Est West Rail Consortium Update

To keep you updated on progress as work gets underway please find a link  EWR2 Project Newsletter – July 2020 to the latest official East West Rail project newsletter. This includes general project progress and also localised information for communities in the affected areas. The three most relevant localised sections for Stratton Audley are shown here as individual PDF’s.

EWR2_Newsletter_Bicester_Launton

EWR2_Newsletter_Highways

EWR2_Newsletter_MarshGibbon_Poundon_Charndon_Twyford

 

Included below is a record of the note sent out to residents on 13th July sharing the Parish Council’s understanding of likely impact that East West Rail Construction Traffic will have on the area from July 2020 going forward.

Below is what I know about the East West Rail construction work that is now underway in the area and how it may affect the Parish.  I am sorry this is rather long but without the opportunity to have a public meeting at the moment, it is best to spell it out.
At the official project launch earlier this year on 27 February in Milton Keynes, the Parish Council became aware that contrary to the previous understanding, some construction traffic heading for the Launton Compound would be routed through Stratton Audley particularly when bridge construction work at Launton begins in Spring 2021.

The original written understanding not to route any HGV OR LGV vehicles through the village had been reached in May 2018. However following subsequent discussions with the County Councils, the interim decision was overruled and it was decided that LGV’s would be permissible. This was agreed in the Statement of Common Ground signed by Network Rail and Oxfordshire County Council on 28 February 2019.
The Environmental Statement assessed that on average the route through Stratton Audley on the Launton Road sees about 915 vehicles per weekday and the project would have no more than 15 LGVs a day through the village. This represents a 1.5% increase in vehicles distributed throughout the working day which is considered to be of slight impact. The route has been tracked and found to be suitable for HGVs and therefore is suitable for LGV traffic.

An added concern arose when it was pointed out that the term LGV is now used to describe Large Goods Vehicles rather than Light Goods Vehicles which are vans up to 7.5 tons. However although this means larger vehicles may also use the route, it has also been pointed out that there is a weight restriction on the road of 10.5 tons and so use by larger vehicles will be discouraged.

The Parish Council has objected and been in discussions with the planners over the last few months but the plans will not change by much. However some reassurances have been received and additional information provided about the level of disruption which is outlined below.

Preparatory works at the Launton compound have now been more or less completed and can be seen from the road if you drive from the Bicester ring road over the traffic-light controlled bridge heading in the direction of Launton. That stretch of road (the Bicester Road from Charbridge Lane to Launton) will be closed for a maximum of three days from the 20th July to complete the compound entrance. EWR have told me that the approved diversion route is through Stratton Audley but that it is the responsibility of the relevant highways department to inform those affected.

As a result of this unsatisfactory state of affairs, I have now established a new direct contact at OCC who has agreed that there needs to be better co-ordination and communication between EWR and OCC and she will take responsibility for keeping us informed of road closures and other disruptions.

The following recent Q&A between the EWR Alliance section manager responsible for both the Launton and Poundon compound provides some answers and reassurance (answers in red):

  1. Has work on the haul road commenced and are LGV vehicles accessing the Launton Compound as of now (June)?

The Haul Road between Bicester Road and Station Road is complete. LGV’s accesses Launton via Stratton Audley will be minimal over the next few months, perhaps two a day.
2. When is the likely date that vehicles will start to use the route through Stratton Audley?

We have already started to use it for de-veg and environmental works but I suspect it wouldn’t be noticeable as they’ll be just a few van size vehicles per day. Works to the overbridge on Station Road start on the 27th July, however the first 5 months of the programme is earthworks where the majority, other than transportation of labour using personnel vehicles and transit size materials, will be along the Haul Road not through Stratton Audley.
3. Please confirm that the route through the village is via Mill Road from the crossroad with Stratton Park Road.

Confirmed
4. How many months will construction traffic vehicles be coming through the village?

Roughly two years however there will be periods of very low use as above
5. What are the opening and closing times of the compound and likely traffic flow throughout the day, hour by hour?

Compounds will be open from 07:00 to 18:00hrs. I don’t expect large volumes to pass through Stratton Audley where there’ll be no more than one or two per hour (except for say 12# construction workers travelling to site at the start and end of their day) but will keep you updated moving forward

  1. I understand you intend for the vehicles to be clearly identified. Is this with a sign in the cab window or something else?

All suppliers should display the EWR sign in the cab
7. What plans have you to improve the road surface on Mill Road and particularly Launton Road and what contingency money is there for the installation of VAS signs?

There is an agreement with OCC that the roads will be regularly monitored. If defects arise they will be repaired within the periods outlined by OCC.
8. Residents will be concerned about potential damage to buildings, some of which are very old, listed or are particularly susceptible to vibration.

The small amount of numbers and limited size shouldn’t cause any damage, however I appreciate your concern. I will have to refer to our Land Agents on how a claim would be made.
9. Please confirm that the vehicle size will be limited to 7.5 tons and no more. The question arises because a Councillor has pointed out that the term LGV which has always been understood to be an abbreviation for a light goods vehicle, actually nowadays may also refer to a large goods vehicle which potentially could be as big as an HGV vehicle. To be clear, should any vehicle accessing Stratton Audley be larger than 7.5tons then we will have been considerably mislead, as I have it in writing from EWR that ‘LGV = vehicles under 7.5tons’. I am sure you will understand that if this turns out to be the case, it will be palpably unacceptable and vigorously opposed.

I can confirm no vehicles above 7.5t will be knowingly sent through Stratton Audley. We have implemented measures to manage our suppliers by controlling access times by mandating they book delivery slots with vehicle details provided, issuing the approved routes to all suppliers etc. I would request however, that if any vehicle is observed above the 7.5t, outside the approved route, please record details (ideally a photo) and let us know so we can rectify.

Separately, clarification has been sought as to the start date for the building of the passing bays on the Stratton Audley Park Road that runs from the A4421 passing Stratton Park to the Poundon compound. For those of you who don’t know, this road will be used by HGV vehicles to build and supply the Poundon compound and the passing bays are necessary to deal with the very real issues associated with the narrowness of the road.

The start date for the building of the passing bays is upon us and apparently there are notices on the road to confirm this (responses in red) 

The first of the closures on this road is for the passing bays down near Poundon and the second longer closure for the creation of passing bays back towards the A4421 by Stratton Park. The passing bays from the A4421 to Poundon commence from the 13th July for 4 days and then recommence on the 27th July to the 13th August.

(I have now seen the traffic management map for the first closure next week and the diversion routes traffic through Stratton Audley via Launton Road and Mill Road. I have now established that we were not informed of this nor were Oxford County Council, because the order was issued by Buckingham County Council).

How long will these take and what level of disruptions is likely? Additionally what is the time table for when HGV and other vehicles will start to use this road, together with the latest estimated numbers and the flow rates?

With reference to the HGV’s starting to use these routes, we will have HGV’s supplying the early compound works, the highway works and then the main site compound works at Poundon. This will be over the next few months. There won’t be a consistent number of vehicles but expect a maximum of around 25 per day for a few weeks until the stoning of the compound is complete.  After this (around the end of September), the numbers will reduce dramatically until the earthworks commence in April 2021 next year.

In summary whilst it is hoped the village will not be too affected by the works at the Launton compound over the next few months, we are likely to see increased traffic flows as a result of the closure of the road in Launton from 20th July. However a further meeting between Highways and EWR is taking place this week and OCC have now told me they will not be directing large vehicles via Stratton Audley.

Additionally, the two road closures during this month to construct the passing bays on the top road from the A4421 to the Poundon compound will be disruptive, with the first closure happening next week. This will affect some of us but particularly have a significant impact on the residents who live on or around that road.

There is little to be done other than to be aware of the situation. You can report any issues that arise to the Network Rail help line 03457 11 4141.  Alternatively you can contact Thaina S’aid (bsaid@ewralliance.co.uk ) who is the Community Liaison Officer for this project in this area. Naturally please keep the Parish Council informed and we will continue to do the same.

News update no 18 for Stratton Audley

Time to ‘Face Up’.

As of this coming Friday 24th July, face masks will be compulsory in shops and supermarkets, joining public transport where wearing them has been compulsory since June 15th. The new rules will be enforced by the police, not shop workers who should instead “encourage compliance”, officials said. Children under 11 years old and those with “certain disabilities” will be exempt.

A Government spokesman says: “There is growing evidence that wearing a face covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from coronavirus. But they are not a replacement for washing your hands regularly and maintaining social distances”.

More detail including the exemptions is included at the end of this email.

Around the Village

  • Recently there has been a further incident down at the pond, on this occasion with a couple of young guys camping overnight on the footpath and fishing, which caused concern for some residents and inconvenience for others. As a result, signage is being put in place pointing out that it is private land and people should stick to the public footpath

 

  • With regard to fishing which is not generally permitted, Mrs Gosling remains happy for residents to apply for written permission. Her telephone number is 277 251
  • A number of people commented that the path between the Old Rectory and the back of The Hall was overgrown with vegetation, so the Parish Council arranged for it to be cut back and this has now been done
  • It has been decided to install an additional dog waste bin on the Bicester Road near the entrance to the village as this is the only road that does not have one. For your interest the Parish Council pays Cherwell District Council to empty each bin once a week
  • The white wooden village entry gates and signs have been cleaned. Thanks go to John Woodward for undertaking the work on Mill Road, to Mike Hedgecox for Launton Road, to Mike Gore for Bicester Road and to Anthony Flack for Stoke Lyne Road
  • An idea has been put forward by resident John Edwards to purchase and install boot scrapers in the village and pay for them out of the Village Improvement Fund. This idea was liked and approved by the committee so two will be purchased, one to be positioned on the pond path and the other in the Pound pocket park
  • The roads in the village have been recently sprayed to kill off unsightly weeds. Again, for your interest, The Parish Council pays a contractor to carry out this work three times a year.

 

Glass Bottle Bank Site

A resident recently contacted Cherwell District Council asking if a bottle bank could be installed in the village for the convenience of villagers. Cherwell Council is willing to provide this service free of charge because they do not offer a kerbside glass recycling service like some councils do. This is something that has previously been considered a few years ago and rejected by the Parish Council despite it being in principle a good idea.  The District Council propose installing the unit next to the bins at the bottom of Cherry Street. There would be three standard size wheelie bins held securely in a locked metal frame and they would be emptied regularly. Initially they would be monitored on a weekly basis to establish their usage and there could be a trial period of three months.

The Parish Council recognises that the subject can be fairly polarising and will not be making an immediate decision on the matter. A number of factors including noise and the risk of boxes and carrier bags being dumped next to the bins need to be taken into consideration. That said, it would be convenient for some people who are less mobile.

The matter will be addressed at the next PC meeting but if in the mean time you have a view on the matter then by all means get in touch with the Parish Council via email or one of the Parish Councillors.

The Red Lion

For those of you who haven’t yet visited the refurbished pub, the enlarged beer garden is a great space to relax and enjoy a drink.

The new opening hours are:

Monday: closed

Tuesday – Friday: 3-11pm

Saturday: 12-11pm

Sunday: 12-9pm

The kitchen is closed but finger food will be available from the shack in the garden that can be eaten in or taken away! On Fridays at the moment there is a special “Fizz and chips” on the menu from 5pm -8pm (fish and chips with a glass of Prosecco for £10). The shack will be open at varying times so keep an eye out on our Facebook page or on the notice board outside the pub for all information!

Stratton Audley Barn

Stratton Audley Barn is now open from THURSDAY to Sunday and are serving coffee, cake and ice cream from 10am to 4pm either to takeaway or eat on the premises. And now they have added savoury Panini’s available from 10-2.30pm. Villagers and OAPs can still get half price take-away coffee or ice cream on a Friday morning between 10-11am. There is an enclosed seating area in the paddock with tables, parasols and a few Bell tents to enjoy your refreshments in comfort.

East West Rail Road Closure in Launton

Just a reminder of the closure of the Bicester Road in Launton – the stretch of road that goes towards the bridge at Charbridge Lane. I am told this has happened as of today and will last for three days. Traffic is not officially being directed through the village though there has been some seesawing on this matter between Oxon and Bucks county councils.

Nepalese Curry Night OFF THE MENU for now

Please note that the Nepalese curry wagon will not be outside the pub on Mondays for the time being. George says he hopes to return in the near future.

Wearing Face Masks in Shops and Supermarkets – The Detail

Those who do not adhere to the rules face a fine of up to £100. It will be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.  Compulsory mask wearing will be enforced by police, according to the Government, rather than shop owners and staff themselves, who can call the police or refuse the person entry.

Who is exempt from wearing a face mask?

According to the official Government guidance, the below groups are not required to wear a mask:

  • A child under the age of 11
  • An employee of the transport operator, when they are acting in the course of their employment
  • A constable or police community support officer acting in the course of their duty
  • An emergency response member of staff, such as a paramedic or fire officer acting in the course of their duty
  • Other legitimate exemptions listed include those with a disability or a physical or mental illness, and anyone travelling with a deaf person who relies on lip reading to communicate.
  • Wearers are also permitted to remove them if it is necessary to avoid harm or injury, as well as to eat or drink if required, to take medication, or if a police officer or other official requests you to do so.
  • Customers in shops will also be allowed to remove them if they are required to present identification for purchasing alcohol and other age-restricted products.

Are there any exceptions to the rule?

Yes there are some exceptions, which the government have outlined as ‘reasonable’ reasons for not wearing a mask. These include if you’re travelling with someone who requires lip reading, if you suffer from severe distress when you put it on, suffer from a disability where you’re unable to put it on, or you need to eat, drink or take medication.

Those who suffer from autism also don’t have to wear a mask, with the same applying to those who have an impairment which could be affected by putting on a covering.

Are masks required on trains and buses?

The current guidance has required masks to be worn on public transport in England since June 15. Travel operators can refuse to let passengers on board if they are not covering their face, and those who refuse to follow the new protocol could face a fine. Exceptions apply for very young children, disabled people, and those who have breathing difficulties.

Using a face mask

“Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off and after use. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store used face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them.”

“You should wash a face covering regularly. It can go in with other laundry, using your normal detergent.”

Although necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, face coverings can be pretty uncomfortable. So what can you do to make them easier to wear? The link here might be helpful:

https://patient.info/news-and-features/how-to-make-face-masks-and-coverings-more-comfortable?iitt=Efs_O._74IQNbdbJtIVZhuoA4FYDOGl8b.hutIbXxDLuxIb7xI1XbzTT&utm_source=exponea&utm_campaign=PA%20Newsletter%2013th%20edition&utm_medium=email

__________________________

If you have anything you feel that the community should be aware of and would make a difference, or have something else you want to raise with the Parish Council, we are always open to ideas and in listening mode.

All the best and continue to stay alert and stay safe.

News update no 17 for Stratton Audley

I had not planned to put out another email so soon, however a number of matters need publicising, so here goes.

East West Rail Further Information

First a reminder about the closure of the Stratton Park Road at the Poundon end on this coming Monday for probably three days which will cause disruption and mean we are likely to see an increase in traffic through the village on Mill Road/Launton Road.

Additionally, in my email earlier in the week regarding general EWR construction, I highlighted the closure of the Bicester Road in Launton – the stretch of road that goes towards the bridge at Charbridge Lane and that it would be closed for up to three days from the 20th July to complete the EWR compound entrance. Closure now is 22nd in order to accommodate school half term. Whilst this is still going ahead, as a result of contacting the network team at OCC, they have now informed me that traffic will be diverted via Blackthorn Road onto the A41 instead of routing it through Stratton Audley. This is good news although there is not a lot that can be done by those who choose to ignore the official signs.

Also we have requested more details of the measures they are taking to ensure the safety of people, cyclists and horses using the roads and I received an interim response yesterday and I quote:

“The various contract delivery firms have all been given a tutorial on the routes to sites that must be adhered to and on the use of voyager control. The VC is so that we have the ability to track the various vehicles to ensure that they are compliant. We have stressed the importance of being mindful of horses, treading carefully and stopping their vehicles in advance, in the presence of a horse and allowing the horses to pass safely. I am trying to gain more information on the matter which hopefully will be included in the newsletter that we are planning to distribute next week” Thaina Said, Community Liaison Officer.

The Red Lion

The Red Lion opened last weekend and despite the overcast weather, congregating in the enlarged garden area seemed to work pretty well. There is an entirely new wine list which is quite extensive and very drinkable!

The new opening hours are:

Monday: closed

Tuesday – Friday: 3-11pm

Saturday: 12-11pm

Sunday: 12-9pm

The kitchen is closed but a new service, “the food shack” @ the red lion is all set up.  The shack will be serving simple but delicious finger food that can be eaten in or taken away! TONIGHT (Friday) there is a special “Fizz and chips” on the menu from 5pm -8pm (fish and chips with a glass of Prosecco for £10).

The shack will be open at varying times so keep an eye out on our Facebook page or on the notice board outside the pub for all information!

Stratton Audley Church

The Shelswell Benefice are delighted to announce that there will be a service of Holy Communion this Sunday, 12th July, at 10 am in Stratton Audley Church! To enable social distancing, space is limited so you need to book your place – see details in Guidelines below.

The church recognise that not everyone will feel safe coming to a service at this time so the alternative is to join in at the same time via the live stream available on Facebook (under Shelswell News) which will also be uploaded to YouTube later in the day (look for Shelswell Parishes).

Finally a reminder that the church is now open each day for private prayer and for anyone who wishes to sit peacefully by themselves.

Sratton Audley Barn

Now open at weekends from Friday through to Sunday, they are serving coffee, cake and ice cream from 10am to 4pm either to takeaway or eat on the premises. And now they have added savoury Panini’s available from 10-2.30pm. Villagers and OAPs can still get half price take-away coffee or ice cream on a Friday morning between 10-11am.

The gift shop is back in action together with the online shop. There is also an enclosed seating area in the paddock with tables, parasols and a few Bell tents to enjoy your refreshments in comfort.

Reopening the Playground

As you know the Playground was opened last weekend and has seen a steady stream of visitors from both the village and the surrounding area.

All going well so far, but managing any potential risk is the responsibility of each and every one of us, therefore all are requested to follow the guidelines provided and to cooperate with each other to ensure maximum safety from the spread of infection whilst accessing the playground.

A sanitising spray together with wipes has been placed near the entrance for general use but we encourage everyone to bring their own where possible.

 

Some sobering facts regard Coronavirus in our own area

A more accurate picture of coronavirus cases in the county has now been revealed.

Oxfordshire positive tests as of Monday this week stand at 3,087, up more than 900 on the same time last week. This is not down to a sudden rise in new infections but a change in what data is released.

The rate of infection in Oxfordshire now stands at 449 cases per 100,000 people, surprisingly slightly higher than the England average of 439.

A new tracker has revealed how likely it is that Oxford City will be put on a local lockdown. The city has been ranked 16th in the top 25 places in England when it comes to the number of new cases per 100,000 people in the population which is higher than London. And it is one of the only cities in the south of England to be featured, alongside Peterborough.

Centre for Cities, the think tank which compiled the list, say it could indicate where the next local lockdown could be. Using data from Public Health England, the list said that Oxford – which has a population of 154,327, had 12 new confirmed cases per 100,000 people in the past week.

Deaths in Oxford remained higher than normal levels in May following a spike the previous month, official figures show. Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show 79 deaths were recorded in Oxford during May. That was seven more than the number recorded in the previous year during May. However, it was lower than the average increase of 19 per cent seen across Oxfordshire’s five local authorities.

Oxford also saw a jump in fatalities in the previous month, with 86 more deaths recorded compared to April 2019. It means that in the year to the end of May 2020 there were 106 (27 per cent) more deaths than at the same point last year.

Also of interest is a new Oxford study published this week on face masks, which says everyone should be wearing them even if homemade.

Professor Melinda Mills, director of the Leverhulme Centre and author of the study said: “The evidence is clear that people should wear masks to reduce virus transmission and protect themselves, with most countries recommending the public to wear them. The study shows that, just days after the World Health Organisation announced the pandemic in mid-March, many countries (some 70) immediately recommended mask wearing and this number has now grown to more than 120 countries with most requiring mask wearing everywhere in public.

The study also shows that some coverings are not as effective as others.

Loosely woven fabrics, such as scarves have been shown to be the least effective.

Professor Mills said: “Attention must also be placed on how well it fits on the face; it should loop around the ears or around the back of the neck for better coverage.

“The general public does not need to wear surgical masks or respirators. “We find that masks made from high quality material such as high-grade cotton, multiple layers and particularly hybrid constructions are effective. “For instance, combining cotton and silk or flannel provide over 95 per cent filtration, so wearing a mask can protect others.”

The report also finds that wearing a cotton mask protects the mask wearer as well.

_________________

If you have anything you feel that the community should be aware of and would make a difference, or have something else you want to raise with the Parish Council, we are always open to ideas and in listening mode.

All the best and continue to stay  alert and stay safe.

John

Chairman, Stratton Audley Parish Council

Coronavirus News Update no 16.

And so the big weekend is upon us and whilst it has got to be good news, a word of caution.

Although we may be fed up with lock-down and it is important to get the economy on the move, the virus is still as infectious and deadly as when it first appeared in China over six months ago. The risk for outdoor gatherings is far less and  providing we observe social distancing advice, places like the Red Lion, Stratton Audley Barn, the Church and the Playground will be welcoming visitors and are to be congratulated for being amongst the first to re-open their doors.

The advice seems to be to take it slowly, try and stay outside and don’t get caught in an indoor setting with large numbers of people. The next three months are critical as the chance of further spikes is highly likely and we must all do our bit to guard against this.

Newsletter

This weekly email will now come out less frequently, probably fortnightly or as and when necessary. Don’t forget that news is also posted on the notice board in the village, on the parish website www.strattonaudley.org and on the village pages on Facebook.

Apologies in advance that this email is quite long but there is some really good stuff in it, so it’s worth sitting down with a cuppa when you have time.

Reopening The Red Lion

As expected the Pub has confirmed that they will be opening their doors tomorrow and asked for this message to be passed on:

“The pub has finished the renovation and will be open from 1pm on Saturday. A lot of hard work has been put in by locals to restore it for everyone to enjoy, which we greatly appreciate. Frank will now be stepping aside and hopefully will be seen frequently on the other side of the bar. We thank him for his years of service here during both the ups and downs with many stories to tell over the 15 years with him at the helm. We hope the Red Lion will become the hub of the village and so we would like to invite all the villagers to come between 12.30 and 2 before the pub opens on Sunday to see the hard work that has been carried out by all the volunteers and join us for a drink. We look forward to welcoming you into the Red Lion. 

Opening hours thereafter: 

Wednesday to Saturday 2pm till 11pm 

Sunday 12pm till 9pm

All COVID precautions have been put in place to ensure the safest possible environment for you to enjoy.”  

Stratton Audley Barn Update

As you know Stratton Audley Barn is now open at weekends from Friday through to Sunday. They are serving takeaway coffee, cake and ice cream from 10am to 4pm and new from Saturday, savoury panini’s from 10-2.30pm only. It is going well and they are offering Villagers and OAPs half price take-away coffee or ice cream on a Friday morning between 10-11am.

From this Saturday the 4th July, the gift shop will be back in action together with the online shop. The good news is there will also be an enclosed seating area in the paddock with tables, parasols and a few Bell tents to enjoy your refreshments in comfort. Please be aware that they are operating in compliance with the government safety guidelines.

Reopening the Playground

Delighted to announce that the playground in Cherry Street will be reopened this Saturday morning, 4th July.

The Parish Council has carried out a risk assessment in compliance with Government guidelines and this is accessible on the parish council website. We have also produced a few non statutory guidance notes for parents, guardians and carers and these are detailed on the website and displayed prominently in the playground.

Managing any potential risk is the responsibility of each and every one of us, therefore all responsible adults are requested to follow these guidelines and to cooperate with each other to ensure maximum safety from the spread of infection whilst accessing the playground. If you become aware of these rules being ignored, please report it ASAP to the Parish Council.

The Parish Council is under no obligation to keep the playground open and will close it, temporarily, should it become clear that the level of acceptable risk of the spread of Coronavirus is too great.

A sanitising spray dispenser has been placed near the entrance, but we cannot guarantee this will always be full. Therefore adults are asked to bring their own hand sanitiser gel or wipes to clean their children’s hands particularly at the beginning and end of play and where possible to clean touch points on equipment before and after use.

It has had a spring clean and is looking better than ever before. Mike has done a great job caring for the grass and ground cover whilst closed and used the time to safely remove all the ivy from the wooden fences. Then the Dewhurst family volunteered to repaint the wooden fence mural which Rachel originally created over twenty years ago. In the process they took the opportunity to paint the blank far end fence as well with fun images, including a rainbow to reflect the sign of the times. They have done a brilliant job and a big thank goes to Emma, Hannah, Zoe and of course Rachel from the village.

The Church

A reminder that the church is now open for private prayer and for anyone who wishes to sit peacefully by themselves.

Additionally the church is taking feedback on the type of services and activities that people would like to see in the future, because during lockdown they have been using some new internet based services. If you would like to participate in a questionnaire about future services please contact admin@shelswellparishes.info

Good Neighbour information from the County Council

The attached ‘Good neighbour, safe neighbour’ leaflet has been developed by Oxfordshire’s County and District Councils and follow Government guidance. The aim is to provide advice on how individual residents can check in on their neighbours safely and how to contact the council if they are concerned.  Please share this with your neighbours

SSEN

Most of us will be aware that we are regularly at the mercy of short power cuts which are extremely disruptive particularly at this time when many of us are having to work from home. Even a 10 second power cut knocks out the router so kills the internet which is a pain to say the least!

Recently Charlie Trousdell in Cherry Street has taken the matter up with them directly. He has been told that the most recent interruptions were due to lightning strikes causing damage to the overhead cable network.

The Parish Council regularly raises the matter with SSE and has just received the following response as a result of our latest enquiries:

“We have carried out work on your circuit to improve the supply reliability, however there is further work to be done.

We identified that 323 affected spans required tree cutting and have completed works on the majority, of which 44 are remaining. Three Planned Supply Interruptions (PSI’s) have been completed the most recent being on the 25/06 and there are a further 3 outages which will complete approximately 30 of the remaining sites. The remaining sites left after the outages are then delayed due to Network Rail sites, landowner requests and a small amount of refusals.

In addition we are investing over £200 000 in upgrading the network which will include replacing assets. These works have been agreed because it has been recognised that the supply reliability in your area needs improvement. It is expected that once these works are completed, there will be an improvement.

Although our network complies with the standards set by our regulator Ofgem, it is not always possible for Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to guarantee a continual supply of electricity.  Whilst we carry out regular maintenance to help safeguard against instances of unplanned interruptions to the supply, faults do occur in situations which are out of our control.  This is recognised by the industry regulator and under the appropriate act which governs the electricity industry”.

I know we have heard this sort of thing before but it is encouraging news. However keeping on their case is paramount and the more residents register complaints directly (and not just to the Parish Council) the better.

The customer complaints email address is customercomplaints@ssen.co.uk

Thames Water Surface Drain Cleaning

Following the recent heavy thunderstorms, a number of the surface drains caused isolated and temporary flooding on a few roads. This matter was reported to the County and I am pleased to say that within days contractors were sent to clear debris from the blocked-up drains in the centre of the village.

Local Mobile Hairdresser

Hairdressers are allowed back to work from this weekend. I have been contacted by a resident who is a mobile hairdresser living in the parish. She has been a hairdresser for over 20 years and is fully compliant with all Government Covid 19 requirements on PPE.

Since it is still early days and some people may feel a bit nervous about going into a busy salon, a haircut at home, even in your garden, weather permitting, could be preferable for some people who opt to remain housebound.

Her name is Liz Clarke and she can be contacted on 07545 579037.

Other News

Matters that I have been made aware of during the last week:

Theft

Regrettably an opportunistic theft of power tools took place from a builders van parked outside Moat House in Launton Road on Monday. No tools were on display but a passing van stopped and it obviously all happened in a flash.

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If you have anything you feel that the community should be aware of and would make a difference, or have something else you want to raise with the Parish Council, we are always open to ideas and in listening mode.

All the best and continue to stay alert.

John Honsinger

Chairman, Stratton Audley Parish Council

Opening up the Playground

The Parish Council has carried out a risk assessment (RISK ASSESSMENT.docx ) in compliance with Government guidelines and as a result we are delighted to announce that the playground in Cherry Street will be reopened this Saturday morning, 4th July.

We have also produced a few non statutory guidance notes for parents, guardians and carers and these are detailed  in the playground and here ( Playground Advisory Sheet Covid-19 )

Managing any potential risk is the responsibility of each and every one of us, therefore all responsible adults are requested to follow these guidelines and to cooperate with each other to ensure maximum safety from the spread of infection whilst accessing the playground. If you become aware of these rules being ignored, please report it ASAP to the Parish Council.

The Parish Council is under no obligation to keep the playground open and will close it, temporarily, should it become clear that the level of acceptable risk of the spread of Coronavirus is too great.

A sanitising spray dispenser has been placed near the entrance, but we cannot guarantee this will always be full. Therefore adults are asked to bring their own hand sanitiser gel or wipes to clean their children’s hands particularly at the beginning and end of play and where possible to clean touch points on equipment before and after use.

 

It has had a spring clean and is looking better than ever before. Mike has done a great job caring for the grass and ground cover whilst closed and used the time to safely remove all the ivy from the wooden fences. Then the Dewhurst family volunteered to repaint the wooden fence mural which Rachel originally created over twenty years ago. In the process they took the opportunity to paint the blank far end fence as well with fun images, including a rainbow to reflect the sign of the times. They have done a brilliant job and a big thank goes to Emma, Hannah, Zoe and of course Rachel from the village.

 

News Update no15. Time to spread those wings.

So the big day approaches in just one week. From next Saturday on 4th July new rules come into force including the reduction of the social distancing rule down to one meter. Following the announcements earlier this week I have been surprised that the new rules have not been published more widely, but the following are some of the key points with regard to gatherings, public spaces and activities:

From 4 July:

  • you can meet in groups of up to two households (your support bubble counts as one household) in any location – public or private, indoors or outdoors. You do not always have to meet with the same household – you can meet with different households at different times. However, it remains the case – even inside someone’s home – that you should socially distance from anyone not in your household or bubble. This change also does not affect the support you receive from your carers
  • when you are outside you can continue to meet in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines
  • additional businesses and venues, including restaurants, pubs, cinemas, visitor attractions, hotels, and campsites will be able to open – but certain premises will remain closed where the risks of transmission may be higher
  • other public places, such as libraries, community centres, places of worship, outdoor playgrounds and outdoor gyms will be able to open
  • you will be able to travel any distance and stay overnight away from your home with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household
  • it will be against the law to gather in groups larger than 30 people, except for a limited set of circumstances to be set out in law
  • masks have to be worn on public transport and are to be encouraged in any public places like shops and public buildings in close proximity to others
  • as touched on above, we will be able to open our playground from the 4th July but have yet to be told what rules we will need to follow. We will endeavour to sort this out during the coming week
  • people who are clinically vulnerable, will be able to meet people indoors as well as outdoors. However they should continue to be especially careful and diligent about social distancing & hand hygiene and put safety first.

It is of course up to all of us to take responsibility for our own actions and remember to keep a sensible distance from each other and importantly continue to wash our hands regularly. If we are being honest, it is really difficult to stick to the guidelines and we should not be shy in reminding each other from time to time if we step over the line. The Government want us to make it a matter of public common sense for the common good – its policing by consent which makes sense to me.

For more detailed information on the new rules visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do-after-4-july

Stratton Audley Barn update

As you know Stratton Audley Barn is now open at weekends from Friday through to Sunday. They are serving takeaway coffee, cake and ice cream from 10am to 4pm. It is going well and they are offering villagers and OAPs a half price take-away coffee or Ice cream on a Friday morning between 10-11am.

The shop is now also open and operating in compliance with the government guidelines. On the 4th July, they plan to offer bench seating in the enclosed paddock area under parasols and a few Bell tents.

For more information go to www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk

Nepalese Curry Night on Monday comes to an end

The Nepalese curry van was in the village again on Monday for another successful night. However please note that they will not be with us this coming Monday and will be taking a break as we move forward and out of lockdown.

Re-opening of the church. Volunteers wanted.

The church is now open and has already welcomed a number of visitors. Several villagers have volunteered to help for just 10 minutes at around 5pm, to complete a very short list of checks and use a light anti-microbial mist spray on some specific areas of likely contact. However, a few more volunteers would be welcome and if you would also like to help, then please email jacquelinefox@aol.com . If anyone has any flowers that they would like to have displayed in the Church then please take them along (there are vases by the tea point).

From the 4th July, churches are allowed to open for services and weddings for up to 30 people, but at this early stage no plans have yet been published as to how this might work in Stratton Audley.

The church is taking feedback on the type of services and activities that people would like to see in the future, because during lockdown they have been using some new internet based services. If you would like to participate in a questionnaire about future services please contact admin@shelswellparishes.info

The Red Lion

Put it in your diary now that the big opening is next Saturday 4th July. If you have not yet popped in to see the work in progress to get the pub ready, then prepare to be amazed.

Details for the opening will be included in the next email which will be put out on Friday 3rd.

Prescription Delivery Service

Just to update you, this week was the last week of medical deliveries from Montgomery House & Bicester Health Centre. The surgeries are very well organised now with social distancing in place and greeters at the door (please note patients must wear a face mask to be seen by medical personnel).

On average 60 prescriptions per week were delivered to our residents and it seems to have been very successful in helping the ‘stay at home’ initiative. If we have a second spike, I am sure our volunteers will be happy to help again.

Our thanks go to Clare Hedgecox and Andy Hunter in Stratton Audley plus also to Lucy Broome from Goddington.

EWR

Station Road which runs from the crossroad with Launton Road to the centre of Launton was closed during the past week by EWR for vegetation clearance by the hump back bridge. This has meant a small amount of extra traffic through the village. The Parish Council was not made aware of this in advance and has lodged a complaint.

Further discussions are taking place with EWR to establish exactly what type of vehicle movements will come through the village when the line is constructed, when work is likely to start, and for how long. Answers to these and more questions will be discussed at the next virtual PC meeting and then published.

Road Closure in Launton

Another bit of sleuthing by a resident in the village, passed on information that the Blackthorn Road in Launton is to be closed from this coming Monday and that some traffic may be rerouted through Marsh Gibbon and also Stratton Audley. Attempts to clarify this today with the County Council were unsuccessful but any noticeable increase in traffic will be down to this.  It has nothing to do with EWR and we understand is connected to a housing development in Launton.

Home Cooked Meals Delivery Service

Local business Seven Mile Cookery continue to offer their home cooked meals for delivery in Stratton Audley and the surrounding areas every Thursday afternoon. “A delicious alternative to mass produced frozen meals – our hearty homemade food is cooked in small batches from fresh ingredients and frozen to retain all the flavour and nutrition you would find if you had cooked it from scratch yourself.”

Order online at www.sevenmile.co.uk/mealdelivery or call Jake on 07891 448749.

Other News

Matters that I have been made aware of during the last week:

  • Several youths were seen smoking pot in the Pound
  • A number of people have noticed speeding cars in the village
  • There have been a few reports of noticeable dog poo around the village

The police were informed about the first two items and have added the Pound and the pond path to their patrol roster. This has also been forwarded to the Rural Neighbourhood team and they ask that any sightings be reported at the time via 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. The information will also submitted for intelligence which they will use to build a picture of what is happening in and around the villages.

Any reports of vehicles speeding/driving dangerously through the village can be reported at the time via 101 or 999, but they are unable to do anything retrospectively as independent evidence would be needed such as dash cam footage.

With regard to the dog poo issues, there is really no excuse for this to be happening since free disposable bags are always available at four locations in the village. If you observe disorderly behaviour of this type you are quite within your rights to report it to the dog warden on 01295 221621. Whilst most people act responsibly, it’s a messy business, so please, let’s all try and keep out streets clean!

_________________

If you have anything you feel that the community should be aware of and would make a difference, or have something else you want to raise with the Parish Council, we are always open to ideas and in listening mode.

All the best and continue to stay alert. In the words of Spock….Live long and prosper!

News update no 14

No dramatically new updates on Coronavirus this week which must be good news, but a few other things to mnetion.

Stratton Audley Barn update

As you know Stratton Audley Barn is now open at weekends from Friday through to Sunday. They are serving takeaway coffee, cake and ice cream from 10am to 4pm. It is going well and they are offering villagers and OAPs a half price take-away coffee or Ice cream on a Friday morning between 10-11am.

From Friday 26th June they will be reopening the shop area in compliance with the government guidelines, in conjunction with their online shop, www.shop.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk which offers a click and collect or delivery options. On the 4th July, they plan to offer bench seating in the enclosed paddock area under parasols and a few Bell tents. Let’s all hope for a warm summer!

Monday is Nepalese Curry Night once again

George and Bikash will be back in Church Street again this Monday serving a vegetarian/vegan curry and a chicken Karahi (similar to Indian Korma) with momos as normal. As usual they will be taking pre-orders from 3pm-5pm and will be open from 4pm until 8pm. Pop by during the afternoon or telephone 07976 455654.

Re-opening of the church. Volunteers wanted.

The PCC are really pleased to announce that the Church will be reopening as from this Sunday, for people who would like to engage in Private Prayers or simply sit peacefully in the Church. The plan is to open the Church from first thing in the morning to 5 pm every day.

When the Church opens it would be good to be able to decorate it with flowers – floral arrangements, pot plants or small troughs on a regular basis. If you have a floral contribution just put it in the porch and it will be put inside the Church by others. The PCC is also open to the idea of displaying photos taken by residents of their gardens or more generally the village or activities in and around the village. If you would like to have a photo displayed please leave it in the porch (ideally in a simple frame with your name on the back).

Daily opening is also contingent on the PCC finding a number of volunteers to help for 15 minutes at the end of the day around 5pm. With enough volunteers each person would only be on duty once every week or fortnight. You would be helping to make the church space as safe as possible by completing a short list of checks and by using a light anti-microbial mist spray on some specific area of likely contact.  If you are able to help, please email jacquelinefox@aol.com

The Red Lion

The renovations continue at the pub and the works being carried out by volunteers seem to have grown with time. The rear garden area has been opened up to create an even larger space which will be at the heart of the pub when it is allowed to open most likely on 4th July. Thanks go to all those who have been helping.

Do pop in and see for yourself the transformation and anyone still wishing to get involved should speak to Jonesy on 07836 776973.

People go wild for the flowers in the Pound

Lots of people have commented on the beautiful wild flower displays and quite a few have asked how it was created. Perhaps we got lucky but this is how it was done. In September, we rotivated the ground, added some mulch and fertiliser before simply sewing 800 grams of mixed wild flower seed. A few weeks later we carefully hand planted an additional 250 pot-grown plants know as plugs. This may be the reason why we got the result we did.

To help maintain the area when the flowers die back, we have been advised to strim to about 5/6 inches high in July or August when the bulk of the seed heads will have ripened. This is known as the ‘hay cut’ and the cuttings are left to dry on the meadow for a few days to allow the seeds to drop back into the soil. The cuttings should then be removed as this will increase the fertility of the soil and encourages grass and weeds to grow. In the autumn/early winter we will take the strimmer to the meadow again cutting it back to about 5″ high and picking up any cut material so it looks neat over winter. After it has been cut some spot weeding is usually necessary to remove any nasty weeds such as thistles, docks or nettles.

The guy who did it is:

Connor Freeman
www.greenmantrees.co.uk
07583 323799

Launton Road Patching

Patching works to fill pot holes in the Launton Road was put on hold earlier this year as the County Council could not get quotes for the works due to Covid 19 and without a firm cost, no road closure notice could be issued. Regrettably this has meant more delay as consultation over a road closure takes 12 weeks.  The PC has been pushing hard for the work to happen whilst the roads were less busy but this is now unlikely. So the planned start date is now 8th September for 10 working days. Additionally, surface repairs in Church Street will take place from 22nd September for 4 days and again this road will also be closed for those days. For those familiar with the potholes on the Launton Road, we have persuaded the Highways Department to extend the repairs beyond the village boundary up to where the stream passes under the road. Additionally we have continually pressed for works to be extended to the Launton/Poundon crossroad but have so far failed to get them to agree to this though it is still a possibility.

Sounds of Music in the Air

For those of you in the village who heard the sound of music late on Sunday afternoon, it wasn’t your imagination playing tricks on you. It was the magic of Mike Gore holding an impromptu music session in his front garden with a few people joining in to sing songs from the 60’s. Immediate neighbours were informed earlier in the day and eagerly congregated in their own gardens with others wandering around to Cherry Street to see what was occurring. Social distancing measures were observed and it was a fun time for those present. Apologies to anyone who wondered what was going on and who may not have appreciated it in the same way.

Hungry for Action!

Hounds from The Bicester with Whaddon Chase Hunt are taken out for their daily walk by Huntsman Gareth Bow. The hounds have not been put to work for several months after all hunting events were cancelled in line with Government guidance due to Coronavirus. This picture appeared in the Wednesday’s edition of The Telegraph.

And don’t forget that this Sunday is Father’s Day!

PLEASE NOTE

If you have anything you think would be of service to locals in these difficult times please use the contact form on this site.

All the best and continue to stay alert.

John Honsinger

Chairman, Stratton Audley Parish Council

 

 

Reopening of the Church. Helpers required!

The church is now open and has already welcomed a number of visitors. Several villagers have volunteered to help for just 10 minutes at around 5pm, to complete a very short list of checks and use a light anti-microbial mist spray on some specific areas of likely contact. However, a few more volunteers would be welcome and if you would also like to help, then please email jacquelinefox@aol.com . If anyone has any flowers that they would like to have displayed in the Church then please take them along (there are vases by the tea point).

From the 4th July, churches are allowed to open for services and weddings for up to 30 people, but at this early stage no plans have yet been published as to how this might work in Stratton Audley.

The church is taking feedback on the type of services and activities that people would like to see in the future, because during lockdown they have been using some new internet based services. If you would like to participate in a questionnaire about future services please contact admin@shelswellparishes.info

 

 

Coronavirus News update no 13

Once again there is little local news regarding Covid 19 except to pick up on the facts that no new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at any Oxfordshire hospitals for three weeks. It puts the county among the best in England, with only 20 per cent of hospital trusts going more than seven days without reporting a fatality from Covid-19. Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), which runs both the John Radcliffe and Banbury’s Horton General, has not announced any new deaths since May 22. NHS England figures show 177 people overall have died in hospital at the Trust since the beginning of the outbreak.

But there is still no room for complacency and as we unlock further, we must all remain vigilant, maintain social distancing, wash our hands regularly and from Monday wear masks when on public transport.

The wild flowers in the Pound are at their tallest and most spectacular right now!

Beryl’s Funeral

Beryl Stevens funeral will take place at 12 noon on Wed 17th June. The funeral cortege will leave the Manor at about 11.50 to drive round the village (tracing Beryl’s usual daily walk), passing the pub, turning right down Cherry Street, then into Cavendish Place and back up Mill Road to the Church for 12 noon.

Let’s line the streets and give her a good send-off.

Plants for Sale in the Limes last Sunday

The plant sale in The Limes was a great success. Thanks go to Paddy for allowing her driveway and lawn to become a temporary garden centre and to Sarah Morley for making the arrangements.

The Red Lion

Renovations continue apace with both the interior and exterior of the pub being extensively renovated. The rear garden area has been opened up to create an even larger space which will be at the heart of the pub when it is allowed to open most likely on 4th July.

Thanks go to those who responded to last weeks’ call for more volunteers to give up a few hours to help with the works. Anyone still wishing to get involved call Tony Jones (Jonesy) on 07836 776973 or let me know.

Stratton Audley Barn Update

As you know Stratton Audley Barn is now open at weekends from Friday through to Sunday. They are serving takeaway coffee, cake and ice cream from 10am-4pm. It is going well and they would like to offer villagers and OAPs a free take away coffee on a Friday morning between 10-11am.

On the 4th July, they plan to offer bench seating in the paddock under parasols and a few Bell tents.  From Monday 15th they will have a limited selection of gifts/cards which can be purchased in the café. There is also now an online shop, www.shop.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk which offers a more extensive selection of items together with Click and Collect and delivery options.

Monday is Nepalese Curry Night once again

George and Bikash will be back in Church Street again this Monday. This week they will be serving a vegetarian/vegan curry and a chicken Karahi (similar to Indian Korma) with momos as normal. So if you haven’t yet tried them this could be the week for you. They will be taking pre-orders from 3pm-5pm and will be open from 4pm until 8pm. Pop by during the afternoon or telephone 07976 455654.

Re-painting the wooden fence in the Playground

The Parish Council has received an offer from the Dewhurst family to repaint the fences in the playground. Rachel Dewhurst was involved in painting the fences the first time around including the lovely colourful murals, so is the perfect person to undertake the restoration work. She also has proposed painting a rainbow on the blank back fence which seems like a great idea.

She will be using a mixture of exterior wood fence paint and gloss paints and whilst the Parish Council will pay for any necessary new paint and brushes, she has suggested that she could use left-over paint that others may have gathering dust in their cupboards. Colours needed are red, white, blue, brown, orange and yellow, either exterior wood paint or gloss paint. Please email Rachel at treehouse0@sky.com and she will arrange collection.

The fun wall Mural that is to be renovated

Restoration of back gate entrance to the Church graveyard

Delighted to report that the back gate entrance to the church graveyard is now open and safe for all to use.

It has been mentioned previously, but thanks go to a small team of village volunteer, headed by Stuart Hopkins, with Paul Roberts, Adam Willmore, Anthony Flack and myself in support. The cost of materials was funded by the Parish Council.

There is a quantity of Oxfordshire brash stone that was excavated when digging out the new path and anyone who would like to take a few pieces for their garden rockery is welcome to do so.

New path laid and brambles and bushes cleared from the wall

The steep steps have been re-laid to be more gradual and easy to negotiate

New hand rails installed, metal gate restored and retaining stone side walls built

Chafor Vineyard Wine Offer

Chafor, our nearest vineyard located at Gawcott is open for visitors with a newly built small open air shop.  They have recently reduced their prices against what is on their website:

Rose £10, Elegance £12, Red Stage £15, Bacchus £14, Vintage Cuvee £28 and Vintage Rose £35.

They also have two summer offers:

Buy any 5 bottles of wine (Mix and match) and get a 6th bottle of Elegance white wine FREE (Saving you £12)*

Buy any 3 bottles of Vintage Cuvee get a 4th Bottle FREE (Saving you £28)*

You can order via email at info@Chafor.co.uk or over the phone

07973892427 or via Facebook messenger or Facebook

PLEASE NOTE

If you have anything you think would be of service to locals in these difficult times please let me know.

 

Coronavirus update no 12 for Stratton Audley

Once again there is no local news regarding Covid 19 apart from a note regarding business funding that we have been asked to circulate by Cherwell District Council which is featured at the end of this note. However there are other matters to report.

Plants for Sale in the Limes on Sunday

A man from Bicester Market known to a few residents, has offered to come to the village on Sunday and set up stall in Paddy’s drive in The Limes, with social distancing measures in place. I am told the plants are good quality and very reasonably priced. This will hopefully be of particular interest to older residents who want to add colour to their gardens but can’t go out to garden centres.

The Red Lion

You have probably noticed the work going on in the Red Lion. With Franks blessing, a number of people organised by Tony Jones have been renovating the pub in readiness for the anticipated lifting of restrictions. The garden area is being transformed as pubs with gardens are likely to be amongst the first to be given the go ahead to re-open in a limited way at the beginning of July.

Tony has asked if anyone would like to volunteer to spruce up the area that fronts onto the road – in particular the notice/menu boards, and the seating needs renovating and re-varnishing. Also if anyone has any hanging baskets that they would like to donate and plant up, it would be very much appreciated. Call Tony on 07836 776973 or let me know.

By improving the look of the pub it will help the village retain it when the brewery is reassessing its viability.

AND DON’T FORGET – Stratton Audley Barn is now open

Stratton Audley Barn is now open at weekends from Friday through to Sunday. They are serving takeaway coffee, cake and ice cream from 10am-4pm. It’s going down very well so please pop along and show your appreciation.

Monday is Nepalese Curry Night once again

The Nepalese food wagon turned out to be a great success last Monday with Lamb curry and Chicken curry selling out fast in addition to the original vegetable curry.

George and Bikash will be back in Church Street again this Monday with the same menu. They will be taking pre-orders from 3pm-5pm and will be open from 4pm until 8pm. See attached menu. Pop by or telephone 07976 455654.

PC Trial Meeting by Zoom

The Parish Council trialled a virtual meeting this past week and all went well. The next meeting will be on July 8th and any member of the public wishing to submit an enquiry or who wishes to join the meeting online should contact the Clerk in advance by email strattonaudley.parishclerk@gmail.co.uk  This will be publicised again.

Beryl’s Funeral

Beryl Stevens funeral will take place at 12 noon on Wed 17th June.  I am pleased to confirm that her nephew Richard and the funeral directors are happy with the plan to drive round the village tracing her usual daily walk.  So after leaving the Manor, the cortege will pass the pub, turn right down Cherry Street, then into Cavendish Place and back up Mill Road to the Church.

Let’s try and line the streets and give her a good send-off.

Extended Hours at Recycling Centers

All seven of Oxfordshire’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) are now open for an extra hour from 8am to 5pm, seven days a week.

Because of the coronavirus, changes have been made to how each HWRC operates to keep services, users and staff safe. Specific rules and restrictions vary by site and everyone is asked to visit the County Council website www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wastereopenquestions before leaving home to avoid unnecessary frustration and delay.

Delays at Ardley hardly ever happen!!!!!

Latest COVID-19 funding pot for business launches

We have been asked to circulate a press release issued on Tuesday re the new discretionary business grants.  They are designed to help those smaller businesses that have not been able to access previous support grants, perhaps because they are too small, rent a bit of space on a farm etc or don’t pay business rates.

Small businesses affected by coronavirus restrictions are encouraged to claim grants of up to £10,000 as the latest round of Government funding is rolled out.

Cherwell District Council is administering the new, discretionary scheme. It targets organisations that were not eligible for the previous grant schemes and which have ongoing property-related costs. Businesses operating in shared workspaces, market traders, small charities, and bed and breakfasts could all benefit. They will need to evidence a significant fall in income due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Cllr Lynn Pratt, lead member for economy, said: “Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and we are working hard to get this fresh grant funding to them at this very challenging time.

“We will be assessing their claims against a clear policy, published on our website, and will be using the discretionary powers entrusted to us by Government to focus support on strategically important businesses that are suffering extreme hardship.

“We have previously issued £22m of funding to small and medium businesses as part of the initial round of Government support. This latest offer is designed for small businesses which weren’t able to claim from that funding pot and I encourage anyone who thinks their organisation might be eligible to visit the council website and find out more.”

The amount a business receives will be dependent on its specific circumstances, up to the maximum amount of £10,000. One focus of this scheme will be on businesses which pay inclusive rents and which do not have their own business rates accounts.

Applications will be accepted from Tuesday 2 June until Sunday 14 June. All applications will be reviewed and decided after the closing date.

Eligibility details, the discretionary grants policy, and the application form are available via this link:

https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/258/ /675/coronavirus-guidance-for-businesses/4

PLEASE NOTE

If you have anything you think would be of service to locals in these difficult times please let me know.