News Update no 114, April 14th

Annual Parish Open Meeting – Next Wednesday

The Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting for Stratton Audley will be at St Mary and St Edburga Church on Wednesday 19th April 2023 at 7.00pm (usual running time 2 hours).
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.
This year a complimentary glass of wine will be served at the end of the meeting with a soft-drink alternative.
The business to be transacted at the meeting will be as follows:

1.     Chairman’s Welcome

2.     Apologies

3.     Minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting

4.     Report by the Clerk about the year 2022-2023

5.     Report from The Church / CDC if any

6.     Some specifics for discussion:

  • Solar Development
  • Bicester Motion Experience Quarter
  • The Red Lion
  • EWR

7.     Ideas for Village Improvement Fund

8.     Open forum

9.     Any other business

10.   Courtesy glass of wine

The Red Lion
Pub news from Dillie:
“Hello to all villagers and members of the community.  I have secured an agreement with Stonegate, who own the pub, that I will be signing a Deed of Surrender and handing back the keys when we finally get Probate on John’s Estate.  All being well, this should happen in about 2 months time.  After that, they may put the pub in the hands of a manager while they put it on sale. 
So I will definitely be in situ for the Coronation and we are planning a Very Big Weekend.   More of which later.
Meanwhile, Lorraine’s excellent Sunday lunches will be held as usual.  We have discontinued Friday fish night as we are running down food stocks, but the pensioner’s Wednesday lunches are going very well indeed.  Do remember that bookings need to be made by Tuesday – this is to avoid us being stuck with leftovers!
So here are some of the details of the Coronation weekend – which also involves a celebration of John O’Neill’s birthday the day before.  Please do get in touch with either John Honsinger, me or Maggie Woodward if you have fun ideas for the Sunday in particular.   Remember – this is only an outline so far.   And anyone who fancies volunteering (putting up bunting etc) do get in contact! 

Friday 5th May
THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING!  John was a big presence in the village (and in the pub) so we are celebrating his birthday the night before the new King’s coronation. Details of the hooley will emerge next week.  7pm onwards.

Saturday 6th May
The Coronation.  Timings of the ceremony have as yet not been announced, but we know we are putting up a marquee in the pub garden with a big television, so folk can watch and admire together.  Depending on how early the proceedings start, we will be serving modestly priced breakfast baps, followed by little filled rolls as the day goes on.  There will be a special Coronation Quiz at 7pm with prizes.

Sunday May 7th
The  street will be closed for the day from the Manor gates to the junction with the Bicester Road.  Festivities will be starting at around 1pm and the Parish Council are funding the cost of Hog Roast, so there will be no roast dinners in the pub that day.  Fergie’s Hog Roast is sublime, please come along and partake, and bring anything else you might want.

Although some seating/tables will be provided for those less able, do feel free to bring your own table/chairs and gazebos! The Parish Council is also funding Mike Gore’s 60’s Revival band who will play from around 2pm for two sessions of 45minutes.

During the afternoon some children’s activities will be organised and there will be a children’s pageant organised by Maggie.  The PC have purchased a commemorative coin for all children under 15 who are in attendance or living in the village, and these will be given out during the afternoon or distributed afterwards.

From 4pm there will be tea and cakes for seniors in the  church.

A church service will be held at 6pm.”

The Kings Coronation Party in More Detail
As per Dillie’s write-up above, the Parish Council is working closely with the Red Lion and Maggie who is organising several children’s activities (with help from Sophie) for the street party on Sunday 7th May.
A number of people have already volunteered to help on the day but more are welcome. We will be setting up from 9am outside the Red Lion, collecting and putting up the marquee, tables, chairs and bunting. So if you have not already done so, please do get in-touch.
The Hog Roast is free for all to share and a vegetarian burger alternative will also be available. Everyone is encouraged to bring whatever food and drink they may require such as salads and sweets. As with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last years, if  you want to bring your own gazebo chairs and tables there will be room for you to set up in the street. Decorating your table and dressing up yourself is to be encouraged.
Maggie is organising a children’s street pageant, so parents get working on your ideas for custom-made costumes. There will be prizes!
Finally Angie Miles has very generously volunteered to back a Coronation cake.

Summary of the proposed outline schedule
All times approximate
09.00 Helpers to assemble outside the Red Lion
10.00 Street Closure and diversion signage put out
12.30  Event start
13:00  Hog roast ready to serve
13:30  Children’s pageant/parade
14.00  various children’s activities commence
14:00  Live music set#1 (45 mins)
14:45  Announcements / presentations / cake / National Anthem
15:15  Live music set#2 (45 mins)
16:00  Tea/cakes at the church
18:00  Church service

Church Matters
The following is from Becky:
“This coming Sunday (16th April) families might like to try something different. ‘Fun @ Four’ is for families of all ages and takes place in Stoke Lyne Church 4-5.30pm. There will be activities, prayer and praise, sandwiches and cake. No charge – just turn up and join in.
The next service in Stratton Audley Church will be a service of Holy Communion at 9.15am on Sunday 23rd April (St George’s Day) – all are welcome, as ever.
Please check the Shelswell website for details of services on other Sundays and in other parishes in the benefice http://www.shelswellparishes.info/services.php
‘Little Lambs’ baby and toddler group continues on Wednesdays in term time in Stratton Audley Church, starting at 9.30am and finishing at 11am. Just turn up or for more information contact Alice  at rector@shelswellparishes.info
The Foodbank Collection point in the church entrance porch continues and regular trips are taken to the Foodbank in Bicester where the donations are much appreciated. Most needed items are: baked beans, instant coffee, fruit juice, squash, jam, long-life milk, rice pudding, tinned chopped tomatoes, tinned fruit, tinned meat meals, tinned soups, tinned vegetables, tinned vegetarian-suitable meals. Thank you “.

 

Calling all Able-Bodied People – Your Churchyard Needs You!
This message is from Anthony Flack:
The annual Spring Clean of the Churchyard will take place on the morning of Saturday 29th April 2023 commencing at 09.00 hrs. To carry out the work the following tools will be useful, if you have them – secateurs, electric saw, hand saw, hedge trimmer, rake and fork. Please let me know by emailing me:  flack.wine_train@btinternet.com  Thanks in anticipation.’
Even if you don’t have the right tools please consider helping, even if it is for just an hour, as it will make the work so much easier for those few who regularly do the work.

Stratton Audley Barn
The following is from the team:
“With brighter weather on the horizon, come and make the most of the last weekend of the Easter School holidays, we’ve lots of treats for the little ones; enjoy one of the many delicious Ice Cream flavours on offer or grab a treat from our new retro sweetie cart!
Our new coronation celebration stock has arrived in the shop, festoon your home and garden ahead of the big event!
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am -4pm.
See you soon.
The Barn Team”.

East West Rail Reparations
Just a reminder that the road to Poundon from the crossroads with Mill Road will be closed for  repairs and resurfacing from 8pm on Monday 24th April 2023 to 6am the following day.
Local access to land and Godington will not be affected.

Another Reminder – Fresh Fish every Thursday 
I have been asked to remind everyone that 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.

And a few previous items that are still active and relevant:

Bicester Heritage April 23rd Scramble (St George’s Day).
Sale of tickets for the April 23rd Scramble are still available and once again, local residents can buy discounted tickets at 50% off. The promo code is: BristolBoxkite
Just click on this link:
https://bicesterheritage.co.uk/events/april-scramble-2023
Also worth noting is that they have a dedicated local community email inbox: community@bicestermotion.com which should be used to respond and address any questions or concerns.

Flywheel Returns to Celebrate Bicester Heritages’ 10th Anniversary
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary since the arrival of Bicester Heritage, the highly popular Flywheel is returning. Tickets can be purchased by clicking on this link https://bicesterheritage.co.uk/flywheel The event is on the weekend of the 17th and 18th of June from 9am until 6pm.
Once again local residents can take advantage of a 30% discount. All you have to do is enter the code: BristolBlenheim when you visit the website.
It’s a celebration of wings wheels and motion featuring demonstrations on the Experience Track,  Fly-ins from vintage aircraft, and themed displays curated around the site.

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.
https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk/#findvan
They also have a general number you can call 07809 901761

Padbury Brook Solar Farm Planning Application (22/03873/F) Update
We have been informed  that JBM have asked for a slight delay and the planning officer say she has agreed an extension of time until 16th June 2023 to allow them to carry out some archaeological work and submit responses to technical consultees. You may see some work being carried out on the site.
So the planning officer has confirmed that she is still accepting comments from the public and the quickest way is to send your comments by email to: rebekah.morgan@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
To review the application use this link:
https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/22/03873/F
The planning officer has reassured me that they will make a decision based on an assessment of the application in accordance with the Cherwell Development Plan and any other material considerations. This will include consideration of consultation responses and comments from third parties. She has not yet reached any conclusions on a likely recommendation, and the issue of agricultural land quality will be looked at very closely.

Bicester Motion Experience Quarter Conditons
Things have now progressed with the Bicester Motion Experience Quarter application. The applicant and Oxfordshire County Council have finalised and signed the Section 106 agreement. A copy has been posted on the planning  portal (21/01224/OUT)
From a village point of view the critical aspects are access rights/paths/cycleways, and noise impacts.
A condition was included at the request of OCC to specifically capture the issue of ensuring appropriate linkages are in place where there are existing public rights of way. At the Reserved Matters stage, full details of the layout will be submitted for consideration including internal layout of all roads, paths etc.. including cycle access provision within the site.
Reserved Matters applications are consulted upon in the same way as a full application, so the Parish Council and local residents will be consulted, although Discharge of Conditions applications (to agree details required by conditions) are not normally consulted upon widely, but where there are concerns we can feed these back through our ward councillors.
The requirement for a noise report is a condition, and can be submitted as a discharge of conditions application separate to the Reserved Matters. So we will need to monitor this carefully as noise and air born pollution is a particular concern for residents  on the south to south east side of the village.
The next stage will be for the applicant to submit reserved matters applications which will include full details of the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale.

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)News Update no 114,April 14th , 2023