Little Milton Newsletter April 2008

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 12th March was attended by five Parish Councillors, the District Councillor, the Clerk and two members of the public. The following are extracts from the minutes that the council need to approve at the April meeting.

OCC Highways & related matters

The Clerk reported that he had been advised by OCC Highways that the work in respect of the water leaking from the bank adjacent to the Manor should start by the end of March. The intention is to divert the water from natural springs into the existing drainage system. OCC hope that this will alleviate the problem. He also stated that the poor road surface adjacent to Four Trees would be addressed after the water problem had been resolved.

The Clerk informed the Council that the pot-holes opposite Woodbine Cottage and adjacent to 20 Thame Road had been scheduled by OCC Highways for corrective work.

Planning

   P08/W0054: 5 Chiltern View: Convert part of garage to study

The Council noted that planning permission had been granted by South Oxfordshire District Council.         

P07/W1427: Brooklands Stadhampton Road : New two storey side extension. Porch to front with tiled roof, new cat slope dormer to front bedroom and swimming pool to side

The Council noted that planning permission had been granted by South Oxfordshire District Council.

Oxfordshire County Council – Expansion of Park & Ride

The Chairman briefed the Council on the County Council’s plans to expand the Park & Ride services. One option is to expand the existing site at Thornhill. However it is recognised that there are planning issues regarding the site and as a result OCC are evaluating all possible alternatives. The conclusion of the report is that further work should be carried out at a site close to J8 of the M40. The Council RESOLVED to support the expansion of the Thornhill site as the preferred option albeit that it could infringe the green belt.

Little Milton Shop Liaison Group

Cllr. Barry Coward reported to the Council on the outcome of the latest meeting of the Shop Liaison Group. He circulated a “wiring diagram” that showed the linkages between the interested parties in respect of the various actions that are required to deliver the overall project.

The Chairman issued an updated cash flow for the shop and pointed out that it was based on a lower level of sales and incorporated points that had been raised by Jane Barker of ORCC. The Shop Steering Group recognised that cash flow in the early months of the project was critical to its long term survival. He also issued a copy of a letter received from Henmans LLP in connection with the ability of the Village Hall Trustees to grant a sub-lease to the Village Shop at a concessionary rent. The Mr Stuart McGill and Mr David Ponting will present a case to Charity Commission seeking an order that would allow a concessionary rent to be applied to the sub-lease with the IPS.

The Council briefly discussed the timing of a village meeting that needs to be set up by the Shop Steering Group as a pre-requisite to establishing the IPS. The Clerk suggested that it could be part of the Annual Parish Meeting in May. The Chairman stated that a village referendum on the establishment of the shop would be carried out before the Village Meeting by the Shop Steering Group as this would allow a better assessment of the village feelings on the issue if the turnout at the village meeting was low.

Recreation Ground Car Park

The Clerk outlined the Council’s responsibilities with regard to the car park within the extension to the Village Hall. The Council needs to meet the outstanding condition in respect of Planning Application P04/W0929. The Council RESOLVED to seek the views of SODC Planning on the appropriate surface to meet the planning condition as well as the delineation of car parking spaces.

The creation of the shop requires the entrance to be re-designed to accommodate two passing vehicles as well as a pedestrian entrance with an appropriate path leading to the shop. The Council RESOLVED that the maintenance of a barrier to prevent authorised caravans entering the car park was essential in any re-design of the entrance to the car park. The operational aspects of vehicles servicing the shop needs careful consideration with particular regard to the timings before the shop may be open. The Council RESOLVED that the Shop Steering Group should provide a detailed specification of their requirements in respect of the entrance and an outline of the operation of the barrier and its likely timings.

Parish Forum

A resident highlighted a number of concerns that he had regarding the proposal to site a shop in the extended Village Hall as he believed that it would disruptive to adjacent residents. This included a concern that the sewerage system may not be able to cope. The resident gave his views on a number of other issues including the provision of a youth shelter and the lack of support by the Parish Council towards the village pub. The Chairman responded to the issues raised and the Council noted the comments.

A resident requested that the Parish Council give permission to allow a tree to be planted in the recreation ground in memory of Mr Gareth Bonner. The Council were favourably disposed to this proposal and this matter will be included on the April agenda for a decision.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 9th April 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.

Current Council members

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 April are as follows:-Tuesday 9th; Wednesday 23rd

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

LITTER BLITZ 19th -20^th APRIL

The annual village litter blitz will take place over the weekend of 19 April to 20April. 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.

Raymond Fergusson (Parish Clerk) 279150

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 APRIL

W/E 5th April                            -          Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

W/E 12th April                          -          Mrs E. Summers/ Mrs A Jones

W/E 19th April                          -          Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 26th April                          -          Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs. S. Jones

W/E 3rd May                            -          Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

CHURCH FLOWER ROTA FOR APRIL   

W/E 6th April                            -          Maggie Wheeller                      

W/E 13th April                          -                                             

W/E 20th April                          -                     

W/E 27th April                          -                     

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING APRIL

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

Tuesday 1st April                                  -          7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 8th April                                  -          7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 13th April                               -          10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Tuesday 15th April                                -          7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 25th April                                -          7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Raymond Fergusson (279150)

GRASS CUTTING ROTA FOR APRIL

W/E 5th April                                        -           Raymond Fergusson

W/E 12th April                                      -           Phil Jones

W/E 19th April                                      -           Tim Robinson

W/E 26th April                                      -           Stuart McGill

W/E 3rd May                                        -           David Hawkins

The churchyard is a peaceful place enjoyed by many visitors and the efforts of those who contribute to its upkeep are greatly appreciated. If you would like to contribute in any way from grass cutting to weeding please contact Raymond Fergusson on 279150.

FROM THE RECTORY

SALT NOT SUGAR

I love the Old Testament story of the prophet Elisha visiting Jericho . In those days the city had a reputation as a well appointed watering place-a sort of Bath or Cheltenham . He had hardly reached the City before he was met by the City Council who told him: “behold the situation of this city is pleasant; but the water is bad, and the land unfruitful.”  Perhaps this man of God could help?

Elisha called for a bowl of a certain mineral substance. With this he went forth to the spring and casting the substance therein, he said:”Thus says the Lord; I have made this water wholesome.” And the record ends,”The water has been wholesome to this day”. We are told by the chronicler that the mineral substance which Elisha used was salt.

This ancient story illustrates the two important uses to which salt has been put. By putting salt in the spring Elisha made the water more palatable, and he also removed its impurity. So salt has commonly been used for these two purposes. First, it was, and still is, used in the cooking and eating of food, to make it more palatable and tasty and to bring out its flavour. Secondly, and much more important, it was used for a purpose which made salt a very precious commodity: to keep foodstuffs, especially meat and fish from going bad. Salt, then, not only did it flavour tasteless food, and much more vital, it prevented food from going bad. It stopped corruption. 

“You are the salt of the earth,” says Jesus. That is, the Christian has the responsibility to make the world more palatable to God, more to his taste.  There is much in the world which must leave an unpleasant taste in God’s mouth. There are millions of people in the world for whom life is insipid or even nauseating. But those who call themselves followers of Jesus are to be the salt of the earth. By the pure goodness, and love, and joy and peace of their lives they are to give a better flavour to human existence.

But secondly, in calling them salt of the earth, Jesus tells his followers that they have the task of preserving the world from corruption, from going bad, to the bad. We are all aware of the dangers of physical pollution of the environment. But there is the moral pollution of human society. Jesus would condemn any and every form of behaviour which treats matter as the only thing that matters, which exploits it for selfish purposes. Read, for example, Luke 12.15-21 and see! ‘You are the salt of the earth.’ And if we have lost our saltiness, we are good for nothing. And as salt of the earth it is our task to give, by the quality of our living, a better flavour to life of our neighbour, and to arrest and destroy all agents of corruption.

But there’s one form of corruption of which I should speak. We all tend to want Jesus on our own terms, when it suits us, at the times it suits us. We like to hear him encouraging us, but we are not so inclined to listen when he challenges us, when his words disturb our comfortable and settled ways. So to listen would be too painful, as he reveals the truth about our very selves. Sometimes, we find the truth rather unpalatable. But Jesus did not say: You are the SUGAR of the earth.’ He said you are the salt of the earth.’ Salt is not sweet, and when you get it on a sore spot it stings. But it makes things taste nicer, it is highly antiseptic, and it stops things from going bad. Be then, what Christ told you to be, the salt of the earth. And we might all begin by being more salty with ourselves.

LENT 2008.

It hardly seemed that we had got over Christmas and New Year, before we started Lent, with the usual extra services, and the Lent Lunches. This year the Wednesday Compline was very well attended, I felt that it gave us all a mid week window, for us to pause in our hectic and busy lives, and to focus or refocus, if only for a while on God and his ways with us.

The Lent Lunches were again very successful, and much enjoyed and appreciated by all who came. We must thank Le Manoir for supplying the lovely selection of bread for us, and the hostesses who went to such a lot of trouble to make us all so welcome and to feel so much at home. We are all so grateful. The donations made at each Lunch will be sent in due course to Christian Aid. We’ll let you know the amount collected when the figure is available.

Whilst speaking of Christian Aid, Christian Aid Week itself will be 11^th -17^{th May}. The Archbishop of Canterbury tells us that for more than 60 years Christian Aid has been a sign of the church communicating globally as it works to raise our understanding of the world and empower people in poor communities around the world to find their own solutions to the challenges they face…….May the Triune God who redeems and transforms all things, equip you for this Christian Aid week and knit all the communities of the world together to eradicate poverty and build the peace that is his will.

More about Christian Aid Week next month.

Revd Victor Story (279498)

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

SUNDAY SERVICES IN APRIL

Other Circuit Events

26^th April – 10.00 a.m. – Training Day, Chinnor Methodist Church . ‘Exploring Worship’

For further information, please ring me on 279205

FROM THE REGISTERS.

We congratulate Jennifer Ann Hart and Nicholas Timothy Hemstock who were married in St. James’, on Saturday the 15th March. Please do remember this couple in your prayers as they begin the adventure of married life.

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR APRIL

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Taking a break from Esther’s story, left on a ‘cliff hanger’, we celebrated Palm Sunday by making our own crosses under George’s careful guidance as well as each being given one of Victor’s beautiful crosses from India…

This month we’re meeting on April 6th between 11 and 12.30p.m. for a Brunch meeting at the Wakeling’s home which will provide yet another new venue for us to enjoy? Lovely! On April 20th we meet in Church, also between 11 and 12.30p.m.

We do value the support and help we receive from our older children as well as other Adults and if you feel you could or would like to help we would really welcome you along to join us…Think about it!

Sally Ann Dennis (278029)

THE CHURCH FETE SATURDAY 7TH JUNE 2008.

The planning for the fete is now well underway and to help you think about how you can help we have produced a list of the stall-holders who will be delighted to hear from if you can pledge support by way of donations or assisting the stall on the day. Please contact the stall-holders; Sarah Jones or Raymond Fergusson.