Newsletter September 2009

EXTRACTS FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The Council did not hold a meeting in August.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 9th September 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: COLLECTION STARTING W/C 1st SEPTEMBER

Due to Bank holiday the collection on Tuesday 1 September will now be Wednesday 2 September

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) 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 SEPTEMBER

W/E 5 September                                 -              Mrs. M. Davies/Mrs S A Dennis

W/E 12th September                            -              Mrs L. Lovegrove/ Mrs C Coward

W/E 19th September                            -              Mrs A Jones/ Mrs S Brough

W/E 26th September                            -              Mrs. G. Taylor/Mrs H Ridley

W/E 3rd October                                  -              Mrs A. Hawkins/Mrs E Summers

BELL RINGING PRACTICE DURING SEPTEMBER

Tuesday 1st September                      -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 8th September                      -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

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

                                                         -               Quarter Peal 12.15 p.m.

Tuesday 15th September                    -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Tuesday 22nd September                   -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

Sunday 27th September                   -               4.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Tuesday 29th September                    -              7.30 pm to 9.00 pm

GRASS CUTTING ROTA FOR SEPTEMBER

W/E 5th September                              -              Tim Robinson

W/E 12th September                            -              Dave Arnold

W/E 19th September                            -              Phil Jones

W/E 26th September                            --            David Hawkins

W/E 3rd October                                  -              Raymond Fergusson

THE VALUE IN LISTENING.

Listening to the World Service of the BBC in the early morning can, in some part, bring you into interesting discussions. Recently there was an item which caught my attention. A commentator revealed that many of our young people today aspire to being a celebrity. Because, by being a Premier League Footballer or a Top Model, say, they  would obtain fame and fortune, power and respect and all other trappings  which the young people perceived would pave the way for successful living.  The commentator went on to say that those who felt they could not aspire to such things could feel marginalised with the resulting feelings of rejection, hopelessness and despair.

I reflected on what Christ would think of all of this. Jesus was a man of extraordinary perception. He could see what others did not or would not see. He saw the value and potential, not just in the beautiful, successful, premier league people, but in those whose abilities lay in other directions, as well as those who were backward or disabled. In mingling with all sorts of people, he made everyone feel that they mattered and was of value-because they mattered, and were of value to God.

Jesus never spoke of the masses; instead he spoke of “A certain man” or “a certain woman. To Jesus it was the individual person who was valued so very much. He taught and lived that those who felt loved, cherished, accepted and valued could be led into a richer deeper and fuller life.

It is these very values that I see being put to use in a heightened and marvellous way in our School. Every child is an individual, loved and cherished by our amazing teachers. They have the extraordinary gifts to see the potential in each of our little ones, and seeing that potential, work tirelessly, courageously with enormous dedication and patience   to bring that potential to realisation. This is one of the reasons why Little Milton School is so outstanding. That is what makes us all want to say, “I’m proud to be a part of our School”.

The commentator I mentioned at the beginning concluded by saying, “These young people need a good talking to.” I beg to differ with him. I believe he should be saying, “These young people need a good listening to.” Then, perhaps he would learn how to begin to enrich their lives. Our teachers discovered that long ago, and it’s up to us as well as them to listen to our children for the more abundant life which Christ came to bring will belong to us and our children, if we ourselves would but only listen.

Victor Story 279498

FROM THE RECTORY

FROM THE REGISTERS.

We welcome into the Lord’s Family Matthew Edward Maurice Jarrett, baptised in St. James’ on the 2^nd August. Please do remember Matthew and his family in your prayers as Matthew begins his Christian journey through this world.

BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY AND HARVEST FESTIVAL.

Little Milton ’s Harvest Festival will be on the Sunday evening of Sunday 27^th September at 5.00 p.m. followed by a supper in the Pine Lodge This year the PCC thought that an evening service might suit more people than a morning service. Harvest in a country church is always a special occasion. Little Milton is set amongst farmland; and seeing the crops grow, as we pass along our way, reminds us, whoever we are, that we all rely on our farmers one way or another to provide us with our daily needs. In these days of globalisation, we also rely on the harvest in distant lands.  It is easy to take all of this for granted, but Harvest Festival does give us the opportunity to stop and give thanks.  There are other things to be grateful for. Over this last year, everyone of us has had some occasion when we have felt that we ought to give thanks-some event in our family, perhaps, or some light has come when all has seemed gloomy. Hope has blossomed. What better way is there than to gather all this up, and bring it to church with you and offer God our humble and heartfelt thanks!

This leads me on to “Back-to-Church Sunday”. Back-to-Church Sunday is a nationwide initiative which is setting out to encourage all those who have not been to church for some time, or those who are a bit hesitant in coming, to come along to Church. The PCC felt that Harvest Festival would be an ideal occasion for everyone to come along.  We would love to welcome you, whoever you are. It doesn’t matter if you join with us regularly, occasionally, or rarely, don’t hesitate, and simply come along. A warm welcome awaits you. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 27^th at 5.00 p.m.

Our Harvest Festival will be based on our usual Family Service format, and we ask that children be encouraged to bring a small offering of fruit or vegetables or whatever to be placed on the altar as is our custom. Traditionally all offerings are taken to the Leonard Cheshire Home at Burcot, near Dorchester .

DO COME WON’T YOU!

THE OXFORSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST’S RIDE AND STRIDE.

This is an annual event arranged by the Trust will take place on Saturday 12^th September.  During the day sponsored riders and striders will seek to visit as many churches as possible. The monies raised will be given half to the home church of the participants, and half to the Trust. The Trust gives grants towards Church repairs, and over the years the Churches of our benefice have benefited greatly from the Trust’s support. Are you willing to be a rider or strider, are you willing to sponsor someone, then do have a word with Raymond.    

LITTLE MILTON SCHOOL ’S HARVEST CELEBRATIONS

These will take place on the Friday afternoon of the 2nd October from 2 p.m.  There will be a Service in Church and also the dedication of the new garden area and Gazebo in the grounds of the School. Bishop Colin will be with us for the dedication as will our MP John Howell.  Our children have put in an enormous amount of hard work in the garden, planting and sowing, tending and weeding, and now, harvesting. So please do put this date in your diary and come along.

A PRAYER FROM SOUTH AFRICA .

At a recent Service the following prayer was offered, and I have included it at the request of a number of the congregation. Please do make use of it in any way you find most helpful

Slow me down Lord! Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.

Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.

Give me amidst the confusion of my day the calmness of the everlasting hills.

Allow me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking one-minute vacations….

Of slowing down to look at a flower, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book.

Let me look up into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.

Slow me down Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life’s enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny

Victor Story 279498

BENEFICE SERVICES FOR SEPTEMBER

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

SUNDAY SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER

For further information please ring Yvonne Cartwright on 01844 279205

RIDE AND STRIDE SATURDAY 12^th SEPTEMBER 2009

This is a sponsored event to raise money for St James Church and the Oxfordshire Historic Churches . If you are interested in obtaining sponsor forms please contact myself or Anne Hawkins 279526.

  Raymond Fergusson 279150

LITTLE MILTON WI

Next Meeting: At our next meeting on Thursday 10th September at 7.45 p.m. in the Pine Lodge, Little Milton, we shall welcome Joyce Marriott who will talk to us about Stokenchurch Dog Rescue.

On Thursday 13^th August Mr Brian John Howe presented ‘Intriguing Oxford’- a fascinating tour of historic Oxford . Here are some of the many facts we were told :In the Middle Ages Queen Matilda escaped from the Saxon Tower of Saint George in the Castle, and from her captor, dressed in white and fled through the snow. In 1770 the Wall around Oxford was taken down as the traffic was too heavy. New College still has a long bit of the remaining wall.

Saint Mary’s The Virgin Church was a major influence in the religious world. Laud added a porch and lost his head in the Civil War as this was considered too much in religious terms. John Wesley preached there, as did his brother Charles, then left and founded Methodism in Oxford . Cardinal Newman started in this church in Victorian England before changing to Catholicism. In Christchurch College the Tom Tower was named after Thomas Wolsey. Sir Christopher Wren added the top part of the tower. The Great Tom Bell is rung 101 times every day at 9:05 am. E. Bourne Jones, a Pre-Raphaelite painter, painted a window telling the story of Saint Frideswide. In Keble College Pre-Raphaelite painter Holman Hunt’s ‘Light of the World’ painting is hung in the side chapel that had to be built, as permission was refused for it to hang in the main chapel. The Grand Café in the High Street was the first Coffee Shop in England and The Eagle and Child Public House was the King’s pay house during the Civil War.

Are you new to the area? The WI is a great way to meet people. Do you live in Little Milton, Great Milton, Little Haseley, Great Haseley or other villages nearby? Why don’t you come along to our meetings and enjoy all the events like the one above? We have monthly meetings when we usually have a speaker or a demonstration by a speaker, such as painting, craft work or cookery. As well as these monthly meetings we go on visits, coach trips, theatre trips, and day trips to London , visits to lovely country houses along with many more events. We would love to see you, come along and ‘Give Us a Try!’ For further information ring Anne Hawkins, our President.

President:  Anne Hawkins 279526   Secretary:  Heather Peers 279627

Press Reports:  Val Watkins 279544

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

SEWING GROUP 

The sewing group will meet on Wednesday 23rd September at Anne Hawkin’s       house at Willowbrook Cottage Haseley Road , Little Milton.  You will be welcome with or without sewing for coffee and/or lunch but please let Anne know you are coming for catering purposes. Look forward to seeing you from 11.00 a.m. onwards. Telephone 279526

PUDDING AND WINE EVENING

Thank you to everyone who generously drank and ate at the Pudding & Wine Evening.  We made an astonishing £578 for Sobell House Hospice Charity.

Mary Davies

DO YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS TO SPARE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET NEW PEOPLE?

South & Vale Carers Centre are looking for Volunteer Befrienders in your area now.

Our scheme to train and place volunteers is really making a difference to many peoples lives in the community.  Our volunteers are trained to sit with a cared-for person to give the UNPAID carer a much needed break.

If you are interested you will be offered a short interview, followed by some training to help equip you.

We take great care to match befrienders with our carers and cared-for, and you will also have the support of a co-ordinator to ensure you have constant support.

You only need to commit one hour a week or fortnight or more if you can spare.  We have volunteers of all ages but need more to keep the service running.

As a befriender you will sit with the cared-for person so the carer can get out of the house for an hour or two. They may go and do some shopping, get their hair done or even just go for a coffee at a friend’s house.  Your visit might be the only time the carer is able to get out of the house.

So make a difference TODAY and call Teresa Thompson 01235 510212 or email teresa@svcarers.org.uk She will be very pleased to hear from you.

South & Vale Carers Centre is a registered charity 1042708.  Thank you

SATURDAY 17th OCTOBER

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:

£7 in advance

£8 on the door

Proceeds in aid of Village Funds

SEE YOU THERE!

POLICE UPDATE

What is a Neighbourhood Action Group?

A Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) is a non statutory groups focused on tackling the top three community safety priorities identified by the community. NAGs include volunteer representatives in the community and they bring together organisations and partners like residents, the police, elected local councillors, local authorities, businesses and schools and normally meet every 4 – 6 weeks.  They are key to the success of neighbourhood policing. They plan and agree the actions to be taken to resolve the priorities. This improves community safety and reassurance and reduces crime, disorder and disproportionate fear of crime.

As a result of recent public consultation around the Chalgrove Neighbourhood, New priorities have been set by the NAG (Neighbourhood action group.)

·         Speeding

·         Parking

·         Littering & Dog Fouling

Need more information?

To find out more about neighbourhood policing and the work of the many NAGs already in existence, please visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk and visit the neighbourhood policing pages. For information about getting involved please call 0845 8 505 505 and ask to speak to a representative from your neighbourhood policing team or visit your local police station.

E-mail any questions or contact your local Community officer direct michelle.jacques@Thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

FRIENDS OF WELLS FARM

We plan to meet on Sunday 13^th September, when we hope to mow paths, subject to the mower being available. Also to cut back any overhanging vegetation that may be creating a nuisance.

We will also spend time looking for Butterflies that may still be around. It has been a good year for them, especially the influx of Painted Lady’s, 80 of which were counted recently on one part of the Farm.

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

Phil Jones 278120

Autumn Update

Hello from the team at the Maple Tree Children’s Centre.   We have been delighted to welcome so many families to the activities running in our local villages.  It has been very encouraging to receive so many positive comments from the children and parents, grandparents and carers about our services.  Building on these we have been busily developing our autumn programme.  We will be launching this on the

7^th September and running this through to 23^rd October.

Under one’s session: Following the introduction of the Buggy Walk and Rhyme Time, we have extended this session to two hours.  If the weather is good, we will still get out into the fresh air, and if not, there will be plenty of other baby friendly activities and time to catch up with friends and meet other families.  You can drop in anytime from 1.30-3.30pm every Monday afternoon at the Wheatley Complementary Therapy Clinic in the High Street.

Jumping Beans: This was a real success over the summer, and great to see some dads coming along to this too!  This is definitely set to continue – lots of active play for little ones – den making, parachute games and much more.  Join Nicole at Garsington Sports and Social Club on Tuesdays from 9.30am.

The Baby Café: A mobile drop in visiting Wheatley Nursery every Wednesday between 11.00am and 1.00pm offering one to one breastfeeding support, help and information, staffed by trained counsellors.  This has been a service that has been hugely valued by the mums who have used it and will continue to run until April 2010.

Stay and Play: Drop-in sessions offering a range of play activities including imaginative play, outdoor play, messy play, music and more!   We had a great time cooking during the summer and

Toddler Group Roadshow:  We will be out and about visiting Toddler Groups in Great Milton, Cuddesdon and Marsh Baldon throughout September and October with a selection of play activities, and we are really looking forward to meeting new families and introducing our services.  Please phone Sarah for details – 07988 149041.

The Playbus & Toy Library: This has been a really popular service and the fantastic news is that this has been extended for a further six months until the end of March.  The buses will continue to call at Tiddington and Garsington on a regular basis, and provisionally Great Milton during the school holidays.  Phone Sarah for details – 07988 149041.

Children’s Centres are a one stop shop for all young children, their parents, grandparents, childminders and other carers.  As well as running free and low cost play events for families, we also provide a range of information and advice about local children’s services, including health and education and outreach home support. If you would like have your say about what’s on offer please call Jenny Stoker on 07533 573746 or email js9451@great-milton.oxon.sch.uk

VIEW FROM VIEWS

What is a typical summer? I don’t think there is any such thing, however, I know for sure that typically, or perhaps to be more correct “sod’s law” has dictated that as soon as the corn was ready to cut and we got the combines out the weather pattern changed from being reasonably dry to rain every other day. Of course St Swithin has his part to play, it is said if it rains on St Swithin’s day (14^th July) it will rain for 40 days following, well so far this year that is correct.

This has a drastic effect on harvesting. Anyone with a lawn to cut will know how difficult wet grass is to deal with, well corn is the same. Add to this the fact that wet grain will not store for any length of time and therefore has to be dried at significant expense. I have read that this extra cost will, this year, be borne by the consumer and the price of food will rise, I have never noticed this to happen in the past.

However a break in the weather around the 16^th of the month found us making good headway into our Winter Wheat. Then sod’s law interfered once again! On the first really fine day we’ve had, a tiny pinprick hole in a hydraulic hose brought £250,000 worth of combine harvester to a halt for two hours, and very nearly up in smoke. All is well now and, as I watch, I just cannot get accustomed to the rapidity that the modern combine romps across a field clearing well in excess of 70 acres a day, (that’s 70 football fields). First reactions on yields they seem good in spite of the variable weather but more of this next month when all is “safely gathered in”

I sometimes find it hard to stomach when celebrities and the like make comments that effect farming practices on their particular whim of the month and of course the press latch on to this as it makes for a good story. We had a rash of these at the end of June encouraging us to do this or that. The problem is that this does occasionally have the effect of increasing or decreasing the demand for various produce. Unfortunately our industry is not one that can respond quickly to market forces and the result is either a shortage or a glut. Also we have the situation where these sort of people start farming idealistically, having the financial clout behind them to be able to pontificate to others in the industry about the “right “way to do things. Once again of course the media love to write about them. The other side of the coin is that to make the enterprises of which they speak viable the produce has to carry a premium that not every one can afford. Except perhaps the high profile chefs who wax lyrical about wonderful food, produced in a wonderful world where all creatures are happy and all food is healthy. This makes mainline farmers look incapable and inadequate, appearing to produce mediocre food, when in fact they are providing good wholesome food at a price the public can afford, the only really good food is bought fresh and direct from the producer.

We are continually told these days that modern farming practices are the reason why some of our farmland birds are dwindling in numbers. I have to say that in some cases this is probably true. This is why we are being encouraged, with public money, to “setaside” areas of land for conservation purposes. Different farmers have elected to do different things be it the creation of wild areas, field margins, wet lands, new woodlands or hedgerows. It is very difficult to quantify how effective these measures are but it has to do some good. In many cases a certain type of environment is created to encourage a certain species and on the back of this many others will thrive. We have grass margins around our fields for, mainly to help boost the population of English partridge and skylarks (which we have always had, albeit in small numbers). This year these margins have been alive with butterflies many species of which I have never seen in such numbers. In particular I am most encouraged to see large numbers of the small tortoiseshell making a return after years of near extinction.

 In our defence I have to make a statement about the much maligned “modern farming practices”, these have had to be adopted due to the constant cuts in our produce values and the drive for efficiency from our financial controllers.

To continue the saga of the farm minister at DEFRA, I have discovered that the new minister is also a vegetarian, no problem with that per se, but it could be difficult to be impartial on matters pertaining to the livestock industry. I am not sure of his entire background but am reliably informed that he is an ex London fireman and trade unionist and I wonder what grasp he can have on matters of the countryside or farming. Having said that within 24 hours of being put in post he is pontificating about rural matters. No wonder the country is in a mess with so called politicians who have no background whatsoever in their office ruling everything, how can anyone learn about a complicated business over night… ridiculous!

Charles & Robert Peers

NEIGHBOURS CLUB

Forthcoming Events - September

Thur 10th - Harvest Festival + Bring and Share Lunch - 2.15 p.m.

Wed 16th - Outing - Royal London & Buckingham Palace City and Village Tour.

Thur 24th - Mrs Hulbert Slide Show - 2.15 p.m.

Joyce Price

RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION - SEPTEMBER 2009

Saturday 5th.  Walk.  Meet at Stone Village Hall (park in Eythrope Road or use Arriva 280 bus) at 09:30am for a 13 mile circular walk to Aylesbury taking in parts of the South Bucks Way , canal and Thame Valley Way .  Pub stop.  01865 874300.

Sunday 13th.  Walk.  Meet at Bourton on the Water (park on the grass verge on the A436) at 09:00am for a 15 mile walk using Monarchs Way to Lower Swell and Stow , returning via Lower Slaughter).  Pub lunch.  01844 339969.

Sunday 27th.  Walk.  Meet at Chilton (in the village by the pub) at 10:00am for a 7 mile circular walk to Ashendon and Dorton.  Sorry, no dogs allowed.  01844 208517.

GREAT HASELEY AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

September is the time to harvest the fruits from the garden. Pick apples and pears for storage, and dig up main crop potatoes, and burn any plants affected by blight. Cut down tomato plants and take the fruits indoors to ripen, or make green tomato chutney for next years show, again burn any blight affected plants. Harvest marrows, squash and pumpkin for storage, and dig and store maincrop carrots. Keep the vegetable garden free of weeds around winter vegetables such as parsnips, leeks, cabbages and broccoli and sprouts.   Pick blackberries, and cook with windfall cooking apples, for jelly, jam or for storage in the freezer for a warming winter pie. Sow parsley seeds in a pot for a winter supply.  In the flower garden clear the beds of summer bedding towards the end of the month. Check stakes on dahlia and chrysanthemum, and feed dahlias for a prolonged flower display. Start to plant spring bulbs with spring plants, such as wallflowers, bellis and forget-me-not. Pot up bulbs for forcing for a show at Christmas.  Continue deadheading, or cutting down perennials to ground level, and clear gardens of weeds. Keep some seed heads for a winter display, or for the birds to feed on. Start to prepare ground for new hedges, or tree planting later in the autumn. 

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.

WHEATLEY LIBRARY

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

THAME CITIZENS ADVISE 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

GO ACTIVE (GET OXFORDSHIRE ACTIVE)

GO Active (Get Oxfordshire Active) is a new project designed to give you the information; motivation and support you need to get active, feel good, have fun and meet new friends.

Getting active is about having more energy; socialising; feeling good; enjoying yourself and improving fitness and health or achieving goals. It’s not all about training for marathons or competing at the top but if that’s your ultimate goal then great!

Whatever you desire, GO Active has something for you. Find out more about the types of activities by contacting Hendriette Thorne on 01491 823 175 or 07717 836 750.  Email Hendriette at hendriette.thorn@southoxon.gov.uk

OPENING ON 9TH SEPTEMBER EXPECT TO SEE The familiar milk, free range eggs, coffee, chocolate, biscuits, jams from Thursday Cottage, bread from Cornfields, lovely greeting cards and wrapping paper PLUS ·         Bread baked daily on the premises ·         Daily newspapers ·         Chutneys, mustards and sauces from Tracklemeat Co ·         Fresh wines ·         Superb ready meals ·         Hot pies & pasties, beautiful locally produced cakes to eat in and take away ·         Cheese, local dairy products, ice cream ·         Bacon, ham and award winning sausages from Watlington ·         Ranges of gifts, cards and stationery expanded to give bigger and better choice! AND ·         A choice of freshly prepared coffee and tea and homemade cakes to enjoy in the conservatory Coffee Shop POST OFFICE SERVICES Full Postal services and Banking services including 70 foreign currencies available to order. Annie and Alison look forward to seeing you all in the new premises.

Morland House Surgery

FREE ELECTRIC BLANKET TESTING NEAR YOU
Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards and Fire and Rescue and Services are urging electric blanket owners to get their blankets tested free of charge ahead of the approaching colder months.

The annual testing programme has been running in Oxfordshire for the last decade and results have shown a significant reduction in the number of faulty blankets remaining in circulation.

Dangers of electric blankets
Electric blankets can be perfectly safe to use provided they are in good condition and have the necessary overheating safeguards incorporated into the design. If the condition of the blanket is allowed to deteriorate there is the possibility of:

• Fatal electric shocks
• Electrical burns which are painful and can be permanently damaging
• Fires which can be devastating and cost lives.

Book an appointment:
Testing is by pre-booked appointment only, strictly on a first come, first served basis. 

For all bookings please contact the county council's Trading Standards Service on 01865 815607.  The testing team will collect and deliver blankets for people who have severe mobility problems or have no means of getting the blanket to the testing venue.

8^th September   Thame Town Hall

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 October 2009 Newsletter should be with the Editor at 27 Chiltern View, Little Milton, by 8.00 p.m. on 20th September 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

SEPTEMBER

 2009