Local COVID-19 Update
Rates of new infection are now falling although the County is still above the national average. Public Health England also revealed there were 254 new coronavirus cases in Oxfordshire in the 24 hours leading up to 9am yesterday 21st January. These are the latest cases:
- Oxford – 73
- South Oxfordshire – 42
- West Oxfordshire – 10
- Cherwell – 93
- Vale of White Horse – 36
- Oxfordshire Total – 254
- South East – 4,987
- England – 34,371
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
For full details on the rules and regulations visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#high-alert
Volunteering to Help at Bicester Motion Vaccine Centre
Don’t forget that the three GP health centres that are running the vaccine operation at Bicester Motion would be pleased to hear from anyone, as they need a large pool of volunteers to call upon for support in the months ahead.
There are a range of duties from car park marshalling, check-in, data entry and patient marshalling inside the building. Volunteers should email the Operations Support Manager, NHS Volunteers, at Montgomery House Surgery at bicester.nhsvolunteers@nhs.net
Allotments
Local resident Charlie Trousdell has asked the Parish Council to investigate the feasibility of creating a community allotment. This is a subject that has come up on a number of occasions over the last decade, but on previous occasions there has been insufficient interest to take the matter forward. However times change and the Parish Council are keen to establish whether there is now an appetite for the growing of your own food to be palatable! (pun)
So before looking into where this might be located and how it could be funded through a land purchase or lease agreement, we are asking everyone to express their views and tell us whether you personally would like to participate in its development. Simply reply to this email or drop a note to the Parish Clerk strattonaudleyparishclerk@gmail.com
Matters Arising in the Virtual Parish Council Meeting on 6th January
For those who do not read the Minutes on the Parish Notice Board or website (www.strattonaudley.org), here are a few matters covered at our recent meeting. These meetings are open to all even in these video conferencing days. You just have to send a request to the clerk at the email address above.
Playground inspection report
The Parish Council noted that a recent safety inspection of the playground had indicated some minor work needing attention. It agreed that the required work should be carried out and in particular the three buddleias in the playground should be cut back.
Village bus service
The Parish Council has been made aware of proposals to end the current service through the village. In discussions with OCC, the best option would appear to be to provide a service with its COMET operation which will be available again once the current lockdown is lifted. The Parish Council will investigate financial support options and in the meantime the Comet “Dial a Ride” service for individual journeys is available and has been advertised to the village.
Great Wolf Application Chesterton
The Parish Council agreed to support Chesterton in its opposition to this development, on the basis that it was not in accordance with CDC’s Development Plan. In the words of our District and County Councillor, Ian Corkin “As well as the very considerable impacts a wholly car dependant 500 room resort/hotel (with 900 car parking spaces!) on the villages in the immediate vicinity, there is a very important principle at stake about large scale development in countryside that lies outside the 2031 local plan. It would leave all of our communities open to very large speculative developments, something the local plan is meant to protect rural areas from”.
Village Activities 2021
The Parish Council agreed to consider options for a village community event in the late summer/early autumn 2021, assuming Government guidance allows it. In the meantime to support an Easter trail on similar lines to the much appreciated Halloween and Christmas Elves trails.
Tree planting
A resident has asked the Parish Council to consider planting trees in the Parish in accordance with the Prince of Wales’ current initiative. Noting that this was on the Agenda, another resident attended to discuss how such an initiative could be developed. The Parish Council owns little land itself so this would need to be supported by local land owners. The council agreed that options should be explored further. Other interested parties should make themselves known.
Shelswell Parishes Church Service
There will be the usual 10am service on Sunday morning which will be available on-line. Find it on Facebook Shelswell News Group or YouTube Shelswell Parishes channel. It will actually have been recorded (rather than livestream) to try and get round some of the technical issues they have been having with the signal needed for livestream.
Grit Bins for village use
Just another reminder 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.
East West Rail Local Update
The Bicester Road that leads to Marsh Gibbon from the crossroads at Billy Evans farm remains closed and is now due to open on 17/02/2021. However this is subject to change as there are works that may need to be conducted that may result in this closure being extended.
EWR have issued a new closure notice for the Bicester Road at Launton (the main road from Launton to Bicester) which will now be closed for some two months from 08/02/2021 to 01/04/2021 for bridge replacement works. This may result in more traffic through our village but spare a thought for those in Launton who are much more directly affected.
Local Milk
Just a repeat from last week, that Will & Abi Lambourne who run Townsend Farm in Marsh Gibbon, are selling fresh organic milk direct from their farm.
Their location is Townsend Farm, Townsend, Marsh Gibbon OX27 0EY. For more details see their Facebook Page ‘The Milk Churn’ or call them on 07369 236928.
Another company that delivers milk to your door that you might want to check out, is Milk & More: www.milkandmore.co.uk They offer a convenient service and already have several customers in the village.
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
All the best