Dec09Newsletter

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 11th November was attended by all Councillors, the District Councillor, the Clerk and one member of the public. The following are extracts from the minutes that the Council need to approve at the December meeting.

The Chairman referred to a recent letter that had been sent to the Council by a resident who was objecting to the location of the two bins in the in an area off the Haseley Road adjacent to the Thames Water pump house. The resident’s primary concern is that this area is within the conservation area and in her opinion the bins look ugly and are an eye sore not in keeping with the rural surroundings. The Chairman asked the Clerk to update the meeting on the work that he had done on behalf of the Council on this matter. The Clerk explained that the initial problem for the residents of Blenheim lane had been non-collection and that this had been resolved following various e-mails and a meeting with SODC and Verdant. He stated that the Council’s preferred option was for the lane to be designated a bagged collection area and this was requested in a letter dated 9thJuly 2009 to SODC. SODC were reluctant to change the current designation of the lane from a bin collection as there was a possibility of a smaller vehicle becoming available that might be able to access the lane. SODC identified the possibility of housing communal bins in the area now being used and Thames Water have agreed to this arrangement on trial basis.

The Council RESOLVED that its preferred solution of re-designating the lane to a bagged collection should be pursued with SODC and that existing communal bins should be removed. However it accepted that the existing arrangement was pragmatically acceptable. The Council recognised that the views of the residents of Blenheim were very important and RESOLVED to ask the Clerk to determine their preferred solution. It was also RESOLVED that the views of the residents should be ascertained before there was any further correspondence with SODC on this matter.

P09/W0977 & P09/W978/LB: Wall Street Cottage Haseley Road : Change of use of part of building from Post Office(A1) to residential use (C3) with necessary alterations

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

The Chairman asked Cllr Barry Coward to report on the progress that had been made with Southern Construction. Cllr Barry Coward referred to the letter that had been circulated to Council members prior to the meeting that detailed the key components of the work for the car park and its related work. The overall cost was just under £10,000 excluding VAT and was significantly lower than the original quotes. He also indicated that earliest window to complete the work was February 2010 due to the arranged activities for the Village Hall. The Council members were appreciative of the material progress that had been made and expressed their gratitude. However the work related to providing a knee rail to the road side of the car park was challenged by certain Council members on the grounds of its relative cost to the benefit that it provided. The Chairman asked the Council to vote on this item and after a tied vote the Chairman gave a casting vote in its favour. The Council RESOLVED to include it in the specification. There was a further challenge to the provision of an area to accommodate the refuse skips for the shop and the Village Hall. The issue related to the principle that organisations that were benefiting from the provision of facility should make some financial contribution. Cllr Alison Shelton, Cllr Stuart McGill and Cllr Mabel Wood Had declared that they had prejudicial interest and withdrew from the decision process. Cllr Barry Coward took over the Chair and the matter was voted on. The Council RESOLVED to include the area for skips on condition that the Village Hall and IPS made a financial contribution to the facility. Cllr Stuart McGill resumed as Chairman. Cllr Barry Coward declared that he felt that he could no longer continue as the Council’s leader for the project but after some discussion he stated that he would reserve his position. The Council RESOLVED that subject to the area for the skips it would accept the quote from Southern Construction and reserve that the work should be completed in February 2010. Cllr Alison Shelton urged the Council to expedite the work for the barrier and the Council RESOLVED that this should be done.

The Clerk reported that planning permission in respect of the change of use for the old Post Office is likely to be granted in early December and that the owner of the property would be seeking an early completion of the work. The Clerk stated that he would obtain two quotes for the work necessary to meeting the planning application and the conditions within the agreement between the Parish Council and the owner.

The Chairman informed the Council that he had re-issued the letter to the Post Mistress in respect of the terms between her and the IPS in respect of the space allocated to the Post Office within the shop. He also informed the Council that she had accepted the terms. There was a brief discussion as to whether the letter from the IPS satisfied diction 3.6 of the lease. The Council RESOLVED that the IPS should seek legal advice on the letter to ensure that it met the conditions of the lease and that he Council would on receipt of a letter certified by the IPS legal advisor send a copy to Morgan Cole.

The Council noted that the Tree Preservation Order 10/1969 had been revoked and replaced and re-served as Tree Preservation Order 78/2009. The Clerk informed the meeting that he had advised the owners concerned.

District Councillor John Nowell-Smith informed the meeting that there was a continuing review of a closer working relationship between South Oxfordshire District Council and the Vale of White Horse. He also highlighted that SODC were preparing to submit their draft Core Strategy in January 2010.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 9th December 2009 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.

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.

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 .

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.

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. No previous experience necessary ….just enthusiasm!

It’s quite frightening how soon Christmas seems to come round – and yet it’s been in our faces for weeks! As soon as Halloween was over, every shop had Santas and holly. And, as I was going home on Christmas Eve a few years ago, they were taking down all the Christmas decorations in the shop windows.

That’s probably a reflection of how many of us feel by the time we get to the 25th! We’re just so bored with Christmas parties and incessant carols every time we go into a supermarket that we want it all over and done with! But perhaps part of the reason we want it all over is that we just don’t understand what it’s all about – and I include myself in that!

It’s all so paradoxical – that the Creator of a universe which, as far as we know, has been around for billions of years should appear on the Earth - an insignificant lump of matter - in the form of a human baby! And that this Baby, announced by some weird apparition in the skies should change the course of human history. Is it any wonder that so many find Christianity so mysterious?

And yet the very fact that our world has changed suggests that this was far more than an ordinary baby. This was someone whose authority was respected by the outcasts and rejects of His society, the foreigners and the misfits; and feared by the wealthy and the powerful; someone whose followers experienced something so profound that they were prepared to give up everything to follow Him.

During Advent – a word that means “the Arrival” – we prepare ourselves to welcome Him once more, by trying to understand His significance in our lives, His place in history, and how we can try to follow His Way of Peace.

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. 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 WEDNESDAY 9th DECEMBER at 6.00 p.m. I am sure it will be as colourful and delightful as always. There will be a Great Milton School Carol Service on WEDNESDAY 16th DECEMBER at 6.30 p.m. 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 20th December each parish is having their Carol Service. We begin at 4.00 p.m. at Great Haseley; at 5.30 p.m. in St. James’ Little Milton, and at 7.00 p.m. at Great Milton. These services are enjoyed by a large number of people so I encourage you to come along and get in the Christmas mood.

On Wednesday 23rd 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 THURSDAY 24th, Christmas Eve, there is the Benefice Crib Service in St. Mary’s Great Milton at 4.00 p.m. and at 11.30 p.m. we shall greet the new born Heavenly King with Midnight Communion at St. James’, Little Milton.

On CHRISTMAS DAY there will be a CHRISTMAS SERVICE FOR ALL THE FAMILY at 9.30 a.m. in ST. PETER’S, GREAT HASELEY. 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. 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.

We congratulate Haley Jane Ashdown and Simon David Bradley, who were married in St. James’ on the 24th October. Please do remember this very happy couple as they embark on the great adventure of married life. May they always know that they are supported and surrounded by the loving support of us all.

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

This month the Family Service on Sunday 13th will be a service especially – but not exclusively! – for all Sunday School children, teachers and their families. Again, you are all welcome to join us!

Little Milton Xmas Fayre is an event that began over 25 years ago as a small food fayre in the Old Smithy where Penny and Dr Vickers lived. The food fayre was supplemented by sales of Christmas food made to order to raise money for the Church. Over the years it has grown and developed into the fayre we know today.

It is one of the main fund-raisers for three village organisations, the Church, The Orchard and the Pine Lodge, and is a great example of different groups of people working together towards a common aim.

We know that it has been a difficult financial year for many but we can guarantee plenty of bargains which will help towards Christmas this year. So don’t finish your shopping before you pay us a visit. Even if you don’t want to buy just come along to meet friends and share a coffee or light lunch- browsers are always welcome

Christmas Fayre

Saturday 5^th December 11-2pm at the Pine Lodge

FOOD STALL

We would be very grateful for any donations of

Cakes/bakes/pickles/preserves/etc

Towards our food stall

Please contact Sarah Jones 278120

Carol Singing!

Come and sing Christmas carols round our village on Thursday 17^th December, starting at Oldfield at 6pm, calling in at The Manor and finishing at The Lamb.

Laurelle 278045

The children have travelled around the world in November! Each class chose a country they wished to represent, and learnt a traditional activity – be it a dance or a game – to perform to the rest of the school. Packed lunches were cancelled as the children produced food from their country. Everyone tucked into chicken and noodles, prawn crackers, poppadoms, spaghetti bolognaise, tiramisu, Jamaican ginger cake, mangoes and papaya. From this you will have gathered that we visited China , Italy , India and Jamaica !

To counteract the effects of this sumptuous feast, we have taken part in various athletics training sessions throughout the month, as well as returning to the Abbey Sports Centre at Berinsfield for swimming and PE on a weekly basis.

Children in Year 2 visited the Natural History Museum in Oxford where they enjoyed learning about “animal adaptations”. They looked at the way animals adapt to their environment through their skin, fur, teeth and claws as well as looking at other exhibits in the museum.

Years 5 and 6 are learning about Waterworlds this term. They too visited the Natural History Museum and were fascinated to see blue fin tuna, various fish skeletons and sea creatures such as squid preserved in formaldehyde. They spent the afternoon at Sandford Lock, where the lock keeper explained how a lock works and told stories of pike and crayfish he had seen in the river, and the animals that live on the riverbanks.

Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be visiting the Oxford Harcourt Arboretum at the end of November to learn about Winter Traditions, when they will be exploring the trees and plants at the heart of our winter traditions, and finding out how some of our Christmas customs began. We are looking forward to seeing the seasonal decorations that they will be making from natural materials found in the arboretum.

Very soon, we will be ordering the oranges, raisins, sweets and candles to make Christingles. We hope that you will join us for our Christingle Service at St James Church on Wednesday 9^th December, at 6.00 pm, and see again the nativity story brought to life by our children.

Diane Austin has asked me to thank all of those people in the village who have joined the 200 Club this year. I believe she now has 75 members on the books. However, don’t feel you have missed the boat if you haven’t joined yet – Diane is willing to accept new members for the new couple of months – do call us at school if you would like to join.

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

Many thanks to everyone who has bought a number and are supporting the village school

Last month we fenced off the gate at the top of Blenheim field that leads to the allotments as this is an access route for allotment holders only. The next work party will be on Sunday 6^th December at 10.30am, meeting initially at Wells Farm. The plan is to do some hedge planting. If you wish to join us, you are welcome to call or just turn up on the day.

We now have a couple of Dexter’s and a few ponies back on the reserve. They may be a little wary at first, until they settle down, so please keep your dogs under control if you meet them on your walks.

Most people spend the winter months indoors, but at The Orchard the children continue to enjoy the outdoors in a brand new playhouse in the Orchard garden. This has been purchased with the revenue from many fundraising events and the joy on the children’s faces shows you that every donated penny has been well-invested and appreciated. Thank you to all villagers who supported events in 2009 that have enabled our major purchase. The rest of the garden revamp will follow shortly, so a garden party in the spring seems likely!

The Christmas term is always full of excitement and this year we have enjoyed Christmas cards using the children’s artwork for professional printed cards and thank you notes, we’ve enjoyed Christmas crafts with The Orchard staff at the annual Little Milton Christmas Fayre and donned our party gear for the Christmas party and practising hard for a special performance of Whoopsy Daisy Angel for our mums and dads and special visitors to enjoy. Even the play dough goes sparkly at The Orchard at Christmas!

Whilst the children have been bouncing with excitement, our staff may have finally run out of energy. We take this opportunity to thank Rose, Helen, Linda, Claire and our relief helper Sarah for all their love and care of our children in 2009, wish them a peaceful Christmas break and look forward starting again in 2010!

2010 looks busy – watch this space for a new member of staff, more fun events and tales of our children’s exploits. If your child is under 5 years old and not yet enjoying the Orchard, please contact Rose on 279989 to arrange a visit. We have no more spaces for 2 year olds in January, but some spaces arise in February – so book in as soon as possible. Our morning sessions are busy – close to a maximum of 24 children on some days – but afternoons are quieter and we will do our best to accommodate your needs

“Raise the Roof” Choir Christmas Party!

Sing, laugh and have fun on a Greek island

with Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and lots of chocolate!

Tuesday 15^th December 8pm at The Pine Lodge.

Tickets in advance - £5, £3 concessions. £6 on door.

Laurelle 01844 278045/07964 161527

or email laurelle@yoursound.org.uk

Age Concern Oxfordshire invites all older people, their families, carers and those who work with and for them to a Carol Service. The service will be held on Tuesday 15^th December at 2.00 p.m. at Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford . Please RSVP to Kerry Bateman, Age Concern Oxfordshire on 01235 849400.

Next Meeting: Our next meeting is on Thursday 10th December when we shall be having some ‘Homespun Entertainment’! Anyone who can offer to sing, tell jokes or play an instrument will be very welcome!

On Thursday 12th November a group of us were given a very warm welcome at Tiddington Village Hall where we shared an evening with Tiddington WI . Anthony Church, the Town Crier, was the speaker for the evening.

After being in the army for 22 years Anthony Church became Mace-bearer for Oxford , Northampton , Banbury, Chipping Norton, Thame and Wallingford . He then became Town Crier for Oxford , Banbury, Chipping Norton and many other places. He uses a bell to announce his arrival. The cry ‘Oyez! Oyez!’ means ‘Shut up and be quiet!’ (In the north of

England

the Town Crier’s cry is ‘Hear ye! Hear ye!’). He shouts out various announcements.

The first Town Criers in

England

were appointed in 1066 by William the Conqueror and Town Criers are depicted on The Bayeux Tapestry. They went around the country to announce new laws and edicts. They would then nail their pronouncements and news on to inn doors – the early newspapers! It was and still is a treasonable offence to heckle a Town Crier in the course of his duties.

Mr Church ’s regalia cost £4,500. His wife made his silken, yellow waistcoat and she accompanies him, known as his ‘Escort’, on many occasions, wearing her long dress, cape and bonnet which she made herself.

Mr Church then showed us his large collection of bells some of which were worth a lot of money, depending on their age. He then gave us a demonstration of his ‘Cry’ to round off a very interesting and entertaining talk.

We then had cakes and a hot mug of tea and chat with our hostesses and went home after a very enjoyable evening.

Calling all young ladies! Don’t think of WI members as just ‘older ladies!’ We love to welcome young ladies too! We are pleased to say that, currently, quite a few new young members have joined us, which is great. Come on, young ladies, we have a lot of entertaining and fun evenings in store! For information please ring Anne Hawkins, our President.

CHRISTMAS MEAL

The Senior Citizens Christmas lunch this year will take place in the Lamb on December 12th. Pauline & Doug will be providing a delicious meal with all the trimmings. There will be the usual free ticket raffle etc. We look forward to seeing you there.

So that we can make sure the turkey is big enough, can you please let us know by 1st December if you wish to attend

Saturday 5th. Walk. Meet at Bledlow Church at 09:30am for a 7½ mile walk. Few ups and downs initially then over the golf course. Pub stop at the end of the walk. 01844 339969.

Tuesday 15th. Walk. Meet at Long Wittenham (park in the Northmoor Trust Neptune Wood car park off Little Wittenham Road) at 10:00am for a 5½ mile circular walk to Neptune Wood, Paradise Wood, Broad Arboretum and Wittenham Clumps. Sorry, no dogs allowed. 01844 215624.

NORTHMORE TRUST EVENTS - DECEMBER

Unless stated otherwise, all events take place at Northmoor Trust, Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, and booking is essential: Please call 01865 407 792 or visit our website at www.northmoortrust.co.uk.

Meet Santa, enjoy local crafts and gifts, festive goodies, traditional stories and Christmas trees for sale. Adults £1, Friends free. No booking, just turn up!

Come and help set a new world record for the most trees planted in one hour, in multiple locations. World record planting from 11am – 12noon, but help us plant a coppice coupe anytime between 10am – 3pm. Just turn up!

FARMER’S MARKET

GREAT HASELEY VILLAGE HALL

Sunday, 8th November 10am -1.00 p.m.

(2nd Sunday of every month)

Many different tables selling; eggs, fruit, vegetables, meat, cakes, wine, cheese, bread, flowers, plants etc

Why not have a bacon butty with a cup of tea or coffee whilst reading a Sunday newspaper!

Deirdre Mann 279334; Will Meadon 077162161

The Oxford Theatre Company is returning to the Pine Lodge on February 5^th, to present ‘Peach Boy: The Adventures of Momotaro’. It’s an epic story set in

Japan

, starting with a baby found in a peach, involving daring deeds and marvellous monsters – with lots of songs. Suitable for families and children from age 6.

On Thursday, the 12^th November, we had twenty-three members at our meeting when we welcomed Mr Hodges as our speaker. His subject was “Metal Detecting – History Beneath My Feet”. He had a large number of items on display which he has found over the years, including six Saxon pieces which are so rare it has taken 25 years to find these six. More numerous were things from the Bronze age of which he had quite a collection. As Mr Hodges lives locally it made the items even more interesting. He advised anyone thinking of taking up metal detecting to invest in a really good pair of earphones as signals can sometimes be very weak; the best results are often when the ground in wet although not the best conditions for the person involved! Wednesday, the 18^th November, was our outing to Cheltenham for Christmas shopping and visits to the museum, art gallery etc. plus, of course, lunch. Forty members and friends went on the outing and we had a very good journey there, arriving in only an hour from Wheatley – coming back took rather longer though due to traffic problems. Our meeting on Thursday, the 26^th November, is entitled “Sending a Cow to Moldova ” and we are looking forward to that.

I believe this is the last “view” for 2009, next time I write will be the beginning of the New Year. This year has been one of mixed fortunes for us all what with the credit crunch, interest rates falling (good for borrowers but a disaster for those with investments), climate change debates hotting up, falling and now rising fuel prices, and oh dear Afghanistan! Now the “Lisbon Treaty” we, who are said to be a true democracy accept it without the electorate having a say. The current level of EU power is bad enough, now it seems they will have “carte blanch”. Still I suppose that is today’s government, with the public having to do as they are told. (Good to see however that one of our erstwhile leaders has been denied planning permission due to a colony of bats probably some red tape passed whilst he was in power).

Pity our government does not think of farmers in the way the French do! A headline in the farming press the other day reads “Nicholas Sarkozy tells farmers they are part of the national identity” and has given them 1.65bn euros to help them through a difficult period. Why is it? That our powers that be can on one hand understand how important food is but still allow our farmers to be driven into the ground and consequently leave the industry. The headlines of one double page in The Farmers Weekly 6^th November, reads “Era of cheap food is at an end”. “EU to improve food chain and get a better deal for farmers”. “Farm borrowing hits record high at £11.7bn”. “British Sugar’s owner reports increased profits of £655m”. This illustrates that, as always, it is the middle men of the food chain that actually are doing quite well, and also call the shots. If the primary producer had a slice of this money there would be no need for this £11.7bn borrowing. I think the farming community are justified in worrying if they will ever benefit from anything that happens in the market. Two years ago there was a supposed food shortage and products shot up in price, now they are as low as ever again, with our costs on an ever increasing spiral.

Does any one have the feeling that we are being slowly conditioned into accepting GM technology? I honestly cannot say if this is a good or bad thing, but the way it is happening is a worry. The same is happening over nuclear power, we have to accept it or go without electricity, mainly because the government could not make a decision on alternatives early enough. Now to get over the problem of objections they have instigated the “Infrastructure Planning Commission” which has been instituted as a non elected quango to push through planning on anything that is deemed of national importance such as power stations, eco towns, Wind Farms and so on, taking away our right to object. Whilst I understand the reasons for this it does seem a trifle undemocratic.

The exceptionally open & warm weather we have been having, particularly during October has set all the crops up ready for winter. It would not surprise me that by the time you read this the oilseed rape could almost be in or have been in flower, (it has happened before). The big problem with crops at this time of year can be disease if we have a mild winter, or if we have a prolonged cold spell with continuous frost some plants can be killed off. We have done all we can, now it is in the lap of the gods.

I made mention last month of my worries for our wild life. Well it seems that this scare was somewhat unfounded and the wild population is back with a vengeance. On most days we can hear skylarks again and the deer are very much in evidence. The hare population also seems to be on the rise again. As some will know we have recently moved house and now experience different views of the area and as I write this I can observe a pair of buzzards, from my office window, that seem to have a liking for a particular field, always appearing to be resting on the ground. What the attraction is I cannot tell but they are always in the same place. Gradually the partridge seem to be returning as are the garden birds that frequent our bird table. I guess that food in the hedgerows and trees has been in such abundance recently that there has been no need for them to break cover.

It might be December, and the weather not so good, but there is still plenty to do in the garden. Now is the time to assess the shape and design of your garden. Look at it from an upstairs window to see the shape, and make drawings of any new features or design that you wish to implement. Now is an ideal time to move plants, reshape the lawn, and plant new trees and shrubs.

Another task to keep you warm is to turn the compost heap; this helps the rotting process, so that your compost is nice and friable in the spring when you want to use it. In the vegetable garden, there is still time to plant broad beans, and look for winter lettuce and salads in garden centres. Plant the small plants under a cloche, to give you a supply of salads through the winter, but put down some slug deterrents. Check the stability of brussel sprouts and broccoli and stake if necessary. If you have room, dig a trench and fill with manure for next years runner beans, you will have a bumper crop if you do! Tidy up the herb garden, cutting back, or removing annual herbs.

Now is also the time to do some pruning. In frost free weather, prune out dead, damaged and diseased branches from established trees and shrubs. Cut out entire branches of all green reverted shoots of variegated shrubs, and prune any branches overhanging herbaceous borders, and prune vines before the end of the month.

As a Christmas present for a friend, buy them membership of the society for only £5 per year. Contact Sally Orriss, membership secretary 01844 279231

Christmas is a time for family and for celebrations. For many 2009 has been a hard year and lots of us may feel relieved if we have reached the end of it with our jobs and bank balances intact! So it’s a relief to have a piece of good news, which will help some families balance those Christmas budgets.

More families with children will now be able to get help towards paying their rent, thanks to new changes to benefit rules. Parents who receive Child Benefit and rent their homes but who at present get no housing benefit should check their entitlement again.

Thame CAB has worked out that a single parent with two children, for example, who previously just missed out on getting any help towards paying the rent could now be entitled to housing benefit of up to £21.58 a week. The rule change also means some parents already receiving housing benefit will automatically see the amount they are entitled to go up, and more people will also become eligible for help in paying their council tax bills. The extra money will be available to help all tenants with children, whether they live in council housing, housing association property, or private rented accommodation.

It comes about because from Monday 2 November income from child benefit will no longer be taken into account when it comes to calculating entitlement to housing benefit and council tax benefit.

So let’s all enjoy spending time with family and friends this Christmas and make the holiday period a break from the pressures of our ordinary working lives. A happy and healthy 2010 to you all.

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.

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. In an emergency please call 999 to talk to the ambulance service.

THAME CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY FOR A CLIENT ADVOCATE

A Cline Advocate is needed for Thame & District Citizens Advice Bureau. This is a new role for which training will be given. The Client Advocate will talk to new clients to gain an overview of the problem and to determine the best way to help them. No previous experience is needed but applicants must have good verbal and written communication skill, and willing to learn. If you would like to know more, please contact: Tom Fox, Thame & District CAB, Market House, Park Street . Thame OX93 HH or telephone 01844 217186. thamecab@cabnet.org.uk

Hello from the team at the Maple Tree Children’s Centre and we hope you are all looking forward to the festive fun.

We have had a fantastic year here with lots of fun activities running each day in and around the local community. We hope you have managed to join us at some of our groups, but if not we have lots more planned for 2010. Our New Year activities programme runs from 4^th January until 19^th February and below is a taste of what we have planned:

This has been a very popular activity and the mums/bumps and babies have kept up the walking with Nicole and Heidi on a Monday afternoon at 1pm, meeting outside the Young Peoples Youth Centre, Wheatley.

Whether you have a new baby or just a bump, you can drop into the Young Peoples Youth Centre, Wheatley anytime from 2.00 – 3.30pm every Monday afternoon for a great range of under ones activities with Nicole.

This is a free 5 week course that can be pre-booked by calling Heidi on 07545440969 to book your place.

Join Julie for a cuppa and a chat with other new mums at the mobile drop in bus that visits Wheatley Nursery every Wednesday between 11.00 and 1.00pm. Julie also offers one to one breastfeeding support, help and information.

We offer a great range of play activities at these sessions including imaginative play, outdoor play, messy play, music and more! Come and join us on Wednesdays afternoon from 12.30pm at Wheatley Youth Centre and *Fridays 9.30am at Great Milton Neighbours Hall. And an extra Stay & Play will be held at Morland House, Wheatley from 1.30 – 3.30pm from 11^th November!

The Play bus will be out and about in the local community so please request a timetable from Sarah Lowman for details of where we will be - 07988149041.

Pop in to the Neighbours Hall, Great Milton where Nicole will have lots of things to do.

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. Please contact Sarah Lowman for a timetable or further information on 07988159041 or email sarah.lowman@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Residents are being urged to be on their guard against bogus officials offering to give council refunds, relating to council tax, business rates or benefits.

People are being called and told they qualify for a refund and then asked for their bank account details so the payment can be made. They are also informed an “admin” fee will be charged.

Similar types of attempted fraud have been reported across the country. These can range from phone calls to emails.

South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils are both warning residents to be on their guard against these scams. Neither Council would phone or email to request details of bank accounts to refund overpayments. Neither would it charge for such a service. Anyone due a refund would receive a bill detailing exactly how much they are owed.

It was a warm weekend in May, the weather was kind as 40 people started their challenge event and climbed into the minibuses. These were 40 people, some who had never met before, who were about to take on a very challenging task. Yes they were about to attempt to climb the 3 highest mountains in the UK . That’s one in Wales , then one in England and finally one in

Scotland

. They only had 24 hours to complete this feat, but amazingly through hard work, teamwork and determination they all JUST did it.

This was a team of people raising money for their favourite charity. So far this team alone have raised nearly £30,000.

The 3 Peaks challenge is one of the hardest but most rewarding challenge events you can take part it and during 2009, over 100 people took part in the challenge to support local Oxfordshire charities. Teams came from Helen & Douglas House, Sobell House Hospice, Age Concern, Special Effect and Rosy to name a few.

If you would like to get a team together or maybe do it on your own and join in with another team, then please get in contact. Maybe get a group of friends together, your family or mates from work.

You will be fully supported with training walks, guides, insurance and full support from the Event Aid team.

If the 3 Peaks is not for you, maybe running a marathon in Rome ? Maybe a Karting endurance event? Maybe one of the many challenge walks we organise for local Oxfordshire charities may be your thing! Whatever you do in 2010, do something amazing for your local community and join in a challenge event.

The surgeries are very popular and it advisable that if you wish to make an appointment that you do so sometime before the surgery you would like to attend. Please contact 01491 613072

Dr A Harnden and Partners

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

Telephone: 01865 872448

The Surgery and Dispensary is open

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 accepting new patients from the local area.

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 2010 Newsletter should be with the Editor at 27 Chiltern View, Little Milton, by 8.00 p.m. on 20th December 2009. The Editor reserves the right not to print items submitted for publication and to edit those items, which are published.

Tues	1st	7.30 p.m. 8.00 – 9.30 p.m.	Bell Ringing Practice – St James’ Community Choir – Pine Lodge
Wed	2nd	9.45 a.m.	Babies and Toddlers Music Group
Thurs	3rd	10.15 a.m.	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall
Sat	5th	11.00 a.m. – 2.00 7.00 p.m.	Christmas Fayre in Pine Lodge Home to Barcelona in Pine Lodge
Sun	6th	9.30 a.m. 7.30 p.m.	Holy Communion CW – St James’ Quiz Night in The Lamb
Mon	7th	10.30 a.m.	Fitness/Yoga – Pine Lodge
Tues	8th	7.30 p.m. 8.00 – 9.30 p.m.	Bell Ringing Practice – St James’ Community Choir – Pine Lodge
Wed	9th	9.45 a.m. 8.00 p.m.	Babies and Toddlers Music Group Parish Council: Pine Lodge
Thurs	10th	10.15 a.m. 2.35 -3.00 pm. 3.05– 3.15 pm 7.45 p.m. (Check)	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall Mobile Library – Village Hall Mobile Library – Old Field WI Meeting in Tiddington
Sun	13th	11.00 a.m.	Family Service – St James’
Mon	14th	10.30 a.m.	Fitness/Yoga – Pine Lodge
Tues	15th	7.30 p.m. 8.00 – 9.30 p.m.	Bell Ringing Practice – St James’ Community Choir – Pine Lodge
Wed	16th	9.45 a.m.	Babies and Toddlers Music Group
Thurs	17th	10.15 a.m. 6.00 p. m	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall Carols around the village –Old Field
Sun	20th	8.00 a.m. 5.30 p.m.	Holy Communion BCP – St James Lessons & Carols
Mon	21st	10.30 a.m.	Fitness/Yoga – Pine Lodge
Tues	22nd	7.30 p.m. 8.00 – 9.30 p.m.	Bell Ringing Practice – St James’ Community Choir – Pine Lodge
Wed	23rd	9.45 a.m.	Babies and Toddlers Music Group
Thurs	24th	10.15 a.m.	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall
Sun	27th	9.30 a.m.	Benefice Communion CW – St Peters
Mon	28th	10.30 a.m.	Fitness/Yoga – Pine Lodge
Wed	30th	9.45 a.m.	Babies and Toddlers Music Group
Thurs	31st	10.15 a.m.	Great Haseley Baby and Toddler Group in Gt. Haseley Village Hall
Sun	3rd 2010	9.30 a.m.	Holy Communion CW – St James’

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

	Garden	Non Recycle	Recycle	Food
1 December	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
8 December	No	Yes	No	Yes
15 December	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
21 December	No	Yes	No	Yes
30 December	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
6 January	No	Yes	No	Yes

6th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by : Mrs Jennifer Thompson
13th	3.00 p.m.	Christmas Carol Service: led by Rev Derick Chambers
20th	3.00 p.m.	Sacrament of Holy Communion : led by Roger Lee
25th	9.30 a.m.	Christmas Day Service: led by Revd Derick Chambers
27th		No Service

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

LITTLE MILTON

GREAT HASELEY

CHRISTMAS MEAL

NORTHMORE TRUST EVENTS - DECEMBER