LITTLE MILTON  NEWSLETTER

www.littlemilton.org.uk

July  2006

PARISH COUNCIL

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 14th June was attended by five Councillors, the Clerk and the District Councillor. There were no members of the public in attendance.

Triangle of land adjacent to Wells Farmhouse

The Clerk reported that he had discussed the OCC response to the Council’s application to register the land as a village green with Mrs Victoria Robinson. She had offered to give the Council legal guidance before the Council re-submit the application. The evidence statements will need to be completed again as well as the need to delineate the locality within the stricter legal definition required within the application. The clerk will progress this item

Housing Site Allocation Plans

Mr Barry Coward informed the Council that he had chaired a meeting with representatives of the School, the Orchard Pre School, the Church, the Village Hall and the Post Office that considered the need to increase the number of houses in the village in order to ensure its sustainability in the future. The meeting did not consider any specific proposals but was an exercise in obtaining views as to whether additional houses would impact on the sustainability of those specific organisations or service providers. The consensus view was that a marginal increase in houses would have little effect on the future sustainability of the village and that a more critical factor was the quality of the service provided. This was particularly relevant to the school and the Orchard Pre School as they believed that they needed to appeal to other users’ out-with the village. The Council concluded that it was premature to call a Parish Meeting to consider the matter further. However it was agreed that the Council should consider establishing a Parish Plan and that the Council would provide background information into the process at the next Council Meeting.

A329 Advisory Group

The Clerk reported that Mr Peter Ronald of OCC Highways had requested a site meeting to discuss the issues raised following the Council meeting of the 10th May 2006. The meeting was also attended by Mr Stuart McGill and Mr Mark Platts of the A329 Committee. The key action points of the meeting were:-

• The damage to the wall on the Haseley Road and the uneven footpath needed to be addressed specifically to Mr Brian Purcel Smith of OCC Highways Maintenance.

• The restricted use of the slip road into Gold Street from the Haseley and the extended footpath between Chiltern View and the traffic lights should be part of Little Milton Schools Travel Plan as there was funding available to support such initiatives. There was no funding now available from OCC for Community Safety Schemes.

• The signage approaching the build-outs would be reviewed and any temporary signs would be removed but any other signs could only be removed it their removal did not contravene any Highway regulations.

• It was recognised that a minority of drivers approached the build-outs without giving the necessary priority. It was agreed that a white line will be painted on the road as well as a yellow hatching to indicate to drivers not to encroach on that part of the road. It is hoped that this will create a perception that two vehicles should not attempt to pass at the narrowest part of the build-out.

The Council discussed the need for the A329 Committee to report to the Council their action plan for the coming year so that the Council were fully aware and better able to provide the necessary support as well as to avoid any duplication of effort. It was agreed that Mrs Alison Shelton would raise the matter with the Chairman of the A329 Committee.

Recreation Ground

The Chairman reported that the recreation ground was now being cut on a weekly and that it had received a Spring Feed and Weed from Lawn Solutions. The Chairman highlighted a potential issue in respect of parking facilities when there is a major event in the hall as there was a need to use the recreation ground for parking. Although this was not a frequent occurrence there was a need to establish some clear guidelines to ensure that the work being done to improve the surface of the recreation ground was not undone.

Planning

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

   This planning application has been granted by SODC.

P06/W0226 – Land adjacent to Plough House; to create an agricultural vehicular access

   This planning application has been refused by SODC.

Village Shop/Post Office

The Chairman reported that Mrs Annie Rogers had provided her annual accounts for the past four years to allow a better understanding of the financial performance of the Post Office and shop.

The Council had a short discussion on the possible ways that the “new business” could be structured. The Clerk stated that it was very important that the ownership of the business was clearly understood. The Parish Council has powers to support a village shop under Section 137 LGA 1972 as well as the power to purchase property under Section 124 LGA 1972 but cannot run a business. Mr Stuart McGill stated that he would circulate information on a model of operation produced by ORCC.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 12th July 2006 at 8.00 p.m. in The Pine Lodge Little Milton unless there is a need to convene any planning or other meetings.

R. Fergusson Parish Clerk

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.

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 Alison Shelton   Mr Barry Coward Mr Tim Robinson

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 £7.50 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 .

SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL –GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION

Your bin 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 July are as follows:-

Tuesday 4th July, 18th July & 1st^t August

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

COMMUNITY WASTE VEHICLES – DOMESTIC WASTE ONLY

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.

SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

HELP US IMPROVE OUR WEBSITE AND RECEICE £20

South Oxfordshire District Council’s website, www.southoxon.gov.uk, provides a wide range of information and services. We are continually looking for ways to improve our site and make it easier for people to use.

Could you spare an hour of your time to help us test our website?

We are looking for volunteers to help us work out which parts of our website need improving. The sessions will take place at the council offices in Crowmarsh Gifford, and will involve a few tasks to see how easy or hard it is to use our site. You don’t need any prior experience or knowledge about websites to take part. The session will involve looking at the website for around an hour. At the end of the session, volunteers will receive £20.

If you are interested and able to come to our offices during weekdays (7am - 7pm), please send your name, contact details (address, phone number, email) and when you are available between 24 July and 24 August, to:

Sam Shepherd, Consultation Officer

South Oxfordshire District Council

Benson Lane

Crowmarsh Gifford

WALLINGFORD

Oxon OX10 8ED

Tel: 01491 823093

Email: Sam.Shepherd@southoxon.gov.uk

We will contact you to ask you a few details about yourself and to make an appointment. We may also contact you regarding any future user testing opportunities.

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL NEWS

FREE PARKING ON SUNDAYS AND IN THE EVENING GOES AHEAD

Free on street parking in the evenings and at weekends in Oxford will continue.

Oxfordshire County Council has been running a trial with free parking after 6.30pm from Monday to Saturday and all day on Sunday since December 1, 2005.

The trial will now become a permanent arrangement. The maximum stay of two hours will remain during the hours 8am-6.30pm seven days a week. There remains a requirement to obtain a free-of-charge pay & display ticket on Sundays.

A plan to increase parking charges at other times, including a higher price range for the 8am-10am morning peak period, has been put on hold.

(OCC Newsdesk 25^th June 2006)

NO TIME TO WASTE – WE NEED YOUR VIEWS

People in Oxfordshire are to be asked for their views on the future of waste management in the county during a public engagement exercise in June and early July.

The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership, made up of Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, Cherwell District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and the Vale of White Horse District Council, wants to know how people view the way forward.

Councils all over the country face fines from 2009 unless they divert more waste from landfill. Currently Oxfordshire diverts waste away from landfill by recycling and composting it. Last year the county recycled or composted 33.36% making it one of the best in the country and 3% ahead of current government targets.

However, there are steep increases in targets from the European Union to each member country from 2009. The British government has, in turn, set tough targets for each county to reach. These targets can only be partly reached by reducing and reusing waste and increasing recycling and composting.

To further reduce the amount of waste the county sends to landfill, a way of ‘treating’ waste is also needed as European countries and some other areas of Britain have discovered.

The public engagement exercise will involve leaflets full of information about the current situation and what the options are for the future. A tear off questionnaire will also be included. The leaflets will be available at libraries, council offices and public buildings from next week.

People will also be asked for their views on current services, what they recycle or re-use and how they could be encouraged to do more.

A special website will be set up at www.notimetowaste.org.

(OCC Newsdesk 25^th June 2006)

THAMES WATER- WATER RESTRICTIONS AND DROUGHT ORDER

We are applying to the Government for a Drought Order to enable us to restrict non-essential use of water. (I believe that Thames Water have already applied Ed)

There is currently a ban on the use of hosepipes or sprinklers for the watering of private (i.e. domestic) gardens, or for the washing of private cars, caravans or trailers. It is the first time in 15 years that Thames Water has implemented a ban.

Ed.

All residents should be aware of these restrictions as there are penalties for anyone breaking the restrictions.

GRASS CUTTING ROTA FOR JULY

W/E 1st July                             -           Tim Robinson

W/E 8th July                             -           David Hawkins

W/E 15th July                           -           Raymond Fergusson

W/E 222nd July                         -           Phil Jones

W/E 29th July                           -           Stuart McGill

W/E 5th August                       -             Tim Robinson

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA FOR JULY

W/E 1st July                             -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 8th July                             -          Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

W/E 15thJuly                            -          Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

W/E 22nd July                           -          Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

W/E 29th July                           -          Mrs E. Summers/ Mrs A Jones

W/E  5th August                       -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

Sally Ann Dennis 278029

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR JULY     

W/E 2nd July                            -          Sally Ann Dennis          

W/E 9th July                             -          Sally Ann Dennis                      

W/E 16th July                           -          Teresa Quested            

W/E 23rd July                           -          Teresa Quested

W/E 30th July                           -

W/E 6th August                        -           Shirley Leach

We are looking for new volunteers to help with flowers in the church.     

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!

Teresa Quested

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING JULY

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

Tuesday 4th July                                               7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm

Sunday 8th July                                               10.30 am to 11.00 am

Tuesday 11th July                                              7.30 pm  to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 18th July                                              7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm.

Tuesday 25th July                                              7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm.

Sunday 29th July                                             9.30 am to 10.00 am

Tuesday 1st August                                           7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Raymond Fergusson (279150)

UNDER THE TREES

I love to look out of my front door, and to see and delight in all the trees about me. Their lovely colours-all shades of green and rust colour- are a real delight to the eye. Then there are their shapes; some narrow and tall, others branching out, and on a warm day it is sheer joy sitting under them. The trees give us, when we are weary, rest, refreshment and peace. As I say I love trees.

Now the biblical writers considered that a garden was not a garden unless it has trees. Right back when they came to describe the paradise garden of Eden, there is no mention of flowers; the important fact is that ‘the Lord made to grow in the garden every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food’. Quite apart from their fruit and beauty, trees are essential to a garden for the shade they provide.

To this day, in the hot lands of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, the most valued feature of even the smallest garden is that carefully tended tree beside the house under which the household gather to rest and refresh themselves in the middle of the day, finding a deep cool delight in the shade which shields them from the sun’s heat and the blinding glare of the sun at noon. And it is under that tree, at the day’s end; they relax and enjoy again a sense of homely security.

The prophet Micah wrote of the day when swords would be beaten into ploughshares and nations learn war no more-you would remember that text from Remembrance Sunday, but less familiar is the next phrase of the verse, ‘but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree’. That phrase reflects the golden days when Solomon was king.

But if we let our imaginations work for us, there is a great deal to set us thinking when Paul told the Corinthian church, ‘You are God’s Garden’. What then are the trees under which we may rest and refresh ourselves from time to time before going on our way through our busy and restless world? I like to think that it is in our coming together in prayer, but together, or by ourselves, that we can find deep and reviving shade. For myself, I love to be in church in the early morning, in the stillness, surrounded by the angels and archangels, offering myself and each one of you to God, and in return receiving again my life as a gift of God. My day seems to fall apart if I don’t start it this way or squeeze this quiet time out.

There are also particular men and women we all know who through the goodness, grace and stability of their Christian lives are like trees planted by the waterside and in whose presence we always find peace and healing after the glare and heat of the busy, confusing and hectic world. Should we not think of ourselves as planted by God to give such shade to others?

Above all, we should also think on Him who said: ‘I am the true vine’.

Victor Story

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR JULY

FROM THE RECTORY

ST. JAMES’ CHURCH FETE.

This was held in splendid sunshine on the 17^th June at Milton Manor by kind permission of Simon and Sarah Oddie. The whole afternoon was a lovely occasion when we all came together to enjoy ourselves. The total amount raised was just under £3000- an amazing total. I thank you all for making this possible. We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone for the tremendous amount of hard work put in over a long period of time to ensure that the Fete was so successful. Thank you all indeed!

RYCOTE CHAPEL SERVICE.

Every year on the last Sunday of August we hold the Benefice Sung Communion in Rycote Chapel at 10.00 a.m. by very kind permission of Mr.& Mrs. Bernard Taylor. This year this Sunday falls on the 27th August. This Chapel Service is always a wonderful occasion held in a magical setting, so steeped in the history of our land, going way back to the time of William the Conqueror. Please do place this date in your diary now, and we look forward to welcoming you on the day.

RECTORY GARDEN PARTY.

Every year in August you are all invited to The Rectory, to enjoy just being together with everyone else for a cup of tea. This year the date is Saturday 12th August from 2.00 p.m. There is no charge; you don’t have to bring anything apart from yourselves. Please do remember this date-the glorious 12^th-we would simply love to see you.

FULLERS FIELD SERVICE.

The Ecumenical Service for July will take place at 6.00 p.m. on Monday 17th July in Fullers Field Common Room, Great Milton. This is a week later than usual due to the holidays. There will be no service in August and we shall gather again on the 11th September.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

A big thank you to Victor who has made us a wonderful wooden “Desert Box” for our Old Testament Godly Play stories. This was christened on June 18^th with a story told by Lucinda followed by some improvisation!! We look forward to using the new box in Sunday School and in Little Milton School over the coming months. Our dates this month are:

Sunday July 2nd   11.00 – 12.30  Brunch Meeting at Sarah’s home, 46 Chiltern View

Sunday July 16^th   11.00 – 1.00   Our Annual Summer outing and picnic.

This year we’re off to the Arboretum again by popular request. Anyone is welcome to joint us who has been with us during the year and this includes the whole family. (on July 9^th Victor leads the family service, assisted by the Arnold family)

Sally Ann Dennis (278029)

On behalf of all the Teachers

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 14th – 20th MAY

There is now a total for the amount of money raised in the four Benefice villages both before and during Christian Aid Week this year…it is £1,838.10. The figure is made up of:

House to house collections in Great and Little Milton                   £966.91 Christian Aid Week family service held in St. James on 14 May  £210.62              

Coffee Morning held at the Dell in Great Milton on 20^th May       £50.00

Four Lenten lunches held in Great Haseley, Great Milton and

Little Milton                                                                              £447.30

Gift Aided contributions – tax recovery                                       £163.27

£1,838.10

Thank you to those who gave and to those who hosted Lenten lunches, attended the family service, supported the coffee morning and gave up their time to go around the houses in our villages delivering and collecting envelopes. Additional thanks to those who Gift Aided their contributions increasing our total by £163.27 and finally to those who counted the money and to Annie for banking it…Thank you EVERYONE.

S A Dennis

GREAT MILTON METHODIST CHURCH Minister:  Revd. Derick Chambers Tel: 212019

SUNDAY SERVICES IN JULY

For further information please ring me.

Evelyn Holme 278938

LITTLE MILTON CHURCH FETE

Saturday June 17^th our Fete day was really blessed with the most glorious sunshine. Sarah and Simon Oddie had once again kindly allowed us th