Parish News

WANTED – NEW COUNCILLOR

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PARISH COUNCIL OF STRATTON AUDLEY

There is a vacancy on the above Council caused by the resignation of Councillor Cathryn Lloyd.

We have now received confirmation from Cherwell District Council that we may fill the vacancy by co-option. Expressions of interest should be put in writing to the Parish Clerk

Interested parties should send a letter or email detailing their interest and experience to strattonaudley.parishclerk@gmail.com

 Signed Anne Davies

Clerk, 6 Greystones Court, Kidlington Oxon, OX51AR

OXFORDSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST RIDE AND STRIDE

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September 9th

This year’s Ride and Stride will be on September 9th .   This is an ideal opportunity for people who are cyclists and horse riders, etc, to visit Churches in the region which will all be open on the day in order to raise monies for OHCT.   Anyone in this parish who is interested in enjoying this challenge and who would be prepared to raise funds for this worthy cause through sponsorship can obtain an entry form from Roni Howarth at 12 Cavendish Place or on 01869 277694.   The OHCT have frequently provided financial support for maintenance and rebuilding projects in Stratton Church.

In order to welcome visiting riders and walkers to the Church we would be grateful for people to volunteer to sit in the Church for 1-hour periods, between 10am and 6pm in order to authorise visitor’s sponsorship forms and to offer refreshments.   Anyone able to help should contact Roni as shown above.

Defibrillator & First Aid awareness sessions in the Church

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Cllr Stewart Hopkins has completed a First Aid training course and is now a qualified and insured First Aider, able to provide refresher First Aid awareness to interested residents on an annual basis and saving the cost of employing an outside trainer.   Some 12 people have previously undertaken some basic instruction.   Last year the Parish Council invested in a potentially life-saving defibrillator which is located in the church porch and permanently accessible in the event of an emergency.   If you would like to learn how to use it, Stewart is planning a couple of two hour sessions in the next month – provisionally Thurs evening 14th Sept and Sat morning 16th Sept.   Please contact him on stewarthopkins1812@btinternet.com

Sweeping Success in Village

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Another sweeping success  in the village was undertaken by Cherwell District Council on Wednesday 22nd August. Thanks to our coordinated efforts,  more or less everyone managed to move their cars off the streets, so as to give Harry in his sweeper lorry an easy ride.

Thanks to everyone. The next sweep will be the big one in late November after the majority of the leaves have fallen.

    

Approval to increase Councillors from 5 to 7

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NOTICE ISSUED BY CHERWELL DISTRICT COUNCIL 31 July 2017

Cherwell District Council Community Governance Review 2017 re possible change in the number of Parish Councillors in some parishes

Cherwell District Council is carrying out a Community Governance Review. This is the process that allows the Council to make changes to parishes, such as parish boundaries and numbers of parish councillors.

Five parish councils contacted Cherwell District Council, to ask for a review of their number of parish councillors. A working group of district councillors considered the requests, and made recommendations to full Council on 17 July 2017.

Councillors agreed all of the recommendations and this is your opportunity to comment on the proposed change for Stratton Audley.

Stratton Audley Parish Council contacted Cherwell District Council in 2016 and requested that consideration be given to increasing the number of councillors for the parish from five to seven.

The reason for the request is the opportunity to attract a broader cross section of the community, reduce the amount of work each councillor undertakes by spreading the load and the fact that a larger council would also provide resilience in the event of holidays or sickness.

The last parish election for Stratton Audley was held in 2014, and there were five candidates for the five seats.

The electorate for Stratton Audley on 1 December 2016 was 349. Guidance from NALC recommends a parish council of seven where the electorate is up to 900.

On this basis, the recommendation is that the number of parish councillors be increased by two, so there would be seven parish councillors from the next scheduled election in Stratton Audley in 2018.

What happens next?

People now have the opportunity to tell the Council what they think of these recommendations.

You can send an email to democracy@Cherwellandsouthnorthants.gov.uk, or visit our webpage www.cherwell.gov.uk/communitygovernance and click on the survey monkey link to reply electronically.

All written or emailed responses should reach us by Friday 8 September 2017 to be taken into consideration. The online survey will close at 11:59pm on the same date.

Responses received will be considered by the working group of District Councillors, who will make a final set of recommendations that will be considered at the meeting of Full Council on Monday 16 October 2017.

Photos from the Shelswell History Festival

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Shelswell History Festival 2017 “A Celebration of our Rural Heritage”

The history of the Shelswell rural area and some of the events which have shaped it was celebrated in true traditional style over three days (7-9 July) and for those of you who missed it here are some photos which  capture a little of the atmosphere. The village history marquee was particularly fascinating and the Stratton Audley display was exemplary. Part of it is now on display in the church.

There were many interesting talks and it is to be hoped that some of these will be repeated over the coming year in local communities throughout the area.

      

 

Curbing….Oxford County Council!!!

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Loose granite curbs (sorry that should be kerbs) can be a hazard on the streets anywhere but no longer in Stratton Audley.

The Parish Council identified some 15 locations around the village where granite kerbing stones between the pavement and road had come loose and promptly marked them up for attention. The next working day Oxford County Council acknowledged the work to be done and three working days later, remedial work was carried out. Even the mortar used was rapid cement! Thus showing that when it comes to kerbing (curbing) – the Parish Council and County Council working together have the right mix.

Well done by all concerned.

    

SCOTTISH & SOUTHERN SUPPLY DISRUPTION. IMPORTANT NEWS

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As you will know three large generators were delivered to the village on Sunday and are currently powering all our properties. There was a short outage as the power was cut from the grid and transferred to the generators which was unavoidable.

Every property in the village should have received a letter from Scottish and Southern saying they would be carrying out essential work over five days from 10th July and ending at 4.30 on Friday 14th July (note that when they disconnect on Friday the power will again go off temporarily).

The Parish Council was not made aware of this in advance and personally, I never received a letter. Having made further enquiries it would appear that many other people were also unaware of this work, although the company say that every house was supposed to have received advanced notice.

Scottish and Southern are now verifying with the contractor who carried out the door distribution of their letter to establish exactly which properties were notified and I have asked them to supply the list to me.

If you have been affected by this situation and did not receive prior notification via letter then my advice is to phone 105 or 08000 727282 to register a complaint. If they can’t prove that your property was ticked-off as delivered, you will be eligible for compensation of £30 as set by the industry regulator, OFGEM, which you will receive in due course.

The work is essential to improve the reliability of the power supply to the area and involves upgrading equipment and putting in new poles to carry additional power lines and result in us being less isolated.

In conclusion,  it is good news if it helps to limit future power outages because previously we have been warned to expect an increasing number.

John Honsinger

Chairman, Stratton Audley Parish Council

See work in progress below.

 

 

Shelswell History Festival 2017 “A Celebration of our Rural Heritage”

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Come and celebrate the history of the Shelswell rural area and some of the events which have shaped it. And raise some money for local causes and other charities!

Friday 7th July – Sunday 9th July, open each day from 12 noon to 10pm

Shelswell Park, OX27 8EH

COMMUNITY PLAY, WALKS, TALKS, WORKSHOPS, DISPLAYS, ARCHERY, HORSES AND HOUNDS, SAXONS, CIVIL WAR, LOCAL TRADERS,

MOTOR VEHICLES, HOME GUARD, PIG ROAST, BARN DANCE

AND LOTS MORE!

Want to be involved in the Community Play, Lark Rise?  We have big parts and small for children and adults, novice and experienced actors.  Rehearsals largely over the weekend of the festival. To register your interest contact  ellie.goodall27@gmail.com

Local trader?  Would you like a stand at the Shelswell History Festival?  Contact alicegoodall313@gmail.com

Happy to help during the festival?  Find out more by contacting Alice alicegoodall313@gmail.com

For more information  go to http://www.shelswellhistoryfestival.org.uk/

Look out for the full brochure later in the year.

Villages  covered: Bainton – Cottisford & Hardwick cum Tusmore – Finmere – Fringford – Hethe – Juniper – Mixbury – Newton Purcell – Stoke Lyne – Stratton Audley & Godington

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing and hat

VILLAGE FUN DAY – CANCELLED

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 Regrettably we have taken the decision to cancel the Village Event this coming Sunday as there are not enough people to make it viable. Apologies to those of you who did respond. Perhaps an impromptu informal get together with your children in the playground could be an alternative. If you have ideas you wish to discuss or would like to organise another event please contact strattonclp@gmail.com