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.

The fete will be opened by Raymond Blanc and we will be entertained by Little Milton School children as well as the Oxford City Brass Band. We will also have a children’s corner including crèche run by the Orchard Pre-School . We will also provide some traditional garden teas.

The scene is set and global warming permitting it should be an excellent day for the village to enjoy.

Raymond Fergusson 01844 279150/ Sarah Jones 01844 278120

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:

March 2008

1st Prize           No 54               Mrs Barlow                              £20.00

2nd Prize          No 31               Mrs K Fleck                             £14.00

3rd Prize           No 65               Kath Stacey                              £9.00

Sue Marriott 279124; For the Friends of Little Milton School

FRIENDS OF WELLS FARM

We plan to meet on Sunday 6^th April, when we intend to do some tidying up around the Allotments. If the weather is still favourable we may finish off a bit of hedge laying. We thoroughly enjoyed our hedge-laying course & sorting out the hedge between the Allotment area & the field.

 There are still some Allotments available to rent, this is a good time of year to take one on, as the planting season is just upon us, though at the time of writing it feels more like winter. Anyone interested call either Helen D’Ayala at BBOWT HQ or myself.

It has come to light that people are walking on areas away from the designated footpaths, such as in the fields behind the Allotments & on some headlands. These have been fenced off specifically to protect the ground nesting birds, as they do not like being disturbed. We are approaching the nesting season, so please be respectful of their habitat.

We welcome anyone who would like to come along and get some fresh air. We meet at the Allotments at 1030am.

Phil Jones 278120

1950'S/1960'S DANCE IN AID OF SOBELL HOUSE HOSPICE CHARITY

The dance raised £1851.50 for Sobell House Hospice Charity - a fantastic amount of money.  Many thanks to Stan the Man, Amanda, Bruce, Mark and Stuart for making the music really special, and thank you to those of you who gave so generously of your time and money.

Mary Davies

DO YOU NEED TO BRUSH UP YOUR CRICKET?

Great Milton Cricket Club will be having a number of net sessions on 13^th, 20^th and 27^th April at 4pm (till 5pm) at the Wheatley Sports Centre (next to the Park School).  There will be a charge of £2 per adult and £1 per junior (under 18 or student). We are warmly invited along to the sessions….good practice for the matches coming up!! If you want to know more about the GMCC then phone Clive on 01865 891827

Mark Willis (278468)

THE PINE LODGE

The Pine Lodge was broken into recently. The alarm system worked and the intruders made an early exit. The Police have visited the hall, investigated and taken fingerprints. Some damage was done, which will be an extra cost on the Village Hall to repair.  The Pine Lodge will be upgrading its security system – another extra cost. Of course, but one that seems necessary.

Dave Pointing (Chairman)

LITTLE MILTON CINEMA CLUB

at the Pine Lodge

Thursday 24^th April

8pm

‘Stardust’

A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller) the beautiful but cold object of his desire, by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star.

Also starring Peter O’Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro and Ricky Gervais.

********

6 months membership available from:

 Little Milton post office

or on the door

Adult/Child £10

OAP £7.50

LITTLE MILTON WI

Next meeting:  Adrian Thornton is coming to talk to us about National Parks at 7:45 pm on Thursday, 10^th April at The Pine Lodge, Little Milton.  Visitors are very welcome.

We are looking forward to the Group Meeting with neighbouring institutes at Chalgrove on the 17^th April when we will be entertained by Jo Hodges and Claire Diamond in ‘Meet the Gene Machine – Presentation with interaction with the audience’. The competition is for an edible representation of a chromosome.

Richard Blakeway-Phillips has lectured to groups across the country for the RHS and the Alpine Society, so we enjoyed hearing about his family of snowdrops named after his own family and their sometimes difficult adjustment to Haseley soil and climate conditions.  His recommendations were invaluable, ranging from the expensive but so pretty Queen Anne’s daffodil (£5 a bulb) to the more common and robust snowdrops S. Arnott and Atkinsii and the autumn-flowering snowdrops. 

His plant-seeking travels have taken him to many strange locations, but the romance of plant-hunting can just as easily be had here.  There is the story of a lovely snowdrop ‘Isabel’ found by a tool-shed in a churchyard in Shropshire . It is very inspiring to see this Alpine Society Gold Medallist, RHS Silver Gilt and Lynley Medal winner – all achieved as an amateur exhibitor – still as enthusiastic as ever about growing plants.

At our March meeting we also celebrated our 25^th anniversary as a WI, with wine and a beautifully decorated cake made by Heather Peers.

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

VIEW FROM VIEWS

So much for old sayings! “February fill dyke” was proved wrong and the jury is still out on “March; in like a lion, out like a lamb”. Certainly this year it came in like a lion but it remains to be seen how it will end. We could certainly do with a little of the soft refreshing rain referred to in a popular hymn. As the days get longer there do seem to be signs that spring is on its way, although this year it seems to be taking forever. As always at this time of year a couple of warm days make us think that it is changing for the better but, as we saw early in the month a few good frosts and all plant life is set back a week or so. This year this is not a problem as some of the crops were as we would say too forward anyway. Nothing much else to report on the nature side except that during that sunny frosty period deer were a common sight grazing the fields early in the mornings and one morning I sighted our full complement of five.

As far as DEFRA is concerned spring started on the 15^th March! It is this date that the Bluetongue carrying midges are predicted to start flying again. This means that movement of susceptible animals is restricted to within certain zones and a blood test is required to move outside these areas. Whilst on the subject of animal disease, there is a long running debate in agricultural circles about compensation in cases of outbreaks of serious diseases, such as Foot and Mouth. The Farmers argument is that the government should pay compensation, at least for any disease originating overseas. In most cases the government does not take the precautions it ought to. How many travellers entering the country are asked if they have recently been on a farm? New Zealand or Australian immigration for example asks this question as a priority on entering their countries. Our point is that if there is no border control, how can the farmer be held responsible for the cost of an imported disease.

Not long ago I read an article in one of the papers inferring that we were using water at an alarming rate! This I am sure is true. But on reading further and realising that the article laid a lot of the blame at the door of Agriculture I immediately took note. A lot of statistics were stated throughout this piece, foe example, it takes 16,000 litres of water to produce a kilo of beef or 4,000 litres to produce a kilo of wheat. It did not mention a dairy cow, but I know that a high yielding cow will drink a phenomenal amount of water to produce her milk. Now, most of the water drunk by animals passes through them, as is the case with us humans, the water used by crops would have fallen on the ground anyway and surely water is one of those elements that does not actually disappear, if it evaporates it only condenses and returns to earth as rain, and any other water usage ends up in the drains and thus into the rivers and then the sea, only to evaporate again and so on ad inifinitum.

Could we please apologise to those in Great Milton for the disturbance caused by our bird scarers, we have done our best to alleviate the noise. We are always conscious of this problem when we have to take this course of action to move the birds on. Through most of the winter the marauding masses of pigeons do not do a great deal of damage but when the crops start to grow again with the plant at most risk, pigeons can be devastating. It is at this stage that we have to try and reduce the damage as much as we can. I hope that those of you who were upset by this intrusion to your peace will understand that it is only done when really necessary and only when the crop is at risk. Also it is impractical, as one does in a garden to hang up old CD’s and the like, on a large field scale.

Reading the parish council report in last months Great Milton Bulletin on the condition of the road verges in the village and along the Forties. I can only sympathise, and agree. What we can do about this gradual erosion of the roadsides in our little lanes I do not know. Those of us that do care could always try and make use of what passing places (official or not as the case may be) there are, even if it means waiting (heaven forbid!) for an oncoming vehicle. The situation is not made any better by the increasing size of vehicles particularly the buses. I have to ask if it is really necessary for the bus company to use such large vehicles on these narrow lanes. We are very lucky in Great Milton to have the bus service we have and to preserve this we have not only to use them but also to put up with certain downsides.

Charles & Robert Peers

VILLAGE SHOP/PO UPDATE

The Problem

Our Post Office is small, uneconomic and the lease runs out in October. A  Village survey in 2005 indicates that the vast majority of villagers want a Post Office and a Shop.  This is seen as a necessity for some sections of the community – especially older generation, small businesses and mums with little ones. We urgently need to address the location and the ongoing viability of this essential village amenity.

The Plans – Building and Business

We have developed plans – both building and business to relocate the PO/Shop to be an extension of the Pine Lodge with its own access from the car park.  This will enable a bigger (64 sq m), more modern shop to be built which includes the Post Office and a Coffee Shop and takes advantage of the A329 for passing trade to ensure long term viability.

The shop will trade as a Community shop that is to be run for the benefit of the whole village.  Any surplus profits made will be able to be put back into the village.  Community shops have been set up successfully across Oxfordshire in similar villages

The Status

Hurray!  Our PO is safe from closure by Post Office Counters-BUT !!!

We have secured grants and loans to the total of £113,091, but we have heard very recently that a further grant of £32,000 has been refused.  Our own efforts have raised £13,050 so far and we have grant applications outstanding for a further £15,000, but this could still leave us at least £30,000 short of our target

Your Part

The Village Shop/ PO Steering Group are a small team and desperately need YOUR help.  Please would you reflect on how important the Post Office and Shop is for the community – imagine Little Milton without it!  Consider what you can do to help NOW:

-          Join the Steering Group.  The steering group is currently 6 people.  There is a mountain of work to do to ensure the shop is launched with the best possible chance of success.  The immediate need is for a secretary (enthusiasm counts for more than amazing skills!).  We need new members to join the group who want to help the plans become reality and to keep the team diverse to represent what the community needs

-          Support events.  Please pre-book your Rose Ball (June 14th) tickets with Alison.  Come along to future events, or even hold your own!

-          Watch out for, read and respond to documents which will be circulated soon.  This will give you chance to see all the details of the plans and give you the opportunity to voice your opinions and pledge your financial support in a variety of ways

-          Decide what time you can commit to the shop.  The shop is a business, but will be run as a non-profit making organisation and plans to open 6 days a week as a shop, PO and coffee shop.  It is reliant on volunteers to assist – when can you spare some time to volunteer to help –either in shop opening hours or behind the scenes?

The Steering Group – please contact us for more details or to join in:

Stuart McGill 279092    Lesley McCaig 278244    Alison Shelton 278144    Chris Coward 278970    Doug Arnold 278319    Annie Rogers 279001

NEIGHBOURS CLUB

Our meeting on the 13th March was very small with only ten members present.  However we had a pleasant afternoon of games, quizzes, etc.  Our outing this month was lunch at The Black Boy at Oving which was excellent with wonderful views over the Vale of Aylesbury.  We then headed for Aylesbury where we spend a couple of hours shopping etc, most of us going home with lighter wallets! A very enjoyable half-day outing.

Forthcoming Events - April

10th Thur - Beetle drive and photo quiz - 2.15 p.m.

16th Wed - Outing Wiltshire's Golden Triangle and Titanic Exhibition.

24th Thur - Fish and Chip lunch.

Joyce Price

GREAT MILTON SINGERS – CARMINA BURANA

A concert will be given in memory of John Timbs on Saturday 26^th April in St Mary’s Church Great Milton. Tickets £8.50, to include a glass of wine will be available on the door, at the Great Milton Stores or from Alex Kirkman 01844 278090. All proceeds to the Ace Centre, Oxford .

OXFORD ’S OLD COURT OPEN DAYS

Raymond Blanc, chef patron of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons has been deeply impressed with the work of the team at SeeSaw and is lending his support as a Patron of Seesaw to publicise a fundraising and awareness-raising event.

On Saturday April 5 and Sunday 6, there will be a rare opportunity to join a family-friendly conducted tour of Oxford ’s famous Old Court that has recently undergone restoration. Tours will run every 45 mins. from 11am to 4 pm led by a local expert with inside knowledge of some of the infamous prisoners who were tried at the Court, which is situated within the County Hall complex in New Road , Oxford . All proceeds from the tours will be donated to SeeSaw.

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)

BORIS JOHNSON MP – SURGERY DATES AND VENUES

APRIL 2008

Friday 4th                     4.00 – 6.00 pm              Henley Town Hall

Friday 25th                    4.00 – 6.00 pm              Watlington Community Office   

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

POST OFFICE SOS

As I am sure most of you know by now, we were not included in the Post Office closure list this time, so there will remain a Little Milton Post Office for the foreseeable future.

However, this year Shirley is retiring, which leaves me with the problem of staffing. Your Post Office would have had to become a part-time office a long time ago if it had not been for Shirley’s dedication and commitment to help me keep open and for that you should all be extremely grateful, but the fact remains if I cannot find help to cover at best the hours that Shirley is working, then it will have to become a mornings or afternoons only office, leaving it very vulnerable if there are more closures.

I therefore urgently need two or three helpers to work a few hours a week each, to be trained by the Autumn, so that it will help me to still keep Little Milton Post Office a full time office, with potentially more footfall when it moves to the new site.

If you feel that you can help please come in and have a word with us. We look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely

Annie R

SATURDAY 17^th MAY

7.00 for 7.30pm @ The Pine Lodge

Bar: Excellent ales, lagers & wines

Includes superb dinner

Raffle

Amusement guaranteed

 Everyone welcome!

Tickets on sale at the Post Office:

£6 in advance

£7 on the door

Proceeds in aid of Village Funds

SEE YOU THERE!

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

We have arranged some garden visits for 2008 open to members and non members

BROUGHTON CASTLE AND BROUGHTON GRANGE,

NEAR BANBURY JUNE 12

A double bill of visits to two wonderful and very different gardens

Broughton Castle 10.30 am

Walled gardens surround the castle within the moat. Lovely herbaceous borders and knot garden. Lovely roses   Beautiful parkland

We will be given coffee and biscuits on arrival.

Broughton Grange 2pm

Formal gardens of terrace, borders, wildflower garden and arboretum. Also an amazing six acre perennial flower garden designed by Tom Stuart- Smith, in a contemporary style of many grasses, herbaceous  and prairie flowers, with wonderful use of colour. Frequently featured in magazines. In a beautiful setting.

We will be shown round by Andrew Woodall the Head Gardener

Members £9    for the 2 gardens- includes coffee and biscuits

Guests     £12   

There is a nice pub in the village of Broughton , which would be a good place to stop for lunch between the two.

GHHS SUMMER PARTY

Tuesday 8^th July 6pm at Rofford Manor, Little Milton

Join us at beautiful Rofford Manor for a glass of sparkling wine and strawberries. Mrs Hilary Mogford will welcome us and introduce the garden.  A lovely garden of vegetable, herb and rose gardens, box garden with raised pool, herbaceous borders, parkland.

Members £3    Guests £5      to include wine and strawberries

Why not join the society as well- only £5 per family and this would cover the difference in cost of entrance!

For further information or to book, contact

Mary Isaac

Brooks Cottage

Latchford Lane

Great Haseley OX44 7LA    Maryisaac606@hotmail.com    01844 279606

Learn more about flower and vegetable growing, join your local gardening society, membership only £5 a year.

Contact Membership Secretary Sally Orriss at: The Old Stores, Great Milton OX44 7NL or on 01844279231

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

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

We are looking for a Social Policy Volunteer.

Every day, ordinary people come to Citizens Advice for help with their problems. We provide information, advice and support that helps them understand their options and find solutions.  Their stories provide a valuable insight into some of the real issues faced by the public in Britain today. Citizens Advice collects statistical information from clients and uses it to campaign for change. Thame & District CAB is looking for someone to help us with this work.

Recent campaigns have included:

• Using clients’ complaints about unscrupulous bailiffs to force the government to introduce plans for bailiff regulation;
• Highlighting the need for financial help with school uniform costs and for uniform policies to be more affordable for families on low incomes;
• Putting pressure on electricity suppliers because low income households are being charged more for using pre-paid meters.

If you would like to campaign on real local and national issues, then contact Tom Fox on 01844 217186. You will join a group of over 30 volunteers who are helping individuals and entire communities. You can work from home or you can come to the bureau in the centre of Thame. We will train you and provide all the day to day support that you need to make a difference.

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 May 2008 Newsletter should be with the Editor at 27 Chiltern View, Little Milton, by 8.00 p.m. on 20th April 2008. The Editor reserves the right not to print items submitted for publication and to edit those items, which are published.