LITTLE MILTON  NEWSLETTER

www.littlemilton.org.uk

December 2006

PARISH COUNCIL

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.

    Triangle of land adjacent to Wells Farm Cottage

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

   OCC Highways

   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.

   ORCC – Thame Area Review of Subsidised Bus Services

   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.

   Installation of CCTV camera

   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.

   Youth Shelter

   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.

    Recreation Ground

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.

    South Oxfordshire Site Allocations Development Plan Document

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.

    Countryside Alliance: Rural Post Offices

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.

   Village Shop/Post Office

    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.

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 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)

 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.

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR REFUSE COLLECTION DATES

Tuesday 26th December (Normal)         Tuesday 2nd January (Revised)

Tuesday 2nd January (Normal)              Tuesday 2nd January (Revised)

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.                    

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA FOR DECEMBER

W/E 2nd December                   -          Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

W/E 9th December                   -          Mrs E. Summers/ Mrs A Jones

W/E 16th December                  -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 23rd December                 -          Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

W/E 30th December                  -          Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

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

Sally Ann Dennis 278029

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR DECEMBER    

W/E 3rd December                   -          Advent

W/E 10th December                  -          Advent

W/E 17th December                  -          Advent                                    

W/E 24th December                  -          Advent

W/E 31st 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

Teresa Quested

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING DECEMBER

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

            Tuesday 5th December                                      7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm

            Sunday 10th December                                  10.30 am to 11.00 am

            Tuesday 12th December                                                7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

            Tuesday 19th December                                                7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm.

            Tuesday 26th December                                                No Ringing

There will be a quarter peal on Sunday 31st December at 8.00 p.m.

Raymond Fergusson (279150)

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS.

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!

Victor Story

FROM THE RECTORY.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS IN OUR PARISHES.

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.

May I wish you all a most blessed and peaceful Christmas,

And a new year full of good things.

Victor    01844 279498

FROM THE REGISTERS

Thomas George Hamblin

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.   

LITTLE MILTON CHRISTMAS FAYRE

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.

Many thanks to you all- see you there!

Teresa Quested

LITTLE MILTON CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Saturday 2^nd December 11am-2pm

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

Sarah Jones Tel: 278120

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

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:

December 3^rd   – Advent teaching session/Brunch meeting at Sarah’s home

                           46 Chiltern View

December 17^th – Godly Play in Church

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….

S. A. Dennis 278029

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR DECEMBER

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

 SUNDAY SERVICES IN DECEMBER

 Other Circuit Events

Wednesday 6th December, 7.45 p.m. at Watlington. Circuit Meeting

 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 </