Editorial August/September 2013

Parish Council

Many of you may not realise that one of the pleasanter functions of the Parish Council is to award grants. Out of the allocated budget, this year so far we have awarded:

• Environment group for publication of the Conservation Plan - £500

• BcS Toddler Group for equipment - £80

• Allsorts Pre-school for outdoor play area - £500

• Brightwell School for outdoor play area - £1500

If you want to know more, please contact Lucy Dalby, the Parish Clerk.

By the time you read this, the Parish Council Website should be live – go to www.brightwellcumsotwellpc.org or via a link on the main Village website www.brightwellcumsotwell.co.uk. The purpose is to give better and clearer information about the Parish Council and its activities, and feedback will be welcome. It is emphatically NOT a substitute for the Village website which the Council strongly supports.

Before the next council elections in 2015 there will be a boundary review affecting the parish, and this is especially important in view of the coming housing development at Site B, a significant part of which currently falls within our parish. The Council has made a preliminary submission suggesting that the new housing should be a part of Wallingford, but that the new boundary should be the “edge of settlement”, and not the by-pass. We feel that this would give us a better chance of protecting the rural character of the parish. Meanwhile discussions are taking place with SODC, Wallingford Town Council and St Edwards (the developers) to try and ensure the impact of the development on that rural character is minimised.

Also, to protect and enhance our parish under the new principles of localism, the Council has decided to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan. This is a form of local plan aimed at controlling and directing the development that might occur in the Parish, rather than being subject to the whims of property owners and developers. If you wish to be actively involved in this very important process, please contact Lucy Dalby, the Parish Clerk.

David Fox

The Parish Church

As I chewed on my second beefburger and sipped my Pimms at the School Fair on a balmy night last Friday, thinking the world a fine place to be, I mused with Jason D. about Village questionnaires and the importance of toy pirates. It got me thinking that, much as we would rather live without it, what builds community is in fact the tussles we are prepared to have together about the things which really matter. Long Committee meetings are sometimes enough to put people off community involvement for good – but we need to remember that nothing good ever came easily.

As I listened to the mellifluous tones of the Mumford & Sons’ song ‘Winter Winds’, performed by the ‘yoof’ trio of Daniel, Jasper and Joe at our recent Summer Concert in St.Agatha’s, I was thankful that all sorts of people have something to offer to our community. Mumford & Sons are a young folk/rock band who have re-discovered the power of good lyrics, cadences and banjo-playing to move audiences from Glastonbury to Denver. But their music-making has surely not been easy; as recently as a month ago their double-bass player was diagnosed with a blood clot on his brain and the band’s future hung in the balance.

So many of the good things in life rely on a fine balance and team work, and don’t come without costs of time, talent, energy, relationships – and much of this cost is hidden. So much energy is given to tussles over what should be done with land, and who or what sits on or in it (check out Ben Wheatley’s new film on the Civil War, ‘A Field in England’, if you want a disturbing journey into man’s interaction with man). It is right that we carefully consider such things.

As we all sang Jerusalem at the end of the Summer Concert, I was reminded of the importance of jam and comedy, poetry and friendship, and the need to build more than bricks and mortar; to look for the ‘pennies from heaven’, which drop when we are prepared to talk to those we don’t necessarily know yet, as neighbours. With good wishes on the journey,

Jeremy Goulston

PS If you would like to join a group considering possible futures for the use of St.James, please get in touch with me (01491 837626).

“Not everything that goes up comes back down!”

We have been encouraged recently by some more Photovoltaic (PV) panels being installed in our Village. Initially we thought it less likely due to the general financial situation and the Government’s reduced tax-free Feed-in-Tariff. However, two other things have changed: the cost of PV panels has come down significantly (partly due to Chinese competition) and fuel prices have gone up! The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts 7% energy price rises for families this winter, and a 3% rise next year. Ofgem also predicts continued energy price rises.

Initial PV installation outlay varies according to capacity required, location and installation conditions, however prices usually range around £6500 to £8000 for a 4KW system. As a rough guide, a typical return might be around 10-14% tax-free, even in the unlikely case that electricity prices remain stable, and more if they rise as predicted. This corresponds to a payback time of around 7-10 years, better than many current investments.

The ideal roof direction for PV panels faces south. However, the energy available decreases surprisingly slowly if a full south orientation cannot be achieved. An east or west facing installation should be capable of generating 85% of what is predicted for a south facing roof. If you don’t have a suitable roof, PV panels can be mounted on another structure such as a garden shed, or in the garden.

Planning permission is not required for roof mounted installations unless the building is listed or it has a flat roof. Other types of installations may require planning permission. Well installed PV systems normally require little maintenance, though the inverter for converting DC to AC may need replacing within the 20 years during which the owner receives tax-free payments under the FiT scheme. So it is still a very good time to save money & electricity with a PV installation.

Another encouraging Government scheme is the Green Deal, which applies not only to PV, but gives financial help with Thermal hot water panels & other energy saving improvements: get details via: www.gov.uk/green-deal-energy-saving-measures. The BcS Environment Group can suggest suitable installers from whom you can get quotations that show estimated costs & returns. For more information please contact David Evans-Roberts (836839) or Peter Varley (835554).

Peter Varley

Flower and Produce Show

It was great to see lots of new entrants to this year’s show – including the Beavers, who produced a splendid selection of vegetable animals, and John Harbuckle, whose perfect peas took the Chilton Cup. Josephine Butterfield won two trophies: the Win Glendenning Salver for her arrangement to welcome a new baby, and the Talbot Cup for the most points in show. Mary Dunn won the Talbot Rose Bowl, and 10-year old Lizzie Bloomfield’s brightly coloured cushion secured her the Joan Sheard cup for the best under-16 entry in an adult class. The 9-12 year old junior trophy was shared by Alexandra and Isabelle Peach, and Milly Homann won the trophy for 5-8 year olds.

Paul Copley won the cup for his immaculately-kept best allotment, which follows in the family tradition set by his late father in law, John Brewerton. Carrie White’s impressive blindfold drawing of a cat won our mystery popular vote competition. You can see her winning image on the village website’s news section, at www.brightwellcumsotwell.co.uk. This experiment of having something people could enter on the day certainly seemed to attract the crowds to the tent – but what should we do next year? As always, we welcome comments and suggestions – to our chairman, Paul Chilton, to me at sally.dugan@gmail.com, or to any committee member.

Kevin Harvey, the photography judge, noted a much improved standard of entries this year. Points worth noting for future exhibits were: 1. With groups of 4 photos on a theme all four should be able to stand on its own merit individually; 2. Avoid printing a caption on the actual photo; 3. For amusing photos, the picture should make you laugh even without a caption.

Sally Dugan

FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW RESULTS 2013

The Swan Allotments Cup: Paul Copley

The Chilton Cup for the best exhibit in the fruit and vegetable classes: John Harbuckle

The Win Glendenning Memorial Salver for the best flower arranging exhibit: Josephine Butterfield

The Talbot Rose Bowl for the best rose exhibit: Mary Dunn

The Talbot Cup for the most points in show: Josephine Butterfield

The Joan Sheard cup for the best under-16 entry in an adult class: Lizzie Bloomfield

JUNIOR TROPHIES:

9–12 year olds: Alexandra and Isabelle Peach

5–8 year olds: Milly Homann

MYSTERY COMPETITION (Blindfold drawing of a cat): Carrie White

Flower Arranging. Judged by Fay Crabbe

1. A miniature flower arrangement.

1st Josephine Butterfield 2nd Janice Chilton 3rd Alexandra Peach

2. An arrangement to welcome a new baby. 1st Josephine Butterfield

3. An arrangement on the 60th anniversary of the coronation theme.

1st Josephine Butterfield 2nd Amelia Butterfield and James Davys

4. A bowl of floating flowers.

1st Paul Chilton 2nd Josephine Butterfield 3rd Amelia Butterfield

5. An arrangement of garden flowers.

1st Sally Dugan 2nd Sophie George 3rd James Davys

6. MEN ONLY An arrangement to include a house or garden tool.

1st John Rodda 2nd James Davys 3rd Tony Debney

Flowers and Vegetables. Judged by Sandra Halstead

7. Top Gardener: A vase of garden flowers, and a box of fruit and/or

vegetables 3–5 varieties. 1st Katherine Hutchinson

8. A Vase of Cottage Garden Favourites - 9 stems, one variety or mixed.

1st Jill Brookes 2nd Mary Dunn 3rd Paul Chilton

9. Most scented flower, single or small bunch of up to 5 stems.

1st Mary Dunn 2nd Sally Dugan 3rd Mary Dunn

10. A rose, Hybrid Tea – 1 stem.

1st Mary Dunn 2nd & 3rd Josephine Butterfield

11. A rose, multi-headed – 1 stem.

1st St Agatha’s Church 2nd Paul Copley 3rd Madeline Sanger

12. Three stems flowering shrub, not rose – one variety or mixed.

1st Charlotte Woods 2nd Susanne Tuffrey 3rd Mary Dunn

13. Potted plant, flowering or foliage. 1st, 2nd & 3rd Helena Varley

14. Dish of soft fruit of one kind.

1st Viv Moll 2nd Rosemary Greasby 3rd Paul Copley

15. 3 sticks of rhubarb.

1st Jill Brooks 2nd Katherine Hutchinson 3rd Paul Copley

16. Box of vegetables – 3 varieties. 1st Rosemary Greasby

17. Box of salad vegetables. 1st Viv Moll 2nd Katherine Hutchinson

18. 3 courgettes. 1st Paul Chilton 2nd Katherine Hutchinson 3rd Paul Copley

19. 6 potatoes. 1st Tony Debney 2nd Paul Chilton 3rd Paul Copley

20. 6 pods broad beans.

1st John Rodda 2nd Katherine Hutchinson 3rd John Sheard

21. 6 pods peas.

1st John Harbuckle 2nd Chris Woodward 3rd Susanne Tuffrey

22. 4 named herbs in jars. 1st Jill Brooks 2nd John Rodda 3rd Helen Connor

23. 4 onions. 1st Tim Daly 2nd John Rodda

24. 6 hen’s eggs. 1st Amelia Butterfield 2nd Isabelle Peach 3rd Viv Moll

Cookery. Judged by Jean Calvin Thomas

25. A jar of chutney. 1st Kirsty Homann 2nd John Rodda 3rd Sue Robson

26 A jar of marmalade.

1st Lizzie Bloomfield 2nd Josephine Butterfield 3rd Janice Chilton

27. A jar of any jam – min. weight 12 oz (350g).

1st Simon Irving 2nd Anna Bartlett 3rd Alison Bloomfield

28. A loaf of bread, brown or white.

1st Rosemary Greasby 2nd Robert Frost 3rd Tim Daly

29. A chocolate fudge cake.

1st Anna Bartlett 2nd Josephine Butterfield 3rd Max Fuller

33. MEN ONLY: 4 flapjacks.

1st Simon Irving 2nd Chris Paynter 3rd Tim Daly

34. LADIES ONLY: 4 fruit scones.

1st Josephine Butterfield 2nd Jill Brooks 3rd Rosemary Greasby

Things in bottles. Judged by Nick Zalinski

30. A bottle of beer or cider.

1st Tim Daly 2nd Guy Peach 3rd John Bloomfield

31. An alcoholic fruit drink.

1st Jason Debney 2nd Kirsty Homann 3rd Andrea Frost

32. A non alcoholic fruit drink.

1st Jason Debney 2nd Paul Chilton 3rd Andrea Frost

Photography, Arts and Crafts. Judged by Kevin Harvey

35. Photograph: ‘The ravages of time’.

1st Eric Dore 2nd Keith Brooks 3rd Josephine Butterfield

36. A set of four photos on any theme.

1st Eric Dore 2nd Amelia Butterfield 3rd Sharon Daly

37. Photograph: ‘Animals around the village’.

1st Oscar Devey-Robson 2nd Amelia Butterfield 3rd Sharon Daly

38. Photograph: ‘Make us smile’.

1st Sophie George 2nd Sue Robson 3rd John Rodda & Paul Chilton

39. Cartoon: My family and/or friends.

1st Alexandra Peach & David Greasby

40. A limerick. 1st Janice Chilton 2nd Alison Debney 3rd Janice Chilton

Handicrafts & Junior. Judged by Andrew & Jenny Reid

41. Any handicraft. 1st & 2nd Cynthia Hurley 3rd Louise Uffindell

Juniors: 9–12 year olds

42. Leaves (named) pasted onto an A4 sheet.

1st Alexandra Peach 2nd Isabelle Peach 3rd Benji Davys

43. An animal or reptile made from fruit and/or veg.

1st Isabelle Peach 2nd Alexandra Peach

44. A decorated hard-boiled egg in an eggcup

1st Alexandra Peach 2nd Isabelle Peach

45. A decorated gingerbread man.

1st Isabelle Peach 2nd Benji Davys

Juniors: 5-8 year olds

46. Leaves (named) pasted onto an A4 sheet. 1st Milly Homann

47. An animal or reptile made from fruit and/or veg.

1st George Drewett 2nd Ryan Jenkins 3rd Daniel Casson

48. A decorated hard-boiled egg in an eggcup.

1st Milly Homann 2nd Lucy Yap

49. A decorated gingerbread man. 1st Brandon Daly

Juniors: Under fives

50. A collage made from leaves. 1st Thomas Debney 2nd Florence Debney

51. A picture made from handprints.

1st Beatrice Arnold 2nd Albert Barringer 3rd Meredith Frost

52. A junk model.

1st Thomas Debney 2nd Harry G [Allsorts] 3rd Maisie Stephenson

The Style Acre family – born in Brightwell!

Many of you will remember the Style Acre residential home for people with learning difficulties, located at the top end of our village. The home closed in 2004 when the charity sold it and purchased ordinary houses in local towns and villages so that people could live with their friends, and within easy reach of the Style Acre Day Centre and local community facilities.

Today, Style Acre provides a wide range of support for people with learning disabilities in our region. This includes supported living in 26 homes throughout South Oxfordshire, day services in Crowmarsh Gifford and Didcot, community activities, work and volunteering opportunities. The day opportunities at Crowmarsh range from yoga, cooking, arts and crafts to music, sensory support and computer rooms. Off-site activities like horse riding, bingo, swimming and day trips are also organised. Our second day service, T2, a support and drop-in centre for individuals with milder learning disabilities, opened last year in Didcot. T2 has enabled ‘hard to reach’ vulnerable people in our communities to receive much needed support, in order to help them gain skills and access to meaningful employment. Style Acre day services combined now support over 100 people.

Style Acre takes a person-centred approach, with a commitment to empowering people with learning disabilities to make their own decisions about the lives they want to lead and to help them reach their full potential. Our Information Technology project, for example, assesses the communication ability of all the people we support, to provide them with appropriate technology that will enhance their communication and thus, their independence. We have funded two enterprises: the Tea Room at Savages in Blewbury, and the charity shop in Wallingford, both providing valuable work experience. The charity is fortunate to have the support of a number of companies in the area, where a few opportunities have led to paid employment.

Style Acre is unique in that it still retains the friendly, family approach from the Brightwell days, ensuring people continue to feel known as individuals as well as a part of the Style Acre family, which forms a vibrant part of the local community. Its ethos resonates with the people it supports and their families, who continue to choose Style Acre and recommend the charity to other families.

If you would like to help in any way or find out more about the Style Acre Family, contact info@styleacre.org.uk or call 01491838760.

Phillipa Stannard