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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).
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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.
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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
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.
VILLAGE FETE 2007
Posted Sunday 8th July 2007
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
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