News Update no 86, March 25th

Village Questionnaire Reminder

It has now been just over a week since the questionnaires were distributed and to date we have received about 70 returns. This represents a third of all households and in order for the survey to have validity we need to reach a return rate of two thirds or 140 completed surveys.

So could we please ask those who have put it to one side to complete it and return to one of the Parish Councillors over this weekend, in order for the analysis to be carried out before the village meeting on 6th April (less that two weeks time!)

If for any reason you have not received this or it has been misplaced, please use one of the links below to download another copy. For those who may find it easier to fill out and return via email (send to jhonsinger@btconnect.com), the first link is for a word doc which should allow you to do this. Alternatively the second link is a pdf version which can be printed out and returned and posted through a letterbox.

https://mcusercontent.com/dc731ec8d4fe9e9e2d51410a9/files/6884b2fe-e584-228a-43ff-a5d28bed32cf/SA_Survey_2022_Final.01.docx

https://mcusercontent.com/dc731ec8d4fe9e9e2d51410a9/files/e27c0ccd-79ee-ea02-50cc-ade1daf6a41a/SA_Survey_2022_Final.pdf

Hot News from the Red Lion
The following information is from Dillie:

“Please make sure you book your Mother’s Day lunch which is this Sunday – either at 12 noon or 2.30 pm.  Special menu.  01869 277225.

Coffee Morning every Wednesday.  Lunch and coffee morning has gone up, apologies, but I’m sure I don’t need to tell everyone that the cost of living is rocketing. 

The next Quiz Night with Richard Walsh is on  7th April”.

Red Cross Appeal for Ukraine

The Red Lion who organised and ran a Pledge Auction for the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal last Sunday evening was a truly great success. Just over £4500 was raised from the auctioning of some 30 or so items by local geezer Tony Jones. Congratulation to Dillie and everyone else who helped and to those who provided the items from cakes to flights and of course the bidders who packed out the pub. ALL the money raised. Goes to the appeal fund.News from Stratton Audley Church
The follow information is from Becky Adams on behalf of the Shelswell Benefice:
“This coming Sunday, 27th March, there will be a 9.15am service of Holy Communion in Stratton Audley Church – all are welcome.

Please check our website for details of services elsewhere in the benefice http://www.shelswellparishes.info/services.php “
‘Little Lambs’ baby and toddler group continues in Stratton Audley Church every Wednesday in term time (10am – 11.30am) – Just turn up.

Stratton Audley Barn
The following is from Richard, Sara and the Barn team:
“Treat Mum to a special Afternoon Tea at the Barn on Mothering Sunday, 27th March. Standard afternoon tea £19.50pp, add Prosecco for £5pp. Children’s Afternoon tea £9.95.
Limited places and booking essential, give us a call to find out more or reserve your place on 01869 278184.
Easter stock has also arrived, from gorgeous Easter bunnies to egg for your tree, come browse the cute selection and have a cup of tea!!
Follow us on Facebook for more news and updates. From the Barn Team!”

 

EWR Road Closures

Just to remind everyone that the road that runs from Stratton Audley to Marsh Gibbon from the crossroads intersection with Station Road that goes to Launton is closed for the next 3 months until 17th June for the bridge works.

However, the good news is that Station Road to Launton is now fully open ahead of time. (see below photos)

Additionally, and although it doesn’t affect us directly, this is just to draw your attention to the other significant road closure. The Bicester Road that connects Bicester to Launton will be closed on Monday 28th March for a couple of months until Friday 27 May 2022, between the hours of 7am and 6pm. Access will be maintained for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

Annual OPEN Meeting of the Parish is on 6th April
The Annual Assembly of the Parish of Stratton Audley will be held at St Mary and St Edburga Church on Wednesday 6th April at 7.30pm.
This is not to be confused with the Annual Parish Council Meeting but an OPEN meeting of the Parish. The Parish Council traditionally facilitates the meeting and creates a running order to include current matters known to be of interest to the community. However any relevant matters can be raised for discussion at the meeting by any member of the Parish.
Do try and come as the results of the village survey and recent speed checks will be presented and outcomes discussed.

 

Hosting Ukrainian Refugees

Understandably, there is a great deal of interest in hosting refugees from Ukraine and you will be aware of delays in getting the scheme functional so here is an update. For those that are interested read on:

Late last Friday, the government published outline guidance for local authorities in England. Although detailed guidance is still being developed, this outline helps to confirm a few key points:

The Homes for Ukraine scheme will support the sponsorship of Ukrainian individuals and families coming to the UK in two phases.

Phase one is where individuals in the UK sponsor named guests to come and live with them in their home. Both the sponsor and guest can use a number of channels to find a match – direct relation, friend, friend of a friend or contact from an NGO, charity or other contact. This is the only official housing scheme currently operational. The only route for people to enter the UK is through a visa process administered by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office. It is this system, and only this system, that will trigger requests to local authorities for support. At this stage our involvement, is linked to the timing of that activation and to those individuals successfully registering through that route.

It is clear that a wide range of services from local government and key partners will be required, including initial checks and visits to sponsor homes, benefits advice and payment, finding school and early years placements and health provision.

The second phase is where the scheme will be expanded to enable organisations and community groups to sponsor multiple guests. This scheme is still being developed by the government.  While communities will be key in welcoming and supporting our Ukrainian friends, councils do not have these answers yet. I am sure this will become an equally important route, but for the moment the focus will be on phase 1 and as soon as we know more about phase two, we will be in a better position to answer questions from wider organisations and community groups.

Oxfordshire, has mobilised a system wide team (including county, district and city councils and health partners etc), which builds on the Covid response and mean we are better able to support such initiatives together.  You can find more detail here

Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebration
Planning for the village street party is progressing well and as you know is confirmed for Sunday 5th June from 12 noon to 5pm. Chruch street will be closed for the afternoon and the great news is that the Manor residents have very kindly agreed for the Manor lawn to be utilised for children and adult soft games.

There is a monthly committee meeting and if you want to help or join the committee, please email Abbey Short Abbey.Short@olympia.london
More details to follow, but please save the date now if you haven’t already put it in your diary.

 

Refurbished Road Markings in the Village

The Parish Council asked OCC for the road markings throughout the village to be refurbished and this week the work was carried out, within a month of putting in the request.  Thanks go to Highways team in OCC.

Defibrillator Training – Date to be confirmed
We have a dozen or so people who have asked to participate in defibrillator training which will take place in the Church building on a Saturday morning (likely 10-12noon). The Parish Council are arranging for South Central Ambulance to run the training session and apologise for the delay in fixing a suitable day.
New residents may not be aware that there is a public defibrillator located in the Church Porch which is accessible at all times even when the church is locked at night. It is in a contained in a yellow metal box secured to the wall on the right hand side and ready for use at all times. The general rule is to phone 999 so the emergency services can locate the position of the box. The moment the defibrillator box is opened you get automatic instructions so that most people can use it without fear of doing the wrong thing.

Don’t Forget – Fresh Fish every Thursday 
Jack from Grimsby continues to come to the village on Thursday’s between 6.30-7pm and parks his van outside the Red Lion. He has a wide selection of fresh fish and shellfish. You can just turn up or place orders in advance by text and his mobile number is 07535 935119.

Fish & Chips Van in the village on Saturdays
For those new in the community, a Howe’s Fish and Chip van comes to the village every Saturday lunchtime from 1.30pm to 2pm. You will hear a bell (like a school bell) and his first stop is in Cherry Street. He then drives along Cavendish Place and stops again at the junction with Mill Road.
Howe & Co was established in 1930 and now has over 100 vans serving villages. You can track each van by going to their website and you need to look for van no 4:
https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/#findvan
They also have a general number you can call 07809 901761.

And some reminders from the previous newsletters for those who missed them previously:

 

Children’s Road Safety Posters
These have now been posted around the village and there are 19 posters in total. If there are any other children, including grandchildren who would like to create a new poster then please email Kathryn Walker at strattonaudley.kw@gmail.com

 

Shelswell History Festival advance notice Save-the-date
The Shelswell Benefice has decided to once again run the Shelswell History Festival and this is due to take place on Saturday 16th July 2022. They are looking for volunteers to help organise it and especially anyone with marketing expertise. Contact Alice Goodall by email alicegoodall313@gmail.com

 

Time to get walking again!
At this time of year we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?
John Harris has the answers! Walking in Oxfordshire
https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/oxfordshire has hundreds of walks to download and print, free of charge. It also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county, and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group, all the information is there in one place.
John Harris (the custodian of the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Oxfordshire (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.
With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.
So home or away, check out his websites and get walking!
www.walkinginengland.co.uk

Local Police Bicester and Kidlington Rural Team News
To report a crime or contact the police there are now three options:
·       Call 999 if you see a crime being committed or in an emergency
·       Call 101 to report anything else to the police – or go online to do so
·       And now police are partnering with CrimeStoppers to remind everyone of ‘The 3rd Number – 0800 555 111’ that enables you to report your information totally anonymously if you prefer.
Finally for the latest crime statistics there is a useful national site into which you can put your post code. Click on this link  Bicester Rural | Police.uk (www.police.uk)

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

 

News Update no 84, March 11th 2022

Support for Ukraine
I am sure all our thoughts keep returning to the brave men and women of Ukraine and it was heart-warming to witness the tremendous support demonstrated last week, which resulted in filling two large vans with essential items, for immediate despatch to the front line on the Polish/Ukrainian border. They arrived there earlier this week.
For anyone who missed the opportunity to contribute items, these can now be delivered to the Convent (opposite Lisseters) in Bicester on Kings End, between 11am-4pm daily via the back gate entrance. Look for yellow & blue signs in the window.
As a reminder the items that are most urgent are as follows but please note that they have enough clothing at the moment:
Items urgently needed include:

  • Personal hygiene products such as soap, shower gel, shampoo, sanitary pads and tampons along with toothpaste and tooth brushes; combs and hair brushes, deodorants. Also paracetamol, salon cream, antiseptic wipes, plasters & bandages
  • Towels and blankets.
  • Baby items – Sudocream, Calpol, Bepanthen, dried baby milk and formula, bottles, teats, baby wipes, dummies and nappies of all sizes, jars/packs of infant food, boxed juices – long date stamps are essential.
  • Sweets, toys, crayons, paper, pens, writing paper, pencils, skipping ropes, balls, items useful for impromptu education and to keep children occupied.
  • Thermos flasks, batteries, torches, wind-up lamps.
  • Child/baby car seats are badly needed for transport being arranged from the border into Poland, plus pushchairs/buggies.
  • Household cleaning products including laundry detergent in powder form and washing up liquid.

EWR Planned Road Closure for TODAY Friday 11th – Cancelled
All households should have received a card through the door advising of the road closure on Stratton Park Road between the A4421 and the crossroads with Mill Road for essential road repairs. For reasons beyond their control this work has been postponed, possibly until next week.

Annual OPEN Meeting of the Parish – Save the Date – 6th April
The Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting for Stratton Audley will be held at St Mary and St Edburga Church on Wednesday 6th April at 7.30pm.
This is not to be confused with the Annual Parish Council Meeting but an OPEN meeting of the Parish. The Parish Council traditionally facilitates the meeting and creates a running order to include current matters known to be of interest to the community. However any relevant matters can be raised for discussion at the meeting by any member of the Parish.
Do try and come as the results of the village survey and recent speed checks will be presented.

100 Club Winners
The winners in the 100 Club draw for the month of March 2022 are:
£30                             Emma Fish (47)
£20                             Hazel Somerville (34)
£10                             Simon Goss(61)
£10                             Honsinger family (130)

Audrey Wakefield
As many of you will know by now, Audrey Wakefield, a resident of Willows Lodge, died on Sunday morning after a short period in hospital. She leaves behind a devoted husband Jeff, to whom she was married for 32 years, a devoted daughter, Fiona, and grandson George.

Jeff and Audrey moved to the village in 2006 and were a lively and well-liked couple who were regularly seen around the village on their daily walks and were an integral part of the community, always supporting village events whenever they were not on a cruise ship somewhere!
Audrey was a highly accomplished violinist having studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music and was a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra for most of her professional life. She was often involved in solo performances for BBC and it is where she met Jeff in 1980. Audrey always had a smile on her face and a sunny disposition and will be sadly missed by all those who knew her. She was nearly 92.

Hot News from the Red Lion
The following information is from Dillie:

Another Monday Night Supper Club is on 21st March with Verity Taylor’s fabulous cooking. The theme is SIGNS OF SPRING – for details of the menu and to book contact redlionstrattonaudley@gmail.com   

Thursday March 17th is St Patrick’s Day AND the Cheltenham Festival so we hope you’ll come and enjoy the racing.  £15.00 for a full Irish fry and a pint of Guinness or a glass of Prosecco from 12 noon onwards. Participate in fun bets and prizes galore.

We are now taking bookings for Mother’s Day lunch on 27th March. Times and menu to be posted outside the pub but do contact Dillie at redlionstrattonaudley@gmail.com for details. 

And on a more general note don’t forget:

Saturday breakfasts – 11-1pm.  A full fry up for £12.95.  Get your stomachs lined for the weekend.  

Sunday lunch as usual – 12-3.  Beef or pork and the usual trimmings.  

Coffee morning is on Wednesdays as usual, and Christine does a wonderful lunch for those who want to stay on.  Please note that we will have to put the price up very soon, we’re very sorry but we have no choice.  

6 nations – come in and cheer on your teams – the matches will always be shown at the pub.  Sapphy is in charge of the kitchen on Saturdays if you need sustenance during the match. 

Red Cross Appeal for Ukraine

“The Red Lion is planning a Pledge Auction for the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. Date to be announced. It works like this. You pledge to do something nice/helpful – like bake a cake, do a couple of hours of light gardening, drive someone somewhere, mend or repair something – and people bid for it.  The pub will contribute too with raffle prizes etc.  So please have a think about what you might be able to do for one another. Everyone has a talent. What’s yours?”

News from Stratton Audley Church
The follow information is from Becky Adams on behalf of the Shelswell Benefice:
“This coming Sunday, 13th March, there will be a 10.45am Morning Service in Stratton Audley Church – all are welcome.
 We are also running a series of Lent Lectures in the Shelswell Benefice – every Thursday evening in Stoke Lyne Church. A light supper is available at 7pm with the talk to follow at 7.30pm. On Thursday 17th March (next week) we have Eva Grosman with ‘A St Patrick’s Day Reflection on Peace-Building in Ireland’. Eva is Polish by background and is Director for Public Affairs at the Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict at Harris Manchester College, Oxford. All are welcome to what should be a very relevant and thought-provoking evening.
 ‘Little Lambs’ baby and toddler group continues in Stratton Audley Church every Wednesday in term time (10am – 11.30am) so will be meeting next Wednesday (16th March) There’s no need to book – just turn up!
We will shortly be drawing up a new mowing rota for Stratton Audley Churchyard to cover late March-late September this year. If anyone new would like to join in then do just contact Jeremy on 01869 277471 or email beckyandjeremy@aol.com It takes about an hour and a half to mow the area from the back of the war memorial round to the path at the back of the church and volunteers are only asked to mow once or twice during the season so it really isn’t too onerous.
Please check our website for details of services elsewhere in the benefice http://www.shelswellparishes.info/services.php “

Stratton Audley Barn
The following is from Richard, Sara and the Barn team:
“Spring has sprung, the sun is shining & Ice Cream is back at the Barn! Our delicious homemade flavours from the classics to the indulgent, one scoop or three or whisked into a tasty milkshake…… whatever your style, there’s plenty of choice!
Treat Mum to a special Afternoon Tea at the Barn on Mothering Sunday, 27th March. Our indulgent assortment of delicious sweet bites, fruit scone with cream and Jam with a savoury, selection of sandwiches is sure to make her feel special. Why not add Prosecco for that added sparkle to her day! Standard afternoon tea £19.50pp, add Prosecco for £5pp. Children’s Afternoon tea £9.95.
Limited places and booking essential, give us a call to find out more or reserve your place on 01869 278184.
Easter stock has also arrived, from gorgeous Easter bunnies to egg for your tree, come browse the cute selection and have a cup of tea!!
Spring stock is adding a beautiful flush of both bright and pastel flowers and decorations for your home. Interiors have expanded into our newly decorated interiors room with gorgeous new pieces of furniture and pretty accessories to inspire, there’s goodies arriving every week. Look out for some quite stunning refurbished, unique, hand-painted pieces of furniture arriving soon too.
Follow us on Facebook for more news and updates. From the Barn Team!”

A Big Thank you to the Volunteer Litter Pickers
The Parish Council organise litter picking days from time to time, but this is just to thank those that go out and litter pick by themselves or with their partners at other times. Amongst them John Woodward frequently does this on Mill Road, Janet James on Stoke Lyne Road and May Graham on Launton Road.  Now Katharine & Chris White have been out collecting bags of litter on the Bicester Road. If anyone is inclined to do something similar, we do have a few spare litter picking sticks, so just ask (jhonsinger@btconnect.com).

Stratton Audley Parish Questionnaire
A parish wide survey will be circulated during the next week and all residents will be invited to give their views on a number of topic, in particular with regard to vehicle speeds and traffic calming measures. This will be printed and hand delivered to each household and also distributed via email.

Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebration
National celebrations will take place from 2-5th June 2022 and in line with the Big Lunch being organised across the country for Sunday 5th June, Stratton Audley is in the process of organising an event to join in the celebrate. If you want to help or join the committee, please email Abbey Short Abbey.Short@olympia.london
More details to follow, but please save the date now – Sunday 5th June.

Defibrillator Training – Date to be confirmed
Nine people have so far asked to participate in Defibrillator training which will take place in the Church building on a Saturday morning (likely 10-12noon). The PC are arranging for South Central Ambulance to run the training session and there are still a few places remaining – date is yet to be confirmed.
Please email jhonsinger@btconnect.com if you want your name added to the list.
New residents may not be aware that there is a public defibrillator located in the Church Porch which is accessible at all times even when the church is locked at night. It is in a contained in a yellow metal box secured to the wall on the right hand side and ready for use at all times. The code is printed on the box for quick access but the general rule is to phone 999 so the emergency services can locate the position of the box. The moment the defibrillator box is opened you get automatic instructions so that most people can use it without fear of doing the wrong thing.

Don’t Forget – Fresh Fish every Thursday 
Jack from Grimsby continues to come to the village on Thursday’s between 6.30-7pm and parks his van outside the Red Lion. He has a wide selection of fresh fish and shellfish. You can just turn up or place orders in advance by text and his mobile number is 07535 935119.

Fish & Chips Van in the village on Saturdays
For those new in the community, a Howe’s Fish and Chip van comes to the village every Saturday lunchtime from 1.30pm to 2pm. You will hear a bell (like a school bell) and his first stop is in Cherry Street. He then drives along Cavendish Place and stops again at the junction with Mill Road.
Howe & Co was established in 1930 and now has over 100 vans serving villages. You can track each van by going to their website and you need to look for van no 4:
https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/#findvan
They also have a general number you can call 07809 901761.

And some reminders from the previous newsletters for those who missed them previously:
Bicester Heritage Scramble 23rd & 24th April
Bicester Heritage are once again hosting a scrabble meeting in April and have advised that due to heavy demand for tickets for the Sunday, they have decided to also open up the site on the Saturday for an additional day of family-focused activities. As previously, there is a local residents discount which for Saturday is: SaturdayFlyingBrevets and for Sunday is: FlyingBrevets.
For those who have already purchased passes for the Sunday and would like to switch to Saturday you will need to purchase for the new day and then apply for a refund for your current pass. Refunds can be requested up until seven days before the event is held. Should you wish your Pass to be refunded, please follow the steps set out by Eventbrite by clicking here.

Time to get walking again!
At this time of year we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?
John Harris has the answers! Walking in Oxfordshire
https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/oxfordshire has hundreds of walks to download and print, free of charge. It also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county, and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group, all the information is there in one place.
John Harris (the custodian of the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Oxfordshire (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.
With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.
So home or away, check out his websites and get walking!
www.walkinginengland.co.uk

Application to become a 20mph village
The Parish Council has registered interest in becoming a 20mph village along with many other villages. This does not mean we will become one but puts us on the Oxfordshire County Council list for consideration. Registration is important so as to have the option to go down this route later on.

Conservation Area Review
Some of you may remember that a consultation and review of our Conservation Area was undertaken in Autumn 2018 and by now you will have received a letter from CDC advising that the report has finally been adopted and published.
The public consultation on the document was undertaken from 9th April 2019 to 17th May 2019 and the responses and comments received were subsequently taken into account when the Conservation Area boundary and the appraisal document were finalised.  The final document can be viewed by clicking on this link: https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/directory/34/conservation-area-appraisals. Hard copies of the document can be viewed at Bodicote House as well as Banbury and Bicester Libraries.

New Charge for Garden Waste
As you know Cherwell District Council have introduced a charge for the brown bin (green waste) collection which. Came into force on the Ist March. To sign up visit: https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/10/rubbish-and-recycling/825/weekly-food-waste-collections
The district’s current recycling rates are ranked in the top 25% of the 340 local authorities in England.  Currently, one third of the waste going into general waste is recyclable.  The initiative to charge for brown bins is to improve the districts recycling rates and reduce our carbon emissions.

Changes to Food Waste Collection
Food waste should no longer be put in the brown bin and in future will be collected weekly by using the small green caddies that most people have and putting these out beside your other bins. There is no charge for this service.
The changes are part of Cherwell District Council’s drive to accelerate their program to help meet UK targets on halving carbon emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.
By separating out our food waste it can now go for anaerobic digestion which will be converted to valuable resources such as bio-fertilisers or green power. It will also make us all more aware of how much food we really waste on a weekly basis. Businesses in the Parish will also need to do their bit by registering their food waste collections and signing up to WRAP: https://wrap.org.uk/taking-action/food-drink/initiatives/food-waste-reduction-roadmap#
To see more on the net zero pledge and actions the council are taking  visit: https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/9828/climate-action-framework-2020.pdf

Bicester Motion ‘Experience Quarter’ Planning Application APPROVED
Outline planning permission was given for the Bicester Motion Experience Quarter at last night’s CDC Planning Committee meeting.
The CDC Planning Committee meeting has now been archived and you can watch the full discussion by putting the following link into your web browser:
https://cherwell.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/633845?from=meeting_update&update_type=archived&email=jhonsinger%40btconnect.com&h=60ae389f86e8b4b2580d0153367e0094&mail_target_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcherwell.public-i.tv%2Fcore%2Fportal%2Fwebcast_interactive%2F633845
Finally, and just for clarification purposes, no planning application has yet been submitted for the development of the old Quarry site. An application for this development known as the Wilderness Quarter is likely to be submitted later this year.

Stratton Audley 100 Club
The following information is from Maggie Woodward:
The club is now up and running for the next 12 months, 158 subscriptions having been taken.  Thank you villagers for your generosity and support.  Special thanks to the amazing team who collected the subscriptions in the rain, wind and freezing cold. Viv, Jeremy, Sally, Angie, Margaret, Emma and Stewart.  The profit this year amounted to £670 which will go towards buying a new noticeboard outside the Church.  The draw takes place at coffee morning in the Red Lion on the first Wednesday in the month, results are posted on the village, pub and Church noticeboards and are published in the Shelswell News and the village newsletter.  If you missed your collector and wish to join the “club” please get in touch with Maggie and, if you wish to know your allocated number please ask your collector. Good luck to you all.

Local Police Bicester and Kidlington Rural Team News
To report a crime or contact the police there are now three options:
·       Call 999 if you see a crime being committed or in an emergency
·       Call 101 to report anything else to the police – or go online to do so
·       And now police are partnering with CrimeStoppers to remind everyone of ‘The 3rd Number – 0800 555 111’ that enables you to report your information totally anonymously if you prefer.
Finally for the latest crime statistics there is a useful national site into which you can put your post code. Click on this link  Bicester Rural | Police.uk (www.police.uk)

Shelswell History Festival advance notice Save-the-date
The Shelswell Benefice has decided to once again run the Shelswell History Festival and this is due to take place on Saturday 16th July 2022. They are looking for volunteers to help organise it and especially anyone with marketing expertise. Contact Alice Goodall by email alicegoodall313@gmail.com

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 
For the latest details on Covid data and other Government’s advice on Coronavirus can be found via these link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/