PARISH COUNCIL PLEA ON PLANS FOR NEW HOUSES
Posted Sunday 19th April 2009

Villagers are being urged to write letters opposing SODC’s plans to build 850 houses on fields between Wallingford and the bypass. The proposed development – part of SODC’s core strategy for the future – would bring the edge of Wallingford to less than 200 metres from the edge of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell and effectively join the two settlements.

The deadline for comments on the plans is 1 May, so urgent action is needed. In an open letter to villagers, the Parish Council points out that such a development would generate up to 4,200 extra vehicle movements per day. This would make getting in and out of the village even more difficult than it is already. Atmospheric pollution would be increased, along with noise and light pollution.

“In the BcS Parish Plan published in 2004, 98% of the households who responded did not wish to see the village merge with Wallingford,” says the letter. “They considered that separation from Wallingford was vital to maintaining our rural identity. Being surrounded by open countryside was a key reason for moving to and living in BcS.”

The Parish Council has appointed planning consultants to provide evidence why the site on the BcS side of Wallingford should be rejected in favour of building at Winterbrook, stretching north from the Cholsey roundabout, and an adjoining site to the west of the railway.

A presentation at the Annual Parish Meeting on 28 April will discuss the impact of the proposed development, as well as putting forward alternative locations. Between 50 and 150 houses are likely to be sited in Berinsfield, Benson, Cholsey, Wheatley and Crowmarsh. The Parish Council’s opinion is that if fewer houses were to be built in Wallingford, more could go to these villages.   

To find out more about the plans, visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/corestrategy or phone planning policy on 01491 823725. Letters can be sent by e-mail to yourplaceyourfuture@southoxon.gov.uk. For the full text of the Parish Council letter, click here (opens as a word document).

CONCERT AT DORCHESTER ABBEY
Posted Sunday 19th April 2009

Cranford Choral Society – many of whose members live in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell – will be singing Fauré’s Requiem and Dvorak’s Mass in D at Dorchester Abbey on Saturday 16 May at 7.30 pm. Tickets are available from Tickets Oxford 01865 305305 or www.ticketsoxford.com.

SCARECROW TIME
Posted Tuesday 14th April 2009

Have you ever fancied trying your hand at scarecrow making? Now is your chance, as this year’s Flower and Produce Show has a special class for scarecrows – to be judged by popular vote.

Another new class this year is chilli pepper jelly (made to Sue Robson’s recipe, which is supplied). Photography classes include: A Village Activity, a set of four photos on the theme of wildlife in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell; and a photo on the theme of ‘getting fit’. It is possible there will be some crossover between this and the age-old favourite – the photo with caption: ‘make us smile’!

The show – which will also include all the usual flower and vegetable classes, as well as a junior section – will be held as part of the Village Fete, which this year is at Moreton House on Saturday 11 July. Click here for the full schedule.

LATEST VILLAGER NOW ONLINE
Posted Tuesday 14th April 2009

Highlights from the April/May edition of The Villager are now online (follow the links from the Village Life page). There is a farewell to Viola and Basil Crowe, who have left the village; news on St Agatha’s Church extension and the Community Stores plans, an article by Steve Moll on Brightwell Bees – and a piece on the Environment Group’s new orchard survey (see also below).

ENVIRONMENT GROUP ORCHARD AND FRUIT TREE SURVEY
Posted Tuesday 14th April 2009

Do you have any fruit trees in your garden? Even if you only have one, you can still take part in a new survey.

Brightwell is in prime fruit-growing territory, and old ordnance survey maps show orchards covering vast acres of the village. These have been declining, and – recognising their value to biodiversity – the Environment Group wants to find out what fruit trees are left in the area.

“We are particularly interested in finding out about the apple trees in the village, for example, what varieties there are and the age of the trees and orchards”, says survey organiser Alison Bloomfield. “In addition, we hope to find out more about the wildlife found in and around them.”

The survey form is in the latest edition of The Villager, or can be found here (in Microsoft Word format). It can be handed to Sue Robson at the Red Lion, to any member of the Environment Group, or e-mailed to Alison at acbloomfield@googlemail.com.

Click here for more details.

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
Posted Friday 10th April 2009

Wallingford Museum is participating in the 'Museums at Night 2009' event, which is part of the European-wide Nuits des Musees celebrations.

In a unique 'Behind the Scenes' evening, the Museum volunteers will not only show you rooms not normally open to the public but also let you see and even handle some of the collections not currently on display, show you how to look after them, and demonstrate how exhibitions are designed and laid out.

And there's a lot more you can discover about how the museum works: how the collections are catalogued; what part custodians play; how to raise the money to pay the bills; how to set about researching Wallingford's history; what building maintenance is needed; what plans there are for expansion – and much more!

New volunteers are always welcome no matter how little time you have, and your skills and interests can be matched to a host of tasks which are required for this volunteer-run local museum, where Wallingford's history and heritage is brought to life.

The event is free (donations never refused!). Just call in on Friday 15 May between 6pm – 10pm and you'll have a very special experience at Wallingford Museum!

VILLAGE SHOP LATEST
Posted Thursday 9th April 2009
(Click on the picture to view the full-sized image)

Prospects are looking good for the new community stores, with planning permission granted and £35,000 worth of pledges already in. A Village Meeting is tentatively scheduled for 14 May in the Village Hall and tickets are now on sale for the fund-raising Midsummer Ball at the Pavilion on 20 June (details from Steve and Shena Luck, telephone 01491 834543).

Click here for the latest news from Hugh Roderick (in Microsoft Word format).

HAVE YOUR SAY: WHERE SHOULD NEW HOUSES BE BUILT?
Posted Thursday 9th April 2009

South Oxfordshire District Council has to find space for 10,000 new houses over the next 20 years – and one of the ‘preferred options’ is the area between the by-pass and Wallingford.

Residents have up until 1 May to voice their opinion on the council’s latest Core Strategy document. Visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/corestrategy or phone planning policy on 01491 823725.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S SURGERIES
Posted Thursday 9th April 2009

Lynda Atkins will be holding her next ‘surgeries’ for people to raise any concerns at the Red Lion on Tuesday 21 April and Tuesday 19 May, from 6.30 to 7.30 pm.

SCHOOL GETS NEW HEAD
Posted Thursday 9th April 2009

Brightwell School is to have a new headteacher, from September 2009. She is Mrs Liz Hunt, currently deputy head at Willowcroft Community School in Didcot. Angela Harbut, who has been acting head since September 2008, will continue in the post until the handover.

ORCHARD AND FRUIT TREE SURVEY
Posted Thursday 9th April 2009

The Environment Group wants to find out what fruit trees are growing in the village, and what wildlife they support. If you would like to take part in their survey, the form can be found in the April/May edition of The Villager, or you can email the organiser, Alison Bloomfield, at acbloomfield@googlemail.com.

THE VILLAGER
Posted Thursday 5th March 2009

Memories of John Brewerton, a familiar figure down on the allotments, plus Tony Debney and Marjorie Randolph on ‘molecular reactions’ can be found in the latest online highlights of The Villager.

OF PEAS, BEANS AND EARTH MOUNDS
Posted Friday 13th March 2009

If you are a keen gardener, you will know that now is the time to sow peas, broad beans, early potatoes and the like – and also to think about ideas for the annual produce show, which takes place as part of the Village Fete in July each year.

The Flower and Produce Show committee usually meets to draw up the schedule in May, and if you have any ideas for new classes, they would love to hear from you. You can contact the chairman, Paul Chilton, on 01491 836661, or email the show secretary at sally.dugan@gmail.com If you visit the show’s web page, under ‘F’ in community and leisure, the list of last year’s results will let you know what’s usually on offer.

Meanwhile, the mounds of earth that have appeared down on the allotments have nothing to do with Tony Debney’s war on moles. Rather, they signify excavations for the much-needed arrival of a piped water system. If you are interested in renting a plot, the contact is Cynthia Hurley on 01491 836509.

If you are a new gardener, and are never quite sure what to do and when to do it, there is an incredibly useful internet site at http://www.allotment.org.uk. This is run by a Cheshire-based gardener, John Harrison, so some of the planting dates are a bit conservative for those living further South. However, the site is full of useful tips for experienced as well as novice gardeners, and you can sign up for a monthly newsletter.

Nearer home, the Wallingford Allotments and Gardens Society offers fertiliser and seed discounts for members, and special events throughout the year. More details at their website, http://www.cranfordcomputers.co.uk/wags

CYCLING LEAFLET
Posted Thursday 5th March 2009

Sustainable Wallingford has produced a new cycling leaflet, covering rides into the Chiltern Hills. You can download it via the home page of their web site, www.sustainablewallingford.org or collect a printed copy from the Town Information Office under the Town Hall.

"NO" TO THE INCINERATOR
Posted Thursday 5th March 2009

Campaigners against plans to build a waste incinerator at Sutton Courtenay plan to create a human ‘no’ on Wittenham Clumps on Sunday, March 8th. Over 3,000 signatures have been collected for an online petition asking Oxfordshire County Council to refuse planning permission. For more details, see the campaign website at www.scai.co.uk

RAISING THE ROOF AT THE WALLINGFORD MUSEUM
Posted Thursday 5th March 2009

Wallingford Museum has now re-opened for the summer season with Raising the Roof - Wallingford's Homes & their Families - a detailed look at the history of eleven representative buildings in Wallingford (including a 20th century one), with particular emphasis on the people who lived in them. Visitors will be encouraged to look into the history of their own houses and bring the results.

Other attractions include:

• The Wallingford Story – a walk through time from the Romans and Saxons to the Civil War, including a miniature re-creation of Wallingford’s huge royal Castle, accompanied by an audio tape included free with your ticket.
• A Victorian Street Scene with walk-in Shop, Pub, Workshop & Workhouse peepshow.
• Features on the River Thames, Wallingford Bridge, Roman burials from Crowmarsh and a detailed scale model of Wallingford Station.

The Burh to Borough Project continues throughout Wallingford this year (April - geophysics surveys; July - digging). Last year’s results are on display at the Museum, and will be added to as this year’s work reveals further aspects of Wallingford’s unique history. The project is still seeking residents who will allow them to dig a small trial pit in their gardens. The Museum is open from 3 March to 28 November at:
Tuesdays - Fridays 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Saturdays 10.30am - 5.00pm
Sundays (June - August only) & Bank Holidays 2.00pm - 5.00pm

A season ticket allows unlimited access until end-November, at £4 per adult (accompanied children free).

FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009

If you care where your food comes from – or even if you just feel like a cup of coffee in convivial surroundings – you should drop in to the Red Lion on Saturday morning.

To promote Fair Trade Fortnight (28 February to 8 March), the WI will be serving tea, coffee and other Fair Trade products from 10 am to 11.30 am. Just Trading from Wallingford will have a stall, and cakes, second hand books and plants will also be on sale.

For more about the Fair Trade campaign for a more equitable international trading system, visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk

OF RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009

The next swap shop organised by Sustainable Wallingford will be on Saturday March 7 at the Regal Centre. If you drop in between 10 to 12 am, you can exchange items you no longer need, or recycle things such as Tetra Paks and aluminium foil that won’t go in your green box.

Sustainable Wallingford’s Spring Newsletter is now out, with news from action groups and the results of their Climate Change questionnaire. To sign up to their mailing list, or to view the newsletter online, visit www.sustainablewallingford.org.

MEDICINES FOR AFRICA
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009

Do you have any unused prescription medicines in your bathroom cupboard? If they are in date by 3 months and not in liquid form, you can take them for recycling to your local GP surgery. GP practices at Wallingford, Benson and the Clifton Hampden Surgery are all involved in schemes that send unwanted medicines to poorer countries.

In May 2007 the National Audit office estimated that £800 million of medicines that were prescribed were not taken. Some of these medicines could have been sent to Africa via a charity called Intercare. This is the only charity licensed by the environment agency for recycling prescription medicines for humanitarian aid.

The system has many benefits. Firstly under their Code of Conduct pharmacists or premises where there is a pharmacist such as a chemist have to send all returned drugs to land fill or for incineration at an estimated cost of £120 million a year. Secondly it saves African lives, which at the last count were estimated at 5 million. Finally it helps to save the environment.

If you have any questions, you can contact Jill Brooks on 01491 839044.

COMMUNITY VILLAGE STORES
Posted Thursday 19th February 2009
(Click on the picture to view the full-sized image)

Plans for a new shop at the back of the village hall are now well underway – and villagers are being asked to write to SODC in support of the planning application by 4th March.

“The village stores will comprise a single storey extension and part conversion of an existing building at the rear of The Stewart Village Hall,” says David Dobbin, of the Steering Group.

“A major factor in the granting of planning applications is the support that they receive from neighbours and villagers. Please help us by writing or emailing the SODC in support of this village initiative.”

The drawings and design statement can be seen on the SODC website under planning application reference P09/W0067. Letters or e-mails should quote this reference.

Further information can be obtained from Steering Group members Jim Sanger (833655), Phil or Corinne Jones (836686) or David Dobbin (835890). The deadline for submitting letters of support is 4th March 2009, with a target decision date of 31st March.

OAKLEY WOOD CLOSURE
Posted Thursday 19th February 2009

The Oakley Wood Waste Recycling site is to be closed for three months from 23rd March for improvements to make it easier for residents to recycle their waste. Plans include:

• better access
• improved traffic flow
• reduced waiting times
• double the number of parking spaces
• double the number of bins
• clearer signage
• improved containment of waste
• improved layout

Signs are already up at the site warning of the impending closure; the closest alternative sites in the county can be found at Redbridge, Oxford, or Steventon Road, Drayton. Redevelopment already in place at the Drayton site – along with feedback from users of Oakley Wood – will be used as a model for upgrading the site.

For more details – and pictures of the kind of improvements planned – go to the Council Services section of the Oxfordshire County Council website at http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk There are seven waste recycling centres in Oxfordshire besides Oakley Wood. All are open seven days a week, 8 am to 5 pm, including Easter weekend.

ARTY TODDLERS
Posted Thursday 19th February 2009

Plans are afoot for a new toddler’s art and crafts club on Wednesday mornings at Brightwell Village Hall, starting after Easter.

Billed as being ‘Educational, messy, and lots of fun!’ the sessions will run from 10 to 11 am, and be aimed at carers and children aged 12 months to 4 years old.

‘Artybobs’ classes already run in Wallingford at Centre 70 on Monday mornings. For more details, contact Katie French on 07747 637079, e-mail Katie@artybobs.co.uk or visit www.artybobs.co.uk

ST AGATHA'S APPEAL
Posted Friday 13th February 2009

Moves to raise money for loos at St Agatha's Church are now well underway, and the appeal committee would like to know your views. If you live in the village, you may already have received a questionnaire - but if not, and if you would like to support the project, you can submit one online.

'Whether or not we are regular church attendees, we surely accept that St Agatha's is a historical and community focus for our village,' says Appeal Committee chair, Tony Lascelles. 'It has contributed to the life of this locality since Norman times, providing a place where everyone can meet or worship or go for quiet contemplation. We therefore all should be interested in the Church being utilised even more by the public at large, whilst not detracting from its position as a place of worship.'

For the full text of Tony's letter, and for a copy of the questionnaire, click here (opens as a word document).

The questionnaire can be returned to any member of the Appeal Committee, or deposited in the collection box inside St Agatha's, by the end of February. Alternatively it can be returned to Olive on line at olive.sutcliffe@btinternet.com

BEWARE OF CONMEN
Posted Wednesday 11th February 2009

Conmen offering to do household work at exorbitant prices are at work in the area, and householders are warned to be on their guard.

The Oxford Times reports that rogue traders have conned people in Oxfordshire out of at least 800,000 pounds in the past nine months. The simplest rule is the safest: never agree to any cold caller doing any work for you. If you need some work done, check out our business pages for local tradesmen; ask neighbours for their recommendations – or look on the national Trading Standards website, http://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk. This offers a postcode search for reputable companies including builders, plumbers, roofers, locksmiths and electricians. Each company has been audited and had criminal reference checks.

For vulnerable people living alone, Age Concern offers some helpful practical tips on how to avoid falling victim to scams and bogus callers. They offer downloadable leaflets on how to protect yourself, including tips on door safety and utility company password schemes. Visit the ‘Information and Advice’ section on http://www.ageconcern.org.uk

SCIENCE EXCHANGE WALLINGFORD www.cafescientifique.org/wallingford.htm Posted Monday 9th February 2009

Supported by www.triaster.co.uk

Cancer research, nuclear fusion, new infectious diseases and a report on young people in the UK… Interested in finding out more? Then you need to get along to one of the Corn Exchange talks organised by Science Exchange, Wallingford.

At the next meeting, on Wednesday 25 March at 7.30 pm, Oxford research scientist Martin Christlieb, will be discussing the role of medical imaging in matching the right patient to the right cancer treatment. He will look at some of the ways cancer can evade therapy, and how imaging might help predict response and therefore help guide patients and doctors in managing the disease. There will be the opportunity for some hands-on imaging.

Martin Christlieb is a research group leader at the Cancer Research UK/Medical Research Council Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology in Oxford. His research is focused on new strategies for assessing cancer patients’ disease without surgery.

Science Exchange Wallingford meets in the Café-bar of the Corn Exchange Theatre. Doors open at 6:45pm, all meetings are free and talks begin at 7:30pm. You need to arrive early to be sure of a seat.

Science Exchange Wallingford is part of the National Café Scientifique movement, an entirely voluntary venture designed to promote scientific discussion. It was launched in 2008 with a start-up grant from Wallingford Town Council and the help of Wallingford Corn Exchange. More information is available on the website: www.cafescientifique.org/wallingford.htm . If you send your e-mail contact details to alisOn.smart@btinternet.com you can receive e-mail reminders for future events.

2009 Programme Dates may change – please check website
25 March Taking pictures of cancer: can we match the right patient to the right treatment? Martin Christlieb, Cancer Research UK/Medical Research Council
24 June Fusion: Powering our Future? Chris Warrick, UKAEA, Culham
7 October Young people in the UK: what’s gone wrong? Peter Adamson, United Nations Children’s Fund
10 November Emerging Infectious Diseases: scary or not? Angela McLean, Institute of Emergent Infections, University of Oxford

HALF TERM FUN
Posted Tuesday 27th January 2009

Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire
Half Term Fun for Children, aged 8-12 years
Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 February 10 am – 3 pm

Come and have a great time exploring Little Wittenham Nature Reserve. Each day will be full of activities, games and arts and crafts. For more information contact jane.millin@northmoortrust.co.uk

£20 per child per day, booking essential

For further information see our website or phone 01865 407792 www.northmoortrust.co.uk admin@northmoortrust.co.uk

CAMPAIGN AGAINST WASTE INCINERATOR
Updated Wednesday 21st January 2009

Over 2,000 signatures have been collected on a petition opposing the building of a waste incinerator at Sutton Courtenay.  The consultation period has now been extended, and Brightwell residents are asked to write with their views to the Planning Officer mary.thompson@oxfordshire.gov.uk, with a hard copy to: Mary Thompson, Planning Department, Oxfordshire County Council, Speedwell House, Oxford OX1 1NE and consider copying it to the county councillors on the Planning Committee  and local MP. A decision is expected in April.

We have been asked to print the following open letter to Brightwell residents, from a group opposed to the building of a waste incinerator at Sutton Courtenay. The organizer, Callum McKenzie, can be contacted at callumamackenzie@gmail.com

OPEN LETTER TO BRIGHTWELL RESIDENTS
‘Oxfordshire County Council are currently considering a proposal to build a very large incinerator close to Didcot Power Station, to burn 300,000 tons of waste a year.

A campaign has been launched to oppose planning permission for such an incinerator. The Vale of White Horse District Council has agreed and raised 12 objections with the County Council.

Particular concerns are that:

 
• No independent study is being undertaken into the health issues involved and no study is planned on the cumulative health and environmental impact of adding a large incinerator to the Power Station and landfill site.
• Waste incineration can cause air pollution over at least a 12 miles radius.
• There are less damaging alternatives to incineration and County Councillors have been denied the opportunity to debate the options.

We urge you therefore to look at the web site www.scai.co.uk and read the mass of other information on the internet.

We all owe it to our children to be much better informed about the potential impact on the local community over the next 25 years!

If you agree then please sign the on-line petition, (just follow the links on the front page of www.scai.co.uk).

Please do also consider writing a letter of objection to your County Councillor and MP before January, as these can be very influential.

Remember Asbestos was also once considered to be safe.

We look forward to your support.

Yours faithfully,

Callum MacKenzie
The Old Pump House
Drayton Road
Sutton Courtenay
OXON OX14 4AJ
01235 848082
07866026680’

DISPENSARY SERVICE SAVED
Posted Tuesday 13th January 2009

Following a very passionate campaign, both locally and across the country, the government has agreed not to change the arrangements for pharmacy services.  This means that residents of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell will still be able to use the dispensary at the Wallingford Medical Practice in the same way as before.  

If you collect your prescription from the surgery or have it delivered, arrangements will be unchanged. You are invited to contact the surgery if you have any queries.

County Councillor Lynda Atkins would like to thank all those in Wallingford and Brightwell who supported the campaign.

LOCALLY FROZEN...
Posted Tuesday 13th January 2009

Wallingford demonstrated its eco-credentials on the coldest Saturday of the year. While Sustainable Wallingford’s Swap Shop was in full swing in the Regal Centre, local producers – whose market usually takes place there – did a steady trade in the freezing cold marketplace.

Swap Shops takes place about four times a year; if you missed this one, the next is on 7th March. They are events to encourage the passing on of items that are clean, safe and genuinely reusable, once you have finished with them. Recyclables that cannot be put in the green box are also collected. Everyone is welcome to bring things for reuse, or to take things away; no money changes hands. Since the first Swap Shop in 2003, visitors have taken away 10 tons of goods.

Meanwhile, the Wallingford Local Producer’s Market happens every Saturday, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Regal Centre. (If there is a fifth Saturday in the month, there is a Farmers Market in the marketplace instead). Goods sold are produced within 30 miles of Wallingford, and the aim is to stimulate new local production. Locally-produced fruit and vegetables, honey, flour, cheeses, beer and Brightwell wine is usually available, as well as freshly-baked bread and cakes. There is also a changing collection of other stalls, including one selling jewellery made from recycled gemstones, silver and glass. The main contact for the market is Mark Gray on 01491 651333 or 07971 805416.

Further details on both the Wallingford Producers Market and the Swap Shops can be found on the Sustainable Wallingford website, http://www.sustainablewallingford.org

CHRISTMAS IN BRIGHTWELL
Posted Tuesday 9th December 2008

Christmas will kick off with the Community Association carol evening on Monday 15th December at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. Andy Lewis will be hosting an evening of traditional carol singing, poetry reading and musical interludes. All profits will be used to provide hampers for older people in the village.

The Scouts are again running their Christmas post, and boxes can be found in Brightwell School, Brightwell Garage and in the Red Lion. Details of destinations served – Wallingford and surrounding villages only - are posted on the boxes. All funds raised go back to local scout groups.

There will be traditional Carol Services at the Free Church on Sunday 14 December (7 pm), and at St Agatha’s on Sunday 21 December (6 pm). On Christmas Eve, there will be a children’s crib service in St Agatha’s Church at 4.30 pm, followed by carols round the tree in the Square at 5.15 pm. For details of all other Christmas services at the Free Church, St Agatha’s and St James’s, go to the calendar.

ECO HOUSE
Posted Tuesday 9th December 2008

Phil Jones gave a talk to nearly 60 WI members and friends on the new eco house he and Corinne have had built in Pennygreen Lane. If you were unable to get to his talk - or would like to know more - you can view the slides from his Powerpoint presentation here. If you don't have Powerpoint, you can download the free Powerpoint Viewer from Microsoft here

ST AGATHA'S COFFEE MORNINGS
Posted Tuesday 9th December 2008

The Wednesday coffee mornings in St Agatha’s Church will be taking a Christmas break. December 17 will be the last one before Christmas; they will re-start on Wednesday February 4.

RAISING THE ROOF AT WALLINGFORD MUSEUM
Posted Tuesday 9th December 2008

Wallingford Museum has now closed for its winter refurbishment, after a successful season that saw 600 visitors to its exhibition on Wallingford artists in November alone.

A new exhibition is planned for its re-opening in March 2009, entitled ‘Raising the Roof: Wallingford’s homes & their families’. This will feature a number of properties in Wallingford, examining their history and the people who have lived in them. It will also include a ‘modern’ property, and demonstrate how you can research the story of your own house.

Other projects include a series of digs and geophysical surveys involving archaeology academics and students from Oxford, Leicester and Exeter Universities, as well as local volunteers. Click here for more details (opens as a word document).

The Museum does not receive public money, but is funded by donations and entrance charges, and run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers and custodians. If you would like to help, your assistance would be most welcome. Please contact Judy Dewey tel. 651127.

CHURCH BAPTISM
Posted Wednesday 3rd December 2008

If you have a new baby, you might want to consider a thanksgiving for a safe arrival - or alternatively having the baby christened. Visit the St Agatha's Church web page, or  click here for a new explanation of what's involved in having a child baptised (in Microsoft Word format).

FOBS CHRISTMAS FAIR
Posted Tuesday 25th November 2008

If you would like to give a raffle prize for the Friends of Brightwell School Christmas Fair, Sally Eccleston would love to hear from you. Prizes could be either a gift or a voucher to be used in the future; alternatively you could take a stall in the fair’s Christmas Market.

The fair – which is to be held on Friday 28th November, 6.00pm till 8.30pm - is one of the biggest fundraisers of the school year for FOBS (Friends of Brightwell School).

Sally – the current chair of FOBS – is happy to collect any donations, or arrange for a market stall. She can be contacted on 01491 834780 or email sally.eccdrake@bigfoot.com

CAMPAIGN AGAINST WASTE INCINERATOR
Posted Tuesday 13th November 2008

We have been asked to print the following open letter to Brightwell residents, from a group opposed to the building of a waste incinerator at Sutton Courtenay. The organizer, Callum McKenzie, can be contacted at callumamackenzie@gmail.com

OPEN LETTER TO BRIGHTWELL RESIDENTS
‘Oxfordshire County Council are currently considering a proposal to build a very large incinerator close to Didcot Power Station, to burn 300,000 tons of waste a year.

A campaign has been launched to oppose planning permission for such an incinerator. The Vale of White Horse District Council has agreed and raised 12 objections with the County Council.

Particular concerns are that:

 
• No independent study is being undertaken into the health issues involved and no study is planned on the cumulative health and environmental impact of adding a large incinerator to the Power Station and landfill site.
• Waste incineration can cause air pollution over at least a 12 miles radius.
• There are less damaging alternatives to incineration and County Councillors have been denied the opportunity to debate the options.

We urge you therefore to look at the web site www.scai.co.uk and read the mass of other information on the internet.

We all owe it to our children to be much better informed about the potential impact on the local community over the next 25 years!

If you agree then please sign the on-line petition, (just follow the links on the front page of www.scai.co.uk).

Please do also consider writing a letter of objection to your County Councillor and MP before January, as these can be very influential.

Remember Asbestos was also once considered to be safe.

We look forward to your support.

Yours faithfully,

Callum MacKenzie
The Old Pump House
Drayton Road
Sutton Courtenay
OXON OX14 4AJ
01235 848082
07866026680’

ENVIRONMENT GROUP TALK - "INVADERS"
Posted Tuesday 18th November 2008

Invaders from the plant and insect world – Harlequin Ladybirds and other such ‘foreigners’, rather than Little Green Men – will be the focus of an Environment Group talk this Thursday.

The speaker will be Dr Helen Roy of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and the talk – free, and open to all - is at 8pm on Thursday 20 November in the Village Hall.

There are more than 2000 non-native species in Great Britain and their occurrence is increasing partly because of the rise in the transportation of goods around the globe.  Some of these species cause unacceptable problems (including threatening native biodiversity) and are categorised as invasive alien species (IAS). 

The UK Minister for Biodiversity recently estimated that these alien invaders cost the British economy approximately £2billion a year. This talk will describe some of these species and consider strategies to address their arrival through surveillance and monitoring. 

To find out more about the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, visit http://www.ceh.ac.uk/

FAURÉ'S REQUIEM
Posted Tuesday 18th November 2008

The British Legion and St Agatha’s Church fabric fund have each received 227 pounds from the retiring collection at the performance of Faure’s Requiem and poetry readings on Rembrance Sunday. Pictured are members of the church choir and friends in action.

LATE NIGHT AT ROOT ONE
Posted Thursday 13th November 2008

Free balloons, a ladies choir, Santa and Christmas Wreath demonstrations are all on offer at Root One’s late night shop on Wednesday December 10, up until 9 pm. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served and there will be promotional discounts.

Click here for more details and a downloadable voucher for mulled wine and a mince pie (in Adobe PDF format).

THE VILLAGER OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
Posted Thursday 13th November 2008

Highlights from the latest Villager are now online. Go to Community and Leisure and click on the Villager web page.

THE RED LION HAS GOOD BEER - IT'S OFFICIAL
Posted Thursday 13th November 2008

The Red Lion has won a place in the Campaign for Real Ale Good Beer Guide 2009. The Guide features both urban and rural pubs, giving details of food, pub history, architecture, transport links, beer gardens, accommodation, disabled access and facilities for families.

Pubs are surveyed by local CAMRA members and scored on a variety of aspects that make a great pub. These include customer service, the clientele mix, value for money, décor and the quality of the beer.

“Out of 6,000 pubs in Britain only 4,500 make it into the guide, so we are delighted,” says Sue Robson.

A special Christmas menu starts on December 1st, and plans are already being laid for Burns Night in January 2009 (tartan must be worn!). For more details, visit http://www.redlion.biz/

2009 GRANTS
Posted Thursday 13th November 2008

The Parish Council will consider applications for donations to organisations at its meeting on 16 December 2008. If your society or club would like to bid for a grant from the Parish Council, Jane Dix (01491 826968) has application forms.

DRINKA PINTA
Posted Thursday 13th November 2008

The doorstep milk delivery may seem like a hangover from another age, but it seems the service has entered the 21st century. Orders for milk – and other assorted groceries – can now be placed online. You can order up to 9 pm the night before for delivery the next day. Visit www.milkandmore.co.uk or phone free on 0800 317846 to find out more.

Dairy Crest delivers milk in Brightwell on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

THE MESSIAH AT DORCHESTER ABBEY
Posted Thursday 13th November 2008

Cranford Choral Society – which has several Brightwell people among its members – will be performing Handel’s Messiah at Dorchester Abbey on Saturday 6th December. Tickets are available from Just Trading, 80 High Street,Wallingford, or Tickets Oxford (01865 305305). www.ticketsoxford.com

OF POOH STICKS AND OTHER WACKY EVENTS...
Posted Thursday 13th November 2008

The annual Pooh Sticks event at Days Lock features alongside the Cheshire Worm-Charming Championships in Wacky Nation: 50 Unbelievable Days out at Britain’s Craziest Contests, by James Bamber and Sally Raynes, published by Icon Books. A Sunday Telegraph review described the book as ‘very silly, completely bonkers but surprisingly engaging.’

The Pooh Sticks Championships, usually held in the Spring, celebrated its 25th birthday this year. It was started by the lock keeper at Days Lock when he hit on the idea that it would be a good vehicle for raising money for the Royal Lifeboat Institution – his favourite charity.

ST JOHN'S SCHOOL, WALLINGFORD
Posted Thursday 13th November 2008

2010 sees the Centenary Anniversary of St John’s County Primary school in Wallingford. If you, or anyone you know, attended the school, the organisers of the anniversary celebrations would love to hear from you.

Claire Satchwell writes in the latest edition of The Villager: “We are hoping to contact as many former pupils and staff who went to the school to help us join in the celebrations. We are preparing a special book, and would like memories and photos.”

Telephone 07770 456050 or e-mail info@stjohnscentenary.org.uk for more details.

JUNIOR CRICKET
Posted Thursday 13th November 2008

If you would like to support Junior Cricket in Brightwell, you can become a Patron for just £10 a year – with a free cream tea into the bargain. To find out more, visit the team’s impressive new website, under Cricket in Community and Leisure, or e-mail the club secretary Chris Davies at chrisandemma.davies@btinternet.com.

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Posted Wednesday 5th November 2008

Save the Children are holding a Saturday Market in the Barn at South Cottage, Sotwell Street (opposite Monk's Mead) this coming Saturday, 8th November 10am - 12 noon.

On sale will be Christmas Cards, Paper and Gifts (some cards at Sales Prices) - Jams, Chutneys, Pies and Honey.

LEST WE FORGET….
Posted Wednesday 5th November 2008

Remembrance Sunday in Brightwell this year will be marked not only by the usual parade, but also by a performance of Fauré’s Requiem in St Agatha’s Church in the evening.

The parade will assemble at the Red Lion at 10.30 am, with all welcome to join in on the march to the wreath-laying ceremony and service. This starts at the War Memorial at 10.50, and will continue inside St Agatha’s Church. All those who are currently serving in the forces are invited to wear uniform. (For pictures from past village parades, see the Royal British Legion web page.)

The parade will assemble at the Red Lion at 10.30 am, with all welcome to join in on the march to the wreath-laying ceremony and service. This starts at the War Memorial at 10.50, and will continue inside St Agatha’s Church. All those who are currently serving in the forces are invited to wear uniform. (For pictures from past village parades, see the Royal British Legion web page. Also, click here for a list of the names of people from Brightwell-cum-Sotwell who were killed in both world wars; this list is read out every year at the Act of Remembrance.

Fauré’s Requiem is being performed by St Agatha’s Church Choir with friends in the evening, starting at 7 pm. The singing will be interspersed with a variety of readings. Refreshments will be served afterwards, and – although there is no entry charge - proceeds from a retiring collection will be shared between the Royal British Legion and church funds.

POST OFFICE - NEW OPENING HOURS
Posted Wednesday 5th November 2008

Brightwell’s very own post office – round the back of the village hall - is now open four days a week, with the addition of Tuesday mornings to its schedule. Opening hours are now 9.30 to 12.30 every weekday morning except Thursday, and the telephone number is 01491 834728.

For a full list of services offered, see the Post Office web page in the Community and Leisure listings.

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS 2009
Posted Wednesday 5th November 2008

If you have a child born between 1st September 2004 and 31st August 2005, it is important that you apply for a school place by the deadline of 14th November. For more information, contact the Brightwell School office, telephone 01491 837024, e-mail office.brightwell@brightwell.oxon.sch.uk

SCHOOL CARETAKER VACANCY
Posted Wednesday 5th November 2008

The school has a vacancy for a cleaner/caretaker – 15 hours per week (3 hours each weekday after school) at £7.85 per hour. As with all posts in schools, successful candidates will be subject to Criminal Records Bureau checks. For more details call Corinne at Quest cleaning (OCC agency) on 07768 057232 or collect an application form from the school office.

HOW DO THE BIRDS KNOW WHERE TO GO?
Posted Wednesday 5th November 2008

An animal behaviourist who likes to join birds in their flight, and who holds five UK par-gliding records, will be talking on bird navigation in Wallingford on Tuesday, November 11.

The talk by Tim Guilford – Professor of Animal Behaviour at Oxford – will be held in the Wallingford Corn Exchange café/bar, as part of the Café Scientifique series. It starts at 7.30 pm, but you are advised to arrive early, as seating is limited.

For more on the Café Scientifique idea, visit their website at http://www.cafescientifique.org

JANICE IS ORDAINED
Posted Thursday 16th October 2008

Janice Chilton is now ordained to serve as a deacon in the Wallingford team ministry – and the all-age Bible Sunday event at St Agatha’s Church on Sunday was her first service in this new role.

She is pictured at the ordination ceremony in Oxford with her former neighbour in Brightwell, Tim Seago. Tim lived in the village with his wife, Lindy, for two years while he was studying at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. He was ordained just the week before Janice, at Salisbury Cathedral, and is now serving as a curate in Marlborough.

JOHN BREWERTON
Posted Thursday 16th October 2008

Sad to announce the death of John Brewerton, a familiar figure around the village in his wheelchair. The funeral is at St Agatha’s Church on Friday, October 17th, at 2 pm.

CONFUSED OF SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE?
Posted Tuesday 14th October 2008

If, like many people, you are you confused about which council deals with what issue, help is at hand. Lynda Atkins (Oxfordshire County Council) and Celia Collett (South Oxfordshire District Council) have put together a document which explains all. Click here to read more.

PHARMACY THREAT - MAKE YOUR FEELINGS KNOWN
Posted Wednesday 10th September 2008

A meeting to discuss the threat to the dispensary service at the Wallingford Medical Practice is being held in Brightwell Village Hall on Tuesday 16th September at 2 pm. If you get your medicines from the surgery and are concerned about proposed changes, you are warmly invited to attend.

"The changes which are being discussed may well involve the forced closure of the dispensary at the Medical practice, on the basis that residents of outlying areas should use the commercial pharmacies in Wallingford instead", says County Councillor Lynda Atkins, who organised the meeting.  Practice Manager Janet Newman will be on hand to help explain what proposed government policy changes may mean locally and how best to make your feelings known during the formal consultation process which is underway. 

If you cannot get to the meeting, but would like to know more, Lynda can be contacted on lynda.atkins@ntlworld.com

NEWS FROM WALLINGFORD MUSEUM
Posted Wednesday 10th September 2008

Wallingford’s Artistic Legacy
Coming to Wallingford Museum for one month only in November is this unique exhibition about the Victorian painters who lived in Wallingford at the beginning of the 20th century and the artistic legacy they left to their pupils and descendants. Amongst the 75 or so paintings on show will be works by James Hayllar and his daughters and GD Leslie and his son – many of the paintings rarely, if ever, seen in public before. With them will be some 20 pictures by their friend and local art teacher, Claude Rowbotham, plus a remarkable collection of 30 paintings by his pupil Kate Latter. Most are of local views. Representing later generations, there will be works by the descendants of the Leslie and Hayllar families from New Zealand and South Africa.

Make the most of your Museum season ticket – take a last chance to visit the 'In Touch with Our Ancestors' exhibition during October and, at no extra cost, see 'Wallingford’s Artistic Legacy' in November.

Wallingford Archaeological Excavations
Whilst the digging has finished, work is still in progress on analysing all the data and finds from this summer's excavation. Meanwhile the Wallingford Archaeological Excavations website still shows the full diary of the dig and numerous pictures of the finds, and you can visit Wallingford Museum to see examples of the finds, background information and medieval and 17th century documents contemporary with the things found.

The next phase of archaeology has started with the Garden Archaeology Project - the digging of 1m x 1.5m holes x 1m deep, in gardens all over Wallingford to investigate the profile of what lies beneath the town so we can better understand its development over the centuries. One test garden pit has already been dug to establish the method and now we are now beginning to contact the kind people who have offered their gardens.  The Garden Archaeology will continue throughout the remaining two years of the Burh to Borough project, during which there will also be a programme of Fieldwalking around the Wallingford area, more Geophysical surveys and more major excavations next summer. So watch this space!

Museum bookshop
There is a well-known secret that Wallingford Museum has a highly successful secondhand bookshop ! 

It has a constantly changing stock of good quality yet reasonably priced secondhand books

Well worth a detour to call in at the reception area, during  Museum opening hours.

FAURE’S REQUIEM
Posted Friday 8th August 2008

St.Agatha's choir is rehearsing to perform the Fauré Requiem on the evening of Remembrance Sunday, November 9th, and welcomes additional singers. Practices take place on Friday evenings in the church at 7.00pm for half an hour (except in August). If you would like to join, ring Derek Nightingale, 01491 835712.

(ST)RIDING OUT TO SAVE CHURCHES
Posted Friday 8th August 2008

If you like walking or cycling, and fancy a chance of exploring Oxfordshire’s numerous historic churches, you might like to join the sponsored Ride and Stride on Saturday 13 September.

Last year, riders and walkers from Brightwell raised £625 for the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust, making them the fourth biggest fund-raisers in the area. The total for Wallingford, Didcot and surrounding villages was over £7,000.

Non walkers and cyclists can support the event by acting as welcomers in one of Brightwell’s three churches, by sponsoring someone who is taking part, or by being sponsored themselves. The Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust supports historic churches of all denominations. All money raised will be divided between the trust and a church nominated by each participant.

For more details about the trust’s work, and for a helpful sketch map of suggested routes, visit http://www.ohct.org.uk. To obtain a sponsor form, contact Roy Thorpe on 01491 837334

NEWS FROM WALLINGFORD MUSEUM
Posted Friday 8th August 2008

Bunkfest special events at Wallingford Museum will include a free local history walk on Sunday 31 August, led by members of the Wallingford Historical & Archaeological Society (TWHAS). Meet for the walk at Wallingford Museum at 11.00am, and be back by 12.30pm.

Experts will be on hand to identify archaeological objects and fossils in a repeat of the successful Finds and Fossils Day on 13 September, from 10 am to 1 pm in the Courtyard behind the Museum. Also, by popular demand, on the same day there will be two guided walks led by local historian Judy Dewey. At 11am there will be a Castle history walk, followed by a Town history walk at 2.30pm. Both walks, lasting just over 2 hours, start at the Museum with a charge of £3 for each walk.

Star attraction at the museum is the medieval ‘Burghmote Roll’, with tally stick attached, on loan from the Berkshire Record office. This is a record of the local medieval court of Burghmote and Pie Powder at which the Mayor would have presided. 'Pie Powder' was a special court to deal with problems involving merchants. The name originated from the French "pieds poudre" - "dusty feet", and reflected the state of the merchants' feet as they travelled from town to town. The court dealt quickly with disputes so that the merchants could move on.

The Tally stick is a sort of medieval IOU. It records a debt owed by a Wallingford man, Robert le Taillor and his wife, to a merchant of the Earl of Chester. The amount owed - seven shillings - is shown by notches cut along the side of the stick, a system of accounting which everyone would have understood. The Tally stick, once notched, was sliced in half; Robert would have had one half, the Earl of Chester's merchant the other.

Click here for more news from Wallingford Museum (in Microsoft Word format).

NEW COMPUTER COURSES
Posted Friday 8th August 2008

Make this autumn and winter your chance to get computer literate, with the aid of new computer courses being put on by Wallingford Adult Learning. Extra courses not included in the current brochure include:

• Editing Digital Pictures A. A day getting to grips with manipulating and editing digital pictures. Sat 04/10/08 10.00-16.00
• Editing Digital Pictures B. Enhance your pictures before printing, produce collages, slideshows and posters. Mon 06/10/08 09.00-12.20 3 wks
• Moving to Office 2007. Sat 07/03/09 10.00-16.00
• Newsletters – Beginners, using MS Word. Mon 08/12/08 09.30-15.30
• Newsletters – Improvers. Mon 05/12/08 09.30-15.30
• Practise Your Skills Mon 03/11//08 09.30-11.30 5 wks
• Spreadsheets – Beginners. Mon 05/01/09 09.30-15.30
• Spreadsheets – Improvers. A follow on day covering more advanced formatting and formulae including graphs. Mon 30/03/09 09.30-15.30
• Using Open Office Word Processing. A short course introducing this freeware alternative to MS Office. Mon 12/01/09 09.30-11.30 5 wks
• Maintain Your Computer. Take control of your filing, back up files, maintain your hard disk, update software and start customising your computer. Sat 10/01/09 10.00-16.00 5wk
• Word Processing Hints & Tips. Sat 11/11/08 10.00-16.00

For more details contact Wallingford Adult Learning on 01491 836710 or send an email to cheryl.graham@oxfordshire.gov.uk. If you leave a message you will be contacted as soon as possible.

SCOUTING IN BRIGHTWELL-CUM-SOTWELL
Posted Wednesday 6th August 2008

The cubs now have a new web page, in the Community and Leisure page. Meanwhile, the search is still on for someone to lead a Beaver group in the village. If you think you might be that person, please contact Jon Payne, e-mail jgp@e-3-ltd.co.uk

STEWART MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
Posted Wednesday 6th August 2008

Keith Bailey, who is researching his wife’s family history, has sent us the following request from help:

‘Please can someone in Brightwell help us find if there are records of the families who lived at the Stewart Memorial Institute? According to the 1901 Census, my wife's great grandmother, Sarah Sophia Hawkins, lived there together with her daughter, Lilian, her husband Charles Edward Calladine, and Ivor their son. It appears that several families lived there at the time. We wonder how long the Institute provided housing, and what the criteria were for eligibility?

‘We enjoyed a brief visit to Brightwell some months ago to take pictures and check in the churchyard. We live in Suffolk but have spent part of our lives in Berks and Oxon.’

Keith can be contacted at keith_bailey@btopenworld.com. Follow this link for more family history stories.

FAIRTHORNE MEMORIAL TRUST
Posted Wednesday 6th August 2008

Not many people know that Brightwell has its very own charitable trust, which provides help for local people “in need, hardship or distress”. The amount in the pot may not be of Bill Gates proportions – but the trustees are keen to see more applications for assistance.

“Examples of how we have helped people in the past include payment for trips organized by village bodies, supplementary educational assistance and supporting other village functions,” says secretary Michael Drury.

If you feel you might benefit from this – or know someone else in need – contact Michael Drury on (01491) 832460, or e-mail fnu_snu@msn.com. All applications will be treated in confidence.

VILLAGE FETE – 12 JULY 2008
Posted Wednesday 6th August 2008 - Courtesy of The Villager and Hugh Roderick

The signs weren’t good, but we got lucky and the Fete survived the weather again this year. Who cares, anyway. The village always enjoys the fete, come rain or shine. We recorded a profit of some £3,350, down slightly from last year. The White Elephant stall - £1155.46, the Bottle stall - £598.31, and the Books stall - £399.65 were star performers this year. A popular new attraction was the Candy Floss stall – perhaps less so with parents dealing with the sticky fingers and faces. As ever, Fete profits will be distributed by the Community Association as contributions to village activities and organisations. All groups that want to apply for funds this year and haven’t received an application form should contact our Treasurer, James Davys on 834195. The Fete was very kindly hosted again by David and Jenny Dobbin at Sotwell House. With the bad weather in the week before threatening to turn the garden into a quagmire, we were even more grateful than usual for David and Jenny’s immense preparatory work, and patient responses to requests for branch trimming etc.

Any comments and suggestions for the Fete in the future will be well received. Why not use the Villager to express your ideas.

FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW
Posted Wednesday 6th August 2008

Sally Dugan writes:
Another year, another panic… Would the rain hold off? Would gardeners find enough to enter among the rows of blackened onions and blighted roses? By Wednesday, entries were well down on previous years; the night before the show saw committee members furiously raiding their gardens at dusk and indulging in some serious arm-twisting to make sure there was plenty to fill the tables.

But villagers and the clerk of the weather came up trumps. The rain pretty much held off all day – and, although flower and vegetable entries were down, there was still plenty to interest visitors. The animal made from vegetables – judged by popular vote- proved a close-run thing. The winner by a nose was Joy Butterfield’s ‘It’s a dog life’ – a potato in a four-poster bed, with carrots for struts and a cabbage leaf bedspread. Coming closely behind was a particularly stylish parrot, followed by a peacock and a clutch of carrot birds in a nest.

Ideas for next year’s ‘popular vote’ class will be gratefully accepted – along with any suggestions for what we could do better or differently. One complaint about our discrimination in giving the men – and not the ladies - a cake recipe has been duly noted. This is more about schedule space, and encouraging as many entries as possible, rather than sexism. The whole concept of ‘men’s’ and ‘ladies’ cookery, and of the men’s flower arrangement, doesn’t bear too much examination. However, I agree it doesn’t look good.

As ever, we are very grateful to our judges and to our many helpers. Thank you to Brian Smith, for stepping in at the last minute to organise refreshments – and to Martin Lovering, for being willing to do it in the first place, and then organising his replacement when he was hijacked to perform a wedding!

Click here for the full produce show results (in Microsoft Word format).

TEAM HENRY UPDATE
Posted Wednesday 6th August 2008

Jerry Walters has raised £3,285 in a wet cycle ride for CLIC Sargent, the cancer charity that has supported the Walters family during 10-year old Henry’s treatment for a pituitary gland tumour.

‘Team Henry’ – which includes members of the City of London Police, Wallingford Rugby Club and friends - rode in the London to Oxford Cycle ride on July 6.

To find out more, or to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/TeamHenry.

PARISH PLAN - LATEST
Posted Wednesday 2nd July 2008

Brightwell Parish Plan has been held up as a model for others to follow – most recently, being chosen by SERCC (South East Rural Community Council) for inclusion as one of four case studies across the South East. To view these case studies, visit www.sercc.org.uk and click on Community Planning.

Affordable housing, the Environment Group’s energy-saving projects, the campaign for a community shop and improved communication – including this website – are among the developments highlighted. The published documents were presented at the Oxfordshire Community Led Planning Conference and the ACRE Rural Life Conference at Keele University in June. The Chief Executive of ACRE works with Defra and the Commission for Rural Communities and is also a member of advisory groups to government offices.

“It is over four years since we completed the Parish Plan,” says Celia Collett, who chaired the Steering Group. “Since then the Parish Council, various village groups and organisations have been working hard to deliver the action plan. Many actions have been completed and some are still being worked on. The Village Shop is one where there is still a strong dedicated commitment to make it happen.

“Parish and Community-led plans can now have a significant influence both locally and nationally, with the national policy on community empowerment and a new statutory “duty to involve” local people.

“There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that we continue to enable people to be a part of the decisions that affect their lives. We must build on what has already been achieved. Well done, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, for what has been accomplished so far.”

HELP WANTED
Posted Tuesday 1st July 2008

Once again, we are appealing for help with the maintenance and enhancement of your village web site.

The site is operated by a small team of volunteers, and though we have many plans for improvements, time constraints are preventing us implementing these as quickly as we would like. We would very much appreciate assistance both in the day-to-day updating of the site, and with the design and implementation of new features and facilities.

If you have any experience with web page design using HTML and/or PHP and MySQL - or if you are keen to learn, then we would like to hear from you. Please contact Myron Edwards: e-mail myron.edwards@virgin.net

DUCK GREEN OR DATCHET GREEN
Posted Tuesday 1st July 2008

Feathers have been flying on the quiet lawns of Datchet Green with a home-hatched duck saga featuring passion, rivalry and a fluffy ending. Click here for a full account from Leandra Briggs.

FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW
Posted Tuesday 1st July 2008

Now is the time to check out your rose beds and root through your photo albums in search of entries for this year’s show. Or you could even start practising on your animal made from vegetables (to be judged by popular vote).

Photography classes this year are on the themes of holidays, the joys of gardening, or simply ‘make us smile’. There is also a class for a set of four photos on the theme of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell. So, even if you are not a gardener or a cook, the chances are you will have an odd photo you can enter.

Schedules and entry forms for this year’s show are now available in the Red Lion, in the Villager, or online. The show is staged in the grounds of Sotwell House, as part of the Village Fete, on Saturday 12 July, and you can submit entry forms in advance to any committee member. Late entries are also accepted up until 10.30 am on the day of the show.

For more details contact sally.dugan@virgin.net or ring Paul Chilton 01491 836661 .

NEW SCHOOL HEAD
Posted Tuesday 1st July 2008

Brightwell School will have a new acting headteacher in the autumn term, following Roger Grant’s departure for a new headship in Henley.

Angela Harbut is currently deputy headteacher at Holy Trinity CE Aided Primary School in Sunningdale, Berkshire. She has been at Holy Trinity since 1990 and has experience as acting as Headteacher during various times at this school. She also brings 18 years experience of Sunday school teaching at Maidenhead Baptist Church, including 12 years as joint leader of the primary department (3 to 7 year olds).

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
Posted Tuesday 1st July 2008

New to the Community and Leisure web pages is one for the British Legion. It features pictures of two Remembrance Day ceremonies – one, after the First World War, the other – more recent – featuring Col. Gilbert Talbot. The British Legion always welcomes new members of all ages. Contact John Wardle 01491 833160 for information, or click here for the new web page.

Meanwhile, plans are afoot to stage a performance of Fauré’s Requiem in St Agatha’s Church, to ensure that this year’s Remembrance Sunday weekend is one to remember.

TEAM HENRY IN ACTION
Jerry Walters – who founded the Brightwell Junior cricket team – will be abandoning bat and ball for the bicycle saddle in July to raise money for a cancer charity.

His 10-year old son, Henry, has recently undergone successful treatment for a pituitary gland tumour. ‘Team Henry’ – which will include members of the City of London Police, Wallingford Rugby Club and friends - will be riding in the London to Oxford Cycle ride on July 6. All money raised will go to CLIC Sargent, the cancer charity that has supported the Walters family since Henry’s illness was first diagnosed last October.

To find out more, or to sponsor the team, visit www.justgiving.com/TeamHenry

LATEST FROM SODC
A motley selection of reminders from the latest edition of Outlook, SODCs magazine:

• Tetra Pak style drinks cartons – which are made from a mixture of cardboard, aluminium and plastic – can’t be put in your green recycling box. But they can be recycled at special carton recycling banks at the SODC car park in Crowmarsh, or at the Oakley Wood dump. After the cartons are collected, they are processed in a paper mill and turned into plasterboard lining.
• Window envelopes can now be put in your green recycling box.
• If you want to change your house name, visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/housenamechange
• To report a damaged street sign, visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/streetnameplates. You can also upload a photo of the damaged street sign and track the progress of repairs at www.southoxon.gov.uk/streetnames.

PLEA FOR PHOTOGRAPHS

Do you have any old photos of the village from 1960 to 1985? If so, Mark Watkin would like to hear from you. He writes: “I grew up in Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell and long to locate and copy any photographs that show things that are of some sentimental importance to me. For example, the shop that used to be in The Street that was owned and run by Mr and Mrs Lynch, Kew’s Bakery, the Bell Stores that was owned and run by the Whitmarsh family, the small sweet shop (as I remember it) owned and run by the Brooker family down Church Lane, the apple orchard that was up on Greenmere Estate (where I lived and played). I am sure someone somewhere must have some photographs that show these places, but it has now been several years that I have been trying to locate any, and so far I have had not one reply.”

If you can help, Mark’s email address is: iamhere@talktalk.net

CRICKET 1858 STYLE
Some 200 people turned out suitably-dressed to watch Brightwell play Moreton Village Cricket Club to celebrate the Brightwell club’s 150th year.

The team from North Moreton, led by their umpire in tail coat and top hat, walked across the fields to the recreation ground as they would have done for their first match. Brightwell won the toss – using an 1858 sovereign – and finished with 166 Runs on the board for the loss of 9 wickets. Moreton scored 112 runs all out in 1hour 50 mins. A return match is to be played at Moreton on Sunday, 7th September 2008.

For a full report by the organizer, Tony Windsor, click here.? For picture and video gallery, click here

OF PINTS AND POLITICS
If you pop into the Red Lion for a pint, you could bend the ear of your local county councillor at the same time. Lynda Atkins, who has succeeded Bill Bradshaw as member for Wallingford and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, plans to be in the pub before each monthly Parish Council meeting. The next chance to catch her will be from 6.30 to 7.45pm on June 17, then the following Tuesdays: 15 July, 16 September, 21 October, 18 November, 16 December.

“I have been a member of Wallingford Town Council for 5 years now, and I am very much enjoying the opportunity to learn more about the very different community in the village,” says Lynda. “I’ll be attending Parish Council meetings each month, and also hope to be at most WI meetings. In order to do the best job I can of representing local people, I plan to be available formally to meet anyone who wants to talk to me. I am very grateful to Sue Robson for allowing me to be at the Red Lion.”

Lynda will also be holding joint surgeries in Wallingford with Ed Vaizey MP and Wallingford District Councillors. These surgeries will take place at the Town Hall from 5.30 to 7pm on Friday 11 July and Friday 24 October.

If you want to contact Lynda at any other time, you can call her on 01491 839120, or email lynda.atkins@ntlworld.com

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Posted Sunday 25th May 2008

Money from this year’s plant sale in The Square - £1,035 and still counting – has been earmarked for the Burma disaster fund. Celia Collett would like to thank all the growers and customers who make this annual event so successful.

Thanks to Save the Children’s loyal band of collectors and supporters, the annual House-to-House Collection in Brightwell also raised £581.69.

PLAY ASSISTANTS NEEDED
Posted Sunday 25th May 2008

Due to expanding numbers, Allsorts Pre-School need two more play assistants. Applicants will need experience of dealing with children, ideally qualified to NVQ Level 2, or be willing to train.

For more information or an application form, contact the supervisor, Karen Stevens on 01491 826387 or 01235 810543

HOW LEAKY IS YOUR HOUSE?
Posted Wednesday 21st May 2008

Members of the Brightwell Environment Group have been busy with their thermal imaging camera, finding hot spots of heat loss in over 60 village buildings, including the Village Hall (pictured below).

Rear of the Village Hall Showing the Insulated Extension compared with the poorly insulated main roof and walls. Lower windows & doors double glazed but it was warmer inside.

The group’s study won a prize of £500 in a competition organised by Oxfordshire Climate Xchange, and a follow up questionnaire is planned for November.

Click here for a full report.

REMEMBER ST AGATHA'S SPRING FAIR - SATURDAY MAY 17TH
Posted Wednesday 14th May 2008

The fair starts at 2pm in Brightwell Manor gardens, by kind permission of Dr Pauline Emerson. There are various stalls, games for the children, a bouncy castle and teas with home-made cakes. Books, white elephants, bottles, gifts and cakes are needed, and Rosemary or David Greasby are happy to collect white elephants beforehand if necessary. Just let them know on 01491 834943.

GLITCH FIXED
Posted Wednesday 14th May 2008

Thanks to some tricky technical fiddling by our webmaster, Myron Edwards, the irritating disappearing act of our left hand red menu should now be a thing of the past. The problem only affected some computers, but it did mean that people had difficulty accessing inside pages of the website.

If you find the menu still drops away, it may be because your computer is still ‘remembering’ the old links. In this case, you need to clear your browsing history and empty the cache of pages you have visited before. Confused or need more help? Click here to contact Myron by e-mail.

NEW VISITOR'S PAGE
Posted Wednesday 14th May 2008

Our site now has a new page specially for visitors. Even if you have lived in Brightwell for years, we hope you will still find it useful. Apart from the obvious information about local tourist attractions and places to stay, there are details of a range of walks. These include routes with easy access suitable for both wheelchairs and buggies.

As with all pages on our site, we welcome suggestions for additions and improvements.

Still on a housekeeping note, we would like more up to date photos for our picture galleries. Also, we are thinking of removing the village noticeboard, as it seems to be little used. Again, please let us know what you think.

PROTEST AGAINST DISPENSARY PLANS
Posted Wednesday 14th May 2008

If you get your medicines from Wallingford Medical Centre, you might want to consider joining a protest against plans to close practice dispensaries in all but the most rural of practices.

The centre – which has recently introduced a free delivery service for repeat prescriptions - is asking people to write to Ed Vaizey, MP to help save the dispensary.

At the moment, anyone who lives more than a mile away from a chemist can pick up their medicines at the same time as they see the doctor. This includes people living in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell. Under changes now being discussed, the Wallingford dispensary could be among those to close.

“Once again this withdrawal of a service will hit the elderly and most rural patients the hardest, just like the closure of rural post offices,” says Janet Newman, practice manager. According to Mrs Newman, the dispensary could close as early as April 1st next year, if plans go ahead.

For more details, visit www.wallingfordmedicalpractice.co.uk

QUIZ NIGHT
Posted Wednesday 30th April 2008

Brightwell Junior Cricket Club will be running a Quiz Night at the Red Lion in Brightwell as part of the main club’s 150th birthday celebrations. All are welcome - you can enter a team with friends, or simply turn up and join with others on the night.

The event will be held on Monday 26th May, starting at 8pm. Entry is £2 per team, with £5 for a Chilli supper. Click here for a flyer.

To help with organization, please send team name & number of team members (up to a maximum of 6), plus details of the number who will be eating chilli either before the quiz starts (from 7-7.30pm), or during the interval (approx 9.15).

Replies to Jerry Walters, Brightwell Junior Cricket Manager - jerrywalters@btopenworld.com
Web site: www.bcsccjuniors.co.uk

VILLAGE LUNCH CLUB
Posted Wednesday 30th April 2008

The village lunches still take place; the next one is on Tuesday 15th July, and there will be further lunches in the autumn and at Christmas. All are welcome - please contact Belinda Lee- Jones (01491) 836223.

FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW
Posted Wednesday 30th April 2008

The schedule and entry form for this year’s show - part of the Village Fete at Sotwell House in July - is now available online - click here for details. It offers some less than serious classes - including a chance for everyone to try their hand at making an animal from vegetables. The results will be judged by popular vote, something that seemed to work well with the flower arrangements in unusual containers last year. There is also a new class especially for novices in the Flower Arranging Section.

Thanks to the healthy state of the allotments, there are growing (!) numbers of entrants in the vegetable classes. Even if you don’t grow vegetables, most people will have the odd photograph they can enter; if they’d like to send digital versions to the website afterwards, we can ensure that the Produce Show continues all the year round.

This year - thanks to a grant from the Community Association - there are some fancy new purple Highly Commended cards to go alongside the usual prize cards and trophies.

A schedule for the Brightwell, Sotwell and Rush Court Horticultural Show at Style Acre in July, 1914 has recently come to light. More details on the Flower and Produce Show web page.

SUSTAINABLE WALLINGFORD
Posted Wednesday 30th April 2008

Wallingford’s very own ecological campaigning group is inviting people to join - at a bargain £5 a year for membership. The group aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce our demands on the planet’s resources. It campaigns on global and local environmental issues, produces a ‘buy local’ directory and holds regular recycling Swap Shops.

The group hit the headlines earlier this year with a very public ‘farewell’ to a lorry-load of Tetra Pak cartons from Wallingford’s Market Place. The Oakley Wood tip now has a recycling bin for these, but no facilities were available when Sustainable Wallingford first started their campaign.

If you would like details of membership, contact sw@sustainablewallingford.org or visit the website at www.sustainablewallingford.org.

BRING YOUR OWN BARROW
Posted Thursday 13th March 2008

Allsorts PreSchool is holding a Bring Your Own Barrow party on Saturday 29th March, at 10 am, to help get their new sensory garden off the ground.

" We are delighted to say that at the beginning of April, the ladies of the WI will be coming to Allsorts to create a sensory garden to stimulate our little people's senses." says Victoria Clyde-Matthews,  Allsorts Secretary. "A wee bit of work preparing the ground is required first, though.  We would, therefore, like to invite you to a BYOB (bring your own barrow) party. Coffee, pastries and child minding will be provided free of charge at Allsorts.  All you have to do is turn up with your wheelbarrow, spade and gardening gloves and get stuck in."

RSVPs to Committee Chair, Tania Bevis on 01491 832489, or Victoria Clyde-Matthews at  vickiecm@gmail.com.  

LOOKING FOR PATRICK TOOTELL
Posted Sunday 9th March 2008

We have been contacted from Thailand by Stuart Tootell, who would like to trace his cousin, Patrick.

He writes: “Many years ago, say around 1957-59 or thereabouts, there lived in the council houses in Brightwell cum Sotwell a family called ''Tootell' - my aunt, uncle and cousins.

“Robert was the father and he worked for Morses of Swindon, selling household goods etc from a van (a tally man). Beatrice, his wife, was my aunt and they had two children: June (who married a chap called Ian Madgewick 1957-ish) and Patrick her younger brother. Patrick worked at Dowell and Hissetts chrome platers in Wallingford.

“I live in Thailand and have done so for some 16 years and even now I am still looking to find Patrick. I am 62, and Patrick would be around 68. Robert, the father, died around 1992 - again second hand info - and prior to his death was living in Hampshire near the New Forest. Beatrice had it seems died some 2 to 3 years earlier.

“I have been searching everywhere and so far no luck, so any nugget of information would indeed be a joy to me.”

WORLD POOH STICKS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Posted Sunday 9th March 2008

This popular annual event at Days Lock, Little Wittenham, will be celebrating its 25th birthday on 30 March.

Over the years this peculiarly British ritual of throwing sticks into water has attracted competitors from all over the world, notably from Japan, Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Latvia. It was started by the lock keeper at Days Lock as a way of raising money for the Royal Lifeboat Institution – his favourite charity – and is now run by the Rotary Club of Sinodun.

The event has raised many thousands of pounds for charity, and this year will have extra attractions to celebrate its birthday. These include a bouncy castle, balloon race and teddy bear clinic. You can watch the championships for free, or enter for £1.50 a person. The first race starts at 12 noon, with last guaranteed entry at 1.30 pm,

For further information, contact David Caswell (01491) 838294 e-mail: david@dcaswell.F9.co.uk or visit www. sinodunrotaryweb.org

NUFFIELD PLACE
Posted Sunday 9th March 2008

The Friends of Nuffield Place invite you to visit the house and garden of the man who started and developed Morris Motors – and enjoy a cup of tea, or buy plants in aid of Macmillan Nurses at the same time.

Lord Nuffield – William Morris - was a great philanthropist, giving vast sums to medicine, education and welfare services. He lived at Nuffield Place from 1933 –1963. The house is a rare survival of a complete middle-class home of the 1930s. It was designed by Oswald Partridge Milne and built in 1914.

The house is situated at Huntercombe/Nuffield on the left-hand side of the A4130, halfway between Wallingford and Henley. It will be open to the public on Sunday, April 27th, and every 2nd and 4th Sunday until September (inclusive) from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (last entry 4.30 p.m.) Entry: Adults £5.00, Concessions £4.00, Children under 16 – Free. Garden only £1.00 per person.

For further details and coach party bookings: ring (01491) 641224

CLIMBING KILIMANJARO
Posted Thursday 6th March 2008

Ellie Devey-Robson's friends and sponsors will be pleased to hear that she has not only successfully climbed Kilimanjaro, but - being a glutton for punishment - carried on up for a further four hours walking.

Ellie, who worked at the Red Lion and held a charity quiz to help fund her expedition, writes: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me in my Kilimanjaro adventure. As you may or may not know I did make it to the summit. Not only that but I decided to punish myself further by walking around the crater further to the highest point in Africa and the highest point on a free standing mountain in the world!"

In her account for the latest Red Lion newsletter, she describes the trials of altitude sickness - "like someone had bludgeoned my head with a rounders bat" - and the emotion of watching other members of the group get sick and of finally reaching the peak.

Click here for the full account.

EARTHY BATTLES ON THE ALLOTMENT
Posted Tuesday 4th March 2008

Readers of The Villager – either in its traditional eau de nil green paper covers, or online – will have enjoyed Tony Debney’s pun-strewn molicious battles down on the allotment. The latest instalment, Old Mole’s Almanac, is in the February/March edition of The Villager, available here.

Meanwhile, the team that produces Brightwell’s bi-monthly magazine needs help with printing. If you are interested, contact Penny Kane on 01491 825207, Gill Dexter on 01491 837110 or any other member of The Villager Committee

KEEPING IN TOUCH
Posted Tuesday 4th March 2008

The Community Association is setting up a database of contact details so that they can provide updates about events in plan throughout the year. If you would like to include your details on the database, please contact Dariel Burdass by email at dariel@burdass.com. They are particularly keen to have contact details for all clubs in the village, so that they can disseminate information to groups of people. Contact details will not be shared with any other organisation, and will only be used by the Community Association for information purposes.

BOOKING FOR PAVILION AND VILLAGE HALL
Posted Tuesday 4th March 2008

The Jubilee Pavilion now has a new booking clerk and cleaner in Christine Goodchild, who can be contacted on 01491 652402.

Shena Luck is still the clerk to the Village Hall. The best time to phone her is on Monday or Tuesday Evenings before 9pm on 01491 834543.

WITTENHAM CLUMPS WILDLIFE APPEAL
Posted Tuesday 4th March 2008

An appeal has been launched to raise £15,000 to provide a home for nationally threatened species such as the skylark, pippestrelle bat and hornet robberfly in meadowland near Wittenham Clumps.

The Northmoor Trust - which owns and manages the area around the Clumps - plans to restore 37 hectares of lowland meadow. Work will take place to increase grazing with more native hardy breeds of cattle and sheep and also introduce traditional hay-cutting regimes. Wildflower seeding, plug planting and green hay spreading techniques will also be introduced which will lead to a more attractive landscape, both for visitors and wildlife. “Throughout the UK over 97% of grassland has been lost in just 60 years and one in five of our plants face extinction.,” says Zoe Burns. “Lowland meadow is particularly under threat in Oxfordshire and the project will extend the valuable grassland habitat of the Clumps into the surrounding farmland.”

For updates on the appeal and details of how to get involved or donate, visit www.northmoortrust.co.uk or contact the Northmoor Trust on 01865 409423.

WALLINGFORD HOSPITAL FIRST AID UNIT
Posted Tuesday 4th March 2008

If you have a minor injury that cannot be treated with a home first aid kit, Wallingford Hospital’s nurse-operated First Aid Unit should be able to help. Open on weekdays only, from 8.30 to 6 pm, it offers a drop-in service to deal with:

• Cleaning and simple stitching of wounds
• Insect bites and stings
• Minor burns and scalds
• A foreign body in the eye
• Sprains and bruises.

The unit is at Wallingford Community Hospital, Reading Road, OX10 9DU. There is no need for an appointment, but if you are not sure whether the unit can help you, call 01491 208513 before visiting.

IN TOUCH WITH OUR ANCESTORS
Posted Tuesday 4th March 2008

Wallingford Museum’s new exhibition offers visitors a chance to touch, see and even smell the past. Following last year’s I Remember That! this year’s offering provides a view of the daily life of our ancestors over many centuries – what they ate and drank, what their homes were like, how they kept clean (or didn’t!) and even how they communicated - without the use of mobiles, emails or even a postal system.

“It’s a chance to get ‘hands on’ and experience history,” says museum publicity officer Stu Darby. “The ‘touchy, feely, smelly’ drawers allow everyone to get a hold of the past and you can follow the themes throughout the museum. The children can have a go at being a Time Detective - digging up the past in our ‘discover it’ sandpit, creating their own Roman mosaic, or colouring in the costume sheets. Meanwhile, the adults can find out about the latest discoveries of the Wallingford Burh to Borough Project that is actively excavating the town’s past this year, browse the original documents on display (medieval to 19th century) and marvel at the building techniques of our ancestors.”

The Wallingford Story continues to be told, with new features on the town’s history and a chance for first-time visitors to experience the free audio-tour. A £4 season ticket will allow you to return as many times as you like from now until 30th November 2008. In Touch With Our Ancestors runs till October 31st but the season ticket will also include the special November exhibition -Wallingford’s Artistic Legacy.

More details at www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk

MORE FAMILY HISTORIES
Posted Thursday 28th February 2008

Somewhere out there are the descendants of 11 children, born to Susannah and Joseph Saunders in Brightwell in the second half of the nineteenth century. Do you know anything about them? If so, Pam Bartlett would like to hear from you. She writes:

"My great-grandfather, Charles Bartlett, was born in Brightwell in 1841, the illegitimate son of Susannah Bartlett. He left Brightwell sometime during the 1850s. In 1842 Susannah married Joseph Saunders and I believe had another 11 children - George, Elizabeth, Joseph, Susannah (died in infancy), Elijah, William, Mark (died in infancy), Matthew, Jesse, Esther and Alfred! I have made contact with a descendant of Joseph but would be interested to know if any of her Saunders descendants still live in Brightwell."

You can contact her by email at bartlettfamily@fsmail.net. Click here for more stories on our family history page.

WACKY WELLIES DAY
Posted Thursday 28th February 2008

Children from Brightwell Primary School have raised £53 for Water Aid's 'Day for Change' with a 'Wacky Wellies' day. If anyone has any pictures of the weird and wonderful wellies that were sported on that day, we'd love to have them on the website.

SEND A CARD & SUPPORT THE SHOP
Posted Thursday 28th February 2008

Easter cards, specially designed by Andrew Luck, are now available to help raise funds for the new village shop. They are on sale at St Agatha's Church, or through Shena Luck, telephone 01491 834543.

KEEPING UP STANDARDS
Posted Thursday 28th February 2008

If you are independent minded, have high standards and a few spare hours in the week, SODC would like to hear from you. They are looking for people to serve as independent representatives on their Standards Committee, starting in May.

"Although some knowledge of local government and experience of committee work are desirable, your appreciation of the high standards required of people holding public office, your ability to think clearly whilst impartially and your enthusiasm are equally valuable," says SODC press officer Victoria Bucket-Hipgrave.

The Committee is responsible for promoting, maintaining and monitoring councillors' conduct at South Oxfordshire District Council and also at town and parish councils in the district. There is no salary, but you can claim expenses. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, you are invited to call Margaret Reed on 01491 823656.

Councillors or council employees (or those who have held such positions in the last five years) cannot be appointed as independent representatives. Relatives and close friends of current councillors or council employees also cannot apply.

For more information, call Jennifer Thompson on 01491 823619, or email jennifer.thompson@southoxon.gov.uk. The closing date for applications is 14 March 2008

FAVOURS AUCTION
Posted Thursday 28th February 2008

A signed sport shirt from Tim Henman is among the items on offer at an auction of promises organised by South Moreton School's PTA on Saturday 8 March. Other lots include a weekend for four in a cottage with fishing rights, a Porsche 911 for a weekend, garden design advice, and photographic session and two hours architectural consultation. More details from PRISMS@south-moreton.oxon.sch.uk.

NEW HOMES IN SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE
Posted Tuesday 4th December 2007

How many new homes do you think should be built in South Oxfordshire, and where do you think they should be?

South Oxfordshire District Council would like your views on new development up to 2026. You can make comments and complete an on-line questionnaire at their website www.southoxon.gov.uk/corestrategy. The deadline for consultation is 1st February, 2008.

SODC needs to provide more homes mainly for the growing number of households formed by existing residents, but also to accommodate newcomers. They say there is also a need to provide more employment and other development to ensure that the quality of life for residents and businesses is good and gives the area a competitive advantage.

Your views are sought on issues such as

• the amount and location of new housing and employment,
• the amount of affordable housing,
• the size, type and density of new housing,
• shopping, transport and other infrastructure needs.

SCHOOL NATIVITY PLAY
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

Taking a departure from a musical interpretation of the Nativity, Brightwell School’s younger pupils (5 to 7 year olds) will be performing a traditional version of the Christmas story this year. If you are a Senior Citizen in the village, there is an open invitation to attend the dress rehearsal in school at 2 p.m. on Wednesday 12th December. Seasonal refreshments will be served by older pupils.

JUNIOR CRICKET COMES TO BRIGHTWELL
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

Next season – just in time to help the cricket club celebrate its 150th anniversary – a new junior section of the club is being formed.

For under 11-year olds, there will be indoor winter nets every Friday evening between 7pm – 8pm at the Castle Leisure Centre in Wallingford from 11th January. Then in April, outdoor practice will switch to the Rec. in Brightwell Friday evenings between 6.30pm – 8.00pm. For the Under 9 age group, the coaching sessions will last an hour and will take place in Brightwell every Saturday morning from 12th May 2008. The children will be introduced to ‘Kwik Cricket’, which is played with plastic bats, stumps and soft rubber cricket balls.

“The aim of the junior section is really quite simple, to provide an opportunity for children to have their first taste of cricket, and to develop them to their full potential, at whatever level that might be.,” says Jerry Walters, B-c-S Junior Cricket Manager. “All of the coaching sessions will be organised and delivered by an ECB qualified coach. At this age youth sport is not all about winning and the junior section will set out to ensure that the children obtain the maximum amount of enjoyment and fun out of the game of cricket. “

For more information contact Jerry Walters 01491 833194, Mobile 07765 091359 or e-mail jerrywalters@btopenworld.com.

OUR VILLAGE SHOP
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

Plans to restore a shop to the village are moving ahead, with a series of working groups being set up by the Parish Council.

“A number of eager volunteers have already come forward and we are looking out for more,” says Steering Group Chairman Jim Sanger “We will be spending the next three to five months developing the plans and costing the details and we can promise good debate, good company and the occasional glass of wine to speed the brain!”

The four working groups cover: planning applications (Celia Collett – 01491 835988), funding and finance (David Dobbin - 01491 835890), the organisation of volunteers to work in the shop (Corinne Jones - 01491 836686) and the building itself (Phil Jones - 01491 836686). Jim Sanger (01491 833655) has said that he would also help with the funding and finance.

If you are interested in helping, please contact any of the people mentioned above. If you would like to read more details about current plans, click here to see Jim’s article in The Villager.

KINGS MEADOW TENNIS CLUB - A CRISIS
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

Do you want the tennis courts on Kings Meadow to continue to be available? If so, help is urgently needed to serve on the managing committee, as all the existing members are about to resign.

The committee needs (i) a Chair, to provide overall guidance,(ii) a Membership secretary, to send out membership forms, collect subscriptions and distribute keys for the court, (iii) a Treasurer and (iv) a ‘handyman’ who will take responsibility for weed-killing and repairing holes in the outer wire netting.

"Many of us on the current committee have served for up to nine years, and feel that it is time others took over the running of the club," says Frank Farquharson. "We have appealed unsuccessfully before, both directly to members, and more generally through the Villager for new committee members, but have gained just one volunteer over the past years.

"We’re afraid to say that unless some new committee members step forward Kings Tennis Club will fold early next year, with any remaining funds left in the accounts being transferred to the Community Association to go towards re-surfacing the courts in the fullness of time. Should the club cease to exist, the tennis nets will be removed and the hard standing left for whoever wishes to play football, ride bikes, roller skate on, or whatever, and such activities will inevitably hasten the deterioration of the surface.

"If you think it is worth Brightwell-cum-Sotwell continuing to have a tennis club then please step forward. If insufficient people do not do so before mid-December, then we are afraid to announce that the tennis facilities will cease to exist."

If you think you can help, please contact either Paul Gibbon 01491 835008 or Frank Farquharson 01491 834219 email frankfarquharson@btinternet.com

SCOUT CHRISTMAS POST
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

If you use the Scout Christmas post, you can have the satisfaction of getting your local cards delivered at a bargain price, while helping keep the Scout movement in funds.

The cards – which cost 15p each to post – can be put in special boxes in Brightwell Garage, the Red Lion and Brightwell School. They are then sorted and delivered by volunteers to villagers in the Wallingford area. For a full list of destinations covered, see the notices around the village or by the post boxes.

FAMILY HISTORY DEADLINE
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

Do you have Oxfordshire ancestors, and stories you would like to share? If so, you could take part in the Faces of Oxfordshire project, which is being run as part of the celebration of the county’s millennium. But you need to hurry – the deadline is December 8th.

The project, which is being run by the Oxfordshire Family History Society, aims to collect together life stories of as wide a variety of people as possible. It doesn’t matter if they were rich or poor, academics or labourers. Nor does it matter whether they were born in the county or moved to it. As long as they have a strong Oxfordshire connection, they can feature as part of the project.

You need to send details, a 100-word or so narrative about the person, and a photograph. Preferably this should be one showing where the person lived or worked. For more information, go to http://faces.oxfordshirefhs.org.uk or e-mail Tony Hadland at oxonfaces@hadland.net

SUSTAINABLE WALLINGFORD SWAP SHOP
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

If you would like to clear out your clutter without adding to the waste mountain, the next Sustainable Wallingford Swap Shop is being held at the Regal Centre on January 12th between 10 am and 1 pm.

Items must be reusable, clean, non-hazardous, and not mains electrical. If you have something large you can take a photo / description and contact details instead. These can be taken away by anyone attending without charge.

Things that can be recycled at the Swap Shop include aluminium foil, mobile phones, computers, dry batteries (not car ones), fluorescent light tubes, ink cartridges, paint (fairly full tins, not old), CDs, spectacles, tools, Tetrapaks (wash and squash first please). These go to Redbridge recycling centre in one load.

For more details, go to www.sustainablewallingford.org

CAROLS ROUND THE TREE
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

The Save the Children Christmas Tree will be up in the Square once more this year, thanks to sponsors Michael and Elizabeth Drury, Slade End Garden Company and Clive Collett Electrical. There will be the usual ‘Carols round the Tree’ on Christmas Eve at 5.15 pm after the Crib Service.

Meanwhile, Malcolm and Olive Sutcliffe have raised an impressive £269 for Save the Children from selling Chrysanthemums and Dahlias outside their house.

MUSIC QUIZ
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

A music quiz at the Red Lion to raise money for a children's cancer charity raised over £520 and counting. The event was organised by Andy Lewis and friends, in support of a campaign to raise money for research into a rare abdominal cancer that predominantly affects teenagers.

The Lewis family met 15-year old Rob, who has since sadly died, when Alex was in hospital for treatment. Rob's parents now hope to raise £100,000 to fund a three-year research fellowship at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

For more details see http://www.robsarttt.piczo.com or contact Andy on andylewis@r0002.demon.co.uk. Donations can be made to Robs ARTTT, account no. 00375733, sort code 30 94 28.

LE LION ROUGE
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

If French is your cup of tea (or cappuccino), a new conversation class in the Red Lion on Tuesday mornings might be for you. Organised by a native French speaker with no more than four people in each group, subjects of conversation are chosen to match students’ interests and hobbies. Beginners meet at 10 am; advanced at 11 am.

The classes cost £10 an hour, including a hot drink. For availability, contact Sandrine on 07737 444 350 or email gribworld@yahoo.co.uk.

ELLIE HITS THE HEIGHTS
Posted Saturday 1st December 2007

A Charity Quiz night at the Red Lion to raise awareness of the plight of HIV orphans in Africa raised £700. The quiz was organised by Ellie Devey-Robson, who plans a sponsored climb of Mount Kilimanjaro with a group from the Abingdon-based Nasio Trust in February 2008.

Nasio Trust already has one day-care centre for AIDS orphans in Kenya, and plans to build a second. More details can be found on their website, http://www.thenasiotrust.org.

“The climb will take 6 days and we will be walking up to 16 hours a day,” says Ellie, who works behind the bar at the Red Lion. “We are also going to be braving freezing -20 degree Celsius temperatures, frostbite, yellow fever whilst testing our bodies to the limit as well as the biggest obstacle, altitude sickness, which is caused by a lack of oxygen (there is only about 50% oxygen at the top.) It’s going to be (ridiculously!) challenging, but I’m excited because it will be an amazing achievement and it’s for a brilliant cause.”

Ellie’s fund-raising page is at http://www.justgiving.com/elliedeveyrobson.

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Posted Sunday 24th November 2007

Do you know anyone who is 70 years old or more who would like a Christmas hamper? If so, the Community Association would be pleased to hear from you.

"We try very hard to include everybody that fits the criteria, but in spite of all our careful hard work we always worry that we have missed somebody out," says Dariel Burdass. "Obviously some people will be on our list. However we are hoping to catch anybody elderly who is new to the village or has had their 70 birthday this year."

If you know somebody that you feel should have a Christmas Hamper, please contact Madeline Sanger on 01491 833655 or email Madeline@MSanger.com

LOOKING FOR MARTIN BOULBY
Posted Sunday 24th November 2007

We have been contacted by Fay Pickering, who is looking for one of her father's old school friends, Martin Boulby, and thinks he may live in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell. If you are Martin, or know how to get in touch with him, please contact Fay at fay.pickering@t2ds.com, or via the website.

BATTERY RECYCLING
Posted Saturday 3rd November 2007

Did you know that you can recycle batteries in the village? Paul Galloway at Brightwell Garage has a battery recycling box, and is happy to take villagers’ batteries… A bit greener than driving all the way to the dump at Oakley Wood, and certainly better than sticking them in the dustbin.

OXFORDSHIRE CHILDREN'S INFORMATION SERVICE
Posted Saturday 3rd November 2007

Oxfordshire Children’s Information Service is an independent charity providing free information and advice on childcare and services for children, young people and families. Your child may soon be starting school, so you may like to consider returning to work. OCIS offers advice both on choosing suitable childcare options and financial help that may be available to you, such a child tax credits.

If you have just moved to the area, or have just had a child, you may be looking for a local nursery or toddler group. OCIS has a comprehensive list of all pre school provision in the area. They also offer information on careers and jobs in the childcare sector and one to one support if you are new to this type of work. You can call them on 08452 262636, or visit www.oxoncis.org.uk. BR>

FAMILY HISTORY ON THE BRIGHTWELL WEBSITE
Posted Saturday 3rd November 2007

The nationwide interest in genealogy – echoed in the popular BBC series, “Who do you think you are?” - has had a spin-off on the Brightwell website. Having received more enquiries about family history than almost any other subject, we now have a special section on the Village History pages. Here you can access the Parish Records online, and ask for help in tracing relatives.

At present, we have entries for Wilkins, Foster, Sawyer and Messenger, George Woronzow Warner Allen, Sheard (twice), Orchard-Davis, Hearmon and Strange. Whenever we get a new enquiry, we put it on the news pages and people can follow the links from here.

The latest is from Pam Vowles, née Wilkins, whose great grandmother was born in Brightwell. She would like any memories of Harriet and John Wilkins and their family. She writes: ‘The earliest definite date I have is 1917, when they lived in High Road. They may well have lived there before that date, but I am not sure. In 1925 I know they were living in Mackney Lane. Their son Alfred lived with them and continued living in the house until his death aged 85 in January 1972.

‘I would dearly love to make contact with anyone who knew the family. My Dad only met Alfred once but he certainly made an impression on him. He said he was an amateur inventor and had gadgets all over the house. He also said the house was haunted! That may have just been a jovial uncle playing tricks!’

Pam can be contacted on pam.vowles@tesco.net.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE MUSEUM
Posted Sunday 21st October 2007

'Private - Staff only'. Doesn't a door with a label like that just make you want to open it and look inside? Well, you have the chance to do just that at Wallingford Museum on 4th November – and it's free.

“In a unique 'Behind the Scenes' day, we'll not only show you rooms not normally open to the public but we'll also let you see and even handle some of the collections not currently on display, show you how we look after them, and demonstrate how exhibitions are designed and laid out,” explains publicity officer Stu Darby.

“ And there's a lot more you can discover about how the museum works: how we catalogue our collections; what part our custodians play; how we raise the money to pay the bills; how we set about researching Wallingford's history; how we recruit new volunteers; what plans we have for expansion – and much more!”

The Behind the Scenes day – which runs from 11 am to 4 pm – will also offer a chance to see this year’s “I remember that!….” exhibition. The Museum closes for the winter on 30th November, to prepare for the presentations of new collections for next year. However, during the month of November, visitors will be able to tour the Museum on a special 2-for-1 deal: two adults for the price of one £3 ticket (including the audio tape tour which describes the “Wallingford Story” – a history of Wallingford through the centuries). Tickets are valid for the day of issue only.

For more details, visit http://www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk/

PARISH COUNCIL GRANTS 2008
Posted Sunday 21st October 2007

The Parish Council will consider applications for donations to Parish organisations at its meeting on 18th December 2007. Village organisations wanting to bid for a grant should ask Jane Dix, Clerk to the Parish Council, for an application form. She can be contacted on 01491 826968 or email bcsparishcouncil@waitrose.com.

Completed forms should be returned by 25th November.

BRIGHTWELL NON-FICTION READING GROUP
Posted Sunday 7th October 2007

Do you like reading non-fiction? If so, you might like to consider joining a new book group, which meets every three months to discuss a work of non-fiction –in science, sociology, history, politics, or the arts.

“The touchstone for the choice of book is a strong contemporary relevance,” says founder Peter Adamson. “Although the intention is to keep the group small, we would welcome one or two more members (we are currently six).” Three books that have already been discussed are Happiness by the economist Richard Layard; Hegemony or Survival by Naom Chomsky, a review of US foreign policy over the last fifty years and What Good are The Arts? by John Carey, Professor of English Literature at Merton College, Oxford.

The next two books on the reading agenda will be The Human Story by the evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar and either The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins or The End of Faith by Sam Harris. If you would like to discuss joining the group, Peter Adamson can be contacted on 01491 838431 or email adamsons@nrds.freeserve.co.uk

HERE'S ONE I MADE EARLIER
Posted Sunday 7th October 2007

Nostalgia was the order of the day at the latest Community Association event. Teams – named after stars of TV and Radio – competed in old-style quiz shows such as Blankety Blank and Call my Bluff.

Compères for the evening were Andy Lewis and Hugh Roderick, with technical back-up by John Burdass. Dariel Burdass was an able ‘Floor Manager’, lining up teams for their turn in front of a glittering backdrop.

A highlight was the flower demonstration by Ann Linton. Here David Hedley and Angela Lewis are seen attempting to recreate her way with roses and orange cellophane wrappers…

THE BRETHREN AT STYLE ACRE
Posted Sunday 7th October 2007

Villagers who would like to see round the new church and gospel hall on the site of Style Acre are invited to visit on Saturday 27 October, between 11 am and 3 pm.

The building, which received planning consent in September 2005, has laid strong emphasis on the conservation of energy and reduction of C02 emissions. It has its own borehole for water and uses ground-source heat pumps and solar photovoltaic installation for the generation of electricity.

VILLAGE SHOP
Posted Sunday 7th October 2007

Not just somewhere to buy bread and milk, but an exciting chance to put life into the heart of the village and enhance the conservation area at the same time. That was the prospect offered to those who attended the latest public meeting to discuss progress on the village shop.

Plans are now being drawn up to create a community shop on the site of the garage and store next to the old shop building. Investigations have shown that this would actually be more cost-effective than attempting to renovate the quarters that used to house the shop, and would mean that the house could be restored to its former glory. The village would also be able to secure a 20 to 25-year lease on the new site, giving it permanency for the future.

Here you can see an artist's impression of how the site could look if current plans are approved, and the way it looks now.

CALLING ALL GAMESHOW ADDICTS
Posted Sunday 30th September 2007

Can you talk for just a minute without repetition, hesitation or deviation? Can you beat the clock or call a bluff? If so, Brightwell's very own TV Game Show evening could be just the thing for you. It's being held at the Village Hall on Saturday 6th October from 7.30 onwards. For your £10 ticket to a night of TV nostalgia, contact Joan Brewer on 01491 834288, or click here for more details (in .pdf format).

SAWYER AND MESSENGER FAMILIES
Posted Sunday 30th September 2007

Julia Sutton is seeking information about the Sawyer and Messenger families. She writes: "Generations of the Messenger family were in Mackney and also Church Lane in every one of the census records and were described as farm labourers. The daughter Ann Messenger married Jesse Sawyer in 1903. My great grandparents the Sawyer family lived in Slade End (Jonah Sawyer and his family)."
Click here for more information (on the family searches page).

Julia can be contacted at julia.sutton@btinternet.com

VILLAGE COMMUNITY SHOP
Posted Sunday 23rd September 2007

A meeting to discuss the next steps in setting up a village community shop will be held in the village hall on Wednesday 26th September at 8 pm. All welcome.

ROMANIA MISSION
Posted Sunday 23rd September 2007

Thanks partly to generous sponsorship from Brightwell churchgoers, a group of Romanian orphans was able to enjoy a special holiday this summer. Geoffrey Moreton, who walked the Ridgeway to raise funds for the holiday club, writes:

"Our God is a great big God" became the declaration under which our Mission to Romania operated. Lusty singing of the song, exaggerated actions and huge smiley faces could be seen and heard at every Holiday Club session at Busteni, in a church set at the foot of the Bucegi range in the Carpathian mountains. On the mountain top behind the church is a huge cross, a memorial to the fallen of the First World War, and an objective of one of several treks undertaken, which included a cablecar ride. A few even climbed the 3000 feet to the top!

‘15 boys from Acasa, a home in Bucharest for abandoned or orphaned boys, were taken to this beautiful location by a 12-strong team from Didcot Baptist Church for fun, games, activities and creative teaching sessions on the theme of the life of Joseph. Two of the team drove there loaded with sports and craft equipment, sleeping bags and the gross of high quality sweat shirts donated by a Derbyshire college. The Revd Keith Nichols, the Team leader, ran an adult Bible School during the week and the whole came together at Sunday worship when the boys acted out their rendering of the Joseph story and Keith Nichols preached on the week’s study theme of 1 Peter.

‘The Mission, over two weeks in August, finished with three days at the boys’ home in Bucharest and the happy faces of the boys and the often-heard singing of ‘Our God is a great big God’ made all the efforts worthwhile. The recently opened purpose-built premises for 24 boys was financed by a Romanian businessman and is maintained by the financial support of many British people. This is a significant problem right now owing to the generous financial support of a Foundation coming to an end a few months ago. Ongoing help by individuals and organisations is urgently needed. Please contact me if you feel able to assist.

‘Thank you to those of St Agatha’s and St James’ for the generous sponsorship given when I walked the Ridgeway to raise funds to finance the boys’ travel and accommodation for the Holiday Club. You raised £270, much of it with Gift Aid enhancement. This was a great encouragement.’

Geoffrey Morton
01491 833882

          

RUBBISH ON TRIAL
Posted Sunday 23rd September 2007

A typical family in South Oxfordshire produces nearly a tonne of rubbish every year – and a giant headache for SODC, which faces huge fines if too much ends up in landfill.

Now the council has launched a consultation to find out how people think waste could best be managed. Should there be bigger recycling bins? Kerbside glass recycling? Separate weekly food waste collections for composting?

Consultation is open until October 5, and the results will be used to set the terms for a new waste contract in 2009. If you would like to make your views known, go to

http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/content/public-amenities/waste-consultation/ have-your-say-on-the-future-of-waste-collections.en

RUNNING FOR AFRICA
Posted Sunday 23rd September 2007

Robin Shawyer will be running the Clarendon Marathon on September 30 – all 26 hilly miles of it. He aims to raise £10,000 for the Windle Trust, which works with communities affected by conflict in the Horn and East Africa, notably in the Sudan.

If you would like to sponsor him, go to his fund-raising page at http://www.justgiving.com/clarendonmarathon

HARVEST FESTIVAL
Posted Sunday 9th September 2007

Stepping Stones, an Oxford-based project that helps the homeless and disadvantaged will benefit from this year’s Harvest Festival at St Agatha’s Church.

The service, which will be taken by the new vicar, Jeremy Goulston, is at 9.30 am on September 23rd. Gifts of flowers, fruit and vegetables should be taken to the church at 9 am on Friday 21st. Tinned and dry goods and toiletries – preferably in a box – for the Stepping Stones project can be taken to the church on the Saturday morning, or brought to the service.

BREAKING THE SILENCE
Posted Sunday 9th September 2007

A play about the life and work of the American ecologist Rachel Carson is touring various Oxfordshire venues this autumn. It marks the centenary year of the author of Silent Spring, who many regard as the founder of the modern environmental movement.

Breaking the Silence, which tells Rachel Carson’s story in her own words, will visit the Abbey, Sutton Courtenay (September 15th), the Burton Taylor Studio, Oxford Playhouse (September 27th and 28th) and Braziers Park, Ipsden (October 10th). All performances start at 7.30 pm. For more details visit www.rachelcarson.co.uk

SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED
Posted Sunday 9th September 2007

Braziers Park is a community, a residential college and a Grade II* listed building on the edge of Ipsden. Its most famous former resident was the author Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, and its dramatic Gothic style buildings have made it a popular location for film-makers.

Now run as an educational trust, it offers visitors a chance to spend a weekend working on the estate, with organic meals supplied, or take part in nature-inspired art workshops. For more details, visit www.braziers.org.uk, telephone 01491 680221 or email admin@braziers.org.uk

WALLINGFORD UNDER ONES CLUB
Posted Sunday 9th September 2007

Baby Massage, Reflexology and Homeopathy are among the topics covered in the autumn programme of the Wallingford Under Ones Club, run by the National Childbirth Trust. You do not have to be a member of the NCT to take part – just turn up on a Wednesday morning at Mongewell Park Nursery School from 10.00 till 11.30am.

For more details phone Sally Eccleston on 01491 834780.

Among other activities organised by the Wallingford branch of the NCT are the Nearly New Sales; the next one is on Saturday October 13th at Benson Village Hall from 10.30am. Sellers need to register in advance with Sarah on 01491 833893. Sellers are limited to the first 100 that register, and are encouraged to choose the autumn/winter clothes to sell. Items are only accepted for sale if they are still in ‘nearly new’ condition.

GEORGE WORONZOW WARNER ALLEN
Posted Sunday 9th September 2007

Mark Pallot is researching the name Woronzow, and thinks George Warner Allen, the artist who is buried in St James's Churchyard, might be related to him. He would also like to trace the executor of the artist’s estate, a Paul Delaney. Mark can be contacted at mark_pallot@hotmail.com

Click here for a link to the family searches page.

Despite the rival attraction of Wimbledon tennis finals, the crowds turned out as usual for the annual village fete at Moreton House, and - for once - the sun shone. This year's Flower and Produce Show had a new prize for rose-growers - the Gilbert Talbot Rose Bowl, accompanied by a £15 gardening voucher kindly donated by Notcutts Garden Centre. The winner was Mrs Whichello (pictured), one of the show's stalwarts. The rose bowl was the idea of Helena Varley, who would welcome contributions towards the cost.

ALL CHANGE AT THE RED LION
Posted Sunday 24th June 2007

There will be new faces behind the bar at the Red Lion from 9th July, as Bill Prince and Mo Rudd leave to take over the Merrymouth Inn at Fifield in the Cotswolds, after 10 years at the pub.

Sue and Bob Devey-Robson, who will be taking over, have lived in Mackney Lane for nine years, and their three children all went to the village primary school.

‘We are very excited (if a little apprehensive) at the prospect of running the pub,’ they say in a letter in latest edition of The Villager. ‘Bill and Mo do a great job and we intend to carry on in much the same vein, providing home cooked food and good local beers.

‘As many of you know we do not have any experience of running a pub but do have experience of the hospitality industry through our holiday business, and hope this will help in our new venture. We would like to say a huge thank you to Bill and Mo who have been so generous in their advice and help about the business. We wish them the best of luck in their new pub.’

Plans for the future include offering morning coffee and cream teas. The pub will be shut all day on Tuesday 10th July and lunchtime on Wednesday 11th, but will re-open in the evening, with free nibbles and snacks. Food service will resume on 12th July.

FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW
Posted Sunday 24th June 2007

Entries are now invited for the Flower and Produce Show, which is held as part of the Village Fete on 7 July. Besides the usual flower and vegetable classes, you could try your hand at chocolate brownies (for men only), or a flower arrangement in an unusual container – to be judged by popular vote. This year, there is a £15 garden voucher prize – kindly donated by Nottcutts – for the best Hybrid Tea Rose in memory of Gilbert Talbot.

While the organisers obviously encourage as many people to enter as possible, they would ask that you bring your entries in at the earliest possible moment on the morning of the show. Computerisation has yet to penetrate the produce show’s trestle tables; as each entry card has to be handwritten, it causes problems if everyone arrives at one minute to 11 am. Things get even more complicated if entries come without a form, and there is a danger that exhibits get mixed up in the rush.

Go the Flower and Produce Show web page, under Community and Leisure, for a downloadable version of the full schedule and entry form. If you have any questions, contact Paul Chilton on 01491 836661, or Sally Dugan at sally.dugan@virgin.net.

FAMILY EVENTS - DAMSELS, DRAGONS AND SANDPIT DIGGING
Posted Sunday 24th June 2007

Two events on successive weekends could help keep younger family members entertained. The first is Archaeology Day at Wallingford Museum on Sunday 22nd July, between 10am and 4pm. Here, you are invited to dig for your ‘finds’ (in sandpits) and learn how to identify and draw them. The event is free, but could be combined with a visit to the Museum itself for £3 (no charge for children).

The second event is the ‘Damsels and Dragons walk’ on Sunday 29 July between 2 to 4 pm. Organised by the Northmoor Trust, this is a guided walk to see damselflies and dragonflies. Meet at Little Wittenham Church. The trust is also taking bookings for its summer club, which runs from 30 July to 3 August, 10 am to 3 pm daily. They provide fun activities for 8 to 12 year olds at £15 per child per day. More details on 01865 407792 or www.northmoortrust.co.uk

DIGGING UP HISTORY
Posted Sunday 24th June 2007

Musket balls, an Anglo Saxon brooch and coins from the Iron Age onwards are among items that have been unearthed in gardens and fields in the parish over the years. Some have been passed on to museums; others have been kept by the finders.

Now, the History Group is preparing an illustrated catalogue of such finds, so if you know of any please contact the group via the treasurer, Evelyn Cobb, on 01491 834145.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY...
Posted Sunday 24th June 2007

Despite deluges of rain, an impressive £1300 was raised for church funds at the Spring Fair held in the grounds of Brightwell Manor in May.

Still on the fund-raising theme, this year’s Save the Children plant sale raised over £950, and the result of the recent house to house collection was £614.33.

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY...
Posted Sunday 17th June 2007

Would you like to go behind the doors of Oxfordshire’s most imaginative wardrobe? Few people know that the anonymously-named Unit 51 in Steventon houses over 3,000 costumes – from hats and shoes, to shields and tabards – all available for the county’s thespians to borrow. However, this may be the last chance to see the Oxfordshire Drama Wardrobe, as it has no secure funding, and its premises are temporary.

‘Come and be wowed by the size and possibilities of this precious resource,’ says trustee Catherine Bearder. ‘We don’t want your money (but that would be nice). We want you to see this collection and give us some ideas on how it might be preserved for future generations.’

The doors will be open on Tuesday 19 June from 5.30 to 9 pm, and the address is Unit 51, Steventon Storage Facility, Hanney Road, Steventon OX13 6AP. For more details, contact Catherine Bearder on 07786 170949 or e-mail cbearder@cix.co.uk.

LIFE ON A ROPE
Posted Sunday 17th June 2007

Oxford aerialist Matilda Leyser will be one of the highlights of this year's Dorchester Festival, performing 'Lifeline' on a rope suspended from the ceiling of Dorchester Abbey.

Dorchester Festival – which runs from 22 June to 1 July - is no more an ordinary village festival than Dorchester Abbey is an average village church, with 34 events packed into ten days. This year, half of the profits will go to support the hospices at Helen and Douglas House.

Visitors will be able to play murder detective; explore local myths and legends through performance storytelling; sing Vivaldi’s Gloria in the historic Abbey or watch children’s Shakespeare in the Rectory garden. There will be book readings from authors Colin Dexter, Nick Arnold (a really horrible science show) and Jeremy Strong and a variety of workshops, from weaving willow to ballroom dancing. Children can join in Mad Science workshops, learn the art of slapstick comedy, build fantasy castles, do ballet with Angelina Ballerina or have fun with stick, stamp and story sessions.

More information at www.dorchesterfestival.com or by email: Festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk For tickets call the Box Office: 07884 154469

PILGRIMAGE'S BIRTHDAY
Posted Sunday 17th June 2007

This year will be the 30th annual St Birinus Pilgrimage, with walkers having the chance to make the trek from Churn Knob, Blewbury, through Brightwell and on to Dorchester Abbey.

The event will take place on 1 July, starting at 12.15 pm with a picnic at Blewbury. There will be tea in the village hall at Brightwell from 3.30 pm, where walkers can join for a shorter walk over the fields to Dorchester.

HOUSE WANTED
Posted Sunday 13th May 2007

Ciara and Andrew Kelly, an artist and a writer, are looking for somewhere to rent in the Brightwell area from September. Ideally, they would like a two bedroomed house that could also accommodate their 'well-behaved' West Highland Terrier, Hamish. The couple, who currently live in Ireland, can be contacted on ciaraonion@hotmail.com

WEBSITE SURVEY – WHAT YOU SAY
Updated Sunday 13th May 2007

Please note - there were some late responses to the survey since the article below was written and published in The Villager, and the table of statistics has been updated to include the lates results.

To celebrate almost three years on the web, we have been running a survey to find out what YOU want from YOUR website. However, although we attract a steady 100-150 visits a day, we have only received 28 (now 35) survey responses. This limits the value of any statistical analysis, but it has helped us to realise what our priorities need to be.

We hope to include as many of your suggestions as possible in a major revamp of the site – so, although the formal survey is over, please keep your ideas coming.

Click here for a detailed analysis, and responses from the Web Site Group.

ELECTION RESULTS
Posted Saturday 5th May 2007

Celia Collett is the new SODC representative for Brightwell. Standing as an Independent against the sitting Conservative member, Mary Greene, she won 522 votes to Mary Greene’s 440.

VILLAGE SHOP
Posted Saturday 5th May 2007

Over 60 people attended the annual parish meeting, to discuss the possibility of re-opening a shop in the village. A response rate of 77% was reported for the questionnaire, with 150 people saying they would volunteer to serve in a community shop. A further meeting will be held in June. Click here for a full report on the meeting, and the results of the survey

Meanwhile, the Post Office in the Stewart Room at the back of the Village Hall has extended its opening hours. It will now open from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. See the Post Office web page under Community and Leisure.

FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW
Posted Saturday 5th May 2007

Forget the red button on your television screen. This year, interactive voting will be coming to a venue near you: the Flower and Produce Show, to be exact. The question is: Will you be man or woman enough to enter?

For the first time, there will be a class where the judges will be you: the visitors. All other entries will be judged, as usual, by outside experts. However, the class for a flower arrangement in an unusual container – which is open to all - will be judged by popular vote. Visitors to the produce show tent will be asked to cast their votes throughout the afternoon, and the result will be announced at the end of the fete.

Trophies on offer already include the Talbot cup, awarded for the entrant with most points in the show. However, for this year only, we are also offering a £15 garden voucher prize for the best Hybrid Tea Rose. This is in memory of Gilbert Talbot, who loved his roses, and whose presence will be sorely missed this year.

Go to the Flower and Produce Show web page, under Community and Leisure, for a downloadable version of the full schedule and entry form. If you have any questions, contact Paul Chilton on 836661, or Sally Dugan at sally.dugan@virgin.net

NEW VICAR FOR ST AGATHA’S AND ST JAMES’
Posted Saturday 5th May 2007

Rev. Jeremy Goulston, at present a curate in mid-Sussex, will be joining the Wallingford Team Ministry as Vicar in July. He will replace the Rev. Jill Chatfield, who left at Christmas.

After studying History at Durham University, Jeremy had a brief spell in the City before changing tack to work among people with learning disabilities. He trained for the ministry at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. He will be licensed at a service in St Mary’s, Wallingford, on Sunday 22nd July, at 5 pm.

If you would like to read Jeremy’s letter to his future parishioners, click here for a link to the latest St Agatha’s church calendar.

E-MAIL ALERTS
Posted Saturday 5th May 2007

Do you want to be one of the first to know about new planning applications near you? If so, sign up for the SODC email alert service. You can also register to receive the latest news from the Council, including press releases, new consultations and licensing applications.

Contact the Council’s Communication Officer, Victoria Buckett-Hipgrave, at victoria.buckett-hipgrave@southoxon.gov.uk.

ARTWEEKS IN BRIGHTWELL VILLAGE HALL
Posted Saturday 5th May 2007

Six local artists will exhibit their paintings in Brightwell village hall over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, as part of Artweeks, the Oxfordshire Visual Arts Festival.

‘We have chosen Brightwell's village hall because its large windows, good lighting and light walls will display paintings to good advantage,’ says artist John Stephen, who lives in Didcot. ‘We offer a great diversity of paintings and drawings: portraits and studies of groups of people, local townscapes and continental landscapes, animals and cars and abstract paintings. Some pictures will be in ink or coloured pencil; others will be water colours, or pastel, or oil. We are very pleased if people want to come and see our work, and also if they want to talk to us about it.’

Over sixty paintings will be on display, and the majority will be for sale. The artists are: Bruce Bignold from Radley; David Bage, Josie Chappelle and Marjorie Stephen from Abingdon; Jane Ryan and John Stephen from Didcot.

The exhibition will be open from Friday to Monday 25 - 28 May, 11am to 6pm, closing at 4pm on Monday. Entry is free. More details at http://www.artweeks.org or from John Stephen on 01235 817407, email john@carabus.demon.co.uk

COULD THE VILLAGE SHOP BE REOPENED?
Posted Saturday 15th April 2007

Could the village shop be re-opened? Find out at the Annual Parish Meeting on Tuesday 24 April in the Village Hall. That is when the results of the shop questionnaires, which have been delivered to all households in the Parish, will be presented. The meeting starts at 8 pm.

SODC ELECTIONS
Posted Sunday 22nd April 2007

Two candidates are standing for election to the Brightwell Ward on Thursday May 3rd. They are Mary Greene, the Conservative sitting member, and Celia Collett, who lives in Brightwell and is one of six Independent candidates across the area.

If you know you will be away from home on polling day, you can apply for someone else to vote on your behalf – but you have to do this quickly. Applications must be received before 5 pm Wednesday 25 April. They can be made by telephoning 0800 389 5560 or e-mailing elections@southxon.gov.uk as soon as possible.

You can view details of candidates by visiting www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/members/ElectionWardList.jsp. The results will be webcast on the South Oxfordshire District Council website, but you can also register to receive them by email or text message as they are announced. For more information on the email/text service please visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/elections or contact Vic Buckett-Hipgrave on 01491 823108 or email Victoria.buckett-hipgrave@southoxon.gov.uk

NATIONAL COMPOST AWARENESS WEEK
Posted Sunday 22nd April 2007

One third of the rubbish in an average household bin can be recycled by home composting – greatly reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill. This includes fruit and vegetable peelings, shredded paper, cardboard, pet hair and even the contents of your vacuum cleaner.

As part of National Compost Awareness Week from 6 -13 May 2007, SODC staff will be promoting home composting at Waitrose in Wallingford on Thursday, 10 May, from 10.00am – 4.00pm. They will be giving out useful composting tips and offering bargain compost bins.

Still on a green (or brown) theme, SODC has now taken orders for over 11,000 garden waste wheelie bins.To order yours, call 01491 823416 or email public.amenities@southoxon.gov.uk.

For further information, contact Matthew Beesley, Waste Reduction Officer 01491 823459 or email matthew.beesley@southoxon.gov.uk.

SPRING FAIR
Posted Sunday 22nd April 2007

Enjoy an afternoon in the beautiful grounds of Brightwell Manor on Saturday May 12th at the Spring Fair. Attractions include a bouncy castle, childrens’ games, toys and crafts, books, cakes, plants and white elephants. There will also be a display of Tony Smith’s military vehicles, plus tea, home-made cakes and ice cream.

Proceeds will go to the St Agatha’s Church Building Fund, and the fair will run from 2 pm to 4.30 pm.

DANCING LINES, GLOWING SPACES
Posted Sunday 22nd April 2007

An artist who has taken on the challenging task of transforming the centre of Slough is holding an exhibition at the Wallingford School of Art.

Bhajan Hunjan, who is a trustee of the school, has practised as a painter, printmaker, teacher and community art worker since the early 1980s. She has created and managed many open-air art projects, working in unlikely materials such as concrete to turn the squares and corners of city spaces into things of beauty.

Born to Punjabi parents in Kenya, Bhajan uses her knowledge of several languages as the foundation of much of her art. The five canvases on show in Wallingford draw their inspiration from Gurmukhi script, a way of writing Punjabi which goes back over 500 years. These works of art took Bhajan almost seven years to complete. Ann Stiegitz, of the School of Art, describes them as ‘glowing’ canvases.

‘The effect is like Kandinsky’s paintings, who believed shapes, lines, forms and colours could evoke feelings similar to listening to music,’ she says. ‘We do hope you will visit us and experience something very rare in Wallingford - an experience without boundaries, where glowing colour and dancing lines will set your day alight!’

The exhibition, at 5-6 Mill Lane, Wallingford, opens on Saturday, 19th May at 6.30 p.m. and runs until the 17th June. For more details telephone 01491 838855 or email: ann@wallingfordschoolofart2.freeserve.co.uk

CORN EXCHANGE GETS A NEW LOOK
Posted Saturday 23rd March 2007

Wallingford Corn Exchange – the nearest thing Brightwell has to a cinema – is undergoing a major front of house refurbishment. It is still operating over the weekends, but until May, the Box Office will only be open on Saturday mornings (10 am to 12.30 pm), and on performance evenings.

Improvements will include new loos and disabled access to the bar, and the plan is also to introduce limited telephone booking for a trial period.

For photographs, details of future plans, and the current performance schedule,visit http://www.cornexchange.org.uk.

EASTER HOLIDAY RUBBISH COLLECTION
Posted Saturday 23rd March 2007

Rubbish collection will be as normal on Good Friday; the following Friday’s collection will be a day later, on Saturday 14th April.

EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES – 31 March to 13 April 2007
Posted Saturday 23rd March 2007

SODC’s 2007 Easter activities booklet is now available. The booklet provides a comprehensive guide of what’s on offer for young people during the Easter holidays. Copies are available at locations around the district, including libraries, schools and doctors’ surgeries, or can be downloaded from www.southoxon.gov.uk

For further information, contact the SODC leisure and economic development team, telephone 01491 823417, email leisure@southoxon.gov.uk.

CALL FOR WAR MEMORIES
Posted Saturday 23rd March 2007

Do you have memories of the Second World War that you would like recorded for posterity? If so, Matthew Smaldon, a local volunteer recorder for the Leeds-based Second World War Experience Centre would like to hear from you.

He is looking for stories from all walks of life – not only servicemen and women, but also civilians, children, factory or farm workers. If you have experiences to share, they would be recorded in an informal interview.

“ This is really an opportunity for people to recount their stories and experiences – my questions are minimal,” says Matthew. “If the interviewee (or their relations) requests a copy of the tape, this is always made available.”

The recording is sent to the Centre for transcribing and inclusion in the archive. This is used by authors working on Second World War books, by TV and academic researchers and by veterans groups and historical societies.

More than seven thousand people have their younger years documented at the Centre, which is a registered museum and charity. Its website can be found at http://www.war-experience.org.

For more details contact Matthew Smaldon on 01235 526734 or e-mail matthew.smaldon@googlemail.com.

FINDS AND FOSSILS DAY
Posted Saturday 23rd March 2007

Found something unusual in the garden? Wallingford Museum is holding a free 'Finds and Fossils Day' to help people identify things they have dug up or simply stumbled upon.

The event - on Saturday 14th April, from 10 am to 1 pm - is part of the Portable Antiquities Scheme. This is a voluntary scheme to record archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. The scheme has already recorded thousands of finds including pottery, worked flint, coins, buckles, and brooches, dating from early prehistory to the 17th century.

You could just turn up, or contact Colin Clarke for details on 01491 837720.

CUBS PROGRAMME NOW ON-LINE
Posted Sunday 18th March 2007

The programme of activities for Brightwell Cubs is now available on this web site. Click here for the Cubs' web page.

PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION
Posted Sunday 18th March 2007

Dusty, the donkey who has led Palm Sunday processions in Brightwell for a number of years, died last summer. This year Misty will lead the procession, on April 1st, starting from the Red Lion at 9.15 am. Villagers are invited to join the procession or line the Street as a reminder of the crowds who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. Palm crosses will be blessed and distributed before the start of the procession, which will be followed by a service at St Agatha’s Church at 9.30 am.

TRAVEL TOKENS
Posted Sunday 18th March 2007

If you are disabled, or aged over 70, you are entitled to £20 worth of travel tokens or a free bus pass. Over-60s are also entitled to apply for a free bus pass.

If you received travel tokens in 2006/7, SODC will send you a renewal form, and the tokens will be posted directly to you. For more information, contact Julia Leppard, e-mail Julia.leppard@southoxon.gov.uk.

BRIGHTWELL REBELS
Posted Sunday 4th March 2007

A new men's Sunday League football team have arrived in Brightwell. Originally based in East Hanney, this team boasts three local Brightwell players, with the remainder coming from nearby Wallingford and Didcot. They are sponsored principally by Cottrell Landscapes and have affiliations with two other local businesses - Bell Garage and Mike Sharp Builders. The aim is for the Rebels to become an integral part of the community, promoting best practice in dealings with local children.

To find out more about the Rebels, contact their manager, David Lewis on 01235 848545 or take a look at their web-site www.rebels.webeden.co.uk

OFSTED INSPECTION
Posted Sunday 18th February 2007

Brightwell school has emerged with flying colours from its Ofsted inspection. Across the board, it is said to be a good school with some outstanding features, notably:

• the extent to which the children adopt healthy lifestyles and make a positive contribution to their community;
• the active involvement of governors in school management
• the school's work in partnership with others (including parents) to promote the wellbeing and learning of the children.

Click here for more details of the inspection and report.

CONCERT AT ST AGATHA'S
Posted Sunday 11th February 2007

Musicians from the Marilla String Quartet are playing for free at a concert to raise funds for the St Agatha's Church Building Fund on March 3rd. The programme will include a mixture of classical, romantic and modern music, and tickets include a glass of wine.

"Having been to one of the quartet's concerts in the Holywell Music Rooms in Oxford, I can certainly recommend them", says church warden Olive Sutcliffe. "As they are very generously giving this concert without charge, I am hoping to get as much support as possible."

The concert is on March 3rd, and starts at 7.30 pm. If you would like tickets, or could sell some on behalf of the church, contact Olive on 01491 836063

HENRY JAMES
Posted Sunday 11th February 2007

There was a packed church for the funeral at St Agatha's Church of Henry James, a long-standing Brightwell resident who had moved with his wife, Mary, to Wallingford, and died in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Donations were requested in his memory for the St Mary's Renewal Campaign.

MIDDLE EASTERN DANCING
Posted Sunday 11th February 2007

Members of Brightwell -cum-Sotwell W.I. have found a new way to keep fit: Middle Eastern dancing. Classes take place every other Tuesday in the village hall at 6.30 pm (on WI meeting nights) or 7 pm on other nights. For more details, see the WI website or e-mail mail@bcs-wi.co.uk.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
Posted Sunday 11th February 2007

The talk for this year's Environment Group AGM will be by Ian Bacon of TV Energy, Newbury, on "Sustainable energy options for the home". It will cover some background on why this is an important subject (climate change, security of supply, economics etc.), energy efficiency, renewable energy, discussing costs, grants, applicability, planning and performance issues.

The meeting will take place in the Village Hall on Tuesday 3 April at 8pm . This is a change of date from that given in the Villager

BRUSSELS CONNECTION
Posted Sunday 11th February 2007

If you stay in a bed and breakfast in Brussels, you could find yourself in touch with a little bit of Brightwell. Click on Where Are They Now? to find out more.

ALL CHANGE!
Posted Sunday 4th February 2007

Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Post Office has now relocated to the Stewart Room, at the rear of the Village Hall. Opening hours will be the same – Wednesday and Friday mornings, between 9.30 and 12 noon, with the last Royal Mail collection at 11.45 am.

Meanwhile, the Community Coffee Morning will change from Thursdays to Wednesdays, so people will be able to call in at St Agatha’s Church for a cuppa at the same time as visiting the Post Office. The Mobile Library also stops for twenty minutes at the War Memorial on alternate Wednesdays at 11.25 am.

The Parish Council would like to thank Bill and Mo for their generosity in housing the Post Office in the Red Lion for the past three years.

LT. COL. GILBERT TALBOT
Posted Sunday 14th January 2007
Updated Sunday 18th February 2007

We are sad to report the passing of Gilbert Talbot, who has died in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Born in 1918, he was a stalwart of the British Legion and the village Flower and Produce Show. There can’t be many men left in the village who raise their hats to everyone they meet, but this simple act of old world courtesy was typical of Gilbert Talbot. His personal charm and gentlemanliness, his strong sense of duty and complete absence of snobbishness will be sorely missed. Obituaries will appear in the next edition of The Villager.

Click here to view the obituaries.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Posted Saturday 30th December 2006

Beavers - the youngest section of the Scout Group for children aged six to eight - has had to close in Brightwell due to a shortage of volunteer leaders. If you would like to help get the group restarted, please contact Jon Payne on 07734 454345 or e-mail jgp@e3-ltd.co.uk.

TIME TO RAID THE ATTIC
Posted Sunday 17th December 2006

I Remember That...! is the title of Wallingford Museum's special exhibition for 2007, designed to provoke that reaction in at least three generations of visitors from grandparents to children.

The new exhibition, which opens on Thursday 1 March, will be a nostalgic look at the way everyday objects have changed in the last 60 years or so, but the organisers need your help. Do you have any of the following that you'd be willing to give or lend for the exhibition? - cameras, toys, board and other games, dolls, computer games, early computers (a Sinclair Spectrum or BBC Micro?), electronic games machines, gadgets, calculators, watches, small kitchen tools, office equipment, shoes, fashion accessories, food and toiletry packaging through the years... ? If you have, please take it to Wallingford Museum (52 High Street, opposite the Kinecroft) on SATURDAY 20 JANUARY between 11.00am and 4.00pm. If you can't bring it then, please contact the Curator, Judy Dewey, on 01491 651127 or by e-mail to judy@piepowder.co.uk.

Although the Museum is closed for the winter until 1 March, the second-hand book shop remains open on Thursday, Friday & Saturday mornings from 10.30am to 1.00pm.

For more details e-mail stuart.darby@lineone.net

POST OFFICE AT RED LION
Posted Tuesday 12th December 2006

The Post Office will open three days a week over Christmas, with earlier opening and closing times.

Until Friday December 22, it will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8.30 until 11 am. The last Royal Mail collection at the Red Lion will be 10.45 am. Normal times and days will restart on December 27.

GOING GREEN
Posted Tuesday 12th December 2006

Putting on an extra jumper, cycling to work and buying a water butt may not seem like a huge contribution to solving global environmental problems - but, according to John Rodda, it's still a contribution worth making.

We each produce about 10 tonnes of CO2 per annum, when for sustainability the figure should be about 1 tonne. If we as individuals don't do something about this, we may face the prospect of carbon rationing. In a paper given to the Parish Council, John outlined some simple lifestyle changes that would help. For more details, click here.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted Sunday 19th November 2006

A new picture gallery has been posted of the "Sound of Music" themed night at the Village Hall in October. The pictures were sent very promptly by Wendy Roderick and we apologise for the delay in getting them uploaded. To view this gallery follow the links to Village Life/Village Life Today/Picture Galleries - or click here.

DESPERATELY SEEKING BRIGHTWELL
Posted Sunday 5th November 2006

A couple who are at present renting in Abingdon are desperate to buy a house in Brightwell. They are looking for a modernish three or four bedroom detached house or bungalow with garden and garage. If you can help, contact Donald and Rita Hunt on 01235 553455

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
Posted Sunday 5th November 2006

The latest BBC family history series has obviously sparked renewed interest in the sport of ancestor-training (not that it ever really went away). The latest queries to come through the website are for the Sheard, Davis and Orchard families, especially one Gideon Davis who in 1864 worked as a tinker in Brightwell, and married the daughter of a blacksmith.

Click here to read more.

STICKY FINGERS COMES TO BRIGHTWELL
Posted Sunday 5th November 2006

New to Brightwell Pavilion on Tuesday mornings is Sticky Fingers Arts and Crafts for the under-fives - “a haven of activity, mess and excitement” according to its organiser, Claire Barwick.

The sessions run from 10.15 am, with six arts & crafts activities each week. Themes so far have included: autumn, pirates & mermaids, the farm, numbers & letters and music. Still to come this year will be Halloween, fireworks, things we eat, the Hungry Caterpillar and Christmas.

“The children get to make loads of mess and discover their creative side and the parents get to enjoy watching them develop without having to clear up,” says Claire. Sessions cost £4 a time, including the cost of materials.

More details on 07985 943008 or 01865 727393. E-mail claire@sticky-fingers.me.uk

GRANTS FOR VILLAGE SOCIETIES
Posted Sunday 29th October 2006

The Parish Council will be considering applications for donations to Parish organisations at its meeting on 19th December. Jane Dix, Clerk to the Parish Council, has the forms, which must be returned by November 25th.

BRIGHTWELL AND SUDAN
Posted Sunday 29th October 2006

Robin Shawyer is running the Abingdon Marathon to raise funds for the education of young people in Sudan and towards the costs of planned improvements in St Agatha’s Church.

For the past two years the churches of St Agatha’s and St James have been helping to support 76 Sudanese young people studying at secondary level in Uganda. Robin regularly visits Uganda and meets the students. Many children in Southern Sudan have been unable to attend school because of the twenty years of civil war and these children will be a precious resource in the reconstruction of the country.

At St Agatha's, the PCC is planning to improve the kitchen and toilet facilities so that it is more usable as a venue not just for church activities but for concerts, coffee mornings and other gatherings.

If you would like to sponsor Robin, you can contact him at Middle Farm, or sign the sponsorship form in St Agatha's Church.

BRIGHTWELL HARVEST 2006
Posted Sunday 1st October 2006

Fancy a bit of practical harvesting? Brightwell Vineyard need people to help pick their grapes, in exchange for lunch and a chance to sample some of the fruits of last year's labours. Harvesting starts on Sunday 1st October, and will continue over the following three weeks, both weekdays and weekends until October 23.

If you are interested, please contact Carol & Bob Nielsen, telephone 01491 836586, or E-mail: wines@brightvines.freeserve.co.uk

HIDDEN TREASURES
Posted Monday 28th August 2006

Have you ever unearthed a treasure and wondered what it was? Well, take it along to Wallingford Museum and find out.

There's a chance to help uncover Oxfordshire's past by bringing archaeological objects and fossils to a FREE 'Finds and Fossils Day' on Saturday 23rd September from 10am to noon at Wallingford Museum. Kate Sutton, the Oxfordshire Finds Liaison Officer, together with Dr Steve Head, the museum’s fossils specialist, will be on hand to help identify items found by local people,

This event is part of the Portable Antiquities Scheme - a voluntary scheme to record archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. The scheme has already recorded thousands of finds including pottery, worked flint, coins, buckles, and brooches, dating from early prehistory to the 17th century.

Every year many thousands of objects are discovered, often by metal-detector users, but also by people out walking, gardening or working. These discoveries offer an important source for understanding our past. Objects dating from before 1650 will be recorded - and not just metal ones. Later objects may also be of interest and often it is best to let the Finds Liaison Officer see all your finds, especially if you are unsure what they are. For details contact Colin Clarke 01491 837720

During the Wallingford Bunkfest, Wallingford Museum will have extended hours of opening and a ‘2 for 1’ special offer on admission. For details go to http://www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk/ and click on ‘Latest News’.

CALL FOR SINGERS
Posted Sunday 20th August 2006

Fancy singing in Trial by Jury? If so, Cranford Choral Society would like to hear from you. The group - which has several members from Brightwell - resumes rehearsals after the summer break on Monday September 4 at 8 pm in The Barn at Cranford House School.

Trial by Jury, together with a programme of Victorian parlour songs and readings, will be performed in November. The main concert of the year, in May, will be Elgar's The Kingdom. Membership does not involve an audition. More details from Alison Gray on 01491 873181.

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Posted Sunday 20th August 2006

Thanks to Bill and Mo,,the Red Lion, the cricketers and all the supporers, this year's Charity Cricket Match raised a total of £638.

LITTLE KICKERS
Posted Sunday 20th August 2006

New classes to introduce football to children aged from 2 to under 5 are being held in Brightwell from September 6th. More details on 01235 850266.

NEW SCOUT LEADERS WANTED
Posted Sunday 20th August 2006

Brightwell is one of the few scouting groups in the area with all three sections still running - Scouts, Beavers and Cubs. However, three key leaders have now resigned: Paul Ingram (Assistant Scout Leader), Trevor Pike (Assistant Cub Leader) and Hilary Rogerson (Group Scout Leader).

"We all became leaders many years ago when our children were members of the Scout Group and have followed our children through the various sections," says Hilary Rogerson. "Our children are now all older and have left scouts and we feel it is time to do the same and let a new set of parents take over."

If you think you have what it takes to be an Akela or an assistant Beaver, Cub or Scout leader,contact Hilary on 01491 839960, or Tim Scane 01235 511448.

RECORD RESULT
Posted Sunday 20th August 2006

This year's village fete raised a record £3,400 profit. Organisations wanting to apply for funds from the proceeds should contact James Davys on 01491 834195 for forms. Read more about what the Community Association does in the highlights from the latest edition of The Villager.

CARING FOR THE CARERS
Posted Sunday 5th August 2006

If yours is an average street, then one in ten houses will be home to a person who is long-term ill, frail or disabled. That person will be looked after by a friend or family member who spends at least 10 hours and sometimes more than 60 hours per week in their caring role for no financial reward.

The Didcot-based South and Vale Carers Centre is a charity that offers help with benefits advice, carer’s breaks and other support. They also provide some much needed fun and are currently taking bookings for a summer outing to Bournemouth, an autumn shopping trip to Bristol, and a training course in massage techniques. They can be contacted on 01235 510212, or e-mail carers@svcarers.org.uk.

FROM MOSAICS TO MAPS
Posted Sunday 16th July 2006

The Wallingford and District Worker's Educational Association are offering three new courses for the autumn.

• Making Mosaics with Emma Hodgkins, Didcot, Wednesdays 9.30 to 11.30am. 10 weeks from 20th September.
• Freedom, religion, Science: Old and New ideas in 17th Century England with Jonathan Powis, Goring, Tuesdays 10am to 12 noon, 10 meetings from 26th September.
• Two Hundred years of Ordnance Survey Mapping with Bob Parry, Watlington, Tuesdays 10am to 12 noon, 10 weeks from 26th September.

HELP IMPROVE SODC'S WEBSITE - FOR CASH!
Posted Sunday 9th July 2006

Do you have a spare hour in July or August to help test SODC's website? If so, South Oxfordshire District Council would like to hear from you.

The website, www.southoxon.gov.uk, provides a wide range of information and services. SODC are looking for ways to improve the site and make it easier for people to use. Sessions will take place at the council offices in Crowmarsh Gifford, and will involve a few tasks to see how easy or hard it is to use the site. You don’t need any prior experience or knowledge about websites to take part. At the end of the session, volunteers will receive £20.

If you are interested and able to visit SODC offices during weekdays (7am - 7pm), please send your name, contact details (address, phone number, email) and when you are available between 24 July and 24 August, to:

Sam Shepherd, Consultation Officer
South Oxfordshire District Council
Benson Lane
Crowmarsh Gifford
WALLINGFORD
Oxon OX10 8ED
Tel: 01491 823093
Email: Sam.Shepherd@southoxon.gov.uk

PILATES PLACES AVAILABLE NOW
Posted Sunday 9th July 2006

Places are now available in Wallingford for beginners and experts at Pilates. Pronounced 'pilaartes', this whole body exercise system is suitable for anyone from 12 years old upwards, and aims to develop body awareness, increase balance and co-ordination, release stress and improve posture.

It was founded by a German called Joseph Hubertus Pilates, who was born in Dusseldorf in 1880 and lived to be 87 - so he must have been doing something right.

If you are interested in finding out more, contact Gillian Frost on 01235 814299

PRODUCE SHOW JUNIOR SECTION
Posted Saturday 24th June 2006

Eagle-eyed readers will have spotted the deliberate mistake in the junior section of the schedule for this year's show, which appears in the current edition of The Villager.

The age groups in the Junior Section should be 9-12 year olds, 5-8 year olds and under fives. The way it was printed would have left some very confused 8 and 9 year olds! (Blame the innumerate show secretary).

SPLODGE TOTS
Posted Sunday 18th June 2006

A new art and craft group for under-fives is running at the Pavilion on Wednesdays during term time between 1.30 and 2.30 pm. Sessions cost £4 a child with siblings costing £2. For more details contact Jenny on 01491 826099

SAVE THE CHILDREN PLANT SALE
Posted Sunday 18th June 2006

MOBILE LIBRARY - NEW TIMES
Posted Sunday 18th June 2006

The Mobile Library now visits Brightwell-cum-Sotwell fortnightly on Wednesdays:

• School 10.25 - 10.55
• Datchet Green 11.00 - 11.20
• War Memorial 11.25 - 11.45

HISTORY GROUP DIARY PROJECT
Posted Sunday 18th June 2006

If you have been keeping a diary for the 2005/6 History Group Diary Project, this should now be sent in to be collated and stored in the History Group Archive. If you have any problems or questions, please contact Sally Dugan at sally.dugan@virgin.net, or click here for more details.

ALPHA COMES TO BRIGHTWELL?
Posted Sunday 4th June 2006

Plans are afoot to run an Alpha course in Brightwell. This is a course designed to help people explore what Christianity is about.

‘There is no pressure to join or even attend church,’ says Neville Burt, Honorary Pastor of Brightwell Free Church. ‘”. It is an opportunity for you find out what others believe and to express your own thoughts. The majority of people who have done it say they really enjoyed the opportunity to discuss the deeper issues of life in a non-threatening environment.’

If you would like to know more, you can contact Neville on 01491 651815 or email the burts@supanet.com.

WALLINGFORD UNDERGROUND
Posted Saturday 27th May 2006

Scenes from excavations of Wallingford Castle will be among many previously unpublished photographs to be shown in a new exhibition at Wallingford Museum.

An archaeological dig in the 1960s revealed part of the medieval town gateway and 13th century buildings. Other photographs show the graveyard of the Saxon church of St Martin, now reburied under the new Waitrose site.

In addition, Family Archaeology Day is on Sunday 16 July, where you are invited to dig for your 'finds' (in sandpits), and learn how to identify and draw them. It runs from 10.00am - 4.00pm. It's free, but it would be an excellent opportunity to also pay and see the new exhibitions, as well as the existing displays of Wallingford's history.

The Family Day happens in the Courtyard behind Flint House and in the kitchen. Further details from Colin Clarke (tel; 01491 837720)

CAR CRIME AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Posted Saturday 27th May 2006

Thames Valley Police, South Oxfordshire District Council and local businesses and residents have joined forces with Crimestoppers to bring a car crime awareness campaign to the area.

Publicity materials such as posters, leaflets and drinks coasters are being delivered to houses and businesses and displayed in car crime hotspots to raise awareness of car crime and to increase the amount of information being passed to police.

Car crime has fallen in South Oxfordshire Local Police Area (LPA) by 7 per cent between 2004/5 and 2005/6. However, car crime is opportunist. By remembering to remove valuables such as mobile phones, laptops and CDs and by investing in good security devices thieves can be deterred.

Police also need more information on those people committing car crime and where it is happening so they can make arrests and better target their resources. You can contact the police direct on the single non-emergency number 0845 8 505 505. Crimestoppers also provide a 24-hour contact number for people to pass on information without speaking to police or the need to leave a name. Their number is 0800 555 111

Theft of and theft from vehicle 1 April to 31 March:

2004/05
South Oxfordshire LPA:	1,249
Henley:	335
Thame:	508
Didcot:	192
Wallingford:	214

2005/06
South Oxfordshire LPA:	1,164	Percentage change:	-6.8%
Henley:	295	Percentage change:	-11.9%
Thame:	550	Percentage change:	8.3%
Didcot:	148	Percentage change:	-22.9%
Wallingford:	171	Percentage change:	-20.1%

MAY MADNESS
Posted Saturday 27th May 2006

The Friends of Brightwell School raised over £1600 for school funds at the May Madness evening in the Village Hall.

TEATOWEL - COMPLETE WITH DUCKS
Posted Saturday 27th May 2006

A teatowel with designs featuring the churches of St Agatha's and St James, together with other typical Brightwell scenes (including the ducks!) is being sold to raise money for church funds. They cost £3.50 each, and can be obtained from Olive Sutcliffe (01491) 836063

RACE FOR LIFE
Posted Monday 22nd May 2006

Villagers Corinne and Hannah Jones will be taking part in the Race for Life for breast cancer on 4th June.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life began in 1994, with one race in Battersea Park and has grown to become the UK’s biggest women only fundraising event. We have raised over a £100 million for Cancer Research UK and welcomed over 2 million women to our events. For more details see www.raceforlife.org.

Sponsor forms for Corinne and Hannah or posted in the entrance lobby of the Red Lion, and they will be most grateful for any additional sponsors.

FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW 2006
Posted Sunday 21st May 2006

The Produce Show tent is always a star attraction at the village fete (especially when it’s raining!), but coming up with new ideas for classes each year can be quite a challenge.

Of course there is a hard core of old favourites. The tent would not be the same without its roses, hybrid tea and multi-headed, and the vases of cottage garden flowers. But it’s always hard to second-guess what other kinds of things people would enjoy exhibiting.

Last year, for instance, a lack of entries in the older junior section told the committee they had got something wrong. So, they have decided to lower the upper age limit to 12, and to encourage the older juniors to enter the adult classes. As luck would have it, Win Glendenning had found a trophy which was originally used when the W.I. used to run the show. So, they are now offering this – the Joan Sheard trophy – to the best under-16 entry in the adult classes.

Photography classes this year include a photo of a dog, plus The Four Seasons. In the Flower Arranging, men have a chance to try their hand at an arrangement in a jug. And juniors have a wide choice, from an 80th birthday card for the Queen to a cartoon character (for 8-12 year olds) and a miniature seaside scene on a plate (5-9 year olds).

The fete and show is at Sotwell House on July 8th. To download an entry form and schedule, follow the links through Community and Leisure to Flower and Produce Show.

click here for the Flower and Produce Show web page.

Brown wheelie bins are now appearing on the streets of Brightwell, as SODC's new garden waste recycling scheme is launched.

The bins - for garden waste, grass cuttings, branches, leaves, weeds and hedge clippings - will be collected fortnightly at the same time as other refuse. The service costs £29 per year (£27.50 if you pay online), and collections are due to start in June. All garden waste collected will be taken to the Agrivert composting plant at Preston Crowmarsh, and the compost used to improve local farmland.

If you don't want to pay for a kerbside recycling service, you can make your own compost, or take it to the Oakley Wood tip. More details on the South Oxfordshire District Council website at http://www.southoxon.gov.uk

CHURCH SPRING FAIR
Posted Sunday 21st May 2006

The St Agatha's and St James's Spring Fair, held in Brightwell Manor Gardens, raised an impressive £1,273 for church funds. The top money-spinner was the White Elephant, which brought in £181.80. New stalls this year included Aloe Vera, from Maggie at Brightwell Garage.

NEW FAMILY HISTORIES PAGE
Posted Sunday 21st May 2006

A new "Family Histories" page has been added to the site to assist villagers, former villagers and their descendants in tracing their ancestry.

Follow the links to Village Life / Village History / Family Histories, or click here to view the new page.

If you have an interest that you could share with someone locally for an hour or two a fortnight, Julie Shorter would be delighted to hear from you on 0118 9474827 or email Julie.shorter@rcv.org.uk.

No personal care is involved and a mileage allowance is payable. Check out their entry under Community and Leisure, or visit their website at www.rcv.org.uk.

TEEING OFF FOR SPRING
Posted Sunday 16th April 2006

The seventh meeting of the Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Golf Society will be held at the Springs Golf Club on Tuesday June 6 at 2pm. Any villager who would like to play and is not already a member please send details of email and telephone number to Jamie Robertson on jamierob31@onetel.com or tel 01491 837245. The Autumn meeting has now been rescheduled to September 26 at Goring and Streatley Golf Club.

ANYONE FOR TENNIS?
Posted Sunday 9th April 2006

Kings Meadow Tennis Club is looking for a new parent(s) to organise the junior member sessions. Sarah Metcalf has arranged an after-school programme for the last six years, which she has found to be both enjoyable and rewarding. Now that she is not directly involved with the school, they need an adult (or adults) to continue the programme (absolutely no expertise in playing tennis is required as the club hires a professional coach). Please contact Sarah directly on 01491 838266 if you would like to help.

The club now has a new training area where individuals can practice by themselves against a rebound net whilst waiting to play. There has been investment in new equipment and seating too. Membership rates are as follows:

Juniors (age 9 and under 16) £10	Senior £25
Student (age 16+ but in F/T study) £15	Family £50

Click here for the club's web page.

ALLSORTS NEEDS YOU!
Posted Sunday 9th April 2006

Allsorts Pre-School is reaching the last lap of its marathon fund-raising effort, and is making a final appeal for £20,000 to help reach its target.

Work is set to start over the summer holidays on a new building to replace the old pre-fab in the grounds of Brightwell Primary School - but only if villagers can come up with the money to fund it.

"The Pre-School is a vital part of our community," says supervisor Hilary Smith. "Following our recent glowing Ofsted report and continued recruitment and retention of highly qualified staff, children now remain at Pre-School for excellent quality education and care, until their transition to the village primary school. As a result, people are moving into the village and surrounding areas to enable them to be in the educational catchment area. Such is our profile, that people are registering new babies for a place at Pre-School, over two years before they are due to start. We have 56 children registered, most of whom are from the village. They are our future!

"Our current 'temporary' building has now been standing for over 14 years, and it must be replaced by the end of 2006. The parents and staff have worked tirelessly in their fund raising efforts, and have been overwhelmed by the village support so far. (Many people will be aware of the popular 'Promises' evenings and Valentines Ball and may have seen our wonderful success in the People¹s Lottery). However, we still need to raise £20,000 before July 2006 in order to build our beautiful new purpose-built Pre-School. If we don¹t, Pre-School will shut, and the village will lose yet another vital community resource."

Allsorts is appealing for money donations and interest free loans for the remaining amount. They also need equipment, including computers, storage for furniture and equipment during the summer re-build, and skills. If you have any expertise in building, decorating, plumbing, electrics, kitchen fitting, gardening, curtain or large floor cushion making, they would be pleased to hear from you.

If you would like to make a donation, please make your cheque payable to "Allsorts Pre-School" and send it to Julie Colam, Treasurer, Allsorts Pre-School, Greenmere, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, OXON OX10 OQH. If you can help in any other way, please telephone Hilary Smith (Supervisor) at Pre-School on (01491) 826387 or at home on (01491) 839470.

WARBURTON'S WALKS
Posted Sunday 9th April 2006

A book of 24 circular walks, published in memory of a local farmer, sold more than half its print run within 48 hours of launching.

In 1999 Paul and Hilary Warburton and Tim and Janet Huins started a circular walk of approximately 6 miles. The group expanded and the walks were planned weekly, excluding harvest time. 61 walks had been completed by August 2004 when Paul died from a tragic accident on his farm. The group has now enjoyed 115 walks and wished to write this book and dedicate it to Paul. Each of the walks is clearly mapped using the 1:25000 Ordnance Survey maps, together with an accurate description and guidance written by Brian Harding.

Profits from the sale of the book will go to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust. The book will be available at local bookshops and libraries (price £5.95) and can be obtained direct from Tim Huins (01865-858665 e-mail timhuins@oaktrees1.plus.com) and from Warborough Village Shop and Post Office.

NOW WE ARE TEN
Posted Sunday 26th March 2006

The Environment Group is celebrating its 10th birthday in the Village Hall on March 28th, with a special drop-in session and a talk on ponds by Dr Steve Head, of Oxford Brookes University.

The event is sponsored by: The Red Lion, Green and Tidy, Highlands Farm, Brightwell Vineyard, Sherwood Farm, Brightwell Garage, Root One and Rowse Honey

For more details click here for the new Environment Group News page.

THANK YOU
Posted Sunday 26th March 2006

Emily Dugan would like to say a big thankyou to all those who have given bags of clothes for her to take to the Open Arms Orphanage in Malawi. They will be much appreciated

HAVE YOUR SAY ON YOUTH SERVICES
Posted Saturday 18th March 2006

Do you have strong views on what services should be provided for young people in South Oxfordshire? If so, now is your chance to air them. From now until April 30, South Oxfordshire District Council is canvassing views from all local residents about their draft youth strategy for 2006-9. Key aims include:

• Ensuring young people are informed about issues that are important to them.
• Raising environmental awareness
• Improving facilities for recreation
• Making sure young people feel safe by tackling problems of anti-social behaviour, gangs, drugs, alcohol, racism and crime.

To find out more, go to www.southoxon.gov.uk and follow the “Have Your Say” links on the home page, to Youth Strategy. You can read the whole document, complete a long or short questionnaire, or simply e-mail your comments to Katharine May at haveyoursay@southoxon.gov.uk. You can also phone her on 01491 823047

CHILDREN'S CLOTHES WANTED
Posted Monday 6th March 2006

Do you have any unwanted clothes to fit boys and girls aged between two and five? If so, Emily Dugan can find a good home for them! She plans to volunteer at the Open Arms Orphanage in Malawi, which cares for children whose parents have died of AIDS, and they are in desperate need of good quality, outgrown clothing. If you can help, please contact Sally Dugan on sally.dugan@virgin.net

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Posted Monday 6th March 2006

Do you want to know what happened to the female member of the Tap Dancing Fruit Machine? Click on the Where Are They Now? link above to read Anne Kennett's adventures surfing down under.

The Brightwell website is a fantastic way to keep in touch with old friends. Please send your news and pictures for this new section to sally.dugan@virgin.net

AN EVENING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Posted Friday 17-February-2006

Jill and Adrian Chatfield will be giving an illustrated talk on South Africa in Brightwell Village Hall on Saturday February 25th at 7 pm. South African food and wine, as well as an experience of some of the sights and sounds of Africa will be provided.

Jill Chatfield is Brightwell's new team vicar, and she and her husband lived and worked in Africa before coming to live in Oxfordshire. Places are limited, so if you would like to go, please contact the churchwardens - Roy Thorpe (01491 937334) or Arthur Procter (01491 835994). Admission is free, but donations are invited to the St Agatha's Church building fund.

STAR FUNDRAISERS
Posted Friday 17-February-2006

Brightwell Brownies raised a total of £279.14 for the Red Cross in 2005, part of their Brownie promise to “do their best” and “help other people”. Their latest fund-raising efforts was an evening of songs from musicals, which brought in £84.72.

WHEELIE BINS ON THE WAY
Posted Friday 17-February-2006

South Oxfordshire District Council plans to launch a new, permanent garden waste service from April, in a bid to cut down the amount of waste going to landfill.

The new service will offer a fortnightly kerbside collection of garden waste from brown wheelie bins for £29 a year. And unlike the existing eco sacks scheme, which runs until 28 April, residents won¹t need to book their collections. All the waste collected will be composted locally.

The Council will consider the scheme in March but before then wants to gauge take up of the service by asking interested residents to send their name and address to:

Public Amenities
South Oxfordshire District Council
FREEPOST OF 439
Benson Lane
Crowmarsh Gifford
Wallingford
OX10 8BR

Or email public.amenities@southoxon.gov.uk

NEW YEAR COURSES
Posted Sunday 08-January-2006

Did your New Year’s resolutions include getting your brain in gear? Then the WEA may have just the course for you.

Titles include: US Culture – What is it?; (Marsh Baldon, Wednesday evenings from January 18th); Crime and Punishment – 1700 to the Present Day (Goring, Tuesday mornings from January 20th) and British Plant Hunting (Watlington, Thursday mornings from January 26th).

More details from Margaret Barnes 01491 201481

NEWS FROM DOWN UNDER
Posted Friday 30-December-2005

Just to prove that the Brightwell website has a long reach, we had a New Year message from a reader in New Zealand, Jane Charlton.

She wrote : ‘My father Fred Charlton lived in the village from 1962 until his death earlier this year. He and my mother are both buried in St Agatha's graveyard. He was a great stalwart of the church and I was so pleased to see your website. I shall have a little look at it every so often when I feel a little homesick. Having lived in the village myself through childhood I have many memories of fetes, silver jubilee, the village shops and baker, even the horse drawn vegetable seller.’

For those who missed it first time round, an obituary of Fred Charlton appeared in June/July 2005 edition of The Villager - click here to view.

Meanwhile, a bit nearer home, Mark Watkin sent this e-mail.

‘Hello. My name is Mark and I am a former resident of the village.In fact I was born in what was then St George’s Hospital in Wallingford, back in 1964,and lived in Brightwell until I was 18 before moving away to seek employment in Reading.

I dare say there are others who, like me perhaps, have moved from the village for a variety of reasons, only to find that moving back is now pretty near impossible! I have to rely on rented accomodation, as my income has never allowed me the luxury of home ownership. This and other circumstances, too many to mention, prevents me from moving my family back towards Brightwell, for which I am forever saddened.

Well,back to the point in hand. I enjoy looking on the new website of the village. It is very interesting and I must congratulate all those that have had a hand in its conception and its upkeep!

Could you perhaps enquire if anyone has any "old" photographs of the village. When I say "old" I mean to say of the village at a time that I remember it. For example,when Lynch's shop was in The Street, Kews bakery, The Bell Stores,etc! If any of these could be found, I for one would be most grateful to see them.

The recent article within The Villager about Mr Ron Wood was fantastic to see. Mr Wood taught me,my brothers and my sister and the village is indeed lucky to have him amongst your community. He is one of very few teachers that I can hand on heart say made a big difference to my life. I still think the world of him.’

You can contact both Jane Charlton and Mark Watkin through the web editor, at sally.dugan@virgin.net

BAGS OF LEAVES
Updated Friday 30-December-2005

Garden drowning in Autumn leaves? You can now bag them up and send them off with the dustmen, knowing they will be composted.

SODC have extended their trial garden waste collection service to run until Friday 28 April 2006. Brown eco sacks, at 30p a time, will be picked up on your normal rubbish collection day, provided you phone 24 hours in advance.

The brown bags, made from strong paper, are for collecting garden waste such as:

• grass
• leaves
• hedge clippings
• plants
• flowers

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Posted Sunday 11-December-2005

Thanks to generous sponsors, the Save the Children Christmas tree will be put in the Square once more, with carols around the tree on Christmas Eve.

It will be the climax to a highly successful fund-raising year. The Brightwell Quilters donated £566 from the proceeds of their fund-raising event in the Village Hall in October. The Saturday Market in November raised £459.90, and Malcolm and Olive Sutcliffe have raised £269.00 selling Malcolm’s flowers outside their house.

If you have some time to spare, why not try volunteering for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau?

The CAB offers free confidential advice on a range of issues including welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment and consumer issues. The Didcot Bureau, next to the Civic Centre, is open from 10 - 4 Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 10 - 7 on Tuesdays and 10 - 1 on Wednesdays. The newly-refurbished Wallingford branch, in the Bullcroft, is open on a Monday 10 - 1, Tuesday 10 - 3.30 and Friday 10 - 1.

A variety of volunteer roles are available, and full training and support is provided. For more details contact the Bureau Manager. Nicola Webb, on 01235 813632, call in at either the Didcot or Wallingford offices, or check out the national website at http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/mac/join-us.

Every year property worth hundreds of thousands of pounds is recovered by the police and not returned to its rightful owners simply because it cannot be identified.

The easiest way to guard against this happening is to mark such items with your Postcode, using a special kit available via Neighbourhood Watch area co-ordinators. It comprises a ceramic marker for china and glass, ultraviolet (invisible) markers for cabinets, computers and the like, plus an electric engraver for bicycles, motor mowers and other metal items.

To find your local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator - click here.

HEALTHY BANK BALANCE
Posted Sunday 11-December-2005

The Community Association reported a highly successful year at its AGM, with £4,845 raised through its main events – the Carols, Quiz, Wine Tasting evenings and Fete. The money has been distributed as grants to village activities and clubs, with £608 allocated to Christmas hampers (which was also supported by a £135 donation from Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Church). This compares well with last year’s £3,000 grants and £460 hamper allocation.

Dariel Burdass has decided to stand down as Secretary, due to family and work commitments, but will continue as a Committee member. David Fox and Amanda Potter have also now joined the Committee

SANCTUARY SEEKS RESCUE
Posted Saturday 10-December-2005

A Brightwell-based charity which rescues unwanted, abused and neglected donkeys is in need of a bit of rescuing itself.

The Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary - home to about 80 donkeys, as well as a number of other animals - needs to raise some £250,000 to find a new home. For details, see http://www.donkeyrescue.co.uk.

PAUL TAKES TO THE ROAD
Posted Saturday 10-December-2005

This Christmas, Paul Jackson and his son, Mark, will be riding on Harley Davidsons across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Having had only three days off all year, the family trip to California will be a much-needed holiday – and a celebration. For, after 19 years at Brightwell Garage, Paul has decided to sell up. The business will continue trading under its new owner, 33-year old Paul Galloway, and mechanics Matt and Dave will stay on the staff.

“I would like to thank everyone in Brightwell who has supported me,” says Paul, who plans to take things easy for a while before deciding what to do next.

Plans to build affordable housing on the Greenmere estate will be up for public discussion at a drop-in event in the village hall on Tuesday November 22nd.

The proposal is for a block of four two-bedroom flats on a site between the present Greenmere flats and the lay-by. They would be offered to local people on SODC's Housing Register.

Representatives from South Oxfordshire Housing Association, SODC, the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council, and Parish Councillors will be in the Stewart Room from 4 pm until 8 pm to answer any questions.

A survey carried out as part of the Vital Villages Project revealed the need for low cost homes in the parish, to counteract rising house prices. For more details follow the links in Village Life Today to the Parish Plan.

FAIRTHORNE MEMORIAL TRUST SEEKS ARCHITECT
Posted Saturday 29-October-2005

Are you an architect, surveyor, experienced builder or accountant? If so, the Fairthorne Memorial Trust needs you.

The trust - which owns two properties in the village - is looking for some tame experts to advise them. If you can help please contact Elizabeth Drury on 832460

THANKS FOR YOUR VOTES!
updated Sunday 20-November-2005

Allsorts Pre-School are celebrating after a mass vote from villagers gave them a big boost in their efforts to raise funds for a desperately-needed new building.

Their project was one of two shortlisted for the 'People's Millions' - a scheme run by the Big Lottery Fund and ITV for projects that benefit local communities. Viewers were invited to vote for who they thought should win through phone, text and online voting. As a result, Allsorts have been awarded a grant of £50,000. Their target is £100,000, and more fund-raising efforts are planned. Watch this space.

FREE ART EXHIBITION AT WALLINGFORD MUSEUM
Posted Saturday 22-October-2005

An art exhibition organised by a couple with strong Brightwell connections is being held at the Wallingford Museum to raise money for its upstairs/downstairs expansion project. Pat and Keith Owen, who lived in Brightwell for many years, were founder members of the village History group, and have organised similar exhibitions at the museum in the past. Art and pottery by many artists who don’t normally exhibit in Wallingford will be on display, and all works will be for sale.

Entrance is free, and the exhibition will be open every afternoon from Tuesday November 15th to Thursday December 1st . Opening hours are 2-5 pm except Sundays, when it will close at 4 pm. On the last day – Wallingford’s Victorian Evening – it will be open until 9 pm. The museum is in the High Street next to Wallingford Library and opposite the Kinecroft.

DIG FOR VICTORY
Posted Sunday 15-October-2005

If you have a spade – or even if you don’t – the Northmoor Trust would like you to help plant an oak wood to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

The new wood is to be named Neptune Wood, after a ship in the victorious fleet, and will be created on land in Long Wittenham owned by the Trust. Altogether, 27 new woods are being planted across the UK, reintroducing some 250,000 oak trees to the landscape.

Planting day is Saturday November 26th. For more details see www.northmoortrust.co.uk

ADMISSION TO BRIGHTWELL SCHOOL
Posted Sunday 15-October-2005

Was your child born between 1st September 2001 and 31st August 2002? If so, you should have been invited to collect an admissions booklet and application form from Brightwell Pimary School. The deadline for return of forms is 21st November 2005.

If you would like to receive a Brightwell School prospectus or make an appointment to visit, please contact the school secretary on 01491 837024, or email office.brightwell@brightwell.oxon.sch.uk.

Any general enquiries about the school admission process should be addressed to the Admissions Team, Learning and Culture, Macclesfield House, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1NA, telephone 01865 815175, email: admissions.schools@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

ANYONE FOR TENNIS?
Posted Sunday 15-October-2005

Kings Meadow Tennis Club is offering half price memberships from now until the end of the season on March 31st. Juniors are just £5, Seniors £12.50 and Family £25. You are allowed unlimited time on the courts (within reason!).

Contact Sue Booth on 01491 832207 or email suebooth@fsmail.net

Plans to extend the Brightwell conservation area will come under the spotlight at a public meeting in the village hall on October 18th.

Planning officials from SODC will be on hand to discuss a draft management plan, which includes adding the following areas:

• St Agatha’s graveyard, and allotments at West End
• The Swan Allotments
• The former West End Nursery
• The northern part of the Old Priory gardens
• Extended gardens on the south side of Brightwell Street and west side of Mackney Lane
• Parts of Baker’s Lane, to include Mount Vernon
• Trees, gardens and grass verges on both sides of Sotwell Street between Slade End and St James’s House

Further details are available on the Parish Council Notices page.

Copies of the draft management plan and character appraisal can be seen in Wallingford Library or during working hours at SODC’s offices in Crowmarsh. The documents can also be downloaded from the council’s website. Go to the home page at http://www.southoxon.gov.uk. then follow the links from the Have Your Say section.

Comments in writing, by e-mail or fax, should be sent by Monday October 24th to:

Conservation and Design Team
South Oxfordshire District Council
Benson Lane
Crowmarsh Gifford
Wallingford OX10 8NJ

Fax: 01491 823777
Email: conservation@southoxon.gov

Fancy learning about Maths, Magic and Medicine in Watlington, or China in Marsh Baldon? Or is Family History and the Victorians at Home in Wallingford more up your street?

Whatever your interest, the Wallingford and District WEA could have just the course for you. Fees start from £55 for 10 weeks starting in late September or early October. A day of jazz in Cholsey is also planned for November.

If you would like to know more, contact Margaret Barnes on 01491 201481.

Every year an area of countryside the size of Southampton is lost to development - and, if present trends continue, the idea of the country as separate from the city will be dead within a generation.

That's the bleak conclusion from a new hard-hitting report from the CPRE, which opens with a doomsday scenario of England in 2035, "a homogenous exurbia, in which everywhere looks the same as everywhere else."

The report charts the pressures on areas like ours, which lie within 100 miles of London, and makes an urgent call for a curb on land development and the encouragement of local food production.

Called Your Countryside, Your Choice, the full document can be read on http://www.cpre.org.uk/

COOKER WANTED
Posted Sunday 21-August-2005

Brightwell School is in need of an electric cooker in good working order. If you would like to donate a cooker to the school, please contact the school secretary on 837024

NEW AFTERNOON SESSIONS
Posted Sunday 21-August-2005

Allsorts Pre School now offers afternoon sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1- 3.30pm. This is intended to increase the number of childcare places available and cannot be used by those already attending a morning session on that day.

SOS CALL FOR COLLECTORS
Posted Sunday 21-August-2005

The Wallingford branch of the RNLI desperately needs someone to organise next year's House to House collection in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell. If you think you can help, please call Janet Evans on 839474

SUNSHINE BRINGS IN PROFITS
Posted Sunday 21-August-2005

This year's Fete made a record profit - after expenses - of £3,210, compared with £2,936 in 2004. The money will be ploughed back into village organisations, and any group who has not yet received a form to apply for funds should contact the Community Association treasurer, James Davys.

Updated Sunday 31-July-2005

Compost heap overflowing? You can now put your green rubbish out for the dustmen and know it will be composted, rather than going to landfill.

As an experiment, until November, South Oxfordshire District Council are selling eco-sacks at 65p a time. These are strong paper bags for garden waste which will be picked up on the normal rubbish collection day - provided you phone at least 24 hours before to book a collection.

You can buy the bags from the SODC offices in Crowmarsh, or from Wallingford Town Council offices. To book a collection call free on 0800 7318752 or e-mail public.amenities@southoxon.gov.uk.

Green waste can also be taken to special composting skips at the council's Oakley Wood site.

NEW VICAR
Posted Sunday 17-July-2005

Brightwell parish has a new team vicar, Rev Jill Chatfield, who will be licensed in the autumn.

This year's Red Lion Charity Cricket Match raised £888.73p in aid of Save The Children. This total includes £512 donated by Bill and Mo from the proceeds of the beer tent.

"We are extremely grateful to all of the supporters and cricketers for making it such an enjoyable and rewarding event," said Celia Collett.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A PARISH COUNCILLOR?
Posted Friday 24-June-2005

The Parish Council has decided to co-opt a new member to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Tony Lascelles.

If you would like to know more about what it involves, contact the parish clerk, Jane Dix, at bcsparishcouncil@waitrose.com. Applications should be made in writing by noon on Thursday July 7th, and a decision will be made at the Parish Council meeting on July 12th.

Follow the links to Community & Leisure / Parish Council / Notices to see the official Council notice.

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Posted Saturday 11-June-2005

Members of the Brightwell Save The Children group would like to say a big thankyou to all growers and supporters of the plant sale, which raised a total of £1,027.47.

The next event in their fund-raising calender is the Charity Cricket Match between the Red Lion and the rest of the village on Sunday July 10. There will be a beer tent, barbecue, teas and childrenís entertainment.

WALLINGFORD CHARTER CELEBRATIONS
Posted Saturday 11-June-2005

This summer, Walllingford celebrates the 850th anniversary of the granting of its charter. Events over the last weekend in July include a raft race, firework display, youth band pop competition and a medieval re-enactment. For more details, go to http://www.wallingford850.ik.org

GOING GREEN
Posted Saturday 11-June-2005

A free directory on where to buy local produce was distributed with copies of the June/July Villager. Several of the listings fall within Brightwell parish, and everything in the directory is produced within a 30-mile radius of Wallingford and sold within 7 miles of the town.

Buying local is good for you, good for your community and good for the environment, according to the authors of the guide. If you missed out, you can download an electronic copy at http://www.sustainablewallingford.org

NORTHMOOR TRUST TIMBER FRAMING EVENT
Posted Saturday 11-June-2005

For the ultimate in sustainable buildings, go along and watch an international team of 70 timber framers build the Trust's new offices from locally produced Douglas fir.

The open day at Little Wittenham Nature Reserve, on Saturday July 16th, will feature guided tours of the cutting site and special children's activities, plus the official re-opening of Round Hill. Lunch will be available from the field kitchen if booked before 11am on the day.

Go to http://www.northmoortrust.co.uk or call 01865 407792 for more details.

BRIGHTWELL BAND NIGHT
Posted Saturday 11-June-2005

The first-ever Brightwell Band Night, held in the Village Hall, raised more than £450 for cancer research.

Over 90 people gathered to hear bands such as Audio Pollution, Kerosene and The Oldest Profession perform. The event was organised by a group of friends as a service to go towards their Duke of Edinburgh award. Click here for a fuller account of the event, by Matt Ebbs.

VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF PARISH COUNCILLOR
Posted Sunday 22-May-2005

A casual vacancy has occurred in the office of councillor for the Parish.

Please follow the links to Community & Leisure / Parish Council / Notices to see the Council notice.

CRAFTY CROWS
Posted Saturday 14-May-2005

Are you a parent of a 3-5 year old child who loves to make a mess? Crafty Crows, a new craft group based in Crowmarsh Village Hall, has spaces for pre-school children.

The group meets every Tuesday in term times, between 1.30 and 2.30 pm. The cost is £3.50 a session. For details, phone Sonia Godley on 01491 832530

HISTORY GROUP DIARY PROJECT
Posted Sunday 6-Mar-2005

How will people in the future know what everyday life was like in 21st century Brightwell-cum-Sotwell? Will they know how we spent our waking hours, what made us laugh, or cry, or even what we had for breakfast?

The History Group is asking as many people as possible to keep a diary just one day a month, finishing in March 2006. They hope to get as big a cross-section of villagers as possible, young and old, male and female, working and retired, and from every corner of the parish. The project started in April 2005, but it is still not too late to join in if you are interested.

If you would like to take part, contact Sally Dugan on sally.dugan@virgin.net, or follow the links from Village Life to Village History, then click on Diary Project.

NEW BUS TIMETABLE
Posted Saturday 5-Mar-2005

The 130 bus has slightly revised times to connect with the service to Reading. It also now stops at the Orchard Centre in Didcot. Click on Community and Leisure, then Bus, for details.

HOUSE PLANS
Updated Saturday 7-May-2005

A planning application for a three bedroomed house on orchard land next to The Barn, in The Street, has been refused. For details, go to Village Life Today, click on Current Planning then Planning Decisions List.

The decision was issued on April 22nd.

MEMBERS WANTED!
Posted Saturday 5-Feb-2005

If you're handy with a pack of cards, the Bridge Club would like to hear from you.

The club meets on Thursday evenings at 7.30 in the Stewart Room - but it may be forced to close through lack of funds unless new members come forward.

Nonie Hobson, who has been a member since the early days, explains:

'We think there may be some people who are new to the village and haven¹t heard about this friendly bridge evening, where we play for enjoyment and no criticisms.

'Never mind the uneven numbers sometimes, we just chip in by moving around to give everybody a chance. The dummy goes around and bids at a table with only three, and that way we have different partners during the evening. There is always a break for coffee or tea and biscuits. A very relaxing evening!'

Want to find out more? Contact Nonie on 01491 836045.

SUMMONED BY BELLS
Posted Saturday 5-Feb-2005

St Agatha's Church has eight regular ringers and eight bells - which means a problem if someone oversleeps, or is away.

If you have rung in the past and would like to take it up again - or if you would like to learn from scratch - the tower captain, Roy Thorpe, would love to hear from you. He can be contacted on 837334.

For more details see under Brightwell Bellringers in the Community and Leisure Section.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION
Posted Saturday 5-Feb-2005

A bring and share supper with a French theme and entertainment is planned for February, to publicise a forthcoming trip to Meylan, Didcot's twin town.

The trip is in September - and the supper is on Saturday, 26th February at Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Village Hall, from 7.30 to 10p.m.

Bring along a contribution to the supper and whatever you would like to drink for the evening. Please bring plates, cutlery and glasses for yourselves, too.

Tickets are £2.50 per adult at the door.

To find out more about the association and Meylan (situated just outside of Grenoble), visit www.didcottwinning.org.uk, or phone Sheralyn Hares on 01491 837718. New members are always welcome.

STRICTLY FOR FUN
Posted Saturday 5-Feb-2005

Ballroom dancing classes will be running on Thursday evenings in March, in the Village Hall. The cost is £3.50 a session - just turn up between 7.30 and 9.30 pm, and your feet won't touch the ground.

Details from Shena Luck on 834543

ALL SORTS OF PROMISES
Posted Monday 24-Jan-2005

Fancy a makeover for your dog or a pony and trap ride? Or would you prefer something more down to earth, like a day's labouring in your garden, or a couple of hours ironing?

Whatever your preference, Allsorts Pre School hope to offer something for everyone at their Auction of Promises in March. Their current building - in the grounds of Brightwell Primary School - is bursting at the seams, and they need to raise £100,000 to replace it. The auction will be their big fund-raising event.

If you can offer a 'promise', or would like more details, contact Lydia (833242) or Kay (824562). The Auction will be held at the primary school on Saturday March 5th, starting at 7 pm.

MUSIC IN ST AGATHA'S AND ST JAMES'S CHURCHES
Posted Monday 24-Jan-2005

Three concerts are planned for this year, to help raise money for the Archbishop of Sudan's Orphans' Appeal.

The first, on Friday, 18th February 2005, at 7.30pm, will be held in St.Agatha's church. The programme will include varied music, featuring the church choirs and organ and several guest instrumentalists, followed by refreshments. There will be no entry charge, but a retiring collection to be split between Church funds and the Archbishop of Sudan's Orphans' Appeal.

On Saturday, April 9th, following his acclaimed recital last April, Dan Chambers, organ scholar at Worcester College, Oxford, will be giving a further demonstration of his skill on the 19th century Staniland organ. After expenses have been met, any proceeds from the retiring collection will again be donated to the Archbishop's appeal.

A summer's evening concert in St.James' church is also planned for later in the year.

Collecting for the Tsunami Appeal -
Click on the Picture for More Details

Already, volunteers - led by Brian and Jane Fishwick - have been gathering emergency aid items to be air-freighted out to Sri Lanka. They met in the Pavilion on the New Year bank holiday to sort through piles of clothes, blankets, tools, candles, food and other donations. In all, villagers donated over three 7.5 ton vanloads of goods. For more details click here.

Now, villagers are being asked to think about what they can do to help disaster-stricken areas in the longer term.

'We have all been moved by the Asian Earthquake disaster and I am sure that many people in Brightwell responded with great generosity to the initial appeal,' says Rev. Russell.

'I know of one person in the village with strong connections with Sri Lanka who is already in touch with a local church that is able to distribute aid. Do other people in the village have links with any of the affected areas? Do we as a village have a desire to assist in the long-term re-building of a particular area? (And - if several people have connections with different areas, how would we choose whom to support?)'

If you would like to help, contact Janet Russell at revrussell@btopenworld.com.

VACANCY FOR CLERK TO THE PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council is looking for a clerk to replace Janice Chilton, who is retiring.

The job is available from January 2005, and attracts a salary on a nationally agreed local government scale. The hours - amounting to 14-16 per week - are generally flexible, apart from Parish Council meetings.

The new clerk should be computer literate, have knowledge of accountancy and book-keeping and be familiar with minute taking. Training would be available.

For more information contact:

Mrs Janice Chilton,
Clerk to the Parish Council,
2 Fairthorne Memorial
West End
Brightwell-cum-Sotwell
Wallingford
Oxon OX10 ORY.

Telephone (01491) 826968

If you would like to know more, you can contact the clerk by telephone on the above number or call in to the Parish Council office at the back of the village hall on Monday mornings between 10 am and 12 noon.

FRIDAY IS ART DAY
Posted December 2004

Fancy learning about German Renaissance Art? Then a new WEA class in the village hall on Friday mornings could be just the thing for you.

Renaissance Art in Germany with Ann Stieglitz will explore a range of art, from the Limewood sculptors to great figures like Durer and Grunewald. From large commissions for churches to small works for private patrons, the course will cover a variety of media, woodcuts, drawings, paintings and sculpture. One visit is planned.

Starting 14 January 2005 Friday 10.00 am - 12.00 noon. 10 weeks Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Village Hall. £52.00

Enrolment Details from Eileen Watts 01491 613004.

PLEASE PARK CAREFULLY

Recently, fire engines were called to a small fire down at Mackney - but they had trouble getting down Mackney Lane because a parked vehicle was in the way.

The parish council asks all villagers and their visitors to be considerate to avoid this happening again. Minutes lost could make a tragic difference.

VACANCY FOR CLERK TO THE PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council is looking for a clerk to replace Janice Chilton, who is retiring.

The job is available from January 2005, and attracts a salary on a nationally agreed local government scale. The hours - amounting to 14-16 per week - are generally flexible, apart from Parish Council meetings.

The new clerk should be computer literate, have knowledge of accountancy and book-keeping and be familiar with minute taking. Training would be available.

For more information contact:

Mrs Janice Chilton,
Clerk to the Parish Council,
2 Fairthorne Memorial
West End
Brightwell-cum-Sotwell
Wallingford
Oxon OX10 ORY.

Telephone (01491) 826968

If you would like to know more, you can contact the clerk by telephone on the above number or call in to the Parish Council office at the back of the village hall on Monday mornings between 10 am and 12 noon.

PLANNING APPEAL REJECTED

An appeal against SODC’s refusal of planning permission for houses on Mackney Lane has been rejected.

Beaumont Properties had wanted to build eight houses, with access and parking, but after a site visit by an inspector, the appeal was turned down.

The main grounds for refusal were:

• The effect on the form and setting of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.
• The effect on highway safety.
• Accessibility and sustainability.