Month: January 2021

Snowmen in the village!

Villagers, exercising and social distancing, in Mill Road last weekend (adapted photo courtesy of Carolyn Goss)

Local COVID-19 Update
Rates of new infections continue to fall in Oxfordshire as a whole, although they are still above the national average.

For those who are interested in more precise information on infections, area by area, the link below is useful:

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

For full details on the rules and regulations visit:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#high-alert

Interest in a Village Allotment

So far about a dozen people have expressed interest in having an allotment in the village. If you are interested and have not responded please do so soon.

The Parish Council has made enquiries of the OCC to establish whether there is any public land bordering the village that could be utilised although none is immediately apparent. Discussions will be held with land owners/farmers to see if any suitable land could be gifted or leased.

Police Consultation on Removal of Front Desks including Bicester

Earlier this month Thames Valley Police launched a public consultation to hear what people think about plans to adapt to the different ways in which people contact the police, to meet the changing needs of the diverse communities served and to make necessary savings.
According to TVP, “the consultation seeks views on a proposed reduction in the number of front counters in the region from 16 to 11, which would save approximately £1.4m. Since March 2020, due to Covid-19, TVP has actually operated with just five of its 16 front counter sites open. The proposal does not affect police officer numbers nor the number of operational police bases, so the public will not experience any difference in officer visibility in our communities”.
If you want to have your say just click on the link here https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/police-forces/thames-valley-police/areas/au/proposed-front-counter-provision/

And when in the site, at the bottom of the page there is a link to a brief survey which will take just a couple of minutes. The consultation ends this Sunday 31st January.

Flooding and Foul Water

An on-site meeting was held with an executive from Cherwell District Council this week to consider ways to alleviate flooding in Mill Road from a combination of surface water and the stream running under the road. Ideas were discussed and a report is to be prepared.

Foul water flooding continues to affect a number of properties in Mill Road and Launton Road where manhole covers are lifting and sewage seeping out.

Thames Water have had pumping vehicles on site and accept that the situation is unacceptable. Their engineers maintain that the pumping station and the pipes leading to and from it are adequate for the size for the village and that water ingress through damages pipes is a key source of the problem. Camera survey work has been undertaken over the last year with some successes but it seems unlikely to be the root cause of the persistent problems.

The Parish Council has therefore asked for the matter to be taken to a higher level and suggested that an independent engineering consultant should be brought in to provide a fresh view.

East West Rail Local Update

The Bicester Road that leads to Marsh Gibbon from the crossroads at Billy Evans farm remains closed. A further works order has been published showing that the road will be closed again from 11 February until 12 March in order to demolish the existing railway bridge.

EWR have also issued a new closure notice for the Bicester Road at Launton (the main road from Launton to Bicester) which will now be closed for some two months from 08/02/2021 to 01/04/2021 for bridge replacement works.

Looking further ahead, Station Road from the crossroads at Billy Evans leading to Launton, will be closed for nearly a year from 03 March 2021 to 22 April 2022.

Tree Planting

A few more residents have confirmed their support for tree planting next to roads leading to and from the village. More information as to how to go about this is being gathered and the idea is being investigated further.

Shelswell Parishes Church Service

There will be the usual 10am service on Sunday morning which will be available on-line. Find it on Facebook Shelswell News Group or YouTube Shelswell Parishes channel. It will actually have been recorded (rather than livestream) to try and get round some of the technical issues they have been having with the signal needed for livestream.

Grit Bins for Village Use

Just another reminder with temperatures falling to below zero, that there are three yellow grit bins located in the village as shown below. These are not locked and are there to be used by residents as required. Someone in Cherry Street has recently put some grit on the pavements and the road which is to be applauded.

 Collection Point for disposal of Ink Jet cartridges

Please continue to pop your ink jet cartridges into the basket in the Glen Close bus shelter.  Please don’t drop larger toner cartridges off as these are not recycled by the RSPB. If you are not sure if your cartridges are suitable for recycling, you can contact Rachel Dewhurst by email at treehouse0@sky.com

Local COVID-19 Update
Rates of new infection are now falling although the County is still above the national average. Public Health England also revealed there were 254 new coronavirus cases in Oxfordshire in the 24 hours leading up to 9am yesterday 21^st January. These are the latest cases:

• Oxford – 73
• South Oxfordshire – 42
• West Oxfordshire – 10
• Cherwell – 93
• Vale of White Horse – 36
• Oxfordshire Total – 254
• South East – 4,987
• England – 34,371

For those who are interested in more precise information on infections, area by area, the link below is useful:

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

For full details on the rules and regulations visit:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#high-alert

Volunteering to Help at Bicester Motion Vaccine Centre

Don’t forget that the three GP health centres that are running the vaccine operation at Bicester Motion would be pleased to hear from anyone, as they need a large pool of volunteers to call upon for support in the months ahead.

There are a range of duties from car park marshalling, check-in, data entry and patient marshalling inside the building. Volunteers should email the Operations Support Manager, NHS Volunteers, at Montgomery House Surgery at bicester.nhsvolunteers@nhs.net

Allotments

Local resident Charlie Trousdell has asked the Parish Council to investigate the feasibility of creating a community allotment. This is a subject that has come up on a number of occasions over the last decade, but on previous occasions  there has been insufficient interest to take the matter forward. However times change and the Parish Council are keen to establish whether there is now an appetite for the growing of your own food to be palatable! (pun)

So before looking into where this might be located and how it could be funded through a land purchase or lease agreement, we are asking everyone to express their views and tell us whether you personally would like to participate in its development. Simply reply to this email or drop a note to the Parish Clerk strattonaudleyparishclerk@gmail.com

Matters Arising in the Virtual Parish Council Meeting on 6^th January

For those who do not read the Minutes on the Parish Notice Board or website (www.strattonaudley.org), here are a few matters covered at our recent meeting. These meetings are open to all even in these video conferencing days. You just have to send a request to the clerk at the email address above.

Playground inspection report

The Parish Council noted that a recent safety inspection of the playground had indicated some minor work needing attention. It agreed that the required work should be carried out and in particular the three buddleias in the playground should be cut back.

Village bus service

The Parish Council has been made aware of proposals to end the current service through the village. In discussions with OCC, the best option would appear to be to provide a service with its COMET operation which will be available again once the current lockdown is lifted. The Parish Council will investigate financial support options and in the meantime the Comet “Dial a Ride” service for individual journeys is available and has been advertised to the village.

Great Wolf Application Chesterton

The Parish Council agreed to support Chesterton in its opposition to this development, on the basis that it was not in accordance with CDC’s Development Plan. In the words of our District and County Councillor, Ian Corkin “As well as the very considerable impacts a wholly car dependant 500 room resort/hotel (with 900 car parking spaces!) on the villages in the immediate vicinity,  there is a very important principle at stake about large scale development in countryside that lies outside the 2031 local plan.  It would leave all of our communities open to very large speculative developments, something the local plan is meant to protect rural areas from”.

Village Activities 2021

The Parish Council agreed to consider options for a village community event in the late summer/early autumn 2021, assuming Government guidance allows it. In the meantime to support an Easter trail on similar lines to the much appreciated Halloween and Christmas Elves trails.

Tree planting

A resident has asked the Parish Council to consider planting trees in the Parish in accordance with the Prince of Wales’ current initiative. Noting that this was on the Agenda, another resident attended to discuss how such an initiative could be developed. The Parish Council owns little land itself so this would need to be supported by local land owners. The council agreed that options should be explored further. Other interested parties should make themselves known.

Shelswell Parishes Church Service

There will be the usual 10am service on Sunday morning which will be available on-line. Find it on Facebook Shelswell News Group or YouTube Shelswell Parishes channel. It will actually have been recorded (rather than livestream) to try and get round some of the technical issues they have been having with the signal needed for livestream.

Grit Bins for village use

Just another reminder with temperatures falling to below zero, it is perhaps worth pointing out, particularly for newer residents, that there are three yellow grit bins located in the village as shown below. These are not locked and are there to be used by residents as required.

OCC does send a gritter lorry in severe weather conditions but it prioritises main roads, so our roads can remain slippery for longer. Please feel free to take your shovel and spread grit on the pavement or road outside your premises. Every little bit helps and everyone will benefit.

East West Rail Local Update

The Bicester Road that leads to Marsh Gibbon from the crossroads at Billy Evans farm remains closed and is now due to open on 17/02/2021. However this is subject to change as there are works that may need to be conducted that may result in this closure being extended.

EWR have issued a new closure notice for the Bicester Road at Launton (the main road from Launton to Bicester) which will now be closed for some two months from 08/02/2021 to 01/04/2021 for bridge replacement works. This may result in more traffic through our village but spare a thought for those in Launton who are much more directly affected.

Local Milk

Just a repeat from last week, that Will & Abi Lambourne who run Townsend Farm in Marsh Gibbon, are selling fresh organic milk direct from their farm.

Their location is Townsend Farm, Townsend, Marsh Gibbon OX27 0EY. For more details see their Facebook Page ‘The Milk Churn’ or call them on 07369 236928.

Another company that delivers milk to your door that you might want to check out, is Milk & More: www.milkandmore.co.uk They offer a convenient service and already have several customers in the village.

Collection Point for disposal of Ink Jet cartridges

Please continue to pop your ink jet cartridges into the basket in the Glen Close bus shelter.  Please don’t drop larger toner cartridges off as these are not recycled by the RSPB. If you are not sure if your cartridges are suitable for recycling, you can contact Rachel Dewhurst by email at treehouse0@sky.com

All the best

Local COVID-19 Update
Rates of infection in the immediate area and across the County as a whole are down from last week but are still well above the average for England.

For those who are interested in more precise information on infections, area by area, the link below is useful:

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

For full details on the rules and regulations visit:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#high-alert

Volunteering to Help at Bicester Motion Vaccine Centre

As you know the vaccine centre at Bicester Motion (Bicester Heritage) is in full swing and they have been inundated with volunteers to help. Maybe some people from Stratton Audley have already signed-up to help but if not, the centre would be pleased to hear from you as they need a large core group of volunteers to call upon for the weeks ahead.

There are a range of duties from Car Park Marshal, check in, data entry and patient marshalling inside the building. Volunteers will just need to complete the attached form, or alternatively email the Operations Support Manager, NHS Volunteers, at Montgomery House Surgery at bicester.nhsvolunteers@nhs.net

Thames Valley Alert-Action Fraud

As of 7 January 2021, Action Fraud had received 57 reports from members of the public who have been sent text messages claiming to be from the NHS, offering them the opportunity to sign up for coronavirus vaccinations. The texts ask the recipient to click on a link which takes them to an online form where they are prompted to input personal and financial details.

Action Fraud say that if you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726, which is free of charge.
If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

East West Rail Local Update

An update from EWR was due today regarding road closures towards Marsh Gibbon and the safety audit of the Stratton Audley Park Road junction with the A4421 but these have been delayed and will be included in next week’s newsletter.

Shelswell Parishes Church Service

There will be the usual 10am service on Sunday morning which will be available on line. Find it on Facebook Shelswell News Group or YouTube Shelswell Parishes channel. It will actually have been recorded (rather than livestream) to try and get round some of the technical issues they have been having with the signal needed for livestream.

Local Milk

Just a repeat from last week, that Will & Abi Lambourne who run Townsend Farm in Marsh Gibbon, are selling fresh organic milk direct from their farm. Situated just inside the farm gates in the village, there are two self-service vending machines, one dispensing one litre of organic milk and another allowing people to buy a one litre reusable glass bottle.

They are open 7 days a week; from 7am to 7pm. Both cash and contactless card payment is available. Their location is Townsend Farm, Townsend, Marsh Gibbon OX27 0EY. For more details see their Facebook Page ‘The Milk Churn’ or call them on 07369 236928.

Another company that delivers milk to your door that you might want to check out, is Milk & More: www.milkandmore.co.uk  They offer a convenient service and already have several customers in the village.

Collection Point for disposal of Ink Jet cartridges

Please continue to pop your ink jet cartridges into the basket in the Glen Close bus shelter.  Please don’t drop larger toner cartridges off as these are not recycled by the RSPB. If you are not sure if your cartridges are suitable for recycling, you can contact Rachel Dewhurst by email at treehouse0@sky.com

Thanks for the Christmas lights

In my enthusiasm to thank those involved for helping with the Christmas tree and lights, I omitted to thank Simon Goss for his considerable help in putting it up and safely securing it to withstand the wind and rain.

Happy New Year and thank you for the numerous messages of support received with regard to this newsletter.  Over the months I have been surprised by the number of people who say they appreciate the details provided and enjoy reading the updates. The Newsletter aims to provide information that has come from others and apologies if occasionally there has been too much detail.

With the commencement of a new year it is perhaps useful to reflect on the purpose of the newsletter. It started with the arrival of Coronavirus, outlining our emergency plans and actions to be taken and was a substitute for the Parish Council’s usual method of door-drop leaflet communication. It is intended to be helpful and supportive to the community, to provide information on relevant local services and outline issues that affect us locally. Each service, whether commercial or otherwise, is assessed by the Parish Council prior to its inclusion bearing in mind the degree to which it is of benefit to residents particularly in these exceptional times.

With regard to Coronavirus, many people watch the news and take on board all the relevant points but others don’t, and continue to say that they rely on the newsletter for their Covid updates and guidance. Going forward less needs to be said.

The newsletter remains our best way of keeping in touch but not everyone is on the mailing list. So if you come across someone who would like their name added please let me know. Equally, anyone who does not wish to receive the newsletter anymore should email me to be deleted.

Local COVID-19 Update
Rates continue to rise in the area and are still well above the average for England. In Cherwell for the seven days to 2^nd January, the total number of recorded cases was 1369, up from 666 (93%) from the previous week.

For those who are interested in more precise information on infections, area by area, the link below is useful:

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

For full details on the rules and regulations visit:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#high-alert

On a positive note, the new vaccine centre at Bicester Motion is fully functional and a number of residents from Stratton have already received their first jab.

Covid-19 Volunteer List

Although everyone is supporting and keeping an eye out for each other, attached once again is the list of volunteers prepared early last year detailing those throughout the parish who are prepared to help.

Our Playground

In the last newsletter reference was made to information supplied by the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils regarding outside recreation centres stating: ‘Parks, public open spaces etc. stay open for exercise (not recreation) this includes playgrounds but outdoor sports such as tennis, golf and swimming pools etc. are to close, as should outdoor gyms’. One or two people asked for clarification on what ‘not recreation’ meant and whether our playground would remain open.

The answer is that our playground is and will remain open whilst it is safe to do so. Having double checked with OALC, it means what it indicates. That playgrounds should be used for the exercise of children (which is acceptable) and not to have a social gathering with others adults or children, and that the rule of no more than two people exercising together applies unless they are part of your bubble.

The Parish Council has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that our playground complies with national guidelines with signage reminding users to maintain social distancing and also providing hand sanitizer for all to use. As an unsupervised area it is for all users to consider the risks associated with using the facilities in the playground.

Live Streaming Only of Church Services

Under the new lockdown, the advice from the Diocese at this time is that whilst churches continue to be open, live streaming of services is to be encouraged. Alice has therefore confirmed that the service for this Sunday will be live streamed only. It will go out live at 10 am on Sunday on Facebook – Shelswell News group page – and you can join it then or at any time after. It will then be uploaded to YouTube – Shelswell Parishes, and it should be available by 12 noon at the latest.

Also, please note that the short reflective service on Monday has been moved back to 12 noon – Thursday.  This also goes out on Facebook – Shelswell News group.

Baubles

On behalf of the Church, Alex Smith would like to thank all those that hung baubles and decorations in the church porch. There were some lovely designs and messages. These have been taken down before twelfth night, but will be left in the porch until Monday 11th to allow for keepsakes to be taken as desired. If children/parents do not want them back, they will be safely stored for likely use next year.

Advent Window Competition Answers

There was no-one who managed to get all the answers correct, but well done to the Goss Family who got the most right!

Stratton Audley Barn

Richard and Sarah have decided that with the present situation in the country, they feel it is not the right time to open the takeaway café and so it will remain closed until further notice.

Village Bus Service

As previously advised there is no longer to be a once-a-day bus service through Stratton Audley into Bicester. Under discussion for when lockdown is lifted is the introduction of a once-a-week Mini Bus scheduled service operated by Comet.

In the meantime Comet operate a dial-a-ride service for those that require transport for medical or essential shopping. There is a cost of 75p per mile which works out at under £5 for a round trip into Bicester, which is cheaper than a taxi both ways. The service operates Monday to Friday between the hours of 10am and 2pm.  Should anyone require further information or wish to make a booking please contact the Comet team on 01865 323201.

Local Milk

Will Lambourne and his wife Abi who run Townsend Farm in Marsh Gibbon (4^th generation), have recently started a business selling fresh organic milk direct from their farm. Called The Milk Churn and situated just inside the farm gates in the village, there are two self-service vending machines, one dispensing one litre of organic milk and another allowing people to buy a one litre reusable glass bottle. They also have 12 flavoured milkshake syrups available some include chocolate, strawberry and butterscotch.

They are open 7 days a week; from 7am to 7pm. Both cash and contactless card payment is available. Their location is Townsend Farm, Townsend, Marsh Gibbon OX27 0EY. For more details see their Facebook Page ‘The Milk Churn’ or call them on 07369 236928.

Another company that delivers milk to your door that you might want to check out, is Milk & More : www.milkandmore.co.uk They offer a convenient service and already have several customers in the village.

Giving a Helping Hand to Spread Grit in the village

Three yellow grit bins are located in the village, as shown below. These are not locked and are there to be used by residents as required. OCC does send a gritter lorry in severe weather conditions but it prioritises main routes so our roads can remain treacherous for longer. The Parish Council are keen to encourage everyone who is able to take a shovel and spread grit on the pavements or roads nearby or wherever you see slippery conditions. Every little bit helps and everyone will benefit.

EWR Local Disruption

Just another reminder that the road that leads to Marsh Gibbon beyond the crossroads remains closed until 15^th January. And Station Road from the same point is also subject to some disruption, so best to avoid if you can.

The County Council are carrying out a road safety audit with EWR at the junction of the SA Park Road with the A4421, this Monday 9^th January, to address safety concerns raised by residents, and outcomes will be published.

Collection Point for disposal of Ink Jet cartridges

Please continue to pop your ink jet cartridges into the basket in the Glen Close bus shelter.  Please don’t drop larger toner cartridges off as these are not recycled by the RSPB. If you are not sure if your cartridges are suitable for recycling, you can contact Rachel Dewhurst by email at reehouse0@sky.com

Thanks for the Christmas lights

Thanks to the Hill family at Pound House for providing power to light up the tree in The Pound and to the Papenfus family at The Green for electricity to light the village Christmas tree. Also thanks to Jeremy Adams for putting the tree up with help from Richard Howson and then adding the lights.