News Update no 125, November 9th, 2023

by
 

Now that the clocks have gone back and with fewer opportunities for us all to get together without our lovely pub (hopefully temporarily), this week there are two opportunities to rectify this. Firstly, tomorrow night with the Pop-Up Night at the Barn and then on Sunday morning with the Annual Remembrance Service in the church where there will be refreshments and a chance to chat following the service.
In different ways each are going to be extremely enjoyable, so do try to attend both if you are around over the next couple of days. The Barn and The Church need our support right now!
Pop-Up Night at the Barn This Friday Night 10th October, from 5pm
“Please pop along to our next pop up night this Friday 10th November, with Food provided by Verity. Who remember’s The Food Shack…..it’s back with a twist! Verity’s popping up  “The Mac’ Shack”! Serving Mac’n’cheese with a twist or two of your choosing. Join us from 5pm til 10:30pm, with a mini licensed bar and beer from the Wriggly Monkey, sit back, relax and enjoy! Follow our pages for more news and full menu options soon.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Barn pop up nights, they’ve been a great success, bringing everyone together whilst we are without our much loved pub! it has been lovely to see so many familiar and new faces to the barn from the village, we hope you are all enjoying them as much as we are!”
Richard & Sara

News from The Church
The following is from Becky Adams:
“The annual Remembrance Service will take place in church this coming Sunday (12th November) at 10.50am, with the Act of Remembrance itself as close to 11am as we can manage – all are welcome, as ever. There will be a display in church featuring material connected with Norman Goss who gave his life in the Second World War, so do have a look at this. Carolyn Goss has kindly put this together to help us reflect on the real people behind our Remembrance observance each year. Do stay for refreshments after the service.

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

The Coffee Morning will be in church as usual on Tuesday from 11am. If you haven’t been before then why not pop along and say hello?

‘Little Lambs’ baby and toddler group continues in church on Wednesdays, 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, FRUIT SQUASH, TINNED CARROTS, TINNED MUSHROOMS, TINNED CUSTARD & RICE

More News from The Barn:
“Christmas Shop – Our Festive shop is awash with Christmas decorations for your home and tree, you are all clearly feeling very festive as we’ve got off to an early start, if your searching for your own piece of barn Christmas, don’t delay, shop today!! 
Christmas Trees – Our beautiful real Christmas Trees arrive and go on sale from 24th November, preorders are now available online for collection or delivery. Stock trees are available from 4ft – 9ft with limited quantities in the larger sizes; if you like something a little larger for your home or office, get in touch and we can quote to source and supply to order. Follow the link to place your pre order for a stock tree. https://www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk/shopchristmastrees

Some of you may have already heard news of the announcement we shared with our customers earlier this month, for those who may have missed this, we share the statement below for you. It certainly hasn’t been an easy decision but we have been most grateful for your understanding, support and kind wishes since”:
A Statement from the barn…..
With our Christmas shop now open and as we head full on into this fabulous but crazy festive season, it feels like the right time to let you know that 2024 will see our Cafè close and the barn take a new direction. 
The last few years have been challenging for both large business and small and there has been no let up! We’ve worked hard to adapt to the twists and turns the world has thrown at us, and absorb some of the losses this created, now coupled with a recent health scare, it is time for us to pause and consider the future shape of the business. 
The shop & Café will close in their current form, until further notice on 22nd December 2023; rest assured, whatever we do, Christmas will always remain the heart of the barn and will be back for sure in 2024! 
In the meantime, please support us & our amazing team, pop in for coffee, enjoy a delicious cake or 2, take a lunch and browse our shop, let’s make this a season to remember!! 
Finally a heartfelt thanks goes out to all our amazing team and to all of you, our most loyal followers for your unwavering support. Whatever the future holds, however big or small, we hope you will remain a part of the heart of the Barn”
Richard & Sara

Advanced Notice of Road Sweeping Friday 1st December
Our winter sweep of the the roads in the village by Cherwell District Council has been fixed for Friday 1st December. The lorry usually starts around 8 am and finishes sometime around noon. As usual, would those who park on the road move their vehicles onto the grass verges or somewhere else, either before or when you hear the vehicle in your road. Those who are able, are asked to clear leaf debris from outside their property and sweep it into the road for collection.
We are one of the few villages who co-ordinates this activity so the lorry can collect the maximum amount of debris from the roads which  at this time of year is particularly important. Thank you for your cooperation.

Parish Council Vacancies
Due to the recent resignations of Mike Gore and Kathryn Walker, who have given great service over a number of years, there are two vacant positions on the Parish Council and a third will occur in January when John Honsinger leaves the village.
Whether you are new to the area or a long-time resident you are welcome to apply as long as you live in the Parish and are over 18.
You will be required to attend regular meetings usually once a month and participate in discussions and decisions that affect the village and surrounding area. In time, each councillor tends to take on some specific duties.
All you really need is an interest in local issues and things which affect people, and the desire and willingness to contribute to your local community.
The next Parish Council meeting is scheduled for 6th December so why not just come along to listen and see what you think?

January Scramble – local residents discount available once again 
Tickets are now live for Bicester Heritage’s winter Scramble date, on Sunday 7 January, following a successful October event.

Attendees were able to enjoy a display celebrating two unexpectedly connected cars, as part of the ‘Family Ties’ lawn, celebrating the diversity of car designers and developers for a range of marques, bringing over 20 cars together including Skoda, Lamborghini and Jaguar vehicles in the mix.

The much-loved Autojumble and Trader Village returned to Hangar 113, giving attendees the opportunity to pick up some memorabilia and browse the range of products on offer, while Tamiya also provided much excitement under-cover with a mini course in-situ for their range of remote-controlled cars.
As usual, discounted tickets are allocated for local residents at 50% off, the promo code is: BristolBoxkite 

Fixmystreet
I am frequently contacted about potholes and other local issues such as flytipping, abandoned cars, debris on roads and temporary signages being put up on waste land and whilst I can pass these on to my contacts, the very best way to report anything that concerns the county council is via their Fixmystreet portal. They tell me that it is checked daily and matters are put straight into the system for investigation.

You can upload photos but you don’t have to and it really isn’t difficult, so please give it a try:
https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/new

East West Rail
The first phase of repairs to The Park Road are well underway and as previously reported the road will be closed to through traffic, but access for locals will be maintained throughout.
Phase One:
Monday 16th October to 10th November 2023 from the cross-roads with Mill Road to the turn-off for Godington.
Phase two:
Monday 13th November to 15th December from the cross-roads with Mill Road to the junction with the A4421.

Fresh Fish every Thursday – Still Parking outside the pub!
Despite the pub closing, Jack from Grimsby continues to come to the village on Thursday’s between 6.15-7pm 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.

Wilderness Quarter Open day at the old quarry
As previously reported Bicester Motion plan to hold an Open Weekend  where everyone will have the opportunity to visit the site of the old quarry, which they plan to develop into a Wilderness park. This was originally scheduled for September but has been delayed. You will be informed at the earliest opportunity.

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

Planning Applications

Cherwell District Council have some staff shortages and therefore there is a backlog of applications building up which continues to affect the following, amongst others.

There has been a re-submission of planning application no 23/01368/F for the Traveller Site located off the A4421, now no 23/02886/F  Mr J Bell Proposal: Change of Use of land to a 4 pitch travellers caravan site and erection of stable building

The Retrospective Planning Application (23/01085/F) applied for by Bicester Motion, has been referred to the  Cherwell Planning Committee but the date has not yet been announced.

With regard to the Padbury Brook Solar Application (reference: 22/03873/F), again there is no further news.

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)