News update no 119, July 7th

The Red Lion
News from Dillie:
“And there is still no news re the pub. The Probate Office are all sitting on their hands, and Jonesy is doing a sterling job in looking after the place while I flee/hide/sob/worry/stare sleeplessly at the ceiling.  Please do remember that having a thatched pub in the village puts about £10k on the value of your houses, even in these straitened times.  However, that only works if the pub is open.  And it’s “openness” kinda depends on, er, custom.  So if you would like to support the pub, your village and, er, me, do please feel encouraged to drop in and have a drop. Your presence would be hugely welcome. These are the hours… 
Monday – Closed
Tuesday-Friday inclusive – 4pm-11pm
Saturday/Sunday – 12 noon – 11pm. ” 

Sale of the Red Lion
As you know the pub is up for sale and since it is registered as a community asset, the owners are required to give a six week window in which a community bid can be made. This period is coming to an end and no such bid is forthcoming.
A number of local people have shown interest so we now have to wait and see how things develop.

The Church
This message is from Becky Adams:
There will be a Morning Service in Stratton Audley Church at 10.45am this Sunday (9^th July) – 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
Thank you for your continuing contributions to the Bicester Foodbank. Just leave things in the box in the church porch; we take them in and drop them off regularly. Note the latest information from their website:
ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED:

FRUIT JUICE, JAM, LONG LIFE MILK, TINNED FRUIT, TINNED MEAT MEALS, TINNED SOUPS, TINNED VEGETARIAN-SUITABLE MEALS, TINNED FISH, COFFEE, TINNED CHOPPED TOMATOES, COOKING SAUCES, TINNED RICE PUDDING AND TINNED VEGETABLES

Churchyard Tidy-Up
Your help to tidy-up the churchyard would be most appreciated.
There are two dates 15th and 29th July 2023 from 09.30 to 12.30 hrs. each day.
Please do try to come along on at least one day even if you have never volunteered before.
Bring your own tools if you can – strimmers , shears, secateurs, chain-saws, rakes, forks.
Please let Anthony Flack know if you think you can help on at least one of the days: flack.wine_train@btinternet.com or call 277511.

News from The Barn
From all the team:
“Head on down and make the most of summer sunshine hours at the barn….
**Happy Hour** continues at the Barn – all single scoop Ice Creams £2.50 Tuesday to Friday after school from 3:30 – 4:30pm
**Six Summer Sundays** 11am – 3pm starting Sunday 23rd July through to Sunday 27th August inclusive, we’’ll be open serving savoury snacks, coffee, cakes and our homemade Ice Cream!
AND over in the shop
**SALE **Grab a bargain before your summer holiday – all ladies summer fashion is  30% off, starting Tuesday!
Come along and support your local barn soon”.

Stratton Audley 2023 Boules Cup Competition
This very successful evening returns on Saturday 19th August, at Stratton Audley Park, courtesy of Emma & Mark ter Haar.
Entry is £20 for 18yrs+, £15 for 11-17yrs, and £5 for 5-11yrs. which includes supper and refreshments (wine, lager, softies). For full details copy and paste this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/s1r8dugix13vprjk17oux/Boules-A5-font-bigger-V3-2023.docx?rlkey=d7pkbtt2wyrtgpsz4vhkwtdqb&dl=0

Planning Applications
Stratton Audley Parish Council considered the planning application 23/01368/F for the Traveller Site located off the A4421 and after some debate plus a vote, agreed to oppose it. It is understood that this application is to be referred to the Planning committee.

The Retrospective Planning Application (23/01085/F) applied for by Bicester Motion, which the Parish Council has already registered its opposition to, is now also going to be referred to the full Cherwell Planning Committee due to the concerns raised.

Bicester Motion Wilderness Quarter Application
The Parish Council met with Bicester Motion earlier in the week to be shown the latest outline plans for the old quarry site now know as the BM Wilderness Quarter.
Bicester Motion are engaging with stake holders in the surrounding area and plan to hold a number of Open Days in September where everyone will have the opportunity to visit the site (just off the Bicester Road leading out of the village), see the proposed plans and comment on them. Following this, an application will be submitted to develop the site.

Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council report
Our new district councillor Nigel Simpson attended the Parish Council this week and presented this useful report on various matters in the local area:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n7c7vc257fyeth5wcznag/July-2023-Councillor-report.docx?rlkey=gmpxu8ui3z6j6j3u3z4y4qdbv&dl=0

October Scramble – local residents discount 
The last Scramble of the year at Bicester Heritage is on the 8th October.
Meet the 50 specialists currently in residence around the site, take in curated displays of classic, collector and race cars, and treat the kids for a full day’s entertainment!
The whole family will love the Scramble, with dedicated children’s entertainment to keep you from break point and smashing fun for everyone. You’ll have the advantage of longer opening hours, as the event is open from 9am until 4pm.
Bicester Heritage will be celebrating many of the landmark anniversaries on the central display lawn by Building 123, from MG to Jackie Stewart, and the popular Autojumble will return to Hangar 113.
As usual, discounted tickets are allocated for local residents at 50% off, the promo code is: BristolBoxkite and can be used at this link.

Fresh Fish every Thursday – Why not order in advance!
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

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

Padbury Brook Solar Application reference: 22/03873/F 
We understand that this application is still under consideration and CDC have asked for further investigative work to be undertaken before they make a final decision on whether to recommend the development, when it goes before the Planning Committee.

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)