the grapevine september

1

sEpt/oCt 2013 Edition 282G R A P E V I N E

The Forge, Lewknor

From thE Editor If you have any suggestions, or would like to write a regular column, submit a piece to be included in the next edition or have a local photograph new or old, please contact Sara-Jane on the new Grapevine email address: [email protected].

nEws From thE parishI seemed to just put the last edition to bed, closed my eyes for a second and woke up in September...where did that summer go? There’s already a slight cold touch to the mornings, but I’m holding out for a glorious Indian summer...we deserve it!

So, what do we have to look forward to? Well the main event in September is the Horticultural show on 15th Sept at Knapp Farm from 2pm. It’s a great afternoon and good luck to all those entering classes this year, and I apologise in advance for my family who will be gathered, sniggering around the amusing vegetable table. A full list of classes are included in the magazine. Please see page 6 for further details.

Although this Grapevine may be delivered after the cut off point for bidding, the new houses by Barley Close are on track for completion in October. Please see the back of this edition for further details on how to access the bidding process.

On the 8th September, Adwell will be holding it’s annual Rare plants Fair from 11am to 4pm. It costs £5.00 per adult (includes the Gardens) and children under 16 Free. A proportion of gate proceeds will be donated to the Amber Foundation, which helps homeless unemployed young people, whose lives are going nowhere to gain the motivation, confidence and skills they need to get a job and accommodation and to be able to keep them.

Good luck to all who are starting at Lewknor Primary School this month, I’m sure there will be some tears shed as they look way too small in their new, rather large, uniforms! It’s a big step for children and parents alike but the start of a whole new chapter. (I’ll be the one walking swiftly down the road on the first day in dark glasses with her head down).

And finally, a massive thanks to Julie and Les at The Leathern Bottle for hosting the ferret racing event in aid of Krakatoa Pre School.

THE

what’s on in oxonCaro EmErald + spECial guEsts17th sept, New theatre OxfOrdHaving sold out her March dates, including London’s Royal Albert Hall (‘a finger-clicker of the highest order’ - Evening Standard), Caro is set to dazzle and delight with her sassy blend of big band jazz, swing and pop. In addition to favourites from her debut hit album, the award-winning The Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor, Caro will be performing songs from her sophomore record The Shocking Miss Emerald.

Tickets: From £24.00

mark thomas12th sept, NOrth wall arts CeNtreMark Thomas is well versed in the art of creative mayhem and over the years his troublemaking has changed laws, cost companies millions and annoyed those who most deserved to be. Now he returns to what he does best, mischief- joyously bad behaviour with a purpose.


FEathEr CatChEr 28th sept, burtON taylOr studiOFreda loves feathers but there’s one special feather that she just can’t catch on her own. Can Greta help her on her quest and teach her about friendship at the same time?

This non-verbal show playfully uses live music and beautiful projection to tell this delightful tale of teamwork. For ages 3+


ComEdy Club 4 kids 25th OCt, OxfOrd playhOuseCracking entertainment which promises an hour of fun for all the family.Comedy Club 4 Kids presents the best comedians from the UK and world circuit doing what they do best … just without the rude bits!A highlight for children...giving them a taste of some of the biggest names in comedy with the fun, rowdy feel of a real comedy club. Guardian

Tickets: From £5.

babyshamblEs13th sept, O2 aCademy, OxfOrdCurrently putting the finishing touches to their third album, British indie-rock band Babyshambles, formed and fronted by the infamous Peter Doherty, embark on an Autumn UK live tour for the first time since November 2010.


noisE barriEr For m40 updatE

A feasibility study into the new barriers which combine traffic noise mitigation with the production of green energy has been completed.

The study was the result of a partnership between local campaign group M40 Chilterns Environmental Group (M40CEG), Wycombe District Council and the Highways Agency.

The Highways Agency will now start work to develop a performance specification for how the so-called photovoltaic enabled noise barrier should perform and seeking ideas from industry on the possible product.

Ginny Clarke, Chief Highway Engineer at the Highways Agency, added: “We’ve been impressed by the professionalism, energy and organisation this partnership has put in to drive the work to this point. We are committed to our environmental responsibilities and now we’re going to take the idea to the next step by looking in real detail how we could use these barriers, which, if constructed, would be a first on roads managed by the Highways Agency.”

People living alongside parts of the M40 in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire have been affected by traffic noise for many years. M40CEG has been campaigning locally and working closely with neighbouring parish councils and local district councils (Wycombe District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council) for many years.

M40CEG formed the partnership to look at finding an innovative and environmentally friendly way to mitigate the road noise. The work was further boosted by an injection of funding fro environmentally focused organisation.

The Agency has noise barriers on its network and solar powered signs but to combine the two in the way

THE GRAPEVINE sEpt/oCt 2013

2


3

proposed by the feasibility study would be a first in England. The Agency will now lead the next stage in consultation with the local community and are aiming to complete more detailed technical and site studies on the suitability of possible products by Spring 2014. The following stage would involve a detailed appraisal for implementing a pilot scheme on the M40.

A copy of the feasibility study is available to download on the Wycombe District Council website at www.wycombe.gov.uk.

John howEll mp writEs

trEasury spEnding rEViEwOne of the important announcements since my last newsletter has been the Treasury spending review. Inevitably this elicits a range of views but whatever your view the good news is that the economy is moving from rescue to recovery. The recent spending round sets how that recovery will be secured. Behind the announcements is a strategy which seeks to ensure fairness for hardworking people, to prioritise growth, and to deliver reform.

Among the measures to ensure fairness the NHS is protected, social care prioritised and council tax bills will be kept down. There will be a new welfare cap to control costs from April 2015 and further measures to encourage job seekers to focus on their search. In order to prioritise growth there will be investment in infrastructure. There will be the largest programme of road investment for 50 years. In business there will be investment in science and apprenticeships will be boosted. Education funding will be protected with a fairer new national funding formula and protection of the pupil premium. Under the reform agenda Whitehall is targeted for efficiency savings with many government departments seeing their budgets cut in real

terms. Tax avoidance and evasion will continue to be tackled. However security remains key and our defence capability, Intelligence services and counter terrorism work will be protected. More detail on the Spending review and investment programme can be found on the Government website at www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/spending-round-2013

ministErial statEmEntsThe first week of July saw some important Ministerial Statements and debate in Westminster. I was in the Chamber on 2nd July to hear the statement from the Home Secretary on the use of stop and search powers. She told the Commons that around one million stop-and-searches take place each year - but with only 9% leading to an arrest. It takes an average of 16 minutes to conduct a stop and search process, amounting to 312,000 hours each year or the equivalent of 145 full-time police officers. It is certainly alarming to realise that the equivalent of 145 full time police officers is being spent on unproductive stop and searches. The purpose of the statement was to launch a consultation on changes as to how police use stop and search. People can join in the consultation by visiting the Home Office website or by emailing their comments to [email protected] by 13 August 2013.

On 3rd July the Statement Secretary of State for Defence made a Statement on our Reserve Forces. He recognised that our Reserve Forces make an essential contribution to delivering the nation’s security, a contribution which is growing proportionately as we restructure our Armed Forces to meet the security challenges of the future. He announced the plan to sustain and grow our Reserve Forces which he said will require a shift in the way we think of Reserve Forces. A copy of the paper ‘Reserves in the Future Force 2020: Valuable and Valued’ can be found on the Gov.uk website or if you would like to contact my office we can forward you an electronic copy.

dEbatEAlso on 3rd July I was pleased to support Rory Stewart MP in a Westminster Hall debate on disabled access to train stations. I was able to speak to draw attention once again to the current concerns in Goring where we are trying to secure disabled access. The House sat on Friday 5th July for the second reading of the European Union (referendum) Bill. This is a private members bill which seeks to

make provision for the holding of a referendum in the United Kingdom on our membership of the European Union. This paves the way for an important opportunity for everyone to have their say on whether or not we stay in Europe in the future.

Further details of the proposed legislation and the work of Parliament is available on the parliament website at www.parliament.uk. As always I am interested to hear views on the proposals before the House. For more information my website is regularly updated and offers information on my work both in Westminster and in the constituency. The address is www.johnhowellmp.com In addition, if you would like to subscribe to my free e-newsletter please e mail me at: [email protected]

You can also follow me on twitter @johnhowellmp

nEws From thE bluE Cross

We’ve been dedicated to the health and happiness of pets since 1897. Abandoned or unwanted, ill or injured – we do what’s needed to give every pet a healthy life in a happy home. We’re a charity, so the more help you give us, the more help we can give pets.

We find homes for unwanted cats, dogs, small pets and horses across the UK and our tailor made service means we help each pet find the right person for them. Find out more about our rehoming process and why you should adopt a pet from Blue Cross. Have a look at the pets currently waiting for new homes.

Our four animal hospitals treat sick and injured pets

when their owners can’t aff ord private fees. We’ve also got welfare clinics at some of our rehoming centres and a mobile clinic in London. We treat around 30,000 poorly pets every year. Find out more about the veterinary services we offer at Blue Cross.

We help pets that arrive at Blue Cross with behavioural issues and off er ongoing support to anyone who rehomes an animal from us. We’re a leading charity in the pet behaviour fi eld and our team regularly give training courses and lectures. Find out more about our animal behaviour services.

Our vision is that every pet will enjoy a healthy life in a happy home. We promote animal welfare to the pet owners of the future by giving talks at schools and youth groups. We help current pet owners with through a range of free pet advice leafl ets.

Th e Pet Bereavement Support Service is available 365 days a year to help people who are struggling to cope with the loss of a pet. Trained volunteers are at the end of a phone line, ready to help. All calls are confi dential and free from a landline. Lewknor Rehoming Centre was opened by Boris Johnson in 2005, and can accommodate 50 cats and 28 dogs we are open every day 11am – 4pm except Tuesdays. We are located just off jct 6 of M40. We have many Cats and Dogs looking for new homes – especially kittens – please see our website for more information:

www.bluecross.org.uk


4

royal hortiCultural soCiEty QualiFiEd FEmalE gardEnEr

knowlEdgEablE gardEning sErViCE inCluding plant CarE adViCE,

planting plans, sEasonal pruning, gardEn maintEnanCE

phonE: 01844 354097 / 07977 853522Email: [email protected]


5

Lewknor Parish Feteand horticuLturaL

show 2013

Sunday 15th SeptemberFrom 2pm

Knapp Farm, WeSton road,LeWKnor

attractionS incLude:horticuLturaL diSpLay & auction

bouncy caStLebbQ, reFreShmentS

SKittLeS, & LotS oF FamiLy activitieS

lEwknor FEtE & showOur annual fete and show are coming up shortly, on Sunday 15th September, starting at 2.00pm, in the gardens and lovely old barn at Knapp Farm, Lewknor, by kind permission of Mrs. Susan Watt. We’d like lots of you, our local residents, to enter the classes and make this year’s show the best ever. We know there are lots of talented people in the 3 villages, Postcombe, South Weston and Lewknor. This is your chance to be noticed!

We have some new classes this year - in the vegetable section, class 17 for 2 Sweetcorn, class 18 for 5 French Beans, and class 19 for 5 Cherry Tomatoes. The fruit section includes class 24 for Autumn-fruiting Raspberries. The f lower arrangements this year are - class 37 : Miniature arrangement and class 38 : an arrangement using only green and white f lowers and foliage.

The cookery section adds class 40 for 6 Cupcakes and we have a new handicrafts section, classes 50 and 51, for Sewing and Knitting, to reflect the resurgence of these crafts in our community.

The children’s classes are not forgotten – please encourage your children to bake, sculpt and paint (the painting subject this year is “Faces”). Visitors to the show always especially like to see the children’s entries and this year we have an added incentive - Mrs. Morgan, the Headteacher at Lewknor Primary School, has kindly agreed to judge the whole children’s section.

Please don’t think that the standard of entries is to high for you to participate – this is a small village show, just for fun and there is scope for everyone to enter something. You never know – you might just scoop the top prize in your chosen class!

Alongside the show there are lots of stalls and games to play, tea and cakes to enjoy and the ever popular barbecue – Many thanks to the Ashby and Hargrove families for their unstinting help!

If you have some time and energy to spare on the 15th Sept, or a really good idea for a new stall, the organisers would be delighted to hear from you. We always need more helpers. The profits from this event go to local good causes, the church, the primary school, the pre-school and the village hall, organizations that we all use or might one day need to use, so please support this community effort if you can.

Just phone Kathy on KB 352729 or Christine on KB 353283. Thank you.


6

Stefanie O’Bryen family SOlicitOr

Divorce • ConveyancingProbate • Wills

Contact your local solicitorfor a friendly andefficient service

Telephone: 01491 614 70020 Shirburn Street

Watlington, OX49 5BT

Email: [email protected]

HOmE appOintmEntS By arrangEmEnt

It’s nearly that time of year again where you can all showcase your wonderful homegrown produce, let others enjoy the delights of your delicious home

baking, wow the village with your photographic skills or simply enjoy a great family afternoon out by joining us at this year’s ever popular fête and show.

This year we would like as many people as possible to enter the exhibits. The classes are for all standards of gardeners, cooks etc and there are special

classes for children too, so something for all the family.

All proceeds from the show will be shared between Lewknor C of E Primary School, Krakatoa Pre-School and the Jubilee Hall.

If you have any items to donate for prizes or would like to lend a hand on the day, please contact Christine on 01844 353 283

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE DAY!

RULES1. All entries must have been grown or made by those who entered them.

2. Exhibitors must reside in the parish.

3. Pupils of Lewknor School who do not live in the parish are elligible to enter.

4. Exhibits are to be brought in between 9am and 11am on the day.

5. Entry is 50p per exhibit.

6. Judges decisions are final, they may withold prizes if they see fit.

7. No responsibility is accepted for items left after the show.

8. Exhibits not for sale must be clearly marked.

9. Children under 15 are welcome to enter the adult classes but they must have grown or made the entries themselves.

Classes: No. Vegetable Section No. Flower section cont…

1 2 Cabbages 32 1 Pot Plant (flower) 2 3 Beetroot 33 1 Pot Plant (foliage) 3 5 Potatoes (white) Flower Arrangement 4 5 Potatoes (coloured) 34 Basket arrangement of foliage

and flowers 5 5 Runner Beans 35 Miniature arrangement up to

6”x6” 6 3 Carrots Domestic Section 7 4 Tomatoes 36 Fruitcake 8 4 Flat Onions 37 6 Flapjacks 9 4 Globe Onions 38 Decorated Victoria Sponge 10 10 Shallots 39 Fruit Pie 11 3 Courgettes 40 Quiche 12 2 Marrows 41 Marmalade 13 6 Mixed Vegetables 42 Jam or Jelly 14 3 Leeks 43 Chutney 15 Longest Runner Bean 44 6 Eggs 16 3 Parsnips 45 5 Named Herbs 17 Funky Vegetables * 46 6 Chilli Peppers Fruit Section Photographic Section 18 3 Pears 47 Metropolis 19 3 Dessert Apples 48 Wildlife 20 3 Cooking Apples 49 Reflection 21 5 Plums 50 Landscape 22 Basket of home grown

fruit

Flower Section Junior Section 23 8 Cut mixed flowers 51 5 Small Cakes 24 4 Roses 52 Arrangements of garden flowers 25 1 Specimen Rose 53 Novelty Cake 26 3 Stems Floribunda 54 Vegetable Sculpture 27 5 Dahlias 55 10 Sweets 28 1 Specimen Dahlia 56 Miniature Garden 29 4 Chrysanthemums 57 Painting – events of 2012 30 1 Specimen Gladioli 31 3 Stems Michaelmas

Daisies *Funky vegetables could

include silliest carrot, funniest beans etc.





fruit




All proceeds from the show will be shared between Lewknor C of E Primary School, St. Margaret’s Church, Krakatoa Pre-school and the Jubilee Hall.

If you have any items to donate for prizes or would like to lend a hand on the day, please contact either Christine on 01844 353 283 or Kathy on 01844 352 729.

It’s nearly that time of year again where you can all showcase your wonderful homegrown produce, let others enjoy the delights of your delicious home

baking, wow the village with your photographic skills or simply enjoy a great family afternoon out by joining us at this year’s ever popular fête and show.

This year we would like as many people as possible to enter the exhibits. The classes are for all standards of gardeners, cooks etc and there are special

classes for children too, so something for all the family.

All proceeds from the show will be shared between Lewknor C of E Primary School, Krakatoa Pre-School and the Jubilee Hall.

If you have any items to donate for prizes or would like to lend a hand on the day, please contact Christine on 01844 353 283

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE DAY!

RULES1. All entries must have been grown or made by those who entered them.

2. Exhibitors must reside in the parish.

3. Pupils of Lewknor School who do not live in the parish are elligible to enter.

4. Exhibits are to be brought in between 9am and 11am on the day.

5. Entry is 50p per exhibit.

6. Judges decisions are final, they may withold prizes if they see fit.

7. No responsibility is accepted for items left after the show.

8. Exhibits not for sale must be clearly marked.

9. Children under 15 are welcome to enter the adult classes but they must have grown or made the entries themselves.





fruit








fruit




All proceeds from the show will be shared between Lewknor C of E Primary School, St. Margaret’s Church, Krakatoa Pre-school and the Jubilee Hall.

If you have any items to donate for prizes or would like to lend a hand on the day, please contact either Christine on 01844 353 283 or Kathy on 01844 352 729.


1 2 Cabbages 35 1 Pot Plant (flower) 2 3 Beetroot 36 1 Pot Plant (foliage) 3 5 Potatoes (white) Flower Arrangement 4 5 Potatoes (coloured) 37 Miniature arrangement up to 6”x6” 5 5 Runner Beans 38 Green & white arrangement of foliage 6 3 Carrots Domestic Section 7 4 Tomatoes 39 Fruitcake 8 4 Flat Onions 40 6 Cupcakes 9 4 Globe Onions 41 Victoria Sponge 10 10 Shallots 42 Fruit Pie 11 3 Courgettes 43 Quiche 12 2 Marrows 44 Marmalade 13 6 Mixed Vegetables 45 Jam or Jelly 14 3 Leeks 46 Chutney 15 Longest Runner Bean 47 6 Eggs 16 3 Parsnips 48 5 Named Herbs 17 2 Sweetcorn 49 6 Chilli Peppers 18 5 French Beans Sewing & Knitting Section 19 5 Cherry Tomatoes 50 1 sewn item 20 Funky Vegetables * 51 1 knitted item Fruit Section Photographic Section 21 3 Pears 52 Metropolis 22 3 Dessert Apples 53 Wildlife 23 3 Cooking Apples 54 Reflection 24 Autumn Raspberries 55 Landscape 25 Basket of home grown

fruit

Flower Section Junior Section 26 8 Cut mixed flowers 56 5 Small Cakes 27 4 Roses 57 Arrangements of garden flowers 28 1 Specimen Rose 58 Novelty Cake 29 3 Stems Floribunda 59 Vegetable Sculpture 30 5 Dahlias 60 10 Sweets 31 1 Specimen Dahlia 61 Miniature Garden 32 4 Chrysanthemums 62 Painting – Faces 33 1 Specimen Gladioli 34 3 Stems Michaelmas

Daisies *Funky vegetables could include

silliest carrot, funniest beans etc.

eligible to enter.

Green & white flowers and foliage

7

ChinEsE-stylE slow CookEd bElly porkAn unnamed Lewknor resident berated me in the street for “always using slow-cooked recipes in the Grapevine column” so I thought I’d do another, just to be irritating! All I really try to do is share recipes which are easy to cook, require very little last minute attention and are not time critical as we are a ll so busy these days.

ingrEdiEnts (to FEEd 6)•One whole piece of belly pork, rice and pak choi

For the spice rub:•1 tablespoon of sichuan peppercorns•1 tablespoon of black peppercorns•2 tablespoons of sea salt•2 teaspoons of five spice•2 teaspoons of caster sugar

mEthodFor this one, you will need to pay a visit to your butcher. I highly recommend Calnan Brothers, Watlington; their pork is really superb. You will need to ask for a whole piece of belly pork, not strips and not rolled. Get as big a piece as you’ll need and ask one of the lovely chaps to remove the bones (I always ask for the nipples to be removed too as they give me the creeps a bit!) but do take them with you - the rib bones, not the nips! You can throw some barbeque sauce on them and roast them in the oven as a little

starter if you like. Make sure the butcher scores the skin of the belly for you to make life easier.

When you get the pork home boil the kettle and put the belly in the sink. Use a skewer or tines of a carving fork to stab the skin several times in between the score-lines then pour over the boiling water. This lifts the skin away from the f lesh, making for guaranteed crackling. Now put the belly on a plate in the fridge, uncovered, for at least 2 hours to dry it out. Meanwhile, prepare the spice rub. I tend to double or treble the quantities and f ill a small tin to save making the rub every time, it keeps very well. Heat the black and sichuan peppecorns in a very hot, dry frying pan until you can smell them then grind them. If you have a little coffee grinder, that’s the ideal tool for the job. Otherwise, it’s a good old-fashioned pestle and mortar and some elbow grease! Stir in the salt. f ive spice and sugar then rub the mixture all over the f lesh of the pork, not the skin, which should be rubbed with sea-salt - make sure you get down all the score lines! Leave it in the fridge, skin side uppermost for a couple of hours at least.

When you’re ready, heat the oven to 230 and place the pork skin side up directly onto the oven shelf. On the shelf below, place a roasting tin full of water. This may need topping up from time to time. After ten minutes, turn the oven down to 180 and cook for a minimum of 2 hours depending on the size. As a rough guide, if you’re feeding 6 it will take around 4 hours at least. For the f inal 15 minutes of cooking, whack it back up to 230 and give it a blast to crisp up the crackling. To serve, cut it into strips or squares (I f ind scissors very helpful!) and serve with plain rice and some oriental veg. We make a dressing for pak choi with sesame oil, oyster sauce and dark soy but you could use some different veg if you like. Tastes like a million dollars and is so easy to do! Apologies for the lack of veggie options with this.

Winewise, the best option is a lovely aromatic white. Try an Argentinian Torrontes or something slightly spicy from Alsace, Pinot Blanc works well. Cheers!

Food and drink with CathErinE gallaChEr


8

book Clubat lEwknor

priVatE pEaCEFulmichael marpurgoSomeone in our group must have put Private Peaceful by Michael Mapurgo on the list of requested books because this turned out to be our choice to read in July. At first it seemed to be a companion piece to Mapurgo’s Warhorse (which is better known from its stage and film version although we learnt that Peaceful had also appeared in the same media) and was in the author’s typical style as a simple straightforward story.

However, it turned out to be a rather more complex narrative in which the eponymous hero, Thomas “Tommo” Peaceful spends a long night in France, towards the end of the First World war, looking back over the 18 years of his life. In the novel’s revealing flashbacks we learn of his early life in Derbyshire (echoes of the recent BBC1 TV serial ‘The Village’!) and the struggles of his mother to bring up three boys after the early death of her woodsman husband. The relationship of Tommo and his elder brother Charlie is pivotal to the plot and told with sympathy, humour and love by Tommo as the narrator.

Our only criticism was the unexpected twist at the end – some of us felt we had been deliberately misled to anticipate one particular ending but others thought it was the author’s prerogative to (cheekily) do so! Discussion focussed on whether we would recommend this as a suitable read for youngsters. It was probably Mapurgo’s intention to aim it at such an audience and, on balance, we felt it was a portrayal of the realities of the war from the perspective of the ordinary soldier without jingoism, which would inform and perhaps encourage younger readers to progress to the more complex novels of Pat Barker and the seminal Robert Graves novel, Good-bye to all that, on the same theme.

We have also read A.S. Byatt’s, The Children’s Book, all 600 pages of it, which is very much in the author’s style, ‘alluding to and building upon themes from Romantic and Victorian literature’. Her mentor was Iris Murdoch so it is not surprising to find Murdoch’s influences in the work also. The book concerns the lives of a host of characters, the key ones belonging to one of four families, whom we follow from the late 19th century into the early 20th. The book ends just after the First World War, which the author uses to eliminate a goodly number of the males and thus helps to resolve their destinies.

The families belong to the Arts and Crafts loving middle-class with houses in rural Kent and/or London. The themes Byatt uses are of magical parties, fairy

stories and meetings between the characters, where their loves and hates are played out against the background of a changing world, particularly as the Edwardian age metamorphoses into the modern one where women’s rights and socialist views replace the elegance of the previous era.

One suspects that Dame Antonia Duffy’s (her present married name) reputation is such that her editor hesitates to take a red pencil to her work but we felt that if he or she were to pluck up the courage to do so the book might be an even better one.

Next month we are reading The Thread by Victoria Hislop However, one of the founder members of the Bookclub, Jackie Graham, will not be with us as she is leaving for a new life in France. We shall be very sad to see her go after ten years of her friendship but we wish her well for the future. As usual, if you are interested in joining us for a glass of wine and an interesting evening’s discussion of the book, then I can be contacted on the number below.

elan preston-Whyte. tel. 01844 350 382.

garsington opEraGarsington Opera, better known for dazzling Vivaldi, Rossini or Mozart, has just produced its first Community Opera. It was a knock-out hit. Road Rage has a sparkling story line by Sir Richard Stilgoe, and singable music by an equally sparky composer, Orlando Gough. Get together hundreds of performers, from local groups and schools, then what do you do for an opera? Stilgoe’s wonderful saga features the famous red kites that are such a feature of Wormsley .

Three inquisitive kites, brilliantly performed by (Oliver Winter, Sophie Haxworth and Juliette Dudley, hover above the action like gods surveying the action (all very opera-like). Then enter Roman surveyors measuring up the land, gruff centurions, starving slaves, and the action gains a political and historical flavour.


9

But it’s a rural tale– squirrels, rabbits, dormice, a tasty meal for a kite, are superbly marshalled by director Karen Gillingham, whose eagle (or kite-like) eye seemed to miss no detail. A feisty girl (Clare Presland) and an Activist (Peter Willcock) stir up the populace with a green agenda. Their song, ‘There’s a green and pleasant land I love’, casts a magical spell. Roads and development are the real pest. A Minister (tenor Daniel Norman, a spectacularly funny performer), who plots to build a motorway across a Chiltern village green, and gets his comeuppance, is as accident-prone as Peter Sellers. But it’s the community performers, in vibrant costumes, who made this show a triumph. Star turns included the minister’s advisors, be suited with clipboards, whose rhythmic singing was easily the best. Except that the tiny newts, whose discovery under a huge stone sent the building project pear-shaped, stole the show.

www.garsingtonopera.org/

an a to z oF hErbs

CalEndula oFFiCinalis (marigold)

The garden marigold is a native of southern Europe, but grows well in northern climates, being tolerant of most types of soil. It flowers from early summer to late autumn and self-seeds easily.

The leaves are edible, but are strong and bitter, so not that nice! The petals, however, have distinctive piquant taste, which works well with salads, cheeses, stews or soups. They can be used like saffron and steeped in water or milk and added to rice, cakes or puddings to give them a yellow colour.

Marigold flowers contain antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that can help promote healing. A compress can be made of the flowers for

burns, scalds or stings. A cold infusion can be used to help conjunctivitis.

swEEt marigold buns

• 100g softened butter• 100g caster sugar• 2 eggs• 100g SF flour• 1tsp baking powder• 2tbsp fresh marigold petals

Put the butter, sugar, eggs, sifted flour and baking powder into a bowl and mix together until smooth and glossy. Fold in 1 1/2tbsp mariglod petals. Turn the mixture into greased bun tins or individual cake cases and sprinkle a few petals on each cake. Bake in a pre-heated oven (160C/325F/gas mark 3 for approx 25-30 mins.

ChamaEmElum nobilE (ChamomilE)

Chamomile grows wild in Europe, North America, and many other places. The generic name, Chamaemelum is derived from the Greek khamaimelon, meaning ‘earth apple’ or ‘apple on the ground’.

German chamomile’s highly scented dried flowers contain up to 1% of an aromatic oil that possesses powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Taken as a tea, it promotes gastric secretions and improves the appetite, while an infusion of the same strength can be used as an internal antiseptic. It can also be used as a gargle for mouth ulcers.

ChamomilE tEa

• 1 heaped tsp chamomile flowers (dried or fresh)• 1tsp honey• 1 slice of lemon (optional)

Pour boiling water onto flowers, cover and leave to infuse for 3-5 mins. Strain and add honey and lemon to taste.


10

hand-paintEd totE bags

This quick project has big results! It would be the perfect craft project for a birthday party.

• masking tape• acrylic craft paint• brushes • blank tote bag (from Amazon or craft shops)

Lay tape in stripes across the front of your bag. Laying tape at angles will add to your design. With your hand smooth and press tape firmly onto fabric for best adhesion. Paint your stripes in the spaces between the masking tape alternating colors. Try not to apply any more paint than necessary. Allow to dry for a few minutes and then carefully peel off your masking tape,

Craft projects courtesy of Zoe M. Johnson of captaincrafty.com

baby bird bEan bags

If you would like to make these little birds, please email me at the grapevine, and I will email you back the templates.

• shrunken old jumper• scraps of felt• dried beans or dried peas • thread and needle

Cut the body pieces out of the old jumper, and the beak, eyes and tummy from the craft felt. Place felt belly piece along bottom edge of one right side body piece and stitch together. Place beak according to pattern template and stitch. Stack felt eye pieces and satin stitch into place. With right sides facing in, stitch 2 body pieces around upper curved edge. Pin & stitch bottom circle (right side facing in to botom opening of body) leaving 1” opening. Turn right side out and fill with beans (using a funnel) and stitch close opening.

nEEdlEs and pins with sara morlEy (standing in For alison swain)


11

LEWKNOR PARISH COUNCILwww.lewknor-pc.org.uk

rECEnt loCal planning appliCations

beloW are the planning applications that have been considered by the council and their current status:

P13/S1993/HHMill house, south Weston

Alterations and extension to existing dwelling and relocation of stable block (Amendments to planning permission:P09/E1059)

approved

P13/S2594/LB & P13/S2463/HH loWer vicar’s barn, WorMsley estate

External alterations to barn for use as an Artist’s Studio (Amendments to listed building consent P13/S0241/LB)

these applications Will be considered at the parish council Meeting on 9th septeMber 2013

To view the full planning register go to:www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/find-application/planning-application-register


MARTYN OTTERYELECTRICAL SERVICES

LAMPS & LED’S TO LIGHT INDUSTRY

NO CALL OUT FEE, NO FUSS

20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

SMALL JOBS A SPECIALITY

PLEASE CALL MARTYN ONtel: 07792 697 608 OR 01844 281 758

email: [email protected]

WHEATFIELD COTTAGES, STOKE TALMAGE ROAD, WHEATFIELD, THAME, OXON, OX9 7EP

12


WHAT’S ON ATJUBILEE HALL, LEWKNOR

MONDAY NIGHTS Chinnor Kettlebells at 6.30pm(Contact Daren on 07801 553 019)

TUESDAY NIGHTSYoga at 6.45pm

(Contact Vicki on 07947 149675or on 01844 3471620)

For details of rates, or to book the hall for your events or parties, please contact Jean on:

01844 354875

FOR A BEAUTIFUL GARDENChoose from our wide range of

quality garden services: design andlandscaping, plants and

maintenance. We tailor-make ourservice for you. For a free, no-

obligation visit and written estimatefrom RHS qualified staff, call 01844

279430 oremail [email protected]

Full details atwww.brannfordsgardens.co.uk

For details of rates, or to book the hall for your events or parties, please contact Jean on 01844 354875

Available for hire for a variety of social events and functions. Including Children’s parties, wedding and anniversary parties, meeting and fund raising events.

Why not book The Jubilee Hall, Lewknor?

Need a venue? Having a party?

Little Red Duck Co.

"Wish you had an extra pair of hands, a few more hours in the day......Well now you can!"

Little Red Duck Company offers a friendly, fully

insured, professional cleaning service to take away some of the stress of your day!

Feel free to call or email with any questions about

the services we can offer.

Zoe: 01844 351333 or 07976 503075 Web: www.littleredduck.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Reg No. 07560762


13

Martyn Ottery Electrical

Services

Lamps & LED’s to Light Industry

No Call out Fee; No Fuss.

20 Years Experience,

Small jobs a speciality

Please call me, Martyn on:

07792697608/01844281758

Email : [email protected]

2, Wheatfield Cottages, Stoke Talmage Road,Wheatfield, Thame, OXON, OX9 7EP

14


Debby Luxton BSc (Hons), MChS HPC Registered Podiatrist

If you would like to make an appointment please phone

01844 352200

The Luxton ClinicStonor House

57 Lower RoadChinnor . OX39 4DUalso at Thame Road,

Longwick.

Podiatry

• General foot care• Bunions• Cracked heels• Corns, callus and verrucae• Problem nails• In-growing toenails• Foot and heel pain• Athlete’s foot and fungal infections• Diabetic assessments and footcare• Biomechanics and gait analysis• Sports injuries

Appointments Monday – Saturday

www.theluxtonclinic.co.uk

OsteopathyEffective treatment for all ages

Saturday appointments

Stonor House57 Lower RoadChinnorOX39 4DU

Cross Keys PracticeHigh StreetPrinces RisboroughHP27 0AX

Ian Luxton D.O Victoria Inglis-Smith

B.Ost, MScRoger Whalley M.Ost

Registered Osteopaths

Tel: 01844 352200

Back PainFrozen Shoulder

Headaches Hip Pain

Knee PainMigraine

Muscle Strain Neck Pain

Sciatica Sports Injuries

Tendonitis Tennis Elbow

Also: Cranial Osteopathy

Paediatrics & Post-natal

Osteopathy

Newington nr stadhampton oxon ox10 7aw www.newington-nurseries.co.uk

tel: 01865 400533 closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays


15

16


REGLER & COMPANY _____ SOLICITORS _____

51 High Street, Chinnor, Oxon OX39 4DJ

We specialise in Conveyancing, Wills and Probate, Matrimonial and Family Law.

Please telephone us for a quote.

Home visits can be arranged for Wills and

Lasting Power of Attorney

Fixed fee interview (£50.00 for half an hour)

01844 354555 email:[email protected]

www.reglerandcompany.co.uk


17

sudokuit’s easy to play sudoku! simply fill every column, row and 3x3 box so they contain every number between 1 and 9.

easy

please see page 19 for the answers

diFFicult

Instructions, Tips, Answers, Reprints & More Sudoku Puzzles Online!

PrintFreeSudokuPuzzles.comPuzzle Set #E3638 Level: Easy

9 8 6 7 4 2 8 1

6 9 5 4 6 6 3 5

4 1 5 3 8 7 2 1 5 4 5 8 9 7 2

8 2 4 5 A

1 3 2 5

6 3 5 7 1 92 8 3 1 9 6

2 6 4 7 2 4 1

3 5 4 8 7 8 7 4

B


PrintFreeSudokuPuzzles.comPuzzle Set #D7668 Level: Difficult

2 7 5 6 5 4 3 4 9 9 7 9 2 5

1 4 6 5 8 6 3 4 6 7 1 2

A

4 8 9 2 5 4 7 3 2 7

5 1 6 7 8 3 4 8 2 1 6 2 9 4

B

18


• Commercial&DomesticCarpetCleaning

• CarpetStainRemovalSpecialists

• Upholstery,Curtain&RugCleaning

• Carpet&UpholsteryFabricProtection

• FurnitureRepair&Restoration

SPECIALISTS IN CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

Call for a Free Estimate 01865 892 350TheRevivalCompanyI46/47MonumentParkIChalgroveIOxfordIOX447RW

[email protected]

Professional & Experienced Technicians - Providing The Very Best Service

• 100%SatisfactionGuaranteed

• CompetitivePrices

• 30YearsExperience

• IndustryLeadingEquipment&Techniques

• RapidDryingSystem

19

broadband ForlEwknor!

Oxfordshire County Council are delighted to let you know that we have secured the contract to deliver broadband investment in Oxfordshire a full two years earlier than the national schemes estimates. This was made possible because the County Council were able to include the corporate network in this procurement.

On Monday 5 August, we announced that BT will be the provider for a multi-million pound investment in the county’s broadband network and infrastructure. Faster broadband is vital to Oxfordshire’s economy and the aim of the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire programme is to extend the reach of superfast broadband to an additional 65,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2015. The £25 million programme is made up of £10 million from the council, £4 million from the government and £11 million from BT.

After the completion of the programme (December 2015), access to ‘superfast broadband’ (speeds exceeding 24Mbps) will have increased from 70% to over 90% across all Oxfordshire homes and businesses. For those in the final 10%, there is an additional provision that guarantees that they will achieves speeds between 2-24Mbps with no property less than 2Mbps.

From now through December 2013, BT will deploy crews across Oxfordshire to assess the situation on the ground. It may be the case that where conditions differ from contract assumptions, the coverage areas may change.

Furthermore, Government has announced additional broadband investment funding availability to take the national coverage above 90%. We expect the detail of how to draw down that funding and increase coverage in Oxfordshire to be released in the autumn.

In the meanwhile, you can f ind more information about the programme and the contract with BT on the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire pages of the public website.

If you have any questions, you can contact Lisa Michelson – Broadband Community Engagement

nick carterCabinet Member for Business & CommunicationsOxfordshire County Council

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk


solutions easy diFFicult


PrintFreeSudokuPuzzles.comPuzzle Set #E3638 Level: Easy [Key]

9 2 8 6 7 5 3 1 47 3 6 4 1 2 8 5 91 5 4 9 3 8 6 2 74 6 9 5 8 3 1 7 22 8 1 7 4 9 5 3 65 7 3 2 6 1 9 4 83 4 2 1 9 6 7 8 58 9 7 3 5 4 2 6 16 1 5 8 2 7 4 9 3

A

8 9 7 1 6 3 2 4 55 1 2 8 9 4 6 7 36 4 3 5 2 7 1 8 92 7 8 3 4 1 9 5 64 6 1 9 7 5 3 2 89 3 5 2 8 6 4 1 77 2 6 4 5 9 8 3 13 5 4 6 1 8 7 9 21 8 9 7 3 2 5 6 4

B


PrintFreeSudokuPuzzles.comPuzzle Set #D7668 Level: Difficult [Key]

2 4 7 3 5 9 8 1 69 5 6 1 8 2 4 7 38 1 3 7 6 4 2 9 56 3 5 4 9 8 7 2 17 9 8 2 1 5 6 3 41 2 4 6 7 3 9 5 85 7 1 8 2 6 3 4 93 8 2 9 4 1 5 6 74 6 9 5 3 7 1 8 2

A

3 4 5 2 9 6 1 8 77 9 2 8 1 3 6 5 41 6 8 5 4 7 3 9 26 3 4 9 5 2 7 1 85 1 9 6 7 8 2 4 32 8 7 4 3 1 5 6 99 7 1 3 6 4 8 2 54 2 3 1 8 5 9 7 68 5 6 7 2 9 4 3 1

B

20

lEwknor parish diary

sEptEmbEr 20139TH SEPTEMBER PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 7.30PM JUBILEE HALL

15TH SEPTEMBER HOLY COMMUNION 9.00AM ST. MARGARET’S15TH SEPTEMBER FAMILY SERVICE 10.30AM ST. LAWRENCE

21ST JULY FAMILY SERVICE 10.30AM ST. LAWRENCE

oCtobEr 20136TH OCTOBER HOLY COMMUNION 9.00AM ST. LAWRENCE

14TH OCTOBER PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 7.30PM JUBILEE HALL20TH OCTOBER HOLY COMMUNION 9.00AM ST. MARGARET’S

20TH OCTOBER SONGS OF PRAISE 10.30AM ST. LAWRENCE

iF you Would like to include any events or Meetings in the diary, please let the editor knoW via the grapevine eMail address:

[email protected] online version oF the grapevine is available at

http://issuu.coM/grapevinezine/doc


parish CounCil nEws a VaCanCy has arisEn at lEwknor parish CounCil.

Anyone wishing to apply or find out more information, please contact Caroline Hjorth on 352 720 or at [email protected]. We welcome interest from anyone living in Lewknor, Postcombe os South Weston.

soha: nEw homEs at barlEy ClosE

By the time you are reading this the bidding will have closed for the new houses on Weston Road. District Council have informed us that all interested applicants were informed and they are

hoping to house families ahead of schedule.

Anyone can look at the houses available by going to www.oxfordshirehomechhoice.org.uk and clicking on the SODC logo. From there, you can view all local Housing Association houses

for rent or shared ownership. .

For the future anyone who would like to put their name on the housing list in the first instance, please contact Helen Nouvelle’s office on 01491 823 3456.

Caroline Hjorth, Chair, LPC

the grapevine september

Documents