NEWSLETTER JULY 2007

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 13th June was attended by five Parish Councillors, the Clerk, the County Councillor , the District Councillor, Leslie Nesbitt Crime Prevention Advisor, Judith Johnson OCC Trading Standards and two members of the public.

No Cold Calling

The Chairman welcomed Leslie Nesbit, the Crime Prevention Advisor and Judith Johnson from OCC Trading Standards to the Parish Council meeting. Leslie Nesbitt detailed the crime statistics for the village from March 2007 to April 2007 and it highlighted that the village has had a material level of crime. It was against this background that she explained the concept of No Cold Calling. Judith Johnson explained the process of setting up a scheme within the village. The Parish Council agreed that it was a worthwhile scheme. The timetable of events is as follows:

·         An article will appear in the July/August Newsletters detailing the sequence of events to set up a Cold Calling Scheme.

·         Trading Standards will deliver a letter to each household inviting them to participate in the scheme.

·         An analysis of the response from householders will determine whether there is enough support.

·         A provisional launch date of mid September has been agreed at which villagers will be invited to visit a mobile display unit that will show the scheme in operation.

The Chairman invited Leslie Nesbitt to comment upon the recent survey that had taken place in respect of the Youth Shelter. She highlighted that a youth shelter would be a focus for youth activity and that may attract youths from outside the village. She commented upon the value of CCTV and stated that the Council needed to be clear on what it wanted to achieve from it. She highlighted three possible reasons:

·         To act as a deterrent

·         To identify people in the area being monitored by CCTV

·         To be evidence used in any prosecution

She stated that CCTV was not the sole answer in tackling anti-social behaviour. She advised the Council to think through its requirements before approaching any CCTV companies for a quotation but she stressed the need for the Council to set up the proper processes to administer any scheme and to register any agreed CCTV set up.

Youth Shelter

The Council members considered how they wished to take the matter forward. The discussion that took place was not conclusive as to whether to progress the youth shelter but there was a desire to explore other options to engage the youth of the village. Mr David Turner suggested that the OCC Youth Officer should be approached for advice. The Council agreed that this was a sensible way forward.

Recreation Ground

The Chairman read out a report from Mr Mark Willis. The report highlighted the recent vandalism that had taken place in the MUGA and expressed the concern that unless the perpetrators of the damage are stopped then there is a real risk that the excellent facility will be destroyed. The Council did not agree on any action but felt that it was part of the wider issue that was discussed under the youth shelter.

Finance

The Council passed a resolution approving the Annual accounts for 2006-07 as well as the Annual governance statement for the year ended 31st March 2007.

Planning

P07/W0419: The Thatched House; garden room to ancillary accommodation

This planning application was granted by South Oxfordshire District Council.

P07/W0274 – Lark Rise Blenheim Road – single storey extension

This planning application was granted by South Oxfordshire District Council.

P07/W 0073 - Revelmead: Amendment to original application to create a family room within existing barn and conservatory

This planning application was recommended for approval by South Oxfordshire District Council.

Mr Stuart McGill informed the meeting that he had received an e-mail from Street Eite Associates who are the agents for Punch Taverns in connection with the planning application for The Lamb. The e-mail afforded the Parish Council the opportunity to specify the materials that they would prefer Punch Taverns to use. In terms of the roof the Council would ideally like reclaimed red clay tiles to match the roofs of the adjacent High Street properties of Old Belchers, the Thatched House and the Doctors House It was reassuring that the rendering was not a pebble-dash rendering and suggested that it matched the existing rendering. The colour would need to complement the overall design. The Council felt that their concerns had been addressed and that they would be in a position to support a re-submitted application.

Adoption of Revised Code of Conduct

The Council resolved to adopt the Revised Code of Conduct issued by the Standards Board for England .

Village Shop/Post Office

Mr Stuart McGill briefed the meeting on the visit by the South Oxfordshire District Council Grants Committee (SODC) to inspect the proposed site on Friday 8th June 2007. He then informed the meeting that he had made a presentation to the SODC supporting the grant application on behalf of the Village Hall Management Committee on Tuesday 12th June. A question was raised by SODC as to whether the Parish Council would be making any financial contribution to the project. Mr Stuart McGill explained that the Parish Council had no specific powers to make a financial contribution to a village shop/post office as had been advised by OALC following a meeting in December 2006. The Clerk clarified that it could make a financial contribution within its Section 137 powers. The Council agreed that it would support the project within its legal powers without determining a specific amount.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 11th July 2007 at 8.00 p.m. in The Pine Lodge Little Milton unless there is a need to convene any planning or other meetings. This meeting will preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting.

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 Barry Coward Vice Chairman

Mrs Mabel Wood, Mrs Alison Shelton , Mr David Wakeling, Mr Tim Robinson

NO COLD CALLING ZONE FOR LITTLE MILTON

As reported under the Parish Council Leslie Nesbitt attended the June meeting. I detail below the crime statistics that she reported at the meeting.

“Since 19 April 2006 and 15 March 2007, 8 house burglaries have occurred in the village of Little Milton .  4 of these burglaries have happened in Old Field and 2 of these have been distraction burglaries.

In the same time period there have been 14 non dwelling burglaries (sheds, commercial premises, detached garages)

10 Criminal Damages – including the village playing fields and the MUGA.

4 thefts from motor vehicles.

In the last 9 years there have been 14 burglaries in Old Field, 37 burglaries in total within the village.  40 non dwelling burglaries.

*All figures are raw figures from our computer database and are liable to some fluctuations.

Little Milton has been referred to Trading Standards by Thame s Valley Police as a suitable area for a no cold calling zone.”

The Parish Council has agreed that the village should be consulted on their support to designate the village as a “NO COLD CALLING ZONE”. The plan is to deliver a letter to each household in late July/early August. It is very important that you respond to the questionnaire as Trading Standards will only implement a scheme that is supported by the residents. If there is sufficient support Trading Standards would be available in mid September with their mobile information stand to illustrate the practical working of the scheme.

If you want to know more about the scheme please contact me at 27 Chiltern View or telephone 01844 279150.

Raymond Fergusson, Parish Clerk

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 July are as follows:-Tuesday 3rd; Tuesday 17th & Tuesday 31st

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

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.              

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA FOR JULY

W/E 7th July                             -          Mrs E. Summers/ Mrs A Jones

W/E 14th July                                       -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 21st July                            -          Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

W/E 28th July                           -          Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

W/E 4th August                                    -          Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

Sally Ann Dennis 278029

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR JULY     

W/E 1st July                             -          Sally Ann Dennis                      

W/E 8th July                             -         

W/E 15th July                           -          Sally Ann Dennis                      

W/E 22nd July                           -          Sally Ann Dennis

W/E 29th July                           -

Teresa Quested

GRASS CUTTING ROTA FOR JULY

W/E 6th July                                         Tim Robinson

W/E 13th July                                       Raymond Fergusson

W/E 20th July                                       Stuart McGill

W/E 27th July                                       David Hawkins

W/E 3rd August                                    Phil Jones

Raymond Fergusson 279150

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING JULY

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

Tuesday 3rd July                                   7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 8th July                                   10.30 am to 11.00 am

Tuesday 10th July                                  7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 17th July                                  7.30 pm. to 9.00 pm.

Sunday 22^nd July                                 9.30 am to 10.00 am

Tuesday 24th July                                  7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 31st July                                  7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Raymond Fergusson (279150)

IT IS CALLED EDEN .

At this time of the year, a number of friends delight in calling on me, and it’s good to catch up on their news and what is happening in their lives. One such visitor had just returned from their holiday in Cornwall , and they couldn’t contain their enthusiasm about what they discovered on a visit to the Eden Project near St. Mawes. They found it an inspiring place, a living temple to nature built out of a discarded clay pit. I was shown some photographs of the visit and I listened intently as the impressions of the whole time spent there by my friends were eagerly reported. I saw pictures of the two great bio-domes which formed the centrepiece, housing the plants and trees of the temperate zones of the world and of the rain forest.

The temperate zone was familiar to me, for over the years I have spent some little time in the Mediterranean world. I remembered from not so long ago, seeing fruit trees and pampas grass, vines, olives and figs.

I have some recollection of the intense, sticky heat of the tropical zone, and I remember how unprepared I was for it. My visiting friends had never been in a real rain forest, but to them the indoor one in Cornwall was both oppressive and magical. They said, “It’s like being in a steam oven where everything is growing and decaying at the same time.”  They realised why the rain forests matter. For to them, there came a new realisation  that all the tremendous variety of plants, leaves, roots and fruits, suggest that life uses this natural pressure cooker to try out all the different possible ways of being a tree or a bush or a herb or a flower. The result is what we call bio-diversity. Some of the plants are edible, some poisonous, some have healing properties.

‘ Eden ’ seems to be a most suitable name from this project in Cornwall .

Might I suggest that each one of us wander, if only in our minds and imagination, through the different regions. Recall the story of Adam brought to life by God in the enchanted garden and how he was commissioned by God to tend and care for the earth. I believe it quite amazing that this commission is being renewed in our time. We do have a chance to make a difference to the world we live in, to learn to tread more lightly upon the earth of God’s creation.

Merciful Lord,

As we breathe the air of this world,

Eat its produce

Walk its way,

Give us the wisdom to remember what we do and be thankful, always. Amen.

Victor Story

FROM THE RECTORY.

FROM THE REGISTERS.

We congratulate Gary Mark West and Rebecca Anne Kaylor who were married in our Church on the 2^nd June. Please do remember in your prayers Gary and Rebecca as they embark on their new adventure of married life.

We welcome into the Lord’s family Brooklyn Colin Roy West who was baptised on the 2^nd Jun. We surround with our prayers Brooklyn as he begins his Christian journey through this world. Whilst we think of Brooklyn , and his mother and father, we must not let our prayers for little Holly be silent.

OUR CHURCH FETE.

Our Church Fete was held on the 16th June in the grounds of the Manor by very kind permission of Simon and Sarah Oddie’. It was a marvellous occasion, full of warmth, laughter and joy, and with all of the necessary ingredients of a traditional Village Fete. I understand that the total amount raised was about £2800 which was quite amazing despite the weather which at times was so threatening. Well done, everyone!

Making the fete so successful meant that a good number of people put in an extraordinary amount of hard dedicated work before hand, as well as on the day itself. To all these people we extend our heartfelt thanks, but I think we all ought to thank especially Sarah Jones who went about organising us and co-ordinating things diligently and cheerfully over many months. Thank you indeed, Sarah.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2007.

Christian Aid Week is the week in the year when we deliberately focus our minds on those in the Third World who are so very much worse off than ourselves, and struggle to help themselves out of poverty. Whilst they do all they can for themselves, through our giving we help to make a real difference to their efforts.

This year around our Benefice the house to house collections totalled £1657.50, which is quite frankly, an amazing amount, and the total for Little Milton was an astounding £831.11. How ever can we thank you all enough for your incredible generosity?  Thank you all so very much. Not only do we need to thank you all, but we do need to express our gratitude to those admirable collectors who went around our parishes house to house.

This year, when we add in all that was donated through the medium of the Lent Lunches, and taking into account Gift Aided donations we have been able to send to Christian Aid over £2406 from our benefice, which is a very remarkable amount for three parishes of our size.

We do need to thank Sally Ann for co-ordinating all of our efforts across our Benefice, for she worked so very hard to make such a result possible.

RYCOTE CHAPEL SERVICE 2007.

On the 26th August we shall be holding our Benefice Sung Communion Service in Rycote Chapel at 10.00 a.m. Rycote Chapel is a magical historical Building, and we are so grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Taylor for inviting us for this special Service. Do, please put this date in your diary now and we look forward to seeing you all on this day.

With all good wishes to you all for the holidays.

Victor Story 279498

FULLERS FIELD SERVICE

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 9th July 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.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

WOW!! What a week and what a total….Thank you to everyone who delivered and/or collected envelopes, who hosted Lent lunches, who gave School Assemblies, who led and/or took part in the special Christian Aid week service and most of all to all of you in each of the villages who gave so generously this year. The grand total for the Benefice is £2,406.14; an increase of £568.04. This included a total of £243 gift aided contributions and so to those of you who gift aided your contribution an extra Thank you! The total amount of money raised in Little Milton from the Lent lunch, the Special Christian Aid week service and the Sunday School collection and the house to house collections is £1,065.81 plus a gift aid total of £150.34, making £1,216.15 altogether. Thank you everyone!

Sally Ann Dennis

RIDE OR STRIDE 8^TH SEPTEMBER 2007

This is an excellent opportunity to support the work done by the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust. If you would like more information please contact me at 27 Chiltern View or telephone 01844 279150

Raymond Fergusson

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

SUNDAY SERVICES IN JULY

 Circuit Events

Sunday 15^th July 2007 at 11.00am Summer Worship – The Life of Jesus. We shall be coming together at Watlington Methodist Church to celebrate our Lord in singing, reading and praise.

For further information please ring me.

Yvonne Cartwright 279205

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

This month we’re meeting on:

July 1^st – 11.00 in Church when we will be joined by Cathy from Seesaw and her dog “Do Good”. We have recently given our collection money to Seesaw and so Cathy is coming to share their work and tell us how they plan to spend our collection money. NB We’re meeting in Church and not in someone’s home because of Do Good!!

July 15^th – 11.00 our annual summer outing and picnic to Ewelme when we plan to explore the Church and have a picnic and games etc. Meet at 11.00 in the Village Hall car park, unless you hear otherwise.

We then break in August but will be back on Sunday 2^nd September at 11.00 when we hope to see as many of you as possible after the summer holidays.

S. A. Dennis 278029

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR JULY