the 9^th October was very special. The Bishop of Dorchester was with us, and gave an address which we shall all remember. It was a lovely occasion with the Bishop hallowing our old Sunday School Register, and blessing the new, and dedicating a new Liturgical Clock, which will help our children to learn about the Church’s seasons and Festival.

We are all very conscious of the tremendous amount of hard work and dedication which our Sunday School Leaders undertake on our behalf for our children, and they deserve and get our thanks.

OUR FINANCES.

At the last Church Council Meeting our Treasurer reported that in order to pay our way, we have to draw on our reserves. We were all concerned to hear this, wondering how we could change things. The biggest call on our finances is our Parish Share. This is the sum we are asked by the Diocese to pay towards the maintenance of the Ministry. 80% of our Share goes towards paying, housing and training clergy. At the time of writing it is projected that in 2006 we shall be asked to pay £9091. Please do commit this matter to your prayers.

In the past Ministry has always been provided, but, these days the clergy are in effect being paid for by the congregation. I believe this is a fact that is not generally acknowledged.

Victor Story

FROM THE REGISTERS.

We would like to welcome into the Lord’s Family Tally Mae Simms, a little sister to Ella Louise, who was baptized in St. Mary’s, Great Milton on the 9^th October. We assure the whole family of our love and prayers for them all

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

After a hectic October and our 10^th Anniversary Celebrations we’re meeting this month as follows:

November 6^th at 11.00 in Church for Godly Play Session II

November 20the at 10.30 at 1 Chiltern View for Brunch meeting

Why not come along and experience Godly Play for yourself and/or see what our Faith Portfolio’s are all about? We don’t think you’ll be disappointed but come in plenty of time for a seat…we had 14 at one session last month!!

S.A. Dennis 278029

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR NOVEMBER

OXFORDSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST

A special thank you to George Dennis who raised over £100 in sponsorship in support of the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust.

Raymond Fergusson

GREAT MILTON METHODIST CHURCH

Minister:  Revd. Derick Chambers Tel: 212019

Sunday Services in November

For further information please ring me.

Evelyn Holme 278938

NEWS FROM LITTLE MILTON SCHOOL

The children and staff are working hard towards sending two herds of goats to an African village, as part of our Charity activity for Christmas.  We will be holding a Bring and Buy Sale at School on Thursday, 3^rd November 2005, at 3.00 pm.  Please do come along and support us

Just a reminder that if your child was born between 1^st September 2001 and 31^st August 2002, they will be due to start school in the next academic year.  Application forms are available from school if you have not yet obtained a booklet from the County Council.  Forms should be returned either to school or the County Council by 21^st November, in order to ensure that your child is offered a place in school.

Eve Hunter

FRIENDS OF LITTLE MILTON SCHOOL 200 CLUB

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

October

1^st Prize                                    No 24              Sarah Wakeling                                    £20.00

2^nd Prize                                   No 65              Liz Jones                                              £12.00

3^rd Prize                                    No                   Dee Waldron                                        £10.00

The amounts of prize money are lower due to smaller take-up so far this year. If you have not joined up you are not too late.

Sarah Sadler 278563

For the Friends of Little Milton School

FRIENDS OF WELLS FARM

During the winter months, the fields will not be ploughed and planted. BBOWT are talking with a new contractor, so it will be a spring sowing. They would also like to create some extra grassland, which can be utilised the various BBOWT animals.

As a group we have been tasked with thinning out some of the newly planted trees at the far end of the farm. This will help the stronger trees continue unhindered growth. This will be carried out during the winter months.

Whilst over there we found a harvest mouse nest, which although not rare, it is still a wonderful find.

Phil Jones 278120

NEWS FROM THE RECREATION GROUND

MUGA – Five-A-Side Football will continue throughout the winter on Wednesday nights, 8.15 – 9.15 pm.  Cost £2.00 per hour.  16s and over only please.  All skills welcome!

The Recreation Ground.  Little Milton School uses the Rec once a week for PE for the whole school.  Each week a child returns to school with dog faeces on their shoes, legs or clothes.  The vast majority of dog walkers pick up their dog mess and deposit it in the bin.  Would the small minority who don’t, please get into the habit for the children’s sake.

Play Area – we need new volunteers to undertake the three times a month inspections of the play area.  Each inspection only takes 15 minutes and if there are any mums or dads out there who can join our rota, please ring me on 279468.

We are still suffering vandalism of the play area.  Our local teenagers have now taken to burning through the climbing ropes on the tower, whilst smoking, so one of these have had to be removed for safety’s sake.  It will be replaced when funds are available.

Mark Willis

VILLAGE HALL – THE PINE LODGE

The Building  

The new chairs were delivered on time and have proved a great success. The curtains were fitted in the second week of October and look terrific so we will now plan blinds to match the curtains.  We have now had the last invoices from the contractors and the costs have been finalised at a total of £283,478 compared with the original budget figure of £282,936, a difference of £542.  The difference includes a provision of £350 which we do not believe will be payable so the final deviation will probably be £192.  On a “like for like basis” we would have been more than £2,000 under the original budget but, by negotiation, we have been able to achieve significant improvements to the specification whilst maintaining the original cost. 

Official Opening   

The sun shone again on a lovely October afternoon and there was an extremely good crowd of approximately 70-80 people to witness the official opening.  Jeremy Mogford, one of our major

benefactors, made a short speech to thank our grant providers, South Oxford District Council, WREN, DEFRA, Garfield Weston Foundation and Oxford County Council and also the past and present trustees of the charity together with past members of Little Milton Village Hall management committee who instigated the early stages of the process a few years ago.  Patrick Green, Chairman of SODC presented a cheque for £137,699 and then we adjourned inside to view the building and enjoy a drink.

Hiring and Booking

The Pine Lodge is attracting a significant number of bookings, both weekend and weekdays 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.
• 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. If you would like to book or see a copy of the new hire terms and conditions, please contact Dee Waldron on 278819 or log on to the Website WWW.littlemilton.org.uk and go to the Pine Lodge page.

Fundraising and future events

• The Little Milton Fireworks Spectacular - Saturday 5^th November.  A terrific firework display followed by food in the Pine Lodge.  Please see the separate announcement.   To help us with numbers for catering, please buy tickets in advance.
• Christmas Fayre – Saturday 3^rd December.  Yes -  already !   A Christmas tree, mince pies, mulled wine,  bacon butties, seasonal music and lots of stalls with a great selection of gifts. Please also see the separate announcement.

Richard Alliston

Tel: 01844 278045

POPPY APPEAL

Could you collect for the Poppy Appeal in Little Milton this year?  The British Legion would sell as many poppies as possible, so if you could spare a small amount of time to be a collector in Little Milton, please contact the Parish Clerk on 279150.

BBOWT

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

SEWING GROUP

Thank you Mary for having us all at Spring and Well last month! This month the group is meeting at 14 Milton Manor Drive, the home of Sarah McLean on Monday 21^st November from 11.30 onwards (NB note time!). Please do telephone Sarah on 279996 by Sunday 20^th November if you’re planning on having lunch. Watch this space for our December meeting details…

SENIOR CITIZENS CHRISTMAS LUNCH

The Christmas lunch for the senior citizens this year will beheld in The Pine Lodge on Saturday 13^th December, 12-30 arrival for lunch at 1pm.

Anybody who would like to attend please contact Janet Betts, telephone number 01844 279238.

We would also like donations of crackers, chocolates and wine which will help to stretch the budget!

CASH FOR CHRISTMAS

Many thanks to all those who have cleared out their loose change in aid of the senior citizens lunch but we still need more! So please search your pockets, old handbags, odds and end drawers and see what you can find-every 1p counts. Your finds can be left at 38, Chiltern View, or 8, Old Field. We can also collect if requested. Many thanks in anticipation

COFFEE MORNING

A big thank you to everyone who supported the coffee morning on 15^th October. We raised £150 towards the Christmas Lunch …a good effort.

 Teresa Quested

LITTLE MILTON XMAS FAYRE

The Fayre this year will be held in The Pine Lodge on Saturday 3^rd December from 11am until 2pm. There will be gifts, decorations, Christmas greenery, Christmas food and cakes, jams and chutneys, a seasonal raffle, as well as activities for the children. There may also be a visit from Father Christmas if he can find time!

The Fayre has been held in the village for more than 20 years and as well as being a great fundraiser, it is also an opportunity to meet, chat and enjoy a light lunch with friends and neighbours. Stuart’s bacon sandwiches are a best seller. If you haven’t been before come and have a look and taste!

We really do need your support this year so if you can spare any time to help we would be very grateful. If you can sew, glue, cut out, bake, donate prizes etc WE NEED YOU!

Please contact the following people:

Crafts-  Teresa Quested  278922

Food – Sarah Jones 278120

Children’s activities – Linda Lovegrove

Raffle – Richard Alliston 278045

As usual the profits will be shared between The Pine Lodge, St James’ Church and The Orchard. Please support us.

NEIGHBOURS CLUB

Our meeting on the 13^th October was again held at Potts Close in view of the works still going on at the Neighbours Hall. We all got our flu jabs done so hopefully we will all be healthy for another year. We held a cake competition, our winners being Isabel Tipping, Celia Cope and May Crabb.

Our outing this month was to the Ferryman at Bablockhythe. We all enjoyed a very nice lunch and then spent the afternoon playing skittles

Forthcoming Events - November

Thursday 10^th               Craft Exhibition &raffle 2.15 p.m.

Wednesday 23^rd           Outing to Turners Christmas Music Hall at Wickstead Park, Kettering

Thursday 24^th               Christmas Bring & Buy & Special Raffle 2.15 p.m.

LITTLE MILTON W.I

Future Meetings

Our November Meeting features local jewellery maker, Maggie Wheeler, demonstrating  jewellery making, especially beadwork – we’re hoping to try out some ourselves, as well as admiring her very popular pieces. It will be held at 7:45 p.m. on the 10th November at The Pine Lodge, Little Milton. Visitors are very welcome.

                                                   ST. JAMES SINGERS

                                                             7:45 pm

                                                Thursday, 8^th December.

                                            The Pine Lodge, Little Milton.

Group Meeting

Little Milton W.I. hosted the half-yearly meeting of our cluster of WI’s. We were entertained by members of a troupe of Belly Dancers – a lively, colourful performance with some enjoyable audience participation.  The competition, a ‘Turkish Delight’ collage, was won by Chalgrove WI.

October Meeting

Dr.  Barry Juniper gave a fascinating talk to our October meeting about the origin of apples. This fruit is steeped in history, making its way across from Asia along the trade routes.  There were unusual varieties of apples, some sampled by members.

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

Press Correspondent:  Lyndell Dixon, Great Haseley 279275

TALKING SCIENCE – EINSTEIN YEAR SUMMER LECTURES

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.

Friday 11 November: The Secret Chemistry of the Mobile Phone 7.00 p.m., Pickvance Lecture Theatre, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Please contact 01235 445959

MILLENNIUM BULBS

I shall plant up the fixture with bulbs for Spring 2006 but, unfortunately, I shall not be able to deal with it thereafter.  I should be grateful if someone else would volunteer.  It would preferable if such a volunteer lived close by as the lack of water has been the death of all the planting that I did this year.  

Dee Waldron

On behalf of the Village I would like to thank Dee for her dedication over these past years for looking after the fixture at the Cross. If you think that you can help please contact the editor. Ed

WHEATLEY LIBRARY

A reminder of the opening times:

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.

Carole Underwood (Library Manager)

OXFORDSHIRE PARENT PARTNERSHIP

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