News Update no 27, September 26

A Helping Hand

With the on-set of Autumn, the rise in the number of new Covid-19 cases and the new Government restrictions, it is perhaps timely to remind everyone that we have a list of volunteers prepared to help anyone who is feeling poorly and may need assistance. I know that everyone is doing their bit and looking out for their neighbours and each other, so this is intended to back up that effort.

As you know the email database of people living in or connected to the Parish is more important than ever before, and although it is now sent to some 170 addresses, it is not universally received. So please encourage others to sign up by sending me an email or print it out if you are aware of someone who does not use emails regularly.

Stratton Park Road Closure due to East West Rail

This is just a reminder that the road to Poundon from the crossroads with Mill Road up to the turning with Godington is subject to a closure notice from this coming Monday 28th up until Thursday 8th October. Thereafter further closures are likely to this same stretch of road from Godington up to Poundon.

Diversions will provide access to Godington via the Poundon end, although the Mill Road crossroads end will be manned and residents and farm vehicles only will be able to gain access from this direction.

The important point to note is that the same road leading from the Mill Road junction up to the A4421 past Stratton Park will not be closed as these works have been put back to November.

Cake Sale in The Limes this Sunday

The Nash family girls, together with another girl in the village, are holding a cake sale on the driveway of no 5 The Limes, this Sunday, just for an hour from 11am. Do pop along and buy some. All proceeds to the NHS.

Hot off the press……. the cake sale this morning was a sell-out success inside the space of one hour. Well done to the three girls who organised the sale and made the cakes for it –  Scarlett, Martha and Ophelia. The girls raised a fabulous £168 for the NHS!

A big THANKYOU is sent to all those who came along to support the sale and apologies to those who were disappointed not be able to buy anything towards the end. All customers were entered into a draw for a toffee gateaux donated by Nash’s bakery and the winner was Annie from Cavendish Place.

Sadly no more Persian food on Mondays

Unfortunately Mitra will no longer be coming to the village on Monday’s to serve up her delicious Persian dishes. She has been in the process of setting up a wholesale catering business and has to concentrate on the new business with immediate effect.

She sends her sincere apologies for the very short notice, as she had hoped to be able to continue to come to Stratton Audley because in her words ‘everyone she met was so nice and made her feel so welcome’. It was fun whilst it lasted and I am sure we all would like to wish her good luck for her new business venture.

Thanks also to Stig for introducing her to the village.

Stratton Audley Barn

In line with Government guidelines, The Barn is now operating table service only in both inside & outside seating areas. Booking is advised especially at weekends, so please call on 01869 278184 to book your table.

Ice cream will continue to be served until the end of September but in order to manage this safely, during busy periods, this will be on a takeaway only basis.

Face coverings in all areas are also now mandatory by law and must be worn when moving around all areas of the shop & café. They may be removed when seated at a table to eat/drink.

Don’t forget the Coffee Morning in the Pub

This is now happening every Tuesday at 11.00 in the Red Lion. It is £2 per head for coffee and biscuits.  For the time being it is being held in the pub garden because of social distancing, so you might want to wrap up warm.  All welcome.

The Red Lion

In order to comply with the new regulations the pub will be operating in a slightly different way. Upon arrival you will be seated at a table and asked to register your name. Your drinks order will be taken at your table and there is no bar service or standing around next to the bar. The same applies in the garden.

Last orders will be at 9.30pm and everyone will need to have exited the pub before 10pm. This is now the law so please bear with the staff.

The Supper Club on Thursday, with numbers restricted to 30, was a sell-out success and will be repeated every month.  This coming Wednesday is Steak Night which will also be held inside and needs to be booked in advance by phoning 277 225 to make your reservation.

For the latest news check out the Red lion Facebook page or check their website www.redlionstrattonaudley.co.uk

Autumn Day at Evenley Wood Garden

Given that so many activities this year have had to be cancelled, this event outdoors on Sunday, 4 October is not to be missed. From 10am – 4pm, at Evenley Wood Garden, nr Brackley, NN13 5SH. A standard entrance price applies which is £6 for adults and £1 for children.

Welcome the change of season with a day of fun autumn activities.

Bring along your windfall apples for pressing with Paul, take a look inside a real beehive with Simon, see Wreath making and Wood Carving demonstrations and other seasonal crafts, all on sale.

Check out www.evenleywoodgarden.co.uk

Bicester Motion

As you may have heard, Bicester Motion have taken the difficult decision to cancel the 4th October Scramble – unlike the Classic Car Drive-In Weekend which was designed to be COVID-secure – the Scramble’s essence is about coming together in groups, so they have taken the decision to cancel as their priority is the health and safety of their specialists, staff and visitors. Anyone who has bought tickets will be reimbursed.

Dogs off leads in the village

Unfortunately during the last week or so, there have been a number of incidents with dogs off leads not being under control and attacking dogs that are on a lead. I understand no serious harm has been done so far but as all dog owners know, if you walk your dog off lead you need to be confident that you can keep it under control. Unaccompanied dogs are of course another matter. Anyone who is concerned about this should contact the dog warden and ask him to have a word with the owners of the dogs if they can be identified. His name is Chris Cundy and his number is 01295 221621.

Loose dogs may explain some of the reports of dog fouling around the village.

EWR Temporary road Improvements by Stratton Park

There has been much discussion over the last few weeks between OCC, EWR Alliance, the Parish Council and residents who are immediately affected by  proposed works to the road from the A4421 past Stratton Park to Poundon. This is in order to accommodate HGV traffic accessing the East West Rail Poundon compound from now until the line is built in 2022.

A meeting took place on site this week for the residents supported by the Parish Council to explain their objection to the current proposals which are different from what was originally understood to be the case.

EWR presented a revised plan for one area which avoids removing a tree by reducing the length of the passing point. This was welcome news but the tree canopy will still need to be removed to a height of over five meters in a number of places if the current proposals were to go ahead. The residents proposed some alternative passing points on the same bit of road and EWR agreed to reconsider their plans. Other necessary works to the road were discussed and accepted.

A 30mph speed limit on this section of the road up to the cross roads with Mill Road was felt to be essential and OCC agreed to investigate whether this will be possible on a temporary basis. Additionally OCC undertook to consider improving the visibility at the crossroads junction with Mill Road where the hedgerow on the corner makes it difficult to see oncoming traffic/horses.

Works to this section of road will be undertaken in November and December.

Collection Point for disposal of Ink Jet cartridges

A collection box for used ink-jet cartridges is still located in the bus shelter on the Stoke Lyne Road and any money raised from their bulk return will go to the RSPB.

Covid-19 and Christmas

And on a lighter note, one of the current jokes doing the rounds:

  1. Buy a live turkey
  2. Prepare it
  3. Invite 30 people to the funeral

All the best and stay safe.