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Parish News
A Coronation Street Party for us all to celebrate!
What a wonderful weekend, and what a great day was held on Sunday 7th when we closed off Church Street and enjoyed a right royal knees up, with families and their friends celebrating in style. I won’t go on too long but we were blessed with the weather, cloudy to start and then full sunshine later on.
For those that were there (thought to number some 200 with some comings and goings), you know how good the day was, but for those who could not attend due to illness or other commitments, please see and share in the photos and one brief video via the following links
Photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1heJibklzU6Xc-pV1qDabC_p_rQJ4Lnh_?usp=sharing
Three Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mx4eW9RsdvGr0lxpwMCz41jJhSNSkgEz/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OZuX9JVAqw1dWB58tt7DQCvBs_5b5mAn/view?usp=share_link
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zTtsboYMSEupwovS9
The Hog Roast provided by Fergie was one of the best and larger than we had expected, so he managed to serve up 160 baps. The 50 veggie burgers were also given a green tick by a number of people. Thanks to those who volunteered to cook the burgers and of course to Fergie, the man to go to for your next hog roast.
Thanks also to all the helpers who turned up first thing in the morning and made the task of getting everything ready so easy and enjoyable. Incidentally some of you may have seen bikers going through whilst we were assembling things and I have a received a written apology for a biker group in Bicester for any nuisance caused and for not bothering to take the diversion route!
Angie’s Coronation Cake was an incredibly light sponge on the inside with delicious icing and a detailed King Charles work of art on top. Thank you also to Mrs Gosling who paid for the ingredients.
Perhaps the stars of the day were the children who paraded up and down as Kings & Queens, made their bows and curtsies and later joined in the dancing. Well done Maggie for thinking of it and Sophie who executed it. In the background Sophie organised children’s activities in the annexe to the pub which was much appreciated by families with small children.
King Charles commemorative coins were given out to all children under 15 who were present and these were a gift organised by the Parish Council. If your child did not get one please let me or Anthony know ( flack.wine_train@btinternet.com ). Equally for those of you who weren’t present and would like a coin for your child, please get in touch as we will order a few more.
As usual Mike Gore’s band of merry men were a great hit, this time attending as the Monarchs and with guest singers Simeon Goss and Marcelle Walker, they set the place alight.
Finally there were the teas and numerous cakes that were provided by Maggie and other ladies in the village, all beautifully laid out in the road outside the church. This was followed by a brief Coronation Service in the church which was well attended.
Thanks again to all the helpers who cleared up. During the afternoon many people came up to me and said how much they appreciate events of this type and committed to be part of them in the future. It is heartening for those who have organised activities in the village over the years, to know that there are many more ready to step in and keep the spirit of community alive through social gatherings
For the record the whole event cost the Parish Council the following:
Road closure Nil ( normally £90) waived by CDC and paid for by Central Government;
Hog Roast, burgers, band, equipment hire, commemorative coins, prizes and various other small misc items £1200. We also obtained a grant from Government of £400 (thank you Kathryn Walker) so our net expenditure when it appears in the accounts will show a cost of circa £800.
Coronation Street Party, Sunday 7th May
Stratton Audley ‘Picnic-in-the Street’ Party – Sunday 7th May
The Parish Council is working closely with the Red Lion, Maggie, Sophie and others and is delighted to report that everything is coming together to make the street party on Sunday the 7th May a celebration to remember.
A number of people have already volunteered to help on the day but more are welcome on the morning. We will be setting up from 9am outside the Red Lion, collecting and putting up the marquee, tables, chairs and bunting. So if you want to help and have not already done so, please do get in-touch.
The Hog Roast is free for all to share and a vegetarian burger alternative will also be available on a separate barbecue. Everyone is encouraged to bring whatever food and drink just like you would to a picnic. The pub will be open for drinks including offering pitchers of Pimms for just £13, down from the usual £17.00!
As with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last year, if you want to bring your own gazebo chairs and tables there will be room for you to set up in the street. Decorating your table and dressing-up yourself is to be encouraged.
A big shout-out for all the children in the community to dress up as Kings & Queen’s and enter the pageant parade where there will be prizes!
Sophie Nelson is organising some great children’s activities in the function room of the Red Lion form 12.30 onwards.
Angie Miles has very generously baked a Coronation cake fit for a king and this will be available for all to share after the first live music session.
There will be piped music from the start and joining the Monarchs live band for a couple of songs during the afternoon will be a guest appearance from Simeon Goss!
Teas and cake organised by Maggie Woodward will be on offer at the church for those wishing to take it easier later in the day, all made by your neighbours.
And to end the day there will be a short celebratory Coronation service with some popular hymns for all to sing.
Here is the planned running order for the day:
09.00
Helpers to assemble outside the Red Lion. Collect marquee/tables/chairs.
10.00
Street closure with diversion signage put out on roads plus assemble everything and put-up bunting. Sound system set up in street. Hay bales delivery circa 11.30.
12.00
Set up for those bringing their own gazebos, tables chairs and those who want to bag a place on the communal tables in the marquee
12.30
Event kicks-off. Bring whatever you want in the way of food and drink and any friends that are visiting. Feel free to dress-up royally. The pub will be open for bar drinks but not food
12.30
Various children’s activities commence in the function room of the Red Lion and run for a couple of hours up to 2.45pm
13:00
Free hog roast ready to serve, as well as vegetarian burgers from the barbeque
13:30
Children’s pageant/parade (Kings & Queen’s) and bowing/curtsying competition
14:00
Mike Gore’s 60’s Revival Band “The Monarchs” live music set#1 (45 mins)
14:45
Announcements / presentations / Coronation Cake cutting / National Anthem
15:15
Mike Gore’s 60’s Revival Band “The Monarchs” Live music set#1 (45 mins)
16:00
Free Tea/cakes at the church from 4pm
18:00
A short ‘Coronation Celebration’ service in the Church with well-known hymns
Please come & join the fun.
The Red Lion on the day of the The Kings Coronation
As reported in the general newsletter circulated earlier everyone is invited to watch the actual Coronation ceremony on a giant screening the pub garden, from just before 11am.
News Update no 115, April 28th, 2023
With two Bank Holidays coming up, it’s time for some great celebrations!
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News Update no 114, April 14th
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News Update no 113, March 31st 2023
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New 20MPH speed limit in Village
This week the village is transitioning to a 20 mph zone. Most of the new signage is now up in the village.
As you will know from previous bulletins following the village survey carried out last year, a significant majority of those who responded were in favour of introducing a 20 MPH limit and as a result the village applied to join the OCC initiative to convert all villages in Oxfordshire to the new speed. We were placed in the first batch and a consultation took place which ended on 20 January 2023.
The speed at which this has been introduced is commendable although the Parish Council were not informed it was happening today! So please bear with it and accept that during the transition there is bound to be a little confusion. It will require the painted ’30 MPH’ signage on the roads to be chanced and we are waiting for confirmation as to when this work will be carried out. The vehicle activated signs will also need to be reset to the new limit.
Clearly during this period, the new speed restriction cannot be enforced, but once there is no conflicting signage the new speed limit will apply and can be enforced by the law. The actual order issued by Oxford County Council is reproduced below:
The official Notice states:
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
(STRATTON AUDLEY PARISH) (20 MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 20**
The Oxfordshire County Council (“the Council) in exercise of its powers under Sections 82, 83 & 84 and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (“the Act”) and of all other enabling powers and after consultation with the chief officer of police in accordance with Part III of Schedule 9 to the Act, hereby make the following Order.
- This Order may be cited as the Oxfordshire County Council (Stratton Audley Parish) (20 Mph Speed Limit) Order 20** and shall come into force on the ………. day of …………….. 20**.
- No person shall drive any vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour in any of the roads specified in the schedule to this order.
- No speed limit imposed by this Order applies to a vehicle falling within Regulation 3(4) of the Road Traffic Exemptions (Special Forces) (Variation and Amendment) Regulations 2011, being a vehicle used for naval, military or air force purposes, when used in accordance with regulation 3(5) of those regulations.
- The Oxfordshire County Council (Stratton Audley Parish) (Restricted Roads) Order 2003 is hereby revoked.
News Updater no 112, March 18th
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News Update no 110, February 17th
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News Update 109, Feb 5th, 2023
In this issue some updates on the Red Lion, Stratton Audley Barn and the Church plus a repeat of the information previous sent on the Padbury Brook Solar Farm Proposal which you are encouraged to comment upon by click on the link provided.
The Red Lion
The Following is from Dillie:
“All as usual = Sunday lunches, Wednesday coffee mornings, Fish on Friday.
Do you hate Valentines Day? Or do you want to celebrate it with your long-term partner? Come and join us with our SURVIVE VALENTINE’S DAY dinner. A fabulous four course French menu (see the Facebook page) for £27.50. Tuesday 14th February at 7.30 pm“.Stratton Audley Barn
The following is from Richard, Sara and the team:
“Spring has sprung early at the Barn! We have a beautiful selection of artificial spring blooms to brighten your home, from ready made pots to stems for a vase; for your Valentine, for Mother’s Day or just because………pop to the shop and treat the one you love.
Cafe open 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday with lunches served daily 12-2pm, come and try our new Biscoff traybake, it’s truly divine!!
See you soon, from all the team at the barn”.Stratton Audley Church
The Following is from Beckie Adams:
“This coming Sunday there will be a service of Compline at Holy Trinity, Godington at 6pm. This is a short reflective service for the end of the day.
The next service in Stratton Audley Church will be a Morning Service at 10.45am on the following Sunday, 12th February – all are welcome, as ever.
Please check the Shelswell website for details of services on other Sundays and in other parishes in the benefice http://www.shelswellparishes.info/services.php
‘Little Lambs’ baby and toddler group continues on Wednesdays in term time in Stratton Audley Church, starting at 9.30am and finishing at 11am. Just turn up or for more information contact Alice at rector@shelswellparishes.info “
Foodbank Donations Still Required
The food donation point in the church is still active.
“Thank you very much to all those who have dropped donations into the box in the church porch to support ‘Help For the Hunry’ – Please keep them coming! Urgently needed are tinned tomatoes, tinned fish, rice pudding, tinned meat, tinned fruit, and juice/squash. Additionally dried goods & plus toiletries (They have plenty of cereal and pasta). Likewise if you are in need please help yourself to any of the goods and note that the Rector, Alice Goodall is now a ‘Local Referrer’ and can refer refer anyone who in need to the Bicester Foodbank. Contact: Alice Goodall, The Rectory, Finmere 01280 848192 alicegoodall313@gmail.com “
Padbury Brook Solar Farm Planning Application 22/03873/F
As previously advised, the formal application has now been submitted to Cherwell District Council and the planners now have this under consideration. They will decide whether to support the application when it goes forward to a full planning committee of district councillors. To view the application please use this link:
https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/22/03873/F
Once there, click on ‘Supporting Documents’ to see all the documents and comments. To leave a comment there is a blue box on the first page at the top which says ‘Comment on this Application’.
Registering your view
Whether you are for or against please take the trouble to provide your thoughts to the District Council as it is the planning department who make the ultimate decision as to whether to tsupport and recommend it, when it goes before the planning committee. Although it says that the deadline for comments from members of the public is 9th February, the planning officer has confirmed that they will be accepting comments for a further few weeks.
The Parish Council Decision
At the Parish Council meeting 0n 25th February, where a number of residents were present along with Cllr Barry Wood, on the Agenda amongst other matters was the solar farm planning application.
The following is taken from the minutes of that meeting:
‘Residents who attended expressed concern at proposals to develop a solar farm on the outskirts of the village towards Godington. It was suggested that there were concerns that the development would damage the character of the local landscape, and be visually intrusive for ramblers walking the adjoining footpaths. While the developers had agreed to carry out landscaping with “mature native trees” it would take some 15 years for these to grow sufficiently to obscure the view of the solar panels. Battery storage would generate a significant amount of noise in the immediate vicinity and the use of batteries for energy storage was in itself a significant fire hazard. There was also concern that the development would affect agricultural land at a time when self-sufficiency with food production was increasingly essential, and the proposed electricity connection was prohibitively expensive in the context of the size of the proposal.
Cllr Wood explained the planning process, which he observed was a balance between harm and benefit, and confirmed that he would represent the parish of Stratton Audley in the local authority planning process.
The local resident (Ronan Goss) who carried out the independent survey explained that, out of some 200 potential respondents, he had received 54 returns, with responses varying from strong support to strong opposition. He is still hoping more residents will fill out his short survey online.
Following the participation by members of the public this matter was brought forward in the meeting to facilitate and allow members of the public to listen to Councillors express their views.
It was noted that CDC had been informed that the designated ward on the application was incorrect and put down as Launton and Otmoor and the parish recorded as Godington.
After a full discussion in front of members of the parish, councillors one by one expressed their individual views, how they had balanced this with what they felt was best as a representative of the parish. They agreed unanimously that they would oppose the application and amongst the reasons given were the following:
The proposed site was unsatisfactory, it being on agricultural land, which although classified as Grade 3b is nevertheless capable of being used to grow crops and is used each year as such;
Too much agricultural land is being given up to developments, too easily, because of the clamour to find new sources of energy;
Despite the merits of solar energy it is felt that brownfield sites should be utilised first and foremost:
The impact on local wildlife and the residents who enjoy the public rights of way will be detrimental despite the mitigation measures proposed;
It would have significant effects on the community, not only in the construction phase but predominantly in the decades to come with the whole parish becoming a less desirable place to live.
However, councillors agreed to draw up a list of mitigation measures required, should CDC decide to approve the application”.
The Parish Council, having determined the decision, is now in the process of preparing an official response to CDC.
Community Benefit Fund
JBM have advised the Parish Council that they have increased the size of the community fund from £150k to £200k for the Stratton Audley Parish and £50k separately for Godington. This fund is obviously very welcome and assuming the development is approved at District level will be available on day 1 when construction commences. Please note that it will be paid regardless of whether you support or oppose the proposal.
Ronan Goss Survey
In addition, for those of you who have not yet responded to Ronan Goss’ independent questionnaire on the subject, the link is still active:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_KFX2A2QoxwSK63xv_A6L3Zg5ITTvlOWmaI6eXhjd3EZbEA/viewform?usp=sf_link
This survey is to primarily to help Ronan with his university dissertation so please spare a few minutes to complete it on line or fill out the paper version that was hand delivered at Christmas time.
Finemere School Governor
Do you have a passion for education and want to see our children thrive and become the very best that they can be? Finmere School are looking for a new non-parent Governor. Check out the school website: https://www.finmere.oxon.sch.uk/ and contact me or Clare Law, Head of School, if you might be interested.
Walking in Oxfordshire
Time to get walking again?
With Spring on its way we start to think about getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?
Walking in Oxfordshire https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/oxfordshire has loads of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.
John Harris (who maintains the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Oxfordshire (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.
With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.
So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!
New Vehicle Speed Awareness Signs
The new speed signs on Mill Road and Launton Road are now operational.
Bicester Heritage April Scramble
Sale of tickets for the April 23rd Scramble are still available for local residents despite ‘sold out’ notices for the wider public. Local residents can buy discounted tickets at 50% off. The promo code is: BristolBoxkite
And a few previous items that are still relevant:
Fish & Chips Van in the village on Saturdays
For those new in the community, a Howe’s Fish and Chip van comes to the village every Saturday lunchtime from 1.30pm to 2pm. You will hear a bell (like a school bell) and his first stop is in Cherry Street. He then drives along Cavendish Place and stops again at the junction with Mill Road.
Village Improvement Ideas
An enquiry was made recently as to whether there was anything left in the village improvement fund that was created out of the Street Festivals in 2016 and 2018. When the last analysis was made available in 2019 there was some £1600 remaining, although this figure was depleted further and as a result the Parish Council agreed to allocate a further £5000 to this fund. Please see the latest PC Minutes for further information.
At every Annual Meeting of the Parish, people are reminded to come forward with ideas, hopefully ones that they can help implement, whether it is for something physical to improve the look of the village, organising an event or the setting up of a service for residents. All you have to do is attend a Parish Council meeting and put forward your idea.
Historical Village Information on Display in the Church
The following information has been kindly provided by Dorothy Howarth:
“The Shelswell History Festival in July took as its theme Trade and Transport and, although this seemed to have little to do with this village, the Local History Group produced information about the blacksmiths which were in Cherry Street (named after the blacksmith’s family) the start of the postal service in this area (which was down to the Stevens family) and the existence of 33 lacemakers in the village in 1851, at a time when there were “12 Paupers receiving Parish Relief” – which is probably not unrelated.
In terms of “Transport”, Stratton Audley is somewhat unique in being shown on a map of England of around 1690, amidst mainly large towns and cities, and it is believed that this may have been due to the existence of the Manor House where there could have been accommodation. This map is the first of the whole country and is based on the strip-maps of John Ogilby and, without a map such as this, it would be difficult to think in terms of “transport”, hence a tenuous link to the festival’s theme.
More information on these topics and the amazing life of John Ogilby are to be seen on the display boards which were used for the Festival and are still on display in the Church. It had been intended to take them down and put them into storage but the Church Warden is of the opinion that many people have taken an interest in them and suggested that they should be left on display for a little longer. If you know of someone who would be interested please let them know before they are put back into storage.”
Local Police Bicester and Kidlington Rural Team News
To report a crime or contact the police there are now three options:
· Call 999 if you see a crime being committed or in an emergency
· Call 101 to report anything else to the police – or go online to do so
· And now police are partnering with CrimeStoppers to remind everyone of ‘The 3rd Number – 0800 555 111’ that enables you to report your information totally anonymously if you prefer.
Finally for the latest crime statistics there is a useful national site into which you can put your post code. Click on this link Bicester Rural | Police.uk (www.police.uk)