The Council meeting held on Wednesday 14th March was attended by six Parish Councillors, the Clerk, the County Councillor and the District Councillor and four members of the public.

The Clerk reported that he had attended a meeting with Mr David Turner and Mr Peter Ronald of OCC Highways in respect of the slip road between the Haseley Road and Gold Street on Tuesday 13 March 2007. The initial response was that any change to its current status could not be justified in financial terms although there was a recognition that there was a potential danger to pedestrians. Mr Ronald also reported that consideration had been given to such a change by the Travel Plan to School initiative and a decision had been taken not to pursue it. However Mr Ronald agreed to take the matter forward as the Parish Council was keen to address the potential danger. The Council agreed that it would make a financial contribution to the project if it was progressed. The Clerk stated that it was unlikely that the project would be progressed in 2007 – 08 as the programme had already been agreed.

The attendees of the meeting were joined by Mr Mark Willis. As a result of a concern raised by a resident on the Haseley Road the meeting discussed the options available to help reduce the speed into the village from Rofford. The action points agreed were:

The Council agreed that the speed survey in the High Street should be conducted outside the Doctors House. This had been agreed at an earlier meeting and Mr David Turner stated that he would inform Mr Peter Ronald of OCC.

The Clerk informed the meeting that OCC Highways had agreed to remove the mounted light adjacent to the crossing after consultation with their Road Safety office. There will be a review of the decision after a year to ensure that the decision is fully acceptable and assuming that it is the control box on the pole will be removed.

The Chairman invited the Clerk to update the Council since the February meeting. The Clerk referred to the report that had been received from OPC following their survey on Thursday 22 February 2007. The work that had been done indicated that the drains at Cremar Cottages and in Old Field had significant amounts of debris and this prevented OPC from carrying out a meaningful survey of the drains with their CCTV camera. The report included a recommendation for further work to be done. The Council agreed that the interested parties should receive a copy of the report with a letter from the Council in which it would offer to call a meeting in order to take the report forward. As the Council were not responsible for the drains it considered that it should offer itself as a facilitator if the interested parties felt it would be helpful. The Clerk indicated that the cost of the initial survey was £210.

The Chairman referred to questionnaire that had been circulated to Council members and invited any comments. The Clerk suggested that the format used in the recent Local Transport Survey should be copied. The Council suggested one or two changes and the Clerk stated that he would provide an amended questionnaire in the new format. It was agreed that the Council members would distribute the forms.

Mr Mark Willis informed the meeting of the quotes in respect of the grass cutting for the year 2007-08 that had been received from Spadework UK and Isis Accord. The Council decided to accept the Isis Accord quotation as it was significantly lower than Spadework UK.

The Council considered a quotation of £1,180 for an additional gate into the rear of the MUGA. Although there was an earlier problem with users damaging the fencing to retrieve their ball this appeared to be no longer a problem. The Council asked that a further quotation is received to see if the work could be done for a lower cost as they felt that the current proposal could not be justified.

P07/W0060: Brooklands; Dormers to first floor and replace kitchen window with bi-fold doors

The Council noted the change of description that now included the words “and replace the first floor window with French doors and a Juliet style balcony”

The Council expressed their support for the re-submitted application and considered that they were in broad terms acceptable. However the Council members had some concerns about the compatibility of the materials used for the extension. The use of slate on the roof and the rendered exterior on the extension gave rise to most concerns.

After careful consideration the Council decided to recommend that the applications should be refused to enable a more considered view to be taken on the materials that were proposed for the extension. The Council would be very happy to meet with representatives of the Planning Department and Punch Taverns to share their concerns. The Council believed that it is important that the materials are the most appropriate as The Lamb will be an important feature within Little Milton for many years to come.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had received a note from Mr Tony Clark. It seems that the person at Holton now responsible for the paths in Little Milton, Mark Sumner, has met the landowner to discuss the problems. The landowner has agreed to reinstate the footpath across the field south of the school and also to allow OCC’s team to install new stiles at the present bridge location on footpath 6 and also to install another bridge on footpath 7 on the Little Milton/Stadhampton boundary.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 11th April 2007 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:

As I mentioned in the March Newsletter there will an election for the six seats available on the Parish Council on Thursday 3 May 2007. A detailed timetable is displayed on the Parish Council notice board as well as in the Post Office. I have set out below the key dates for submitting nomination papers for the election

I have a limited number of nomination papers for any resident who wishes one as well as a copy of the electoral roll for information in respect of electoral roll numbers. If you have any further questions about the forthcoming election please do not hesitate to contact me at 27 Chiltern View or telephone 279150.

There is due to be an election of the whole of the District Council on 3^rd May, 2007. I shall be standing for re-election as the Liberal Democrat candidate.

The Council has recently reviewed the garden waste service, and has agreed to some improvements which will be available from April 2007.

There are a limited number of smaller wheeled bins (140 litres) available for those who do not generate as much garden waste. The cost of the service is £29 per year or £27.50 if you pay by direct debit. In exceptional circumstances residents who are unable to use or accommodate a wheeled bin may be offered a year’s supply of 110 litre sacks (52 sacks for £29 or £27.50 if paying by direct debit). The Council will need to be satisfied that there is a genuine barrier to the use of the 240l litre wheeled bin container for garden waste.

For those residents who would like to register their interest or find out more about the new options they can contact SODC Public Amenities on 01491 823416 or email recycling@southoxon.gov.uk.

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 April are as follows:-Tuesday 10th & 24th

If you are interested in this service please contact SODC Public Amenities on 01491 823416 or email: public.amenities@southoxon.gov.uk or visit www.southoxon.gov.uk

The collection scheduled on Tuesday 10 April is now revised to Wednesday 11 April

The annual village litter blitz will take place over the weekend of 21 April to 22April. I will arrange to collect the equipment from SODC. If you feel that you can help please contact me. In previous years there has been an excellent response.

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.

Trust I have not made any errors this month….sorry for last month’s incorrect rota. Ed

It is that time of the year again when dedicated volunteers cut the churchyard grass. There is always room to accommodate more volunteers so do not feel that you cannot help. Please contact me on 279150

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

I had reason to recall that this time last year was the tenth anniversary of the Dunblane massacre, in which a lone gunman shot 16 children and their teacher. I remembered that the Sunday following was Mothering Sunday, and it was with heavy hearts that people from all over the village gathered in the tiny village Church to express in prayers, too deep for any words, their emotions, fears and anxieties. I forget now exactly what I said, but in that Morning Service, I made the statement which we say at every Communion Service,

Somebody on their way out from Church, said, “Where is God in the world?” I recognised that it must have been hard to ask that question. How hard it must be as each year comes round for all the families and friends involved to cope with their memories and loss. Where was God for those children?

The psalmist of old wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me”. And we ask: ‘just how is that? ‘How are you with us?

We’ve been having our Lent Lunches, and I’ve been reminded of the millions of children who go hungry, struggle in poverty with their families. We may also ask, “Where is God in that?” The fact is that the world isn’t as it should be. And it is that way because God has made us as we are- capable of such cruelty and neglect as well as greatness and love. We may wish He hadn’t; that somehow He had made it impossible for gunmen to destroy. But He didn’t. There’s a song by Sydney Carter, the hymn writer with the ironic chorus: “It’s God they ought to crucify instead of you and me”.

That’s the only response I think there is. Good Friday will soon be here, with its many messages. But one message from Good Friday I find most helpful is in the image of the water and blood flowing mingling down from the wounded Christ. Water, Cleansing-forgiveness: blood-life. The Spirit’s gifts, the Spirit’s meaning. It was Paul who could write to Timothy and say: “God has given us his Spirit, not the Spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, love and self control” 2 Timothy 1 verse 7.

God does take responsibility for the mess and the pain, He does give us the freedom to create such tragedies, but He also chooses to share in the pain, alongside us, and through his Spirit offers new choices that lead to life, and not death, but it’s up to us to use those choices for love, light, for good, and not evil.

Lord, give us your Spirit, the Spirit of power, love and self-control, that we may be part of your work of healing and hope.

Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting with be held following on from the Benefice Communion Service on Sunday 29^th April in St. James’ Church Little Milton at 11.30 a.m. and you all are welcome to attend. There is of course, all of the usual business of an Annual Meeting. We shall have our election of Churchwardens and the PCC, we shall hear reports of how we are doing, both financially and otherwise, but an annual meeting does give everyone in the parish the opportunity to raise any matter which is concerning them, and to make their voice heard.

In connection with the meeting we have to prepare a new Church Electoral Roll. The Roll is a measure of our strength, and our common commitment to our Lord and our desire to worship him through St. James’. In this year, those who are on the present roll will need to reapply, which means filling in a simple form to be returned to our Electoral Roll Officer, Mr. Paul Jeffery, 1, Chiltern View. Indeed anyone who wishes their name to be included on the Roll and hasn’t been previously will also need to complete the form. Paul would be very happy to help you with this. Application forms are also available at the back of the Church and also from me.

We all like to think that our Church will be there for us, and for our Church to thrive. But for these things to be, it needs the active and supporting involvement of the people of our community. We cannot leave our worship to others. We cannot worship by proxy. We live in challenging times. There is a nationwide shortage of clergy. Our consumer society has created a Sunday of choices and perceived priorities, of which going to Church is but one. People love their freedom, and don’t want to be committed. It was Isaiah of old, who responded to God with, ‘Here am I, send me’ In today’s climate, I wonder if people would respond by saying, ‘Here am I, but send him’. We live in challenging times. Even more so than, perhaps at a point more than in any other age, we need each other, because we belong together, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.

We look forward to seeing you at the Annual meeting on the 29^th April after the Service.

The Treatment for the Death Watch Beetle in St. Mary’s is due to begin on Tuesday April the 10^th, straight after the Easter Bank Holiday Monday. It is anticipated that the work will take two weeks. As a precaution, the Benefice Communion, scheduled to be on the 22^nd April at 10.00 a.m., will now be held in St. Peter’s, Great Haseley at 10.00 a.m... I do apologise for any inconvenience. This problem with the beetles has been with us for many, many years, and we hope that by this treatment, a good solution is found, ensuring that the fabric of our church will in some way be conserved, and future damage limited.

Palm Sunday falls on the 1^st April, and the usual monthly pattern of Services will be followed.

On Maundy Thursday the 5^th April, there will be an Easter Craft Morning for children of 5 -12 years from 9.30 a.m., and in the evening at 7.30 p.m. the Service of Communion will be commemorating the night that He was betrayed.

On Good Friday, there will be a devotional service, reflecting on the crucifixion, in St. Mary’s at 11.00 a.m... This Service will last about 45 minutes.

I realise that many people will have friends and family with them over the holiday, and please do not hesitate, bring them with you to Church. We would love to see you.

Usually this is held on the second Monday of each month at 6.00 p.m., but because this particular Monday in April is a Bank Holiday, for this month the service will be held on the 16^th April in Fullers Field, Common Room at six.

On the second Monday of each month there is a service of prayer, readings and hymns in Fullers Field Community Room, Great Milton. The service is shared with our Methodist friends. The service starts at 6.00pm and lasts about 30 minutes. The next service is scheduled on Monday 16th April 2007. If you would like to attend the service but require transport please contact Raymond

Fergusson of 27 Chiltern View; telephone number 01844 279150 who will ensure that you are taken to the service and collected after it is finished.

The Benefice of Great Milton, Great Haseley and Little Milton

Maundy Thursday

Craft Morning

9.30-12.00

Thursday 5^th April

The Neighbours Hall

Great Milton

50p towards cost of Hall.

All children between the ages of 5-12 years made very welcome. Younger children may also join us if accompanied by a parent.

Contact Sarah Jones 278120 for further information.

.and did you know that on July 6^th 1957 John Lennon met Paul McCartney at a Church Fete in Liverpool.

You never know who you’ll meet, so make a date in your diary now!!

LITTLE MILTON

CHURCH FETE

Saturday 16^th June 2007 2-5pm

Planning is well underway so please offer your help if you can.

Teresa Quested: 278922

Also we are putting together a Golf Hamper as a prize:

so if you have more balls than you can cope with, gloves than you can handle, tees that you can swing to, or in any item that might tempt the golfers then please let me know:

With thanks Sarah Jones 278120

Apart from a rather “squished” Brunch meeting last month (15 children and 4 adults in the cottage!) we had some great meetings!! This month we’re meeting on:

Testament story using our Desert Box, kindly created by Victor – “The Ark and Temple”

Both meetings begin at 11.00 (sharp!!) and finish at 12.30pm and any child over the age of 4 years is welcome to come along and join us. We have had several offers of help with our teaching following last months request but if there is anyone out there who would like to offer us help we’d never turn you down! If you want to hear more about our work and plans then come along to the PCC AGM on April 29^th!

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

Sue Marriott 279124

March has been an active month for us, particularly with all of the arrangements for the Spring Fair, held at the Pine Lodge on a sunny Saturday! We would like to say a big thank you to everyone in the village who supported the event, and in particular to Stuart McGill, who provided his famous bacon sandwiches, ably assisted by Mabel Wood and Phyllis White. Dee Waldron’s superb cakes were soon snapped up by customers, queuing at the cake stall. We are so grateful to these four people who always give their unstinting support to our school. I don’t know where we would be without them.

Thank you also to the stall holders, and the army of parents who provided Easter eggs, bottles, cakes and gifts for the tombola, raffle and stalls. The funds raised will be put towards providing an interactive whiteboard for our Y5/Y6 classroom.

Many of you will have heard on the news that schools are to provide compulsory lessons in French, for all children from age 7 upwards. We are pleased to say that we have had this provision in place for the many years now, and children commence French lessons when they join our Reception Class. Our Juniors enjoyed a morning at Wheatley Primary School, where they took part in activities to reinforce their learning, with children from the Wheatley partnership.

Whilst the Juniors were practicing their French, the lower end of the school enjoyed a visit to the Oxford Literary Festival, where they listened to the poet John Foster reciting some of his poems, and talking about how to write their own poetry.

As I write, the Juniors are practicing songs from “Kids in Space” a musical which they will be performing with children from other partnership schools. Parents and staff are looking to the final production!

This Spring Term has been very exciting at the Orchard Pre-school – with lots of special occasions to celebrate – Pancake Day, St David’s Day and Mother’s Day have all been celebrated with yummy food and the children are looking forward to Easter with Hot Cross Buns and the highlight of the calendar at this time of year, the Easter Egg Tombola! The Orchard Pre-school itself has another celebration later in the year as it reaches its 20^th anniversary – more celebrations soon!

The staff, committee and parents are also celebrating a very successful OFSTED report that praised all aspects of the work of the Orchard. Reading the report reminded us of what a caring, nurturing start to their education our children receive from a very dedicated team of staff. Well done Yvonne, Rose, Linda, Helen and Clare!

As well as fitting all these events into a busy term, the children have also been looking at growth – this term focusing on how plants grow by planting flowers and potatoes in the Orchard garden, visiting the BBONT nature reserve and reading the story of The Giant Turnip. The Orchard is truly blossoming!

We plan to meet on Sunday 1^st April, when we intend to continue planting a hedge adjacent to the road. We have purchased a further 100 whips to finish off our present task. We then intend to plant some fruit trees in the autumn. We are looking for local Oxfordshire varieties.

We still have one Allotment available to rent, if anyone is interested. We are going to mark out the various Allotments with stakes to delineate each one. BBOWT are active in supporting us with this project as they are going to tackle the Brambles to keep them under control as well as mow the grass up there to maintain a good access.

We welcome anyone who would like to come along and get some fresh air. We meet on the Allotments at approximately 3pm.

THE PINE LODGE NEWS

Another successful Quiz Night and a new Quiz Master in Jo Preston, ably assisted by her husband and the Wiltshire family. Much alcohol consumed, and much food ( Boeuf Bourguinonne ) enjoyed by all.

The Quested/Jeffery team emerged victorious, so we have had three different winners at the last three quizzes. Thanks to Jo Preston for all her hard work in putting the Quiz together.

The Cinema Club finally launched in the first week of March, with 28 members watching Pirates of the Caribbean-Dead Man’s chest. Apart from me pushing the wrong button on the sound, which lost most of the dialogue, the system worked very well!

Next production is the Oscar Winning “The Queen” starring Helen Mirren, which will be on Thursday 5^th April at 8.00 PM. Join up at the Post Office (£10) and this entitles you to admission to six films over 6 months. Entry is free. Refreshments provided.

We have recently purchased table trolleys for the Pine Lodge, which means next time you use it you can wheel out the trolleys rather than lift each table out in turn. Anything for an easy life!

I was going to say that nature always seems to compensate! This is in the context of the weather. In other words my theme was going to be that after such a mild winter “Mother Nature” could well have a trick or two up her sleeve. Sure enough on the 18^th or so of the month the mild weather came to an abrupt end and the temperatures became more seasonal. As I write I cannot tell how long this will last although the signs are that it will not be for long. I mention this really because it is important for the life cycle of most plants that they get a fair period of cool temperatures. The other bonus with a cool period is that it has an effect on harmful bugs and diseases.

It is good now to be able to see our river meadows, though what a mess the floods have left. Not only the rubbish that has floated down stream but the mud and silt. This has left the grass useless and it will not be, until it produces new growth that the fields will appear green again, and possibly lose its smell.

The recent dry spell has allowed us to get on with all the spring work, by the time you read these notes all the spring planting will be complete, and all the early fertilizer applied. This is to give the young crops every boost after the winter’s dormancy period. We are about to enter the most wonderful time of the year where everything starts to burst into life, with great promise for the forth

coming warmer summer weather, I just suggest that we all savour this period before it’s over.

Views Farm has just completed the process of applying for its exemption licences, for Agricultural wastes. I thought that by way of light relief you may be interested in the sort of things we have now to get a licence to do, considering we have been doing these things since time began. We have to get an exemption to burn hedge trimmings, and any other sort of wood, (provided it is not treated), nor can we allow anyone else to burn their similar waste on our land. This means that any pallets or packing cases we now have to dispose of by other means. We are cutting them up for firewood for heating but there is a limit to how much we can use and also what is the carbon foot print of sawing all this wood up? We also have to have this exemption for spreading the spoil when we clean out a ditch, as well as a licence to chop or shred straw or any other plant material.

I am not against the control of what we do with wastes, as this is a very serious issue for our country as a whole, but there has to be limits about what you can expect people to do. Just to illustrate my point about this country, I believe we have to be very careful that we do not over cook natural resources. Let me explain. Everything we do creates some waste this is unavoidable, but this all has to be digested by nature in some way or another. We glibly talk about the need for more housing, or that because the way families are developing we need more housing. In all these arguments however we never hear anyone asking the question, how is our small country going to digest the waste that all this produces? We seem just to plough on and expect those that can and do help out. To continue to do so and regulate themselves to do so and also carry the can if a river gets polluted, as now rightly the polluter pays.

Finally we have just heard the budget with mixed feelings, the increase of practically 6p a litre on fuel is bound to cost us who live in the country quite substantially, and this also affects our bio diesel. What I don’t think we realize is that it also effects the fuel we use on the farm, this is for vehicles that go on the road very infrequently, but can use on average 100litres a day a considerable extra cost that we have no way of recouping.

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 445959 or Email talkingscience@rl.ac.uk

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

12 FILMS PER YEAR +12 CHILDREN’S FILMS PER YEAR

Our next meeting will be 7:45 pm on Thursday 12^th April when Pat Clark talks about the urgent topic of Climate Change. As our Oxfordshire County’s Science Co-ordinator, Pat will bring an informed and practical perspective to this crucial issue. Visitors are very welcome to join us at The Pine Lodge, Little Milton.

This meeting ties in with the national WI Carbon Challenge, launched with the support of M & S. In March every WI member received a guidelines issue with useful tips to help, including:

· Check the pressure of your tyres regularly as every 65 miles you drive with the right pressure could save 1 Kg of CO 2.

· Donating as many items as possible to charity shops reduces the per use energy cost of the original production.

· Turn your hot water thermostat to 60 degrees, saving you approx. 720 kg of CO2 per year. Boil only the amount of water you need for hot drinks – for 5 cups a day this could save you 9.6 kg of CO2 each year.

· Avoid fish from uncertified or recognizably unsustainable fish stocks, eat a variety of non-endangered species and buy fish locally wherever possible – look for ‘eco-labelling’ such as the Marine Stewardship Council. www.msc.org.

· Home composting - using bins and wormeries - cuts down on organic waste sent to landfill, helpful for methane production and cutting transport. (Helplines – WRAP 0845 600 0323 and CAT 0165 470 5950)

· Drink tap water, not bottled. Tap water doesn’t need packaging and doesn’t have to travel by road and rail.

There will be 4 further issues to members including our stories, experiences and ideas on carbon reduction.

President: Anne Hawkins, Little Milton 279526 Secretary: Helen Ridley 278816 Press Correspondent: Lyndell Dixon, Great Haseley 279275

James, Georgina and Michael and their families wish to thank everyone for all their very kind thoughts and assistance during Meg Hue Williams’ illness and afterwards. It has been very much appreciated. Thank you.

On Wednesday, the 7th March, we enjoyed a wonderful day out. This took the form of a visit to the National Arms Museum where we spent two hours exploring our military history from the very early days right up to the present time. With the various displays covering five floor levels there was certainly plenty to keep everyone interested and it was a joy to have a number of new male visitors joining us; lets hope they enjoyed their day so much they will join us on other occasions. After lunch we moved next door to the Royal Chelsea Hospital. Here we were given a two-hour conducted tour of the hospital by Max - one of the Chelsea Pensioners. Max was absolutely wonderful - a real extrovert with a wicked sense of humour. He made the tour so enjoyable and we had many laughs with him, especially when he kept telling us, with a twinkle in his eye, that "the girls were moving in in two years time" and that "they can't wait"!

On the 8th March we enjoyed another visit from Mrs Clifford, who showed her holiday slides in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind. At our next meeting on the 22nd March we are looking forward to a visit from a representative from the Blue Cross Sanctuary.

April 18th – Chenies Manor & Tea at Radnage: In the morning a visit to Wycombe museum, chair industries. Lunch at Old Amersham and then on to Chenies Manor, historic Tudor Manor house. Tea at Radnage. Museum FREE. Chenies Manor £5.30, Tea £5.00, cost of coach plus cost of any lunch.

May 16^th – The Beechwood Beauty Boat Trip arranged by City & Village Tours: Coach Tour from Marlow through the Hambledon Valley to Henley for lunch. On to Hurley and Cookham. We board a pleasure cruiser at Boulters Lock for a 2 hour boat trip passing through a beautiful stretch of the Chilterns famous for the Wind in the Willows, Swan Upping, Three Men in a Boat and glimpses of Clivedon and back to the Complete Angler. Cost £16 + coach and lunch.

If you are interested in any of the above outings contact Mrs C Cope, Woodbine Cottage, Great Milton or telephone 01844 279459

Thank you Sarah for hosting the group with Lydia last month; we had a very busy and enjoyable time together….This month the group will meet at Willowbrook, the home of Anne Hawkins, on Tuesday April 17^th from 11.00 onwards. Please telephone Anne on 279526 by Monday 16^th if you’re planning on having lunch with the group. Anyone is welcome to join the group to sew anything you want to sew!! We meet monthly in different homes around the village between approximately 11.00am and 3.00pm so if you can’t come along in April then watch out for our May date….

Following on from the successful production of the opera “The Enchanted Loom” by Roger Simmonds in 2002. Wheatley Productions are planning to stage a second opera by the same composer in October of this year. It is called “letters to Paola” and concerns events in Russia at the time of the Revolution.

Anyone who enjoys dramatic singing is warmly invited to audition for a part. Rehearsals begin in Wheatley on Tuesday June 5^th for the auditions on Tuesday 19th June 2007.

If you are interested or would like further information please contact Roger Simmonds on 01865 872009 or Marion Baker on 01865 361937.

7.00 FOR 7.30PM

BRIDGE DRIVE

(Chicago Pairs)

at

THE PINELODGE - LITTLE MILTON VILLAGE HALL

on

FRIDAY 20^th April

Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30 start

Bar and raffle

ADMISSION BY TICKET ONLY £10 EACH

(Includes a light supper)

For further information and pairs of tickets, contact Maggie Wheeller 01844 278723. Need a partner? Phone Maggie to be added to the single players list.

All proceeds towards the Little Milton Village Shop / Post Office Fund and Leukaemia Research Fund

Dahlias- they can be left in the ground over winter with a thick mulch and cover and will survive very well in our milder winters. Towards the end of the month uncover the cloches, or if you have lifted them they can be planted out. Late flowering herbaceous plants can be lifted and divided i.e. Michaelmas daisies, rudbekias, and helianthus. Roses should have been pruned by early April and they need feeding and mulching- it is a good idea to mulch much of the flowering garden, as if we have another hot summer it will help conserve the moisture. Mulch can be compost or grass cuttings or shredded bark

A busy month in the vegetable garden. Plant onion sets, peas, salad crops, beetroot, carrots, winter cabbage. Earth up early potatoes to protect from frost.

Courgette, squash, French beans, sweetcorn, can be started under glass to be ready to sow outdoors in late May.

All these can be prepared for entry in the Great Haseley Horticultural Society Show on August 25^th !

Learn more about flower and vegetable growing, join your local gardening society, membership only £3 a year.

Contact Membership Secretary Sally Orriss at: The Old Stores, Great Milton OX44 7NL or on 01844273231

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

“There’s a wealth of things to do and see. Make this the year to discover Oxfordshire: its treasures, its beauty, its history and its exciting future. The county’s special character will be highlighted throughout the coming months.”

On Wednesday 11th April at the Players Theatre Thame at 8.00 pm ; A Guitar Summit, featuring Denny Illett Junior. Please do support local live jazz.

Tickets available from Tickets Anywhere in Greyhound Walk Thame or on the door. Price £8/£7 concessions.

LOOKING FOR CHILDMINDER

I am looking for a childminder to look after a 6 month old baby and provide after school care for a five year old who attends Great Milton School *. If you can help please call 01865 890311

* From October , Thursday & Fridays

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

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE: 31 MARCH – 13 APRIL 2007

There are a number of activities provided by organisations working with South Oxfordshire District Council and will take place at various locations in the district. These include cricket, golf, netball, karate, football, squash, cycle speedway, athletics, swimming, tennis as well as CampSoll supervised play scheme day camps. If you wish to find out more please contact Leisure & Economic Development, SODC 01491 823417 or www.southoxon.gov.uk

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.

So far I have had no response to my article in the February/ March newsletters, appealing for volunteer drivers. The level of demand for the service is relatively low in Little Milton but to those who need support, vital. Please give it some thought and ring me to find out more information if you are interested in helping.

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

Friday 13th April	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Saturday 14th April	Wheatley Primary School	8.00 – 12.00 pm
Friday 20th April	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Friday 27th April	Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 11.00 am
Sat 28th April	Wheatley Primary School Chalgrove Village Car park	8.00 – 12.00 pm 8.00 – 12.00 pm

1st	9.30 a.m.	All Age Worship led by Rev Derick Chambers
8th	10.00 a.m.	United Service at Chalgrove
15th	11.00 a.m.	Holy Communion led by Rev Charlotte Collins
22nd	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Mrs Betty Blake
29th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Mrs Jan Grimwood

Winner	Prize	Winner	Prize
Claire Jacobs	Surrender Perfume	P Masien	Wine selection
M Smith	Foot Massager	Sarah Simmonds	Piglet
Kath Stacey	Pamper Roma	Karen Post	Le Manoir Chocolate Creation
Erian	Crazy Bear	Nightingale	Nial OPA
G Sedgwick Coward	Train Tickets	Newdick	Francoma
Emin	CSI	Maddie Luke	Cinderella
Steve Coward	Dragon Egg	Ellie Kippin	Bubble Bath
Katie Wakelin	Toy Car	P Masien	Scrabble
Katie Wakelin	Pop Zone	Mrs Ford	Pictionary

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