Dear all
Oxford’s AstraZeneca Vaccine Gets Green Light
This is the news we have all been expecting and approval means the vaccine is both safe and effective. The rollout will start on January 4 which coincides with the opening date for the new local vaccination centre at Bicester Heritage. Everyone is being asked to wait until they are contacted for an appointment.
Some key points of interest:
- Two jabs are required for greatest efficacy. They say that the first jab does not provide protection within the first three weeks (22 days officially) but from this time onwards is thought to be about 70% effective at preventing you from catching the virus
- The surprise is that thereafter, the longer you leave it before having the second jab (up to a maximum of 12 weeks from the first inoculation) the more effective the protection is likely to be, reaching a level of 80%, and may result in longer protection
- Priority will be given to the first jab over people being as second jab, so more will get a first jab sooner
- The JCVI approval committee rejected the use of a full dose followed by a half dose although it showed a 90% efficacy rate of protection, because they felt there was some evidence to suggest this was because of the length of time left between the first and second jabs and not because it was any more effective
- This vaccine can be used by people with minor allergies but is not recommended for those with a history of severe allergic reactions to any food, drugs or medicine. Consulting your own clinician is advisable. Anyone due to receive their vaccine should continue with their appointment and discuss any questions or medical history of serious allergies with the healthcare professional prior to getting the jab
- Like all medicines and vaccines, this vaccine can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them.
- There is every reason to believe that this vaccine will be equally effective against the new more virulent strain of the virus which now accounts for the majority of cases in the UK
- There is currently not enough data to know whether the vaccine prevents the transmission of the virus
- The overall word of caution is that we all need to continue to protect ourselves and others (Hands. Face. Mask) even after having the vaccine!
COVID cases in Oxfordshire
Rates are still going up in our area, standing at 1134 active cases in Cherwell today, which is up by 457 from this time last week.
For those that 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
Local Flooding and Ice on the Roads
Just a reminder that there is still flooding in the Bicester Road near to the end where it joins the A4421. It is going down slowly and you can drive through it if you are in a large vehicle, or alternatively perhaps use the Stoke Lyne Road until it drains away. It has been present for a week now and with icy weather now forecast it could become even more hazardous in the next few days.
Thames Water have been in attendance, including on Christmas Day, with tankers to take excess water away from the pumping station in the Launton Road. This has been largely successful in keeping the levels down and avoiding sewage seeping into the surrounding private properties. A longer term solution to this annual problem is still required and remains in the pipeline!
Grit Bins for village use
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.
Father Christmas
On Christmas Eve as planned, many residents rang bells and other instruments on their doorsteps to usher in the Christmas spirit and as promised, Father Christmas made a fleeting visit through the village collecting hay to feed his reindeer before their long nights work. Well done Father Christmas. It worked its magic!
Advent Window Trail 2020
Just a reminder to enter the competition to correctly identify all the Advent Windows in the village. Feedback is that they have brought a welcome bit of cheer to the festive season and a big thank you is due to all those who created the myriad of fabulous works of art. All shown on the Stratton Audley Village Facebook site.
The full list of windows is shown below.
| Location | |
| 1st | The Old Dairy, Launton Road |
| 2nd | The Red Lion |
| 3rd | 10 The Manor (inside the Manor grounds) |
| 4th | The Plough House |
| 5th | Manor Farm Cottage, Mill Road |
| 7th | Greystones, Mill Road |
| 9th | Manor Cottage, Mill Road |
| 11th | Bay Tree House, Mill Road |
| 13th | The Corner House, 1 Cavendish Place |
| 15th | Elm Farm |
| 17th | 2 Cavendish Place |
| 19th | 5 Cavendish Place |
| 20th | 14 Cavendish Place |
| 21st | Forge Cottage, Cherry Street |
| 22nd | 9 Glen Close |
| 23rd | Stratton House (opposite the end of Cherry St) |
| 24th | The Parish Church of St Mary and St Edburga |
Baubles and Trees Decorated by Children in the Church Porch
A number of children filled in the blank decorations with some lovely designs.
Village Bus Service
The withdrawal of the once-a-day bus service for Stratton Audley into Bicester has now been confirmed. In its place, the County Council has agreed to operate the Comet Minibus Service. The plan is to run a twice-weekly scheduled service through the village which would be free for an initial trial period. This would be between the hours of 10am -2pm with a turnaround time of a couple of hours in Bicester. Unfortunately, as the County is now in Tier 4, all Comet timetable services have been suspended. The new service will commence once the Covid-19 restrictions are eased by the Government.
In the meantime the Comet dial-a-ride service is available for individual bookings 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.
EWR Local Disruption
Just another reminder that the road that leads to Marsh Gibbon beyond the crossroads remains closed until 15th January. And Station Road from the same point is also subject to some works, so best to avoid if you can.
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
All the best and here’s to the year of recovery.
