Aug06Newsletter

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 12th July was attended all Parish Councillors, the Clerk, the County Councillor and the District Councillor. There were no members of the public in attendance.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had spoken with Howard Perkins at OCC who had agreed that there was a need for a separate locality map that identified the location of the land that required to be registered as a village green. The Clerk also reported that he had arranged a meeting with Mrs Victoria Robinson who had offered her professional services to assist in the resubmission of the application to register the land as a village green.

The Clerk stated that OCC had inspected the footpath and did not deem it to be an immediate hazard. However they indicated that they would have the suggested improvements to widen the path assessed by the Highway Assessment of Maintenance Priorities (HAMP).

The Council agreed that the location plan that supported the extension to the Village Hall was not suitable to be used as a substitute within the lease documents for the Village Hall and Orchard. The Council accepted that it would be better to wait until the extension to the Village Hall has been completed before a final set of drawings are produced.

Mr Barry Coward reported that a draft contract of employment and job description had been prepared and that it had been circulated to the Council members. The Council accepted the documents and the contract of employment was signed by Mr Stuart McGill on behalf of the Council and by the Clerk.

The Clerk reported that he had extracted relevant information from the Oxfordshire Rural Community web site and it was agreed that the papers would be circulated to Council members to allow an informed discussion at the September Council meeting.

The Clerk stated that he had spoken with Mr Paul Thomas of Punch Taverns who had informed him that a full planning application for the modifications to the Lamb was being submitted to SODC.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Peter Ronald from OCC Highways to the Council meeting. Mr Ronald was invited to the meeting to brief the Council on the changes to the funding of transport schemes in 2006-2011.

In the past the County Council has had a programme of Community Safety Schemes i.e. pedestrian crossings, traffic calming, new footways or cycle tracks and low cost junction improvements. However these schemes no longer produce sufficient benefits to meet the objectives of the Local Transport Plan (LTP). In view of this any schemes outside the LTP can only be progressed if there is an alternative source of funding. Other than through the Parish Council precept there are two important sources of potential funding available through Accident Remedial Measures and Better Ways to School.

Mr Ronald emphasised that he could only address real problems and not perceived ones. However he was happy to work with the Council to establish if there was a traffic speeding issue within the village. Mrs Alison Shelton agreed to advise Mr Ronald of where he should conduct the survey within the village.

There was a brief discussion on the number of traffic signs as you approached the village and Mr Ronald stated that he had an objective to reduce the clutter. However a large number of the signs were required to meet the traffic regulations in respect of the pre-warning of the build-outs.

Mrs Alison Shelton reported that there had been a meeting of the A329 Committee. The Committee were looking to re-focus and establish a list of priority actions as well as developing a closer link with the school. She stated that a presentation will be made by the committee at the September meeting.

The Chairman informed the meeting that the appeal against a refusal to grant planning permission by SODC had been dismissed by an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The Chairman advised the Council that the damage to the wall had now been repaired. The Clerk expressed his appreciation for the prompt action.

The Chairman reads out a letter from Boris Johnson in response to a letter sent by the Council asking him to support the Sustainable Communities Bill. He shared the concerns behind the Bill but stated that the promoters of the Bill were being encouraged to work on a pilot scheme to assess the feasibility of their current plans.

The Chairman invited Council members to attend a meeting that he had set up with Jane Barker of ORCC and Tessa Hennessy of Cooperative Futures to discuss legal structures and share issues in respect of the proposed new Post Office/Village Shop. He also circulated a schedule that detailed the volunteers who are prepared to perform various tasks or are prepared to support the set up of the new Post Office/Village Shop.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 13th September 2006 at 8.00 p.m. in The Pine Lodge Little Milton unless there is a need to convene any planning or other meetings.

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 was quite surprised when a large white envelope dropped through my letter box one evening in late June. I opened it with my usual curiosity and was really surprised to find a letter written by children of Little Milton School and signed by nine children. As I read the contents of the letter I was immediately struck by its sincerity and its appeal for action. The contents of the letter are as follows:-

Could you ask the dog owners who let their dog’s poo on the footpath and in the playing field to pick it up please? We walked back from the playing field and there was lots of poo on the footpath. Please help us!”

Sadly the children are echoing the demands made to local dog owners by the Parish Council over many years. I am sure we are talking about a minority of individuals but their failure to take their responsibilities seriously results in misery for our school children. The Parish Council is investing in the recreation ground and encouraging its use by the local school children. The Parish Council has a responsibility to ensure that dog owners clean up after their pets and have powers to ensure that they do. I am sure that we all want to live in a community where we all act in a responsible way but sadly this has not worked for the minority of dog owners. We all need to take responsibility in this area and if we see dog owners not picking up after their pets should we not remind them of their duty to clean up?

Let us all make sure our footpaths and recreation ground are safe areas for our children to enjoy.

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 .

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 August 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

Action packed, 3 days of fun filled sporting activities giving young people the opportunity to master the skills in a range on Olympic sports.

The results of a new survey of council websites have rated Oxfordshire County Council’s site tops for quality of its content. The site came second for ease of use and for the quality of content. It was ranked fourth for clarity of information and 10^th for its general look and feel. To see it for yourself, visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

Oxfordshire County Council is working with 11 key partners to provide home support across the county for the next three to five years. Our partners are currently recruiting and to find out what they have to offer, please contact 01844 343371 for opportunities in the Thame area if you are reliable, hard-working, trustworthy and considerate. Becoming a Home Support Worker is a great chance to do something valuable in your local community.

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

It is a year since the grim events which took the lives of fifty two ordinary people on their way to work. At Aldgate East, Edgware Road, Great Russell Street and Tavistock Square there was mayhem as one explosion after another did its terrifyingly dastardly work.

In the year that has passed, we’ve learned with sadness as well as anger of the British-born young men who planned and perpetrated the evil deeds. But set against that we’ve admired the downright courage of so many who were injured. We’ve been impressed, if not moved, by the sense of responsibility and care shown by say the bus driver, who incidentally, is of Greek origin. We’ve been deeply humbled by the tireless efforts of our emergency services who faced horrific scenes at close quarters. And we’ve noted the recrimination too, inevitable in its way, as people have lived through the shock and faced the real world again.

For eleven years I served in the Diocese of Coventry, and often I would go to its Cathedral. Any visitor or person like myself, who walks down the main isle, cannot but have their eyes drawn to the series of huge granite block with biblical texts carved on them which are set into the walls. They are like stepping stones put there to help people find their way forward. “Come unto me,” one of them says, “all ye who labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” Another says, “Father, forgive.” The cathedral was built to help a community recover from a World War II bombing raid that destroyed large parts of the city centre and claimed many, many lives.

Word can’t do justice to our feelings when incidents like these occur but perhaps the best we can do is to take comfort in the age-old wisdom of scripture which recognizes the tears that are to be found at the heart of things, but also points the way to hope for the future.

Dear Lord, heal those with wounds that still ache and memories that are still raw. And help us build a society where no sense of alienation will again drive people to do such deeds, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the past few weeks we have had two baptisms and welcomed two little ones into the Lord’s family. On Sunday 25^th June, Lily Henrietta Bullard was baptised, and on the 9^th July, Charlie David Lionel Willoughby was also baptised. Please do remember these children and their families in your prayers.

Please do remember this very special Service at 10.00 a.m. on the last Sunday in August. It really is a magical setting for any service. Once again Mr. & Mrs. Taylor allow us to hold our benefice Communion Service there. So please, put Sunday 27th at 10.00 in your diary, and please try not to let anything else squeeze it out.

Just a reminder that I look forward to seeing you all on August 12^th from 2.00 p.m. at the Rectory for this annual event. Please do come along if you can.

This is a sponsored event to raise money for St James’ church and the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust. Your contribution will be divided equally between the two.

This annual event is an excellent opportunity for families to enjoy together as they either walk or cycle to different sites. Last year we only had one family taking part and I hope that more people will take up the challenge. If you are interested in participating please contact me for a sponsorship form.

Congratulations to Kay Fleck from all her friends on her 90^th birthday this month. Ed

Geoff Cherry would like to thank everybody who supported his sponsored abseiling in aid of Cancer Research.

A LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

IS COMING TO

GREAT MILTON

SATURDAY 16^TH SEPTEMBER.

7.30 p.m.

Simon Cole, and accomplished organist in the Banbury area, is coming to our Church to give us a LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS style concert. It would include some organ pieces, popular classics, prom favourites (Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia etc) as well as a slot for community singing of such things as Lambeth Walk.

The proceeds will go towards rebuilding the westerly Churchyard Wall of St. Mary’s

Please keep this evening free. It sounds tremendous fun.

More details in the September Newsletter.

There in is no lunch at the Lamb in August but look out in the September Newsletter for our next get together

THE PINE LODGE

July saw the long awaited Jazz Picnic Concert, with Harvest Moon, an excellent Jazz/Swing 7 piece band including our very own Laurelle, with Barbecue magnificently provided by Peter Vogt, Keith Warren-Price, and Phil Busby.

The weather in the week had been uncomfortably hot, so as the weather broke towards the weekend we hoped for cooler more comfortable conditions. Ooops!

Over 70 people, many sporting dinner jackets and tuxedos, including some who had driven by and seen the signs, came in and set up their picnics, rugs and chairs in anticipation of what was to come. Champagne corks popped, and the audience settled down to the Little Milton equivalent of the Garsington Festival!

Gorgeous music wafted over the field for over 2 hours, but as the time went by, the temperature dropped and the wind rose, so there was a constant stream of people donning winter clothing to prevent hypothermia setting in. In the Bar the ever resourceful helpers swapped cold beer for hot tea and coffees-much appreciated-and the evening finished with the audience on its feet and dancing to the finale (a very good way to warm up again!)

Thanks to Richard Alliston for all his hard work in setting up the event, and to Bruce & Alison for their loan of the Marquee (sorry!). Thanks again to Peter, Keith and Phil for their amazing BBQ, and thanks to Mabel, Chris, Teresa, Dee, John B and Ron for their help on the evening.

NEXT EVENTS

The next Quiz Night after our summer break takes place on Saturday September 23^rd, and then again on Saturday 18^th November, so put these dates in your diary!

We now have 16 attendees for this course, so this will go ahead from September onwards. If you would like to add your name to the list, please contact Chris Coward on 278970

There will be an exciting evening celebrating the sport of kings on 14^th October-details to follow.

We have booked the Oxford Travelling Theatre Company for their production of The Firebird on Saturday, 25^th November 2006.

I am delighted to say we have had a very good response to this idea, and I will be making the grant application very shortly for the video equipment. If you didn’t return your form, please collect a replacement from the Post Office and fill it in ASAP. The more forms we have completed, the better chance we have of getting the grant.

The 7.1 Surround sound system is now fully operational, and should give any cinema a run for its money-Tyrannosaurus Rex Noises included!

We all enjoy the events provided by the Pine Lodge Committee, but this does place a heavy burden on the members of the committee, who in most cases have

Friday 4th August	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Friday 11th August	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Saturday 12th August	Wheatley Primary School	8.00 – 12.00 pm
Friday 18th August	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
25th August	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
26th August	Wheatley Primary School Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 12.00 pm 8.00 – 12.00 pm
1st September	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am

6th	09.30 a.m.	All age Worship led by Rev. Derrick Chambers
13th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by local arrangement
20th	11.00 a.m.	Sacrament of Holy Communion led by the Rev Charlotte Collins
27th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Mrs Jennifer Thompson

LITTLE MILTON

GREAT HASELEY

THE PINE LODGE

NEXT EVENTS