Christmas Greetings
On behalf of the Parish Council I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for the festive season. Let us all look forward to 2022 in the hope that it is the year that starts to bring Covid 19 under control throughout the world.
Please Note: This newsletter is being sent by a Mailchimp programme to make it easier to send out and allow for personalisation, but if you notice anything that doesn’t look right please let me know.
A Tale of Two Stories…….
Goodwill at Christmas. Alice Goodall recently received the letter below and we thought it deserved wider publicity:
“Dear Rector
You wont know me from a block of cheese since I live in Worcester, but I am writing with a message of thanks – to someone!
On Friday 3rd December at about 9.45am, I parked my red Ford Focus a few yards North of The Red Lion at Stratton Audley, meeting a friend in order to spend the morning walking , on the local footpaths. Slightly late and eager to get started, I quickly changed my shoes for my walking boots and we set off. On our return some hours later, I spotted my shoes which some kind person had neatly moved out of obvious sight and protected from the weather, well under the back bumper. I must have stupidly forgotten to place them in the car at the start of the walk.
I’m extremely grateful to whoever carried out this act of kindness and rather touched by it. Not only were the shoes newish and not cheap but driving a car in muddy walking boots back to Worcester is not to be advised!
Best wishes
Alastair Graham”
But watch out thieves are about……..
The new residents in the house next to the church thought it would be nice to place a small Christmas tree outside their door and decorate it only to discover that it had been removed by a light-footed individual. Sad but true.
Bin Collection Over Christmas Period
There will be no interruptions to our normal bin collection services. The Tuesday 28thDecember collection of the general green bin will go ahead as normal and the blue/brown bin collection the following Tuesday 4th will also be as usual. The refuse collection teams do a great job all year round and are deserving of our thanks.
Pound Lights and Christmas Tree
Thanks go to the Hill family at Pound House for once again supplying the power and turning on the lights in the small oak tree in the Pound Pocket Park.
Also thanks go to Jeremy Adams and Richard Howson for putting up the Village Christmas tree on The Green and to the Papenfus’s for supplying the electricity for the lights.
East West Rail Update
Good news, Charbridge Lane, Bicester is now open.
Most other works in the area will also come to a pause at the end of this week and will commence again on Monday 3rd January. There are no new planned road closures.
News from The Red Lion
The following information is from Dillie:
”Oh dear. Just when we thought we were getting on our feet, along comes the wretched Omicron virus. But we soldier on, and visors have been delivered for all the staff to wear. Please don’t hesitate to ask for table service if you would prefer that to going up to the bar.
Christine’s Christmas menu has been very popular and people are still booking which is encouraging. Don’t forget we have the small dining room – the Hunt Room – which is a good size for family gatherings in safe-size groups.
In the meantime, we’re not serving Sunday lunch on 19th. The kitchen is closing on 23rd for a few days so that we can deep clean. But the pub will be open over Christmas as usual. On Christmas Eve, I was planning a bit of a sing-song, but I think that’s unwise now. Who’d have thought that community singing was more risky than cave diving? Heigh ho, strange new world.
Anyhow, we shall be open on Christmas day between 12-2pm, and John is perfecting his Bloody Mary recipe for Boxing Day.
Beyond that, we just hope to get through December and see how the land lies after that. Wish us luck. And a huge thank you to Richard and Sarah at Stratton Audley Barn for their extremely generous gift of a Christmas Tree to go outside the pub. Dave Tucker says he’ll put it up properly so that it doesn’t blow down as in days of yore. Big thanks to him as well. “
News from Stratton Audley Church
The follow information is from Becky Adams on behalf of the Shelswell Benefice:
“As things stand we are able to go ahead with planned services, though masks are now mandatory in church and we are encouraging hand sanitising and as much space between people as possible.
On Sunday 19th December we have our ‘Fun at Four’ Christingle Service for all ages (4pm) in Stratton Audley Church.
On Christmas Eve the Crib Service is in Stratton Audley Church at 4pm. This is particularly suitable for young children, but is a delightful service for anyone who would like to share in the children’s excitement.
There is no Midnight Communion Service in Stratton this year, but there are Midnight services nearby:
10pm ‘Early’ Midnight Communion at Finmere
11.30pm Midnight Communion in Fringford and Cottisford
On Christmas Morning we will be celebrating with a Family Communion service in Stratton Audley Church at 11am.
Check our website for details of services elsewhere in the benefice http://www.shelswellparishes.info/services.php ”
News from Stratton Audley Barn
The following is from Richard, Sara and the Barn team:
“We are now open 7 days a week 10am – 4pm and with this, our final weekend of the year, join us for a complimentary mulled wine and lots of festive cheer while you shop or dine!
From Saturday 18th December until we close on 4pm Wednesday 22nd December, we are also offering 30% off ALL Christmas decorations, with an extra 10% for village residents (just flash us a copy of this email!)
Fresh trees are still available in all sizes and………..If you’re stuck in isolation and need some extra help with your shopping give us a call, we offer free delivery to all villagers and are very happy to help you shop or order over the phone!
We re-open 10am on Friday 7th January and are also now recruiting for the new year too, check out our Facebook page or message us for more information.
Wishing you and all your families a very Merry and Safe Christmas from us all at the Barn.
Stratton Audley Barn. 01869 278184 info@strattonaudleybarn.co.uk ”.
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 Thursday evenings. Jack Evans from Grimsby parks his van outside the Red Lion between 6.30-7pm. He will be here next week on 23rd Dec and then taking a break, returning on Thursday 13th January.
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.
Bicester Motion ‘Experience Quarter’ Planning Application
The Parish Council has now submitted additional comments regarding the Outline Planning Application from Bicester Motion for the Automotive Experience Quarter and these can be viewed by visiting the Cherwell District Council planning portal by clicking on this link- Planning application: 21/01224/OUT – Planning register | Planning register | Cherwell District Council (once in the site go to ‘Support Documents’ and scroll down until you get to ‘Consultee Responses’ listed by date posted and scroll down).
The two biggest issues identified by the Parish Council concern potential noise pollution from track events and the lack of provision for 24 hour access through the site for a pedestrian and cycle path, all of which is explained in more detail in our submission.
This matter is scheduled for discussion at a full planning committee meeting in January. As it is an outline application it is likely to get approval, so it will come down to what caveats and conditions the committee decided to impose on approval.
Children’s Speed Awareness Poster Campaign
Over a dozen really powerful designs have already been submitted and this is a last call for anyone who has not yet got around to registering with Kathryn Walker. To participate and get your A2 sheet of paper, please contact Kathryn at strattonaudley.kw@gmail.com
All designs submitted will be laminated and displayed around the village in the New Year. The cut off deadline has been extended to the new year to allow for some families to complete their design over the holidays.
Helping homeworkers with their wellbeing this winter
Homeworkers in north Oxfordshire are being invited to take part in free online workshops this winter, aimed at supporting mental health. Cherwell District Council is working with Oxfordshire Mind to deliver the group sessions, offering tips on wellbeing as well as how to spot the warning signs if a colleague needs help.
To find out more visit the Cherwell District Council site:
https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/news/article/924/helping-homeworkers-with-their-wellbeing-this-winter?fbclid=IwAR0EF6xfiMhTUY8UJySIOAo3gTKzKOIe8_50-Kra9Aah7koMB3H0L1MCbuw
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. The link for tickets is accessible via their website. Local Promo code is: FlyingBrevets
All tickets are now £14.00 (+£1.10 Fee & Tax) and the discount code will give 50% discount.
https://bicesterheritage.co.uk/whaton/january2022scramble-2-2/
And some reminders from the previous newsletters…..
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)
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 Place 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!”
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.
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/