LITTLE MILTON NEWSLETTER  JANUARY 2008

FROM THE EDITOR

I would like to wish all our readers a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

As editor I like take the opportunity to reflect on the well being of our village and to express the gratitude that we owe to relatively few people who make it such a wonderful place to live. I have now lived in the village for twenty five years and I would say that the vibrancy of today’s village is the product of the efforts that have put into the village in the past.

The Pine Lodge (Village Hall too many) has continued to be a very successful investment and provides the focal point for many village activities and provides an excellent facility for the whole community. We all need to be aware that its hard working volunteers need help and new blood is always needed to maintain its energy and enthusiasm as an organisation.

The Church of St James has been a source of comfort to many villagers since 1844 and today it is well supported by the volunteers who clean it, maintain the churchyard, and make it look so beautiful with lovely flowers. Our younger people are looked after by a group of mums who run the Sunday School. The Church bells are rung most weeks to provide a reminder of its presence but hopefully also to bring a degree of pleasure….well to most people!! The church fete was well supported in 2007 and it provides the opportunity to bring our community together. A big thank-you to everyone involved.

The third pillar of our community is the village school. Under the leadership of Eve Hunter and the support of all the governors it continues to flourish.

This year will be a critical year for our Post Office. We will know in February the Post Office Ltd’s Area Review of Oxfordshire recommendations for changes to the network.  The Post Office has survived due to the dedication of Annie and her team and for that we are all very thankful. The future plans for an extension to the village hall to accommodate a shop and post office may be powerful factors in determining its future. Let us all believe.

It has been a difficult year for the Lamb. I am sure that the whole community wishes to see a pub thrive in our village. The SODC planners and the pub owners are searching for a way forward to allow a sensible development that will allow our pub to flourish into the future and at the same time make economic sense.

A new Parish Council was elected in May 2007 for a four year term. It was encouraging to actually have the six places contested. The Parish Council serves the community and maintains the community assets. It is supported by a few volunteers who maintain the recreation ground. I am sure that the village appreciates the contribution made by all the volunteers who assist the Parish Council. I was personally delighted when Oxfordshire County Council granted Village Green status to the triangle land adjacent to the Post Office. It had taken since June 2005!! The next challenge is for the Parish Council to attain Quality Council status and if it is successful it will I believe reap benefits in the future for the village.

There are numerous organisations that provide a wide range of activities for the village; W.I. The Orchard, The Music Group, The Friends of the School, Baby and Toddler Group and without them the community would be a poorer place.

The publication and distribution of our Newsletter is something that happens each month and I am sure that the Village would like to say thank you to all who are involved. I would like to thank Keith Hodges at Colourplus for his excellent service and support to me as editor.

Finally, I should like to thank Dave our Postman and his team for delivering our mail so efficiently and to all the Post Office staff for providing such an excellent service to the village. I also would like to thank Mark Willis (and family) as well as members of the Goodman family for delivering our newspapers.

As we enter 2008 let us all make very effort to ensure that Little Milton continues to be a great place to live and to paraphrase from a speech made by John F Kennedy in 1961,  Ask not what your village can do for you but ask what you can do for your village.

Raymond Fergusson

Editor

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 12th December was attended by all Parish Councillors, the District Councillor, the County Councillor and the Clerk. There were no members of the public in attendance.

OCC Highways & related matters

The Clerk reported that the drain grill adjacent to the 30mph road marking on the Haseley Road had been replaced.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had spoken further with OCC Highways about the leaking water that is affecting the Haseley Road . He stated that OCC Highways are treating it as a priority. Mr David Turner stated that he would approach OCC Highways on this matter as he was equally concerned about the potential dangers if the road is icy.

The Clerk stated that the widening of the verges on Church Hill and Cremar Cottages is unlikely to progress until funding is available.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had been assured by OCC Highways that the owner of Church Hill Cottage is keen to have his wall re-built but had been held up by  contractors. The work should be done during the first half of 2008.

The Clerk reported that the closure of the bridge at junction 7 of the M40 is now scheduled to take place in August 2008 and should re-open by the end of 2008. There is a meeting on December 19 to finalise the final details including the diversion routes.

Letter to Chair of Governors of Little Milton School

The Clerk informed the meeting that further to the letter he had written to the Chair of Governors of Little Milton School in respect of re-designating the slip road between Haseley Road and Gold Street for pedestrian and cyclist use only he was pleased to report that this matter had been included the school’s Safe Route to School programme and had appointed a Governor to liaise with the County Council.

Registration of Village Green

The Chairman read out a letter from OCC advising the Council that the land adjacent to the Post Office had now been registered as a Village Green. The Council has now received the appropriate registration documents. The Council are currently investigating a suitable way of delineating the village green.

Quality Parish Council Status

The Clerk informed the Council that he had now been awarded a Certificate in Local Council Administration and that this was a key factor in the Council obtaining Quality Parish Council Status. The Council RESOLVED that Cllr. Barry Coward would liaise with Clerk to prepare the necessary evidence to support an application for Quality Parish Council Status. The Council recorded their appreciation to the Clerk for his hard work in obtaining the Certificate in Local Council Administration.

Youth Shelter Follow Up

The Clerk reported that he had spoken with Active TEN20 about their visit on 22^nd November 2007. As yet they had not had a team meeting to review the visit but agreed in principal to a further visit in the spring. The Council RESOLVED that a further visit linked to some outdoor activity was worthwhile and asked the Clerk to organise it with Active TEN20.

Finance

The Council had a discussion on the precept for 2008-08 based on the papers circulated by the Clerk. The key points covered related to the cost of re-instating the current Post Office, the potential cost of any borrowing to support the extension to the village hall and the level of reserves that the Council considered necessary to meet future liabilities. The Council RESOLVED to determine the precept for 2008-09 at the January 2008 Council meeting.

Planning

P07/W0419: the Thatched House, High Street: Conversion of Existing garden room to ancillary living accommodation

The Council RESOLVED that the amendments proposed to the existing approved planning application were acceptable.

P07/W1258:10 Chiltern View, installation of flue for clean burn multi fuel stove

This application has been granted planning permission by South Oxfordshire District Council.

OCC: Review of external transport costs – details of decision made by OCC

The Council noted that subject to the District Councils agreeing appropriate funding levels, the outcome will be that sufficient funding is put in place to continue the work and functions of the three existing post-holders, and that all three posts will from 1 April 2008 be vested with the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC).

SODC – Consultation re referral of planning application:

The Council RESOLVED not to support the proposal from SODC to only refer major and minor planning applications to the Planning Committee where a town/parish council objects and the officers’ recommendation is for approval.

SODC – Review of polling districts & polling stations

The Council noted that the review of polling stations carried out by SODC had no concerns in respect of Little Milton and that the Village Hall should be designated as the polling place.

Village Hall

The Chairman issued an updated cost and funding statement for the extension to the village hall to accommodate the shop and post office. The statement shows a contingency funding requirement of £15,000 from the Parish Council. The Council RESOLVED that an updated business plan should be made available to them to allow them to fully assess the use of public funds to support the project.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 9th January 2008 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:

Cllr. Stuart McGill Chairman,    Cllr. Barry Coward Vice Chairman

Cllr. Mabel Wood, Cllr. Alison Shelton , Cllr. David Wakeling, Cllr. Tim Robinson

NEW YEAR RECYCLING AND WASTE COLLECTION DATES

Normal collection day                                     Revised collection day

Tuesday 1^st January                                          Tuesday 8^th January

There will be no garden waste service over the Christmas period with collections starting w/c 7 January 2008

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 January are as follows:-Tuesday 15th; Tuesday 29th

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. The recycling centres will be closed on New Years Day

NEW HOMES IN SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE

South Oxfordshire District Council needs to provide more homes mainly for the growing number of households formed by existing residents, but also to accommodate new residents.  We also need to provide more employment and other development to ensure that the quality of life for residents and businesses is good and gives us a competitive advantage.  We are starting work on a Core Strategy for South Oxfordshire ; its main purpose is to identify strategic issues and directions of growth for new development to 2026. 

We are seeking views on issues such as the amount and location of new housing and employment, the amount of affordable housing, the size, type and density of new housing, defining a settlement hierarchy, shopping, transport and other infrastructure requirements. 

You can see details of the consultation and complete our on-line questionnaire on our website at www.southoxon.gov.uk/corestrategy

We would like to hear your views by 1 February 2008.

We will publicise the consultation widely however if you would like to be kept informed individually please register to be on our consultation database.  Please contact us:

by email: planning.policy@southoxon.gov.uk

by post: Planning Policy Team, South Oxfordshire District Council, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford OX10 8NJ

by telephone: 01491 823725

UPDATE ON PROPOSED CLOSURE OF A329 AT J7 M40

“I can now provide an update on the proposed closure of the A329 overbridge over the M40 at J7. The bridge is now planned to be closed to all traffic except pedestrians/cyclists from July or August 2008, reopening before the end of the year. This closure had originally been planned to start in March. Works will begin under the bridge probably in March 2008, but the bridge will be open to all traffic until the revised closure date. The Oxford-bound on-slip at J7 will be reopened temporarily for the duration of the closure.

I believe the A329 diversion for southbound traffic (i.e.: going from Thame to Stadhampton) will be via A40 westbound, A418 to J8a, then Sworford Lane to Little Milton A329,) but most traffic northbound will use the reopened slip road to J8a, avoiding Sworford Lane . This diversion route will be discussed at a meeting with the Highways Agency, Oxfordshire CC and the works contractor Carillion in late December to finalise the diversion routes and scheme dates, and I will contact you when I have more information before the end of the year”

Source: OCC Highways

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA FOR JANUARY

W/E 5th January                       -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 12th January                      -          Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

W/E 19th January                      -          Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

W/E 26th January                      -          Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

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

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR JANUARY        

W/E 6th January                       -                     

W/E 13th January                      -                                 

W/E 20th January                      -         

W/E 27th January                      -         

Teresa Quested

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING JANUARY

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

Tuesday 8th January                                          7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 13th January                                       10.30 a.m.to11.00 a.m.

Tuesday 15th January                                        5.30 pm to 6.00 pm

Tuesday 22nd January                                       7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 29th January                                        7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Raymond Fergusson (279150)

DROPPING DOWN A GEAR.

As a Christmas present, one of my friends in America sent me a calendar, and I looked at the pictures for the months of the year. The pictures were lovely showing various scenes of the various seasons. Each picture was simply beautiful.  It was not, however, so much the pictures that caught my eye, breathtaking though they were, but it was the designation of certain weeks in the year which drew my attention.

I could understand weeks such as Christian Aid Week and One World Week, but I was rather mystified by National Downshifting Week. Believing that such a week could only be held in America , I was surprised to discover that National Downshifting Week was the brainchild of an English Woman, Tracey Smith, who realised that to have more things we have to work harder, which in turn means we have less time to spend with friends and family.

“Downshifting” isn’t a word I would use in a normal day, but I suppose it has something to do with dropping down a gear, being kind to yourself and the earth, and taking it one step at a time. Tracey Smith’s suggestions included cutting up a credit card, eliminating three non essential purchases during the week and turning off the television and listening to the radio instead, but that may be one we’ve done already.

But the suggestion which was my favourite was the advice to “Book a half-day off work to spend entirely with someone you love,” and then she added, “No DIY allowed.”

Now, Tracey Smith wasn’t the first to suggest that valuing people-and taking care of you-is a pathway to health and happiness. The Bible tells us, that at the Creation God had a day of rest and it was called the Sabbath. Moses passed it on to God’s people in the Ten Commandments; even Jesus alluded to making some space for ourselves when he said, “Don’t worry about your life…..Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?”

So as we drop down a gear, we may come closer to both caring for ourselves and others and building God’s kingdom of justice and joy on earth as it is in heaven.

A New Year is here, and we are making a list of New Year resolutions.  We would all do well to include something of Tracey Smith’s brainchild in our own particular list and what’s more resolve to keep it.

So a prayer for the New Year,

Take, Lord, and receive all I have and possess.

You have given me life;

Help me to use it well and to rest in your love.

Amen.

Victor Story

FROM THE RECTORY

CHRISTMAS IN OUR CHURCHES.

We should like to thank everyone who went to make Christmas such a wonderful occasion in all our parishes. There was some superb music, amazing flower arrangements and all manner of other things. All these things came together in a special way adorning the birth place, so to speak, of the new born King. There are undoubtedly many very gifted people in our parishes, and they deserve and get our congratulations.

Special congratulations, if I may so put it, go to the children of our schools and parishes who gave us so much of themselves. The enthusiastic presentation in St. Peter’s, of Jesus Christ Superstar, was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Christingle Service with Little Milton School and Great Milton School ’s Hosanna Rock, and their amazing contribution to Great Milton’s Carol Service all pointed to the truth that when God speaks through a child he speaks a language we can all understand. So very well done, all our children.

At the services with our children and at the other Christmas Services, as we all went to Church, the air was filled with the sounds of the bells pealing out their message of welcome, love and peace. Bell ringers have a special vocation and we thank them for their reminding us of eternal truths. Our children, in particular, said how thrilled they were to think that the bells were being rung for their special Christmas Services.

A number of people coming to St. Mary’s said how appreciative they were for having the church paths lit by oil lamps, giving an even more special feel to the services. We need to thank Les Preston for seeing to this for us.

LENT 2008.

In 2008, Easter is very early, the 23^rd March. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent is thus very early and it falls on the 6^th February. We are planning the Lent Lunches already, and during Lent we shall be holding the usual Lent services. I just thought you ought to be aware of these things.

May I wish you all a very happy New Year.

Victor Story 279498

FROM THE REGISTERS.

We welcome into the Lord’s Family Ella May Lambert who was baptised in St. James’ Church, Little Milton on the 1^st December. Please do remember little Ella, and her parents, Kelly and Tony, as Ella begins her Christian journey among us.

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 Monday11th February 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.

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

SUNDAY SERVICES IN JANUARY

For further information, please ring me. Yvonne Cartwright 279205

CAROL SINGING

I am delighted to say that, thanks to you, our carol singing around the village raised a magnificent £200. This will be added to other funds raised by Little Milton School to help build a sick bay for the Caesar Mlumbi School in South Africa where each of the 200 pupils have no choice, at present, but to walk for two hours to get home if they are taken poorly.

Many thanks to the frost-bitten but merry singers along with our stalwart collectors, George and Ollie, who did such a sterling job. Thank you also to the Oddies for their warm welcome on such a cold Winter’s night and to Doug and Pauline at the Lamb who offered the brave final four a much needed festive retreat.

Laurelle Rond-Alliston

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR JANUARY

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

At the start of a New Year there are new beginnings and also some farewells…Sarah and Lucinda have decided to retire from teaching after 11 and 8 ½ years respectively and we would like, through the Newsletter, to thank them publicly for their wonderful contributions to the success of our Sunday School. They will both be much missed but have said they are available should we run short of adults (a fatal mistake!!). Thank you Sarah and Lucinda for everything you have given and shared…. This month sees our Annual Epiphany Party from 11-12.30 on Sunday 6^th January up at the Village Hall and this year our party has even more surprises…even a PCC member or two perhaps?! Join us and find out….The second date is a more usual teaching session at Church on Sunday 20^th January between 11 and 12.30 in Saint James Church. If you’re thinking of coming along and/or your child is aged 4 or over do phone 278029 for more details or just come along!

Sally Ann Dennis (278029)

WINNERS IN CHRISTMAS FAYRE RAFFLE ON 1 DECEMBER 2007