Village Questionnaire Reminder
It has now been just over a week since the questionnaires were distributed and to date we have received about 70 returns. This represents a third of all households and in order for the survey to have validity we need to reach a return rate of two thirds or 140 completed surveys.
So could we please ask those who have put it to one side to complete it and return to one of the Parish Councillors over this weekend, in order for the analysis to be carried out before the village meeting on 6th April (less that two weeks time!)
| If for any reason you have not received this or it has been misplaced, please use one of the links below to download another copy. For those who may find it easier to fill out and return via email (send to jhonsinger@btconnect.com), the first link is for a word doc which should allow you to do this. Alternatively the second link is a pdf version which can be printed out and returned and posted through a letterbox. |
Hot News from the Red Lion
The following information is from Dillie:
“Please make sure you book your Mother’s Day lunch which is this Sunday – either at 12 noon or 2.30 pm. Special menu. 01869 277225.
Coffee Morning every Wednesday. Lunch and coffee morning has gone up, apologies, but I’m sure I don’t need to tell everyone that the cost of living is rocketing.
The next Quiz Night with Richard Walsh is on 7th April”.
Red Cross Appeal for Ukraine
The Red Lion who organised and ran a Pledge Auction for the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal last Sunday evening was a truly great success. Just over £4500 was raised from the auctioning of some 30 or so items by local geezer Tony Jones. Congratulation to Dillie and everyone else who helped and to those who provided the items from cakes to flights and of course the bidders who packed out the pub. ALL the money raised. Goes to the appeal fund.News from Stratton Audley Church
The follow information is from Becky Adams on behalf of the Shelswell Benefice:
“This coming Sunday, 27th March, there will be a 9.15am service of Holy Communion in Stratton Audley Church – all are welcome.
Please check our website for details of services elsewhere in the benefice http://www.shelswellparishes.info/services.php “
‘Little Lambs’ baby and toddler group continues in Stratton Audley Church every Wednesday in term time (10am – 11.30am) – Just turn up.
Stratton Audley Barn
The following is from Richard, Sara and the Barn team:
“Treat Mum to a special Afternoon Tea at the Barn on Mothering Sunday, 27th March. Standard afternoon tea £19.50pp, add Prosecco for £5pp. Children’s Afternoon tea £9.95.
Limited places and booking essential, give us a call to find out more or reserve your place on 01869 278184.
Easter stock has also arrived, from gorgeous Easter bunnies to egg for your tree, come browse the cute selection and have a cup of tea!!
Follow us on Facebook for more news and updates. From the Barn Team!”
EWR Road Closures
Just to remind everyone that the road that runs from Stratton Audley to Marsh Gibbon from the crossroads intersection with Station Road that goes to Launton is closed for the next 3 months until 17th June for the bridge works.
However, the good news is that Station Road to Launton is now fully open ahead of time. (see below photos)
Additionally, and although it doesn’t affect us directly, this is just to draw your attention to the other significant road closure. The Bicester Road that connects Bicester to Launton will be closed on Monday 28th March for a couple of months until Friday 27 May 2022, between the hours of 7am and 6pm. Access will be maintained for pedestrians and cyclists.
Annual OPEN Meeting of the Parish is on 6th April
The Annual Assembly of the Parish of Stratton Audley will be held at St Mary and St Edburga Church on Wednesday 6th April at 7.30pm.
This is not to be confused with the Annual Parish Council Meeting but an OPEN meeting of the Parish. The Parish Council traditionally facilitates the meeting and creates a running order to include current matters known to be of interest to the community. However any relevant matters can be raised for discussion at the meeting by any member of the Parish.
Do try and come as the results of the village survey and recent speed checks will be presented and outcomes discussed.
Hosting Ukrainian Refugees
Understandably, there is a great deal of interest in hosting refugees from Ukraine and you will be aware of delays in getting the scheme functional so here is an update. For those that are interested read on:
Late last Friday, the government published outline guidance for local authorities in England. Although detailed guidance is still being developed, this outline helps to confirm a few key points:
The Homes for Ukraine scheme will support the sponsorship of Ukrainian individuals and families coming to the UK in two phases.
Phase one is where individuals in the UK sponsor named guests to come and live with them in their home. Both the sponsor and guest can use a number of channels to find a match – direct relation, friend, friend of a friend or contact from an NGO, charity or other contact. This is the only official housing scheme currently operational. The only route for people to enter the UK is through a visa process administered by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office. It is this system, and only this system, that will trigger requests to local authorities for support. At this stage our involvement, is linked to the timing of that activation and to those individuals successfully registering through that route.
It is clear that a wide range of services from local government and key partners will be required, including initial checks and visits to sponsor homes, benefits advice and payment, finding school and early years placements and health provision.
The second phase is where the scheme will be expanded to enable organisations and community groups to sponsor multiple guests. This scheme is still being developed by the government. While communities will be key in welcoming and supporting our Ukrainian friends, councils do not have these answers yet. I am sure this will become an equally important route, but for the moment the focus will be on phase 1 and as soon as we know more about phase two, we will be in a better position to answer questions from wider organisations and community groups.
Oxfordshire, has mobilised a system wide team (including county, district and city councils and health partners etc), which builds on the Covid response and mean we are better able to support such initiatives together. You can find more detail here
Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebration
Planning for the village street party is progressing well and as you know is confirmed for Sunday 5th June from 12 noon to 5pm. Chruch street will be closed for the afternoon and the great news is that the Manor residents have very kindly agreed for the Manor lawn to be utilised for children and adult soft games.
There is a monthly committee meeting and if you want to help or join the committee, please email Abbey Short Abbey.Short@olympia.london
More details to follow, but please save the date now if you haven’t already put it in your diary.
Refurbished Road Markings in the Village
The Parish Council asked OCC for the road markings throughout the village to be refurbished and this week the work was carried out, within a month of putting in the request. Thanks go to Highways team in OCC.
Defibrillator Training – Date to be confirmed
We have a dozen or so people who have asked to participate in defibrillator training which will take place in the Church building on a Saturday morning (likely 10-12noon). The Parish Council are arranging for South Central Ambulance to run the training session and apologise for the delay in fixing a suitable day.
New residents may not be aware that there is a public defibrillator located in the Church Porch which is accessible at all times even when the church is locked at night. It is in a contained in a yellow metal box secured to the wall on the right hand side and ready for use at all times. The general rule is to phone 999 so the emergency services can locate the position of the box. The moment the defibrillator box is opened you get automatic instructions so that most people can use it without fear of doing the wrong thing.
Don’t Forget – Fresh Fish every Thursday
Jack from Grimsby continues to come to the village on Thursday’s between 6.30-7pm and parks his van outside the Red Lion. He has a wide selection of fresh fish and shellfish. You can just turn up or place orders in advance by text and his mobile number is 07535 935119.
Fish & Chips Van in the village on Saturdays
For those new in the community, a Howe’s Fish and Chip van comes to the village every Saturday lunchtime from 1.30pm to 2pm. You will hear a bell (like a school bell) and his first stop is in Cherry Street. He then drives along Cavendish Place and stops again at the junction with 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 and you need to look for van no 4:
https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/#findvan
They also have a general number you can call 07809 901761.
And some reminders from the previous newsletters for those who missed them previously:
Children’s Road Safety Posters
These have now been posted around the village and there are 19 posters in total. If there are any other children, including grandchildren who would like to create a new poster then please email Kathryn Walker at strattonaudley.kw@gmail.com
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
Time to get walking again!
At this time of year we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?
John Harris has the answers! Walking in Oxfordshire
https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/oxfordshire has hundreds of walks to download and print, free of charge. It also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county, and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group, all the information is there in one place.
John Harris (the custodian of the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Oxfordshire (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.
With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.
So home or away, check out his websites and get walking!
www.walkinginengland.co.uk
Local Police Bicester and Kidlington Rural Team News
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)
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