News Update no 76, November 17th

Another fortnight and this issue is packed with new information.

But first, a great photo of our church (which doubles up as our village community centre) taken by Jonathan Beech who lives in the village. We asked him to take some close-up photography of the church tower with his drone to get a bird’s eye view of the layout for reference purposes and he supplied some very professional photos including this one.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Beech jjb.uk@mac.com

Cake Sale in aid of Children in Need this Friday

Please pop along and support this very worthy cause, organised by the Dewhurst family this Friday 19th November from 3.30 to 4.40, at 1 Glen Close.

EWR Road Closure of Stratton Audley Park Road to Poundon

Please note the temporary closure of the road that runs from the crossroads up to the Godington turn-off is now happening this Saturday morning, 20th November from 07:00 until 18.00 on the same day.

Charbridge Lane, Bicester remains closed until 17thDecember.

News from The Red Lion

The following information is from Dillie:

“Lunches weekdays and Sundays as usual, coffee morning on Wednesdays as usual.  Please check the board outside the pub because the wonderful Christine is offering some takeaways, particularly on Friday nights.  

The pub is now open each day apart from Monday. “Frank Night”, on 6th November celebrating Frank’s birthday was a wonderful occasion with live music provided by Malachy O’Neill and much merriment.  

The Christmas Wine Tasting evening on 9th November was also popular and Mike from North Oxfordshire Wines did a great job”.

Quiz night this Thursday 18th with Rich Walsh setting some ferocious questions, 7.30 start. 

And the indefatigable Sapphy has insisted that we do another breakfast on Saturday 27th – LAST BANGER BEFORE CHRISTMAS.  Booking advisable, it was mega popular last time.  Full English, tea, coffee, toast etc 11am – 2pm, £11.95”.  

Bicester Motion ‘Experience Quarter’ Planning Application

The delayed Outline Planning Application from Bicester Motion for the Automotive Experience Quarter (no. 21/01224/OUT) has now been submitted to Cherwell District Council and will go before the planning committee on 2nd December. There has been an extensive period of consultation and since the initial submission in May 2021, when the Parish Council amongst others submitted its comments (as published on the CDC portal), some amendments have been made by Bicester Motion. There remain serious concerns within the village with regard to noise pollution and representations are currently being made on this matter. If you have concerns and wish to comment in an individual capacity then please visit  Planning application: 21/01224/OUT – Planning register | Planning register | Cherwell District Council .

Bicester Motion ‘Wilderness Quarter’ COMMUNITY CONSULTATION DAY: Sunday 5th December 2021

Bicester Motion intends to submit outline plans for The Wilderness Quarter in the first half of 2022 which aim to provide a deliverable solution to restore the former Stratton Audley Quarry, by creating a space for visitors to unwind in nature.

We are told that the proposal for the Wilderness Quarter has two core components which will be connected to the wider Bicester Motion site. These components are:

  • A Reserve which will provide a place for the local community to explore nature along a discovery trail as well as areas to relax on the Northern Lake edge
  • The Southern lakes will provide Eco-lodges for visitors to Oxfordshire and Bicester Motion.

Bicester Motion has decided that the best way to introduce the Wilderness Quarter and engage with the local community is to hold a consultation day on-site with three separate sessions. In order to attend, you will need to email them hq@bicestermotion.com  confirming your first and second choice from the three available session timings. See attached PDF on this subject.

News from Stratton Audley Barn

The following is from Richard, Sara and the Barn team:

“Our Christmas shop is now filled with festive goodies for you, your home and your tree! From nutcrackers to novelty games, Gonks to Garlands, beautiful baubles and beads for your fireside or tree, there really is lots to see! Beautiful real Christmas Trees from our British supplier will be on sale here from 26th November too! In our Cafe, hearty soups, toasted paninis, baked potatoes and our chunky deep filled doorstop sandwiches are back & served daily between 12 -2:30.

Our homemade cakes and slices, warming hot choccy & spicy cinnamon Latte’s are perfect for these chilly autumn days too. With a marquee providing extra seating attached to our cafe, bring your family & friends, grab a cosy blanket or 2, get comfy under a heater and tuck into a tasty treat and enjoy your festive visit.

Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4pm, booking advised for our busy lunchtime period, call ahead to reserve your table. We hope to see you soon”.

News from Stratton Audley Church

The following information is from Becky Adams on behalf of the Shelswell Benefice:

“Full details of all our services can be found on the usual link http://www.shelswellparishes.info/services.php

‘Little Lambs’ baby and toddler group continues on Wednesday mornings (10 – 11.30am). There is no need to book – just turn up with your under-5s. We have play, music and stories and can now serve refreshments for both adults and children.

Shelswell Youth Group has started meeting on alternate Friday evenings (7-9pm) in Fringford. The next meeting is this Friday 19th November – For more details, including the venue, contact Yvonne curate@shelswellparishes.info  “

As many of you will have noticed the church clock and chimes stopped working a few weeks ago. It turned out to be mainly an electrical fault requiring a new capacitor and it was fixed in time for the Remembrance Day service last Sunday. Thanks go to Roger Cross and Jeremy Adams.

Don’t Forget – Fresh Fish every Thursday – Outside the Red Lion

If you want to buy some fresh fish without leaving the village, come to Church Street on any Thursday evening. Jack Evans from Grimsby already supplies fish to a number of local residents and now parks his van outside the Red Lion between 6.30-7pm.

He has a wide selection of fresh fish and shellfish. He is happy to provide a door-to-door service around the village if that is more convenient. You can just turn up or place orders in advance by text and his mobile number is 07535 935119.

Children’s Speed Awareness Poster Campaign

Have you requested your large sheet of A2 paper yet?

As previously reported the Parish Council is reviewing traffic calming measures in the village which will require consultation and take time to implement. A short term measure is to put posters up to remind everyone to check their speed and drive slowly through the village.

If you’re a parent or grandparent please get your children to design a poster which will then be laminated and displayed in the village. A nice colourful design would be great with simple words such as “we play here please keep us safe”, “I walk here so please don’t drive too fast” or “Enjoy a long life. Slow Down” or “If you can’t Read this – slow down”.

To participate and get your A2 sheet of paper, please contact Kathryn Walker at strattonaudley.kw@gmail.com

Bicester Heritage January Scramble

The Events team have asked me to notify you of the local code for the first Scramble of 2022, on the 16th of January.

Tickets will be going live on the 15th November (Monday) at 1pm, and the link can be accessible via our website.

Local Promo code is:  FlyingBrevets

All tickets are now £14.00 (+£1.10 Fee & Tax) and the discount code will give 50% discount.

Local Police Bicester and Kidlington Rural Team News

We asked Sergeant Gavin Staniland to provide a local update:

“Hello to all residents of Stratton Audley Parish, I would like to take this opportunity to provide some updates regarding your police team which has undergone a recent restructure. Previously your community has been served by PCSO’s Thomas BAILEY and Louise BEAUMONT and I would like to reassure everyone that this will continue to be the case. However I have now created a larger Rural Neighbourhood team, which will provide a more consistent and resilient means of visible policing.

Cherwell and West Oxfordshire police area recognise the significant impact that rural crime has on the community. In response to this we have just launched rural crime All Crime Attendance. This means that all crime that is reported to us as a rural crime will have follow up and contact from either a Police officer or Police Community Support Officer. Whilst there may not always be investigative opportunities for us to explore it does provide a valuable opportunity to provide Crime prevention and safeguarding advice.

I understand having conducted an extensive ‘Have Your Say’ across the rural community that Speeding is a common concern.  In response to these concerns PCSO Thomas BAILEY has been conducting speed enforcement operations around the rural communities with the assistance of our colleagues from the Roads policing department.

As a Team we are driven to continue these operations and PCSO BAILEY will be delivering training to the other members of the Team. PC David SCOTT and PCSO BAILEY are your Community Speed watch Contacts for our rural team and will be happy to advise or assist where possible.

PCSO Louise BEAUMONT is reigniting community Have Your Say meetings around all of the villages so please keep an eye on social media and advertisements through the Parish Council for when they will be coming to you”.

To report a crime or contact the police there are now three options:

  • Call 999 if you see a crime being committed or in an emergency
  • Call 101 to report anything else to the police – or go online to do so
  • And now police are partnering with CrimeStoppers to remind everyone of ‘The 3rd Number – 0800 555 111’ that enables you to report your information totally anonymously if you prefer.

Finally for the latest crime statistics there is a useful national site into which you can put your post code. Click on this link  Bicester Rural | Police.uk (www.police.uk)

Christmas Carol Service

The village Christmas Carol Service in the church will be held on Sunday 12th December at 6pm, so save the date now.

Help for Fringford Primary School

Great news! As you may recall Fringford Primary School was selected for the Tesco Community Grant (Blue token) scheme and this scheme came second in terms of the support it received from shoppers. They were awarded a £1,000 grant towards their Forest School and Sensory Garden Project.

They wish to thank all Villagers who supported their cause.

And some reminders from the previous newsletters…..

Order a bottle of Nocino – all funds go to the Church building

David Young is taking orders for people who want their very own bottle of Nocino walnut liqueur in time for some relaxing autumn and Christmas cheer.

To order a bottle, please rsvp to david@betteroutliers.com .  All donations go directly to maintaining the church building and anyone pre-ordering is invited to go into the church and see their liqueur develop – the process to make Nocino takes 40 – 60 days and needs someone to gently shake the Nocino kilners/vat jars every 2-3 days.

Queens Platinum Jubilee – Join the Committee

A community wide street party will be held to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee. National celebrations will take place from 2-5th June 2022 and we have pencilled in Sunday 5th June as our day of celebration. If you want to help or join the committee please let me know.

Fish & Chips Van in the village on Saturdays

For those new in the village, a Howe’s Fish and Chip van comes to the village every Saturday lunchtime at 1pm – 1:15pm. It plays a traditional tune (like an ice cream van) when entering the village and stops first in Cherry Street. I believe he then drives down Cavendish Road and stops again in Mill Road.

Howe & Co was established in 1930 and now has over 100 vans serving villages. You can track each van by going to their website

https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/#findvan

They also have a general number you can call 07809 901761.

The return of the very popular 100 Club

The following is from Maggie Woodward who organises this draw.

“It has been decided to start the 100 club again having had to take a break because of Covid.  The subscriptions will be due in November/December, a collector from the team will be knocking on your door for your subscription which is £10, but more than one subscription per household can be taken if desired.  There will be four prizes, £30, £20 and two at £10, the prize money will be doubled in December. The money will be delivered to the winners.  The first draw will take place on Wednesday 5th January 2022 in The Red Lion at coffee morning and thereafter on the first Wednesday of the month. The list of winners will be displayed on the Parish Council, The Red Lion and Church noticeboards and will be published in the Shelswell News. Any profit from the club will go towards a village project. 

The collectors are as follows:

Willows Lodge                                                         Jeff

Glen Close and Stoke Lyne Road                         Angie

Cherry Street and The Limes                              Paddy

Cavendish Place                                                     Stewart

Mill Road                                                                  Jeremy

Launton Road                                                          Viv

Bicester Road                                                          Maggie

The Manor                                                               Emma

Please give generously and support your village.  Many thanks and good luck!”

Shelswell History Festival advance notice Save-the-date

The Shelswell Benefice has decided to once again run the Shelswell History Festival and this is due to take place on Saturday 16th July 2022. They are looking for volunteers to help organise it and especially anyone with marketing expertise. Contact Alice Goodall by email alicegoodall313@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

For the latest details on Covid data and other Government’s advice on Coronavirus can be found via these link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/