Each year I write a few thoughts about our village as the beginning of a New Year is a time to take stock and look forward. We live in a community that has produced over the years a nucleus of people who create a better place for us to live and I should like on your behalf to thank them. This should be a spur for everyone to think in what way they could make a difference to their community. Our village organisations always need new blood to maintain their energy and enthusiasm.

In 2009 saw the “birth” of a Community Shop and relocation of our Post Office. This is a very considerable achievement and I should like to thank the Shop Committee and everyone else who were involved in making this happen. Little Milton can be proud of its new community facility. It is encouraging to see the number of volunteers who help each day as without their commitment the shop would be under enormous financial pressure.

The Pine Lodge is another example of our community moving forward. The replacement of the old village hall five years ago has created a forum for many of our village activities. I understand that David Ponting will be leaving the village and his contribution to the development of the Pine Lodge has been considerable in its formative years and I would like to thank him on your behalf.

Our Village School continues to flourish under the leadership of Eve Hunter with the support of the governors.

The Parish Council continues to work on behalf of the community and during 2009 attained the Power of Wellbeing and was the first Council in Oxfordshire to achieve it. The meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month and all residents are invited to each meeting. I recommend that you take up the invitation.

Our recreation ground has improved over the past few years and I should like to thank the small team of people who deal with the matters that arise.

The publication and distribution of our Newsletter is something that happens each month and I am sure that the Village would like to say thank you to all who are involved. I would like to thank Keith Hodges at Colourplus for his excellent service and support to me as editor. I also would like to thank my readers for their tolerance of my errors and omissions. I am sure that each month their must be the odd finger pointing going on but I trust that you appreciate my desire to give you a quality newsletter.

I would like to thank David Haenlein for maintaining and developing our Website. I know that the site is visited regularly and provides useful information on village activities as well as its history. If you have any old village photographs or would like to write about Little Milton in bygone times please let me know.

Finally, I should like to thank Dave our Postman and his team for delivering our mail so efficiently and to all the Post Office staff for providing such an excellent service to the village. I also would like to thank Mark Willis (and family) as well as Jenny Goodman and Megan for delivering our newspapers.

As we enter 2010 let us all make very effort to ensure that Little Milton continues to be a great place to live. If you have ideas on ways to improve our village let the Parish Council know or write to me. This Village depends upon community involvement so I urge you to feel part of Little Milton and help to sustain its future.

The Council meeting held on Wednesday 9th December was attended by five Councillors, the District Councillor, the County Councillor , the Clerk and four members of the public. The following are extracts from the minutes that the Council need to approve at the January meeting.

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had conducted a survey on a number of aspects of the current refuse system with the residents of Blenheim Lane and then reviewed the outcome with Council members. The results showed that seven out of eight residents were satisfied with the current arrangements albeit it was not what had been originally proposed. The majority were in support of a wheelie bin system if the lane was accessed by a smaller vehicle. The Council were very appreciative of the resident’s co-operation with the survey and RESOLVED to press South Oxfordshire District Council to resolve the issue of a smaller vehicle as soon as possible.

The Clerk circulated papers for consideration by the Council in respect of the Precept for 2010-11. He highlighted the current level of income and expenditure and facilities that might require additional investment in 2010-11. The Council RESOLVED to set the precept for 2010-11 at the Council meeting on 13^th January 2010.

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

The Council RESOLVED that this application should be recommended for approval by South Oxfordshire District Council.

P09/W1028 & P09/W1031/LB: Fletchers Farmhouse: Single storey extension to the rear

The Council RESOLVED that these applications should be recommended for refusal by South Oxfordshire District Council as it considered the further development of the site to be inappropriate and would detract from the listed building. There were also some concerns that the development would have an adverse effect upon the immediate neighbours.

The Clerk informed the Council that he had attended a meeting at OCC Countryside services in Holton on December 2 2009 in respect of a crossing over the river Thame at Chippinghurst. This matter has been under consideration for a number of years. The OCC officer present explained that a claim had been made that there was an existing right of way of way across the River Thame at the Old Weir and that this claim would need to be determined before any further options could be considered. As part of the proposal for a “new” crossing the adjacent landowners are seeking changes to some of the existing footpaths. The OCC officer explained to divert or extinguish an existing footpath is subject to an appropriate Order and each order required being determined individually. The clerk informed the Council that the meeting RESOLVED that the existing right of way over the River Thame should be determined first and a review of the position would be taken after that decision.

The Council RESOLVED to fully support a crossing over the River Thame at Chippinghurst and this maintained the position of previous Parish Councils.

The Chairman invited Cllr Barry Coward to update the Council on the paper that had previously been circulated to Council members. He explained that he had asked Carroll & Partners, a firm of Commercial Surveyors, for initial advice on the suitability of the specification that had been received from Southern Construction as he felt that the Council should seek independent advice on the suitability of the work proposed by Southern Construction before placing any contract. Cllr Barry Coward explained that the initial advice from Carroll & Partners was that a soak-away was required at the entrance to the car-park. The Council RESOLVED that it would appoint Carroll & Partners to manage the project as there was inadequate expertise within the Council for a project of this scale and complexity. The Council asked Cllr Barry Coward to liaise with Carroll & Partners and RESOLVED that based on the decision made by the Council at the November meeting the contract should be £10,000 plus the additional cost of drainage and that the professional fees should be 10% of the total contract plus VAT. The Council accepted that the final design may change to that initially proposed by Southern Construction as details in respect of the edging and type of surface could vary after a review by Carroll & Partners. The Council recognised that it may be necessary to incur further spend on the car park in future years if that proved to be necessary.

Cllr Barry Coward referred to the concerns of the Chairman of the Village Hall in

respect of pedestrian safety. The Council concluded that the proposed plans for the car

park would incorporate a path round the southern edge of the site although it did not

include any additional lighting. The Clerk was asked to advise the Chairman of the Village Hall that it would not be possible to expedite the work on the path outside the overall project.

The Chairman advised the Council that both the Village Hall and the Shop were prepared to make a financial contribution towards the cost of the dedicated compound for the skips and a figure of £150 per organisation was deemed to be reasonable.

The Clerk stated after consulting with SODC it was necessary to apply for retrospective permission for the sign that incorporated the Pine Lodge and the Shop. The Council RESOLVED that the Clerk should proceed with the application but recognised that some cost may be incurred. The Chairman indicated that the Shop were considering illuminating the Pine Lodge sign using solar panel energy and would be low level to minimise light pollution. This would operate for a limited period in the winter months during the shop’s opening hours. The Council RESOLVED that this was a matter for the IPS.

The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 13th January 2010 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.

Oops! You’ve just missed an opportunity to join one of the most prestigious and popular village organisations – the Church Cleaners. Sophie will shortly be leaving the village and team in 2010 but such is the attraction of a coveted position on ‘the team’ that Sophie’s vacancy is already filled prior to and in anticipation of her departure! Watch this space for more news in 2010…. In the meantime visit Saint James’ for a group photo taken at our Annual Christmas ‘Do’…our next ‘get together’ will be in May or June 2010….

School Assemblies can at times be quite surprising, and there was one which will stay forever in my mind. I did what I went up to school to do, and then, at the end, as always, the children sang a song, chosen by the children themselves. The one that was chosen for that particular day ran like this:

And, not one of us, would not want to say what a lovely picture that is. It’s a world we all do long to see, but yet it’s a vision which is fleeting, and elusive. We turn on our televisions and our hearts sink, and we see ‘man at war with man again’ and in so many places.

We can think all this is a little distant from us, but if we are honest, we don’t have to look so far away from our own circle of family and friends, to see where an argument or a disagreement has lingered and festered, perhaps for years, and relationships have become strained. And what about looking at ourselves? What about our own petty jealousies, our proneness to small mindedness, or what of that smug feeling which comes over us when we feel we have done something ‘rather well’.

Against that background we all need to come and offer ourselves to God, to seek his grace, to hear and receive his forgiveness, praying that he will enable us to break down those things which separate us one from another and from him, and ask his help us to set free from fear, to enable us meet each other in love and trust, and to make and to mould us into the lovely people he made us to be and wants us to be. If we were but to come to him, he will give us of himself. He will offer us his Gospel of Forgiveness.

The Great Christian Symbol of the Open Door comes before us and it’s an open door which beckons us to the future. It’s a door which can restore relationships, allows the past to be past. It makes it possible for us to bury our differences before our differences bury us.

Forgiveness, you see, is something positive, dynamic, and creative. It inspires us with confidence, gives us an open-handedness and a healing which in turn leads to new life.

But that door of forgiveness is to be flung wide. It’s a heavy door at times, because we all know how hard it is to forgive. The open handed Jesus on the Cross, receiving the nails, teaches us that forgiveness is not easy and not without cost. It took the sharpness of death to fling wide that heavy door, and we who follow our Servant King are often called to share in that sharpness. Not one of us doesn’t know what it takes from each of us to say, and mean, ‘I forgive you’. The Cross shows us that love through forgiveness is that which heals and restores our broken, and dislocated world.

I believe I told you all of the man I once saw walking down a High Street, wearing a tea shirt. On his chest was a picture of our world broken apart like an egg shell. The slogan underneath said, ‘Save the world.’ On his back, seen when he walked away, was a world made whole and blue and beautiful. This time the slogan was ‘God is love’.

It is when we allow the love of God to enter our own little world both inside us and around us, that we ourselves begin ourselves to forgive, forgiving with the open door of God’s love, forgiving and forgiving again. And forgiveness is something we cannot keep to ourselves. It has to be a shared experience, a together-ness, an at-one-meant.

If we were to begin to do this, live this way, share this experience, even in a small way, we begin to make that vision as sung by our very own children in our school, a reality.

What a strange feeling it was to suddenly be taken seriously ill on holiday and within a few hours, having to undergo major abdominal surgery? I have to say that the care and diligence of the Dutch medical staff was outstanding, allowing me to be discharged from the hospital after a week or so, even though I could hardly walk and had stitches or rather staples, everywhere. I cannot thank enough my very kind Dutch friends for all that they did to help me recover. But there was something else which helped enormously in getting back, as best as could be, to normal, and that was the many, many messages and cards which I received from you all. I was most touched and moved as I read each and every hand written note and the sentiments expressed. If I might be allowed to say, the letter and card written or drawn by every, yes every, child in our school touched my heart. How very kind of everyone? THANK YOU ALL INDEED!

I anticipate being able to start taking services again this month, but I do ask for your patience as I get back into the swing of things once again, for I’m not certain how I shall feel.

We also need to thank all of those people who over the weeks have given generously of their time to cover the Services for us, not least our Churchwardens which have worked so hard to ensure that everything has worked smoothly and efficiently.

That is my prayer for us all. With live in uncertain times. None of us knows what the future holds for us, but what we do know is that in all things God is faithful and doesn’t stand distant and remote from us. He is God With Us, our Emmanuel. He is ever present, along side us, giving us his love, sharing in our burdens and cares, taking us by the hand and leading us ever onward, if that is, we would only allow him to do so. May we with fresh resolve take that Hand which is offered, and if we were to do just to do this, then, much to our surprise, we would discover that things become different. Our problems and anxieties may not be melted away- for God is not a magician, but what we would find is that we can work with our difficulties and fears much more creatively than we ever thought possible. So don’t close the door on God, don’t assign him to the margins of your life. Don’t squeeze him out. Allow him entrance to every part of your life, and discover for yourself what the writer of the carol had in mind when he wrote, God imparts to human hearts …..The blessings of his heaven.

Whenever we enter our church, we sense the warmth and stillness of the living God. We are somehow caught up in something which has stretched down the years to ourselves. A loyal band of people clean the Church or do the flowers. Others, Sunday by Sunday, come along give out books and welcome people, read the lessons, play our hymns, ring our bells. They do this vital work diligently, carefully and lovingly, playing their part in ensuring that we all come to know something of the Divine Presence in our midst. We cannot thank them enough for their vital and valuable work. But it would be lovely if more people were able to come forward to help. It would be so greatly appreciated. Please do contact me or Raymond. We would love to hear from you.

It is with deep regret that we remember the passing of Dorothy Brownlow who died on 22 November 2009 at the age of 90 years. As may of you remember she was Parish Clerk for many years. Please do remember her family in your prayers at this sad time.

At a special Family Advent Service on December 13^th the following children were presented with inscribed Youth Bibles: Eloise Dolby, Huw Arnold, Gareth Arnold, Kerenza Jeffrey, Katie Wakeling and Guilia Fisher, and the following with inscribed Books of Children’s Bible Stories: Victoria Dolby, Maya Wakeling, Miles Wakeling, Sophia Fisher, Bunty Matheson, Toby Knight, Esmee Knight and Ella Mae White. Each and every one of these children will be in our prayers during the Sunday School Interregnum…but watch this space as where there is a will there is a way and possible future plans are already under discussion amongst concerned and enthusiastic people following the suspension of Sunday School.

The Xmas Fayre this year was a great success -very busy with plenty of happy customers. Thanks to you all for supporting us and making it possible to donate the highest amount ever to the 3 organisations.

Thank you also to all those people who spent time preparing stalls and working on the day - every event needs a lot of hard work beforehand.

We were as usual very grateful for all the donations towards stalls, raffle and tombola- thank you.

If you came on the day we hope you enjoyed it - if you missed it put it in your diary for next year!

The Fayre flyer draw for the Tin of Roses Chocolates was won by McLean 01844 279996

Guess the number of pieces of Lego in the Jar was won by Jane Willis whose guess was the nearest. The total number was 782

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

We met on a bitterly cold night just before the snow came. With the sky clear and the stars shining, we managed to sing for a full hour before the cold overcame us and we headed over icy pavements for The Manor. There Sarah Oddie greeted us like an angel with a roaring log fire in the grate, hot mulled wine, mince pies, Christmas cake and Stollen. Never was the warmth of a beautiful house so welcome or the taste of food and drink so good.

Having laughed our way through the Twelve Days of Christmas, we sang outside once again before retreating to yet more warm hospitality in The Lamb where Pauline and Doug thawed us with mulled wine, mince pies and much good cheer.

What a wonderful community we live in! Sometimes it takes freezing weather to remind us how lucky we are. As it was, we all went home with spirits raised from the singing and hearts warm from the tremendous hospitality. Moreover, we raised a magnificent £175 to go towards buying a computer for Little Milton’s sister school – Caesar Mlumbi in

South Africa

So thank you to all whether you sang, gave some money or warmed us with your welcome as we embraced one of our old English traditions. All in all, a wonderful evening!

Thank you so much to all of you who have sung in our new community choir. We have had so much fun singing rounds, folk songs, songs from the musicals and some pop songs. It has been a privilege to witness the joy lighting up the faces of those of you who have not sung since primary school as well as those of you who just love singing. It is also lovely to see the new friendships which are being made through music.

Some performed for the first time in front of an audience as we sang for Little Milton’s Village Shop Christmas evening, the Christmas Fayre, carol singing around the village and the Carol Service in St. James. Our highlight was the Christmas party when we “raised the roof” singing along to the film of ABBA’s “Mamma Mia”. Spectacular costumes, much laughter and mountains of chocolate created a much needed coming together of the community and a fabulous way to start the Christmas festivities.

The mission of the choir is to be inclusive, enabling all people, whether or not they can read music and whether or not they believe they can sing to be able to join together as part of a community. We meet every Tuesday (bar half term and state school breaks) at the Pine Lodge in Little Milton from 8 – 9.30pm

I look forward to meeting even more of you this year when we will start back on 12^th January. Happy New Year!

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

The cold weather may have been a challenge for us, but for the wildlife, finding food can be extremely difficult and many will now be drawing on their reserves until early spring. When snow is on the ground, this is the best time to find out where the animals go, by finding their tracks. The BBC website below has some good pictures to help identify anything you find.

The most practical and effective method to fight Climate Change is to plant trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. Trees provide habitat for many thousands of other plants and animals. Half way along Blenheim field, BBOWT plan to plant a new double hedge that will run from the top, down to the spinney near the stream. This will join up the top hedgerow with the woodland and allow hedge dwelling animals to migrate from one to the other. BBOWT would like our help with the planting of the hedge and will need as many people as possible on 31^st January. We will

need as many diggers, planters and fillers, young or old, for as long as you can spare. This is a great opportunity for the whole family to do something to help our climate. We will meet at the farmyard at 10am, before moving down to the site. If you can dig, please bring a spade as we only have a few.

In January the Orchard Pre-school is delighted to welcome ANNA HARRIES onto the staff team as Deputy Supervisor. Anna joins us from Asquith Nurseries where she managed the crèche facility in David Lloyd Health Club, Cowley. She has a wealth of childcare experience and qualifications – as well as being a mum to 2 boys herself! Anna brings the staff team back up to full strength, following Yvonne Brammer leaving to stay at home with her family. Rose, Helen, Linda and Claire are looking forward to welcoming Anna to the team and introducing her to the village. A big thank you to all the staff, including Sarah Green (an Orchard mum who has stepped in to be an extra pair of hands when needed) for maintaining the usual high standards of the Orchard during the temporary arrangements and recruitment process.

A full staff team is needed at the Orchard as this term all our mornings are full, with few spaces in the afternoons. Many parents review their session requirements each term, so spaces may emerge after Easter and in September (following children leaving for big school), so do plan ahead if you have a baby / toddler and would like to consider the Orchard when they are 2 years old.

Next Meeting: Our next meeting is on Thursday 14th January at 7.15 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. when we shall have our New Year Dinner at the Pine Lodge, Little Milton. Husbands are invited! The main course will be cooked for us by Stuart McGill. Starters and desserts will be provided by members of our group.

At our meeting on Thursday 10^th December we had an evening of ‘Homespun Entertainment’ to lead us merrily into the Christmas spirit. Funny and serious poems were read out, jokes were told and games were played. ‘Cat and Mouse’ caused great hilarity and the good old standby ‘Guess Who You Are’ kept members busy and puzzled right up to the end. Then hot mulled wine and mince pies were served to our happy and lively group to the music of well known Christmas Carols.

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 2010! For information please ring Anne Hawkins, our President.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KIND THOUGHTS AND HELP

I would like to thank all my friends for their cards, food and kindness following my recent hip replacement. You have made me feel very special and it has helped me on my recovery. I hope it won’t be long before I am checking up on all that over-grown shrubbery!!

Everyone who attended the Christmas meal at the Lamb would like to say thank-you to Doug and Pauline for providing an excellent meal in a cosy and friendly environment. Everyone was also very thankful to the Village Hall Committee for making it happen.

A national children's literature quiz final held in Oxford has been won by a team from Wheatley Park School who will now represent their country in a world final.

The Year Eight pupils - Kit Rasmussen, Theo Howe, Huw Arnold and Matt Foster - held their nerve and fought off the challenge of 14 other teams at the Town Hall to win the Kids' Lit Quiz final. They will go head-to-head with the national champions of South Africa , China and New Zealand in Edinburgh next August for the global crown.

As most of you know by now our lovely village postman Dave has left Royal Mail. .I have been organising a collection for him so if anyone still wants to contribute and sign his card please call in at the Post Office as soon as possible but no later than 9^th January.

I know we all miss him dreadfully and wish him every success with whatever he decides to do

FARMER’S MARKET

GREAT HASELEY VILLAGE HALL

Sunday, 10th January 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 07716216

The Pine Lodge presents:

Performed by the Oxfordshire Theatre Company

LITTLE MILTON CINEMA CLUB

at the Pine Lodge

Thursday 21^st January

8pm

‘Star Trek’

Story of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members. Zachary Quinto stars as the young Spock, while Leonard Nimoy returns to play older Spock. Chris Pine, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Zoe Saldana, and John Cho star as the rest of the original series' characters, while Eric Bana plays the Enterprise crew's nemesis.

6 months membership available on the door

Adult/Child £10

OAP £7.50

Want a fun night out in Little Milton ?

Quiz Night!

Come and try our village

SATURDAY 16^th JANUARY

7.00 for 7.30pm @ The Pine Lodge

Ticket includes 2-course dinner

Bar: Excellent ales, lagers & wines

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!

The next sewing group will meet on Thursday 21 January at Mary Davies’ home, Spring & Well Cottage, Haseley Road at any time from 11.00 a.m. Please phone her on 279471 to secure your attendance for lunch. Everyone welcome if only for a social visit. Help with difficult sewing queries is available at the meeting.

Saturday 2^nd. Walk. Meet at Abingdon ( Tilsley Park sports centre car park) at 09:30am for a 13 mile walk to Culham, Sutton Courtney and Drayton. Pub stop. 01865 874300.

Sunday 3^rd. Walk. Meet at the Lambert Arms Hotel, Aston Rowant (park in car park if using the pub at the end of the walk) at 10:00am for a 6 mile walk via the Nature Reserve, Bald and Beacon Hills. 07767 647714.

Sunday 10^th. Walk. Meet at Thornhill park & ride car park, Oxford at 10:00am for a 7 mile morning walk to Forest Hill, Holton and Shotover. Sorry, no dogs allowed. 01865 358905.

Saturday 16^th. Walk. Meet at 10:00am at the National Trust car park, Chinnor Hill (on the Bledlow Ridge Road from Chinnor, top of the hill, left at the right hand bend, just after the phone box) for a 7 mile morning circular walk to Lodge Hill and Town End. Some climbing and some mud, but great views. 01844 339352 or 07796 661449.

SWAPSHOP

Sat Jan23^rd2010 9:30am –11:00pm

MerryBells, Wheatley

Bring useful old stuff that you no longer need; takeaway FREE stuff that is useful to you.

*If you are bringing stuff it needs to be in the hall by 10:00am.

You can now bring (small) electrical items!

We have a notice board to advertise any items too big to carry easily

Bringing is not compulsory – call in and see if there is something you want to take.

RECYCLING: You can also bring used printer cartridges(not Epsom, please),old mobile phones, plastic milk bottle tops, batteries and old milk bottle tops for us to recycle.

Refreshments available small charge)

Run by WheatleyCommunity Action Group

(www.wheatleycag.org)

Reuse, recycle and keep stuff out of landfill!

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.

It is traditional at the start of a New Year to review what has been achieved during the past year and how it could be improved upon, and the Management Committee of the Pine Lodge is keen to keep that tradition. We meet each month to organise the smooth running of hirings of the hall, both by villagers and by those from further a field. In addition, the committee is responsible for the maintenance of the building, inside and out. We have recently replaced the old curtains and blinds - we think the result is a great improvement to the look of the hall. Most of our income comes from hirings by people from outside this village and we keep the hiring fees for people and organisations from within the village as low as possible. The aim is for the whole village to benefit from the Pine Lodge - after all, many people from the village made contributions of time, money and energy to building this great replacement of the old hall.

The Film Club and our Quiz Nights continue to be well attended and we would like to thank people for their support. The Spring and Christmas Fairs raise money for several organisations in the village and, again, support for the Christmas Fair this month was enormous. It’s been more difficult this year to balance income and expenditure on the Pine Lodge – maintenance costs have been higher this year – but we have tried to keep a balance. We could not manage without external hirers such as weddings receptions, but we aim to not have too many so that popular dates are left free for village bookings. We have also brought forward the times at which music must end and external hirers must leave, in order to limit any nuisance to the village.

The committee also runs several events which are primarily for the benefit of the villagers of Little Milton. On the 5^th February we will see the return of the Oxford Touring Theatre Company with a children’s production. We also organise Fireworks Night and this year it was very well supported: the fireworks were wonderful and there was the innovation of musical accompaniment, along with the traditional hot dogs and homemade soup. These events more or less cover their costs but we think they are traditional and very worth doing. Just before every Christmas, Janet Betts helps us with the organisation of the Senior Citizens' Christmas Lunch which is accompanied by all the trimmings as well as music, raffle prizes and carols. If there are suggestions for other community events please contact one of the committee.

None of these events could happen without the help and support of the many 'helpers on the day' from the committee and the whole village. Because there are 12 or so on our committee we can all contribute in various ways to the running of the Pine Lodge. But people leave the village and committees change and if the Pine Lodge is to continue to contribute to this village's community, we need to replace those that have stepped down. If you think you could give one evening a month for meetings and time helping at events, we would like to hear from you. It is not onerous and we are a friendly bunch!!

By now we should all be able to face the world again, Christmas is behind us and our dear politicians will have solved the problems of Afghanistan and the climate. We can now look to the New Year in the knowledge that everything will be looked after in its usual way! I look forward to DEFRA minister Hillary Benn’s pearls of wisdom as he comes to address the “Oxford Farming Conference” during the first full week of this year.

It will not have escaped the notice of those who read the Parish Council report the fact that the County Council has asked us to remove the Silver birch Trees along the Forties, this we plan to do before spring sets in. If anyone would like these trees please help yourselves let us know first on either 279352 or 279627, the younger ones will move the best I doubt very much that the bigger ones will survive if moved.

My, how soon things change in the natural world. It is only 2 to 3 months ago that I was bemoaning the fact that there seemed to be a shortage of garden/small birds about. Since then they have either been busy procreating (somehow I think unlikely at this time of year) or have come into the gardens as the food supply elsewhere has got scarce. Our roadside hedge which contains a lot of ivy, is currently alive with sparrows, I counted some twenty in a length of about 3 yards, and in a tree at the centre of the garden the small birds were buzzing around like bees round a honey pot.

The great news in the farming world at the moment is that the government have given the go ahead to our proposal of a voluntary agreement known as the “Farmed Environment”. The idea of this is to replace the awful statutory “Set-Aside”. I do not as yet know all the details, but in simple terms as long as we encompass certain conservation issues, we will not have compulsory conditions imposed on us. This is great for us as long as everyone toes the line.

I feel that I must comment on a letter in the last Great Milton Bulletin. It refers to the problem of traffic in the village and urges the use of the Little Milton to Wheatley road (better known as Windmill Hill) as a by pass. Well I can tell you that that this already happens. It is a daily nightmare for the many people living and working along this road as traffic can be both fast and heavy at peak times. We do not have the advantage of a speed limit, so in theory anyone can drive past at 70mph, and I am sure that some do. We have lost more dogs and cats on the road than to any other cause and with an increase in accidents over the last few years (as the large number of holes in the hedges will attest) I think it is maybe only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt. Motorists will only use an alterative route if it is to their advantage and will save them time. Unfortunately there are too many of us driving from a to b, we are all guilty; none of us want to give up the independence of having our own vehicle.

It will not have escaped your notice that the instances of fly tipping have greatly increased lately. This awful habit stems mainly from the imposition of landfill tax; it now costs money to tip rubbish that is deemed to be of trade origin such as builder’s rubbish. It is debateable whether this is a good measure or not but we have to accept that it does has to be paid for somehow. The alternative would be for the local authorities to swallow the cost, and add it to the rates; after all household rubbish is paid for in this way. Of course that would make the rates even more unpalatable, but it would save the council having to clear up other peoples mess at, I expect, great extra cost. I have to say, SODC seem to be particularly good and quick about this.

Yet again livestock farming is under the spotlight for being a major contributor to global warming, and again the celebrities are urging us to eat less meat and have “meat free days”. I do take a rather jaundiced view of these evangelical views, particularly when they appear in the main to come from people who, themselves, have a less than perfect past indulging in the excesses of the sixties and seventies, yet are now held up as shining example to us all. No one has yet mentioned that livestock do redress the balance to a certain extent by producing manure which can replace artificial fertiliser that has a very high carbon footprint.

I have pontificated a lot on the subject of global warming and other issues relating to the environment, this is because I think it really does matter, we must think and do something about it! This relates to everything we do i.e. population growth, pollution, parking, driving, littering, and so on. The trouble with this subject is that we cannot see what’s actually happening, someone in the farming press recently said “The quality of life below ground determines the productiveness above” this means we all have to get better at doing things that have no immediate effect. Because of this lack of immediacy, and this applies to every one not just farmers, we tend to think “what’s the point?” Somehow we need to think of a way of reversing this apathy, and find a way in which we start to think of others, and the effect of our actions. So thoughts for New Years Resolutions?

The Club's Christmas Party on the 3rd December was a resounding success. The caterers did us proud and provided us with an excellent meal, everyone enjoyed themselves and it was a very happy afternoon spent with our very friendly group. Please make a note in your diaries that the club re-opens on the 14th January 2010 at 2.15, the A.G.M. is on the 28th January and there is a meeting to discuss the 2010 outings programme on Monday the 18th January at 2.30 p.m. at Fullers Field community room. Please come along with your suggestions for our 2010 programme. May I take this opportunity to wish all our members a very happy and healthy 2010.

Mon 18th - Meeting at Fullers Field community room to discuss 2010 outings programme - 2.30 p.m.

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.

January is probably not the best time to be in the garden, but there are a few small jobs that can be done. Dig over the vegetable garden, leaving it rough for the frost to get in it.

Start to force rhubarb, cover the crowns with pots or boxes to exclude the light. Check and repair wires and framework of plant supports. Protect the pond from freezing, by putting a football in it. Check stored dahlia tubers for rot and bring into the warm forced bulbs for a lovely indoor display. Now is the time to check that tools, and garden machinery is in working order, and repair or take to a specialist for a service.

On those dark cold days, sit in the warm and look through seed catalogues, plan what you are going to grow and where you are going to plant, remembering that it is beneficial to rotate your vegetable garden on a 3 year cycle, to stop disease and viruses attacking your vegetables. If your plot is not big enough to divide into 3 easily, keep a record of where and what was planted last year, and don’t plant the same vegetable in the same spot.

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

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

	Garden	Non Recycle	Recycle	Food
6 January	No	Yes	No	Yes
12 January	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
19 January	No	Yes	No	Yes
26 January	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

Luxury Christmas Hamper	Val Coates	c/o LM School
Selection of wines	Billy Bowman	The Orchard pre-school
Bottle of Cava	Walton	Chalgrove
Portable Radio	Kate Williams	01235 811319
Pair of Throws	Sarah Holifield	Four Trees
Silver Picture Frame	Gilding	Thame Road
Royal Doulton vase	Wilson	8 Chiltern View
Young Victoria DVD	Jeffrey	1 Chiltern View
Bottle Gluhwein	Sarah Sadler	44 Chiltern View
Sudoko Puzzle Board	Dee Waldron	24 Chiltern View
Cocktail Shaker	Taylor	17 Chiltern View
Oxford Dictionary + Thesaurus	Nikki Rogers
Bottle of Gin	Kate Daunt	Haseley Road
Full sized Dartboard	Fran Halford	Warren View
Pair of Watercolours	Brooksbank	40 Chiltern View
Dish of Mixed Nuts	Jones	46 Chiltern View
Brace of Pheasants	Jeffrey	1 Chiltern View
Ana Sui Toiletries	Mary Davies	Spring and Well Cottage
Fresh Carrot Cake	Richard Alliston	Milton Manor Drive
Dish of Olives	Sue Barrett

3rd	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service led by : Mr Colin Watts
10th	9.30 a.m.	Covenant Service: led by Rev Derick Chambers
17th	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service: led by Revd Jean King
24th	11.00 a.m.	Local arrangement: led by Mr Chris Williams
31st	11.00 a.m.	Morning Service: led by Rev Derick Chambers

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 MILTO

GREAT HASELEY

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KIND THOUGHTS AND HELP

The Pine Lodge presents:

Performed by the Oxfordshire Theatre Company

SATURDAY 16th JANUARY

7.00 for 7.30pm @ The Pine Lodge

SATURDAY 16^th JANUARY