De08Newsletter

The Council meeting held on Wednesday12th November was attended by five Councillors, the District Councillor, the County Councillor and three member of the public. The following are extracts from the minutes that the Council need to approve at the December meeting.

P08/W1117: Penn House; Single glazed extension conservatory with First floor extension over existing facility

The Council RESOLVED that this planning application should be approved by South Oxfordshire District Council

Although the Council recognised that the applicant had addressed the grounds that application P08/W0666 had been refused it still RESOLVED that this application should be refused by South Oxfordshire District Council. The Council considered that the extension would be harmful to the adjoining neighbour’s privacy both to the side and the rear of the property. It also believed that current use of the dwelling had an adverse impact on the character of the area.

The Chairman read out a letter from SODC in respect of BT’s scheme for non-listed kiosks. However as the Council had already listed the existing kiosk it will remain operational by BT.

The Chairman highlighted the potential closure of the dispensary at Morland House as a result of the Pharmacy White Paper in which the Government is proposing to force dispensaries to close in areas where a chemist is located nearby. The considered view of the Council was that such a closure would have a detrimental effect upon the residents of Little Milton and surrounding villages and RESOLVED to ask the Clerk to write a letter expressing the Council’s concerns.

At this point in the meeting Cllr Stuart McGill declared a prejudicial interest and vacated his place at the Council table.

The Chairman outlined the following three matters as issues that still required to be determined.

· The power of the Parish Council to dispose of the land at less than Best Value

The Chairman asked Cllr Stuart McGill for the latest information on the grant. Cllr McGill informed the meeting that he had spoken to Rodney Mann at SODC who had informed him that the expiry date of the grant had been extended although Jayne Bolton, the Grants Officer, had requested updated quotes on all the costs for the project. It appeared that the release of the grant was dependant upon SODC receiving the updated costs. The Council RESOLVED that it would instruct Morgan Cole as, although there was no written confirmation of the release of the grant, it felt that there was only a very small risk that it would not be transferred to the IPS.

The Clerk explained that he had sought advice from OALC in respect of the powers of the Parish Council to grant a 92 year lease to the IPS. Initially it appeared that LGA 1972 s127(2) would limit the lease to 7 years as the land was being disposed of at less than Best Value unless it had the express consent of the Secretary of State. However the Council received further advice that indicated that LGA 1972 s128 allows the Secretary of State to make a general consent in respect of certain land transactions by local authorities, which are not bound by the seven year lease limit. The LGA 1972 General Disposal Consent 2003 disposal of land for less than Best Value means that specific consent is not required for the disposal of any interest in land which the authority considers will help to secure the promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental well-being of its area and that the undervalue does not exceed £2m.

The Council RESOLVED that they considered that the purpose for which the land is being disposed of to the IPS achieves one of the well-being objectives set out above and that the undervalue does not exceed £2m. The Clerk informed the Council that he had written to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) seeking professional advice to satisfy the condition within the Act.

The Clerk also highlighted a further issue that concerned the power used by a previous council to purchase the four acre site on which the village hall is sited. He stated that the minutes did not specify any particular section of the 1972 LGA but it would be reasonable to assume that LGA 1972 s124 which refers to’ purposes for the benefit, improvement, of their area’. The Council RESOLVED to accept that this was the purpose for which the land was purchased in 1998.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 10th December 2008 at 8.00 p.m. in The Pine Lodge Little Milton unless there is a need to convene any planning or other meetings.

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.

Residents can see the records of the policies and practices of the Parish Council

For a charge of £68 residents can arrange for their unwanted vehicle to be collected from within the District and a charge of £20 for up to three bulky item e.g. fridge furniture etc. and a further £6.35 for each additional item. 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 .

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 December are as follows:-Tuesdays 2nd, 16th

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.

Please note the new schedule for Community Waste Collection has been greatly reduced in line with the reduced demand.

I would appreciate if those who want to help with the flowers for Christmas could advise me if they are available on the 23rd December.

A quarter peal was rung at St James’ on Tuesday 11th November starting at 11.02 a.m. It was rung on half muffled bells and hopefully was appreciated by residents.

“What I really want for Christmas is a teddy bear,” remarked Kate, our eight year-year old grand daughter. It wasn’t an unreasonable request. After all, as she pointed out, her two younger brothers had one. The problem was that she made the remark at seven o’clock on Christmas Eve. Our South Warwickshire village was fifteen miles from the nearest town-and by then the shops would have been closed anyway.

My mind was soon taken up with another difficulty. Peggy was an eccentric and elderly recluse, whose long-deceased father had once regarded himself as the commanding figure in the community. One of my annual duties was to take her to the candle-lit Midnight Mass in a remote church of the benefice which was set in the middle of a field some distance from any habitation. Peggy, who lived and slept in her armchair, was a considerable size. The track to the church was rough, full of potholes. The task was formidable.

Somehow we reached the church. I took the service, and then brought Peggy home. As I carefully helped her out of the car and manoeuvred her towards her front door, she asked: “Do you know anyone who needs a teddy-bear? I ordered one for one of my relatives’ children, but it was far too big.” When Kate came down to breakfast next morning, that teddy-bear was sitting on her chair.

At the heart of Christmas is an unexpected gift: the surprising generosity and love of the God who gives himself to us in Jesus Christ.

Whoever we are, whatever our age, whatever our circumstances, no matter how sad or happy, our God is willing to come alongside us, taking us by surprise and giving us a taste of his joy and love.

And when joy enters us, and takes hold of us, our own little world is changed. We become brighter, more cheerful, more hopeful, more generous, and, what’s more, we in turn reflect that brightness, that cheer and that hope and generosity, bringing change to the ever so serious world around us. As the carol has it: “Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth”. That is why Jesus came!

Heavenly Father, in our world of pressures and demands, help us to discern your presence, responding with a generous and open spirit to your loving-kindness. Touch us with your joy, and enable us to share it, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is born at this time to raise us all. Amen.

A letter of appreciation was received from John Masefield House thanking St James’ for the kind donation of fresh fruit and vegetables from their Harvest Festival.

Advent in the Church is always a period of quiet expectancy and preparation in readiness to receive anew, the Christ Child and the new intense love he brings into our lives at Christmas. To help us in our spiritual preparations, in addition to our usual pattern of services in a month, on each Friday morning in Advent, there will be a Service of Holy Communion at 9.00 a.m. Please do check the list of Services for the venues, since they will rotate around our parishes. As I write our two schools are busy making their own preparation to celebrate Christmas, and it will be a special delight, to welcome all our children into our Churches. The Christingle Service with Little Milton School will be on TUESDAY 16th DECEMBER at 6.00 p.m. I am sure it will be as colourful and delightful as always, and similarly on WEDNESDAY 17th DECEMBER at 6.00 p.m., Great Milton School will come into Church. Each school will in their own way tell again the old, old story, but yet making it real and live and relevant to us today.

On Sunday 21st December each parish is having their Carol Service. We begin at 4.00 p.m. at Great Haseley. Tim Suter, will be getting together a very worthy choir for the occasion, and after the service, refreshments will be kindly served at the home of Mrs. Alexander, immediately adjacent to the Church. At 7.00 p.m. in St. James’ Little Milton, their Carol Service will take place, and it is hoped to have some instrumentalists from the village taking part. At 5.30 p.m., in St. Mary’s Great Milton will be held the Festival on Nine lessons and Carols, and to enhance our carol singing, Kate Billimore with friends will be helping us with the music. Kate is already gathering a choir together, even as I write. On Friday 19th December at 8.00 p.m., we are all invited to A Carol Service at Rycote Chapel by kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Taylor. We always enjoy visiting Rycote, and at Christmas time it will be truly magical there. Look forward to seeing you.

On WEDNESDAY 24th, Christmas Eve, there is the Benefice Crib Service in St. Peter’s Great Haseley at 4.00 p.m. and at 11.30 p.m. we shall greet the new born Heavenly King with Midnight Communion at St. Mary’s, Great Milton.

On CHRISTMAS DAY itself at 9.30 a.m., there will be a CHRISTMAS SERVICE FOR ALL THE FAMILY at 9.30 a.m. in ST. JAMES’, LITTLE MILTON. I stress this Service is for all the family, so do come along and bring all of your family and friends along with all the children with yours. This service will last about 40 minutes. Afterwards there will be a shortened form of Holy Communion for all who care to stay.

Over the Christmas period, there will be many of you who will have family and friends staying with you, and when you bring them to church they may feel a hesitation to come up and receive communion. There really is no need to feel so. All are welcome around the Lord’s Table.

This year the Benefice Remembrance Service was held in Great Haseley Church . It was a very emotional and moving occasion. We remembered especially Dale Gostick, and the presence of his Comrades in Arms from the Royal Marines brought many things home to us. We all came away from the Service humbled, grateful, and somehow inspired knowing that the peace and freedom we enjoy has been purchased at great cost, and how grateful we are that in our today our Armed and Civilian Services are prepared still to give of their all for us all.

This always takes place on the second Monday in the month in the Common Room at Fullers Field, Great Milton at 6.00 p.m. and lasts about 35 minutes. The service is a simple one of hymns, readings and prayers. If you are available then do come along and a warm welcome will always await you. There will be a service on Monday 8th December in the Common Room at Fullers Field at 6.00 p.m.

This always takes place on the second Monday in the month in the Common Room at Fullers Field, Great Milton at 6.00 p.m. and lasts about 35 minutes. The service is a simple one of hymns, readings and prayers. If you are available then do come along and a warm welcome will always await you. There will be a service on Monday 10th November in the Common Room at Fullers Field at 6.00 p.m.

There will be a carol service at Christ Church Cathedral at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday 9^th December. This is a very special event for older people, their families and carers, and those who work with and for them. A minibus shuttle from Redbridge Park & ride will be available and their will be senior pupils from Cokethorpe School on hand to help between the entrance to Christ Church College and Tom Tower and the Cathedral itself

This month, December, there will be a Brunch Meeting on December 7^th at 1, Chiltern View and then on December 14^th our final Autumn teaching session will be incorporated into a very special Family Service. Both meetings start at 11.00 and finish @ 12.15-12.30. On 14^th December there will be an old friend joining us and we do hope that as many friends of our Sunday School together with past and present children and their parents and friends will be able to be with us. We will have our Christmas party immediately following this service so all are welcome to join us for this special time. Last month the children decided to give some of their collection money in a cheque to Great Ormond Street Hospital together with a signed Christmas stocking which will be hung on the wards at Christmas time. We will then break for the Christmas holidays until we re-open with our brand new teaching programme on Sunday January 18^th. Be there or be square!!

A Christmas Party will be held in the Pine Lodge on December 20th^,12.30 p.m. for 1.00 p.m. anyone wishing to attend please contact Janet Betts on 279238. Transport can be arranged.

A final reminder that the Christmas Fayre this year will be held on Saturday 6th December at the Pine Lodge. This is always a very enjoyable and friendly village event where 3 organisations get together to provide festive foods and gifts for you to buy.

As usual we would be grateful for any help from cooks, craftspeople and helpers on the day as well as donations for the raffle. Any offer no matter how small will be very gratefully received.

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

Charities have been at the front of our minds during November. We have held non uniform days to raise funds for Jeans for Genes and Children in Need, and the Westhead children organised a very successful playground cake sale - also for Children in Need. Well done to everyone!

This year’s Christmas Appeal will be for the benefit of our partner school in

South Africa

, Caesar Mlumbi who are in need of equipment for their kitchen. As well as holding a Bring and Buy Sale, children are organising Class Christmas Hampers – and will sell tickets to the other classes to raise valuable funds. Thank you in advance to everyone who will be supporting the Carol Singing around Little Milton – we are delighted that Laurelle and her singers have decided to support Caesar Mlumbi once again.

It will soon be time to dust down the crib, the three crowns, the angel wings and shepherd’s crooks! Our Christingle Service, which will be held at St James Church on Tuesday 16^th December, at 6.00 pm. The candle light, the scent of oranges and the children’s singing is a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season. Do join us if you can.

Last month we managed to collect up most of the pink tree guards from the top corner of the reserve. There have been fewer rabbits about than normal this year following the ferreting last spring. There is also evidence of myxamatosis in the area, which is a terrible virus spread by mosquitoes and fleas. The virus was introduced illegally into France in the 1950s and spread quickly to the

. The rabbits suffer a horrible death and those infected can be identified by their swollen eyes and nose, as well as horrible sores.

In December we plan to meet on Sunday 7th at 10.30am by the allotments to complete the work building a log bank and continue with the digging of the new pond. BBOWT are also running a work party on Wednesday 17th December to finish digging the pond out. If you can make either date and wish to do you bit for nature please come and join us.

The last two months have seen slow but steady progress towards beginning the construction of the new Shop, Post Office and Coffee Shop on the Recreation Ground as an extension to the Village Hall.

We attended a meeting with South Oxfordshire District Council in September to ask for a renewal of the grant offer (50% of the total cost). In the meantime you will all be aware that almost every District Council had money invested in Icelandic Banks, and SODC were no exception. It transpires that £2.5M of SODC’s money is invested there, so we were obviously concerned that our grant money may have been lost or “frozen”, but we have now heard that the grant offer will be renewed. They have however asked for a complete re-quotation of all elements of costings, so yours truly is fully engaged in that at the moment. The exercise has proved worthwhile, given that 2 out of the 3 shop fitting companies have changed hands, and one has gone bust!

One vital aspect of that meeting was the clear statement from SODC that they would not renew the grant offer if the shop constitution allowed payment of a dividend to its shareholders. This was never our intention, but the subject was raised at the Village Meeting. The shop is, and will always be, a Community owned enterprise run for the benefit of the Village as a whole.

We have also entered into discussions with the Parish Council re the lease for the shop, and have reached Heads of Agreement, based on a similar lease to the Village Hall. It is now in the hands of the lawyers, so we hope that they will not cause undue delays.

These classes have been running now at Pine Lodge on Mondays 10.30am for a few years now .They are classes design to suit anyone no matter what the age or physical fitness level. We are having a break over Christmas and New Year. Classes break on Monday 15th Dec and will recommence on Monday 19th Jan 09. For more info, tel. 01844 279205

Next Meeting: Friends and partners will be joining us for Kate and John Entertain at 7:45 pm on Thursday, 11^th December at The Pine Lodge, Little Milton. Visitors are very welcome to join us for an evening of musical entertainment with festive refreshments. In January there will be no meeting as it’s our New Year Dinner.

Mr Phil. Williams came to our November meeting to talk about Thame Museum located in the old Court Building in the High Street, Thame. Since its opening two years ago it has hosted a surprising number of exhibitions including sporting, the 1960’s, Thame Players (clothes, props). The agenda for the future includes displays

about surrounding villages. Run by volunteers, it has an impressive list of activities, such as participating in The Big Draw, metal detecting and school trips / resource boxes. There are permanent exhibitions that everyone can enjoy free of charge Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays (10 – 4) and Sundays (12 – 4).

Little Milton WI wishes everyone in The Haseleys and The Miltons a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

Not our usual relaxing afternoon at our meeting on the 13th November! This was because Yvonne Cartwright was with us to put us through our paces with a session of chair yoga. We found we had muscles we never knew existed - especially the following morning! Thank you Yvonne, we did enjoy it really - honest! Our final outing for this year was our annual visit to Wick stead Park for their Christmas Showtime. This visit included the show, lunch and tea. For a change we set off in brilliant sunshine. We intend holding a meeting in January to discuss next year's programme so if anyone has ideas for outings please either attend the meeting (details later) or let Celia Cope know (01844 279459) We all owe Celia a very big thank you for all her hard work throughout the year arranging the outings; this is not an easy task. At our meeting on the 27th November we are to have a visit from Roger Foster, a crime prevention officer, to talk about our personal safety when out and about, particularly when shopping.

Thurs 4th - Christmas Party with entertainment provided by Kate Billimore and John Rees.

With the rigours of a very difficult harvest well and truly behind us and with all our crops now planted and looking nice and green, we can now look forward to next years harvest. Everything looks promising but the recent rains have highlighted the defects of the cultivations. This shows up with patches of wet and is due to “panning”, caused by extra machinery traffic on the headlands (land around the edges of the fields where we have to turn at the end of each run). This is happens when the top soil is dry enough to work but the subsoil beneath is wet and easily compacted, thus creating a solid and non porous layer or “pan”. Depending on the weather from now on this may or may not prove to be a problem later in the season. These areas are where we could encounter outbreaks of disease with the plants being under more stress and therefore more susceptible to infection.

Another interesting fact is that crops planted around 1^st October are at least a month, in growth, ahead of those planted a week or so later, this shows that “timeliness is also next to Godliness”, showing how important it is to get on with the job when conditions allow

After the relatively dry spell last month that enabled us to catch up with the land work, the last few weeks have been somewhat wet. This makes us realise that nature always has the upper hand. Up until the middle of November we have recorded some 50mm or 2 inches of rain. It is little wonder that everything looks so wet.

I have been reading that the autumn colours have been magnificent this year, a statement I would not agree with in this area, but not having travelled very far of late I cannot comment on other areas. I would also say that the trees seem to have lost more leaves than is perhaps usual at this time of year, or at least in the last few years. This, together with temperatures lower than usual will probably make for a longer winter, a somewhat daunting prospect. Having said that, a really prolonged cold spell would do the world of good!

There is a debate running at the moment about farm land birds and the fact that they are on the decline, with many pointing their finger at modern farming. I have no doubt that the sorts of farming methods that we are forced to adopt these days do have some effect. But there is never any mention made of other human pressures on their habitat. Pressures such as roads, housing and factories to name but a few. All these take up valuable land yet areas that have previously been developed are laid to waste. These usually are to said to be too costly to redevelop. I would maintain that we can no long afford to say it will cost too much to use this land anymore.

Lately I have been bemoaning the apparent decline in partridge numbers. However, on a recent walk around some of our fields I noticed 3 coveys which, is very heartening. What I have also noticed are the great flocks of seagulls. I am told that there is no specific bird as a seagull. Well as far as I am concerned any gulls that come from the sea are seagulls. Why they appear to be so numerous at present I know not, they usually come in at times of bad weather at sea but I do not think that conditions have been that bad. Their feeding pattern seems odd too as they seem always to be feeding on the same one piece of land. You could almost draw a straight line to the edge of where they appear to be feeding. I just find this all a little strange.

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.

Saturday 13^th. Walk. Meet at Stone Village Hall at 09:45am for a 12 mile walk following the Midshires Way Thame Valley Walk. Pub stop. 01844 339969.

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

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

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.

Dr A Harnden and Partners

Morland House Surgery, London Road , Wheatley , OX33 1YJ

Telephone: 01865 872448

The Surgery and Dispensary is open

Monday to Friday 8am – 6.30pm and Saturday mornings

Surgery appointments times:

Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 11.00am and 3.30pm – 5.50pm

Saturday: 8.30am – 11.20am

On Saturday mornings we have a limited number of pre-bookable appointments and emergency ‘walk-ins’ until 11.00am on the day.

Please telephone 01865 872448, call at the reception if you wish to book an appointment, make an enquiry or register with the practice. Alternatively, visit our website www.morland-house.co.uk for further information on appointments and the full range of facilities and services that we offer.

The surgery is situated on London Road (just off the roundabout at the top of Holloway Road ). Car parking available.

The Surgery is currently running clinics for free Flu immunisations for its patients aged 65 or over and those in ‘at risk’ groups. Please contact reception to make an appointment.

The surgery is currently accepting new patients from the local area.

FARMER’S MARKETY

GREAT HASELEY VILLAGE HALL

Sunday, 14th December 10am -12noon

(2nd Sunday of every month)

Place your Christmas orders; cakes, wine, fruit, vegetables, ready-made meals, cheese, bread, eggs, chicken, beef, lamb, pork, flowers, plants etc.

Why not have breakfast as well? Enjoy a bacon butty with a cup of tea or coffee whilst reading a Sunday newspaper!

NB Collect your Christmas orders at the Farmers’ Market on Monday 22^nd December, 7.30-9.00 p.m.

Deirdre Mann 279334; Will Meadon 0771621619

Advice line 01844 214827 Appointment Line 01844 217186 thamecab@cabnet.org.ukFor more information and advice on consumer rights go to www.adviceguide.org.uk or contact your local CAB

In 1948, a Washington radio station contacted ambassadors in the

capital, asking what each most wished for Christmas. The French ambassador said he would like to see peace throughout the world. The Russian ambassador wanted freedom for all people enslaved by imperialism. The

’s representative, Sir Oliver Franks, mistook the request, saying:”Well, it’s kind of you to ask, I’d quite like a box of crystallised fruit.”

Desperately Seeking Angel

Part time help required to restore domestic order to Cottage in Little Milton . If you are good natured, efficient and don’t mind (very nice) dogs then perhaps you can help a single gent find his feet again. 3-4 hours per week should suffice to maintain some semblance of respectability. Excellent rates.

Call Jon on 07710 348186

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 January 2009 Newsletter should be with the Editor at 27 Chiltern View, Little Milton, by 8.00 p.m. on 20th December 2008. The Editor reserves the right not to print items submitted for publication and to edit those items, which are published.

Councillor Stuart McGill ( Chairman)	01844 279092
Councillor Barry Coward (Vice Chair)	01844 278970
Councillor Mabel Wood	01844 279670
Councillor Alison Shelton	01844 278144
Councillor David Wakeling	01844 278014
Councillor Tim Robinson	01844 278343
Parish Clerk Raymond Fergusson	01844 279150 fergie.milton1@btinternet.com

Friday 5th December	Chalgrove	08.00 – 11.00
Sat 27th December	Wheatley Primary School	08.00 – 12.00

7th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Mr. Geoff Baker
14th	3.00 p.m.	Carol Service led by Rev Derick Chambers
21st	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Mr. Peter Honeyball
25th	9.30 a.m.	Morning Christmas Service led by Rev Derick Chambers
28th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by Rev Charlotte Collins

Monday Morning Monday Afternoon	10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. 1.30 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.	Open Door No appointment needed Appointments and phone advice
Tuesday Morning	10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.	Appointments and phone advice
Wednesday & Thursday	Closed
Friday	10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.	Appointments and phone advice