News Update no 115, April 28th, 2023

With two Bank Holidays coming up, it’s time for some great celebrations!

In the Churchyard tomorrow
The following is from Becky:
“This week we have been marking ‘Love your Burial Ground Week’ in the Shelswell Benefice. Tomorrow morning we have a Wildlife Workshop in Stratton Audley Churchyard from 10am – 12 noon. And on Sunday a special service in Fringford Churchyard at 10.45am (in church if wet) focusing on these special places.

Wildlife Workshop in Stratton Audley Churchyard 
Tomorrow – Saturday 29th April (10am-12 noon)
An open workshop for people of all ages exploring the flora and fauna of the churchyard. The workshop will be led by Stephen Nisbet, a Chartered Ecologist with 9 years’ experience in the Ecology sector. Stephen will be staking out some suitable spots in the churchyard with wildlife cameras in advance of the event and bringing the footage with him, so that we can see what nocturnal wildlife there is, and he will be laying out some reptile mats in sunny spots to hopefully attract any amphibians, reptiles and interesting invertebrates for us to see.  He will be taking these away with him after the event but will be leaving us with a bug hotel.
What you need to bring:

  • weather-appropriate clothing and footwear
  • binoculars, hand lenses or magnifying glasses, if you have them. 

We will provide:

  • Hot drinks and maybe even a bacon roll or pain au chocolat

There is no charge for this event – it would be helpful if you can let Alice know that you plan to come by emailing alicegoodall313@gmail.com or phoning 01280 848192 so she gets enough bacon in, but if you forget, just turn up.

You might also be interested in seeing this video exploring how faith groups are caring for creation (Click on the link below).

How the world’s faiths are mobilising to protect our planet
“It’s about looking at what our motivation is. If I live like this, how will other people be able to live?”
Bishop Olivia contributes to the latest episode of Al Jazeera’s award-winning Earthrise series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHC5m47vWuk&feature=youtu.be

Churchyard Clear-up This Sunday – Postponed
Please note that the Annual Spring Clean of the Churchyard will not take place on this Saturday 29th April and a future is yet to be confirmed.The

Stratton Audley Coronation Party-in-Street Sunday May 7th
For all the details on this great community event see the separate email also sent to you today. There’s fun for everyone and your friends are welcome too.

What’s happening at the Red Lion
Pub news from Dillie:
“The Big Weekend looms!
Friday May 5th – the KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING!  In my estimation, John O’Neill was the King of Stratton Audley and it is fitting that his birthday is the day before the new King’s Coronation.  We are having a damn good hooley to celebrate his life.  An Irish band (Black Velvet Band) will be playing from 7 pm onwards, there may be speeches, I can guarantee nothing apart from a great celebration of a great man.  

Saturday May 6th – as before, we invite the village to come and watch the ceremony with us from just before 11am.  I haven’t discussed it with the staff yet but we will open in time for people to get comfortable! 
May 6th at 7pm (ish) – special Coronation Quiz!

Sunday May 7th – see John Honsinger’s separate excellent diary of the day’s events!

Many apologies, but we have now discontinued serving food and will not be resuming before I leave.

Also, as I am sadly now running down stocks prior to handing the pub back to Stonegate, some of our prices have got cheaper.  Order a double of any spirit or cocktail for just £1 extra.  And on Coronation Day and Street Celebration day (6th & 7th) we will be offering pitchers of Pimms for just £13, down from the usual £17.00″.

Stratton Audley Barn News
The following is from the team:
It’s the countdown to Coronation weekend, look out for our themed lunch specials……also back by popular demand are our takeaway picnic Afternoon Tea boxes, tuck into a celebration lunch fit for a king, available to takeaway to enjoy your celebrations wherever you are. Follow the link to find out more or to preorder online.
https://www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk/afternoon-tea

Over in the shop, Coronation decorations are available to add some right royal glamour to your home and garden parties!
See you soon Barn Team“.
Annual Parish Open Meeting
The Annual Community Meeting of the Parish of Stratton Audley was held at the church on Wednesday 19th April 2023 at 7.00pm. There was a reasonable turn-out and everyone had a chance to participate in the wide-ranging discussions. Minutes of the meeting will shortly be made available on the PC website.
Vegan Camp Out
Bicester Motion is hosting the Vegan Camp Out 2023 event on the 28th – 30th July. The event is 2 live event days and 3 nights of camping, talks, live music, yoga/meditation classes, workshops and of course the UK’s best vegan food! The support and collaboration of our neighbours and local community remains a priority, and the Event organisers will be offering locals an allocation of tickets with a 50% discount on the ticket price for the event: bicester50. For further information about the event or to purchase tickets at your discounted rate please follow this link https://vegancampouttickets.com
Please note – the code is only for locals within the Bicester area.
The Organisers also have the following inbox should you have any questions for them direct: production@vegancampout.co.uk They will be happy to respond and address any questions or concerns.
Rest assured, as always, the Event Organisers and Bicester Heritage we will be liaising with our District Councils and the Safety Advisory Group on planning for the event.

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

The Church
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 “.

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.

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.

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)