Church Services for Easter Sunday
A message from Alice Goodall, Rector, Shelswell Benefice:
- We are delighted that we will be back open for our Easter Day service at 11.00 am in the village church- you would be very welcome – please book your place by phoning 01280 949192 or emailing admin@shelswellparishes.info
- From Easter Day the church will once again be open during the day for private prayer and reflection.
- there will be also be a service in Godington Church on Easter Day at the same time, 11am and all are welcome. Again book via admin@shelswellparishes.info
- Everyone needs to wear a face-covering when attending services unless exempt and social distancing will be strictly observed to keep everyone safe.
- Thank you to everyone who has signed up to the Parish Giving Scheme or who has made a donation over the last year to Stratton Audley Church – the good news is that it is now in better shape financially, although with ongoing work on the building any further donations are always welcome!
- More good news is that the replastering work inside the church has now been completed, but this has highlighted further leaks in the roof and a need for repointing. Anthony Flack is in the process of seeking quotes for this work and applying for grants: if you would be prepared to help him with this, then do get in touch – he would value some assistance with taking this forward. 01869 277511.
Church Yard Spring Clean
Anthony Flack has organised a spring clean of the church yard for Saturday 10th April 2021 (10.00 to 12 noon) and volunteers are needed. Please mark it in your diary for a weeks’ time and either just turn up with the tools of your choice (although there will be some spare) or email flack.wine_train@btinternet.com
It involves raking up winter debris, cutting back base runners around the trees, along with brambles, ivy and some overhanging branches.
Easter Monday in Mitra Monday
It maybe a Bank Holiday but Mitra will be in the village again on Monday to serve up her delicious Persian food, at the junction in the centre of the village. She’ll be serving from about 4pm until dusk.
Just turn up or text her in advance if you have a large order on 07444 364789.
If you want to bring your own container or pot to save on plastic waste, please do so.
Stratton Audley Barn
Now serving take-away home-made ice cream, Friday to Sunday 10am-4pm. Grab a cuppa and cake to enjoy while out for a walk.
The Red Lion
As previously reported the Red Lion will not be opening until sometime in May.
Meanwhile, there has been a great response to the questionnaire with a lot of good positive ideas. If you haven’t got around to it now is the time:
1 Do you use the pub?
2 If so, when did you last come into the pub?
- How regularly do you think you would visit once restrictions are lifted?
- Are there any improvements you would like to see?
5 Would you be willing to volunteer to help in any way… behind the bar, serving food, painting and decorating?
Please respond directly to Dillie at dilliedarling@gmail.com
East West Rail Local Update
The damaged verges on the Stratton Audley Park Road are to be repaired by EWR and new instructions have been issued to all contractors to use the passing bays and keep their speed down. EWR are placing a number of mobile LED information signs in the area, one of which will be located on the Park Road.
EWR have also noted concerns raised by residents and the livery stables, with regard to the amount of traffic on the Launton Road and a number of temporary static horse warning signs are to be put in place. They tell us that the actual number of large vehicles using the road is quite small as most are using the special haul road built adjacent to the new track.
Finally another reminder that Station Road (from the crossroads with L:aunton Road) that leads to Launton will be closed from the 12/04/2021 to 25/03/2022 for the construction of the new road alignment.
Parish Council
Just to say it was sad to see Mike Gore and Antonia leave the village last week, but the good news is they are keen to keep strong ties with the village and hopefully find a larger house not too far away. Mike will continue to mow the village grass and look after the playground and will remain a Parish Councillor for the time being.
On the subject of the Parish Council, we have a vacancy as we are now allowed to have up to seven councillors but have operated with six for the last couple of years. Just like vampires we need new blood! So if you are interested in contributing to community life, please get in touch with the Clerk or the Chairman.
East West Rail 2nd None Statutory Consultation
EWR have just launched the next stage of public consultation. They are inviting
comments from all interested parties including the public.
Two of the key areas of focus for the consultation in our area are:
- How to improve Oxford Station and its supporting infrastructure - including Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village stations
- Options for avoiding lengthy periods of delays at the London Road level crossing, Bicester (there are six options for this crossing all of which propose tunnels or bridges).
You can share your views using the online feedback form available on their website at www.eastwestrail.co.uk, by emailing your comments to them at consultation@eastwestrail.co.uk or writing via FREEPOST East West Rail.
Alternatively, you can request a paper copy of the feedback form to be sent to you online at www.eastwestrail.co.uk, by emailing them at contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or by calling on 0330 134 0067.
The closing date for the consultation is 9 June 2021.
Comet Bus Services
No further news.
But for the time being please remember that Comet operate a dial-a-ride service for those that require transport for medical or essential shopping reasons. There is a cost of 75p per mile which works out at under £5 for a round trip into Bicester. The service operates Monday to Friday between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Should anyone wish to make a booking please contact the Comet team on 01865 323201.
Bicester Motion Scramble – Discount Resident Vouchers
The next Scramble is to be held on 5th/6th of June and neighbourhood discounted tickets are still available for Sunday 6th June. When purchasing you will need to put FlyingBrevets into the promo code box which will immediately allocate a 50% discount. You will be required to input your OX27 or OX26 postcode and this will be checked.
https://bicesterheritage.co.uk/tickets/october-scramble-tickets/
Passes previously purchased for the January and April scrambles are still valid.
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 Update
The governments ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England can be found via this link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary
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
Did you know that the Cherry Street postbox is a priority box for returning a) Covid tests & b) virus watch test for NHS? It has been mentioned before but really is a handy facility.
Cavendish Place Corner
Annie Wadley recently approached the PC with the idea of planting up the ground on the corner of Cherry Street and Cavendish Place which had been cleared earlier this year by Stewart Hopkins and others. With the help of neighbour Neil Morrison, she has now planted some ferns, small hebes and some perennials which she paid for and in time are going to look great. There is still room if anyone else wants to add anything perhaps daffodil bulbs for next year. Thanks Annie. Great job!
