Jun06Newsletter

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING ON 10TH MAY 2006– REPORT GIVEN BY CHAIRMAN OF PARISH COUNCIL

I have now completed my third year as Chairman of Little Milton Parish Council, and the job satisfaction increases year by year. Little Milton is a wonderful place to live, but I have become more convinced than ever that we can achieve things here that other villages can only dream about, because Little Milton is a community which works together as one to improve the lot of everyone here. We are the envy of many other villages, and these are a few of the activities taking place to make our village even better.

As part of our budget for 2006, we set ourselves the objectives of improving the surface of the recreation ground, both for the school and for the village, and under Mark Willis’s team, the grass is now being mowed professionally and will soon be fertilised to create a thicker better surface We want to see our recreation back in the condition it was in 25 years ago, when it was the preferred pitch for many football teams. I should also point out that the Multi Use Games Area is ever popular, with regular bookings including now tennis coaching, and could generate an income to the village of almost £2,000 this year.

The traffic calming measures at each end of the village have proved successful, with average speeds of cars being reduced as they enter the village from 44 and 46 miles an hour to 30. We have also noted a reduction in traffic. Thanks for this and congratulations go to the A329 committee, and Dave Taylor, David Turner and Mark Platts in particular. We await an official report on traffic and particularly heavy Lorries, which I believe is expected in June.

The Primary School, led by Eve Hunter and Beth McLaren as Chair of Governors continues to increase pupil numbers and provide ever higher standards of education, despite a very tight budget this year and congratulations and thanks go to all of the staff and governors for their achievement.

The Orchard Pre School is as popular as ever, and financially healthy, thanks to the efforts of Yvonne Brammer, Linda Lovegrove, Sarah Bruce, Catherine Leonidou and the rest of the staff and governors. Latest developments include an outdoor play area, awaiting construction

The greatest achievement this year however is the new Village Hall, completed in late August last year and thanks are due to Richard Alliston as Chairman of the Village Hall Committee and the rest of the committee members for their hard work and single minded determination to give the village a facility second to none. The budget was exceeded by a mere £150-an astonishing achievement, and the latest accounts show a healthy profit from hirings and events. I should also mention we were visited by a film crew on Saturday, making a DVD for national distribution on “How to Build a Village Hall”. Apparently it was us and Canterbury who were chosen as exemplars of the way forward!

St James Church continues to thrive, although as always it is a struggle to make ends meet. This year we do not have Rofford teas to help with funds, which have in the past contributed £1500-£2000 to our efforts. Sarah Jones has taken on responsibility for the fete this year, and is proving herself a very competent and hard working organiser. We cannot take the Church for granted, or make the assumption that the church will always exist, and it is only by continued hard work by every member of the PCC and the village that we can ensure its survival.

Thanks are also due to Simon and Sarah Oddie, who have kindly donated their wonderful garden and grounds for the Fete each year, and have continued to do so this year. Raymond Blanc has agreed to open the fete, so my teas had better be good!

Paul Jeffery and Phil Jones continue their labour of love on the BBOWT nature reserve, and thanks to them it makes Little Milton a wonderful place for wildlife and birds.

The new format of the Newsletter has been warmly welcomed all, round, and puts us in a class apart from even villages the size of Wheatley. This is entirely due to Raymond Fergusson, whose idea it was and who has managed to achieve a price for each issue which may even be cheaper than the old one. I said at the Parish Council meeting when this was approved that I couldn’t wait to see the reaction of the other villages, and sure enough, on Saturday a Parish Councillor of Great Haseley came to tell me how impressed he was by it. Not only that, but the Newsletter is entirely self funding, with a significant profit to boot!

What gives me most pride is that we now have facilities in this village that are the envy of even places like Wheatley and Chalgrove, nearly 10 times our size, and people continue to ask how we do it. It is because we all work hard to make Little Milton an amazing place to live, and I am sure that will continue.

The Post Office in Haseley Road is nearing the end of its natural life, and plans are now with SODC for a new, much larger facility next to the Pine Lodge. We are very excited by this, and we intend to involve the whole village in its ownership and running. Plans are available to view. Thanks again to Annie, Alison and Shirley, for all their hard work, particularly to Annie, who is excited by the challenge of the new premises.

However, I cannot talk about the Post office without mentioning Meg Hue Williams, who sadly is in Sobell House. Without her, we would have lost our Post Office altogether, and much more besides, as she bought the cottage specifically so that a Post Office could be saved. She has been a tower of strength in the village for many years, always helping, donating, encouraging, and guiding, and the village owes her a debt of gratitude we can never repay. She sends her best wishes, but I am sure the village would wish me to send her all your love and prayers

The W.I thrives as ever thanks to the efforts of Anne Hawkins and her team, and Janet Betts, who continues to work tirelessly for Age Concern, and commands the raffle at Quiz Nights! Thanks are also due to David Haenlein, who maintains the Little Milton website, and keeps it updated and fresh.

Last year, I reported my concern on the future of the Lamb Pub, but now I am pleased to say that with Doug and Pauline in situ, and new plans awaited for an expansion, the Lamb at last looks to be heading in the right direction. Long may it continue.

Finally, you will have all probably realised that I am the least gifted member of the Parish Council, and I therefore continue to bask in the reflected glory of my fellow councillors, Simon Oddie, Barry Coward, Mabel Wood, Alison Shelton, Raymond Fergusson and the sadly departed Isabel Fox. Our meetings are always lively, and highly entertaining, and I am indebted to them all for their contribution and sage advice. I should also tell you that our Parish finances are in very good shape, as Raymond will explain, and it is entirely due to his professionalism as Parish Clerk that they are.

We therefore have a vacancy, and I am pleased to note that we have 4 good candidates for the post, so we look forward to new talents and ideas in the coming months.

We are as ever greatly helped by John Nowell Smith our District Councillor, and David Turner, our County Councillor, who continue to support our cause at District and County level. They are both a great asset and friend of the village Thanks to both of them for their hard work on our behalf on a wide range of issues.

The Annual Parish meeting was attended by four Parish Council members, the Clerk, the County Councillor and eight members of the public.

Mr Stuart McGill presented the Chairman’s Report (attached). It was agreed that it should be printed in full in the Newsletter.

The Clerk presented the key aspects of the Council finances for the year ended 31st March 2006. There were no questions from the floor.

Mr David Turner reported to the meeting his work on the Oxfordshire County Council. It covered key services including bus services, road maintenance, traffic calming & weight restrictions on the A329 and housing.

Mr Richard Alliston raised his concern about the lack of information on local buses particularly for teenagers visiting Oxford on a Saturday. There was a brief discussion about a community operated bus but as a first step it was agreed that relevant information should be included in the newsletter.

Miss Yvonne Brammer raised her concerns about the effectiveness of the build-outs as she considered that the traffic was speeding through the village after it had encountered the build-outs. Mr David Turner stated that the traffic speed had reduced according to the recent survey.

In the absence of Mr John Nowell-Smith, Mr David Turner read out a report prepared by Mr John Nowell-Smith. The main areas covered were Council tax, planning, housing, environmental Health and waste management and recycling. The Chairman expressed the Council’s thanks for all his support.

Miss Yvonne Brammer gave a comprehensive report of the history of the Orchard as well as the daily operation of the school. She highlighted its close relationship with Little Milton Primary School. She extended her thanks to the Parish Council for allowing the Orchard to create a hard standing area behind the existing building. She saw the Orchard as an important asset within the Village.

Mr Richard Alliston gave a brief report on the activities of the Village Hall over the past year. He extended his appreciation to the village for their excellent support. The bookings for the hall had been very good and emphasised the need to book well in advance. He reported that the charity had a financial surplus and that the hiring rates were competitive with other village halls. He informed the meeting that the AGM was on Tuesday 13^th June 2006.

There was a discussion on the division of responsibilities of the recreation ground, car park and hall between the Parish Council and the Village Hall Management committee. There was no recommendation made but the Parish Council will consider the comments that were made.

Miss Yvonne Brammer highlighted the number of cigarette buts that are thrown down in the playground and asked the Parish Council to consider

erecting a suitable structure where young people could gather. The matter was considered a positive suggestion and is something that the Parish Council will consider.

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 10th May was attended by four Councillors, the Clerk, the District and County Councillor and six members of the public.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Stuart McGill and he asked for nominations for chairman. Mr McGill was the only person proposed and was duly elected for the next Council year.

Mr Simon Oddie was proposed as vice-chairman and was duly elected for the next Council year.

The Chairman informed the meeting that the Council had received an application from Mrs. Paula Cameron, Mr. William Hewlett, Mr. Tim Robinson and Mr Ian Whales for the Parish Council vacancy. He then read out the letters that each candidate had submitted. The Clerk explained the voting procedure to ensure that the Council acted within the law. After the first ballot there was a tie with two candidates each receiving two votes. As a result the Chairman had a casting vote and Mr Tim Robinson was co-opted by the Council members to fill the vacancy.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had advised OCC that the Council would re-submit the application after addressing the points raised by an independent legal advisor to OCC. A letter from Mr. Howard Perkins, Chief Solicitor OCC was read out. This was in response to a letter sent by the Council in which they had expressed some concern as to level of cost incurred in respect of the application. Mr Perkins accepted the Council’s concern and stated that only £550 had been incurred. He also explained that the law on Village Greens is quite specific and in view of the long term effect of creating Village Greens over land owned by others, had to be compiled with accuracy.

Mr. Barry Coward informed the Council of his meeting at SODC who are currently preparing their Housing Site Allocations Development Plan Document. This will allocate land for additional housing in the district to meet the requirements of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2016 and broad locations for a further period to 2026. As part of the Consultation, Parish Council’s are being invited to give their views. The Parish Council felt that it should be pro-active on the issue and establish whether there is a need for additional housing within the village. Mr. Barry Coward was asked to investigate the possibility of calling a Parish Meeting to establish the wider feelings of the village. The matter will be considered in more detail at the next Parish Council meeting where a decision will be made as to whether there is any value in convening a Parish Meeting.

The Clerk reported that he had not spoken to all the residents of Cremar Cottages in respect of a possible reduction of the verge that borders the properties if OCC require widening the existing pavement in order to affect the repair to the surface. The Clerk stated that he would not contact OCC until he had spoken to all the residents.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had spoken again with Punch Taverns who had informed him that the proposed plans were being discussed with SODC Conservation as the Lamb is a listed building within the Conservation area. The Clerk will maintain contact with Punch Taverns.

Mrs Alison Shelton stated that there had been not been a meeting of the A329 Advisory Group since the last Parish Council meeting. Mr David Turner drew the Council’s attention to a letter from OCC Highways in respect of funding for transport schemes in 2006-2011. He stated that there were serious implications for Community Safety schemes as these schemes did not produce sufficient benefits in meeting Local Transport Plan objectives. The Council agreed that Peter Ronald of OCC Highways should be invited to the next Council meeting in order that he could explain the funding that is available to meet local needs. Mr David Turner stated that he would organise this. (Action Mr David Turner)

There was a concern that the width of the existing build-outs allowed the passing of two vehicles and although the width of the build-out had to allow agricultural vehicles passage it presented a real danger. It was suggested that the yellow markers could be re-positioned to make motorists take up a more central position when passing through the build-out. Another point that was raised related to the signage in respect of the build-outs. It was recognised that there were signs that should be removed as they had only been installed to cover the initial introduction of the build-outs. It was agreed that the Clerk should raise both these points with OCC transport.

The Council adopted the Annual Accounts and Statement of Assurance for the year ended 31^st March 2006. The Clerk informed the meeting that the notice Electors rights would be displayed from 15^th May to 28^th May 2006 on the Parish Council Notice Board.

The Council also adopted the Risk Assessment produced by the Clerk subject to some minor changes in respect of the change of name of Customs & Excise.

The Council adopted the Financial Regulations that included the changes agreed at previous meetings.

P06/W0297 – Little Milton Village Hall; extension to Village hall re Post Office and other ancillary purposes

This amended planning application simply incorporates some more detailed information that was requested by SODC Planning. It covered information relating to the existing Post Office and questions about the mixed use of the facility. The Council recommended approval of the application.

Mrs Mabel Wood reported that a corner of the wall adjacent to the Haseley Road had been damaged. The Council agreed that the Clerk should approach Mr Colin West, who built the wall, to asses the damage and affect any repairs.

Mr Barry Coward suggested that the Council should consider convening a Public Meeting to obtain the views of the village on SODC Housing allocation proposals before the Council formally respond to SODC by October. The Chairman asked Mr Barry Coward to consider the implications of a Parish Meeting and report back at the next Council meeting.

The Clerk read out a letter from a resident who was concerned that the road adjacent the wall of the Manor at Four Trees was a hazard. The resident questioned the need for the road as there is a proper junction from Gold Street on to the Haseley Road. The Clerk was asked to raise the matter with OCC Highways

Please note that the complete minutes of the Council are now included on the Council website www.littlemilton.org.uk after they have been approved by the Council.

Residents can see the records of the policies and practices of the Parish Council

consultations, on request from the Parish Clerk (Raymond Fergusson –279150). Current Council member are:

I reported earlier this year that Oxfordshire County Council undertook “speed” and “volume” measurements in respect of vehicles entering and exiting our Village before and after the installation of the two build-outs. Both surveys were undertaken for a complete & comparable week. Results were very favourable and two positive statistics came out of the survey:-

· Pre build-out, 85% of all Vehicles entering the Village from Thame entered the Village in excess of 47 mph. Post build-out, the average speed is now 26-31mph.

· Pre build-out, 85% of all Vehicles entering the Village from Stadhampton entered the Village in excess of 44 mph. Post build-out, the average speed is now 26-31mph.

Whilst there have been reports of just a few minor incidents of drivers not giving way at the appropriate places, OCC have said that if drivers obeyed the road markings, then minor incidents would not occur. We agree with this and appeal to all Villagers to assist by helping us to make the Village safer by slowing down in advance of the build-outs. As Villagers, we can all set an example by making a point of driving slowly when approaching the build-outs and indeed, when driving through the Village.

You will be aware that major improvements are underway to relieve congestion at the Headington Roundabout. Works are scheduled to continue until the end of the year. It is clear that over the past few weeks, much traffic seems to be diverting through Little Milton including the “every 10 minutes” London to Oxford Bus Companies. The A329 Group continue to monitor the position and will be meeting with our County Councillor to discuss our options. We were successful a few years ago in negotiating with these Companies, asking them not to use Little Milton as a “rat-run” and in fairness they honoured their word. This time around, it is not clear what alternative routes are available to them.

We continue to press for the weight restriction on the A329 and the above can only add in a positive way to our plight. We will keep you appraised as to how events move on…..

For a charge of £35 residents can arrange for their unwanted vehicle to be collected from within the District and a charge of £7.50 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 .

The new garden waste service will start the week beginning 5 June and every fortnight thereafter. On bank holidays, collections will be a day late. Your bin (if you have one!) will be collected on the same day as your normal refuse and recycling. Please ensure however that your bin is placed in a safe place that does not obstruct the pavement or highway. The dates for June are as follows:-

If you are interested in this service please contact SODC Public Amenities on 01491 823416 or email: public.amenities@southoxon.gov.uk or visit www.southoxon.gov.uk

The Oxfordshire County Council Waste Recycling Centres at Redbridge and Oakley Wood are open Monday to Saturday

If you can spare a short time on a Friday or Saturday and would like to help, please contact me. No skills needed just enthusiasm!

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

Looking at our televisions, reading our newspapers we seem to live in a society dominated by ‘targets’. As a school governor I meet them in education, but they are important in the health service and in industry too. At one level they’re valuable. They help us to measure progress, but at another they can dominate activity to the point where important issues and greater concerns become ignored or submerged. “The part becomes bigger than the whole”. A further difficulty comes where you are dealing with areas of activity that cannot easily be evaluated statistically. I have in mind such things as art or music. In these creative areas you are dealing with what seems to be natural ability and no one can tell you how it happens. Perhaps it is in the genes. We can think of people such as Mozart and he was simply quite brilliant from an early age.

The other day a friend of mine was telling me how in later life he took up drawing and painting for relaxation. He had bought a book with hints on how to improve. The theory is, so I was told, that we have two distinct sides to our brain-one creative and one logical. The thing to do is to allow the creative side to take over and become totally absorbed in it. My friend went on to say that occasionally he had sometimes become so involved that he had often been completely unaware of time passing. My experience somehow told me that doing that was not great art, for it happens to us all.

But I do think there is perhaps a lesson to be learnt here about life on a wider level and our obsession with targets. Sometimes we worry too much about the detail of things that we loose sight of the greater picture. We must, we feel, be up and doing, working out strategies for this and making plans for that, lest we get things wrong.

But amidst all of this, in our business and dizziness, we can neglect to pay attention to God, and what he offers us. God gives us many things in many and varied ways. He also gives us the freedom to live this risky life of ours, and that includes the freedom of making mistakes. God doesn’t need perfection-just a willingness to be open to his Spirit which releases the creativity that is stored inside us.

God our Father, in our busy and stressed lives, help us to be attentive to you. Still us so that the things buried deep inside us can flow out and enrich our lives and those around us. Amen.

We welcome Katie Louise Alice Connolly into the Lord’s Family. Katie was baptised in St James’ on Sunday 14^th May. Please do hold in your prayers little Katie and Val and Paul, and thus assure them all of our prayers.

On the 12^th May, Jennifer Willis was confirmed by the Bishop of Reading in the Chapel of St. Katherine and St. Helen’s School in Abingdon. We congratulate Jennifer and assure her and her family of our continued prayers and support as Jennifer grows in her Christian life.

This was held in Church on the 23^rd April. We heard various reports on the varied activities of our church and gained a picture of how we are doing. Obviously finance is a great worry, with our daily housekeeping expenditure exceeding our receipts. I do not believe that it is right to be continually drawing on our reserves simply to pay our way. But on the other side there are some real positive things happening. We have a vibrant Sunday School, and we are all very appreciative of the imaginative and dedicated team of leaders who give of their time and energy to ensure that our little ones are enabled to grow in the Christian faith. We also expressed our grateful thanks to all those who go to great lengths to ensure that our Church is maintained in such a way as befits the house of God. We elected our PCC and Raymond was chosen to be our Churchwarden for this coming year (where would we and the whole village be without Raymond?).

Our Fete is being held on Saturday 17^th June at The Manor, by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. Oddie. It is being opened by Raymond Blanc at 2.00 p.m. The Committee have been working very hard so that this year’s fete will surpass all expectations. Please do come along and make the 2006 Fete truly wonderful. It will be great to see you all.

Our revised starting time of 10.45 has not proved wholly helpful. We are, therefore, altering our times again from 4^th June so that each session begins at 11.00 and finishes at 12.30 whether it is a Brunch Session or a session in Church. This will also mean that Sunday School begins at the same time as the family service on the 2^nd Sunday of each month i.e. all children’s “events” begin at 11.00. Our dates for this month are:

(and on June 11^th Victor leads the family service assisted by the Jeffrey family)

NB Keep July 16^th free for our Annual Summer outing and picnic between 11.00 and 1.00 – anyone at all who has joined us through the year is welcome and this includes the whole family.

I do not yet have a grand total for all of the Benefice collections but I do want to thank all the collectors here in Little Milton, especially Sarah, Mark and Stuart, and also all those who contributed to the wonderful Christian Aid Week family service total and everyone who put something into the Lamb’s collecting tin. The total will be printed in next month’s newsletter so watch this space…

Another appointment has been approbated to attend lunch at the Lamb on Tuesday 6^th June. Adjust your assignations and allow an amount of ageless assurance and amble along with an appetite to the ambience of the Lamb at around 12.30pm. Affirm your attendance ahead allowing an adjustment to numbers for lunch. Anyone welcome. No apathy accepted.

We are planning a wonderful fete this year and hope as many people as possible come along and enjoy the day.

We are very fortunate to have Raymond Blanc opening the fete at 2pm. Hot air balloon rides will be available (weather permitting) along with many other attractions some old favourites and others new. There will be plenty to see and do, so don’t miss this major event in our village calendar.

One of the main fund raising parts of our fete is the raffle. Soon we will be selling door to door throughout the village. We have some wonderful prizes to offer in both the main ‘Summer Fete Draw’ and the ‘Special Draw’ (Golf).

This year we are providing an incentive in prizes for the most raffle tickets sold; this does not cover door to door selling but is aimed at individual sales. So please take as many books as possible to sell at work/or with family/friends etc.

And the Special Draw (Golf) prize is a voucher for 2 people to have Sunday lunch in the Spike Bar at the Oxfordshire Golf Club.

Please note prizes may be positioned in a different order according to value when final list of donations is compiled.

Finally we still would be grateful for any further donations to our stalls (see list and contact numbers). Also any further raffle prizes would be most gratefully received.

The organisation for the fete is well in hand and stall holders now need your support. I detail below a list of stall holders with contact numbers. Please give them a call to pledge your support. Many thanks

Sarah Jones 278120

CAKE STALL “CAKES ETC” AT THE FETE

Hello I’m on the “cakes” this year and so I wonder whether you would be able to bake a cake, some buns, some biscuits – in fact, anything you like at all for the cake stall for us to sell this year. I can collect it or you can bring it to the

At the Manor

Fete to be opened by Monsieur Raymond Blanc

Hot Air Balloon Rides (weather permitting) Chalgrove Brass Band

Vintage Cars Fun for all the Family

stall on the day, whichever is easiest for you. Thank you, in anticipation, for anything you can bake or make!

As well as working very hard in school, we have enjoyed various visits during the first half of the summer term.

The Juniors visited Think Tank in Birmingham, where they had great fun exploring the planetarium and attending various workshops based on the topic of Space, which they had covered during the Spring Term. Year 2 children learnt about rock pools and met many large and small sea creatures at SeaWorld. During the spring term, they have been looking at all aspects of life in the sea and rivers, and have produced a wonderful frieze for their classroom.

The Infants had a great day at Roves Farm near Faringdon, where they had an opportunity to feed lambs, run after piglets, admire the rare breed cattle, and get lost in the maze!

Our After School Football Club continues to be well supported, with the children trying out their skills at the recreation ground every Thursday afternoon. Our newly introduced Dance Club is a great success – with various styles of dance being learned each week.

At the time of writing, we are busy rehearsing hymns for our Ascension Day Service, and getting fit for our Maypole Evening, which will take place on Friday June 23^rd. Our neighbours will have heard the strains of country music coming from the playground, as we practice Spiders Web and other traditional dances. We would be delighted to welcome you on the evening - please contact school for tickets.

THE PINE LODGE

· Quiz Night – The final Quiz night of this season was on Saturday the 6^th May 2006. Once again we had a great attendance with approximately 70 people, great food and a fun evening. Alison Shelton left us in no doubt about the fact that her team carried off the trophy in a closely fought contest. Who’d have thought that a Quiz night could be so much fun! We start again in September.

· Computer Club - The club runs on Tuesday evenings to offer help and guidance on all matters to do with using a computer.

· Letter and document writing, spreadsheets, databases, internet surfing & research, email etc. If you would like more details, please contact Stuart on 279092. All are welcome.

a) Saturday 8^th July 2006 - Following the great success of the September Picnic concert we are holding a Midsummer Picnic concert at the recreation ground. Harvest Moon will be entertaining us with soft summer jazz and cool rhythms. There will be a bar in the Pine Lodge and you can either bring your own picnic or buy from the BBQ

d) Saturday 25^th November – The Oxford Touring Theatre Company production- “The Firebird”

We received a grant from the lottery to fund our audio system which will soon be fully installed however our application for a grant for a projector was refused. Fortunately we have had a promise of support from another source which will pay for a large screen and there is another grant making charity that has indicated support provided we have firm evidence of your support for the project. The only justification for the grant making charity will be if there is sufficient demand from hirers and support from the village. You may recall that our intention is to launch a cinema club at the Pine Lodge which will need a projector. We have researched and found a suitable License that permits showing of the vast majority of current films available for hire.

The proposed club will be licensed for two sections, Children and Senior Citizens both of which groups may be accompanied by family and friends. It is proposed to have one screening per month for children and one for families or adults. We are considering the children’s film on a Saturday morning, the adult’s mid-week evening and the family film possibly on a Friday evening. The License means this must be a Club with an annual subscription from each member. The likely level of subscription is

Children £5.00 per year and adults £10 per year. An admission charge would be payable for each film at a level of about £1 for children and £3 for adults. These costs are subject to confirmation.

What films would you like to see? The choice would effectively be almost everything released on DVD/Video. Does a “Stars Wars” season appeal, How about ‘Lord of The Rings’ on a big Screen? Please come along to the AGM and give us your views. If you can’t make the AGM, please fill in the attached form and return it to The Post Office or Stuart McGill at The Bridlepath Haseley Road. Call Richard on 278045 for more information or come along to the AGM.

Annual General Meeting

· The Annual General Meeting of ‘Little Milton Village Hall’ Registered charity no: 1092878 will be on Tuesday 13th June 2006 at 7.30pm in The Pine Lodge. Complimentary wine & soft drinks will be served and the Trustees will present their annual report and the financial accounts for the year ended 31st March 2006.

· Please come and ask any questions, tell us what we have done well and what we could do better. We also need volunteers to stand for election as Trustees to manage the affairs of the charity and other volunteers to assist with the growing number of community events that are being staged in The Pine Lodge.

“Little Milton Village Hall” is a registered charity and has adopted a trading style “The Pine Lodge”. Its purpose is clearly defined and limited by its Trust Deed. The actions of the Trustees are governed by the Charities Commission and the Trustees are duty bound to act with caution so as to protect the assets of the charity, while fulfilling the purpose of the charity. In practice this simply means, don’t do things that aren’t within the remit of the Trust deed and don’t take unnecessary risks, either operational or financial. If you would like to know more about the Trust, attend a Management Committee meeting as an observer, or, hopefully, enquire about being a Trustee or an event organiser, please contact Richard on 278045 or Stuart on 279092.

Booking and Hiring

We are pleased to say that The Pine Lodge continues to enjoy popularity and is frequently booked for use by different people or groups both during the day and the evening on Saturday and Sunday especially for parties. If you are planning on making a weekend booking in particular, you should assume that there will be another hiring either after yours.

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.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of Little Milton Village Hall, Registered Charity number 1092878 to be held on Tuesday 13^th June, 2006 at 7.30pm in The Pine Lodge, Thame Road, Little Milton. All are welcome.

This new course will start in September and consist of 4 evening wine tastings. The purpose of the course is to increase knowledge for those of you who know something about wine, and a “taster” (sic) for those who would like to learn the basics of various grape varieties. The course will cost £60 and the last evening will be a light-hearted blind tasting for all those completing the course with prizes to take home.

There are still some places available on this course, so if you want to learn about wine, please call Chris Coward in 01844 278970 before 30^th June, so that numbers are know and then we can arrange the course dates.

A contractor is trying to cut the grass weekly, but it is not always possible because of the wet Spring we are having.

Five A Side Football continues on Wednesday evenings, 8.15 – 9.30. All welcome, age 16 and over.

Remember hire costs of the MUGA are £10 per hour and the tennis court £5 per hour. Booking guarantees the court. Finally, the lights will be switched off for the months of June and July.

FRIENDS OF WELLS FARM

We plan to meet on Sunday 4^th June, when we intend to start our survey work, with a Dragonfly & Butterfly survey. We welcome anyone who would like to come along and get some fresh air. We meet in the Farmyard at 10.30am.

Is anyone interested in an Allotment; there are several in need of attention, in the village, with very cheap rates. If you are interested give me a call.

As a group we are going to take over the management of the Allotments & intend to enhance the area by planting some fruit trees and sowing some arable weeds in specially dug beds, to attract beneficial wildlife to that area.

Paul Jeffery will also be training some BBOWT volunteers on how to trap, identify and release small mammals. If anybody else would like to find out please contact Paul on 278424.

“Ne’er cast a clout till May be out”, I did but have put it on again! My how glorious the May blossom is this year, the hedges are literally dripping with colour, some difference to last year when “Jack Frost” had his say. “A cold May and windy a full barn will find ye”, also true as this year, I have never known so much grass so early in may, so much so that it must be at least 3 weeks early as we have already had to cut some that was going to seed head. This due I think mainly to those few uncommonly hot days we had during the first week or so. This is all such a relief to us after what was a very long winter and late spring, I said nature had a wonderful way of compensating well it has this year. After such a long spell of relatively dry weather we are to expect a similar period of wet and messy weather through the coming summer? Not a wonderful prospect but much more in keeping with our notoriously wet climate, which after all is what gives us “this green and pleasant land”.

This is a time of year that appears to on lookers, as a period of inactivity on the land. This is certainly not the case as it is a time to feed and nurture the crops to help them produce to their full potential. The big question to me at the moment is how the rape will yield this year? It has had such a short flowering season, a blessing to those who suffer from allergies, but to the farmer it is the flower, that produces the fruit that we harvest. Very often it will start flowering in February, certainly by end of March. This time it was not until the end of April, and now at the end of May it is over, a period a month shorter than usual. It will be interesting to see. It has been wonderful to see the rain. Yet again though we seem to be missing the majority of it here. This brings me on to mention the water reserves, hosepipe bans etc. I still think that the water authorities should have made more of an issue of it before. If only to make people aware of how precarious a situation we are actually in, and that we cannot go on using this resource with out careful consideration. Maybe now we have a new minister dealing with housing a more realistic thought process will emerge and reality will prevail. One only has to think of any development where the ground is covered by a hard surface or a roof, that surface water is lost to the ground, and piped away.

Whilst on the subject of water, I have been amazed by news reports on the TV about the boreholes in the chalk, I had no concept how big and deep they are. I remember just after the war when we lived at Chiselhampton my Father drilled such a well, (Potters of Thame, one of those old Agricultural firms not now in existence did the work), this was 240 feet deep but only 5inchs in diameter. The boreholes in the chalk are large enough for a person to climb down.

We have our own water supply at Views supplied from a spring that has touch wood never yet run dry. We take about a quarter (if that) of what the spring produces. When we have made use of this water it all goes back into the ground. The point I am making here is that this sort of system has been frowned upon of late, but is in fact true recycling. Most domestic water just goes down the drain and is lost. In our quest for safety and hygiene has driven us to profligate use of water, and closed perfectly good old water supplies, thus wasting this precious resource. It occurs to me that all the leaking pipes probably do not make a lot of difference as most of it will seep back into the ground. This will of course unnecessarily use up energy, but not loose much water.

The good news for us on the farming front is that we have had our long awaited payment or at least 79% of it. This will ease the difficult financial pressure on some of our colleagues, unfortunately I believe some of those that have a greater reliance on this payment, have not as yet had their money, and I fear for them. Farmers always seem to survive somehow, but out of necessity. If they go broke there is no one to bail them out other than family. We know that we rely on government money to keep us solvent, but if we cease to be farmers then that money is not there. There are then no hand outs or redundancy for individual businesses such as farmers. All I can say it must be very hard for some.

I have just read an interesting written by an old Agricultural advisor who was brought up on a farm in Suffolk and became part of what was known as the “War Ag” (War Agricultural Committee). He explains briefly how the current system of farm support came about and how things have changed. I strongly recommend this little book to anyone who is remotely interested in the war years and the countryside. As my copy was given to me I am not sure where it is available from as I believe it is not to be found on the usual bookstands. It is published by Trafford Publishing (UK) Ltd, Enterprise house, Wistaston Road Business centre, Wistaston Road, Crewe, Cheshire. CW2 7RP. Title “FARMERS From Food Producers To Park-Keepers” by Arthur Staniforth.

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

Sarah Sadler 278563

SEWING GROUP

Thank you, Mary, for offering your home for us all last month – lovely! This month we are meeting at Hill Top House, the home of Pat Dugdale (at the bend in the High Street top end) on Wednesday June 21^st from 11.00 onwards. Do telephone Pat on 279242 by Tuesday evening 20^th if you’re staying for lunch. Come along on this the longest day of the year and join the group. We’d welcome you warmly.

Next Meeting: This will be a Safari Supper to be held in members’ homes in Little Milton on the 8^th June.

At our May meeting we voted to support Resolutions on renewable energy and sport. The Rev. Victor Story gave a very interesting talk on his travels, starting with his childhood as the son of a merchant seaman, then expanding on how travelling had led to a broader understanding of people and the places they lived.

Margaret Elliott: Margaret passed away in May, after a short illness, and will be greatly missed by our W.I. From her jolly and enthusiastic approach to life through to her staunch championing of the WI and its causes over decades, Margaret made a very significant contribution to the WI movement. Her involvement included a period on the Oxfordshire County Executive where her

efficient and energetic promotion of WI books and other publications saw a huge rise in their sales and popularity.

Her service at local level, as President and doing other Committee jobs at Haseley and Little Milton WIs, was tremendous - showing her qualities of kindness, organisation and capacity for sheer hard work cheerfully done. Margaret possessed a lively, very intelligent mind as well as a strong and often irreverent sense of humour that endeared her to everyone in the WI.

Jazz in a Summer Meadow at the Harcourt Arboretum, Nuneham Courtenay on Saturday 29th July.

Bring a picnic, your friends and family and enjoy swinging jazz and funky soul with Natalie Williams and the Tim Dawes Band, in the beautiful meadow. Gates open 6pm performance 7pm. Tickets £10 adult, £5 child, £25 family (2 adults and 2 children)

Info 01865 276920/postmaster@obg.ox.ac.uk or send cheque to: FOBG, Oxford Botanic Garden, Rose Lane, Oxford OX1 4AX

A nervous 5-a-side team comprising Neil Marriott, Mark Platts, Mike Pennick, Andy Bradshaw and Vaughn Sadler made its way up to Manchester to represent Little Milton in the Hyundai National 5-a-side competition comprising some 50 teams. The team ‘name’ was the first priority for the day and the name Little Milton ‘Llamas’ was chosen on the basis that the team exhibited similar qualities to the Llama namely, awkward on the ball, ugly in the tackle, very tenacious despite age and occasionally prone to spitting…

Stopping only for the traditional pre-match full English breakfast, the team arrived in good time to scout the opposition noting that their youth, pace and fitness would provide an interesting juxtaposition to the Llama’s balding pates and expanding waste lines.

An early goal from team captain Vaughn Sadler after two minutes meant the Llamas were effectively leading the overall competition (simply on the basis that we kicked off first). However the physical game of the opposition coming as a surprise to the more gentlemanly play of the Llamas soon meant the game was level at 1-1. Goal keeper for the game Andy Bradshaw then gifted the opposition an easy goal by rolling the ball out directly to the opposition’s ace striker who buried the ball. A mazy run down the right by Mike Pennick unleashing a right foot shot that glanced off the top of bar was the Llamas last real chance of the game. Mark Platts and Neil Marriott were robust in defence despite the intimidation tactics from the opposition. Final result 1-3 to the opposition.

Next up was the ‘number 1’ rated team in our group and eventual group winners, Bolton Asians, (average age estimated at <23) who gave the Llamas (average age 43) a master class in slick passing and movement. Mark Platts, despite conceding 7 “unstoppable” goals, produced the save of the competition by using his ‘face’ instead of his hands to make a save thereby keeping the score down to a 0-7 defeat. Enough said.

This proved to be the turning point for the Llamas where the hours spent on the Wed night Little Milton pitch paid dividends. A change in team shape and tactical formation saw an early chance for Andy Bradshaw on his less than trusty left foot put away followed by two further goals from front man Vaughn Sadler. The midfield was controlled well by Mike Pennick with Mark Platts back heeling well and closing down the right side of the pitch. Neil ‘clean-sheet’ Marriott pulled off a couple of good saves to deny the opposition any chance of a comeback. Buoyed by being 3-0 up the Llamas then exhibited the full range of team skills by ‘showboating’ to waste a bit of time, conserve energy and secure a 3-0 victory. The opposition commended us at the end on our style of ‘salsa’ football. Confidence was now high with three points on the board.

This was to be the crunch match of our group up against last years national semi-finalists. If ever the Llamas were to be tested to the full this was it. Following a nervous start the ball was pumped up field by Neil Marriott from defence for Vaughn ‘poacher’ Sadler to slot an early goal for the Llamas. What then followed was total domination by the opposition with numerous chances all kept out by Mike ‘the cat’ Pennick's goalkeeping performance which was surely the keeper performance of the competition. Marriott, Bradshaw and Platts defensive qualities were tested to the full. In particular Mark “Drogba” Platts ‘diving’ and appeals to the ref to waste time are worthy of note, Neil ‘clogger’ Marriott’s ‘physical’ game came to the fore and with one minute to go the Llamas were still protecting their 1-0 lead. Could this really be the upset of the competition? The opposition having brought on their two substitutes in panic finally scored with 30 seconds of the game remaining resulting in a 1-1 draw.

The Final game was less physical with an improbable ‘hat-trick’ scored by Mark Platts resulting in a 3-0 official win for the Llamas. This time the opposition was unable to take advantage of the Llama’s aching limbs and weren’t able to trouble ‘keeper Vaughn Sadler even once throughout the game. By comparison with previous games this was a walk in the park for the Llama’s and, in many respects, was their most accomplished performance of the day.

Two wins, one draw and two defeats resulted in a total of 7 points with the Llamas finishing fourth in their group and narrowly missing qualification for the last 16 knock-out stage.

This year the show will be held in the beautiful setting of Rycote Park on Saturday 26^th August at 2pm and we need lots of entries so get growing!

Learn more about flower and vegetable growing, join your local gardening society, membership only £3 a year.

Plant Sale and Teas, Sunday June 4^th 2.30pm – 5pm at the Harcourt Arboretum, Nuneham Courtenay. Wide range of plants for sale, lovely teas, bookstall, plant advice - and the beautiful Arboretum to explore! Free parking .Organised by the Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden.

Our outing to Nuffield Place on the 26th April was attended by thirty-three members and friends. Nuffield Place was the home of Lord Nuffield, founder of Morris Motors and medical and educational benefactor. It is a rare survival of an upper-middle class home of the 1930's and is still used as a private residence to-day. We saw many interesting antiques, custom-made furniture, clocks, rugs and tapestries as well as the first iron lung. There was also a four-acre garden to be explored. Having had our lunch at the Riverside Cafe at Benson after our visit to Nuffield we made our way to Streatley for a W.I. tea - always a popular event! At our meeting on the 11th May we learned that, sadly, Edna Rice's husband had died so obviously she was unable to come to entertain us on the piano. So instead Mrs Cecily Lieberman enthralled us with tales of her time in various parts of America, including Florida, when she was employed in the hotel trade. We had a coach full of members and friends to travel to Ironbridge in Shropshire on the 17th May. At Blists Hill Victorian Town working factories, shops and cottages, Victorian crafts, customs and traditions were all recreated. After spending time here we went on to Coalport China Museum where we saw demonstrations of traditional techniques and displays of truly beautiful china. Next it was the turn of Jackson Tile Museum, home to the "most magnificent tiles ever produced". Time then to view the famous Iron Bridge before making our way home.

I have a Little Milton Parish Magazine dated May 1924. It cost 1 ½ d (1/2 p new money) . There is a nice picture of the Church. The Vicar was the Revd. Raymond Townsend, the Churchwardens were Sidney A Hatt and Milton Harris, the Organist was Mrs Phyliss Holmes and the Clerk and Sexton was Mrs H West.

In it is recorded the burial of my Great Grandmother who was 91 years old. She lived in the little cottage next to where the Post Office now is. I am a Great Grandmother to Jamie and Jack, the sons of Mark and Emma Goddard who used to live in the Village. This made them the seventh generation of my family to live in Little Milton.

GROWING YOUR OWN FAMILY TREE HAS JUST GOT EASIER

Oxfordshire’s family history enthusiasts now have access to billions of possible ancestors thanks to a database Oxfordshire County Council has just signed up to in response to popular demand for more family history resources.

Ancestry Library Edition gives family historians access to more than four billion names in more than 4,000 collections through the Internet.

The new service is available through the County Council’s Oxfordshire Studies,

based at the Central Library, Oxford, through the Central Library itself and through the main branch libraries in Abingdon, Banbury, Henley and Witney.

People can search in seconds national sources such as the Census Returns for England and Wales 1841-1901 and the General Register Office Index from 1837 to 2004, confident that they can trace elusive ancestors who upped sticks in search of fame, fortune or a living wage and vanished forever from their home parishes.

Oxfordshire Studies is open Monday, Friday, Saturday 9-5; Tuesday, Thursday 9-7; closed Wednesday, Sunday. For the opening hours of the other services see www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries.For more information about the new service, please contact Mark Lawrence on 01865 815271.

The CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory carries out world leading research ranging from the vastness of space to the invisibly small world of nanotechnology. All the lectures are free and many are suitable for families – age guidelines are shown for each lecture. If you are interested in what might be available please contact 01235 445000

‘Move over Einstein’, a fascinating exhibition produced by the Institute of Physics, uses hands-on-exhibits to take you inside some of the latest projects Einstein’s successors are working on. This free exhibition can be visited Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 4.00pm. There are another list of events that can be viewed on www.oxtrust.org.uk or you can ring 01865 728953.

I’m worried about bird flu. I am 67 years old, and keep reading that pensioners are particularly at risk in major flu outbreaks, but my doctor will not give me a bird flu injection. What should I do?

Bird flu is a specific strain, which infects birds and so far has only affected other animals and humans if they have come into direct contact with infected birds. There have not as yet been any cases of human-to-human transmission, but there is a risk that the virus could mutate into a form that would pass more easily between humans. If that were to happen, a flu pandemic could develop. This is because the bird flu virus is a completely new strain which has not previously affected humans, so that if it starts to spread between humans it is likely that many more people throughout the world will get it and that its symptoms will be more severe than usual. Pandemic is simply the word that is used to describe a severe outbreak of disease once it affects a specific proportion of the population.

No pandemic has developed yet, but the World Health Organisation predicts that there may be one. This would not be the first ever flu pandemic – there have been three in the last century – but they are quite rare. There will be an announcement on radio, television and in the newspapers, if and when a pandemic develops. Because flu viruses are constantly changing, vaccines do not remain effective for long and new ones must be produced for each new strain. That is why flu vaccination needs to be repeated every year for people for whom it is recommended. Vaccines for bird flu are being formulated, and will be provided if needed.

It is important to remember that while bird flu is making headlines, normal flu is still a very serious illness – particularly for the elderly. If you are 65 or over, or suffer from chest conditions (such as asthma), and have not yet had a normal flu jab this year, then you should contact your doctor.

If you would like more information about flu, you can call NHS Direct on 0845 4647, or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

For more information and advice on consumer rights go to www.adviceguide.org.uk or contact your local CAB.

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 £4.00 (passenger pays for any car park) and Visit to Doctor £2.00

This service is made possible by a grant from the Parish Councils to help 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.

The surgeries are very popular and it advisable that if you wish to make an appointment that you do so sometime before the surgery you would like to attend. Please contact 01491 612852

Creation Theatre Company is about to start it’s most exciting summer yet! With three stunning shows and two venues, this season promises to be spellbinding. At Headington Hill are Macbeth (2 June – 9 September) and Robin Hood (20 July – 8 September), and at the Oxford Castle The Merchant of Venice (30 June – 19 August). Box Office: 01865 766266

Tickets: £7 - £21, concessions and group rates available. www.creationtheatre.co

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.

British Red Cross is able to provide short- term loan of wheelchairs, mobility, toilet and bathing aid through their Thames Valley Community Response Units.

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 July 2006 Newsletter should be with the Editor at 27 Chiltern View, Little Milton, by 8.00 p.m. on 20th June 2006. The Editor reserves the right not to print items submitted for publication and to edit those items, which are published.

4th	09.30 a.m.	All age Worship led by Mrs Jan Gregory
11th	11.00 a.m.	Sacrament of Holy Communion and baptism led by Rev Derick Chambers
18th	11.00 a.m.	An ecumenical Sacrament Service in St Mary’s, Great Milton with Revs Victor Story and Derick Chambers
25th	11.00 a.m.	Chapel Anniversary Service led by Mr Andrew Maisey, to be followed by lunch in Fullers Field Community Room.

1st Prize	Luncheon for two at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
2nd Prize	£100 Voucher for Gees Restaurant
3rd Prize	Sunday Lunch for 4 at The Oxford Belfry
4th Prize	Luxury Hamper
5th Prize	£50 Voucher for Quod Restaurant
Plus several other Prizes	Including a Countax Echo product wines and many others!!

1st Prize	Magnolia Park Round of Golf for 4
2nd Prize	Studley Wood Round of Golf for 2
3rd Prize	Hinksey Heights Round of Golf for 4
4th Prize	Hadden Hill Round of Golf for 2 Plus 2 tokens for driving range
5th Prize	Waterstock Round of Golf for 4

Monday Morning Monday Afternoon	10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. 1.30 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.	Open Door No appointment needed Appointments and phone advice
Tuesday Morning	10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.	Appointments and phone advice
Wednesday & Thursday	Closed
Friday	10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.	Appointments and phone advice

Thurs	1st	10.15 a.m.	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall
Sun	4th	9.30 a.m. 11.00 am	Holy Communion (Common Worship) – St James’ Little Milton Sunday School
Mon	5th	10.30 a.m.	Fitness/Yoga in the Pine Lodge
Tues	6th	7.30 p.m.	Bell Ringing Practice – St James’
Thurs	8th	10.15 a.m. 7.45 p.m.	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall W I The Pine Lodge Little Milton
Sun	11th	11.00 a.m.	Family Service - St James’ Little Milton
Mon	12th	10.30 a.m	Fitness/Yoga in the Pine Lodge
Tues	13th	7.30 p.m.	Bell Ringing Practice – St James’
Wed	14th	9.45 a.m 8.00 p.m.	Babies and Toddlers Music Group Parish Council Meeting, The Pine Lodge
Thurs	15th	10.15 a.m. 2.15-2.25 pm.	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall Mobile Library – Old Field
Sat	17^th	2.00 pm.	Village Fete at the Manor
Sun	18th	8.00 a.m. 11.00 a.m.	Holy Communion (BCP) Sunday School
Mon	19th	10.30 a.m.	Fitness/Yoga in the Pine Lodge
Tues	20th	7.30 p.m.	Bell Ringing Practice – St James’
Wed	21st	9.45 a.m.	Babies and Toddlers Music Group
Thurs	22nd	10.15 a.m.	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall
Sat	24th
Sun	25th	10.00 a.m	Benefice Service St James’
Mon	26th	10.30 a.m 1.25–1.45 p.m. 1.50-2.10 p.m	Fitness/Yoga in the Pine Lodge Mobile Library – Old Field Mobile Library – Milton Manor Drive
Tues	27th	7.30 p.m.	Bell Ringing Practice – St James’
Wed	28th	9.45 a.m.	Babies and Toddlers Music Group
Thurs	29^th	10.15 a.m. 2.15-2.25 pm.	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall Mobile Library – Old Field

LITTLE MILTON

GREAT HASELEY

Luncheon for two at

£100 Voucher for

Gees Restaurant

Sunday Lunch for 4 at

The Oxford Belfry

Sarah Jones 278120