Newsletter  February 2008

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 9th January 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 informed the meeting that the surface water on the Haseley Road was still a major concern and that pressure was being put on OCC Highways to resolve the problem. The matter is also being addressed by Mr David Turner . The Clerk also reported that he had requested SODC to sweep clean up the slip road as it was particularly muddy.

The Clerk updated the Council with the latest information received from Mr Steve Phillips of OCC Highways on the closure of the bridge at J7 on the M40. A letter was read out from a local resident expressing concerns about the suitability of the unclassified road between Little Milton and Wheatley as it was designated as a diversionary route during the bridge closure. The Clerk stated that he had spoken to Mr Phillips about the issues raised and that he had been informed that an assessment of the road would be made as part of the project.

The Clerk reported that he had had a further dialogue with OCC re the restricted highway off the High Street in order to try and have the road repaired. He also informed the meeting that there was a further concern about a raised service cover on the restricted highway and that he had raised the matter with Thames Water.

Finance

The Clerk circulated a projected budget for 2008-09 excluding the cost of any additional borrowing in         respect of the extension to the village hall. The Council RESOLVED to accept the proposed budget subject to the inclusion of £5,000 to cover the re-instatement of the current Post Office and the re-surfacing of the car park to meet the Planning conditions set on the extension to the Village Hall.

At this point in the meeting Cllr. Barry Coward took over the chair as Cllr Stuart McGill and Cllr Alison Shelton had a prejudicial interest in the need for the Council to include the cost of servicing of a loan for the extension to the village hall. Both Council members were present whilst the Council were briefed by Cllr Stuart McGill on the status of the grant applications for the Village Hall extension and the           subsequent exchange of information in respect of the IPS. Cllr Stuart McGill and Cllr Alison Shelton withdrew from the meeting and the Council RESOLVED to include the finance cost of a £15,000 loan over a 15 year term in the precept for 2008-09. As a result the Council RESOLVED to set a precept of £10,000 for 2008-09 and noted that this was the third year that the Council had not increased the precept.

Planning

    P07/W1422/RET: Abbotts Close Haseley Road : Erection of gate and gate posts

The Council RESOLVED that they had no strong views on this application and accepted that SODC will determine it as it considers appropriate. However the Council did express a concern about the compatibility of the gates within the locality.

P07/W1429: Garden Cottage Haseley Road : Demolition of existing double garage and erection of new garage incorporating workshop

The Council RESOLVED that this planning application should be approved by South Oxfordshire District Council although the Council wished to express their concern about the proposed dormer window as they felt that it was unsuitable for the purposes of the application.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 13th February 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(279092),Cllr. Barry Coward Vice Chairman(278970),Cllr. Mabel Wood (279670), Cllr. Alison Shelton (278144), Cllr. David Wakeling (278014), Cllr. Tim Robinson (278343)

PRECEPT 2008/9

I am very pleased to tell you that at our meeting on Wednesday 9th January, the Parish Council resolved to maintain the Precept at its current level of £10,000, which I believe is the third year we have been able to do so. This means that we have been able to keep the Precept below the average for South Oxfordshire .

However, it is worth mentioning that our forecasts show increased expenditure looming on the horizon. We have to re-instate Wall Street Cottage to its former glory when (we hope) the Post Office moves to its new location on the Village Hall site. We also need to maintain the Multi Use Games Area, which has given the Council £2000 per annum in rental income since it was built in 2004. Next is the Recreation Ground car park, which must be properly marked out and the barrier replaced. Finally, we also have allocated a sum of money to pay for a loan if needed to complete the extension to the Village Hall (to accommodate a Post Office & Shop) if needed.

So, please be aware that we want to maintain and enhance all of the public assets of the village, and this does often mean spending money!

Stuart McGill , Chairman, Little Milton Parish Council

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 February are as follows:-Tuesday 12th; Tuesday 26th

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

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA FOR FEBRUARY

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

W/E 9th February                      -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 16th February                    -          Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

W/E 23rd February                    -          Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

W/E 1st March                         -          Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR FEBRUARY      

W/E 3rd February                     -                     

W/E 10th February                    -          Lent                            

W/E 17th February                    -          Lent    

W/E 24th February                    -          Lent    

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING FEBRUARY

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

Tuesday 5th February                                        7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 10th February                                     10.30 a.m.to11.00 a.m.

Tuesday 12th February                                      7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 19th February                                      7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 24th February                                     9.30 a.m to 10.00 a.m.

Tuesday 26th February                                      7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Raymond Fergusson (279150)

GROUNDHOG DAY

About seven years ago I saw the film Groundhog Day. It was about a selfish man who lived the same day over and over again until he got things right. In the process was a transformation, and he moved from selfishness to love. The film, as I recall it, quite touching, as the selfish man became a loving man. But the reality of people isn’t like that replaying process. We don’t have an action replay each day to help us correct our mistakes. Every moment is unique and unrepeatable.  

But there’s another film, I remember from the same era, and it was called My Life. This film was very moving, and, more than once, tears would well up in my eyes. It was the story of a young man diagnosed with a terminal illness. His wife was expecting their first baby but he was going to die before the child was born, so he set about keeping a video diary that could be left for the child who would grow up with some picture of the father he or she never knew. It was wonderful idea, but the reality turned out rather different. As he viewed the diary, he became aware of all sorts of shortcomings- resentments, long standing feuds, unresolved, and unfinished business, and broken relationships. Naturally he didn’t like what he saw, but in a strange way, it was a way of healing. By facing those things, he was able to deal with the problems and die at peace with himself and others. This was Groundhog Day, right enough, but Groundhog Day rooted in reality.

Lent is a time for resolving to do better. Self denial, and self examination, may be tough and hard, but it can be a method whereby we slowly come to terms with the fact, that we can be dislodged from what might have been going on for a long time, and inhibiting us. The extra chocolate bar isn’t essential, so to speak.

So, if we can be trusted to succeed in small things, then other more central aspects of our living can also come good. And so much more of our lives will then fall quietly into place.

Generous God, you challenge us in our every day, help us to make space to notice all that is amiss in our lives.  Enable us to grow through them, becoming the true people you created us to be.

FROM THE RECTORY

THE PORCH.

For many years St. Mary’s Great Milton have been proud to support THE PORCH, the Centre in east Oxford for the homeless. At Christmas we sent to them a large amount of provisions which had been collected in Church or the Shop. In a lovely Thank-You letter Porch tell me that most of the beneficiaries also have multiple and complex other needs underpinning their homelessness-these include long-term health problems, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health, lack of basic skills, unemployment and chaotic lifestyles. Over 200 people come to the Steppin’ Stone Centre each year.

The Porch is also looking for volunteers to help with the day to day running of their centre and volunteers to help with their activities. Is there anyone in our parishes who feels they could give of their time to serve the homeless and vulnerably housed in Oxford ? Do you feel you can give of your time, or would you and a friend be willing to help? Please do consider it. The Porch’s phone number is 01865 728545, email info@theporch.fsbusiness.co.uk. Their website is www.theporch.org.uk. I do hope that someone will come forward to give of themselves for this most worthy local charity.

LENT 2008.

Lent begins early this year, with Ash Wednesday falling on the 6^th February. There will be celebration of Holy Communion in St. Mary’s Great Milton at 7.30 p.m. Lent is always a kind of parenthesis in the Christian Year, when we seek in a special way to draw near to God, thinking about how far we have grown away from him, what is amiss with ourselves and our world, and seeking after his grace to get things right.

To help us in this task, there will be the usual Services of Compline on the Wednesday evenings around the benefice at 7.30.p.m. In the last few years the numbers of people attending these short meditative Services has grown, and thus indicating, these services are of help. On Friday mornings at 9.00 a.m., again rotating around the Benefice will be services of Holy Communion. Please see the list of Services for the times and venues of all these additional Services.

LENT LUNCHES.

These will be held again this year on four Mondays in Lent. As always there is no need to book, but simply arrive and take a place, any time between 12 noon and 1.30p.m. These meals do give us an opportunity, in an informal way, to meet old friends and to make new. Please do see the list for venues below. We would love to see you, we really would. Any donations will be given to Christian Aid.

February 11th

Lunch will be held at Harrington Farm, Great Milton

By kind permission of Miss Marygold Nixey        

From 12.noon – 1.30pm

February 18th

Lunch will be held at The Old Vicarage, Great Milton

By kind permission of Mr & Mrs Sinclair Hood

From 12.noon – 1.30pm

February 25th

Lunch will be held at Simeons, Little Milton

By kind permission of Mrs Helena Lawrence

From 12.noon – 1.30pm

March 3rd

Lunch will be held at Church Farm, Church Hill, Great Haseley

By kind permission of Mrs Judy Alexander

From 12.noon  - 1.30pm

MOTHERING SUNDAY.

Mothering Sunday is on the first Sunday of March, the 2nd. There will be a Special Benefice Mothering Sunday Family Service in St. James’, Little Milton, at 10.00 a.m. Do come along and bring all the family.

There will be a Service of Holy Communion at St. Peter’s, Great Haseley at 8.00 a.m. this day.

ON PRAYER.

I had a friend called Robert Foxcroft, a broadcaster, and a few weeks before he died, he said, ‘Prayer is asking God for the power to do his will. Magic is asking God to do your will. I believe in prayer rather than in magic.

God is not a magician who will melt our troubles away and give us relief from the hard facts of the real world, and if we think of our prayers as an attempt to manipulate God’s will, then I don’t think we should feel surprised if we feel that God lets us down when our wishes are not fulfilled in the way we would like.

Victor Story 279498

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

SUNDAY SERVICES IN FEBRUARY

For further information, please ring me. Yvonne Cartwright 279205

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY

FULLERS FIELD SERVICE

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.

THE CHURCH FETE 2008.

Our Church Fete will be held on Saturday 7th June, at Little Milton Manor by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. Oddie. This annual event has always been a wonderful occasion to come together, in lovely surroundings to enjoy ourselves. But for this to happen weeks and months of quiet diligent work goes on behind the scenes. For the last couple of years our Fete has been spearheaded most admirably by Sarah Jones. She has gathered us all together, co-ordinated things, and in truth we cannot thank her enough.  Unfortunately, because of personal family commitments she feels unable to fulfil the role of co-ordinator this year. We need another person to Champion our Fête. We need someone to come forward and help us, we really do. Are you such a person? Can you give of your time to help us in this way? Please do, I urge you, think about this. By all means speak to Sarah, Raymond or me, and we will take it from there.

None of us likes talking about money, but the cold truth is that we need to raise something over about £17,000 each year just to pay our housekeeping bills to keep our Church open. This money has to come from within Little Milton itself. I am uncomfortable with the notion of continually drawing on any reserves we have, just to break even.  We don’t get any money from the Government, or the wider Church. Just like everyone else, you and me alike, our Church has to meet its own bills. A successful Fête help us enormously in our task of meeting our financial commitments. Consequently, the need to find a co-ordinator is urgent as well as imperative. 

Please do think seriously on this matter.

Victor Story 279498

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Our Epiphany party went with a real swing and came complete with 3 real live Kings from the East, heavily disguised but warmly welcomed by all present. Victor also presented both Lucinda and Sarah with gifts to mark their 8 ½ and 12 years respectively of wonderful work in our Sunday School. We shall miss them greatly! February dates are:

3rd   February at 11.00 a.m. Brunch at Holly Cottage (Guilia & Sophia’s home)

17th February at 11.00 a.m.   Saint James Church

Sally Ann Dennis (278029)

NEWS FROM LITTLE MILTON SCHOOL

We welcomed two new children to our Reception Class at the start of the Spring term – Joshua Grant and Emma Nixey-Collier.  They are both settling in very well and making new friends.

Many of you will be aware that we have been fund raising for our partner school in South Africa .   We have held various fund raising events in school – including a Bring and Buy Sale, a Pyjama day, and sales of Christmas Puddings. 

We are very grateful to everyone in the village who joined the carol singers before Christmas, and to all of the people who gave so generously.  We are delighted to be sending £480 to Caesar Mlumbi Primary School to assist with the building of their new sick bay.

Our Year 5/6 children have enjoyed visiting Wheatley Park School to join other partnership schools for sporting events.  These have included a Netball Tournament, and Athletics Events.  Year 3 and 4 have taken part in a 6 a-side football tournament.

Our new after school sewing club for older children is proving very popular.  We are looking forward to seeing the finished samplers – framed in beautiful crushed velvet.

Eve Hunter

FRIENDS OF LITTLE MILTON SCHOOL 200 CLUB

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

January 2008

1st Prize                       Angie Jones                                          £20.00

2nd Prize                      Mabel Wood                                         £14.00

3rd Prize                       Yvonne Brammer                                  £9.00

Sue Marriott 279124; For the Friends of Little Milton School

FRIENDS OF WELLS FARM

We plan to meet on Sunday 10^th February, when we intend continue tidying up the Allotment area. We also plan to plant some hedging weather permitting.

There are still some Allotments available to rent, this is a good time of year to take one on, as the planting season will soon be upon us. Anyone interested call either Helen D’Ayala at BBOWT HQ or myself.

We welcome anyone who would like to come along and get some fresh air. We meet at the Allotments at 10.30 am.

Phil Jones 278120

LITTLE MILTON CINEMA CLUB

at the Pine Lodge

* Brighten up February *

on

Thursday 28^th February 8pm

‘Little Miss Sunshine’

********

6 months membership available from:

 Little Milton post office

or on the door

Adult/Child £10

OAP £7.50

THE PINE LODGE

The New Year started well with a really good Quiz Night on the 19^th January – thanks to everyone who came along and contributed. A new activity at the Pine Lodge is planned for Monday 11^th February – a free tryout for a series of junior Judo classes by Gary Marcham. See the notice in the newsletter for more details.

Looking at the bookings and income for this fiscal year to March 2008, the split between village and non-village activities might interest people. Of bookings made, 80% are from the village and 20% are from outside the village. But the bookings from the village provide 33% of the revenues whilst those from the outside the village provide 67% of the revenues, as we charge outsiders more. A fairly small fraction of the bookings from outside does help a lot in enabling us to keep costs down for village bookings.

Dave Pointing (Chairman)

POST OFFICE/VILLAGE SHOP

We have now made applications for grants for £150,000 to cover the expected costs of building and opening the new Village Shop and Post Office, so keep all fingers and toes crossed!

You will be aware that Post Office Counters have decided to close 2,500 Post Offices across the UK , and Annie was supposed to receive a visit from representatives of POC between the middle of November and mid December 2007 to tell us our fate. In the event, no visits were made to this area, and we have now been told they are running behind schedule and will receive a visit in February. It is very unnerving for all concerned, but there is nothing we can do but wait and hope that the evidence we can show of our move up to the Village Hall site will give us a good chance of survival.

The Post Office and Shop Committee continue to fund raise and meet regularly, and we had a very pleasant evening on the subject of Home to Rome , with yours truly on his hind legs talking about the trip, aided and abetted by 190 slides! Despite predictions of being there till dawn, we finished at 10.45pm, and made over £500 profit! Huge thanks to Paula Cameron, Alison Shelton , Chris Coward, Lesley & Derek McCaig, Doug Arnold and Jeremy Quested for buying and talking about the cheeses sampled on the trip and to Paul Jeffery for his help with my slides!

Future planned events include a Summer Ball!

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED.

We are now in the process of dealing with Financial and Legal matters regarding the shop, and it would be extremely useful to have volunteers in the village who could help us with either book-keeping, or holding our hand through legal issues. If you would like to help, and have the necessary expertise, please give me a ring on 279092.

Please understand that we are only a small committee, and this puts a lot of work on very few shoulders. I know that the vast majority of residents want us to succeed, but without help it does put a strain on every committee member. There are no certainties here-the result will only be as good as the people who have helped. If you can help, in any way at all, let me know!

Stuart McGill

HOME TO ROME

Thank you to all involved in the fantastic evening held on Saturday 12th January when Stuart brought to life the thrills and spills of his epic journey from Little Milton to Rome by bike!  We all enjoyed the 22 day cycle trip from the comfort of the Pine Lodge, sustained by a cheese feast expertly selected by Jeremy Quested and spoiled by Sarah Oddie’s gourmet Roman food delicacies.  Derek McCaig’s wine selection matched each of the regions and eased us through this arduous journey and we hardly noticed that we had raised £522 for the Village Shop and Post Office Fund!

Leslie McCaig

LITTLE MILTON WI

Next Meeting:  This will be held at 7:45 pm on Thursday, 14^th February at the Pine Lodge, Little Milton.  Our speaker will update us on driving now – new signs, hazards, etc with an emphasis on safer driving for the over ‘50s. Visitors welcome.

Our Oxfordshire Federation has lots of events and activities on offer to members in 2008:

·         a Day of Dance & Fitness

·         Heritage Lectures on famous Oxfordshire houses and their families – Mapledurham House, Grey’s Court, Stonor Park and Buscot Park .

·         A Compost Event

·         Music Taster Mornings and visits to Symphony Concerts.

·         A day in the Potteries at the Gladstone Pottery Muserum & Wedgwood Heritage Site.

·         A visit to Rushton Hall, Northamptonshire to look into the life of Sir Thomas Tresham, one of the most remarkable and eccentric men of Elizabethan England.

·         A fashion show by ‘Just Trading’ of Wallingford .

On a wet and dark January evening, it was lovely to enjoy the warm friendship and excellent food at our New Year’s Dinner.

President:  Pam Assiter, 278228; Secretary:  Heather Peers 279352; Press Correspondent:  Lyndell Dixon, 279275

JUDO CLASSES AT LITTLE 

MILTON

I’m Gary Marcham and I'd like to introduce myself. I am a skilled Judo instructor having taught classes for the last ten years, training for 28 years and attained the level of Shodan Doshi which is the Japanese teaching qualification. During 2006 I had to have major stomach surgery and had to stop competing. I have competed at a national and international level; I am a national referee and help to train our organisations national team. I am certified member of the International Budo Council, which also covers karate, aikido, ju-jitsu, kendo and all other Japanese martial arts across the whole of 
Europe
. I am planning an introductory course in Judo at the Pine Lodge in Little Milton and a

free try out will be on Monday 11th February 2008, at 6pm. The course will be focused at juniors in the age range of 5 years old and up, although adults are always welcome. It is suitable for both girls and boys of all abilities, heights and weights. The course aims to provide a safe, fun and structured way of learning Judo, self-defence and self-confidence.  I teach judo as martial art, not as a sport. This means that it is taught in a traditional Japanese way, not just showing a technique, but also explaining how and why they work. Judo is a 

fighting martial art that does not involve kicking, punching or the use of any weapon. Judo is based around unbalancing and throwing your partner, then moving on to groundwork. I will not teach children how to kick or punch; as I believe there are enough problems in the world already. 

Please feel free to contact me for any other information on judo on 

077717 492592 or at gkmjudo@btinternet.com.

Judo is and has been a major part of my life since the age of 5 and will be for a long time to come.

NEW SINGERS WELCOME

Great Milton Singers, conducted by Kate Billimore,will be rehearsing Carmina Burana on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m., commencing February 7th. If you would like to join please contact Kate Pattinson on 01844 279204 or katepattinson@yahoo.co.uk. The performance will take place on Saturday 26th April at St Mary’s Church Great Milton. Tickets available from Kate Pattinson.

REMINISCENCES OF LITTLE MILTON

I was born and brought up in the village from the 1950s and my association with the village continued mainly until my parents retired and moved away. My parents are Maurice and Eva Hart who owned and ran Greystone Stores for about 30 years. They arrived in the village in 1954 when telephone numbers only had three digits (ours was 234) and car ownership was not the norm. The property came with an enormous thatched barn, a set of pig sties and chicken runs and a stable complete with feeding manger and hay loft. The house had no hot running water or inside toilet and although there was a cold tap, clear fresh drinking water could still be pumped from a well in the central porch. There was also a solid stone bread oven built into the back wall. There was no central heating. Warmth came from coal fires at the back and the front of the house.

Early Memories

Supplies for the shop were generally delivered from the wholesaler or from individual companies by road but in the early days goods could sometimes arrive by rail and I remember a trip with Dad to Tiddington railway station to collect sausages and ham sent up by Harris’s from Calne in Wiltshire (near where we now live).

My friend Sue’s Grandfather Mr Saunders farmed Belchers Farm when I was quite young and I remember a trip in his land rover down to the Dutch Barns. Later when I was a student I used to work as a potato sorter on the picking machines on Belchers Farm in the summer.

The Doctor, Dr Cox lived in the village at the big house and held his surgery every day in the room at the top of the drive. It was a short walk from Greystone Stores to see the doctor. Once when at my friend’s house directly over the road I cut my finger fairly deeply on a sharp knife while washing up and was whisked across the road to have it dressed. 

In 1963 I remember the very heavy snowfalls. It must have been around a weekend when the worst falls came because I remember watching my father outside clearing a pathway through to the paraffin shed across the drive as he knew there would plenty of customers in on Monday to replenish their stocks to keep their paraffin heaters going in the cold weather. The banks of snow looked as tall as I.

On Sundays we attended morning service at St James Church, Rev Baker was vicar then. After Church we went to Sunday school at the Methodist Chapel in the school room at the back with Mrs Cooper as our teacher.

On the site of Milton Manor Drive there used to be the barns and outbuildings for Milton Manor Farm. These were disused so we used this area as a cut through when walking home from school.

Our favourite play area was the field below the Manor especially when the cows weren’t in it. Here we enjoyed playing on the willows in the marsh imagining them as boats. If we were feeling adventurous we took off on our bikes down to the end of Rofford Lane . A gypsy woman lived down there now and again and came into the village begging for scraps with her large black pram. It was only years later that I discovered it was our old pram given to her by my mother to carry her belongings.

The School

I attended the village school from the age of 5 to 9. The numbers of us were small as few as 17 in total one year. In my year there were two of us. We had three tables in the classroom bottom table, middle table and top table and one teacher, Miss Murchie. Apart from the usual classroom activities we enjoyed cooking in the School House kitchen and sports in the School House garden. The bunny hop race was the most fun. I do not remember anyone needing to be severely disciplined and rewards for good work and behaviour were fruit pastilles bought from the shop.

At the age of 9 we transferred to the Primary School in Great Haseley which was a much bigger school with 80 children. The top class was taught by the head teacher Mr Walker whose hobby was restoring old cars. We travelled to the school each day on a school bus driven by Mr Bill White who with his son Graham ran the Coach Business in Little Milton from what was the garage next to the Methodist Chapel. We had the little old bus for the run to Great Haseley.

The Shop

My father always prided himself on high quality service to all his customers. Although he considered adapting the shop to self service this was not really feasible in the old building and so it continued as it had for many years under his management. There were large tins of loose biscuits for sale in the early days which were discontinued but the tall glass jars of sweets stored on the top shelf remained until the shop closed. The orders of groceries were put together by personal service either for customers who came into the shop or for deliveries which were weekly over two or three evenings a week. He had a long working day.

The bacon and ham were freshly cut for each customer. The meat came in as a side of bacon when required and Dad de-boned it, portioned it into the various cuts of bacon or rolled some into bacon joints. The bones and end cuts were available for dog owners.

Dad was not averse to stocking any goods that would sell so particularly in the early years he carried among other things paraffin for heating, corn for feeding chickens, some hardware items including tins of paint and pots and pans, stationary and greeting cards. Some customers were reliant on his deliveries. For one older single lady Miss Mace in Great Haseley to whom he delivered groceries, he would make special purchases when he went to Thame for supplies. This included her underwear.

Another customer Miss Trowbridge lived in the Lodge Cottages in Little Milton. She had been a district nurse before retirement. She drove up the road in her old Mini to do her shopping. She sat on the shop chair (which I still have) while Dad put together her order and then had it loaded into her car. She was also a faithful member of the Church and her gravestone can be seen in the top left of the Churchyard.

There were still remnants of some very old Little Milton families when we lived there who had lived and worked in Little Milton for several generations. Notably there was Mr George Mason who lived in a small cottage at the end of Blenheim Lane . He was from a family of shepherds. Miss Connie Pittam, also in Blenheim Lane , came from family of agricultural labourers and strong Methodists and the Quartermains. Mum remembers the Coles too, a large family who lived in a tiny cottage on Haseley Road .

There was also a shop cat, Ginger, who kept the mice at bay, but loved the company. There was a stream of visitors six days a week through the front door to pet him. A bus rolled up outside every couple of hours with more people and once a fortnight the library van came. He was known to get on the bus but fortunately someone usually noticed and put him off before it left. He had first belonged to a farm worker who lived in one of the cottages on the cross. He soon discovered there was better company to be found across the road and when his owner moved to Little Haseley to a new job, Ginger decided this was not for him. He made his way back to Little Milton across the fields and the shop became his permanent home. When my parents moved from the village he was still alive but very poorly and died soon after the move.

And finally…I continue to have happy memories of my village childhood and love to return occasionally to visit my father’s grave and wander around the village remembering. I am researching the past history of the village at present for a local history project and would love to hear from anyone who has information on the age and past history of their present home in the village – new or old – or just your own comments concerning the above or the present village.

Janet Carpenter ‘janet_carpenter@btinternet.com’.

VIEW FROM VIEWS

During the first week of the New Year I attended the “Oxford Farming Conference”, an annual event in my calendar most years. Some years I come away feeling reinvigorated, and reassured that I am on the right track. However it does often make me feel awfully deflated, when I listen some of the young entrepreneurs who talk about what they are doing or have done on their farms. This years candidates certainly made one feel that the future of farming in Britain is in good hands. It is an excellent way to start the farming year, and a chance to sit back and think, before the real work of the year starts, something we do not seem to have time to do nowadays.

The more observant of us may have noticed that we have recently experienced a fair amount of rain. This has somewhat changed my thoughts on the content of this months View. I was going to say that the experts were making allsorts of excuses and talking a lot of claptrap as to why there has been so much flooding lately. The abnormal rainfall does of course contribute to this, something that even Gordon Brown has no control over, and we all know of the fallacy of building on flood plains. But what is not made clear is the considerable lack of maintenance to our waterways! I have mentioned before that at least three trees have fallen across the river Thame (downstream) within a mile of our farm. I also noticed on the local TV news that council workers were out clearing ditches after the floods had started to appear (a stitch in time?). I can remember the time when the council had someone clearing and digging ditches full time all winter come rain or shine, and keeping all the drains free.

On a slightly different tack, it was interesting that the headline news of the farming press at the end of November was that Sainsbury’s have signed a deal with one of the large grain co-ops, to source bread making wheat for their in store bakeries. This is great news for UK farmers as they are estimating that 80% of the flour for this purpose will initially be supplied from this source, and it is hoped to increase over the next few years. Now if I were to be cynical…!!! I would be saying that they finally understand that food security, something we farmers have been batting on at the government about for sometime now, is becoming an issue. It is also interesting that at about the same time the Prime Minister has been talking to the NFU about issues relating to food security and availability. This from he who has presided over a treasury for some 10 years determined to starve the countryside of vital finance and confidence.

It will not have escaped anyone’s notice that there has been a rash of programmes on Channel 4 lately about food and how cheaply it is produced. It would be wrong for me to make a judgement, but I do feel that a few comments must be made. It is easy when you are being paid to criticise if it does not affect your own pocket directly. For a start there was an inference that they were reporting on battery farming, I must stress that it is only eggs that are produced in batteries and these anyway are being phased out by 2010. Secondly an animal that is not happy or comfortable will not thrive and an unthrifty animal will not perform or put on weight and death how ever small is costly. Then there was criticism of the fact that farmers themselves were not prepared to talk to the programme. This, I am afraid, is a case of “once bitten, twice shy”. So often when we do interviews for the press our words are twisted or taken out of context to give a totally different impression. I know of an instance in a high profile television programme and in the press afterwards, that Organic Farmers & Growers were criticised for their chicken welfare standards. The flock of birds featured to illustrate this and therefore assumed to be approved by us were from a completely different farm and not even organic as suggested. It is this sort of journalism that we have to be so careful about and the easiest solution is not to allow any reporters on the premises. These comments do not address the fact that a move into entirely free range production would take up land needed to grow crops. This land is already becoming scarce hence the rising cost of food. The cost of production will also be prohibitive to the consumer.  The programme also mentioned that the producer is only seeing a return of 3p a bird, I cannot say if that is true, but equate that with the cost on the supermarket shelf.

Over the Christmas break I was reading a farming and countryside magazine where I came across an article about ex motor racing champion turned farmer Jody Scheckter. It was a most interesting report on his farming developments, some of which I already knew as he has always been a fairly prominent organic farmer. All he wants to do is care for his soil, and produce not only good wholesome food, but food that actually tastes good. What really made me think and why I am mentioning it now is that he can only do the exciting and valuable things that the average farmer would love to be able to do, because he has access to large sums of money from elsewhere. It seems to me to be a mad world if an important industry like ours cannot explore elementary aspects of its development from its own resources.

Charles & Robert Peers

HEAD SHOULDERS KNEES AND TOES……..EYES AND EARS AND MOUTH AND NOSE

The Orchard is having fun exploring all the senses this term, culminating in a senses factory at the end of term.  We’ll be doing a lot more than just wiping noses!

Remember that at the Orchard can start for children as young as 2 years.  If you have a child who is between 2-3 years and would like to come and join in the fun, Rose and Yvonne would love to show you the special 2-3 year old session that runs on Wednesday afternoon.  This is a special session just for this age group – just a short time away from mum and with friends your own age.  There are a few spaces available at the moment, so do come and look round.

Now is also a very good time to come and explore the Orchard if you have a toddler between 15-18 months – please make an appointment to come and see us at play and put your name down for spaces later in the year.  Yvonne would love to hear from you and everyone will give you a warm welcome during a play session.  Call 01844 279989

SEWING GROUP

After a Winter break the Sewing Group will meet on Thursday 7th February. at  Gill Taylor's -  40 Chiltern View from 11am onwards.  Coffee and a light lunch will be provided.  Please telephone 278617.  If you do not sew  just come along for a chat and get together.  It is also a good opportunity for any newcomers to the Village to get to know us.  Everyone is welcome.

Gill Taylor

SCIENCE OXFORD

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

CAR SERVICE TO THE DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL

The level of demand for the service is relatively low in Little Milton but to those who need support it is vital and very much appreciated. Please give it some thought and ring me to find out more information if you are interested in helping or require transport to the surgery or hospital.

Raymond Fergusson Parish Clerk (279150)

THAME & WHEATLEY GROUP

PROGRAMME JANUARY TO MARCH 2008

FEBRUARY

Sunday 3^rd.  Walk.  Meet at Thornhill Park & Ride car park, Oxford at 10:00am for a 7 mile walk to Stanton St. John and Beckley .  Sorry, no dogs.  01865 358905.

Thursday 7^th.     Walk.  Meet at Tetsworth (park on the green opposite Old Red Lion PH) at 10:00am for a leisurely 6 mile walk to Copcourt, Chalford and Prospect Hill.  Sorry, no dogs.  01844 215624.

Thursday 21^st.  Walk.  Meet at Parslows Hillock (park at the Pink & Lily PH) at 10:30am for a level 4 mile walk in the Chilterns via Great Hampden.  Optional pub stop at end.  01844 339352.

MARCH

Saturday 1^st.  Walk.  Meet at Stokenchurch (public car park next to Kings Hotel) at 10:00am for a 10 mile walk to Watlington Hill via Aston Rowant Nature Reserve and Ibstone Common.  Bring a picnic lunch.  Sorry, no dogs.  01865 358905.

Saturday 8^th.  Walk.  Meet at Wantage Leisure Centre car park at 09:30am for a 13 mile walk to Letcombe Regis, East Challow and Ardington.  Pub stop.  01865 874300.

Thursday 20^th.  Walk.  Meet at Cuddington (Crown PH) at 10:00am for a 7 mile circular walk via Upper and Lower Winchendon .  Optional pub stop at end.  01844 213608.

Saturday 29^th.  Walk.  Meet at Great Tew car park at 09:30am for a 15 mile walk via Broughton and local villages.  Pub stop.  01844 339969.

ALL WELCOME

BORIS JOHNSON MP – SURGERY DATES AND VENUES

FEBRUARY 2008

Friday 8th                     4.00 – 5.45 pm              Watlington Community Office

Friday 29th                    4.00 – 5.45 pm              Chinnor Village Hall     

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

OXFORD INSPIRES

Oxford Inspires is the county’s cultural development agency and is providing coordination and practical help to put on the celebration. It receives financial support from Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, the University of Oxford , Oxford Brookes University and Arts Council England. It is also supported by a number of corporate members. www.oxfordinspires.org

TALKING SCIENCE – Events at CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

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

GREAT HASELEY & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Subscriptions are now due for existing members; why not join this year if you are not already a member.  Membership is just £5 a year, see below for contact details. 

The annual show in August is the big event of the year.  We also have occasional talks by interesting gardeners and there are garden visits in the summer.

Tips for February gardeners

The weather at this time of year is often too awful to venture far into the garden so group some early spring bulbs such as iris reticulata, cyclamen coum, primrose and scillas in pots on a table or windowsill near the house so you can enjoy their delicate beauty and often sweet scent.

Remember to feed the birds.  Put up nesting boxes to encourage the birds into the garden, they are our best allies in pest control.

If your grasses and other herbaceous plants left standing look wet and bedraggled (not frosted and architectural like the photos!) now is the time to cut them down.  Gently comb through the grasses with fingers to remove dead foliage.  Clear and weed round trees and shrubs too and feed everything with your home made compost or well rotted manure.

Trees and shrubs - There is still time to finish planting trees, shrubs and roses when the weather and soil permit

Prune - Prune back hard summer flowering shrubs, such as buddleja, caryopteris and hardy fuchsias.  Prune late flowing clematis to about 18“above the ground.

Vegetables - Try something you haven’t grown before, purple-podded peas, ‘ Bordeaux ’ spinach with exciting dark green leaves shot through with red veins, chard in various colours.  Grow them along with your old favourites, they may be the star of the Show!  Plant shallots.  Sow sweet peas in pots indoors.

Fruit. - Winter is when autumn raspberries are cut to the ground, but you can use the same pruning on most summer fruiting varieties.  Prune back HALF of the summer raspberries now and they will fruit later and you will have berries from summer into autumn.  Clean round the stems apply potash and much well with compost.  Finish pruning apples and pears

Hands suffer in the garden in February; I recommend the blue, heavy duty washing up gloves from Waitrose.  They are tough, don’t get ‘sweaty’ and you can feel what you are doing!

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 0184427323

WHEATLEY LIBRARY

Our new e-mail address is wheatley.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk. The telephone number is unchanged at 01865 – 875267.

A reminder of the opening times:

Tuesday 2.00 – 7.00 p.m: Wednesday 9.30 am. - 1.00 pm.: 2.00 5.00 p.m.

Thursday 2.00  – 5.00 p.m. :Friday 9.30 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. : 2.00p.m.- 6.00 p.m

Saturday 9.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m

THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN

A unique series of winter lectures brings together leading gardeners and garden designers to give us their perspective on gardening. The lectures take place at 8.00 p.m. in the Nelson Mandela Auditorium at the Said Business School . Tickets cost £10.00 (includes a glass of wine) or £45 for the series of five lectures. To reserve tickets call 01865 286690.

All Change at the Laskett

Sir Roy Strong, Writer and Garden Creator

Thursday 14^th February 2008

SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE ’S RURAL TOURING SCHEME

Esther Miller Quintet in Concert on Saturday 9 February at 8.00 p.m. in Great Haseley Village Hall. Price £10/£9 for more information and to book tickets please contact the promoter on 01844 279334.

GETTING THE RIGHT TREATMENT

NHS Direct

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

What to do when your GP practice is closed

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.

In an emergency please call 999 to talk to the ambulance service.

THAME AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

Advice line 01844 214827 Appointment Line 01844 217186 thamecab@cabnet.org.uk

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

DEADLINE REMINDER – Please note that unless articles are in the hands of the Editor by the 20th 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 March 2008 Newsletter should be with the Editor at 27 Chiltern View, Little Milton, by 8.00 p.m. on 20th February 2008. The Editor reserves the right not to print items submitted for publication and to edit those items, which are published.