May 2021 – Stratton Audley Parish Council

News Update no 64, May 28th

May 28, 2021 by John

Celebrate the Bank Holiday Weekend in the Village!

Have you been to the pub yet to say hello to the new manager Gus and his lovely partner Virginia?

At the moment the pub will be open 5 days a week – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4pm – 11pm, and Saturday and Sunday, noon till 11pm.

However as it’s a Bank holiday on Monday the pub will also be open from noon until 11pm on Monday. On Saturday they’ll be serving pie and mash in the evening, on Sunday a full roast and on Monday its just snacks.

Staffing the pub is now the priority so please do get in touch if you are interested with Gus or Dillie – gusrevans@gmail.com or dilliedarling@gmail.com

Wedding Bells in the Village this Saturday!

It’s great to see things getting back to normal and Robert & Jill Harper can finally hold the wedding for their daughter that has been delayed due to Covid. Emma is marrying Alex Keeble in the church on Saturday at 2pm. Afterwards, circa 3pm, they will be having a photo session in The Pound. So listen out for the bells of celebration and if you are out and about, give them a wave to wish them well for the future.

Bank Holiday Monday Night with Mitra’s Persian Food

Last Monday was a washout for Mitra because of the rain. However she is still keen to come to the village and this Bank Holiday Monday, she’ll be back selling her tasty Persian food from 5pm to 7pm. Just turn up on the night or order by texting her in advance during Monday on 07444 364789.

Stratton Audley Barn

The coffee shop is now open with indoor seating, so whether it is Brunch or Lunch, Coffee or Cake, Milkshake or Ice Cream, there is something to tempt everyone. Sit in comfort wherever you choose, inside the cafe, under the marquee or in the adjacent green paddock. Indoor and undercover tables are limited, so call in advance to book on 01869 278184. For more information on www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk or Facebook Stratton Audley Barn

Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

EWR Road Closures

The most important reminder concerns the Stratton Audley Park Road which will be closed all this weekend from Saturday morning for remedial work to the junction, road surface, signage and verges. This will be from the A4421 all the way along the road, past the Godington turn off. Access for residents and deliveries only.

The Church

Does anyone have a glass Vat for Noccino making, that they would be happy to lend to the church for an event that is being planned? If so please contact Alice via email alicegoodall313@gmail.com

The Shelswell Group of Church Parishes runs a children’s holiday club in the summer and they are hoping people will register their children. Details below:

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

Covid-19 Update

The Government’s ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England, can be found via this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary

All the best

John

N.B. No newsletter next week

News Update no 63. Red Lion Re-Opens.

May 21, 2021 by John

Dear All

I am taking a break from the usual news updates this week, however, there are a couple of items to draw your attention to: The Red Lion and the Bicester Motion Planning Application.

Let the Celebrations Commence with the Opening of the Red Lion Today!

Delighted to see that the p8ub is open and a great crowd turned out to visit on the first evening. To start with, the pub will be open 5 days a week – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4pm – 11pm, and Saturday and Sunday, noon till 11pm. Do pop in and meet Gus Evans who is going to manage the pub.

Staffing the pub is now the priority so please do get in touch if you are interested with Gus or Dillie. gusrevans@gmail.com or dilliedarling@gmail.com.

Hedge Row on Bicester Road owned by Bicester Motion

I’d just like to extend the Parish Councils thanks to Bicester Motion for responding promptly to our request to cut back the hedge row and vegetation on this stretch of the Bicester Road leading up to the A4421. It has not been done for many years and has concerned some motorists and cyclist and added to the safety issue for pedestrians walking along in the road. Thank you.

Bicester Motion Plans for the Automotive Experience

As previously mentioned Bicester Motion has submitted a planning application for its Experience Centre, ref: 21/01224/OUT. You can view this application and supporting documents at the District Website: https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/21/01224/OUT.

The Parish Council has reviewed this application and reproduced below is the proposed response to be sent to the Cherwell District Planning Officer.

The PC supports the application whilst identifying a number of concerns related to additional traffic congestion, road safety and noise.

Please study the proposals for yourself and send in your own comments, positive and negative, direct to the CDC planning department. The current deadline for comments is this coming Thursday, 27^th May.

Parish Council Response to the Bicester Motion Automotive Experience planning application 21/01224/OUT

Stratton Audley Parish Council has reviewed the application for the Experience Centre and is generally supportive of the plans put forward. Although the application is for Outline planning permission, it is clear that much time and effort has gone into the thinking behind the plans and if they are developed as envisaged, it will help to ensure the continued viability of Bicester Motion as a major centre of leisure facilities as well as technical expertise in the automotive sector. It is in this spirit of support and cooperation that we would like the following concerns to be given serious consideration.

Stratton Audley is the closest rural village to Bicester Motion and less than 1 mile from the new development. The proposed site is located right next to a currently difficult and dangerous junction where the Bicester Road that leads to the village meets the A4421. Our concerns fall broadly into three areas:

Road safety particularly for cars, pedestrians and cyclists
Increased traffic congestion
Noise generated by test and track side events
Increased air traffic surrounding the village

Road Safety & Increased Traffic Congestion

We accept that the whole area is going to become more congested once the Experience Centre is open to the public in perhaps four years’ time and we support any Highways improvements to the main A4421;
Prior to this, the build process will also bring its challenges and ensuring that all site traffic only uses the main entrance is one way to reduce congestion at the Bicester road junction, so this condition needs to be built into any agreement;
The A4421 at this particular point where it intersects with the junction with the Bicester road leading to Stratton Audley is already a dangerous pinch point, so with increased traffic especially large delivery vehicles using the secondary service entrance in the Bicester Road, it will quickly turn into a black spot. We accept that there are no significant Highway statistics to support this in terms of accidents, but this is because local people who ride bikes or like to walk, tend to avoid this part of the road;
We believe that the A4421 over a short 300 yard section leading up to the junction with Bicester Road needs widening and a right hand filter included and would ask OCC Highways to insist upon improvements to this stretch of road as a priority measure;
We seek assurances that all work to the road infrastructure is carried out and completed in advance of the commencement of works within the site, since both the A4421 and the Bicester Road will become more dangerous in the building phase (with construction traffic and service vehicles) prior to any congestion caused by increased numbers of visitors;
In order to establish current vehicle movements, we ask that a traffic volume measure test is set up on the Bicester Road. This data can be compared to data captured in 2014/15 when traffic volumes were last measured on the same road. This we believe will demonstrate to what extent volumes have increase in a five year period;
We also believe that traffic calming measures must be introduced such as a lowering of the speed limit to at least 40mph on A4421 from the main roundabout up to the Stratton Audley turning.

Cycle and Pedestrian Safety

Safety for walkers and cyclists along the Bicester Road from the village will become more problematic unless a dedicated access route is built and extended to the new Bicester Motion footpath on the A4421 by the main site entrance.
Reference is made in several of the submission documents to pedestrian and cycle routes surrounding the site and providing good connections with neighbouring residential areas, but this is only true in the direction towards Bicester and not to the north and north east of the site which leads out to open countryside and villages;
Central to the outline approval should be that adequate protection is provided for pedestrians and cyclists in the area who are badly served at the moment and this development will only worsen the situation;
We have long campaigned for a cycle path to be included at the Bicester Road junction, as the A4421 is already inaccessible to most pedestrians and cyclist at this point and we feel there is a need for greater clarity as to how this is going to be achieved by both Bicester Motion and OCC Highways;
There is the possibility that pedestrians and cyclists could avoid venturing onto the A4421, if there is open access to the Experience Centre which would mean that internal roads/paths could be used to access the main dual use path that Bicester motion plan to build from the Main entrance along the A4421 in the direction of Bicester. This would be an acceptable solution but would need open access to be included as a condition of development;
If this is not thought to be feasible then provision for a cycle/pedestrian path alongside the perimeter fence from the main entrance on the A4421 to the service entrance on the Bicester Road should form part of the plans;
There is also a public footpath that runs through part of the proposed development from the direction of the village and we understand provision to re-route this will form part of future plans when the Wilderness area is developed. However we do not think this is acceptable and ask for this to be rightly built into this current application;
The most logical route for this will be to re-route the ROW and run it parallel to the Bicester Road behind the hedge row and between the proposed 4×4 track, up against the perimeter fence. We maintain that it should be made into a shared use path and extend up to the secondary service access entrance at the top of Bicester Road.

Noise from Trackside Events and Increased Aircraft Activity

One of the big issues that has frequently been raised by residents in the past, concerns that of noise coming from the existing site, since on event days, when the wind is blowing towards the village sound can easily be heard;
We appreciate that noise impact assessments have been carried out on and at the perimeter of the site, but question the limited assessments that they have provided since they are concentrated on the site and in the immediate vicinity of Caversfield. These tests were nevertheless heard in Stratton Audley which is three-quarters of a mile away;
We believe it should be possible to set up sound monitors further away and feel that additional tests are most important. We would ask for this to form part of further investigations with monitors situated on the border with the village Conservation Area before any final decisions are made with regard to noises levels that will determine acceptability;
We understand that there are no plans for building sound barriers as these are not proved to be effective and so wonder what supplementary measures could be employed, in order to mitigate against higher sound volumes at certain times;
We accept that there are bound to be increased aircraft numbers but would expect there to be limits placed on numbers and types of aircraft. What provision is being made in this area?
We would like clarification on aircraft circuit patterns in the skies over and around the village as there have been some infringements in the past which have been unacceptable;
We also seek reassurance that the re-configuration of the landing and take-off field into two strips of grass runway, will not result in aircraft being directed over the village in such a pattern that does not exist at the moment.

Bicester Motion Master Plan

Bicester Motion are aware of some confusion amongst members of the public with regard to what this application covers and have subsequently issued a clearer plan, which is helpful. However we question why outline planning permission is not sought for the whole site rather than the piecemeal applications that we see and feel this should be considered by the planning authority.

End

News Update no 62, May 14th

May 14, 2021 by John

Time to come out of the shadows?

New Parish Councillors Wanted – Could this be You?

We need new people on the Parish Council to broaden our demographics to reflect those of the community as a whole. Surely there must be one or two people, perhaps new in the village, who are willing to put their names forward? We recognise that everyone is busy or has other commitments but it is not a particularly arduous job if enough people share the responsibilities.

A Councillor is required to attend meetings once a month and in time perhaps take on a responsibility for a particular area or interest. Meetings usually last 2 hours and are generally light-hearted and informative! Why not observe a meeting to see what you think?

No prior experience is necessary. All you really need is an interest in local issues and things which affect residents, and the desire and willingness to play a part in the community. Contact John Honsinger on 278 000 or email jhonsinger@btconnect.com or the Clerk on strattonaudley.parishcouncil@gmail.com

Red Lion Re Opening Friday 21^st May

Dillie has sent me the following note which explains what is happening with the opening of the pub:

“Dillie and John are nervously delighted to say that they are finally opening the pub on 21st May. Sorry if people are disappointed that it isn’t opening on 17th with all the other pubs, but there’s so much to do! To start with, the pub will be open 5 days a week – – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4pm – 11pm, and Saturday and Sunday, noon till 11pm. This will be the regime until it’s clear how things are going. A great Kiwi guy is going to manage the pub for us – called Gus Evans, he’s been in pub management for a long time and just happened to be looking for a pub in the area when the Red Lion needed a manager. There will be a few changes, obviously, but nothing radical. And we will of course be mindful about the current Covid regulations.

Staffing the pub is now the priority so please do get in touch if you are interested – and if you know of anyone who’s not on this mailing list who might be interested, do let them know! And a chef would be nice too…. If you are interested, please contact gusrevans@gmail.com or dilliedarling@gmail.com.

And the team would be hugely grateful if anyone could pitch up on Monday to help with the big spring clean!”

Monday Night with Mitra’s Persian Food

Mitra will be selling her tasty Persian food in the village from 5pm to 7pm this Monday. Just turn up on the night or orders text her in advance during Monday on 07444 364789.

Stratton Audley Barn

Delighted to announce that the coffee shop will be open for indoor seating from Tuesday 18th adding to the existing options. Whether it is Brunch or Lunch, Coffee or Cake, Milkshake or Ice Cream. Sit in comfort wherever you choose, inside our cafe, under cover of our marquee or in the beautiful green paddock. Indoor and undercover tables are limited, so call all to book on 01869 278184. For more information on www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk or Facebook Stratton Audley Barn

Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

EWR Road Closures

For the latest notices regarding closures and works on local road please see the attached PDF from East West Rail.

The issue with the resident who suffered the tyre blow-out on the Stratton Audley Park Road near Godington is currently being resolved.

Bicester Motion Plans for the Automotive Experience

As you will now know Bicester Motion has submitted a planning application for its Experience Centre, ref: 21/01224/OUT. You can view this application and supporting documents at the District Website: https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/21/01224/OUT.

The Parish Council has this matter under review and will be circulating its formal response to all residents before the end of the month. Points of concern relate to noise levels; additional traffic congestion with a second access road being opened up near the Bicester Road junction with the A4421; road safety concerns on the Bicester Road and A4421 corner, linked to the apparent lack of a cycle and pedestrian route at this point.

Everyone is encouraged to study the proposals and send in their own comments direct to CDC.

The current deadline for comments is 27^th May.

A Local Live Staged Production of the Mikado – 3rd to 5th June

The Bicester Choral & Operatic Society is presenting a very innovative staged version of the Mikado, and village resident Tim Lane, who is a member, has asked for a little publicity.

Tickets are easy to book online. Full details are at www.bcoswesing.org.uk

If you have any questions, Tim is happy for you to call him on 277 523.

Finally a chance to go to a live local event!

Annual Meeting of the Parish

The Annual meeting of the Parish will be held on July 7^th in the church. This is a meeting organised by the Parish Council on behalf of the whole community. It is a chance for those who wish to speak about any relevant subjects to do so in a public forum. There will be more publicity about this but please:

SAVE THE DATE – ANNUAL MEETING of the PARISH, WEDNESDAY 7^th July, 8PM, The Parish Church.

Stratton Audley Church

The Church is once again open during the day for private prayer and reflection. It is no longer necessary to book for services, though masks and hand sanitising will still be required and social distancing will be strictly observed.

The next monthly Muddy Church (Stoke Lyne Churchyard, not Stoke Lyne Road) get together is this coming Sunday on 16th May.

You can find all the details of services in the benefice on the website www.shelswellparishes.info

Other previously reported matters

East West Rail Advanced Road Closure Notices

Stratton Audley Park Road from the crossroads with Mill Lane to the junction with the A4421

A temporary Notice is being made by East West Rail Alliance to implement the temporary closures and will operate from the 29 May 2021 up to and including the 30 May 2021 whilst HS2 works are carried out.

Stratton Audley Park Road from the Mill Lane crossroad to Poundon.

Subsequently there will be a further temporary closure of the road that leads in the opposite direction to Poundon from 5 June 2021 up to and including 6 June 2021

The diversion route will be Mill Road-Launton Road-Main Street and vice versa

Further information regarding the works may be obtained from East West Rail website, contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or phone 0330 1340067

Additionally, you should have received notification by Network Rail of weekend closures on the same road between Godington and Poundon which run from 8^th May until 23^rd May, from 7am to 6pm.

Finally, a reminder that Station Road (from the crossroads with Launton Road) that leads to Launton is now closed and will remain so for about a year.

East West Rail 2^nd Non Statutory Consultation

The closing date for the public consultation on the next stage od development is 9 June 2021. You can share your views using the online feedback form available on their website at www.eastwestrail.co.uk, by emailing your comments to them at consultation@eastwestrail.co.uk or writing via FREEPOST East West Rail.
Alternatively, for further information you can call 0330 134 0067.

New FREE Bus Service Exclusively for the village

Please don’t forget to try the free bus service into Bicester which is now in operation two times a week on Tuesday and Thursday.

If we want to keep the service it is important that it is used regularly so please spread the word particularly to your neighbours who may not receive this newsletter.

Pick up in Stratton Audley

10:46 – Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close

10:49 – Bus Stop Bicester Road

Drop off

11:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester

Pick Up in Bicester

1:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester

Drop Off

1:10 – Opposite Bus Stop Bicester Road

1:14 – Opposite Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close

Resurfacing of Launton Road

The major resurfacing works that were postponed last year have now been scheduled in for August (provisionally 9/8/21). The works to Launton Road & Church Street will result in the closure of the roads except for access and this will be done in sections.

OCC are very aware of the dangerous state of parts of the Launton Road and interim interventions will be required before August. Fixmystreet is still the best way for all of us to report any matter (not just potholes) to do with Highways https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk

Calling All “Baby Lambs”

For those who are new to the village and have a baby who isn’t yet mobile, Little Lambs has started up again with “Baby Lambs”.

Although for the moment restrictions limit what can be done, the organiser’s would love to see you. It is every Wednesday in the Stratton Audley Church from 10am – 10.45am (Term Time)

Contact Jen Iddon via jeniddoncfw@gmail.com

Collection Point for Disposal of Ink Jet Cartridges

Covid-19 Update

The next stage of the Governments unlocking takes place this Monday which is great news.

The Government’s ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England, can be found via this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary

News Update no 61, 7th May

May 10, 2021 by John

View from the Church Tower!

The Parish Council held its last official monthly meeting by Zoom this week. Virtual meetings are no longer legal, and face-to-face meetings are to be reintroduced. The first of these will be on July 7^th in the church. The Annual meeting of the Parish will also be held on the same evening. This is a meeting organised by the Parish Council on behalf of the whole community. It is a chance for those who wish to speak about any relevant subjects to do so in a public forum. There will be more publicity about this but please:

SAVE THE DATE – ANNUAL MEETING of the PARISH, WEDNESDAY 7^th July, 8PM, The Parish Church.

The meeting held this week was the Annual Parish Council Meeting at which the Chairman and Vice Chairman were re-elected for another year (they weren’t given much choice!!) and all other Councillors agreed to continue as members. Marking the passing of another statutory year brings into focus all the hard work Councillors put in to helping run the village as volunteers without pay or expenses. Most of the current councillors have served for many years and cannot be expected to carry on forever so we need fresh faces to come forward. The experience can be rewarding and right now there is a vacancy which needs to be filled, so please consider putting your name forward. No prior experience is necessary. Contact the Chairman or the Clerk on strattonaudley.parishcouncil@gmail.com

Covid-19 Update

Under the third stage of the Government’s road map for easing coronavirus restrictions, foreign holidays will be permitted through a new traffic light system.

At a Downing Street press conference this evening, transport secretary Grant Shapps announced there will be 12 “green” countries that people in England can visit from 17 May without needing to quarantine on their return. Countries on the green list are headed by Portugal including the Azores and Madeira, Iceland, Israel, Gibraltar, Singapore, Brunei, the sunny Falkland’s and Faroe Islands, and finally Australia and New Zealand (who won’t let us in at the moment).

A review of the green, amber and red lists is set for 28 June.

The Government’s ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England, can be found via this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary

EWR Road Closure Cancelled this weekend

Please be advised that the repairs and resurfacing works planned for this weekend on Stratton Audley Road, Poundon have been postponed due to weather conditions, so the road will be open all weekend.

A resident of the village suffered a tyre blow-out today when passing another car on the Stratton Audley Park Road near Godington and hitting a deep lorry tyre track on the edge of the road. This matter is being reported to EWR and compensation is being sought, since the verges on this stretch of the road are in an appalling state and are due to be repaired. Please be aware of the danger presented by these verges.

Monday Night with Mitra’s Persian Food

Sorry to anyone who wanted Persian food on Bank Holiday Monday. Mitra turned up but the rain and wind was so bad could not set up and guessed very few people would venture out.

She’s back this Monday (providing the weather is OK) at the usual junction in the centre of the village from about 5pm until dusk. For orders text her in advance during Monday on 07444 364789 and collection from 5-7pm.

A Local Live Staged Production of the Mikada – 3rd to 5th June

The Bicester Choral & Operatic Society is presenting a very innovative staged version of the Mikado, and village resident Tim Lane, who is a member, has asked for a little publicity.

Tickets are easy to book online. Full details are at www.bcoswesing.org.uk

If you have any questions, Tim is happy for you to call him on 277 523.

Finally a chance to go to a live local event!

Wedding Invitation Mystery

Rebecca Paton-Williamson in the Manor has received a letter from Scotland to someone in this village. It is marked ‘wedding invitation’ so is important.

The post code is for Mill Road. Can anyone identify who it might be for?

Bicester Motion Plans for the Automotive Experience

Bicester Motion has submitted a planning application for its Experience Centre, ref: 21/01224/OUT. You can view this application and supporting documents at the District Website: https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/21/01224/OUT.

The current deadline for comments is currently 27^th May.

Oxford County Council is also being consulted and any comments regarding County Highway matters should also be sent to them at planningconsultations@oxfordshire.gov.uk .

Stratton Audley Barn

The Barn gift shop is now open as well as the café from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Offering outside seating in the open or in the marquee for breakfast, lunch, coffee, cake and home-made ice cream. Booking for lunch is recommended. All of these activities are conducted under the latest Government guidance for social distancing. More information on www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk or Facebook Stratton Audley Barn .

The Red Lion

The future of the pub is still under discussion but John and Dillie very much hope that they will be able to open on May 17th. A further announcement will be made next week.

Other previously reported matters

East West Rail Advanced Road Closure Notices

Stratton Audley Park Road from the crossroads with Mill Lane to the junction with the A4421

Stratton Audley Park Road from the Mill Lane crossroad to Poundon.

Subsequently there will be a further temporary closure of the road that leads in the opposite direction to Poundon from 5 June 2021 up to and including 6 June 2021

The diversion route will be Mill Road-Launton Road-Main Street and vice versa

Further information regarding the works may be obtained from East West Rail website, contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or phone 0330 1340067

Additionally, you should have received notification by Network Rail of weekend closures on the same road between Godington and Poundon which run from 8^th May until 23^rd May, from 7am to 6pm.

Finally, a reminder that Station Road (from the crossroads with Launton Road) that leads to Launton is now closed and will remain so for about a year.

EWR Stratton Audley Park Road Junction with A4421

We have been advised that the safety report itself will not be shared with the community and no specific reasons are being given as to why this is the case. That said, we have been given a summary of the key recommendations agreed between EWR designers and OCC

The remedial works include:

Relocate direction signing in north/west verge of A4421
Add a 2^nd ‘keep-left’ bollard in the splitter island facing oncoming traffic from the side road
Resurface the “damaged/worn” surface course
White lining – move the ‘give-way’ line forward and add additional hatched markings in centre of minor road around the splitter island.

East West Rail 2^nd Non Statutory Consultation

EWR have just launched the next stage of public consultation. They are inviting

comments from all interested parties including the public.

Two of the key areas of focus for the consultation in our area are:

How to improve Oxford Station and its supporting infrastructure - including Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village stations
Options for avoiding lengthy periods of delays at the London Road level crossing, Bicester (there are six options for this crossing all of which propose tunnels or bridges).

You can share your views using the online feedback form available on their website at www.eastwestrail.co.uk, by emailing your comments to them at consultation@eastwestrail.co.uk or writing via FREEPOST East West Rail.
Alternatively, you can request a paper copy of the feedback form to be sent to you online at www.eastwestrail.co.uk, by emailing them at contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or by calling on 0330 134 0067.
The closing date for the consultation is 9 June 2021.

Stratton Audley Church

The next service in Stratton is the Ascension Day service on Thursday 13th May (6pm).

The next monthly Muddy Church (Stoke Lyne Churchyard, not Stoke Lyne Road) get together is on 16th May.

You can find all the details of services in the benefice on the website www.shelswellparishes.info

New FREE Bus Service Exclusively for the village

Please don’t forget to try the free bus service into Bicester which is now in operation two times a week on Tuesday and Thursday.

If we want to keep the service it is important that it is used regularly so please spread the word particularly to your neighbours who may not receive this newsletter.

Pick up in Stratton Audley

10:46 – Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close

10:49 – Bus Stop Bicester Road

Drop off

11:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester

Pick Up in Bicester

1:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester

Drop Off

1:10 – Opposite Bus Stop Bicester Road

1:14 – Opposite Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close

Resurfacing of Launton Road

Calling All “Baby Lambs”

For those who are new to the village and have a baby who isn’t yet mobile, Little Lambs has started up again with “Baby Lambs”.

Although for the moment restrictions limit what can be done, the organiser’s would love to see you. It is every Wednesday in the Stratton Audley Church from 10am – 10.45am (Term Time)

Contact Jen Iddon via jeniddoncfw@gmail.com

Jen who organises it says:

We need to stay in our own bubbles
Bring our own drinks and snacks
Bring your own baby mat / toys
Any toys must be kept in our own bubbles
We cannot mix (hence babies not toddlers)
Max 15 people, but just turn up as we’re not expecting many to start with
Story, Chats and Prayers.

Collection Point for Disposal of Ink Jet Cartridges

News Update no 60, April 30th

May 2, 2021 by John

Polling Day is 6th May

Another packed newsletter with quite a lot of new information for this Bank Holiday weekend.

A milesstone has been reached!

This is the 60th edition of this newsletter, introduced to help keep everyone informed at the start of the Covid epidemic. It has been well received and the database now comprises of some 220 email addresses although there is a little doubling up as some families have two emails. Given that there are about 190 dwellings in the Parish we can be confident that we are covering off most households, and this means we can save on paper and time by cutting down on door drops in the future.

Nevertheless there are probably a dozen or more households that are missing out, so if you know someone who fits this category, either print out a copy for them, or if they have an email let me know if they would like to be added.

The idea is to continue with the newsletter but on a reducing level, fortnightly or monthly, depending on relevant news stories.

Annual Meeting of the Parish – IMPORTANT – Date to be decided

This is a meeting organised by the Parish Council on behalf of the whole Parish and is not to be confused with the Annual Parish Council Meeting. It is a chance for those who wish to speak about any relevant subjects to do so in a public forum. It was not held last year due to the Pandemic and there have been doubts as to how and when it would be held this year. The date is likely to be in the second half of May in the Church.

Would those who think they might like to attend, please send me an email so we can be sure about numbers given that social distances will still be in place.

There is sperately the Annual Parish Council Meeting next week on Wednesday 5^th May at 7pm and this will be the last meeting to be held via Zoom under the current rules. Anyone wishing to join should email the Clerk at strattonaudley.parishcouncil@gmail.com

Bank Holiday Monday Night with Mitra’s Persian Food

Mitra will be with us again on Monday, despite it being a Bank Holiday. She will be serving up her delicious Persian food, at the junction in the centre of the village from about 5pm until dusk.

Just turn up or text her in advance if you have a large order on 07444 364789.

If you want to bring your own container or pot to save on plastic waste, please do so.

Polling Day Thursday 6^th May

The pub will be open for polling from 7am to 10pm. No drinks at this stage!

Stratton Audley Barn

Bicester Motion Plans for the Automotive Experience

The application is for an Automotive Experience Quarter comprising Commercial, Business and Services uses (Class E), Light Industrial (Class B2), Local Community and Learning Uses (Class F) and vehicle circuits (Sui Generis) with all matters reserved aside from that of access.

As you would expect, there are masses of documents but I would urge those who feel this may have an impact on the community to take some time to look at the application. Parish Councillors will be reviewing this next week at the PC meeting. Points of concern are most likely to relate to noise levels from the track, additional traffic congestion with a second access road being opened up, road safety concerns at the Bicester Road junction off the A4421 leading to the village, and the lack of a cycle and pedestrian route.

The deadline for comments is currently 27^th May, though this seems pretty tight given that the application has only just gone up on the portal in the last few days. An extension may be sought.

Oxford County Council is also being consulted and any comments regard County Highway matters should also be sent to them at planningconsultations@oxfordshire.gov.uk . Currently their deadline is 11th May and again an extension may be needed.

East West Rail Advanced Road Closure Notices

Stratton Audley Park Road from the crossroads with Mill Lane to the junction with the A4421

Stratton Audley Park Road from the Mill Lane crossroad to Poundon.

Subsequently there will be a further temporary closure of the road that leads in the opposite direction to Poundon from 5 June 2021 up to and including 6 June 2021

The diversion route will be Mill Road-Launton Road-Main Street and vice versa

Further information regarding the works may be obtained from East West Rail website, contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or phone 0330 1340067

Additionally, you should have received notification by Network Rail of weekend closures on the same road between Godington and Poundon which run from 8^th May until 23^rd May, from 7am to 6pm.

Finally, a reminder that Station Road (from the crossroads with Launton Road) that leads to Launton is now closed and will remain so for about a year.

EWR Stratton Audley Park Road Junction with A4421

The remedial works include:

Relocate direction signing in north/west verge of A4421
Add a 2^nd ‘keep-left’ bollard in the splitter island facing oncoming traffic from the side road
Resurface the “damaged/worn” surface course
White lining – move the ‘give-way’ line forward and add additional hatched markings in centre of minor road around the splitter island.

East West Rail 2^nd Non Statutory Consultation

EWR have just launched the next stage of public consultation. They are inviting

comments from all interested parties including the public.

Two of the key areas of focus for the consultation in our area are:

How to improve Oxford Station and its supporting infrastructure - including Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village stations
Options for avoiding lengthy periods of delays at the London Road level crossing, Bicester (there are six options for this crossing all of which propose tunnels or bridges).

Stratton Audley Church

There is a service of Compline in Godington Church this coming Sunday (2nd May) at 6pm. The next service in Stratton is the Ascension Day service on Thursday 13th May (6pm).

The next monthly Muddy Church (Stoke Lyne Churchyard, not Stoke Lyne Road) get together is on 16th May.

You can find all the details of services in the benefice on the website www.shelswellparishes.info

The Red Lion

No further news. The aim is still to try and open on 17^th May.

Lost Walkie-Talking

The lost walkie talkie as reported by Carolyn Goss was reunited with its owner, thanks to publicising in the newsletter last week.

….and some reminders from previous notices:

New FREE Bus Service Exclusively for the village

Please don’t forget to try the free bus service into Bicester which is now in operation two times a week on Tuesday and Thursday.

If we want to keep the service it is important that it is used regularly so please spread the word particularly to your neighbours who may not receive this newsletter.

Pick up in Stratton Audley

10:46 – Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close

10:49 – Bus Stop Bicester Road

Drop off

11:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester

Pick Up in Bicester

1:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester

Drop Off

1:10 – Opposite Bus Stop Bicester Road

1:14 – Opposite Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close

Resurfacing of Launton Road

Calling All “Baby Lambs”

For those who are new to the village and have a baby who isn’t yet mobile, Little Lambs has started up again with “Baby Lambs”.

Although for the moment restrictions limit what can be done, the organiser’s would love to see you. It is every Wednesday in the Stratton Audley Church from 10am – 10.45am (Term Time)

Contact Jen Iddon via jeniddoncfw@gmail.com

Jen who organises it says:

We need to stay in our own bubbles
Bring our own drinks and snacks
Bring your own baby mat / toys
Any toys must be kept in our own bubbles
We cannot mix (hence babies not toddlers)
Max 15 people, but just turn up as we’re not expecting many to start with
Story, Chats and Prayers.

Collection Point for Disposal of Ink Jet Cartridges

Covid-19 Update

The governments ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England can be found via this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary

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