Page 1 (Table of Contents)

Monthly news magazine for Ambrosden, Arncott, Blackthorn, Merton & Piddington

Hand delivered to over 1,150 households Also online on Parish Council & community web sites

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Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 2 Clergy Contacts ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Reflections ............................................................................................................................................... 4 Church Services ....................................................................................................................................... 5 In Memory ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Ambrosden News .................................................................................................................................... 8 Local Businesses .................................................................................................................................... 11 Arncott News ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Vets Report ............................................................................................................................................ 16 Blackthorn News .................................................................................................................................... 17 Strokes ................................................................................................................................................... 19 Merton News ......................................................................................................................................... 20 Piddington News .................................................................................................................................... 21 Otmoor Garden Society ......................................................................................................................... 26 Otmoor Woman’s Institute .................................................................................................................... 28 Supporting Advertisers .......................................................................................................................... 29 For Kids – Big & Small ............................................................................................................................ 33 Useful Numbers ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Advertising & Contacts .......................................................................................................................... 35 Note from the editor This edition has a small personal element. Two of my closest friends recently had strokes, and one a second stroke soon after the first. Both are men, and both (typically) ignored the early signs and only got admitted when their wives insisted. So this edition includes a page on strokes.

For those reading this online, you will notice that some of the longer red internet addresses have something like this after them (THY Link) – please click this shorter green bit to link correctly.

And it is so good to be back to printing again, but if you are reading this online and wish to print your own booklet, then please refer to the document I uploaded on the community web sites that describes how to print as a booklet (if you have a duplex printer).

Once again I am championing some local businesses – if you would like to be included then please contact me. It appears that the lockdown requirements are easing so we can show our appreciation for those businesses that have been supplying and helping us throughout. Thank you to those who have helped keep us safe and supplied.

Stay safe…

Martin Richardson

Page 3 (Clergy Contacts)

Clergy Contacts

Clergy

Church of England contacts:

Rev Steve Hayes (Rector Ray Valley Benefice) .................................................... 01869 247813 Rev Lisa Holmes (Charlton and Oddington) ........................................................ 01865 331279 Rev Lucy Thirtle (Islip, Noke and Woodeaton).................................................... 01865 379470 Mrs Glenys Edwards (based in Oddington)......................................................... 01865 331233 Lynne Lewis Benefice Administrator .................................................................. 01865 331225

Methodist: Rev Steve Mann (Bicester Methodist Church) ................. 01869 323030 Methodist services: Please consult the website: www.bicestermethodist.org.uk Roman Catholic: Fr John Batthula jbatthula@googlemail.com ................... 01869 253277 Catholic services: Please consult the website: www.immaculate-conception.org.uk

Churchwardens Ambrosden: Piddington: Margaret Hutchings, Kings Cottage, Lower End, Piddington ........ 01844 238724 Merton: Lawrence Comiskey, 2 Church Close, Merton ............................... 01865 331429 Robert Kerr, Merton Croft, West End Lane, Merton..................... 01865 331870

Organist and Bells Ambrosden: Organist: (vacant) Piddington: Mrs Betty Newell .......................................................................... 01844 237236 Morwen Ashton ............................................................................ 01844 238510 Merton: Mr Russell Thompson ................................................................... 01869 246093

Page 4 (Reflections)

Reflections Reflections from the Ray Valley Benefice It’s always a bit risky having to write an article 10 days or more before it’s due for publication but never more so than now.

At least under the complete lockdown we knew where we were for a few weeks. Coming out of lockdown is a much more disconcerting experience with government announcements changing the picture of what can be done, and when, by the day. It is testing enough for those of us in the church, but it must be so much more so for those working in other sectors, not least in our schools who are getting changing directions of much greater significance almost daily and trying to work out what they can realistically do with their own unique staffing and premises issues. Trying to balance the crucially important educational, emotional and social needs of the children and young people with the need to keep people safe is a fine balancing act. It may be that the young rarely suffer greatly with Covid-19 but both they and the staff may be at risk of passing it on to someone who is very vulnerable. I do hope we can all find ways of showing our appreciation for our school staff and keeping them in our prayers at this very challenging time.

As I write, churches are being allowed to open their doors for private prayer and small funerals – this, however, is only on condition that the individual church can do so safely. This must be a local decision taken by each individual church council with regard to size and layout of the building and available resource for cleaning/ locking and unlocking etc. All the churches in our benefice are entirely reliant on volunteers for every aspect of their upkeep and governance.

Even without the additional health and safety measures required to protect against Covid-19, this is already a significant burden falling on a few –and many of these are already in the more vulnerable category themselves so we should not expect that all our churches will necessarily be able to offer everything straight away. Details of which churches are open and when is listed later.

Many of us cherish our church buildings but worshipping life and pastoral care has continued in innovative ways while they’ve been closed. Our worship has found fresh inspiration in the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of our beautiful surroundings, in the possibilities of online worship as well as in the countless acts of selfless generosity and imaginative care we have seen being practised. Jesus taught his disciples after the destruction of the great Jerusalem temple that his body was now the place where God’s glory would dwell. So it is that the church must see its buildings as an asset and aid to worship, but not essential.

I think we all realise life is going to look very different for us all for many months still to come. The uncertainty of this will not be easy – but as always we are encouraged to lay our burdens on God and heed God’s words in the mouth of Isaiah: ‘those who wait on the Lord will shall renew their strength; they shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint’. And may God’s ever creative Spirit enable us to find new blessings even in the necessary changes that still lie ahead.

Rev Lucy Thirtle, Associate Priest

Page 5 (Church Services)

Church Services It was Bob Dylan who put the words ‘The times they are a-changin’ on our lips back in the 60s – how apt those lyrics are for today.

We are hearing new developments concerning the coronavirus almost every day and certainly every week with regards to restrictions and the removal of them.

At the time I am writing this, churches are now allowed to open for private prayer but not yet for public worship. Baptisms and weddings are still not permitted but funerals may now take place inside.

At the moment, we are airing and cleaning our churches in preparation for their use and I am listing below the times the churches are open (though, inevitably, this will change as new developments are announced).

You are most welcome to come to church at the times indicated. Please adhere to the social distancing guidelines and use the gel provided. I truly hope that many of you will find comfort and solace from some quiet time alone in church – an opportunity to lift our continued concerns to God and to give thanks for such mercies as we have received.

Ambrosden: ................. from Sunday 28th June – Sundays 5-6pm and Thursdays 2-4pm Merton: ....................... from now – Sundays 10-12am Piddington: .................. from Sat 4th July – Saturdays 10am -12 noon

In the meantime, please be assured of our prayers and best wishes. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if I can be of any help.

God bless, Steve

Do you remember which church obtains this ancient 1785 chest?

Page 6 (In Memory)

In Memory Dame Vera Lynn 1917 -2020 I first met Dame Vera Lynn in November 1997 when she launched The Royal British Legion’s Annual Poppy Appeal in London, together with the Spice Girls. I was Director of Fundraising and National Events at The Royal British Legion at the time.

Dame Vera commented “I suppose I was the original Spice Girl of the forties and fifties.” Dame Vera was a great supporter of ex-service charities along with the charity which she founded - The Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity which still supports under 5s with cerebral palsy. Dame Vera was a regular Guest of Honour at The Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall where she made a point of meeting the serving personnel who took part in the Festival.

On the occasion of Dame Vera’s 90th birthday the Legion organised a birthday party at the Imperial War Museum in London. Katherine Jenkins was invited to sing a selection of Dame Vera’s wartime hits.

Viscount Slim hosted the event and told Vera that he remembered meeting her in Burma as a teenager when his father was serving there. He admitted that he was besotted by her then and still was. His wife was there and found the remarks amusing.

In 2011 I was honoured to accompany Dame Vera to an afternoon tea party at No 10 Downing Street to celebrate the Legion’s 90th Anniversary.

David Cameron, who was then Prime Minister, had arranged for a trio of singers to sing forties songs. While Dame Vera and I were sitting on a settee sipping tea together, she took my hand and sang along quietly with the singers. It was a very special moment that I will always remember.

Page 7 (In Memory)

Ambrosden also has connections with Dame Vera. In 2006 the Rev. Lisa Holmes, who was Chairman of the Ambrosden History Event, arranged for the children of Five Acres Primary School to write letters to Dame Vera. I met up with Dame Vera to present her with the album of letters. One of the children asked in his letter if she had ever shot anyone. Dame Vera wrote a personal letter to the school thanking them for the letters and mentioned that she never had to use a gun.

Going even further back, a young Vera Lynn came to Ambrosden to sing for the troops at a concert in the building behind the Three Corners Garage. I understand that the building was used as a cinema in those days. I would be interested to hear from anyone who might have more details of this occasion.

Dame Vera Lynn, the Forces Sweetheart will be greatly missed and remembered by millions, she was always there for Britain in its darkest hours.

Russell Thompson OBE.

Page 8 (Ambrosden News)

Ambrosden News Ambrosden Parish Council meetings held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7.30pm. Currently meetings are being held on Zoom, until such time as the government allows public meetings to resume. The time and location will be announced on the Parish Council Notice Boards.

Parish website and Facebook www.ambrosdenpc.org.uk

Ambrosden Parish Council www.facebook.com/ambrosden.parishcouncil

Ambrosden Allotments Facebook - Ambrosden Parish Council Allotments

Ambrosden Parish Councillors: Mark Longworth (Chair) – ambrosden@mlongworth.co.uk

Maureen Cossens (Vice Chair) 01869 252 722

Chris West, Philip Blazdell, Dawn Seaward Tom Duff, Vicky Rose

Parish Clerk – Gemma Jennings 11 Oak Lane, Ambrosden, Oxon, OX25 2SG Ambrosden.parishclerk@gmail.com

District Councillors Three District Councillors represent the ward of Ambrosden and Bicester South Dan Sames (Conservative) Daniel.Sames@Cherwell-DC.gov.uk

Lucinda Wing (Conservative) lucinda.wing@cherwell-dc.gov.uk

Nick Cotter Nick.cotter@cherwell-dc.gov.uk

County Councillor Dan Sames (Conservative) dan.sames@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Facebook Community message boards Ambrosden Community Ambrosden and Caversfield Forces Wives

Five Acres School www.fiveacres.org.uk/

Ambrosden Village Pre School 8.20-11.20 Monday - Friday term time only Jackie Floyd – 07759 755 179 ambrosdenvillagepreschool@hotmail.co.uk

Tiddlywinks Playgroup 8.30-11.30, 11:50-14:50 Debra Cherry 01869 256 555 tiddlywinks_playgroup@msn.com

Ambrosden Doctors Surgery 01869 256 336 Alchester Medical Group (Langford Surgery) 01869 248 585

Ambrosden4Children Ambrosden4children@gmail.com Rosie Hayes 01869 247 813

Parish and Village Hall Notice Boards Costcutter and Merton Road (outside village hall.

Community Notice Board Public board – Ploughley Road bus shelter

Recycling Bottle banks, behind shop

FLYTIPPING AND POTHOLES Streetlights, potholes, fly tipping, hedges obstructing footways, and many other highways issues can be reported direct to the County and District Councils, via http://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/

Page 9 (Ambrosden News)

Ambrosden Parish Council Updates The Parish Council continues to hold monthly meetings via Zoom, and several socially distanced open-air meetings are allowing us to continue the operations of the Parish Council.

During this period, the Parish Clerk has continued to work on regulatory compliance, drafting new policies to reflect national standards and best practice such as financial regulations, and data protection.

Allotments The Parish Clerk has been working through a backlog of maintenance that was inherited, and all the pipework to the five taps has been replaced by local plumbers, Simpsons.

The Parish Clerk is obtaining quotes for weed killing and maintenance of other areas of the allotments.

The Parish Clerk holds a waiting list for allotment plots, and one of the large plots has been subdivided to create additional plots to meet demand.

Traffic Calming/ Speeding The outcome of the May meeting and village walk around has helped to move the proposals for traffic calming forwards, and the design team have now been authorised by OCC to move forwards with drafting technical proposals for some interventions such as chicanes.

A location for a vehicle activated sign has been agreed on Merton Road, and the Parish Council has liaised with residents immediately affected to reach an agreement on the potential installation.

The Parish Council will also move forwards on obtaining quotes for fixed locations for VAS signs on Ploughley Road. An application is also being made to the County Councillor Dan Sames’ priority fund to assist in the costs of installing those.

Road Markings OCC has promised to reinstate the road markings which were erased when patching works was undertaken last year. The roads have already been marked out with the locations for signage.

Keeping Fit Cherwell DC has advised that the Parish Council may have s106 funds available for sporting facilities in the village.

The Parish Council is now considering the potential for facilities such as an outdoor gym, on the land owned by the Parish Council next to the allotments at Springfields.

Grass Cutting The Parish Council has agreed to extend their program of cutting a 1m strip of grass to each side of the footpath and cycleway, so that instead of stopping at the Ploughley Road/ A41 junction, the grass cutting will now continue along the A41 to the MOD junction on the south side of the A41, and on the north side the grass will be cut as far as the Rodney House Roundabout. This will ensure that the footpaths and cycleways within the Parish will be maintained at full width to allow for social distancing and to support the increased use that has occurred since the beginning of the year.

Grass cutting has also been extended in the village to include Jaspers Row, and to include the Ploughley Road. A41 junction which is poorly maintained by the OCC.

Adopt A Planter The Parish Council installed 4 planters next to village signs at the entrance to the village (unfortunately one was stolen within 24 hours of installation), however Covid 19 has stopped us from making the village look as attractive as it could be. The Parish Clerk is looking for volunteers who would be willing to adopt a planter and oversee planting and maintenance of one or more planters.

Page 10 (Ambrosden News)

Parish Council Questions The Parish Council always welcomes written or emailed questions and ideas. These are raised at each subsequent Parish Council meeting. As a result of recent questions, the Parish Council is looking to replace the broken paving slabs at the bench next to Park Rise and have forwarded on suggestions to Bloor/ Chamonix to install a gate to the Old Arncott Road walkway.

Sadly, the remembrance tree that was planted 2 years ago has not come into leaf this year, and the adjacent tree is also in poor condition, so the Parish Council is seeking specialist advice prior to replanting.

Village Hall Needs Your Help Committee Members Required The Village Hall Committee has now lost most of the committee members, and the Village Hall is unlikely to be able to re-open if it cannot form a legal committee.

The Village Hall needs committee members who are willing to provide support in book keeping, chairing meetings, co-ordinating refurbishment works, ensuring legal compliance with health and safety, but perhaps most importantly active members who can enable and enhance the offerings for the wider community.

The Parish Council will be hosting an EGM as soon as technically possible, and seek expressions of interest from people who are willing to get involved.

The village hall is currently closed and is in danger of not re-opening due to lack of volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Village Hall Committee, please contact the Parish Clerk who will be able to forward your details to the remaining members of the Village Hall Committee.

For any errors or omissions please contact Mark Longworth - ambrosden@mlongworth.co.uk

Priory Manor Estate The children’s recreation area should still not be used as, quite apart from the lockdown restrictions, the surface has been incorrectly laid by the builders Croudace.

This is the responsibility of Croudace who are apparently not complying with requests to take up the old surface and put a correct one down.

Karyn Panting (S106 Development Monitoring Officer– Planning and Enforcement Team) has been contacted on a number of occasions about this, but at the time of going to print, the last three requests for an update have yielded no response.

So, a freedom of information request has been made to the council to find out what is happening. Watch this space.

The small area of land to the north west of the estate has been cleared and will now be maintained by the contracted gardeners.

Page 11 (Local Businesses)

Local Businesses My name is Lisa and I’m known by my parents as Lou Lou, which is where I came up with my business name Lou Lou Creates based in Ambrosden.

Nearly two years ago I invested in a CO2 laser engraving machine. Having been interested in personalisation and graphics for some time I started to look into opening up my own gift shop. I decided to open online rather than in bricks and mortar, which enabled me to fit my business around my family.

During lockdown you’ve probably noticed my little pop up stall in Ambrosden? The idea came when I realised that I wouldn’t be able to attend any fetes or gift fairs this summer, but I was still getting lots of enquiries. Encouraged by my neighbour (Wendy, known as the plant lady!) I went for it. During which time I’ve met lots of lovely people whom I otherwise wouldn’t have known.

I started making bespoke canapé boards and have since gone on to engrave all sorts of gifts from vegan friendly handbags, slate platters and coasters, mini wooden suitcases to wine boxes and more! In fact, my machine has the capability to engrave any surface excluding metal. My favourite items are the recipe book stands with a hand engraved family recipe on them (pictured below). They make a very cherished memory to be remembered forever.

My website can be found at www.louloucreates.com or if you have a bespoke order feel free to email me on hello@louloucreates.com

Page 12 (Local Businesses)

From Ambrosden ‘Plant Lady’ Wendy Cheeseman

Daylilies – (My weakness…)

Thursday the 11th June marked the start of the long awaited ‘daylily’ season in my garden this year. These hardy perennials, native to Asia, come in every shape, size and colour. There are over 20,000 cultivars and they fall into 4 types: Large, Small, Miniature and spider types. Some also have evergreen foliage, although most die back in winter.

The botanical name is Hemerocallis from the Greek, ‘beauty’ and ‘day’. Each flower opens only for a day, hence the name.

I currently have 56 different daylilies across the four types. The first of which to open each year is a spider type called ‘Free Wheelin’ (opposite). These huge blooms are 4-5 inches wide, but you can get much smaller ones.

Early blooming daylilies in recent years have had problems with Dayliliy Gall Midge. The buds grow fat and distorted and fail to open. If burst, they are full of clear liquid and maggots. YUCK! The RHS is compiling a survey of when and where and which plants are affected each year and I register any outbreaks with them - find out more at ;-https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=742

Often referred to as The Perfect Perennial - Once established they grow quickly but need dividing every 3-4 years to retain vigour. They come in every colour from darkest purple to bright yellow and hot reds.

The flowers can be simple or highly coloured with a different coloured eye (see ‘Hazel’ opposite) or the tetraploids have frilled petals (see ‘Enchanted Forest’ below).

Only a handful of the 20,000 cultivars are available from English garden centres. A few specialist mail order suppliers in UK. – Search for ;- a la carte daylilies, pollies daylilies and strictly daylilies.

Newer hybrids whilst dramatic can be very expensive.

I sell surplus plants from splitting my own outside my house on my plant stall on Merton Road. They are quick to establish, drought tolerant and prefer bright sun in any soil. Perfect for the beginner to professional gardener.

Page 13 (Arncott News)

Arncott News Covid 19 considerations Formal Arncott parish council and village hall management committee (VHMC) meetings are still suspended. The parish council held a virtual online meeting on Thursday June 4th and the VHMC did a similar thing on Tuesday June 2nd.

The Arncott village hall will remain closed to the public until further notice.

Don’t forget – should you need help because of Covid-19 issues, our village has a Covid-19 support group thanks to HEIKE MACKENZIE, CHARLENE WHITE and PETER FORREST. You can contact HEIKE on 07956 743 260, PETER on 07716 812 430 and CHARLENE on 07950 365 294. For security purposes, the support group can agree on a password with you so that you can be sure your helper is genuine.

On behalf of all our village residents, the parish council and the VHMC / ACA would like to say a massive thank you Heike, Charlene and Peter for starting and heading up the Covid-19 support group and providing support for those in need. Grateful thanks also to everyone else who has helped and / or is still helping people within our village community. Not to be missed out, many, many thanks as well go to Thomas and his wife at the One Stop shop and to Spencer, Jan and their family for ensuring that we have been able to get, and still can get, all our household items, food and fresh fruit and veg.

Don’t forget - the ACA and VHMC would ask that you keep safe all of the lovely rainbows that the children have made and have put in the windows. When the village hall re-opens, the ACA and VHMC would like to put them all on show in the hall and invite the residents of Arncott to come along and view what the children have done.

PARISH COUNCIL – Your current parish councillors are Paul Wilson (Chair) 01869 245 514 Lee Savidge (Vice Chair) 01869246 565 Martin Byrne 01869 246 532 Ade Doore 07850 979 455 Linda Hooper 07803 592 183 Russell Todd 07368 492 525 Parish clerk is Mrs Anne Davies 01865 379 645 - clerkatarncott@gmail.com The Parish council website is www.parish-council.com/arncott (also contains pages for the ACA) Parish council Facebook address is www.facebook.com/arncottpc/ and the Parish council email address is arncottpc@gmail.com

The next on-line parish council meeting is scheduled for July 7th. After that meeting, the frequency of parish council meetings will change from 12 per year to 6. These will be held in January, March, May, July, September and November. However, should urgent business need to be attended to, the parish council will convene an appropriate meeting. When permitted, parish council meetings will again take place in the village hall starting at 7:30pm on the first Tuesday of the months mentioned. Parishioners are welcome to attend.

If you would like more information / detail about any parish council item / project then please email your question(s) to the parish council email address or contact the parish council chairperson.

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Palmer Avenue Chicken Farm - planning application This application – 20 / 00871 / F – was presented to the CDC planning committee last Thursday – June 18th – and was, thankfully, unanimously refused permission for the construction of the facility. The motion to refuse was proposed by Cllr Simon Holland and seconded by Cllr David Hughes. The application attracted 195 emails / letters of objection and 2 emails / letters of support. Objections were also lodged by Arncott PC, Blackthorn PC, Piddington PC, Agricultural Consultant, BBOWT, CPRE, OCC, CDC building control, CDC ecology, Environmental agency and Historic England. Special mention must be made of the extremely comprehensive and very well detailed report compiled by the CDC officers that were presented to the planning committee. CDC officers recommended that the application should be refused and this was agreed by the planning committee members. The report will be uploaded to the parish council website. Whilst all this is good news, it needs to be mentioned that the applicant has the right to appeal the refusal. The representative for Potters Poultry advised the planning committee that it was likely an appeal would be considered if the application was refused. We will have to wait and see whether an appeal is lodged.

Village hall – new car park, footways and possible patio area The parish council has agreement from CDC that some of the village hall improvement grant fund money can be used to construct a new car parking facility at the rear of the village hall. Preliminary discussions have taken place with a civil engineer about this and CDC has agreed that the parish council can use his services to manage this project on our behalf. The car park will hold 10 / 12 cars and will include disabled bays and an unloading / loading area. It is also intended to get new footways put in to replace the existing cracked and broken ones.

It is also a possibility that an 8mtr x 8mtr patio area may be laid at the front of the hall – this is to be confirmed.

Outdoor gym equipment and play areas The parish council has agreement from CDC that some of the outdoor sports grant fund money can be used for the purchase and installation of a number of items of outdoor gym equipment. The parish council has secured the agreement of CDC to use the services of a specialist company to source, supply and install the equipment and to manage the project on behalf of the parish council. The gym equipment will be sited on the playing field between the concrete bollards and the football goal at the Murcott Road end of the football pitch. The exact layout is not known at the time of writing. It is also intended to upgrade the equipment in the play area. It could be argued that play areas provide outdoor sports for toddlers but CDC does not consider that to be the case, so the funding for this will have to come from parish reserves as play area equipment does not qualify for the use of the grant money.

Green Lane / village green posts The work is re-scheduled to start again on July 16th.

Dog Poo - Take photos / videos of anyone you see who does not pick up after his / her dog. Email them to the parish council and / or the CDC dog warden - Christopher Cundy – telephone number 01295 221 633 – email Christopher.Cundy@Cherwell-DC.gov.uk.

Defibrillator Units – Although Arncott has two public defibrillator units, only one of them is available at this time. The available unit is at the village hall on the wall facing Murcott Road – ID no. AR84. The other unit – ID no. AR82 is on the building end wall in line with the car park entrance at what was The Tally Ho Hotel – now renamed BTC.

Page 15 (Arncott News)

Unfortunately, the new owners of the building have advised the parish council that, due to planned building alterations and construction, the unit will need to be removed and re-sited as public access to the property will not be available. The parish council will announce the new location once that has been agreed. To gain access to a defib unit, telephone the ambulance service on 999. Tell the call desk operator the ID number on the cabinet door.

Moto Parc - If you have any questions / concerns regarding the Moto Parc then please contact CDC and / or the operators of the Motor Parc – telephone 07377 988 580.

Illegal drug use - If you are aware of or see this happening, report it to the police, make the report anonymously by telephoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or fill out an anonymous form online.

Litter louts and fly tipping - Please report this to CDC. Video / photographic evidence is useful. If the problem persists, CDC can assign an enforcement officer to get involved.

Anti-social behaviour - Get witness statements, take photos and / or record video of the behaviour, and report it to police. The parish council has no legal power(s) to deal with this.

Roads and streetlights - Report any road / pavement / street light issues you see to OCC on via the Fix My Street website - www.fixmystreet.com.

VILLAGE HALL / AVHMC / ACA - AVHMC contact Wendy Wilkins (Chair) - arncott300@gmail.com , for Village Hall hire, contact Christine Dunkin 01869 249 560 – avhlettings@gmail.com, Village Hall email address is arncottvhmc@gmail.com ACA contact is Christine Dunkin (Chair) 01869 249560 – avhlettings@gmail.com

ACA email address is arncottca@gmail.com. ACA 300 club is Wendy Wilkins – arncott300@gmail.com ACA Facebook address is www.facebook.com /groups/arncottCA

The village hall management committee has been doing a lot of work with regard to looking into improvements that can be made to the village hall and arranging to get quotations for work to be done. Several things have been identified for improvement and the main item is arranging for new flooring to be fitted. The funding for this work will be provided from the available grant fund money for indoor sports facilities. A number of activities that take place within the village hall are considered by CDC to be of an indoor sport nature so CDC has advised the parish council that the cost of the flooring can be financed from that grant. In addition to the floor there are plans to get lowered ceilings and new lighting installed in the toilet areas together with improved / new sink units. It is also planned to carry out a refurbishment of the changing room. The funding for these projects will come from the grant money available for village hall improvements.

For more information / detail about any Village Hall / VHMC / ACA item please contact the VHMC chairperson at arncott300@gmail.com

Parish magazine contributions In addition to all of the parish council / VHMC items that are written about, it would be a good thing to include some communal “village gossip and news” items in the magazine entry for our village. If you have any news / items / announcements etc. that you would like our villagers to know about then email it to the parish council email address. Alternatively, get a letter into the parish council chairman or give him a call.

Page 16 (Vets Report)

Vets Report A Miraculous Recovery for Pam A few weeks ago, a very poorly old Border Terrier came to see us. “Pam” was very lethargic and had no appetite.

The vet was quick to perform some blood tests and an ultrasound scan, with alarming results. Pam’s liver values were so high they were unreadable, and she was jaundiced. Her scan showed that her gall bladder was impacted with gelatinous bile, a condition known as a biliary mucocele. Often this condition is incidental and doesn’t cause any trouble, but in Pam’s case it was blocking the flow of bile from her liver to her intestine, which in turn was causing her liver to be very unwell and for her system to be turning yellow!

In this job you occasionally, out of necessity, have to perform operations which you aren’t familiar with. Cliff spoke to a specialist for advice and fished out our trusty surgical textbook.

The owner was offered referral, but he was adamant that he wanted us to perform the surgery. Regardless of who did the operation, there was a recognised high complication rate, including the possibility of body system meltdown and death.

So, on a very busy Friday afternoon, Cliff and I performed our first ever gall bladder removal. The surgery was fiddly but seemed to be successful. The only thing left was for Pam to recover which we were quite concerned about. Vet Rita Sousa was in charge of her care over the weekend and reported that Pam was comfortable but wasn’t really improving. She was flat and not interested in food or anything else for that matter. Then on Sunday morning there was a massive change. Rita said the magic words “Pam lets go walkies”, and that was it! Pam got up, trotted out to the toilet then came back in and ate some food.

From that moment on, Pam never looked back. She continued to eat, her wound healed well, and her liver values have now returned to normal. She’s an amazing little old dog who has come through a major illness and risky surgery as if nothing had happened. Her owner, Russell has been the perfect client and I thank him for putting his trust in us. Here’s hoping that Pam continues to thrive and that her illness has resolved for good.

Jason Williams BVSc MRCVS Bicester Vets

Page 17 (Blackthorn News)

Blackthorn News Blackthorn Defibrillator In 2017, Blackthorn Classic Car Show donated funds and arranged for a defibrillator to be installed in Blackthorn. The defibrillator is located in a cabinet on the front wall of the village hall near the front door. The cabinet is locked, for security reasons, and the defibrillator is registered with 999 Ambulance Service who know the access code.

It’s worth reiterating what will happen in the event of an emergency.

In ALL emergency cases, anyone requiring help should in the first instance always call 999.

The emergency service requests the location of the patient, address, postcode etc. The 999 Ambulance Service will provide telephone help, may despatch an ambulance or paramedic and will check their system for the nearest defibrillator to the patient. If appropriate, the paramedic talking to the victim's helper will be directing him/her to provide CPR.

The patient’s helper may be asked if anyone else is available to go and get the defibrillator from the village hall, if they are, then they are given the access code and location of the cabinet by the 999 service. If no one else is available, then the patient’s helper just continues with CPR as directed by the 999 service. Use of the defibrillator is an addition to the help, not a substitute.

During this process, an ambulance and possibly a paramedic is despatched, depending on availability and closeness to the event.

The 999 service will not ask the patient’s helper to leave the patient to find a defibrillator. It will need a second person to

go and get the defibrillator. Should a second person be available to go and get the defibrillator, when they return with the device, the 999 service will direct them on how and when to use the device.

We all hope it will never be used, but it’s there for us in an emergency. Next time you walk past the village hall, just have a look and see where it is.

Parish Council Parish Council Vacancy

There is an exciting opportunity to join the council and be part of the team that helps serve our community. The work is varied and involves planning to ditches and other exciting topics!

If you would like to volunteer please contact Tracey Charlesworth (clerkblackthornpc@gmail.com) and register your interest. The Council is a group of volunteers so if you are passionate about the community you live in – come along and make a difference.

Zoom

The council has met successfully via Zoom for our last 2 meetings, we will publish meeting details and password information before the meeting on the parish council website https://www.blackthornparishcouncil.co.uk/ for any members of the public who would like to join us.

Page 18 (Blackthorn News)

Latest COVID-19 funding pot for businesses launches (Discretionary Business Grant)

Small businesses affected by coronavirus restrictions are encouraged to claim grants of up to £10,000 as the latest round of Government funding is rolled out.

Cherwell District Council is administering the new, discretionary scheme. It targets organisations that were not eligible for the previous grant schemes and which have ongoing property-related costs. Businesses operating in shared workspaces, market traders, small charities, and bed and breakfasts could all benefit.

The amount a business receives will be dependent on its specific circumstances, up to the maximum amount of £10,000. Eligibility details, the discretionary grants policy, and the application form are available via this link http://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/258/coronavirus/675/coronavirus-guidance-for-businesses/4 (Click Here To Link)

A41 Review Update

The council formally thanked councillor Corkin for the installation of the bollards on the Lower Road A41 crossing and councillor Corkin advises that a full review of the A41 that was postponed due to Covid would be recommending soon.

Blackthorn Village Hall Keep watching this space for news of events. As soon as the Government are able to lift the lockdown we’ll ensure we make up for lost time and will put out a schedule of Village Hall events Keep safe – Blackthorn Village Hall Committee

If you would like to receive email updates and reminders of events being held in the village, please send an email to blackthornvillagehall@gmail.com

If you have any news or other items you would like included please email John Henderson at j_henderson@btinternet.com by the 10th of each month.

Page 19 (Strokes)

Strokes A stroke is caused by an interruption of blood to the brain, typically caused by a blockage or the bursting of a blood vessel in the brain.

Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK. It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. It's vital to know how to spot the warning signs of a stroke in yourself or someone else. Using the FAST test is the best way to do this.

Signs of stroke - FAST F Face: Can the person smile? Has their face fallen on one side? F Arms: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there? F Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? F Time: If you see any of these three signs, it's time to call 999.

Symptoms of stroke The FAST test helps to spot the three most common symptoms of stroke, but there are other signs that you should always take seriously. These include:

F Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands, or feet. F Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences. F Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes. F Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall. F A sudden, severe headache.

If you spot any of these signs of a stroke, don't wait. Call 999 straight away. Ambulance paramedics are trained in stroke and will take the person to the best hospital for specialist treatment.

Page 20 (Merton News)

Merton News Parish Council Please contact the Council Clerk: Tracey Charlesworth on: clerkmertonpc@gmail.com or the chairman on: cllrtonybrad@gmail.com

The Council now has only 4 members and would welcome new members. We wish to express our thanks to members of the community who have assisted those who have been isolated due to the virus, especially those who helped with shopping and for the setting up of the stalls to supply bread and vegetables. Let’s hope that things return to normal soon.

Traffic Calming The council has received a grant of £2,500 thanks to the traffic calming working group and will be able to proceed with planned actions.

Footpaths The foot bridge on the footpath which has been closed for ages will, we are told, be replaced before the end of the year. Don’t hold your breath.

Rugby League The Oxford Cavaliers Rugby League Club has intimated that they wish to commence training for juniors during July subject to restrictions.

Fish and Chips There is now a fortnightly, Friday evening, fish and chip mobile service visiting the village.

Church Open for Prayer

St. Swithun’s church will be open on Sunday from 10.00am until noon for private prayer, until the government allows worship to take place. Toilet facilities will not be available.

Page 21 (Piddington News)

Piddington News Piddington Parish Council Next meeting: 21st July via Zoom.

Clerk: Anne Davies, Tel: 01865 379 645, Email: piddington.parish.clerk@googlemail.com Councillors: Mike Nixon (Chair), Pam Feltbower (Vice-Chair); Ken Howard; Jane Keel, Mario Terzino and Trish Wills.

New Parish Councillors: Trish Wills and Jane Keel both kindly volunteered to be Parish Councillors and were co-opted on to the council during the meeting on 16th June. It is with regret that the Parish Council sees the departure of Councillor Coleman who stood down on 16th June. We would like to thank Councillor Coleman for his dedication and commitment to the council over the past four years.

There is still one vacancy on the council, so if you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor it will be possible to co-opt a successful applicant for the next year. For more information, either talk to one of the councillors above or contact the clerk (details above).

The Council elected Mike Nixon as Chair and Pam Feltbower as Vice-Chair, and the financial accounts for 2019/20 were approved.

Due to the coronavirus restrictions the Annual Parish Meeting has been postponed and will be held when restrictions permit, probably early 2021.

Planning Applications: 20/01180/F – Proposed rural workers’ dwelling at Manor Farm and 20/01235/F Garage extension 12 Lower End. No objections from the Parish Council.

Planning Application 20/01122/F – Residential caravan/gypsy site (Widnell Lane) – Application to increase the number of pitches from 6 to 12. The Parish Council will be objecting to this application on a number of grounds. We feel the developer should demonstrate compliance with all of the planning conditions imposed on the development when the original application for 6 pitches was granted on appeal. Compliance should be demonstrated before any increase in the development can be considered. Villagers who wish to object to this application are encouraged to do so via the Cherwell District Council’s planning website quoting application reference 20/01122/F.

Piddington coronavirus support network The village has come together in an amazing way to give support through the lockdown period. We now have an active ‘buddy’ system, a number of local businesses delivering food and produce to the village on a weekly basis and our group of volunteers are delivering prescriptions.

GIVE SUPPORT: If you would like to give your support, please contact either Ann or Francesca (see below), who are acting as coordinators, and your details will be added to the group. Please include your mobile phone number as we use WhatsApp. There are many practical ways we can help, including being a friendly voice at the end of the phone.

NEED SUPPORT: We do not want anyone in Piddington to feel alone. You may not feel you need help now but please keep these details for future reference. Contact either Ann or Francesca (details below) with concerns or requests and they in turn will liaise with the WhatsApp group to coordinate support. Those already signed up will have been allocated a couple of ‘buddies’ to contact.

Page 22 (Piddington News)

CONTACT: Ann Cummings (email annmcummings1@icloud.com/phone 07920 487 583) OR Francesca Darby (email francesca.darby@btinternet.com/phone 01844 238 294).

KEEP IN TOUCH: Village emails – to sign up go to www.piddingtonvillageoxfordshire.org.uk and Piddington Facebook – www.facebook.com/piddingtonoxfordshire and the new Piddington Coronavirus Support Network Facebook (see village website). These emails and posts have become an invaluable source of information and communication over the last few weeks.

SSE Resilience Funding Facebook Portals The Parish Council has been successful in an application to SSE for £3,000 in resilience funding to be used by the community through the lockdown period and has purchased ten Facebook Portals (8 inch). These are available to those individuals in the community who currently do not have access to technology, allowing them to keep in touch with friends and family. The portals do need broadband and the Parish Council has secured favourable rates from Gigaclear for an 18-month period, including free installation and set-up. There are people in the village who will help with setting up. If you would like more information or know of someone you think might benefit from access to a Facebook portal, please contact Mario Terzino (mario.terzino@piddingtonpc.com or phone 07713 081 822) or Ann Cummings (annmcummings1@gmail.com or phone 07920 487 583).

Piddington pop-up shop With financial help from The Pantry and Piddington Parish Council the support network has set up a pop-up shop at the village hall. A stocklist of products is sent out regularly on the village email and includes

household goods and basic groceries (including flour), and we occasionally get fresh milk which is advertised by email. There are stocklists also at the village hall and on the village website. The shop is managed by Sue Roberts, who is available to take orders by contacting her directly. These can be arranged for pickup from the village hall or delivered to you if you are self-isolating. This service is available for everyone in the village to make use of. Telephone Sue Roberts 07708 480 076.

Food and produce deliveries to the village Although lockdown might have eased, the following local companies will continue to deliver produce to the village.

MILKMAN: Chris 07842 426 793 comes to the village on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is still accepting new customers at the time of writing. Please call him directly.

BOARSTALL MEATS (Boarstall): Local meat producer offering full selection including an 'essentials' pack. You can order by calling the shop 01844 238 256.

NEWITT BUTCHERS (Thame): https://www.newitt.co.uk. Contact Ann Cummings if you are interested in placing an order (annmcummings1@icloud.com or 07920 487 583). Free delivery to Piddington if part of the village order. Orders taken up to 3pm Thursday for a Saturday delivery.

THE FRUIT STALL (Bicester): Assorted fruit/veg and fruit/salad boxes are available to order small at £15 and large for £25. Delivered on Saturdays. Please contact Francesca by Thursdays 3.00pm to place an order. Payment by BACS or cash on the day. Francesca: francesca.darby@btinternet.com. This service is made possible by village volunteers picking up the orders and delivering to your door.

Page 23 (Piddington News)

THE BULL AND BUTCHER PH (Ludgershall): Emily is now offering a fruit, veg and salad selection for £20. Delivery is approx. 48 hours after you order. Payment by BACS payment or cash to be confirmed when ordering. For more information call or text Emily: 07835 421 562.

THE COTTAGE BAKERY (Thame): Offering free delivery to Piddington on Tuesdays and Fridays. Payment by phone. For more details and to place your orders look call the shop or look at their new website 01844 212 257.

CONSTABLE'S CONVENIENCE STORES (Brill): Free delivery of basic groceries, newspapers and magazines subject to availability. Call 01844 238 511

RECTORY FARM PYO: Rectory Farm PYO are now delivering to Piddington on Fridays for a £5.50 delivery fee and minimum spend of £20. For more information go to their website https://www.rectoryfarmpyo.co.uk/

Prescription deliveries to the village The volunteers now have in place an agreed system with the Council and all the local surgeries to collect and deliver prescriptions to the residents of Piddington. Mondays: Bicester Health Centre and Montgomery House; Tuesdays: The Alchester Group, Bicester; and Thursdays: Brill Surgery.

Deliveries will be made as soon as collected. Please answer your door if a volunteer has your prescription as they cannot be left without your picking them up. Social distancing rules will be adhered to at all times. For more information contact Ann 07920 487 583.

Piddington ‘5 a Day’ Throughout lockdown we have been bringing you ‘a daily dose of inspired thinking’ via the village email. We are looking for inspirational pieces of prose, poetry or quotes, music, art and a little bit of comedy thrown in for good measure, and let’s not forget ‘Piddington in Pictures’ – memories old and new of life in the village. Please send your ideas to Francesca (francesca.darby@btinternet.com).

‘Close to the Brook’ The imagined diary of a labouring man in Piddington born in 1813. Written by David Cook of Gwith Cottage. In these difficult days David has decided to share some of the things he has learned from studying the history of Piddington village life. There have been some changes over time, and yet many things have remained the same. We are always dependent upon the weather, the seasons and the ups and downs of family life. Follow this fascinating story https://closetothebrook.weebly.com/. The diary is updated every Sunday.

Piddington Community Radio Accessed via the Piddington website www.piddingtonvillageoxfordshire.org.uk/

We are pleased to announce that the Reverend Steve Hayes will continue broadcasting every Sunday his ‘Sunday Reflections’ at 11.30am, 3pm and 6pm. For the last few weeks, we have been running ‘Saturday Night @Home’, a weekly programme aired on Saturday evenings at 7pm. Each week sees a new playlist put together by someone in the village. These are great fun and we are now taking bookings for August! Contact Francesca to book your spot or learn more.

Page 24 (Piddington News)

Further programmes are also planned for broadcast over the next few weeks. The Parish Council, Village Hall Committee and The Pantry have all made donations to running costs of the station for the next 12 months. The station will be run by the community, for the community, and villagers are now encouraged to get involved. Would you like to produce a programme? Do we have any budding DJs out there? Contact Francesca to discuss your ideas: francesca.darby@btinternet.com.

A Piddington snake! After Piddington’s Easter joy and VE Day magic, Athena and Kirsty Walker decided to start the village’s very own spectacular snake out of little home-painted stones and encourage others to join in. The Piddersnake is beside the Village Hall’s front door and is growing by the day. Come and see it and add your own stone to help it grow.

Village information Piddington News & Events: For regular updates of what is going on, and important issues affecting our locality, go to the home page of the village website and register: www.piddingtonvillageoxfordshire.org.uk. The website Information Centre contains a range of useful information, including phone numbers and email addresses: www.piddingtonvillageoxfordshire.org.uk/ information-centre.html. (PVOI Link)

Village housekeeping Monthly grass cutting at Widnell Park, the playing field and St Nicholas’ Church has now begun. Although the playing field and park are open to visitors during the lockdown, social distancing rules must be followed, and the outdoor gym has been closed until further notice. The Parish Council has been advised that some dog walkers are not picking up in the fields around the village and outside the 30-mile sign, particularly along the Ludgershall Road. Please be considerate and pick up wherever you might be.

It is important to continue to report issues with roads, overgrown verges and hedges along public highways around the village. The Parish Council can then follow up any reports that have not been followed through. Contact OCC: https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/new

Full or damaged dog bins: contact Cherwell District Council (CDC: 01295 227007) or the Parish Clerk.

Fly-tipping: use CDC’s website www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/7/environment/ 374/fly-tipping. (CGU Link) If you cannot access the internet contact the Parish Clerk with an accurate location.

Allotments It’s great to see the allotments in all their glory and so many people using them. For more information and to apply for a plot, please contact the new chairperson, Trish Wills (trish.wills@piddingtonpc.com).

Rural policing If you have experienced any problems locally or wish to raise any concerns, contact Ken Howard (ken.howard@piddingtonpc.com). To report suspicious behaviour or vehicles in the village, email BicesterRuralNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk.

Page 25 (Piddington News)

Village hall news At the time of writing the village hall remains closed. There is however a strong possibility that the hall will be able to open again in July. The trustees will be meeting in late June to plan a method of opening which will comply with government guidelines and minimise the risk to users. The latest information will be posted on the Village Hall News page of the village website.

Piddington 200 Club The 200 Club is currently in abeyance. The last draw was in February. No collection for 2020/21 will take place.

St Nicholas’ Church Although our church buildings are closed, you may like to join the thousands of people who are now attending Church at Home each Sunday at 10am. Find the livestream service at: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavirus-covid-19/livestream/. (OAO Link)

Following Government guidance, we intend to open the church for individual prayer between 10 and 12 on Saturdays commencing 4th July. We will confirm this in a message in our News & Events page on the village website and a notice outside the church nearer the time.

Also, we are delighted that the Reverend Steve Hayes will be broadcasting his ‘Sunday Reflections’ on the new Piddington Community Radio station, every Sunday at 11.30am, 3pm and 6pm. You can access the station on the Home page of the village website.

Page 26 (Otmoor Garden Society)

Otmoor Garden Society I don’t know about you, but recently I have definitely hit the Lockdown Blues. Most of us were designed to be social creatures, regularly mixing with friends and family, going out and enjoying a meal we did not cook ourselves. If I was a bird, I think I would have to be a starling, and if an insect

maybe an ant!

Ironically, one thing that does manage to cheer me up is my new-ish Blue Borders. These are coming up for three years old now, an ideal time interval for perennials that mainly reach their peak quite quickly.

In the beginning they were put in to link the formal borders nearer the house to the meadow area beyond. So I chose a blue/purple and white/cream to almost pale yellow colour scheme to link with the wild meadow flowers which are largely in that colour palette. I also chose it because I like blue!

When you are making a new border the most important part is the preparation. Yes I know it’s the boring bit, but get rid of all the perennial weeds and add as much organic matter as you possibly can, plus maybe sand or grit for drainage. You will be able to mulch each year once the plants are in, but then you will be dodging around all your plants and it will never be as easy again as it is now.

A bit of planning goes a long way. Make a list of what plants you want to include, and think about ones that will look good together – contrasting in shape as well as colour. Also think about seasonality, you want it to look good in every season, not just for two weeks in the summer.

Page 27 (Otmoor Garden Society)

Get your basic structure first with some shrubs maybe, or grasses, or taller perennials, then work your others around them. Remember with perennials it looks better to plant more than one of something, so three together or three individually repeating around the bed. Odd numbers better than even, allegedly, although once they mix together it can sometimes be hard to tell, so if only two fit then it’s ok to cheat!

My beds were half planted in their first year with some key plants, then I added some other essentials from my list. The final gaps were filled the following year with other plants I had in the right colours, and somehow this later less thought out bit seemed to make it all work, so include a bit of random!

Key players at the moment are Salvia Verticillata – I have ‘Purple Rain’ and ‘Purple Fairy Tale’ and I can not tell the difference! They have whorls of flowers and the butterflies and bees absolutely love them. There seem to be a lot of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies about this year, and there were five on one plant at one point, along with a few Meadow Browns due to proximity to the meadow.

In one position this is next to the giant ornamental clover (Trifolium Ochroleucum) and the combination works beautifully. I cannot say I planned this, it just happened.

Salvia ‘Caradonna’, another favourite, is giving fully of its wonderful blues right now. It is next to Centaurea ‘Purple Heart’ whose white flowers with purple centre pick up on the colour of Caradonna but in a nice flat shape to contrast with the salvia’s spikes. Both plants seem to flower for ever.

A Lychnis also self-seeded and happily turned out to be the white form.

The white paeonies and the mauve iris are just finishing. Lots still to come in the form of Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’, plenty of penstemon, Gaura, Pennisetum grasses, Phlox, Lysimachia Ephemera, Agastache ‘Black Adder’ and Aster frikartii ‘Monch’.

So it looks like I’ll be feeling blue for some time to come!

I hope you enjoyed a ramble through my blue borders. Otmoor Garden Society programme is still on hold due to the dreaded virus, but with any luck we may re-start our programme in September, and if we do we have Adam Pasco to look forward to, so that is something to give us hope.

Happy Gardening,

Judith Rawlinson

For more details, or to join, contact Brian Eadle on 01865 331 472

www.otmoorgardensociety.org.uk or find us on Facebook

Page 28 (Otmoor Woman’s Institute)

Otmoor Woman’s Institute The June meeting of Otmoor WI was once more conducted as a Zoom meeting. After the business, Virginia shared the answers to a very tough quiz. Whilst including some rather obscure references, other answers were so obvious they were missed by many.

For the competition, members were asked to bring along an item of military memorabilia. There were some sombre reminders of the human cost of war with a Memorial Plaque, often referred to as a Dead Man’s Penny, given to families of those who lost a relative in the Great War, whilst another member showed the BEM awarded to a relative who was badly injured when she worked in a munitions factory in the Second World War. Trench art created from a shell case dated from WW1. Letters exchanged between a young soldier imprisoned in WWII and his parents were another contribution. Heavily censored, they could reveal nothing of the conditions but focused on the future and reunion. Some art-work of everyday objects showed how one RAF airman tried to relax when stationed in Iceland, whilst a newspaper produced by German POWs in Yorkshire showed another aspect of life in wartime.

Discussion opened out to explore what members had been doing and how they felt about lockdown. Unsurprisingly reactions were mixed, with some welcoming a slowing down of the pace of life whilst others felt restricted. Several people had tried new things but expanding time spent on existing interests was most common.

At the previous craft meeting members had a chance to show crafts they had been doing in the past few weeks. It was a chance to chat, craft, and in some cases carry on crafting, with knitting and crochet projects in evidence, and this will continue for the next coffee, craft and cake session on Zoom on Thursday 25th June.

Members discussed options for meetings in the coming months. Possibilities included having a speaker via Zoom and in future holding our delayed garden meeting if conditions allow.

The competition for the next meeting is to create a bookmark decorated with pressed flowers. Many members have already pressed their flowers and reminders were given about how to mount them for the competition. The next meeting is on Tuesday July 14th.

For further details please contact Virginia on 01865 331 521

Page 29 (Supporting Advertisers)

Supporting Advertisers

Page 30 (Supporting Advertisers)

Page 31 (Supporting Advertisers)

Page 32 (Supporting Advertisers)

Page 33 (For Kids – Big & Small)

For Kids – Big & Small

Page 34 (Useful Numbers)

Useful Numbers

Police/Ambulance/Fire for a genuine emergency ................................... 999 Universal emergency number .................................................................. 112 This operates exactly the same as 999 and it will work on a mobile phone anywhere in the world, alerting local services. Also good in a place of poor signal Police non-emergency ............................................................................. 101 Medical non-emergency .......................................................................... 111 Electricity (power-cut) .............................................................................. 105 or 0800 3163 105 Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks ................................................. 0800 072 7282 https://www.ssen.co.uk/powertrack/ Gas leak or loss of supply ......................................................................... 0800 111 999 Southern Water emergency ..................................................................... 0330 303 0368 Langford Doctor’s Surgery ....................................................................... 01869 248 585 Ambrosden Doctor’s surgery ................................................................... 01869 256 336 Jardine’s Pharmacy .................................................................................. 01869 323008 Last month’s solutions

Moderate Difficult

Page 35 (Advertising & Contacts)

Advertising & Contacts

Cost of advertising (per monthly issue)

These sizes are approximate, and adverts can be supplied in either portrait or landscape.

When supplying artwork, please supply in full colour and larger than these measurements and in the best resolution possible.

All adverts should be submitted as a press-quality PDF or JPG and in colour. Any bitmap images must have a minimum resolution of 600 dpi. If you don’t have artwork ready, please contact us and we can usually create something free of charge. Even though this will be printed in black and white, the magazine will be available online in colour.

To advertise in this publication please contact; - Russell Thompson………….Email;-rthom91543@aol.com…………..Tel.;-01869 246 093

SPECIAL OFFER Pay for 4 issues and get 1 free. Pay for 7 issues and your advert will run for a whole year (10 issues)

Adverts received before the 18th of the month will be included in the next month’s edition. Adverts received after this date will be included in the following edition.

The collection and editorial team Editor: ............. Martin Richardson ............. parishmattersoxfordshire@gmail.com

Advertising: ..... Russell Thompson .............. rthom91543@aol.com ......... 01869 246 093

Village News Collectors: Ambrosden: .... Mark Longworth ................ mslongworth@btinternet.com Arncott:........... Paul Wilson ........................ arncottpc@gmail.com Blackthorn: ..... John Henderson ................. j_henderson@btinternet.com Merton: .......... Lucy Katz ............................ cllrlucykatzmertonPC@Gmail.com Piddington: ..... Hazel Coleman ................... hazel@piddingtonvillageoxfordshire.org.uk

All items for the next magazine and all adverts should ideally be given to the village collectors by the 15th of the month preceding publication, and to the editor by the 24th.

Page 36 (Advertising & Contacts)