Parish News

The following information is from Anthony (Interim Chairman):

Volunteers Wanted
We have a number of jobs to do around the village each year and urgently need to collect litter from verges NOW along Stoke Lyne, Mill Road, Bicester Road and Launton Roads and your help will be most welcome. We are planning to carry out this task on Saturday 10^th March 2024 at 10.00 hrs and meet outside StrattonHouse and look forward to you letting me know if you can help – flack.wine_train@bt internet.com.
    Other activities where help will be appreciated are:
           *  Clearance of the Mill Road stream.
           *  Erection of a community metal shed in Churchyard.
*  Spring Clean of the south end of the Churchyard.
* Wild flower initiative in The Pound.
*  Clearance of ditches in Launton Road.

Garden Waste
Just to remind you, renewal of garden waste fee of £49.00  must be paid by 29^th February 2024 to ensure your Brown bin is collected in the next 12 months.

Speeding
Despite introduction on 20 mph speed limit last year, speeding continues to be an issue on Bicester and Mill, Roads and Church Street, now the latter is clear of parked cars, as a result of the closure of The Red Lion. Please help by complying with the limit.

Potholes
With so much rain, potholes have begun to appear again and the culprits have been marked and – Fix My Street has attended to them

Dog Excrement
I regard the village as exemplary in ensuring dog excrement is picked up in bags provided and dispensed in containers situated in The Pound, at the start of the Cross Bucks Way, at the lower end of Cherry Street and on Mill Road at the entrance to the Pond footpath.
The reason I am reminding everyone is that dog excrement has been noted on various footpath areas in recent days. Please help by ensuring it is picked up and dispensed with and help us return to a dog clean village again.

The Pound
Calling knowledgeable village gardeners – we need your help and guidance with the designated wild area in The Pound.
It has been cleared of debris and is ready to start a new flowering life.
We now need to know the next stage of how and when we should  prepare the area, scatter wild flower seeds, bearing in mind they will be sharing it with  grass and weeds during the Spring and Summer.
Please let me know -email – Anthony Flack: flack .wine_train@btinternet.com 
Looking forward to hearing from you.

Church Matters
The following is from Becky Adams:
Church Services – There will be a Morning Service in Stratton Audley Church at 10.45am on Sunday 11^th February and a service of Holy Communion at 9.15am on Sunday 25^th February  – all are welcome, as ever.

‘Fun @ 4’ – Families are especially invited to the next ‘Fun @ 4’ in Stoke Lyne Church on Sunday 18^th February. This runs from 4pm til 5.30pm and, whilst great for children, it is very much open to all. There are activities and crafts, prayer and praise, sandwiches and cake.

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

‘Shelswell News’ Magazine – Stratton Audley Church is part of the Shelswell Benefice, a group of ten local churches who work together. We produce a monthly magazine called ‘Shelswell News’ which runs to over 50 pages and carries  details of lots of local events and activities as well as useful advertising from local firms providing goods and services. If you would like to a free introductory copy of this month’s magazine then just email Becky on admin@shelswellparishes.info A network of local distributors deliver the magazines through your door for an annual subscription of just £12. Please could regular subscribers remember to pay their subscriptions promptly as this saves our volunteers a lot of extra work chasing people up. Thank you.

Coffee Morning – The Coffee Morning continues in church on Tuesdays from 11am. If you haven’t been before then why not pop along and say hello?

‘Little Lambs’ baby and toddler group continues in church on Wednesdays, starting at 9.30am and finishing at 11am. If you would like more information about the group, please contact Alice  at rector@shelswellparishes.info

Bicester Foodbank – Thank you for your continuing contributions to the Bicester Foodbank. Just leave things in the box in the church porch; we take them in and drop them off regularly. Note the latest information from their website:
ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED

• TINNED TOMATOES
• TINNED FRUIT
• TINNED FISH
• FRUIT JUICE
• FRUIT SQUASH
• JAM
• TINNED MEAT MEALS

Warm Spaces – A reminder that in the cold weather you might want to make use of some of the ‘Warm Spaces’ available locally. Bicester Library is a good one. It is easily accessible, with a lift for pushchairs etc, and tea and coffee available free (donations invited). There lots of comfortable seating to while away an afternoon with a good book or doing some work at a desk.

April Scramble – local residents discount 
There are still some tickets available to the next Scramble, taking place on Sunday 21 April.

The annual Drive-it Day extravaganza will ensure classics and enthusiast cars descend on Bicester Heritage in their thousands, with gates open from 9am until 4pm. It’s usually the most popular event of the year.

As usual, discounted tickets are allocated for local residents at 50% off, the promo code is: BristolBoxkite

And now a few words from me:

Farewell Stratton – we shall miss you

Firstly an apology to everyone who I was not personally able to speak to in the week leading up to our departure on Tuesday.  I had planned to pop around to see as many people as possible who I have got to know over the last 14 years, but logistics took over and it was not possible.

As I write I am reflecting on the secret party that was organised to celebrate our departure, an occasion that felt a bit like attending your own wake, both tearful and joyous, to which I feel honoured and humbled to have been on the receiving end. My thanks to everyone who turned up and particularly to my friend and fellow councillor Anthony Flack who secretly spearheaded the arrangements for this do and for the effort that he and his wife Anne plus others put in to making it such a pleasant and happy occasion. For those of you who were not able to be there for one reason or another, it was a fun evening and I felt you were there in spirit if not in the flesh. 

I should also mention that due to an error it has emerged that Cherry Street, Cavendish Place and the Manor never received the hand-delivered initiation. This was not intentional and only became apparent after the event when a number of you got in touch to say they did not know the event was taking place but would have come if they had known.

I have been genuinely overwhelmed by your generosity of spirit, the cards and emails I have received with goodwill messages and shall treasure the presentation made by Anthony on behalf of the community for my service as a parish councillor for 12 years and chairman for 8 years.

I originally got involved for no other reason than I felt that it was time to give back something to the community and having changed down a gear in my professional advertising life, the opportunity presented itself thanks to Maggie who co-opted me onto the council.  At the presentation Anthony ran through a list of things that have been achieved in my time which was good to hear and again I thank him for his great support from the very beginning of my time in charge and I wish him well in his interim role as Chairman. I thank my wife Chris once again as she has always supported me through thick and thin and did so much behind the scenes that no-one but me will know about.

But I also want to draw attention to someone else who without her support, so much of what has been achieved would have taken much longer and of course I refer to Anne Davies, our Clerk, who I recruited when I took over as Chairman. It was a bit of a turbulent time, mainly because I wanted to do things differently and get things done faster with greater openness and transparency, which resulted in some waves being created that had a ripple effect. Fortunately I found a kindred spirit in Anne and a person who had considerable experience in local Government as she had just retired from being Head of Planning and previously Head of Legal at Buckingham County Council. We could not have done what we have achieved over the years without her, so please value and treasure her going forward.

I would also like to repeat what I said at the leaving do about the importance of supporting and preserving the church, the only public building we have in the village. Up until the moment we officially designated it as our Community Centre, the Parish Council had only ever been able to donate a maximum of £100 towards the upkeep of the building in any given year. It was Anne who confidently advised that this was the way forward and since that time it has been possible to do much more to raise funds and help the church in other ways through equipment purchases to support it as a community space. I encourage everyone to think of ways to utilise the building for events, and whilst it will primarily remain a place of Christian worship, its’ very survival may depend on each and everyone in the community. 
I am of course pleased to have recently donated £1000 towards the upkeep and fabric of the building and thank everyone who came to the garage sale before Christmas who made it possible.

Thank you once again for your support over the years and it is comforting to know that there is a welcome in this village which I will enjoy on return visits in the future. Let’s hope to pub opens again soon where we can all celebrate together.

Finally and for those who don’t know, we decided to sell in order to be closer to our family including new grandchildren plus the fact that the house, although marvellous, was simply too big for us going forward. But our ties with Stratton will remain strong and if for any reason you want to contact me in the immediate future, my email and mobile remain the same and my address for the next year or so is as follows:
Email: honsinger49@gmail.com
Mobile: 07801 816 600
Address: 26 Kings Avenue, Buckhurst Hill, Epping Forrest, IP9 5LP

Update on Two Major Planning Matters
There is no further news since the last update in December when we had received the following from the Planning Department at CDC:

Solar Farm
“The application is still under consideration. The procurement process for securing landscape consultants has taken longer than expected as we have worked through the Council’s procurement process. We have now selected consultants and I’m working with he procurement team to get the contracts sorted so this work can be completed. 
We were aiming to take this to committee in January, but as the report deadline will be before the Christmas break, this is now looking unlikely as we need the landscape work to be completed. I think it is more realistic that this will be presented to the planning committee in February”.

Bicester Heritage
“This application is also still under consideration. We had asked the applicant to provide some more information to help us to better understand the details of the uses that are proposed. I have another meeting with the agent this week. 
I will also be meeting with our enforcement team so we can better understand the already permitted uses/applications and the activities that they are currently investigating. We are planning to work together as we are aware of the concerns being raised by third parties. 
There are clearly a wide range of activities that the applicant is hoping to capture within this application. Some of them, such as the larger events or noisy uses will have the potential for a greater impact on neighbouring residents. At this stage, I think we need more information so that everyone can better understand the precise nature of the proposal and the frequency of uses that are being sought. 
This application will also need to be referred to the planning committee for determination. Again we are aiming for January committee but this may not be possible”.

Fixmystreet
I am frequently contacted about potholes and other local issues such as flytipping, abandoned cars, debris on roads and temporary signages being put up on waste land and whilst I can pass these on to my contacts, the very best way to report anything that concerns the county council is via their Fixmystreet portal. They tell me that it is checked daily and matters are put straight into the system for investigation.

You can upload photos but you don’t have to and it really isn’t difficult, so please give it a try:
https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/new

Fresh Fish every Thursday – Still Parking outside the pub!
Despite the pub closing, Jack from Grimsby continues to come to the village on Thursday’s between 6.15-7pm and parks his van outside the Red Lion. He has a wide selection of fresh fish and shellfish. You can just turn up or place orders in advance by text and his mobile number is 07535 935119.

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.
https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/#findvan
They also have a general number you can call 07809 901761

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)

News from The Church
The following is from Becky Adams:
“The annual Remembrance Service will take place in church this coming Sunday (12^th November) at 10.50am, with the Act of Remembrance itself as close to 11am as we can manage – all are welcome, as ever. There will be a display in church featuring material connected with Norman Goss who gave his life in the Second World War, so do have a look at this. Carolyn Goss has kindly put this together to help us reflect on the real people behind our Remembrance observance each year. Do stay for refreshments after the service.

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

The Coffee Morning will be in church as usual on Tuesday from 11am. If you haven’t been before then why not pop along and say hello?

‘Little Lambs’ baby and toddler group continues in church on Wednesdays, starting at 9.30am and finishing at 11am. Just turn up or for more information contact Alice  at rector@shelswellparishes.info

Thank you for your continuing contributions to the Bicester Foodbank. Just leave things in the box in the church porch; we take them in and drop them off regularly. Note the latest information from their website:
ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: FRUIT JUICE, FRUIT SQUASH, TINNED CARROTS, TINNED MUSHROOMS, TINNED CUSTARD & RICE

More News from The Barn:
“Christmas Shop – Our Festive shop is awash with Christmas decorations for your home and tree, you are all clearly feeling very festive as we’ve got off to an early start, if your searching for your own piece of barn Christmas, don’t delay, shop today!! 
Christmas Trees – Our beautiful real Christmas Trees arrive and go on sale from 24th November, preorders are now available online for collection or delivery. Stock trees are available from 4ft – 9ft with limited quantities in the larger sizes; if you like something a little larger for your home or office, get in touch and we can quote to source and supply to order. Follow the link to place your pre order for a stock tree. https://www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk/shopchristmastrees

Some of you may have already heard news of the announcement we shared with our customers earlier this month, for those who may have missed this, we share the statement below for you. It certainly hasn’t been an easy decision but we have been most grateful for your understanding, support and kind wishes since”:
A Statement from the barn…..
With our Christmas shop now open and as we head full on into this fabulous but crazy festive season, it feels like the right time to let you know that 2024 will see our Cafè close and the barn take a new direction. 
The last few years have been challenging for both large business and small and there has been no let up! We’ve worked hard to adapt to the twists and turns the world has thrown at us, and absorb some of the losses this created, now coupled with a recent health scare, it is time for us to pause and consider the future shape of the business. 
The shop & Café will close in their current form, until further notice on 22nd December 2023; rest assured, whatever we do, Christmas will always remain the heart of the barn and will be back for sure in 2024! 
In the meantime, please support us & our amazing team, pop in for coffee, enjoy a delicious cake or 2, take a lunch and browse our shop, let’s make this a season to remember!! 
Finally a heartfelt thanks goes out to all our amazing team and to all of you, our most loyal followers for your unwavering support. Whatever the future holds, however big or small, we hope you will remain a part of the heart of the Barn”
Richard & Sara

Advanced Notice of Road Sweeping Friday 1st December
Our winter sweep of the the roads in the village by Cherwell District Council has been fixed for Friday 1st December. The lorry usually starts around 8 am and finishes sometime around noon. As usual, would those who park on the road move their vehicles onto the grass verges or somewhere else, either before or when you hear the vehicle in your road. Those who are able, are asked to clear leaf debris from outside their property and sweep it into the road for collection.
We are one of the few villages who co-ordinates this activity so the lorry can collect the maximum amount of debris from the roads which  at this time of year is particularly important. Thank you for your cooperation.

Parish Council Vacancies
Due to the recent resignations of Mike Gore and Kathryn Walker, who have given great service over a number of years, there are two vacant positions on the Parish Council and a third will occur in January when John Honsinger leaves the village.
Whether you are new to the area or a long-time resident you are welcome to apply as long as you live in the Parish and are over 18.
You will be required to attend regular meetings usually once a month and participate in discussions and decisions that affect the village and surrounding area. In time, each councillor tends to take on some specific duties.
All you really need is an interest in local issues and things which affect people, and the desire and willingness to contribute to your local community.
The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled for 6^th December so why not just come along to listen and see what you think?

January Scramble – local residents discount available once again 
Tickets are now live for Bicester Heritage’s winter Scramble date, on Sunday 7 January, following a successful October event.

Attendees were able to enjoy a display celebrating two unexpectedly connected cars, as part of the ‘Family Ties’ lawn, celebrating the diversity of car designers and developers for a range of marques, bringing over 20 cars together including Skoda, Lamborghini and Jaguar vehicles in the mix.

The much-loved Autojumble and Trader Village returned to Hangar 113, giving attendees the opportunity to pick up some memorabilia and browse the range of products on offer, while Tamiya also provided much excitement under-cover with a mini course in-situ for their range of remote-controlled cars.
As usual, discounted tickets are allocated for local residents at 50% off, the promo code is: BristolBoxkite 

You can upload photos but you don’t have to and it really isn’t difficult, so please give it a try:
https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/new

East West Rail
The first phase of repairs to The Park Road are well underway and as previously reported the road will be closed to through traffic, but access for locals will be maintained throughout.
Phase One:
Monday 16th October to 10th November 2023 from the cross-roads with Mill Road to the turn-off for Godington.
Phase two:
Monday 13th November to 15th December from the cross-roads with Mill Road to the junction with the A4421.

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.
https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/#findvan
They also have a general number you can call 07809 901761.

Wilderness Quarter Open day at the old quarry
As previously reported Bicester Motion plan to hold an Open Weekend  where everyone will have the opportunity to visit the site of the old quarry, which they plan to develop into a Wilderness park. This was originally scheduled for September but has been delayed. You will be informed at the earliest opportunity.

Planning Applications

Cherwell District Council have some staff shortages and therefore there is a backlog of applications building up which continues to affect the following, amongst others.

There has been a re-submission of planning application no 23/01368/F for the Traveller Site located off the A4421, now no 23/02886/F  Mr J Bell Proposal: Change of Use of land to a 4 pitch travellers caravan site and erection of stable building

The Retrospective Planning Application (23/01085/F) applied for by Bicester Motion, has been referred to the  Cherwell Planning Committee but the date has not yet been announced.

With regard to the Padbury Brook Solar Application (reference: 22/03873/F), again there is no further news.

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)

There will be a Morning Service in Stratton Audley Church this coming Sunday at 10.45am – all welcome. And apologies for an error on the back page of the August edition of ‘Shelswell News’. The Evening Communion service this Sunday (6pm) will be in Fringford and not in Stoke Lyne.
Check the Shelswell website for details of services at Stratton Audley Church and for those in other parishes in the benefice http://www.shelswellparishes.info/services.php 
Thank you for your continuing contributions to the Bicester Foodbank. Just leave things in the box in the church porch; we take them in and drop them off regularly. Note the latest information from their website: Items urgently needed: Tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, tinned meat meals, tinned vegetarian-suitable meals “.
An Urgent Special Appeal 
Wulu is an area in South Sudan which is currently experiencing great hardship.  Stratton Audley Church and the wider Shelswell Benefice regularly try to help the local school there. Bishop Zechariah of the Wulu Diocese visited us last year and we have kept in regular contact with him.  He has recently sent us a message explaining that there is currently a big food shortage in Wulu. Bishop Zechariah and his family, and lots of people in his Diocese, do not have enough to eat (unless they have relatives who work in the Government or lots of cows).  Last year’s harvest was destroyed by flooding.  There is food in the market but the prices are very high.  There is no food provided by the UN Food Programme as their input was discontinued with the advent of the war in Ukraine. 
The church would like to try and help so will be asking for donations at services over the next couple of Sundays so that we can send these on (in addition to what we would normally send to the school). Your donations will be specifically for Bishop Zechariah to buy food for his family and others who are struggling in the Diocese. If you would like to send a contribution by bank transfer then please send it to the benefice bank account as below:
Lloyds Bank:
Account Name: Shelswell Group of Churches
Sort Code: 30 91 39
Account No: 00261525
Please use the reference: Wulu Food

Coffee Morning Moves to the Church
The following is from Maggie Woodward:
“Because of the closure of the pub, the coffee morning which has been held every Wednesday will move to the Church as of next week. The sessions in August will be on 16th, 23rd and 30th then in September will change to every Tuesday because Little Lambs will be starting their new term on Wednesday 6th September. So the first coffee morning in September will be on 5th September and then every Tuesday thereafter at 11 a.m. till about 12 noon. The price will be £3 for cups of tea, coffee and biscuits. All are very welcome, pop in and meet the neighbours, have a friendly chat and make new friends.
Please take a minute or two to browse the bookshelves situated near the Church kitchen area. The books are there to borrow – there is an honesty box on the windowsill for any donations which would be very much appreciated”.

News from The Barn
From all the team:
“Well, the weather isn’t exactly being kind to Ice Cream season at the Barn!!…………….please remember an Ice Cream isn’t just for the sunshine 😜, you can enjoy our delicious Ice Cream come rain or shine, inside or outside! With lots of tasty lunch options and delicious homemade cakes, you’re spoiled for choice with toasty alternatives too!
We’ve even added a few extra hours for summer season
**Summer Sundays** 11am – 3pm through to Sunday 27th August inclusive, we’’ll be open serving savoury snacks, coffee, cakes and our homemade Ice Cream or why not book an afternoon tea to enjoy a leisurely Sunday treat!
AND over in the shop
**SALE **Grab a bargain before your summer holiday – all ladies summer fashion is  30% off continues!
Come along and support your local barn soon”

Stratton Audley 2023 Boules Cup Competition – Tickets Still Available

This very successful evening returns on Saturday 19th August, at Stratton Audley Park, courtesy of Emma & Mark ter Haar.
Entry is £20 for 18yrs+, £15 for 11-17yrs, and £5 for 5-11yrs. which includes supper and refreshments (wine, lager, softies). For full details copy and paste this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/s1r8dugix13vprjk17oux/Boules-A5-font-bigger-V3-2023.docx?rlkey=d7pkbtt2wyrtgpsz4vhkwtdqb&dl=0

To book tickets contact Emma at emmaterhaar@yahoo.co.uk or phone 07867783938. (Non-participants/spectators very welcome to come and share in the fun and catering for a donation as per above entry fees).
Book now as competition entry tickets are limited to 60 places this year! 

Fresh Fish every Thursday – Still Parking outside the pub!
Despite the pub closing,Jack from Grimsby continues to come to the village on Thursday’s between 6.15-7pm and parks his van outside the Red Lion. He has a wide selection of fresh fish and shellfish. You can just turn up or place orders in advance by text and his mobile number is 07535 935119.

Vegan Festival
The feed-back to the brief questionnaire regarding the recently held Vegan Festival at Bicester Heritage, elicited responses from some 37 households. This represents just over 20% of households in the village (circa 170). 16 were against, 12 were supportive and 9 were in the middle.
There were mixed views, but almost complete unanimity that BH must not be granted open-ended ability to run as many events as it wishes. Accordingly the Parish Council will be seeking to encourage Bicester Heritage to reconsider their application with regard to this matter before it goes to the planning committee.
The results have been collated into one document with complete anonymity for everyone and will be sent to the planning officer at CDC and Bicester Heritage so that they can assess for themselves the strength of feeling.

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.
https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/#findvan
They also have a general number you can call 07809 901761.

Scramblers X Coffee & Chrome Collective Assembly
Tickets to a special Scramblers event are on sale now, the Scramblers X Coffee & Chrome Collective Assembly!
In partnership with Bicester Heritage insurance partner Footman James, the Scramblers X Coffee & Chrome Collective Assembly will take place on the evening of Wednesday 16 August.
Tickets are limited and priced £5 per person as usual, with gates open from 6pm until 8:30pm. Book via the Shop.
There’s no theme, it’s just a chance for you to spend an evening at Bicester Heritage and meet the Footman James team.
Under 15s attend Scramblers Assemblies for free and Young Driver will have its brilliant little Firefly electric cars for youngsters to try their hand at, so treat the kids.
And let Footman James treat you to dinner, because once you’ve bought your tickets you’ll be sent a link to claim a sausage butty for you and your passenger.
Merlin and Pegasus members of Scramblers get in free – register attendance here.

October Scramble – local residents discount 
The last Scramble of the year at Bicester Heritage is on the 8th October.
Meet the 50 specialists currently in residence around the site, take in curated displays of classic, collector and race cars, and treat the kids for a full day’s entertainment!
The whole family will love the Scramble, with dedicated children’s entertainment to keep you from break point and smashing fun for everyone. You’ll have the advantage of longer opening hours, as the event is open from 9am until 4pm.
Bicester Heritage will be celebrating many of the landmark anniversaries on the central display lawn by Building 123, from MG to Jackie Stewart, and the popular Autojumble will return to Hangar 113.
As usual, discounted tickets are allocated for local residents at 50% off, the promo code is: BristolBoxkite and can be used at this link.

Planning Applications

The planning application 23/01368/F for the Traveller Site located off the A4421 is currently under consideration by CDC planning officers.

The Retrospective Planning Application (23/01085/F) applied for by Bicester Motion, has been referred to the  Cherwell Planning Committee but the date has not yet been announced.

With regard to the Padbury Brook Solar Application (reference: 22/03873/F), again there is no further news.

As previously reported Bicester Motion plan to hold an Open Weekend in September where everyone will have the opportunity to visit the site of the old quarry, which  they plan to develop into a Wilderness park.

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)

Thank you for your continuing contributions to the Bicester Foodbank. Just leave things in the box in the church porch; we take them in and drop them off regularly. Note the latest information from their website:
Items urgently needed:

Tinned rice pudding, tinned soup, tinned meat meals, tinned vegetarian-suitable meals.

Check the Shelswell website for details of services at Stratton Audley Church and for those in other parishes in the benefice http://www.shelswellparishes.info/services.php

The Red Lion
The following is from Dillie:
News of the Red Lion.  Probate on John’s Estate has finally been granted.  I am now in conversation with the brewery with regard to the handover and will let you all know in due course when that will be.  Soon, I hope.  I have no idea what plans they have when I do hand over – my rep has gone on holiday and there’s no-one for me to talk to at the Brewery.  Sorry to be so vague.  I might ask the ever patient John Honsinger to send out a special one-off email (pretty please, John!) when my last night can be announced.   

In the meantime, the opening hours are the same, and huge thanks to Tony Jones who has been absolutely amazing.
Monday – Closed
Tuesday-Friday inclusive – 4pm-11pm

Saturday/Sunday – 12 noon – 11pm.

News from The Barn
From all the team:
“Well, the weather isn’t exactly being kind to Ice Cream season at the Barn!!…………….please remember an Ice Cream isn’t just for the sunshine 😜, you can enjoy our delicious Ice Cream come rain or shine, inside or outside! With lots of tasty lunch options and delicious homemade cakes, you’re spoiled for choice with toasty alternatives too!
We’ve even added a few extra hours for summer season
**Summer Sundays** 11am – 3pm through to Sunday 27th August inclusive, we’’ll be open serving savoury snacks, coffee, cakes and our homemade Ice Cream or why not book an afternoon tea to enjoy a leisurely Sunday treat!
AND over in the shop
**SALE **Grab a bargain before your summer holiday – all ladies summer fashion is  30% off continues!
Come along and support your local barn soon”

Vegan Camp Out this Weekend
This event at Bicester Heritage is happening over this weekend from Friday through to Monday. For those who are concerned about any disruption or experience any noise or other inconvenience, there is a hotline which is now open and will remain so until 2nd August: 01865 413474.
Should you have any questions in advance or throughout the event, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the following people:
Jordan Martin – Festival Promotor UK VCO Ltd Director 07789 530 020
Nimesh Shah – UK VCO Director 07951 399 899
Paul O’Neil – Production Manager/Site Manager 07896 327 069

In addition, we are also able to offer the following website link (copy & paste), should you wish to log a noise issue for us to address, this will be monitored live during the event: https://adahub.net/Messages/VC2023
Stratton Audley 2023 Boules Cup Competition
This very successful evening returns on Saturday 19th August, at Stratton Audley Park, courtesy of Emma & Mark ter Haar.
Entry is £20 for 18yrs+, £15 for 11-17yrs, and £5 for 5-11yrs. which includes supper and refreshments (wine, lager, softies). For full details copy and paste this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/s1r8dugix13vprjk17oux/Boules-A5-font-bigger-V3-2023.docx?rlkey=d7pkbtt2wyrtgpsz4vhkwtdqb&dl=0

To book tickets contact Emma at emmaterhaar@yahoo.co.uk or phone 07867783938. (Non-participants/spectators very welcome to come and share in the fun and catering for a donation as per above entry fees).
Book now as competition entry tickets are limited to 60 places this year! 

Scramblers X Coffee & Chrome Collective Assembly
Tickets to a special Scramblers event are on sale now, the Scramblers X Coffee & Chrome Collective Assembly!
In partnership with Bicester Heritage insurance partner Footman James, the Scramblers X Coffee & Chrome Collective Assembly will take place on the evening of Wednesday 16 August.
Tickets are limited and priced £5 per person as usual, with gates open from 6pm until 8:30pm. Book via the Shop.
There’s no theme, it’s just a chance for you to spend an evening at Bicester Heritage and meet the Footman James team.
Under 15s attend Scramblers Assemblies for free and Young Driver will have its brilliant little Firefly electric cars for youngsters to try their hand at, so treat the kids.
And let Footman James treat you to dinner, because once you’ve bought your tickets you’ll be sent a link to claim a sausage butty for you and your passenger.
Merlin and Pegasus members of Scramblers get in free – register attendance here.

October Scramble – local residents discount 
The last Scramble of the year at Bicester Heritage is on the 8th October.
Meet the 50 specialists currently in residence around the site, take in curated displays of classic, collector and race cars, and treat the kids for a full day’s entertainment!
The whole family will love the Scramble, with dedicated children’s entertainment to keep you from break point and smashing fun for everyone. You’ll have the advantage of longer opening hours, as the event is open from 9am until 4pm.
Bicester Heritage will be celebrating many of the landmark anniversaries on the central display lawn by Building 123, from MG to Jackie Stewart, and the popular Autojumble will return to Hangar 113.
As usual, discounted tickets are allocated for local residents at 50% off, the promo code is: BristolBoxkite and can be used at this link.

Fresh Fish every Thursday – Why not order in advance!
Jack from Grimsby continues to come to the village on Thursday’s between 6.30-7pm and parks his van outside the Red Lion. He has a wide selection of fresh fish and shellfish. You can just turn up or place orders in advance by text and his mobile number is 07535 935119.

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.
https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/#findvan
They also have a general number you can call 07809 901761.

Planning Applications

The planning application 23/01368/F for the Traveller Site located off the A4421 is currently under consideration by CDC planning officers.

The Retrospective Planning Application (23/01085/F) applied for by Bicester Motion, has been referred to the  Cherwell Planning Committee but the date has not yet been announced.

With regard to the Padbury Brook Solar Application (reference: 22/03873/F), again there is no further news.

As previously reported Bicester Motion plan to hold an Open Weekend in September where everyone will have the opportunity to visit the site of the old quarry, which  they plan to develop into a Wilderness park.

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)