LITTLE MILTON  NEWSLETTER

www.littlemilton.org.uk

September  2006

PARISH COUNCIL

The Council meeting held on Tuesday 22^nd August was attended four Parish Councillors and the Clerk. There were xx members of the public in attendance.

Planning

P06/W0769 – Single Storey rear extension and raise roof to the existing garage at 33 Chiltern View

The Chairman informed the meeting that the original plans had been amended and appeared to address the concerns of adjoining neighbours. The Council agreed that the application should be approved by the Planning Authority.

The Planning Application for the Lamb will be considered by the Council at the Council meeting on September 13^th.

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.

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 September are as follows:-

Tuesday 12th and 26th September

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

South Oxfordshire District Council’s new garden waste scheme is proving very popular, with over 4,000 residents signing up for the scheme. In the first week alone nearly 40 tonnes of garden waste was collected for composting- double the amount expected. (SODC Town and Parish Newsletter, July 2006)

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.

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

IS YOUR ELECTRIC BLANKET SAFE?

Most of us tuck our electric blanket away in a cupboard at this time of year, and don’t think about it until the frosty nights return.  But can you be sure it is still safe to use?

Over one third of electric blankets tested are found to be unsafe and condemned. To prevent these unsafe blankets causing fires or injury Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service and Fire & Rescue Service, together with the five District Councils, are again offering free electric blanket testing.

The tests are taking place during September and October at venues throughout the County supported by sponsorship from RWE npower the owners of Didcot Power Station.

If your blanket is more than three years old, or if you have any doubts about its safety, why not get it checked out?  Testing will be done by appointment which must be booked in advance. 

As always, this is a very popular initiative, and places are already going fast.  However, we still have some availability at venues in Thame and Oxford

To find out your nearest available venue, and to book a test, call 01865 815600.

DISTRICT COUNCIL NEWS

NEW HOMES IN SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE

South Oxfordshire District Council needs to provide more homes mainly for the growing number of households formed by existing residents, but also to accommodate new residents.  We are starting work on a plan to identify where the homes should be built and are looking for sites to build approximately 700 further houses outside Didcot by 2016.  We also aim to identify broad locations for housing to 2026.  Following the Oxfordshire Structure Plan guidance we are consulting on future sites in and on the edge of Henley, Thame and Wallingford and the larger villages in the district.  To help us identify land we have invited people to submit sites they would like to make available.  So far we have received 100 sites for development and 30 comments about where development should or should not be sited.  You can see details of these and the process for submitting sites on our website from 6 October.  Visit www.southoxon.gov.uk, select planning, and then Site Allocations Development Plan Document.

We will be holding a more formal consultation exercise in October and November when we will seek your views on options for the location of new homes and on other issues.  This is your opportunity to influence these decisions and let us know your views on the issues and options.  We will include information on our website from 6 October and we will be holding a series of exhibitions which will run from 3.00pm – 8.00 pm at the following venues:

Berinsfield Church Hall                                      Monday 9 October

Chalgrove John Hampden Hall                           Monday 23 October

Henley Town Hall                                             Thursday 19 October

Thame Town Hall                                             Tuesday 10 October

Wallingford Town Hall                                       Friday 20 October

Wheatley Merry Bells                                        Thursday 12 October

Woodcote Village Hall                                       Wednesday 25 October

We would like to hear your views by Friday 17 November.

We will publicise the consultation widely however if you would like to be kept informed individually please register to be on our consultation database.  Please contact us: by email: planning.policy@southoxon.gov.uk by post: Planning Policy Team, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford OX10 8NJ

by telephone: 01491 823725

A329 NEWS

Following my last update that detailed the Headington Roundabout road works, increased traffic flows- specifically large buses and coaches – were seen on the A329 through Little Milton.  After appealing to route planners, buses and coaches in the main have returned to their original route via the A40.  We appreciate that they have businesses to run, however they understand our concerns as well and will attempt to compromise where possible.

OCC were due to carry out a traffic speed and volume survey through our Village this summer, however this has not happened as it was felt that due to the A40 road works, figures would be distorted.  We will approach OCC again once the road works are complete. It was also mentioned that the temporary diversion signs on the M40 at Junction 7 were unclear, and these have now been removed.

The Group has decided that the next focus will be in two areas

• Achieving a weight limit through Little Milton – this has the support of David Turner and the “5 Villages Group”
• Investigation into a School Safety Plan - continuing to focus on our Safe Route to School concept.

I will report back as matters progress.

Mark Platts A329 Group

GRASS CUTTING ROTA FOR SEPTEMBER

W/E 2nd September                  -           Stuart McGill

W/E 9th September                   -           Tim Robinson

W/E 16th September                 -           David Hawkins

W/E 23rd September                 -           Raymond Fergusson

W/E 30th September                 -           Phil Jones

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA FOR SEPTEMBER

W/E 2nd September                  -          Mrs E. Summers/ Mrs A Jones

W/E 9th September                   -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 16th September                 -          Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

W/E 23rd September                 -          Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

W/E 30th September                 -          Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

Sally Ann Dennis 278029

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR SEPTEMBER   

W/E 3rd September                   -          Sally Ann Dennis

W/E 10th September                 -          Sylvia Taylor    

W/E 17th September                 -                                             

W/E 24th September                 -          Harvest – all helpers please

W/E 1st October                       -         

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 SEPTEMBER

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

Tuesday 5th September                                     7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm

Sunday 9th September                                                10.30 am to 11.00 am

Tuesday 12th September                                    7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 19th September                                    7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm.

Sunday 24^th September                                   10.30 am to 11.00 am

Tuesday 26th September                                    7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm.

Raymond Fergusson (279150)

“ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL”.

So runs the opening line of a very familiar hymn. “All things wise and wonderful” it continues, and then adds, “The Lord God made them all”. Our children sing this hymn in our schools, but I often wonder what they make of those words, when they grow older and make the discovery that in this world there are a great many things that are neither bright nor beautiful and much which is foolish and contemptible. We have all faced that discovery, and we have all had the difficulty of going on to say with the measure of certainty and openness which we had in our former days-“The Lord God made them all”.

“He gave us eyes to see them” is another line from the same hymn, and so God did, but he also gave us the freedom to use our eyes in ways which were better, and ways which were less good. We can positively search out beauty even when it’s hidden away, and similarly we can dwell negatively on the more ugly and unpleasant.

I once knew a person called Ann. She suffered a terrible road accident causing terrible burns to her face and body, and many of her bones were broken. In her journey to recovery, she had eight operations to rebuild her face alone. But what was even more remarkable was the way she had been rebuilding her life. She said at one point, “I’ve gained a great deal from what has happened. I’m a more confident and positive person. It’s made me realize we should not be quick to judge others.” Ann may be disfigured on the outside, but inside she is beautiful. She managed by her prodigious spirit to turn a tragic event into a victory. She went on to be a nursery nurse.

Whether we are disfigured in our inward or outer selves, people like Ann are an inspiration. They remind us that it’s not physical beauty but inward loveliness which counts, not our external wealth but our riches of spirit which matter.

One person who has been a continual source of inspiration to many of us is Mother Theresa. She worked among the poor, the destitute and terribly diseased of Calcutta. She once remarked that she saw all these people as “Jesus in his most distressing disguise”.

That is a compelling reply, and it gives us a powerful insight into how to carry on when very little around us seems either bright or beautiful. How things look is not the whole story of what they are. It matters how they are looked at.

It’s so often the way, that in battling with the scars and thorns and darkness of the world which we encounter, the spiritual beauty of human beings is most revealed.

Lord God, the maker of all things, may our faith in your goodness be the guiding light by which we see the world. Amen.

Victor Story

FROM THE RECTORY.

HARVEST FESTIVAL.

Our Harvest Festival will be held on Sunday 24^th September at 11.00 a.m. Place that date in your diary now. There will be a Harvest Lunch following the Service in the Pine Lodge, but at the moment the arrangements have yet to be finalized, but please do come along, and bring all of your friends and family to this special event in our Church’s calendar. To help with the catering could you please let Stuart McGill, Sally Ann Dennis or Anne Hawkins know if you are going to join us.

Most of us who live in the parish do not earn our living directly from the land, but yet as we have gone about we could not have been unaware, that we are set among fields, and the picture on the cover of August’s Newsletter reminds us of our agricultural history and heritage.

 When the weather was unbearably hot, I for one could not but admire those who were working the land, harvesting the wheat, so that we might live. One way or another we depend on those who farm to bring us our daily bread. Harvest Festival is a time to remember and to give thanks.

I like to play a game with the letters making up the word HARVEST, and I find words like HAVE, STARVE, EAT, SHARE, HEAT. Each word in itself is a cause to think and points to our need to give thanks. The Harvest Festival Service gathers all of these things together. Even more so then, do we look forward to seeing you all on the 24^th September at 11.00 a.m.

PARISH SHARE 2007

Recently I received notification of how much we as a parish will be asked to pay by way of Parish Share in 2007. The figure is £10,291. This is the sum we shall be asked to find before ever we spend anything on repairs, insurance, upkeep and other housekeeping expenses. A very large proportion-well over 80%- of the Parish Share goes on paying, housing and training of the clergy.    

It is worth repeating that in former times, ministry was always provided for us. Nowadays, more and more it is being paid for by the congregation. That point is not always acknowledged.

A LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS.

On Saturday 16^th September at 7.30 p.m. in St. Mary’s, Great Milton there will be a very special evening, entitled THE FIRST AND LAST NIGHT OF THE GREAT MILTON PROMS. We have a very accomplished organist from Bicester, Simon Cole, coming for the evening, along with a choir and soloists. Of course there will be included, community singing of such things as Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem, When Irish Eyes are smiling, Rule Britannia, and much much more. We want this to be a real fun evening for everyone. So do go along, and I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed. Tickets will be available from Great Milton Post Office shortly, but I’m sure you can pay on the night when you come. The proceeds will go towards the rebuilding of the western boundary wall of Great Milton Churchyard.

Victor 01844 279498

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

A very large group of us all met together at Nuneham Courtney for our Annual Summer outing and picnic together with a match box scavenger hunt won by George. Apart from losing Gareth temporarily we all enjoyed ourselves and celebrated the end of our 11^th year of Sunday School in fine style…roll on our 12^th year.

We’re back after the August break and our first teaching date will be on 17^th September at 11.00 in Church. (Earlier on September 10^th the Jones family will assist Victor at the monthly family service – do come along and join in!)

NB All Sunday School sessions now begin at 11.00 and end at 12.30 whether in Church or in one of our family homes.

S. A. Dennis 278029

XMAS FAYRE

Yes it’s that time of the year again!

We would like to craft evenings to make items to sell at the fayre. Can you sew, knit, glue, paint, cut out etc? Or do you have some good ideas to share? It would be great to hold 3 or 4 evenings over the next three months.

Do please contact me if you are interested – enthusiasm is the only qualification needed!

Teresa Quested 228922

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR SEPTEMBER

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

SUNDAY SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER

OTHER CIRCUIT EVENTS

Monday 18th September, 7.30pm at Bledlow.  Final meeting of the ‘Presence’ study group. 

Thursday 28th September, 7.45pm at Cuddington.  Circuit Meeting.

For further information please ring me.

  Evelyn Holme 278938

THE PINE LODGE

JAZZ EDDIE !

The Pine Lodge is a natural venue for a variety of possible events, and we were therefore delighted when we were approached in early August by a Jazz promoter who goes by the name of Jazz Eddie!. He has become well known for promoting jazz events in the Players Theatre in Thame, but recently has been asked to vacate the venue due to objections from neighbours (the Players Theatre is in a row of terraced houses). He asked if he could come along to see the venue, and as a result our first concert is on Wednesday 20^th September, with the

                               DON WRIGHT QUINTET

Please support this event, because if we get a good turn out, we could well become a regular monthly venue for his events. He has an excellent website:

                                       www.jazzeddie.f2s.com

with many famous names featuring in his concerts. Please see the advert

NEW PURCHASES

We have recently been spending funds on improving the facilities in the Pine Lodge, and you will now find 250 coat hooks in the gents and ladies toilets, a new full length mirror in the ladies (“Does my bum look big in this?”) a new urn (dedicated to Mabel) and new cups and saucers to bring our crockery up to 120 sets of everything..

NEXT EVENTS

DON WRIGHT QUINTET-JAZZ SAXOPHONIST

Our first Jazz Eddie concert takes place on Wednesday 20^th September, so enjoy some midweek music on your doorstep, with a bar, and real ales.!

QUIZ NIGHTS

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! The last Quiz night was a very close run contest, with the eventual winners the Shelton/Cameron table. Everyone is welcome, and newcomers will all find themselves on a table with others.

WINE APPRECIATION COURSE

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

HORSE RACE NIGHT

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

THE FIREBIRD TRAVELLING PLAY

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

CINEMA CLUB

As mentioned in last months Newsletter, we had an excellent response to our Cinema Club idea, so applications for grants to provide the projector and screen will be submitted shortly.

VOLUNTEERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED

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 full time jobs and still manage to organise, cook, sell tickets etc. We would be very grateful if you would like to join the committee, to inject new ideas, or help out at the odd event. If you feel you would like to help, give Stuart a ring on 279092 or Teresa on 278922.

Stuart McGill 279092

NEWS FROM THE RECREATION GROUND

Firstly, on a positive note, more people are picking up their dog’s faeces, resulting in a visible reduction of mess on the rec.  Little Milton School starts a new school year on Tuesday 5^th September, so please continue picking it up, for the children’s benefit.

There is often an increase in vandalism during the school holidays.  This year was no exception – somebody started a fire in one of the play area towers, burning a football sized hole in three planks; one of the springers for little children had its side kicked in and broken; and finally some moron cut through some of the metal strands of the play area gate leaving sharp metal protrusions for children to cut themselves on. 

If anyone sees vandalism in progress, please report the perpetrator to the Police.

Thank you to David Taylor of Chiltern View who kindly repairs much of the damage.

Five a Side Football continues on Wednesday evenings at 8.15 pm.  All welcome, whatever your skill level – age 16s and over.

Mark Willis

FRIENDS OF WELLS FARM

We plan to meet on Sunday 3rd September, when we intend to conduct a butterfly survey.

The survey conducted earlier in the month, we found 9 different varieties of butterfly. Keep a look out for Speckled Wood’s down in the wooded areas. It is brown in colour with cream spots, they like flying in the sunny glades.

We welcome anyone who would like to come along and get some fresh air. We meet in the Farmyard at 3.30pm.

Phil Jones 278120

BOOK CLUB

The Book Club is open to everyone!  If you like a good read, enjoyable, interesting and often passionate debate, please come along.  We meet monthly on a week night at 8.00pm.  Refreshments are served by that month's host (often in keeping with the theme of the book...!) and attendees are asked to bring along a bottle of wine to help discussion flow.

If you are hesitant about coming on your own for the first time, please do come!!!!  The book club is a great way to meet new people and the discussions are varied and fun.  Call Paula if you want to know more about it all. 

The next Book Club meeting will be at 8.00pm on Thursday 21st September at Paula Cameron's house, Brooklands in Little Milton.  The chosen book for this month's discussion is The Crow Road by Iain Banks.  If you would like to come along please call Paula on 279120 by 19th September so that food numbers can be worked out.  We hope to see you in September!

Paula Cameron

SATURDAY 23^RD SEPTEMBER 2006-7.00 FOR 7.30PM

THE PINE LODGE

  QUIZZ NIGHT

TICKETS £ 6.00 IN ADVANCE-£7 ON THE DOOR.

BAR- EXCELLENT ALES, LAGERS & WINES SUPERB FOOD INCLUDED-RAFFLE

ALL PROCEEDS IN AID OF

THE PINE LODGE FUNDS

Yes, we are back again-the little grey cells refreshed after the summer break, and another fun filled evening in store! In May after a thrilling contest the trophy went to the dark horses of the Shelton/Cameron team, and was celebrated in an inebriate way! Can Preston win it back?

Amusement guaranteed. Everyone welcome!

Please let Stuart know your numbers before the day-otherwise, no food!   01844 279092

Please note earlier time.

Tickets on sale at the Post Office.

SEE YOU THERE!

LITTLE MILTON W.I.

Next Meeting:  Cuba is becoming a very popular holiday destination and our September meeting features a talk by Amanda Wood about The Real Cuba.  It will be held at 7:45 pm, 14^th September at The Pine Lodge, Little Milton.  Visitors are very welcome.

This summer we have enjoyed a Safari Supper around members’ homes in Little Milton and an evening visit to Bablock Hythe on the river for skittles and a pub meal. At our August meeting Yvonne Cartwright, a Yoga teacher, held an inspiring workshop covering breathing, posture and relaxation exercises.

This autumn there is a range of events and opportunities open to Oxfordshire WI members including poetry afternoons, a Science Challenge Day at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, a visit to a Surrey vineyard, Heritage Lectures, darts, countryside walks, a theatre visit to Stratford, flying and archery.

President:  Anne Hawkins, Little Milton 279526 Secretary:  Helen Ridley 278816

Press Correspondent:  Lyndell Dixon, Great Haseley 279275

NEIGHBOURS CLUB

Wednesday, the 19th July, was the day for our "Four Star Award Winning Day Out" to Evesham.  We were given coffee and biscuits on arrival after which there was time to explore the town and find lunch.  We then all met at the Al Monry Museum and Heritage Centre for a conducted tour or we could sit and enjoy the peace of the Almonry Gardens.  Following this we went on a 45 minute boat trip with commentary and finished with afternoon tea.  On the 3rd August twenty-four members and helpers gathered for our Bring and Share lunch.  We enjoyed a wonderful assortment of dishes both savoury and sweet.  This was followed by a talk by ex-policeman Mr John Woolley, who was stationed at Brill at the time of the great train robbery in 1963.  His talk was brilliant and very entertaining and although it was really a serious subject he raised many laughs.  The 16th August saw us off to Luton Stockwood Craft Museum and gardens including the Mossman Collection, one of Britain's largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles, a history of road transport from Roman times to the 1930s.  After lunch we went on to Wardown Park Museum to see an impressive collection of memorabilia and origins of Luton's famous hat and lace industries.

Forthcoming Events - September

Wed 6th - Outing - two-hour river trip plus visit to Beale Park.

Thur 14th - Harvest Festival - 2.15 p.m.

Thur 28th - Maddy & Mo entertaining - 2.15 p.m.

Joyce Price

SEWING GROUP

Thank you, Gill, for hosting the group in Chiltern View last month. This month we are moving down the village to Spring and Well Cottage, the home of Mary Davies. We will be meeting at Mary’s home on Friday 22^nd September from 11.00 onwards. Please telephone Mary on 279471 by 21^st September if you plan on having some lunch so that she can cater for the correct number of people. Anyone is welcome and if the chillier days and an Autumnal nip in the air remind you of your sewing jobs and/or making a few early Christmas presents then why not come along and join us all?

Sally Ann Dennis

HOME START’S FAMILY FUN DAY AND AUTUMN FAIR

“Come along to Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire’s 5^th Annual Family Fun Day and Autumn Fair on Saturday 14^th October between 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. at Sutton Courtenay Village Hall.  As well as plenty of games and fun activities for children (we are a children’s charity after all!), you will be able to buy Christmas gifts (sorry to mention it so early), or simply come and browse at all the stalls, many of which are local and this year range from children’s rugs and playmates to Christmas decorations and cards, from unique gifts and flowers to handmade jewellery and from bath and beauty products to children’s books. 

If you would like to be a Home-Start volunteer offering regular support, friendship and practical help to young families in the area, we would be delighted to hear from you.  We are starting a Volunteers’ Preparation Course in October and if you would like any further information about the course or Home-Start, please contact Hilary Mundy on 01235 or at info@homestart-southernoxon.org.uk.”

JAM JARS WANTED

Mabel and I, amongst others, are running out of same at a rate of knots. 

Everything from small (for jellies) through medium to large (for pickles) would be appreciated.  They can be delivered to me (24CV).

Dee Waldron

VIEW FROM VIEWS

When I last wrote these notes towards the end of June I thought that Harvest would be over by now. Unfortunately that is not now the case, after a blistering start two thirds was completed in double quick time, in spite of a fairly wet spell in July, which just happened during a lull in the ripening period. Since when we have had what we describe as a period of “cluttery weather” which has been neither wet nor dry thus holding up proceedings. Now towards the end of August all is nearly gathered in, which when you consider that only a few years ago we reckoned if we finished by the third week in September is not so bad.

It seems appropriate to mention the weather as it seems to have dominated our lives just lately. I was interested to read in the “Bernwode News” which covers a lot of the adjoining parishes, the reports of how the rainfall varied over the parishes concerned. This indicated vast variations and in every case, not that it surprised me, Great Milton had by far the lowest. Everyone will be aware that May was wet; I recorded some 84mm, nothing in June, and then 72mm in July. This is still not enough to put the deficit right but of course has kept the crops with enough moisture. I gather the yields have been fairly good this year although not a bumper harvest.

I have noticed in certain areas some trees are suffering in various different ways, from the current lack of moisture, these I am reliably informed will recover. What does worry me however, is the condition of some of the hedgerow plants. There seem to be sections of our hedges that are actually dying. This I fear has nothing to do with the drought, as it has been noticeable in previous years. Thorns, and such like, will not stand competition; but this is also happening in places where there is no competition. If you notice where there is a hedge with a lot of gaps this is nearly always due to there being, or having been or trees in this hedgerow.

The breeding season now being over the countryside is relatively quite from bird song while they take stock before the oncoming winter weather. Not a prospect I look forward to but then the hot weather we have been experiencing was not that comfortable either. Somehow we still seem to be able to say what a lovely day (if only it wasn’t so hot). It would seem that on the whole it has not been good for wildlife, due mainly to the cold spring, although those species we would rather not have too many of, foxes and rabbits, seem to have prospered as usual.

A comment on how we humans can affect wild life balance. We now protect the Badger, which means they are flourishing, unfortunately this could be the reason why there are not so many hedgehogs about, which in turn could mean that we all suffer an increase in the slug population, and so it goes on. I mention this just as an example how natural cycles can so easily be upset.

WEATHER STATISTICS

May

May was the wettest for the past twenty years. We had 20 days of rain recorded in Tiddington. On the other hand the temperature for the first fortnight was the warmest since 1945. The highest temperature in Tiddington was on 5^th May at 79degF 27degC

June

A very pleasant month. There were four days of rain in Tiddington. We had ten days of temperatures over 80degF 28degC.

July

So far, the temperatures have been much higher than what we used to have. We have had four days with temperatures over 80degF 28degC, three days over 90degF 32degC.

The highest temperature recorded was on the 19^th, with temperatures over 97.3degF, the highest for a hundred years. Tiddington was down on this at 96degF and was cooler than the previous day.

According to the pundits, we are due for more warm weather before the end of the month. So let us enjoy it before we face up to the winter.

Glen Evans

St Peters

Bell Restoration Fund

PICNIC QUIZ

At Great Haseley Village Hall

On: Friday 13^th October

7.00pm for 7-30 pm start

£5 per ticket

78 tickets available

Teams of six people (teams can be made up on the night)

Bring your own food and drink.

Tickets & Raffle prize donations please contact:

Nathalie Wing on 01844 278095

DANCE CLASSES AT THE PINE LODGE

COME AND HAVE FUN

WANT TO JIVE? TRY THE TANGO? FANCY THE FOXTROT?

Learn how to dance it’s fun!

We are looking for new members to join our dance classes.

Everyone welcome as refresher lessons are included in each session

Don’t miss out at the Christmas Ball – come and learn the skills

Teresa Quested 278922

TALKING SCIENCE – Events at CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

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

SCIENCE OXFORD

There is a list of events that can be viewed on www.oxtrust.org.uk or you can ring 01865 728953.

ADVICE FROM THE CAB:

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

THAME AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

Advice line 01844 214827                        Appointment Line 01844 217186

WHEATLEY LIBRARY

Firstly, I would like to thank all the children who took part in the Reading Mission at the library.  We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.  It was so good to see so many taking part and I would therefore like to extend my thanks to parents, carers and teachers for helping spread the word.

Storytime

This will take place on Tuesday 24^th October from 11.00 until 12 noon and is open to all 4-8 year olds.  Tickets are FREE but must be collected in advance from the library.

Adult Book, Video and DVD Sale.  This sale will start on Tuesday, 10^th October.  Find a bargain to help get through the long winter evenings!

Our new e-mail address is wheatley.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk. The telephone number is unchanged at 01865 – 875267.

A reminder of the opening times:

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

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

Saturday 9.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.

Carole Underwood (Library Manager)

BORIS JOHNSON MP – SURGERY DATES AND VENUES SEPTEMBER  2006

Friday 15^th September    4.00 pm-5.45pm        Watlington Community Office

Friday 29^th September    4.00 pm – 5.45pm     Chinnor Village Centre 

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 

CAR SERVICE TO THE DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL

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.

Thelma Blake 279567

GETTING THE RIGHT TREATMENT

NHS Direct

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

What to do when your GP practice is closed

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

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

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

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

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

SEPTEMBER 2006