The Council meeting held on Wednesday 8th November was attended by five Parish Councillors, the Clerk, the County Councillor and the District Councillor .There were no members of the public in attendance.

The Clerk reported that he had received no further communication from OCC and believed that the application was now being processed.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had received a reply to his letter to Mr Peter Ronald of OCC Highways. Mr Ronald indicated that he was investigating the hatching around the build-outs as it was not what he had requested. He had also requested a volume and speed survey in the centre of the village although this is unlikely to take place until after the ring road roundabout work has been completed. He is also investigating the current position of the school sign on Church Hill.

The Clerk stated that he had sent off about fifty completed Local Transport survey questionnaires to ORCC. The results will be analysed by ORCC. The Parish Council will submit the results to OCC as part of their consultation on the Thame Area Review of Subsidised Bus Services.

The Clerk reported that this matter was still be considered by Abi Derbyshire of Thames Valley Police. The Chairman informed the meeting that the Village Hall Management committee had agreed to approach the Thames Valley Crime Prevention Team to give them advice on the general security of the Village Hall.

The Chairman reported that he had circulated a draft questionnaire to all Council members in respect of the Youth Shelter and had received comments from the Clerk and Mr Barry Coward. Mr Simon Oddie suggested that a separate questionnaire should be completed by teenagers within the village.

The Chairman reported that consideration had been given to a protective surface for the designated area for car parking on the Recreation Ground. The cost was around £1,600 but competitive quotations were being sought. Mr Simon Oddie suggested that professional advice should be obtained before any commitment is made. As this matter will be funded by the Village Hall Management committee it is important that the Parish Council give their consent before any work is started.

The Chairman commented that there had been some concerns expressed about the recent document issued by SODC with particular reference to sites put forward by landowners for possible development. He stressed that although the document included such sites it did not mean that such sites were suitable for development. The Parish Council agreed to submit a questionnaire to SODC by submitting a completed questionnaire to the Clerk by 15^th November. The Chairman encouraged each member to submit an individual response as well.

The Chairman read out a letter from the Countryside Alliance in which it highlighted the threats facing Rural Post Offices. The Council requested that the Clerk send a letter to Jim Fitzpatrick MP, the minister responsible for Post Offices, to let him know what our local Post Office means to our Community.

The Chairman informed the meeting of his recent query with Jane Barker of ORCC. The query centred on the degree of financial support that the Parish Council could give towards the proposed village shop/Post Office. The Clerk explained that the key issue was that of ownership of the building. It would appear that the Parish Council has no powers to give a donation to a village shop/Post Office other than within its Section 137 powers. This is unlike the powers that the Council has in respect of Village Halls.

Mr Barry Coward reported that he had not yet managed to meet with Mr Tim Robinson to consider the implications for the Parish Council that the new situation would present. The Clerk pointed out that the presentation of the business plan was now critical as it could have implications for the precept of 2007-08.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 13th December 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:

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 December are as follows:-Tuesday 4th and 18th December

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)

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.

The revised collections may occur at a different time in the day compared to your normal collection so refuse and recycling should be placed on the kerbside by 7.00 a.m. in the morning. Please do not leave your refuse out for collection on days other than your collection date, or earlier than 6.00p.m. the evening before.

The Rota for December is as above but…it’s not all work here in Little Milton by any means and the “team” will be hitting the Lamb for our Annual Christmas “get together” in December

I shall be decorating the Church on Friday 22nd December and I would appreciate as much help as possible on the day. Donations of flowers would be most welcome. If you can help in any way please give me a ring on 01844 278922

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

A few months ago I happened to be at a Christening Party in the Village Hall. It was a lovely occasion, filled with joy and delight, so very fitting to celebrate the arrival of a new infant into the world. To ensure that all the children at the party had a wonderful time, there was a magician. He pulled rabbits out of hats, changed colours of handkerchiefs, made things disappear, and then reappear elsewhere, and all manner of other spectacular things. The wide eyed children, sitting at his feet, were totally and utterly spell bound and filled with joyous wonder as one illusion followed another. Their faces and voices revealed that. The time came, of course, when the magician finished his spell, and went his way, leaving us all only with memories of his tricks and his illusions. But we all knew that we had been fooled, we all knew that it was all an illusion, no matter how skilful the magician. Eventually we all went our way, and in the morning it was Monday. Any magic had by then, it seemed, dissipated. The whole point of the magician was to entertain charm and delight us, and that he did! But come the morning it was back to the ordinary everyday humdrum work-a-day world.

People talk about Christmas magic, and when they do, I wonder whether they know what it’s all about and how it works. Is it to do with turkeys and tinsel, drinks and parties? Or is there something deeper, richer and which doesn’t dissipate on Twelfth Night. At that Christening Party we were all filled with joy and delight. Because of the new arrival in the world, we were all given a taste of something, though in our world, belonged to that other world. We sensed a new love come upon us, and as long as all this possessed us, we somehow became different people. Even the grumpy uncle –so I was told-was touched with it and radiated warmth and affection. Such is the power of love generated by this new birth.

This is what Christmas is all about, a new love coming into the world, which can transform and change everything. And when love possesses us, we are not the person we once were, it changes him. It gives him joy, makes him finer, kinder, more merciful, and more anxious not to hurt or harm other people, more ready to help and understand and forgive. This is the magic that once upon a time God himself began to make. He is the real magician, and we his apprentices, taught and inspired by him, have to work his good spell, his gospel so that more and more may be changed from where and what they are; that they come to feel that love which came down that first Christmas. That’s the magic he worked with the assistance of the angels, upon Mary and the shepherds the first Christmas. It’s the magic he works upon us every Christmas.

And if only-if only we would let it, it would work on us every other day of the year as well, changing us, and so changing the world. That’s the magic which is not to do with turkeys and tinsel, drinks and parties, and it doesn’t dissipate on Twelfth Night, but can posses our hearts for ever.

O come to us, Lord Jesus, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel, this Christmas time and always!

Advent in the Church is always a period of quiet expectancy and preparation in readiness to receive anew, the Christ Child and the new intense love He brings into our lives at Christmas. To help us in our spiritual preparations, in addition to our usual pattern of services in a month, on each Friday morning in Advent, there will be a Service of Holy Communion at 9.00 a.m. Please do check the list of Services for the venues, since they will rotate around our parishes.

As I write, our two schools are busy making their own preparations to celebrate Christmas, and it will be a special delight, to welcome all our children into our Churches. The Christingle Service with Little Milton School on the 12th December at 6.00 p.m. will no doubt be as colourful and as magical as ever. And, similarly, on Thursday 14^th December, at 6.00 p.m. in St. Mary’s we will joyfully welcome Great Milton School for their Pageant of Christmas. These two Services are always without doubt, tremendous occasions. We are proud of our schools, and what they achieve for our children, and to show that pride, can we not express our gratitude by being with them as they sing and act their hearts out, telling once again the old old story of Christmas in the only way they can and do.

As we approach Christmas, the pace quickens, and on the 17^th December, each of our Churches will be having their respective Carol Services. We begin at 4.00 p.m. at Great Haseley. Tim Suter, I’m convinced, will be forming a very worthy choir for the occasion, and we shall have some outstanding music. After the Service, refreshments will be kindly served at the home of Mrs. Alexander, which is immediately adjacent to St. Peter’s. At 5.30p.m., in St. Mary’s, Great Milton, will be held the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, and to enhance our carol singing, Kate Billimore with friends, will be helping us with the music. Kate is already getting a choir together. Then at 7.00 p.m. in St. James’ Little Milton, will be their Carol Service, and this year will be have with us some instrumentalists from our village. Again, another evening to look forward to.

On Friday 22nd December at 8.00 p.m., as an extra bonus, we are all invited to A Carol Service at Rycote Chapel by kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Taylor. On CHRSTMAS EVE, there is the Benefice Crib Service in St. Mary’s at 4.00 p.m., and at 11.30 p.m. we shall greet the new Born Heavenly King with Midnight Communion at Little Milton at 11.30 p.m. On Christmas day itself at 9.30 a.m. there will be a Christmas service for all the family at 9.30 a.m. in St. Peter’s, Great Haseley. Do come along and bring all of your family and friends and all their children with yours. This service will last about 40 minutes. Afterwards, there will be a shortened form of Holy Communion for all who care to stay.

Over the Christmas period, there will be many of you who will have friends and family staying with you, and when you bring them to church they may feel hesitate to come up and receive communion. There really is no need to feel so. All are welcome around the Lord’s Table.

We record with regret, the passing of Tom on the 26^th October. He was 93. He came to Little Milton some five years ago, living in Old Field. Not many of us knew that during the war he worked for Hanley Page making Halifax bombers. After the war he took up making toys and found himself supplying Hamley’s, the Oxford Street Store, with many of the things he made. Prior to retiring, he worked for an engineering firm in Henley, making among other things industrial pumps. Clearly he was a very practical and creative person, and we shall miss him. Please do remember his companion Mary, who at the present is not at all well, Wally his nephew, Lynn, and all who cared for him in your prayers.

You are personally invited to this year’s Christmas Fayre on Saturday 2^nd December from 11.00 a.m. until 2.00 p.m. There will be all the usual attractions including high quality, homemade Xmas food and preserves, a huge Christmas raffle, crafts and gifts as well as a children’s activity area. Come and enjoy coffee and cake or even stay for lunch. The bacon sandwiches are famous! We will also have a visit from Santa.

We would be extremely grateful for any donations towards our food stall. If you are able to make or bake any items please let me know. Thanks

Between 15 and 16 children met at each of our teaching sessions last month so if you’re still hesitating don’t!! This month the dates are:

Advance notice for January 7^th – our Epiphany party! On December 10^th the Jeffrey family will be helping with the family service at 11.00 in Church….

Sunday 10th December 6.00 p.m. United Advent Service at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church Thame.

Tuesday 12^th December, 7.30 p.m. Thame Concert Band at Christchurch, Thame. Admission £6

I would like to thank everyone who supported the recent Poppy Collection. We had door to collections as well as a collection point in the Lamb, The Post Office and the School. The total collected was £247.42 plus £18.20 as a result of gift aided donations. This money will continue to support the vital welfare and benevolent work done by the Royal British Legion.

As some of you will know, our oldest resident, Tom Hamblin, of 22 Old Field, died at the end of October just two weeks short of his 94^th birthday.

I first met Tom when we took a group of our senior citizens to Woburn Safari Park, and he and Mary sat in the front with me as driver. He disappeared off to the toilet, and I politely enquired of Mary how long they had been married.

“Oh No” she said, horrified” we’re not married, I’m his live-in housekeeper!” Thus began a friendship that I valued highly, as I grew to know these two great characters.

Live- In housekeeper or not, I never saw a couple more in love, and as their previous history had been full of tragedy and sadness, it was great to know that at last they had found each other.

Tom was a great comedian, and we would invariably end up teasing each other. He was also a shrewd judge of character, and soon found great sport in a (now departed) near neighbour of his, whom he christened “Crispy”. He pointed out to me that although “Crispy” seemed very old; his hands betrayed his youth, and more.

“I’ve heard a rumour you spent 5 years in one of her Majesties hotels” said Tom, (who had heard no such thing)

Tom also christened me, after asking me to take his lottery for him every week. He offered me £5 per week, which I refused. He decided therefore I was “MacSqueeky “ or Squeeky for short, so every so often I would pick up the phone to hear a familiar voice enquire “Is that Squeeky?” The lottery was his great passion, and I would get investment reports every week for Mac Squeeky Enterprises telling me why he hadn’t won-again! I am pleased to say that on the day he died, I did his lottery for him as usual-and it still didn’t win!

I hope for God’s sake that he can do his lottery in heaven. Goodbye Tom, it was a pleasure and privilege to know you.

December hears the sweet sound of children singing Christmas carols and songs, as we rehearse for our Christingle service. We will be busy with oranges, red ribbons, cocktail sticks and sweets as we prepare the Christingles which will be lit after our nativity on Tuesday, 14^th December. The service will be held at St James Church, and commences at 6.00 pm. Please do join us for what is a lovely introduction to the Christmas season.

We will end the Autumn term with a visit to the Oxford Playhouse to see Dick Whittington! – an event which is enjoyed by teachers and pupils alike.

During the autumn term, the Juniors have been learning about the Rain Forest, and caring for the environment. The work in the classroom was reinforced with a very enjoyable visit to the Living Rainforest at Hampstead Norreys. Having been inspired by some of the insects seen during the visit, the children went on to make fabulous models from wire, cardboard and other recycled items.

The Infants have been thinking about Change – and had a great day at the Natural History Museum in Oxford, where they compared the dinosaur skeletons with today’s animals! When showing visitors around our school, the infants enthralled them with their knowledge of why the tyrannosaurus was a carnivore and not a herbivore!

Our Year 2/3 children have been studying Fire this term, with a particular emphasis on the Fire of London. They have produced wonderful charcoal drawings of St Paul’s Cathedral, comparing the architecture of Wren with the five different architectural styles that preceded the present building. Dragons were also a great topic for fire – and amazing models have been made from scrap materials.

We are grateful to everyone from the village who comes in to help with topics at school, to parents who listen to readers and help with craft activities, and to people who come to our festival services in Church. The staff and children would like to wish everyone in Little Milton a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and send best wishes for 2007.

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

Sue Marriott 279124

Thank you to everyone who supported me in the preparation of the dance, and who gave generously on the evening. Stan's live music with an input by Bruce on the clarinet and Amanda on vocals was fantastic, and gave a nice twist to his usual good mix of records. We raised for Sobell House Hospice Charity in excess of £1700 - an absolutely incredible amount for a small village. Again, many many thanks.

Please come along and support our traditional Christmas carol singing round the village. This year it is to be on Tuesday 19^th December, meeting at 6.30pm in Old Field. We wish to sing for as many villagers as possible but certain locations, Church Hill, High Street and Thame Road are unsuitable for gathering in a crowd because of the danger from traffic. We therefore invite all those along the A329 to come and join us in one of the other locations where we will gather and sing. Most suitable are probably Old Field and Chiltern View. Each of these locations offers relative safety from the traffic.

Please do come and join us and sing your heart out for a traditional and fun evening that also raises money for a local charity. Contact Laurelle on 278045 for more detail, enthusiasm is more important than great quality!

Refreshments are generously provided by Sarah & Simon Oddie at The Manor House to “whet the whistle “and give our voices a brief rest. If you wish to join us after 6.30pm on the evening you can easily check our location by contacting Richard Alliston on 07774 988747 who will have his mobile switched on and can tell you where we are.

We would be grateful for any donations of wine, chocolates, crackers etc to help towards this event. If you can helping any way please contact

Were you born before 1950? If so we would like to invite you to enjoy a Christmas Lunch on Saturday 16^th December at 12.30 p.m. in the Pine Lodge.

This will be a freshly cooked meal with all the trimmings. We need to know how many to cater for. So please let Janet Betts of 8 Old Field (279238) know if you would like to come.

As usual we would be grateful for any help that you could give to ensure the success of this event. Donations can be made to the following people:-

As the result of representations at our AGM, this years’ Fireworks Night was intended to be “Quiet”, to protect young children and pets from excess noise, but the comments back since suggest strongly that most of you disagreed with this decision, and were disappointed with the result.

We are obviously competing with Stadhampton and Great Milton, who put on amazing displays, so next year we will see if we can “put the boat out” for a much bigger, more impressive display-after all, Little Milton deserves the best.

Some have also asked for the return of the Bonfire. You may remember that the Bonfire used to be sited where the Multi Use Games Area is now, and we are trying to improve the rest of the Recreation for future football and even cricket, so siting the bonfire would be a problem. It is also expensive to remove the rubbish left after the Bonfire has burned itself out, so maybe this is a bridge too far.

On the 18^th November, Mary Davies held a 50’s/60’s night with live music, a disco and a meal all in Aid of Sobell House Hospice. The result was a brilliant evening, and over £1,700 was raised by Mary and her volunteers. Congratulations to her, and to the individual contributions of Stan Robertson, Bruce Shelton, and Amanda Key, who played and sang brilliantly-just demonstrating yet again how much talent we have in this village.

Many of you will know that at the end of a very successful evening at the Pine Lodge, the floor has to be cleaned, which so far has meant wielding mop and bucket-sometimes for hours! However, the VHMC committee recently voted to purchase a floor cleaning machine, which is so effective it changes the colour of the floor! These are not cheap, but mean a quicker, more effective cleaning for all floor areas in the Pine Lodge.

NEXT EVENTS

Please come and give your usual excellent support to our Christmas Fayre, which is always a great village occasion and all proceeds go to deserving village causes

The next Quiz Night is December 2^nd- on the same day as the Christmas Fayre, so buy your tickets for a great night out-the last Quiz before Xmas, with Mark Platts as Quiz Master!

We have been approached by Abingdon School, who are staging a high quality production of CINDERELLA AND THE PIRATES in the Pine Lodge just before Christmas, as a special treat for young children. The school has a very good reputation for dramatic arts, and many students go on to full time acting careers, so this should be well worth seeing.

From all on the VHMC Committee, thanks for all your support during the year, and have a Great Xmas and New Year!

Computer Club is currently suspended, for the simple reason that I now have a full time job and cannot commit to the time involved. If anyone would like to take up the challenge of one session per week for adults and one for children, please contact Stuart McGill on 279092. Thanking you in advance

Thank you to all those villagers so far who have volunteered their skills and possessions towards the Auction of Promises. We’ve received varied offerings from promising to bell ring for a special occasion (or not bell ring, depending upon the bidders desire!) to 3 hours gardening. We even have our own version of Trinny and Susannah to sort out your wardrobe mistakes, in the nicest possible way!

There’s still lots more space for more promises, so please do offer whatever you can. If a 3 and half year old can think of a promise, everyone else must be able to think of something. (Note: 3 and a half year old has offered that someone can look after him for the day. Please take my advice and DO NOT bid for this item – he’s my son!).

We’re happy to receive your promises anytime on 278244 or by email lesleymccaig@lineone.net (correction to email address published in last month’s newsletter).

Unwanted Christmas Presents Sale (in aid of Village Shop / Post Office Relocation)

Not too sound ungrateful, but if you do happen to receive any Christmas presents that you don’t need or want, then a great place to ensure they go to a good home is the Sale of Unwanted Christmas Presents on January 20^th at 10a.m. Any donations of presents can be given in advance to Lesley McCaig at Penn House, together with any unused Christmas cards (you’ll never get round to using them next year!). Please call 278244 if you would like Lesley to collect.

Then come and browse the sale with a cup of coffee in hand and may be even do your Christmas shopping for next year!

We plan to meet on Sunday December 3rd at 10.30a.m., when we plan to have a bon fire on the allotments, weather permitting. We have cut down some Elder trees as part of a clearance to plant some fruit trees.

If anyone knows of some Oxfordshire varieties of fruit that we can source to plant, we would be grateful. Let me know, as now is a good time to plant fruit trees.

Next Meeting: For our Christmas meeting, Alice Foster, an Oxford art historian, will talk about the fascinating subject of Women Portrayed in Art. Visitors are very welcome to join us at The Pine Lodge, Little Milton at 7:45 pm on Thursday, 14^th December. Our speaker will be followed by festive refreshments.

Our New Year’s Dinner will be held at The Pine Lodge on the 11^th January 2007.

Phillipa Oakley gave a fascinating account of the development and benefits of using aloe vera at our November meeting. As with many modern plant-based products, aloe vera has a long history of medicinal use – even going back to the time of Alexander the Great when it was cut and the gel inside the leaf used to heal the wounds of his soldiers.

Now the gel inside the leaves of particular varieties can be used for wounds, stings, burns and bites. It is claimed that aloe vera drinks can detox your system and that it can help the respiratory system and build the immune system.

Activities and Events: Members are joining in a range of activities drawn from the wide selection on offer by our Oxfordshire Federation. These include Christmas Songs at the Town Hall, an Absolutely Christmas event, a Poppies and Periwigs visit to the place where poppies are made for Remembrance Day, Workshops on Poetry, Sugarcraft and Scrap-booking and the Heritage Lectures on Health Topics.

It is with sadness that I have to inform you that Mr Glyn Evans died recently and we will no longer be able to enjoy his contribution to the Newsletter. Ed

FITNESS & YOGA CLASSES, PINE LODGE – MONDAY MORNINGS 10.30 a.m. CHRISTMAS BREAK

Classes will finish on Monday 18th December and will recommence on Monday 22nd January 2007. I would like to take this opportunity of wishing everyone a very happy and healthy Christmas. See you all in the New Year.

PROMISES REQUIRED

IN AID OF THE NEW POST OFFICE & VILLAGE SHOP

Yes, Little Milton needs YOU to donate a promise to be auctioned next year to raise funds for our new Post Office and Village Shop! We have had 3 very successful Auctions of Promises in 10 years-let’s make this the best yet!

Anything large or small will do-last time we had gourmet barbecues for 10, dog walking for a month, a taxi service for a month, a cake a month, a fishing expedition, a week in a luxury villa in Spain, or in a Chateau in France, unwanted paintings, babysitting services, tours of West Drayton Air Traffic Control etc etc all auctioned in an increasingly alcoholic frenzy of excitement and confusion!

Our target is £7,500-see what you can offer to help us achieve this target!

Phone Leslie McCaig on 01844 278244 or email to lesleymccaig@lineone.net to offer your promise-every little helps!

On the 26^th November members and helpers sat down to our bring and share lunch. As always on these occasions there was an excellent selection of lovely food including cooked meats, sausage rolls, various salads and several calorific sweets. A very enjoyable afternoon was had by all.

On the 9^th November we held a special bring and buy which made £9.85 for club funds; also a raffle which made £5.50, also for club funds. We also held a craft competition, the winners being Mrs Alma Hawes for a knitted/beaded top and Mrs Pam Assiter for her beautifully painted greetings cards. Following this Mrs Pam Assiter gave a very funny talk about her time as a teacher. As the meeting at Fullers Field has been cancelled our next meeting will be our Christmas Party on the 7^th December. We are all looking forward to our outing to Turners at Wickstead Park, Kettering on the 22^nd November. Club will re-open on the 1^st February 2007.

Thank you Sarah for a cosy “sew and chat” together in Milton Manor Drive last month. This month we’re meeting at Willowbrook (in the Haseley Road) the home of Anne Hawkins on Thursday December 14th from 11.00 onwards. Do telephone Anne on 279526 if you’d like to have lunch so that catering is made easier.

This appears to be a very yellow autumn, without the usual exotic colours that we have witnessed in the past. This may be due to the warmer weather, I can remember this time last year, a group of us one Saturday lunch time, sitting outside on the grass having a drink, in spite of the fact by then we had a few good frosts. We certainly would not be thinking of doing that this year.

We have noticed a lack of small birds on our bird table just lately, again the reason I know not. Hopefully just part of a cycle. Even walking down the footpath towards the village there certainly does not seem to be the activity we are used to. Having said that on the other side of the farm the place seems alive with skylarks, and I was pleasantly surprised to see and hear what I thought to be a number of corn Buntings, birds that are I am informed somewhat rare, so it’s not all doom and gloom. There has also been a fair amount of activity lately from flocks of Fieldfares that usually raid the hedgerows at this time of year for the berries. However I am worried that the Golden Plovers that used to be frequent visitors to Views Farm during the winter have not appeared again this year. They usually take up residency mid October. I thought they did not turn up last year because the field of their choice was planted with Rape that is not the case this year.

The mild autumn has certainly kept the crops looking well, I cannot remember a time when the autumn crops, and the countryside in general has looked so green, so much so that our cattle are only now taking a little hay in preference to grass. The current wet weather is just beginning to take its toll though. There are some yellow patches just starting to show due mainly to compaction, especially in the gateways and on the edges of the fields, or headlands, where machinery has turned round.

Thanks to help from DEFRA’s Rural Development Service we are now well on with the refurbishment, of the “Jack Peers Centre”, in fact by the time you read this I would hope it will be completed. This will make a very useful asset for the area; we hope that some local organisations will think fit to use it. It will have heating, lighting, and cooking facilities, making it an attractive venue for parties, not likely to upset the neighbours. Although we are very grateful to DEFRA for grant aiding this project, I cannot help being a little cynical about their administration. We applied some time ago for this money, once the application is accepted you then apply for the grant. It then takes some 3 months to process the paperwork and to give final approval, during this time you may not start any work. After all the hurdles have been jumped you get the go ahead, as long as the work is completed within a time scale which in our case was about four weeks. When the work is completed and paid for as they require a receipted invoice, before they can pay out. Luckily Taylor’s who are doing the work were able to adhere to these conditions, not many builders could just down tools and start a job like that.

Thank you to all those of you, who made such positive and sympathetic remarks, over my dubious parking ticket. I do however have certain sympathies with the sentiments of the anonymous traffic warden who placed this on my vehicle, if it were not for such people who care about issues such as this, the debate would never start and the consequences could be devastating. It is always these people who get others talking that eventually have some effect. At the moment none of us really know if global warming is a threat or not. I do not necessarily think that the proposed idea of taxing the use of fuel and or certain vehicles is the correct method. I personally think that an alteration to the transport infrastructure a better option. I can see that things like congestion charges will only push a lot more traffic onto the smaller country road and have an adverse effect on those of us who have to rely on our cars. It is only when it is made so uncomfortable to use private transport that we will be weaned off using our cars. Nobody who can afford it will stop driving or flying, so making it impossible to use these forms of transport is to my mind the only way to stop it.

As it will be after Christmas before I write again we at Views farm would like to wish all readers a very happy Christmas, and the prospects of a quieter and more fruitful New Year.

Raymond Blanc, chef patron of the two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, is to brave the world of reality TV. The Frenchman will appear in a BBC2 show next year in which nine couples will compete to run their own establishment. Each week the worst couple will be eliminated from the competition- and Blanc will back the winners with a six-figure investment in their restaurant.

However, Blanc’s involvement represents something of an about turn. He recently wrote of reality shows set in restaurant kitchens: “We have eight million morons watching these programmes. The brains of the British have gone soft”.

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

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

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

We hope you will join us for the Winter Talk and Christmas Party on Tuesday 5^th December at 7.30pm in Great Haseley Village Hall.

Members will have received their catalogue for Mr Fothergill’s seeds; don’t forget 30% off if you are a member of GHHS.

Fruit- Winter prune newly planted fruit trees and feed with high nitrogen fertilizer.

Ponds - Prevent pond from freezing completely by floating a rubber ball or plastic bottle on the water, this will help keep the fish alive and allow toxic gasses to escape.

Bulbs - Keep an eye on bowls of prepared bulbs like hyacinths and narcissi. They can be brought indoors once the bud is 3.5cm high, in time for a Christmas display.

Cuttings - Take hardwood cuttings of buddleia, camellia, ceanothus, cystus hydrangea, jasmine ciborium honeysuckle and wisteria. Hardwood cuttings are made taking a clean cut, stripping the leaves off and inserting into compost round edge of pot. Keep moderately warm, moist and light. New plants produced at no cost.

Firstly, I would like to thank all the children who took part in the Reading

Dr Teeth Big Band presents: Rhythm is our Business Saturday 27th January; 8.30 p.m. Great Haseley Village Hall Price £12.50

For information and to book tickets, please contact the promoter 01844 278466/07980 646124

JAMBORAY CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY CENTRE AND CRECHE – THE NEW PLACE TO PLAY IN OXFORD

On Sunday 19^th November Jamboray, a brand new concept in indoor activities for children opens at the Ozone Leisure Park, Oxford. Jamboray is different compared to other indoor play centres, with a great deal of thought gone into creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere with excellent facilities for parents as well as children. Jamboray offers high quality catering, free newspapers and a selection of magazines, stylish seating areas, air conditioning and brand new washrooms. Parents can relax with a fresh coffee or enjoy lunch while the children play to their hearts content.

Unlike other play centres Jamboray is more than just a play frame. For the younger guests, Jamboray offers seven exciting zones; the Discovery Zone, a revolutionary water play and sand play structure; the Arts and Crafts Zone, where children can enjoy getting messy with paints, glue, clay, paper and lots more; the toddler Zone, a soft play area for the under three’s boasting tunnels, slides, soft toys and swings; the Play and Bounce Zone, a state of the art soft play structure for three to ten years olds; the Let’s Pretend Zone where the children can enjoy dressing up, play houses, kitchens, shops, and much more to stretch their imaginations; the Sports Zone with dedicated facilities for football and basketball, and finally the Studio Zone where a wide selection of free workshops run throughout the week, with Dance, Drama, Music and Cookery to name just a few.

Jamboray also offers a crèche which is fully Ofsted inspected, where parents can leave children aged 3 months to 8 years knowing that they will be cared for in safe and fun environment. A number of party rooms are available to hire at Jamboray. With a uniquely themed party selection to choose from and everything provided; from invitations to party bags, entertainers, to all the food, Jamboray takes the worry and stress from parents whilst providing an exceptional party experience for the children.

Jamboray offers a unique new experience for children in Oxford and the surrounding areas. It follows on from the success of Jamboray in Henley.

Arnie is a three year old silver-gray tabby Maine Coone Cat. He has long fur and tufted ears. He weighs 5 kg. He was last seen three weeks ago, in Chiltern View. He is usually very nervous around people whom he doesn't know. If you have seen him recently, or are feeding a cat who you think is a stray, but who answers this description, please telephone me. His brother Ben and I are very anxious about him. He is micro chipped, so any vet can confirm that he is mine. Reward is available on information that leads to his recovery.

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

The Oxfordshire Befriending Network

Do you want to make a difference?

Volunteer Advocate Training

Support someone with a life-threatening or terminal illness in getting their voice heard.

“Advocacy is rooted in a special, and perhaps unique, relationship between the advocate and the people they support, and uses the tools of representation, negotiation and persuasion to bring about beneficial change in the partner’s life” ( Pochin & Henderson)

Next course Spring 2007

To find out more please call 01865 791781 enquiries@oxonbefriending.net

Registered Charity No.1086264

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.

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.

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 January 2007 Newsletter should be with the Editor at 27 Chiltern View, Little Milton, by 8.00 p.m. on 20th December 2006. The Editor reserves the right not to print items submitted for publication and to edit those items, which are published.

Friday 1st Dec.	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Friday 8th Dec.	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Sat 9th Dec.	Wheatley Primary School	8.00 – 12.00 pm
Friday 15th Dec.	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Friday 22nd Dec.	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Sat 23rd Dec.	Wheatley Primary School Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 12.00 pm 8.00 – 12.00 pm
Friday 29th Dec.	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am

3rd	9.30 a.m. 3.00 p.m.	Sacrament of Holy Communion led by Rev Derick Chambers Circuit Carol Service at Watlington led by Rev Derick Chambers
10th	3.00 p.m.	Carol Service led by Rev Derick Chambers
17th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Rev Charlotte Church
24th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Mr Andrew Maisey
25th	11.00 a.m.	Christmas Morning Service led by Rev Derick Chambers
31st	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Mrs Jennifer Thompson

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

LITTLE MILTON