RESTORED FOOTPATH NEAR HUNT KENNELS NOW OPEN

An overgrown and consequently disused public footpath off the Bicester Road, just beyond the hunt kennels as you leave the village, has been opened up and a new footbridge built so that walkers can now easily access this public right of way.

Following discussions late last year between the Parish Council and the County Council’s Countryside Access Officer for this area, it was agreed that this long-neglected and inaccessible path should be restored. Villagers wishing to walk the path which  runs through the hunt kennels and fields are now able to return to the Bicester Road without accessing either of the two private drives owned by the BHWC closer into the village.

The work was carried out by Oxford County Council and as a community we thank them for their willingness to arrange for it to be carried out in a short space of time. At the other end of this short path a gate has been installed by the Hunt Kennels for which  we thank them as well. Please be extra careful to always secure the gate shut with the chain provided in order to prevent horses escaping.

POND PATH RENEWED AT BOTTOM OF CHERRY STREET

At the request of the Parish Council following suggestions from members of the community, OCC have carried out resurfacing works to the path that leads to the pond at the bottom of Cherry Street. Our thanks go to them for completing the work quickly and for sharing the cost with money provided from a discretionary fund managed by Cllr. Ian Corkin.

A REMINDER ABOUT REGULAR VILLAGE ACTIVITIES – IT’S BETTER TOGETHER!

 

VILLAGE ACTIVITIES

Coffee Morning. The Red Lion.

Every Tuesday 11.00 – 12.00, coffee and biscuits £2.  Two course lunch every other Tuesday £9, booking advisable. Next lunch 18th February.  Please contact Frank on 277225 or Maggie on 277214.

History Society.

Meetings in the Hunt Room, Red Lion every other month, next meeting will be on 10th March 2020. Subscription £5 per year.  Call Dorothy on 277694 for information.

Singing for Fun. 

Every other Monday at 1.30 in  the Church, next session 24th February.  £5 includes tea and biscuits. Henry Frater, professional singer and instrumentalist leads through a fun packed hour of singing a variety of songs.  First visit free. For information call Maggie on 277214 or Kate on 247955.

100 Club.

The draw is held in The Red Lion at coffee morning on the first Tuesday of the month.  Subscriptions will be collected during March and April, for information call Maggie on 277214.

It’s that blooming time of the year again!

Snow drops are bursting out of the ground all around the village and none more so than in the new Pound area. There were always clumps of snowdrops under the oak tree and these have now been added to with the purchase of an additional sixty small clumps, which  were configured into two roughly equal circles in the central area, by volunteers Stewart Hopkins and John Honsinger.

Do visit and enjoy the view.

       

     

New Vehicle Activated SLOW DOWN Sign operational in Stoke Lyne Road

As promised the new 30 mph sign at the entrance to the village on the Stoke Lyne Road has been installed and is operational. This new solar powered sign warns on-coming traffic that they are entering a 30 mph area and flashes SLOW DOWN & 30 MPH at any vehicle exceeding 33mph.

It has been located  70 meters inside the 30 mph zone which  was the distance stipulated by Oxford County Council and having tested it out, it activates from about 10- 20m before a vehicle reaches the first static sign, depending on the size of the vehicle.

The benefits of this particular sign is that it is solar powered with a back-up battery and does not require the battery to be switched over once a month as with the unit on the Bicester Road. It can also be swivelled around to face in the opposite direction, to target speeding vehicles coming around the bend from the centre of the village. This will be done from time to time. It also allows for accurate data capture of vehicle speeds within the 30 mph zone.

As most people know, this has been funded in part by a grant from our District & County Councillor Ian Corkin (£1800), from the closure of an old village fundraising account administered by three residents (£675) and with an additional contribution from the Village Improvement Fund (£870).

Thanks go to Ian Corkin who provides great support to the village in a number of ways and also to the three residents referred to above – Jacqueline Gibbs, Margaret Davis and Rosemary Farmery.

Do let us know how you feel the sign is performing, although we are not encouraging anyone to test it out by exceeding the speed limit!

Pound Lights a Great Success

The lights in the oak tree over the festive period proved to be a great hit with villages. Many could see the lights from their properties without ever having to visit. Whilst others with young children made special early evening excursions to the pocket park to gaze wistfully at the lights in the tree.

Our thanks to Jon and Fran Hill for allowing us to run electricity from their adjacent property at no cost to the parish council.

Likewise the Parish Council Christmas tree by the stream on Mill Road was another great success and our thanks are extended to Jeremy Adams and Simon Goss for putting it up and taking it down and to Henri Pappenfus for supplying the power.

 

All the latest News from the Parish Council

Open the pdf file or read below.

Parish Xmas Newsletter 2019

Christmas News Update December 2019

The Parish Council carries out regular door drops as well as constantly updating the noticeboard and website (www.strattonaudley.org). We do this to encourage involvement in the community and appreciate your feedback.

New Vehicle Activated Sign

 

There is a vacancy on the Parish Council as we have recently increased our official numbers from five to seven Councillors and at the moment have six serving members. If interested please make yourself know to any councillor.

Food Beer & Music Festival 2020

 

 

Following extensive research we have selected and ordered a new fixed solar powered speed awareness sign which will be placed on the Stoke Lyne Road at the entrance to the village. This has been funded in part by a grant from our District & County Councillor Ian Corkin (£1800) from the closure of an old village fundraising account administered by three residents (£675) and with an additonal contribution from the Village Improvement Fund (£870). The sign will be installed towards the end of January.

It is with regret that the Food, Beer & Music Festival 2020 has been postponed because logistically it is too big a commitment for the small number of people prepared to take leading roles. We appreciate that it is difficult to commit time to such an event but a successful template exists and anyone interested in organising it for 2021 will get the full support of the Parish Council. We know that this will be a disappointment and hope that other smaller events will take its place across the year.

Power Cuts

 

 

At the same time, Anthony Flack has decided to stand down as Chairman of the CLP & Fund Raising Committee and we thank him wholeheartedly for all his hard work over the years. This group was set up six years ago by the Parish Council and has organised many events both fund raising and social get-togethers. Whilst other activities are organised by the church on a regular basis with which he has also been involved, the CLP has been very successful in raising money for the village, the church and other charities. His dedication has been exemplary and he will be a hard act to follow.

Footpaths

 

 

As most people will be aware, we have experienced multiple power cuts recently but following investigations, Scottish & Southern tell us that no single cause is to blame. Several of the outages were due to third party faults and they are closely monitoring the matter. They agree that it has been unfortunate and have apologised for the inconvenience. To report an incident or find out what’s going on when a power cut occurs you can phone 154 or 0800 954 0693.

We note with pleasure the increased use of the footpath on the Cross Bucks Way now that two gates have replaced stiles. Encouraged by this, we have reached agreement with OCC regarding the restoration of a short piece of unusable footpath just beyond the Hunt Kennels which connects back to the Bicester Road which will provide another accessible circular route. This work will be carried out in the very near future by the County.

 

Additionally, concern was raised about the footpath off the Stoke Lyne Road which is now only accessible via a stile over the fence, whereas previously an unofficial path had been created through private property. The Parish Council has reached agreement with the landowner to install a gate through the fence and has managed to find funding for this from The Oxfordshire Field Paths Society. Installation will be paid for out of the Village Improvement Fund.

 

East West Rail

 

The public path from the bottom of Cherry Street leading down to the pond will be renovated to improve access and as previously reported, permission has been received from the land owner. The County Council has agreed to carry out the work and partly fund it, together with a small amount of money from a discretionary fund held by Cllr. Ian Corkin, on the basis that the village makes a contribution of some £500 from the Village Improvement Fund. This is great news and work will commence early in the New Year, weather permitting.

Test Holes have recently been drilled and core samples taken on the road leading from the A4421 to Poundon in order to establish what needs to be done prior to the construction works. The original plan was that the go-ahead would be granted before Christmas but with the general election and uncertainty over HS2, no decision to approve the EWR scheme has yet been given by the Secretary of State.

EWR intend to commence works at the Bicester end of the scheme as soon as possible after being granted the necessary authority and have indicated that midsummer is their best estimate. However with compounds in the area secured it is possible that site traffic may be evident on the roads around Stratton Audley in advance of this time. The official route for large lorries is along the Park Road/Poundon Road and if you notice what you regard to be large construction lorries on any other roads in the area do try and take a photo so it can be investigated.

Elm Farm Quarry

 

Pot holes in the village

 

Following a recent meeting in the village with the Senior Area Manager for roads from the County Council, it has been agreed that multiple pot holes in the village will be repaired in strips rather than individual holes. This is known as patching and is more effective. As everyone knows the Launton Road is particularly bad and so OCC is making an application to close the road for a short period and works are likely to take place in March/April. Although disruptive in the short term this is again good news.

The Express Highway

 

The Parish Council recently attended a meeting at County Hall and were told that Oxford County Council intends to withdraw the restorative enforcement order and simultaneously Bicester Heritage will withdraw its appeal to the Secretary of State. New plans are being developed by BH for a sustainable development, and the obligations and legal responsibilities to provide permanent public access and protection will remain a central requirement, given that it is a designated local wildlife site and an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

Commercial Signage

 

Oxford County Council have announced that they are opposed to any of the proposed routes out of Oxford and are no longer in favour of the project. So there is a good chance this will not proceed.

Village Improvement Fund

 

A number of conversations have taken place with local businesses recently with regard to directional signage within and around the village. The County Council are balancing the legitimate needs of the businesses concerned, with what is likely to be acceptable to the community.

Christmas Church Services in the village

 

As previously published the total fund available was £3700.  Allocations against this fund have now been made as follows: £870 for the Vehicle Activated sign on Stoke Lyne Road, £300 for lights in the Pound, £500 contribution to improving the Pond path, £200 for the gate on the path behind the Green Barn development and circa £1000 towards the cost of the Pound Pocket Park. Total £2870. Funds remaining circa £830.

The “Carols by Candlelight” Service is on Sunday 15th December at 6pm. The Crib Service is at 4pm Christmas Eve. The Christmas Day Family Service is at 10am. Please note that there will be no midnight service on Christmas Eve this year.

Carols  Around  the Village

 

Additionally at Godington Church there will be Carols by Candlelight” on Friday 20th December at 7pm.

Homeless in Oxfordshire

 

The church is once again organsing carol singing around the village on Tuesday 17th December starting at the Red Lion at 7.00pm. As in previous years monies raised are in aid of Homeless, Oxfordshire. All are welcome and the more the merrier. If you cannot participate but wish to make a donation, just pop it in an envelope through the letter box of Timbertop in Cavendish Place.

Christmas Lights in the Pound

 

Christmas is a particularly difficult time for anyone on the streets. Homeless, Oxfordshire is the largest supported accommodation provider for vulnerable and homeless people in the County and if you would like to make an individual donation direct to them you can do this by visiting their website: https://www.oxfordhomelessmovement.org.uk/donate  Additionally Stratton Audley church will be a collection point in January for items of clothing etc. and a flier will be door dropped to all in the parish advising what specific items are required at that time.

The Parish Council are delighted to draw your attention to their decision to place lights in the small oak tree in the Pound in order to add to the Christmas festivities. Power has generously been provided by Pound House with our grateful thanks and we hope everyone will pay an early evening visit to see how our new community space comes alive after dark.

The Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone the very best Season’s Greetings for Christmas and the New Year.

Shedding New Light on the Pound!

If you haven’t had the chance to pop around to the new village Pound after dark then you are in for a surprise. With money available from the Village Improvement Fund, 1000 lights have been placed in the small oak tree in the centre of the pocket park.

Thanks go to the volunteers including Stewart and yours truly who put them up, but particularly to Paul Roberts and Alex Smith who climbed the ladders like monkeys. Also thanks to the Hill’s for supplying the electricity.

Another Clean Sweep

Thanks to everyone who moved their cars  when Cherwell district council swept the streets of the village on Tuesday.  A road crew accompanied the lorry to get leaves blown off the pavement and the work was completed in four hours with the lorry removing to full loads of mainly leaves.

STRATTON AUDLEY CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Saturday 2nd November can be remembered on two accounts.   England unfortunately NOT winning the rugby world cup and Stratton Audley Fayre being a very happy occasion – by contrast.

There was a great mix of excellent quality local stalls and, after shopping, what better way to revive oneself than with a cup of coffee and a slice of delicious cake!   Thank you to everyone who made the fantastic cakes!

This week has seen raffle prizes delivered, and believe it or not a couple of enquiries from potential stall holders wanting to have a stall for next year!!

Needless to say lots of great big thank you’s;  to Becky and the great team of ladies who worked tirelessly serving the teas and cakes and the men who helped the stall holders carry their goods to and from their cars.   Also a big thank you to Stephanie and Yvonne who ably helped man the tombola stall (always a great draw!) which – like the raffle – had some fantastic donations from villagers.   A total of just over £1000 was made which was great.

Shall we do it again next year?   Maybe we could think about it in 2020?

The top raffle prize winners (of 22) are shown below.

                     Ticket No.         Prize                                   Winner

89                  Bottle of Glenrothes Whiskey                    Penny House

393                 Nyetimber English sparkling wine          Yvonne Mullins

843                 Nicolas Feuillate Champagne                  Dorothy Howarth

590                 DKNY Tote bag                                            Anne Flack

223                 Gibson Organic Liqueur                            Alison Bromley