Newsletter July 2009

EXTRACTS FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 10th June was attended by five Councillors, the Clerk and the District Councillor. The following are extracts from the minutes that the Council need to approve at the July meeting.

Old Field security

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had received an email from Nigel Heptonstall of SOHA that stated the cost of the security fencing behind 26-36 Old Field. There was a request by SOHA for the Parish Council to consider making a financial contribution. The Council RESOLVED that before it would consider making a financial contribution it required assurances from SOHA that the residents affected had been consulted and that they supported the proposals. The Council also required assurances that competitive quotes had been obtained. The Clerk was asked to write to SOHA with the Council’s response.

Slip Road Haseley Road/Gold Street

The Clerk informed the meeting that following the OCC Summer Home 2 School newsletter he had contacted OCC in respect of the slip road between Haseley Road and Gold Street . The school had completed all the necessary paper work but the project to restrict the road for pedestrian and cyclists only would not attract any funding as it did not give the necessary return as calculated by OCC. The Council RESOLVED that the Clerk should write to the Head of Little Milton School in an attempt to raise the profile of the project with OCC.

New Refuse Collection system

The Clerk reported that he had communicated a number of issues with SODC following the collection on June 9th. There had been a degree of non-collection around the village as well as logistical issues within Milton Manor Drive for Verdant. It would appear that some residents had received an incorrect calendar, it should be calendar 1, and this caused confusion as to what was being collected. Although it would appear that the new system had some glitches it appeared to have had a reasonably successful launch.

Finance

The Chairman informed the meeting that Mr Ian Dennis , the Internal Auditor, had completed his work for the year ended 31st March 2009 and there were no issues that needed to be reported to the Council.

The Council RESOLVED to approve the Annual Return for 2008-09 including the Annual Governance statement.

Planning

P09/W0313: 16 Old Field: Demolition of existing garage and construction of new lean to garage

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

P09/W0492 & P09/W0519/LB: Replacement of two windows and replacement of garden shed

The Council RESOLVED that these applications should be recommended for approval by South Oxfordshire District Council.

P08/W1095: 30 Chiltern View: Rear extension

The Council noted that the appeal that had been lodged with the First Secretary of State following the refusal of SODC to grant planning permission had been upheld by the Inspector and planning permission had been granted

Lease with IPS

    The Chairman reported that due to a technicality the lease had to re-signed and witnessed on behalf of the Parish Council and he stated that he believed that the lease document had now been registered with the Land Registry.

The Council RESOLVED to seek a release from the restrictive covenant in respect of the land use for the shop and Post Office. The necessary documentation will be drawn up by Mr Emmett’s solicitors Horwood and James. A copy of the final document is required by SODC before they will release the final 10% of the grant to the IPS. The legal fees will be paid in full by the Parish Council.

The Chairman invited Mr Richard Alliston to outline the thoughts of the IPS in connection with the car park and related matters. There was a discussion on the possible car park surfaces, the hedge, the likely requirements for pedestrian access and the general visibility of the site from the A329. It was unclear as to whether planning permission would be required.

The Council RESOLVED the following:

·         The hedge would not be less than three feet in height

·         A meeting would be arranged with OCC Highways to consider the planning implications of the IPS proposals for the entrance to the car park and any proposals to open up the visibility of the site

·         The IPS would provided plans that incorporated the car park surface, hedging, car park places and pedestrian access for the parish council to consider at the July meeting or if appropriate at a suitably convened Council meeting.

The Clerk asked for clarification on the replacement of the cabinet that houses the meter boxes for the MUGA and Village Hall. The chairman stated that the replacement cabinet was not dependant upon the shop as the meter would be within the building and not linked to the other meters.

Power of Well-Being

The Clerk re-capped on the criteria for the Power of well-Being:-

·         A minimum of two thirds of vacancies on the Council filled at the last Ordinary election

·         80% of Councillors trained in the use of the Well-Being Power

·         The Council must have published a statement of intent as to Community Engagement

·         A qualified Clerk including a pass in Section 7 of CiLCA

The Council RESOLVED that it had met all the criteria to allow it to exercise the Power of Well-Being.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 8th July 2009 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

The Freedom on Information Act 2000 (FOIA) provides rights of public access to information held by Public Authorities. The Parish Council adopted a new publication scheme on 1st January 2009. A version of the Publication Scheme will be available on the Council Website www.littlemilton.org.uk

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 £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 .

SODC: NEW WASTE COLLECTION STARTING W/C 7th JULY

COMMUNITY WASTE VEHICLES – DOMESTIC WASTE ONLY

Please note that the Community Waste Vehicle Collection has been discontinued.

The Oxfordshire County Council Waste Recycling Centres at Redbridge, Drayton (near Abingdon) 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 JULY

W/E 4th July                                         -              Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

W/E 11th July                                       -              Mrs E. Summers/ Mrs A Jones

W/E 18th July                                       -              Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 25th July                                       -              Mrs A. Hawkins

W/E 1st August                                   -              Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

S.A. Dennis

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING JULY

Tuesday 7th July                                 -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 12th July                                 -              10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Tuesday 14th July                                -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 21st July                                -             7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 28th July                                -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

GRASS CUTTING ROTA FOR JULY

W/E 4th July                                         -             Tim Robinson

W/E 11th July                                       -              Phil Jones

W/E 18thJuly                                        -              David Hawkins

W/E 25th July                                       -              Stuart McGill

W/E 1st August                                    -              Dave Arnold

W/E 8th August                                   -             Raymond Fergusson

SOUNDS

‘In the beginning was the Word’. So says St. John at the start of his Gospel. So perhaps God’s Creative Act has more to do with Sound than anything else. God speaks, and a new world comes into being.

When I was at theological college we were told that when we were visiting the gravely ill or dying, it was best practice to talk to the person as much as possible, for their sense of hearing could well be intact. Subsequent experience has taught me that in those circumstances, as in many, many others, there is a time for speaking and a time for keeping silence-a creative tension indeed.

It’s these threshold contexts I find fascinating. The beginning of all life, and the end of each life, seem to involve a strange encounter between silence and sound.  It seems that all good sounds have a brooding silence near them, behind and within them. Even in the womb, the first sound we hear in the enveloping silence is our mother’s heartbeat. Perhaps that is the reason why we later resonate to the sound of drums, rhythms and beats.

But sound is different from noise. Sound has a certain melody. Even though it might take time to discern, poetic meaning or music’s beauty somehow resonate to depths you feel within. Each one of us knows something about music or poetry being able to reach far greater depths than anything else. But not so noise: hearing a harsh incoherence seems to grate on your acoustic nerve- like a dentist’s drill, or the horrible sound you hear when the TV isn’t working properly. Noise can also be terribly destructive.

May the ‘sounds’ we make through the words of our lips, the actions of our hands, the looks of our eyes, always be creative ‘sounds’, and  may they never become noisy.

Lord of sound, as our ears awaken to each new day, let us be attuned to the beauty and meaning of what you intend. In the chorus of birdsong, the voices of our loved ones,  draw us into greater harmony, so that discord may find no place in our lives.

Victor Story 279498

FROM THE RECTORY

FROM THE REGISTERS.

We congratulate James Alexander Stewart Vane-Tempest and Charlotte Jane Oddie who were married in St. Mary’s on the 6^th June. Please do remember this couple as they begin the undoubted adventure of married life.

We record with deepest regret the death of Lady Denise Marson Evans on the 29^th May at her home Milton House at the age of 91. The Memorial Service will be held in St. James’ on the 3^rd July at 2.30 p.m. We all send Sir David and his family our deepest sympathy in their sad loss.

RYCOTE CHAPEL SERVICE.

At the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, the Benefice Festival Eucharist in Rycote Chapel will be held on Sunday 23^rd August at 10.00 a.m. Rycote Chapel is a very magic place, so steeped in English History and set in glorious English Countryside, and it is always an absolute joy to worship there. Please do make a note of this date NOW, and do come along on the 23^rd August.

RECTORY GARDEN PARTY.

You, your friends, family, neighbours and anyone you care to bring, are all invited to come along to the Rectory on SATURDAY 22nd AUGUST between 3 and 5, for a cup of tea and a cake. Yes, you are all invited to come along to what is now an annual event. So just come along and enjoy meeting your old friends and meeting new ones. We would all just love to see you.

Victor Story 279498

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR JULY

THANK YOU!!

A very big thank you to everyone who baked for the village fete last week.  We had a wonderful selection of cakes and savouries on our stall, all of which were snapped up very quickly!  Particular thanks to Dee Waldron for the 32 cakes she made!  Where would be without her.

Jane and Christine

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

SUNDAY SERVICES IN JULY

For further information please ring Yvonne Cartwright on 01844 279205

LITTLE MILTON FETE

This year we were fortunate once again, to hold our annual Church Fete in the grounds of The Manor. Sarah and Simon Oddie are extremely generous in allowing us to invade their garden and benefit from its beautiful borders and wonderful views as a backdrop to our event. Benson Veteran Bicycles, Gordon Smiths Bentley and MG set the scene of our traditional Fete.

It is always really heartening to feel the support of the village from the young to the slightly more mature, selling raffle tickets, baking, running stalls, distributing slips, growing plants, putting up signs, setting up and dismantling the site. People were so generous in providing ‘supplies’ for all the stalls. It continues to amaze me that in a village the size of Little Milton that well over 100 people each year give up their time and energy towards running the Fete.

There have been a few ‘mini panics’ along the way, one was the news that Raymond Blanc would be unable to open the Fete due to filming his series ‘The Restaurant’. He however remains ever supportive and we are very grateful for that. It was however divine intervention that enabled Susan Hampshire to step in at short notice and graciously open the Fete.

Another magic moment was trying to collect competitors for the snail racing as a busy thrush had been at work. Thanks to the Arnolds, Jenny Goodman and Bridie some speedy ones were fortunately discovered.

Another big thank you goes to Keith Warren Price and his company Pinpoint who sponsored Dave-the- Posty’s Watlington Concert Band. Morgan and Associates also continue to generously support us.

Laurelle and Little Milton School showed their ability both with their lovely dancing and the way they all suffered a heavenly downpour of rain without any complaint. They are obviously trained in all elements.

With all the support that I have mentioned I am delighted to tell you that the fete raised £3,730 after expenses…..a record for Little Milton Fete!

All has been safely packed away for another year. Everyone will be relieved to know the snails have been granted their freedom in the depths of  BBOWT’s undergrowth. I did thank them all individually but there was one that was released with his winning sticker still attached. So if you are out walking and you see a snail passing proudly  by, wearing his badge please, please spare him a crushing ……….!

Sarah Jones

RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS: MAIN DRAW

GOLF RAFFLE

Thank you to all the companies and individuals who donated prizes.

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:

June 2009

1st Prize                  No 58      Angie Jones                                                          £14.00

2nd Prize                No 48      Christina Derrick                                                    £10.00

3rd Prize                  No 51      Sarah Wakeling                                                      £6.25

Sue Marriott 279124; For the Friends of Little Milton School

SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE

Sunday School has come to the end of another busy year. We've learned just how much God loves us and we celebrated the 'graduation' of some of our older members, and even their confirmation - congratulations to George Dennis who was confirmed on 21st June. Thank you to all the adults who taught helped and made pancakes for our 'brunches'. Thank you even more too all the children who came and learned with us. We hope to be back again in the autumn - but for now, may God bless you and keep you all during the summer holidays.

Christine Jeffery (278424)

LITTLE MILTON WI

Next Meeting: At our July meeting we are organising a Safari Supper. We shall have aperitifs, main course, dessert and coffee at different members’ houses. We have all volunteered to contribute to one of the courses each. Visitors are welcome and can phone Anne Hawkins for details.

At our June meeting Carol Turner talked about her company - ‘Wild Frontiers’ - and took us by means of projected colour slides on a fantastic tour of Tibet. She talked about how the Chinese were frightened of the Tibetan character and how in 1949 Mao Tse Tung, wanted to stamp on them and moved in with his armies and started crushing them. She feared there would never be a free Tibet . There are more Tibetans living in Eastern Tibet than in Central Tibet and what a colourful people they are – in their costumes and in their personalities. We were shown spectacular views of lakes, rivers, such as the Yangtze and the Mekong , and towering snow-capped mountains.

Carol has worked tirelessly to help and finance the building of schools for children in Tibet . In her leaflet  -  ‘Tibetan  Schools Fund’ she tells us that the fund was set up to respond to requests from Eastern Tibetan communities, supporting their efforts - either through education or other practical means - to help themselves. The Shuxiong Tibetan Schools Fund was set up in 2001 to help provide schooling for children living in the mountains of the upper Yangtze River in northern Yunnan , where subsistence farming is the way of life. This fund has now instigated three boarding schools and funded other projects including bridges and community centres in remote nomad areas of Eastern Tibet . You can find out about The Shuxiong Tibetan Schools Fund and trips to Tibet from Carol Turner , 01844 278306 or online – carolturner@tiscali.co.uk or on www.tibetanschoolsfund.com

President:  Anne Hawkins 279526   Secretary:  Heather Peers 279627

Press Reports:  Val Watkins 279544

NEWS FROM THE RECREATION GROUND

Sadly vandalism appears to be increasing again.  The Parish Council paid for the MUGA surface to be cleaned and re-sanded, but unfortunately somebody has been riding motor scooters over the refurbished surface.  I appeal to anybody witnessing this activity to please take a photograph of the offenders with their mobile phone, and phone the police.  There has been associated vandalism to the village hall, the Orchard Pre-School and the new post office under construction.

Mark Willis

20 / 20 CRICKET MATCH –v- GREAT MILTON

A match has been arranged starting at 6.30 pm at Great Milton Recreation Ground on Thursday 16^th July.  We just about have a full team and welcome any spectators to support the Little Milton Cricket Team.

Mark Willis

IMPORTANT.....READ ON

As editor of the newsletter I have issues drawn to my attention that I am asked to draw to the attention of residents. I have a couple of issues that I would ask residents to be aware of and be more thoughtful about if it applies to them

BONFIRES

To many of us a garden bonfire is hardly controversial …..unless it happens to be on a beautiful Sunday afternoon when you have put out some washing and letting your house air by opening up the windows. I would urge that before you light a bonfire that you think about the impact it might have on others. I am sure most of us don’t consciously think about the impact on others…..Please do.

DOG FOULING

Educating dog owners to pick up after their dog is an issue. I have been told about areas of the village where footpaths have been fouled and the mess not picked up. Public footpaths are no different. Dog owners must clear up after their dogs. Our school children walk up behind the church to the recreation ground on a Thursday and there is an increasing number of children stepping on dog muck. It is an offence to let your dog foul on the footpaths.

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

LITTLE MILTON CINEMA CLUB

at the Pine Lodge

Thursday 23rd July

8pm

‘The curious case of Benjamin Button’

An adaptation of a F. Scott Fitzgerald short story. Brad Pitt plays a man who is born 80 years old, but instead of aging, he grows young.

Starring: Brad Pitt & Cate Blanchett

********

6 months membership available from:

 Little Milton post office

or on the door

Adult/Child £10

OAP £7.50

FRIENDS OF WELLS FARM

I am sure you will be pleased to hear that Bella and Babe have now fully recovered from their illness. In fact they have been moved onto another reserve for a break! In their place you may have noticed a new Mare with her two foals, all New Forest Ponies. They are staying on the reserve for a while and should be approachable, but please be careful at first.

On Sunday the 7th June we formally commissioned the well on the allotments. Many people turned up for the barbeque and all were asked to help decide the name for the well. Kurt, was asked to cut the tape as he had spend many an hour in its depths removing the last of the debris and finding many interesting things at the bottom. We had several suggestions including "All's Well", and " Old Faithful ", but in the end, the majority decided that it would be fitting to name the well "Valentine's Well" in memory of Keith, who sadly passed away before he could fully enjoy the success that allotments re-juvenation.

The barbeque also marked the end of the allotment project for BBOWT and we would like to express our thanks to Helen and Lisa of BBOWT for all the work and support they have given us over the last few months. I am sure they deserve a tythe or two from us!

We have started the butterfly surveys, although in June the numbers are usually low with sightings on a few meadiw brows, large skippers and even the odd painted lady. This month we expect to see many other varieties appear and plan to carry out another survey on Sunday July 5th (weather permitting) after the morning work party. If anybody is interested in joining us please contact me.

Paul Jeffery (01844 278 424)

VIEW FROM VIEWS

With all the growth over the last few weeks it has become difficult to see much wildlife, only evidence of where they have been. We have some wonderful tracks through some of our cereal crops presumably made by deer although I haven’t actually seen a deer for some time now. Birds are about in abundance again, also difficult to see though easy to hear, especially early in the morning. I fear the heavy rain in the middle of June may have an effect on the numbers of young that survive, we shall see!

We have been puzzled in the last few years as to why some of our thorn hedges appear to be dieing off. We can only think that this is due to wind burn, as the leeward side of the most exposed hedges seem to be quite healthy. This is particularly frustrating as we have just spent a lot of money planting hedge rows, only to have them affected this way. One poor hedge has struggled ever since it was planted some three years ago with any new growth being continually being eaten off by deer, and now this means that it’s future is by no means secure. We think we shall have to consider a different species. Casting our minds back to earlier in the year, we did have a lot of wind, maybe not particularly cold but continuous, the most exposed sections of hedge being worse affected than those in the more sheltered areas. This can be best seen by the hedge on the left hand side of the road going downhill to Cuddesdon Mill as the roadside seems perfect but the field side, especially on top of the hill looks as if it is almost dead.

The big news in the farming world at the moment is the demise of the dairy farmers’ co-op “Dairy Farmers of Britain” This being a double whammy for those involved. Not only have they lost the money they put into the co-op to set it up in the first place, but will receive no money for milk sales in May. I understand that they are now being offered only 10p per litre for June, which at costs of production of 16 to 20p per litre does not make any sense. This is a bitter blow to these producers as they have now to find a new buyer, who can and probably will, offer very little, some of the very smaller producers will not be taken on and will have to leave the industry. This is all part of the story of farm gate prices being squeezed whilst the food in the shops is increasing. This also mitigates against smaller, local producers who are the ones we really need to support.

Now is a time of waiting for arable farmers, most of the work on the crops having been completed. So we take a breath until harvest now and see how all the mistakes made in the previous months manifest themselves. Barley crops are beginning to turn as I write and I guess by the time this is read they will be beginning to look ripe.  However, the old saying is quite true “When barley looks fit to harvest, go away for a fortnight”.

This is not the case for livestock farmers because the end of May is generally when grass is at its peak of production and nutrition and needs to be conserved for the winter by making silage. If cut before the middle of June it still has the ability to re-grow for a second cut, whereas in July its growth slows. The growth pattern of grass is such that it reaches its highest feed value before it reaches its full growth, so the trick is to cut when the nutrition is high, but also to get as much volume as possible. In other words cut too soon, good feed value but low yield and too late, big yield but low feed value, also if cut too late then the re-growth is not brilliant.

A popular aspect of discussion at the moment is the use of chemicals. We know that this is a matter of great concern to the general public and that is why I tend to mention it so much. However, a point I have not made in the past is the fact that a lot of this chemical use is actually forced upon us. If we were to sell mouldy, diseased or weed seed contaminated grain we would be penalised accordingly. One can only conclude very broadly from this that the consumer will not (quite justifiably in these over sanitised days) buy contaminated food. That consumer is you and me. This is of course an over simplification of the facts but it does illustrate that we do not spend this money and effort on chemicals out of choice, but necessity.

I wrote a month or so ago that the new DEFRA minister Jane Kennedy seemed to be, if not well informed about our problems at least keen to learn and push British & local food. She apparently was a wise enough MP to understand the importance of agriculture to the nation. Well it appears that she is one of those who lost her confidence in the PM and has left her ministerial post. Now we have got to get to know someone else, who may or may not be so amenable to agriculture.

Over recent weeks there has been a lot of talk with reference to MP’s expenses and the amount they have cost the public purse. You may also have read that the government has had to repay the EU £200m as a fine for the late payment of farm subsidies; this debacle is another result of those that we trust to run our country “knowing best”. The problem started with the reform of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) and the system of payments changed. We changed from the Integrated Administration and Control System or IAACS (who ever thought that name up I hate to think) to the Single Payment Scheme or SPS. The then minister at DEFRA, our favourite caravanning lady Margaret Beckett, insisted, against her advisors advice that, the change, instead of being phased in over a period of years should be completed immediately. The ensuing chaos arising from the rushed reprogramming of the ministries computers resulted in farmers, most of these totally reliant on these payments, receiving their monies far later than budgets allowed. A flawed decision on behalf of Mrs Beckett as the late payments triggered this hefty fine from the EU. Who ultimately pays for this decision I wonder?!! 

Charles & Robert Peers

NEIGHBOURS CLUB

At our meeting on the 28th May our speaker was Mr Bob Foster who was with us to speak about the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's warship.  The Mary Rose was commissioned in 1509 and after many years service she was finally lost in July 1545 just as she was about to engage with the French invasion fleet.  The wreck was totally buried until 1971, some 400 years later, and was finally raised in 1982.  Bob Foster is a delightful man who has inspired us to think of a visit to Portsmouth on one of our outings next year.  On the 11th June unfortunately Viv was unable to be with us with her exercise programme so we had a "social afternoon" which was quite relaxing and enjoyable.  The 17th June was the day for this month's outing which was to the Royal National Rose Society's Garden of the Rose near St Albans .  After our visit we went into St Albans for lunch and to explore the town, the market and, of course, the beautiful cathedral.  Out last meeting in June will be our fish and chip lunch on the 25th.

Forthcoming Events - July

Thur 9th - School entertains (?) - 2.15 p.m.

Wed 15th - Outing to Wye Valley , River Cruise and Royal Forest of Dean

Thur 23rd - Wonders of Oxford - Clive Jones - 2.15 p.m.

Wed 29th - Outing to Ball Colegrave Summer Open Evening at West Adderbury + Fish & Chip supper.

Joyce Price

GREAT HASELEY AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

ANNUAL SHOW 29 AUGUST 2009

The Annual Show will be held in Chiselhampton House, Chiselhampton on Saturday 29^th August 2009. Please make a note in your diary NOW

GREAT HASELEY AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

By now you should be reaping the vegetables and salad crops that you planted earlier in the year, but continue to sow more salad, spring onions, and radish, and also to sow crops for the winter, broccoli, brussell sprouts and winter cabbage and leeks should be planted now, also winter salad crops, chicory, endive, swiss chard, calabrese, and rocket. Continue to lift early potatoes, and shallots and onions. Now is the best time to collect herbs for drying, or freezing. Tidy up the strawberry beds remove the old straw, and dispose of plants if they are more than 3 years old. And start the new plants from this years runners. Cut down the canes of fruited raspberries to ground level.

Continue to water and feed container plants, and dead head to keep the show going longer. In the flower garden, cut back early flowering perennials, and tie in tall plants. Start to plant autumn flowering bulbs, Belladonna, Autumn crocus, nerines and Sternbergia. Wallflower and Sweet William seeds can be sown now in a prepared seed bed for a spring show next year.

The show is next month, August 29th and by now as a member you should have got the show schedule, if you are not a member, why not join. You can get a membership form and a schedule from me Sally Orriss, at the Old Stores, Great Milton, Phone 01844 279231. Start planning the classes that you can enter, if you do not have flowers and vegetables, there are also other classes, cookery, crafts, flower arranging, wine and jam making, and lots of fun classes for children.

MORE THAN 100 OXFORDSHIRE WALKS TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT FREE!

There’s no doubt about it, walking is good for you. It’s good for your heart, it’s good for your lungs, it’s good for the muscle and bone growth of your children and it’s good for your feeling of wellbeing! Strong scientific evidence now supports the many benefits to health of regular walking – it is recommended that we take at least 10,000 steps a day.

Studies show that walking can:

·         Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke

• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce high cholesterol
• Reduce body fat

·         Enhance mental well being

Walking offers a great way to help kids get the active habit. If parents express excitement about the prospect of a walk in the countryside, they are more likely to transmit this feeling to their children. It’s important to treat the walk as an exploration or adventure and to go at the child’s pace, no matter how often they want to stop and look at things; take treats to eat and plenty to drink; and head for some landmark that will appeal to them such as a castle, a playground, an ice cream van or a boating pond. If children experience walking as part of a fun activity they are more likely to want to go again.

So, how do you find out what is on offer? John Harris, a keen walker, got fed up with the lack of information on walks that were going on in the County. So, he decided that if he couldn’t find what he was looking for – he had better create it! So www.walkinginoxfordshire.co.uk came into being.

www.walkinginoxfordshire.co.uk  gives you all the information you need for the best walking in the County:

Details of more than 100 walks to download and print free, details of all the Oxfordshire walking groups, maps and walk books – plus loads more information.

So check out the website and get walking!

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.

SCIENCE OXFORD

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

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

JOHN HOWELL: Member of Parliament

John Howell holds regular surgeries around his constituency. You do not have to wait for a surgery to come to your area before booking an appointment. If you would like to book a fifteen minute appointment please ring the 01491 614393. The surgery in May will be held in

Henley Town Hall : 17 July 2009 between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00  noon

Chinnor Village Hall: 18 July between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon

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 CA

TAKE A CITIZEN’S ADVICE FINANCIAL HEALTH CHECK TODAY

Debt is a growing problem both nationally and locally. Only last year Thame CAB office dealt with 434 enquiries about debt. In these days of the credit crunch and concerns about job security, we are all anxious about where our money goes, from paying the mortgage or rent, to buying new shoes for our growing children. Whatever your financial worries, the free, confidential, independent debt advice that we offer can help you resolve them and prevent similar problems happening again in the future. Don’t bury your head in the sand. Give yourself this financial health check today!

Debt – the danger signs

·         Do you avoid opening your bills?

·         Do you have no savings and live on an overdraft?

·         Do you regularly use your credit card to get cash or pay for your shopping?

• Do you not know how much you owe?
  
  
• Do you only pay the minimum payment on your credit cards?
  
  
• Are you borrowing money to pay off other debts?

If you do any of these, you could well be on the road to a debt problem, so get advice as soon as you can before it gets worse. For free, confidential and independent advice click on www.adviceguide.org.uk or telephone Thame Citizens A dvice Bureau: for an appointment

Morland House Surgery

WHEATLEY RUGBY CLUB

Wheatley Rugby Club is a small and friendly club. It is committed to fair play, respect for others on and off the field, but above all else it provides an environment for children to enjoy themselves, learn new skills and make new friends.

We are currently looking for new players in all age groups. If you would like to play rugby and be part of a club, come along and have fun.

Sunday mornings from 10.30 to 12.00, September to April, Holton Playing Fields, opposite Wheatley Park School .

Try it for free- lots more information on our website: www.wheatleyrfc.com or contact Joylon Roe 01865 890843. Email minis@wheatleyrfc.com

Little Milton     Services and goods at your local Post Office ü       Full Postal Services                            Banking Services                      Information Services                    Local Papers ü       Stationery /Books                               Toys                                           Dry Cleaning                             Confectionery                         ü       Fresh Bread/Milk & Cakes                   Free Range Eggs                                              ü       Ice Creams                                        Special Jams & Preserves NOW STOCKING: packs of six LITTLE MILTON notelets priced £3.00 WE NOW HAVE A PAY STATION ENABLING YOU TO RECHARGE YOUR ELECTRIC KEY OR TO ADD CREDIT TO YOUR QUANTUM CARDS AT THE POST OFFICE FOREIGN CURRENCY WE NOW HAVE EUROS AVALABLE ON DEMAND Over 70 foreign currencies available to order at your local Post Office  EVERY TRANSACTION COUNTS

CHANGES TO POST OFFICE OPENING HOURS

Sadly the Post Office will have to close on the afternoon of Thursday July 2 and thereafter will be closed on Tuesday mornings, Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings until further notice

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

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

JULY

 2009