It occurs to me that I should say how much I appreciate the feed-back about these news update that I have been getting over the last few months. It gives me great encouragement as they are virtually all complimentary and on the odd occasion where they are not, then they have been helpful insights offered with the best of intentions.
As most will know, prior to these emails, the Parish Council put out a quarterly news sheet that was double sided and limited in space. It was hand-delivered and also reproduced on the website. The idea of a regular newsletter delivered by email would not have been possible before Covid-19 because we only had about 80 emails on the database. Now the list has risen to some 160 people who live in the Parish. However there are still quite a number who are not on the list and so I encourage all to consider whether you know someone in this category and either print it off to give them a copy, or encourage them to supply their email address. I hope it goes without saying that the database will only ever be used to communicate with residents and keep all informed.
So thank you for your support and please spread the word.
No 18 Bus Route Restarts
The once-a-day no 18 service courtesy of Langston and Tasker between Bicester and Buckingham has returned to normal service. It leaves Stratton Audley for Bicester at 10.20 and returns at 13.15, Monday to Friday.
Monday Night is Mitran Night
Mitra served up her Persian Food again on Monday from a stall outside the Red Lion and it went down well with a steady stream of locals. She’ll be serving up again between 5 & 8pm each Monday until further notice. No pre-orders, just turn up. There’ll probably be a short wait but it’s enjoyable as there are bound to be people to chat to that you know – at a distance!
If you need to contact Mitra you can text her on 07444 364789.
The Red Lion
The Red Lion’s new website is going live this weekend with all the news and events happening at the pub and in the food shack! www.redlionstrattonaudley.com
The first steak night was held on Wednesday with great success and is likely to be repeated every fortnight. Check the website or the village Facebook page for what may be happening this Wednesday and note that all meals must be pre- booked by phoning 01869 277225.
The regular fish & chips or “Fizz and chips” night is continuing on Fridays from 5pm -8pm.
Opening hours are:
Monday: closed
Tuesday – Friday: 3-11pm
Saturday: 12-11pm
Sunday: 12-9pm
See also the pub’s Facebook page.
Pub Parking
New signage has been placed outside the entry gate to the Manor and also outside the doors to the Red Lion following issues with parking in Church Street and also some pub visitors mistakenly parking in the Manor grounds.
All visitors with cars are being asked to park considerately and check whether they have left sufficient space for vehicles entering and exiting the Manor, and also for large farm vehicles on the road when cars are parked bumper to bumper on both sides of the street.
If issues continue the Parish Council may have to consider other options.
Stratton Audley Barn
The café is now open Tuesday to Sunday 10-4pm serving coffee, paninis, cakes and gelato ice cream. It’s takeout only to the designated seating area provided in the paddock with tables, parasols and a few Bell tents. The shop is also open.
Road Sweeping – Advanced Warning & Diary Date
The roads in Stratton Audley will be swept on Wednesday 19th August from 8am and as usual all residents with cars on the streets are requested to move them the night before or when they hear the road sweeper vehicle during the morning, to make the collection of debris as effective as possible.
Covid-19 at a Local Level
Whilst we in this area have few cases, the City of Oxford has been more affected and so I thought some local statistics might be of interest.
Updated ONS data reveals that since the start of the pandemic, 75 people have died in the city with the virus noted on their death certificate out of a total of 311 fatalities. It means between March and June almost one in four deaths (24 per cent) were down, at least in part, to coronavirus. The impact has varied across the city with Cowley South and Iffley having 35 per cent of deaths (14 out of 40) coronavirus related compared with North Central Oxford which only had one death out of 19 connected to the virus.
In Oxfordshire as of July 30, the number of cases per 100,000 people is 16.2 compared with19.4 at the same time the previous week. To date there have now been 3,256 confirmed positive tests of which 912 were recorded in the city. At one point the City ranked 15th highest in the UK for cases.
A test for coronavirus which gives results in just 90 minutes is now available and has been developed by an Oxford based company. The LamPORE test will be able to process swab and saliva samples to detect the presence of Covid-19 as well as other winter viruses like flu. It has the same sensitivity as the widely-used PCR swab test, but can be used to process swabs in labs, as well as on-location through pop-up labs.
South Central Ambulance Service – Call for Governors
Do you want to make a difference to your local ambulance services? If so, why not put your name forward to become a Governor and play a key role in shaping the future of their services. Two vacancies exist for Oxfordshire and anyone over the age of 16 can apply. To register your interest in putting yourself forward for election start the ball rolling by emailing: company.secretary@scas.nhs.uk
Governors play an important role in helping to shape and support the emergency and non-emergency services that the Trust provides in the South Central region. The role of Governor is entirely voluntary but also demanding and rewarding, asthey have specific statutory duties to fulfil and the opportunity to be the crucial link between our communities and the Trust.
Find out more about the role at https://www.scas.nhs.uk/elections/.
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