Time to come out of the shadows?
New Parish Councillors Wanted – Could this be You?
We need new people on the Parish Council to broaden our demographics to reflect those of the community as a whole. Surely there must be one or two people, perhaps new in the village, who are willing to put their names forward? We recognise that everyone is busy or has other commitments but it is not a particularly arduous job if enough people share the responsibilities.
A Councillor is required to attend meetings once a month and in time perhaps take on a responsibility for a particular area or interest. Meetings usually last 2 hours and are generally light-hearted and informative! Why not observe a meeting to see what you think?
No prior experience is necessary. All you really need is an interest in local issues and things which affect residents, and the desire and willingness to play a part in the community. Contact John Honsinger on 278 000 or email jhonsinger@btconnect.com or the Clerk on strattonaudley.parishcouncil@gmail.com
Red Lion Re Opening Friday 21st May
Dillie has sent me the following note which explains what is happening with the opening of the pub:
“Dillie and John are nervously delighted to say that they are finally opening the pub on 21st May. Sorry if people are disappointed that it isn’t opening on 17th with all the other pubs, but there’s so much to do! To start with, the pub will be open 5 days a week – – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4pm – 11pm, and Saturday and Sunday, noon till 11pm. This will be the regime until it’s clear how things are going. A great Kiwi guy is going to manage the pub for us – called Gus Evans, he’s been in pub management for a long time and just happened to be looking for a pub in the area when the Red Lion needed a manager. There will be a few changes, obviously, but nothing radical. And we will of course be mindful about the current Covid regulations.
Staffing the pub is now the priority so please do get in touch if you are interested – and if you know of anyone who’s not on this mailing list who might be interested, do let them know! And a chef would be nice too…. If you are interested, please contact gusrevans@gmail.com or dilliedarling@gmail.com.
And the team would be hugely grateful if anyone could pitch up on Monday to help with the big spring clean!”
Monday Night with Mitra’s Persian Food
Mitra will be selling her tasty Persian food in the village from 5pm to 7pm this Monday. Just turn up on the night or orders text her in advance during Monday on 07444 364789.
Stratton Audley Barn
Delighted to announce that the coffee shop will be open for indoor seating from Tuesday 18th adding to the existing options. Whether it is Brunch or Lunch, Coffee or Cake, Milkshake or Ice Cream. Sit in comfort wherever you choose, inside our cafe, under cover of our marquee or in the beautiful green paddock. Indoor and undercover tables are limited, so call all to book on 01869 278184. For more information on www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk or Facebook Stratton Audley Barn
Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
EWR Road Closures
For the latest notices regarding closures and works on local road please see the attached PDF from East West Rail.
The issue with the resident who suffered the tyre blow-out on the Stratton Audley Park Road near Godington is currently being resolved.
Bicester Motion Plans for the Automotive Experience
As you will now know Bicester Motion has submitted a planning application for its Experience Centre, ref: 21/01224/OUT. You can view this application and supporting documents at the District Website: https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/21/01224/OUT.
The Parish Council has this matter under review and will be circulating its formal response to all residents before the end of the month. Points of concern relate to noise levels; additional traffic congestion with a second access road being opened up near the Bicester Road junction with the A4421; road safety concerns on the Bicester Road and A4421 corner, linked to the apparent lack of a cycle and pedestrian route at this point.
Everyone is encouraged to study the proposals and send in their own comments direct to CDC.
The current deadline for comments is 27th May.
A Local Live Staged Production of the Mikado – 3rd to 5th June
The Bicester Choral & Operatic Society is presenting a very innovative staged version of the Mikado, and village resident Tim Lane, who is a member, has asked for a little publicity.
Tickets are easy to book online. Full details are at www.bcoswesing.org.uk
If you have any questions, Tim is happy for you to call him on 277 523.
Finally a chance to go to a live local event!
Annual Meeting of the Parish
The Annual meeting of the Parish will be held on July 7th in the church. This is a meeting organised by the Parish Council on behalf of the whole community. It is a chance for those who wish to speak about any relevant subjects to do so in a public forum. There will be more publicity about this but please:
SAVE THE DATE – ANNUAL MEETING of the PARISH, WEDNESDAY 7th July, 8PM, The Parish Church.
Stratton Audley Church
The Church is once again open during the day for private prayer and reflection. It is no longer necessary to book for services, though masks and hand sanitising will still be required and social distancing will be strictly observed.
The next monthly Muddy Church (Stoke Lyne Churchyard, not Stoke Lyne Road) get together is this coming Sunday on 16th May.
You can find all the details of services in the benefice on the website www.shelswellparishes.info
Other previously reported matters
East West Rail Advanced Road Closure Notices
Stratton Audley Park Road from the crossroads with Mill Lane to the junction with the A4421
A temporary Notice is being made by East West Rail Alliance to implement the temporary closures and will operate from the 29 May 2021 up to and including the 30 May 2021 whilst HS2 works are carried out.
Stratton Audley Park Road from the Mill Lane crossroad to Poundon.
Subsequently there will be a further temporary closure of the road that leads in the opposite direction to Poundon from 5 June 2021 up to and including 6 June 2021
The diversion route will be Mill Road-Launton Road-Main Street and vice versa
Further information regarding the works may be obtained from East West Rail website, contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or phone 0330 1340067
Additionally, you should have received notification by Network Rail of weekend closures on the same road between Godington and Poundon which run from 8th May until 23rd May, from 7am to 6pm.
Finally, a reminder that Station Road (from the crossroads with Launton Road) that leads to Launton is now closed and will remain so for about a year.
East West Rail 2nd Non Statutory Consultation
The closing date for the public consultation on the next stage od development is 9 June 2021. 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, for further information you can call 0330 134 0067.
New FREE Bus Service Exclusively for the village
Please don’t forget to try the free bus service into Bicester which is now in operation two times a week on Tuesday and Thursday.
If we want to keep the service it is important that it is used regularly so please spread the word particularly to your neighbours who may not receive this newsletter.
Pick up in Stratton Audley
10:46 – Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close
10:49 – Bus Stop Bicester Road
Drop off
11:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester
Pick Up in Bicester
1:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester
Drop Off
1:10 – Opposite Bus Stop Bicester Road
1:14 – Opposite Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close
Resurfacing of Launton Road
The major resurfacing works that were postponed last year have now been scheduled in for August (provisionally 9/8/21). The works to Launton Road & Church Street will result in the closure of the roads except for access and this will be done in sections.
OCC are very aware of the dangerous state of parts of the Launton Road and interim interventions will be required before August. Fixmystreet is still the best way for all of us to report any matter (not just potholes) to do with Highways https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk
Calling All “Baby Lambs”
For those who are new to the village and have a baby who isn’t yet mobile, Little Lambs has started up again with “Baby Lambs”.
Although for the moment restrictions limit what can be done, the organiser’s would love to see you. It is every Wednesday in the Stratton Audley Church from 10am – 10.45am (Term Time)
Contact Jen Iddon via jeniddoncfw@gmail.com
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 next stage of the Governments unlocking takes place this Monday which is great news.
The Government’s ‘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