News Update no 67, July 2nd

Happy  73rd Anniversary to the NHS.

The newsletter is now fortnightly, unless there is something specific which just cannot wait.

Nocino Summer Drinks at Stratton Audley Church -Tomorrow

Never tried a Nocino cocktail? Well now is your chance to find out what a walnut-based drink tastes like.

Please pop along to the church for this unusual outdoor event which is table service only. It is from 3pm Saturday July 2021. All are welcome and no booking is necessary.

There is something here for everyone including a non-alcoholic Nocino for people to drizzle over ice cream.

All donations go towards the upkeep of the building.

News from The Red Lion

Tonight – Watch the Euros on their brand new Monster TV!

Saturday 3rd – Cheer England on in the match against Ukraine – barbecue and special late opening until last orders at 12.30. Please depart promptly by 1 am with fairy footsteps (so as to not disturb the neighbours!).

Sunday 4th – Lunch this week is beef or pork (other dietary requirements catered for). You are requested to book in advance so that they can minimise food waste – call the Red Lion on 277 225.

Saturday 10th – Cabaret in the Courtyard – Christine Bovill sings Piaf. It is sure to be a great evening of entertainment. Email Dillie for tickets: dilliedarling@gmail.com

Sunday 11th – Sunday lunch with the Men’s Final from Wimbledon. Strawberries & cream and Prosecco for pudding – of course!

Stratton Audley Barn

The coffee shop is a great place to meet friends with indoor and outdoor seating, so whether it is Brunch or Lunch, Coffee or Cake, Milkshake or Ice Cream, there is something to tempt the whole family.

Indoor and undercover tables are limited, so call in advance 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.

Monday Night with Mitra’s Persian Food

Mitra will once again be in the village serving her Persian food on Monday from 5pm. Located in the centre of the village at the junction with Church Street just turn up on the night or order by texting her in advance during Monday on 07444 364789.

EWR Update

The road junction at the A4421 with Stratton Audley Park Road has finally been improved as requested and as a consequence is much safer to use. The road surfaces has also been improved at the junction although poor areas still exist elsewhere along the road which EWR are responsible for repairing during the development phase of the railway.

The temporary speed camera installed by EWR on Mill Road is proving to be very popular and anecdotally is causing drivers to slow down as they enter the village. I am pleased to report that EWR has confirmed that this will remain in its current location until at least September.

New FREE Bus Service

This is advanced notice of an exciting new bus service that ABILITY is preparing to launch which will provide residents with a connection into Bicester town centre, initially on a Friday.

The official launch date is the 16th of July. This service will be completely free of charge for anyone with a concessionary bus pass once they are registered with ABILITY.

The new service will run as follows: Cottisford, Mixbury, Finmere (Little Tingewick), Newton Purcell, Fringford, Hethe, Hardwick, Stoke Lyne, Stratton Audley, Bicester.

Please note that this is a flexible bus service and not a fixed route, per say, meaning that the bus will only stop at these locations if a passenger has pre-booked a seat on the bus. This way they can guarantee everyone gets a seat and it saves the bus running to places where there is no one to pick up. ABILITY is a commercial company offering a number of services in addition to the basic free service. To find out more and register call 01327 604123.  I also have a number of registration forms so just let me know if you want one.

Thames Water Update

We have received a further update from Thames Water who have confirmed that the footage from the camera survey has been reviewed and as a result a number of repairs will be carried out in due course. Specifically a 63 meter length of liner will be inserted in pipe work on the Bicester Road by the Kennels. Additionally a one meter patch liner on Launton Road. Additionally nine manhole covers will be replaced with new ‘Low Leak’ covers, which will help prevent ground water entering via the covers.

They have also bee liaising with OCC regarding the removal of surface water drains. The works which started this week, include the removal of roadside gullies to the sewer network in Cavendish Place, and the cleaning of roadside gullies in Mill Road.

Other reminders:

Community Open Meeting

The Annual Open Meeting of the Parish is on 4th August at 7.30pm. Please put it in your diary and come if you are in the village that Wednesday evening. This meeting has not been held for two years and whilst hosted by the Parish Council, is an open meeting of the community which means subjects that are not on the Agenda can be raised for discussion in an open forum.

Launton Road Patching Works

The planned closure of Launton Road and Church Street in August for carriageway maintenance patching works has had to be postponed. This is due to a series of planned EWR road closures in the area between now and March 2022, which take precedence over the County Highway network plans. It is regrettable and the Parish Council is seeking to ensure that the work is undertaken at the earliest opportunity in the new 2022 fiscal. In the meantime the road will be maintained and pot holes filled as necessary.

Little Lambs Baby and Toddler Group

This takes place in Stratton Audley Church every Wednesday from 10am – 11am (Term Time). Maximum 15 people – please bring your own tea or coffee. Come and meet new families from the local area safely & join in with story reading, music and toys.

Please book in advance by emailing jeniddoncfw@gmail.com or admin@shelswellparishes.info

The Shelswell Group of Church Parishes

The Shelswell Group of Church Parishes runs a children’s holiday club in the summer and they are hoping people will register their children. Details below:

Home Library Service

Would you like to borrow library books but are unable to visit a library for any reason?  The Home Library Service run by Oxfordshire County Council serves some 700 customers throughout the county.

To get involved contact them to discuss the kind of Books, Large Print/Regular Print, DVDs, Audio Books on CD, Music CD or DVD’s, that you like to read or enjoy.  They can then arrange for a library volunteer to deliver these to you in your home.  Volunteers are DBS checked, wear identification badges and provide a helpful and friendly service.  Whenever possible, they try and arrange for the same volunteer to visit you each time.  Your library materials will be delivered and collected every 3 weeks.  The Home Library Service is free of charge, and there is no surcharges for requests or late returns.

To register for this service or for further information call your local library or telephone the Home Library Service on 01865 810259 or email homelibraryservice@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

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 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