The Link - Sandford Church

The Link
Sandford-on-Thames
Spring 2015
CHURCH NEWS
Issue 137
Music for Holy Week
including William Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices
and music by Allegri, Victoria and Tallis
St Andrew’s Church
Palm Sunday, March 29th, at 6.30 p.m.
All welcome – no charge
Ministry team:
Robert Morgan (Lower Farm, 748848) (priest-in-charge);
Teresa Morgan (associate priest); Liz Shatford (772598) (lay minister).
Church Wardens: Ray Tinson. Anne Pitson.
Director of Music Christian Bradley. Organist Geoff Cowan.
www.sandfordchurch.org.uk
Sunday services:
10.0 a.m.
6.30 p.m.
Parish Communion
Evening prayer
Bible study:
Fridays fortnightly at 5.0 p.m. or by arrangement.
Easter Lilies:
Each year some people donate a lily (usually by giving £5 for the flower team to
buy them with the other Easter floral decorations) in memory of someone
precious to them, now departed. If anyone new would like to share in this
memorial please contact the vicar (email on back cover or telephone 748848) or
Church Warden and flower chief Anne Pitson on [email protected] or
01235-526263. We shall celebrate Christ’s resurrection, the ground of
Christian hope, on 5th April, so need to order flowers by the end of March.
Easter services
Maundy Thursday 2nd April:
7.30 p.m. Eucharist
Good Friday 3rd April:
Church open 12.0 – 3.0
(2.15 Good Friday service)
Diary dates:
19th March 7.30 p.m. Fete volunteers evening see page 3
29th March 6.30 Music in St Andrew’s church see above
24th May 6.30
Lewis Carroll Evensong see page 2
th
20 June 8.0
Ceilidh in Village Hall see page 5
11th July
Sandford Village Fete see page 3
11th/12th July
Sandford Flower Festival see page 3
Easter Sunday: 10.0 Parish Communion
6.30 p.m. Evening prayer
Whitsunday May 24th at 6.30 p.m.:
Lewis Carroll Choral Evensong with Alice sermon
-2-
Sandford on thames
Village fete
& Flower festival 2015
Saturday 11th JULY
1pm TO 6PM
Helpers required!
Please come and join us at our Volunteers’ Event
at the Catherine Wheel on
Thursday 19th March at 7.30 p.m.
If you would like to know more,
please contact [email protected]
Sandford’s Oberammagau Passion Play
A shortage of child actors in Sandford means that the 10.0 a.m. Good Friday play
may this year be cancelled (or postponed until a new generation emerges) – but
do register an interest anyway. The 45-minute play covers the 3 most holy days
in the Christian year, starting where the Maundy Thursday Last Supper (April 2nd,
7.30 p.m. in church) ends with a hymn and Jesus and his disciples going into the
garden of Gethsemane, fearing the worst and praying (Jesus) or dozing (his
followers). The arrest and trial before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate
follows at the font, and an improbable candidate representing Jesus is beaten,
carries his cross, falls, is crucified. As he is tied and nailed he prays for the
soldiers who are only doing their job: ‘Father forgive them; they know not what
they do’.
On the cross he commits his mother to a beloved disciple (John?) and vice versa,
creating a new family of mutual love and care. The terrible cry of dereliction
follows: ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me’ – a quotation from
Psalm 22 (said at the end of the Thursday night service as the altars are stripped
at 8.0 p.m.) – a psalm which ends with praise and confidence after all the pain
and agony. And Jesus dies. The lights go off. Silence. A Good Friday hymn is
said. They then take Jesus down from the cross and bury him in a tomb (under
the church coffee table – a tight squeeze actually).
Holy Saturday passes in a moment of solemn silence and sorrow. But then a
host of angels appear from the altar (girls in white – the boys are mainly soldiers
etc.), clothe Jesus in white, and take him up into heaven (the vestry) as an
angelic figure. From there he appears at his table, the altar, and all his followers
gather around to be nourished with the wine and bread which they break in
remembrance of him, and to be blessed, and sent out to tell the world all about
what God in love for the world has done to put it right, and to recruit more
followers to carry on the work of Jesus, teaching truth, healing, making people
whole – the destiny of humanity in a world restored to its original beauty and
goodness. Starting afresh here with a handful of locals who stand in the
tradition which began with the call of Abraham (Godfather of Judaism,
Christianity, Islam) and reached a climax for the sake of the wider world in the
events of these vital days. ‘Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?’ – see
Lamentations 1.12 in the Old Testament.
As the parishes of Sandford and Littlemore start to combine their children’s
worship we hope that the younger but larger parish will at some point take over
the tradition and stage the play.
www.facebook.com/SandfordVillageFete
-3-
-4-
An Oxford
Midsummer’s Ceilidh
A Barn Dance
in aid of Tandem Mental Health Befriending
8 -11 pm Saturday 20th June in
Sandford Village Hall
with music by
Chameleons
an Oxfordshire band in the front rank of bands on the English Ceilidh scene.
Adults £10
Children (6-17 years) £5
Students/people on benefits £8
Children 5 and under free
Bar
Tickets from [email protected] or ring 748848
or from,Lower Farm, Lower Farm Lane, Sandford-on-Thames, OX4 4YR
Tandem befriending
Michael Young Building, Restore,
Manzil Way, Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1XH
01865 724225
www.tandembefriending.org.uk
-5-
Registered charity 1078112
CONSULTATION ON CONNECTING OXFORDSHIRE OPENS
Oxfordshire County Council is inviting the public, businesses and stakeholders
to contribute to the final consultation for Connecting Oxfordshire.
Connecting Oxfordshire sets out the council’s ambitions for transport
improvements across the county to 2031, over which time up to
100,000 new homes and 85,000 new jobs are likely to be created.
The plan features a range of short, medium and long term solutions for road,
rail, bus, cycle and foot, which have been shaped by discussions
over the last year. This includes the Oxford Transport Strategy,
which sets out ambitious plans for transport in and around Oxford city,
including looking at mass transit solutions like rapid bus services along strategic
routes, integrating transport modes by transforming the park and ride network
and making it easier to cycle by introducing cycle super routes across the city.
There are also strategies aimed at all the main conurbations across the county
including Witney, Bicester and Banbury as well as plans for the Science Vale
and key strategic routes like the A40 and A420.
The consultation closes on 2nd April.
To take part in the consultation please look at:
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/connecting-oxfordshire
or ring John Disley on 01865 816000
Public Services – Public Delights
Over the past year Henley Road has seen a great atmosphere and welcome in
its public house. Billy and Emma and family are heartily congratulated and
thanked for their warm hospitality, and for hosting Talking Shop while the
Village Hall was being rebuilt and enlarged.
If the promising new chapter is sadly coming to an end on 31st March, we
wish everyone very well in whatever the future holds - and are glad that with
the demise of village pubs like the Fox the village is still well served by the King’s
Arms flourishing, despite floods, the Four Pillars offering many possible forms of
entertainment, the emerging community hub in the Village Hall already raising
the fitness levels of many local women and men, and a house of public prayer
and praise which at present carries on much as it has for 930 years – revisiting
on occasion the lines of William Blake: ‘But if at the Church they would give us
some ale. And a pleasant fire, our souls to regale; We'd sing and we'd pray, all
the live-long day; Nor ever once wish from the Church to stray . . . And God like
a father rejoicing to see, His children as pleasant and happy as he.’
-6-
A Sandford Film Club?
A steering group of Talking Shop volunteers have over the past few
months been talking about how the new village hall
might lend itself as a venue for people in the local community
who are interested in seeing, and/or discussing films.
This would be another way in which residents of Sandford
could meet and talk, as well as potentially raising funds
for the village hall.
The group has considered a number of options stemming from
information obtained from the British Federation of Film Societies,
as well as the Harwell Film Society. There are a range of possible
alternatives, from a small film discussion group, using one of the upper
rooms which has a screen and can accommodate up to 30 people,
to holding periodic village film shows
using the downstairs hall for up to about 80 people.
The varying alternatives have different copyright costs attached.
In order to estimate how much enthusiasm there is
in taking these ideas further, the steering group is inviting
those interested to a showing of "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
at 7.30. p.m. on Thursday 16th April in the upper room.
This is a private invitation and there will be no charges.
Following the film those wishing to consider the options
further are invited to stay.
Please reply by note or email to Prue
at [email protected] by 11th April,
as numbers will have to be limited to 30 people
TALKING SHOP DIARY for March
. .
It’s spring and everything’s leaping to life
 Don’t miss our little weekday Pop=In Cafes (see below). Come in
for a cuppa and cake, meet some of the Talking Shop team and
find out how you can help to open the Community Café, Shop and
Garden in the week.
7th March
 Homemade Tastes – tasty Mediterranean cooking from Eugenia and
Tina (email: [email protected])
 LAM Brewing. Stock up on great ales from Sandford’s very own
micro=brewery (email: [email protected]/www.lambrewing.com)
 Becky’s cards. Stationery and cards from Becky Chambers
14th March
 Make do and Mend. Maria and her team take on your mending
and alterations (email: [email protected])
 Clive’s Pies. Great home made pies from Sandford’s very own Clive
Shorter (email: [email protected])
 Becky’s cards. Stationery and cards from Becky Chambers
 Nic’s cakes. Baking from Nic Marlowe
Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th March, 10.0 – 12.0

Pop-in Café – in the Talking Shop extension at the hall
Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th March, 2.0 – 4.0

Pop-in Café – in the Talking Shop extension at the hall
21st March
 Sandford Bakers. Great bakes home made in Sandford
 Info Stall on weekday openings. Chat to our team about plans to
bring the Café, Shop and Garden to Sandford
Talking Lunch Wednesday 1st April 12.30 at the Village Hall
Parish Council elections
will take place on Thursday 7th May.
Anyone interested in standing for Sandford council
is invited to contact
Liz Shatford at [email protected] before 30th March.
-7-
For two courses it is £5.00 for members (plus £5.00 membership fee which
secures you a place at the lunches for a year) and £6.50 to non members.
Have a good meal for a great price in friendly company.
All grown ups welcome.
Booking necessary by 25th March (so we know how many to feed:
ring Elaine on 01865 395771 or email [email protected]).
(And grateful thanks to Sainsbury’s for helping out with the March lunch)
-8-
Do you have some time in the week?
Do you like meeting new people?
Come and be part of the . . .
New Talking Shop
Open in the week
A Community owned Café, Shop and Garden
at the Village Hall
A new Community Space where everyone is welcome . . .
To get together over a cup of tea or good food, to learn
new stuff, to meet new people, to find solutions to
local challenges.
We’ve got the space
We need your help to open the doors
Our Community wants a place to meet during the week



Talking Shop has a wonderful space in the new extension at
Sandford’s Village Hall
Now we need some more great people to join the team to throw
open the doors!
Come and find out more – we are holding some ‘Pop-In’ Cafes in
our new space:
Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th March, 10.0 – 12.0
Wednesday18th and Thursday 19th March, 2.0 – 4.0
Help us to open a Café and Shop in the week
 Everyone welcome. All ages. No experience needed (support and
training provided)
 Great fun – meet lots of new people and make a real difference to
your community
 PLUS fantastic work experience – we can provide Volunteering
Certificates and references recording your contribution and skills
gained.
Join our Café and Shop Team
 Be part of our friendly and fantastic Community Café and Shop
team
 A fun opportunity to learn valuable retail, customer service and
business skills
 If you are volunteering in the kitchen, you will have the chance to
get Food Safety and Hygiene training. Help to serve people with
their goods at the counter or help with displays, work behind the
scenes to order stock, or help to prepare food in the kitchen. You
choose the jobs you want to do. You can do as many or as few
hours as you want to, give what you can when you can. We are
going to experiment with opening hours – so just let us know when
you are free.
Join our new Gardening Team
 If you like gardening, or would like to learn, be part of the team
turning the outside space into a useful and beautiful growing space
for Talking Shop. You will learn how to plant and maintain a salad
garden, a herbal tea garden, a flower garden and a cooking herb
garden. You just need to let us know that you are interested at the
moment – and what days you are available.
 The team will be led by our friendly expert gardener Phil Pritchard.
Email contact: [email protected] or call 07989 503657
And we’ll have information at the Saturday Market in the hall on
21st March (9.0 – 12.0).
Come and have a cuppa, a chat and a piece of cake – you can talk to
us about volunteering and anything else about Talking Shop.
Or if you can’t make it, email [email protected] or call
07989 503657.
-9-
HOME COMPUTER HELP
For PC & Laptop fixes and assistance call Jim on 07854 107337
[email protected]
Free assessment
-10-
No fix, no fee
Village Hall Update
As most of you will be aware, the new Hall is open and thriving. The new
facilities are fantastic and all our hirers have been singing its praises. Most of
the previous regular sessions have started again and there is now a choice of
Pilates sessions! The new committee is settling in and, since the AGM we have
been joined by Kurt Moxley who has assumed the role of Vice Chairman. As
mentioned in previous Link, the improved facilities really require a part-time
manager. To become an employer, the Hall will need to change its charity
status from a Trust to a ‘Community Interest Organisation’. We are currently
investigating how we could do this. This will not change the purpose of the Hall,
which is to provide facilities for the local community, only its legal status. More
details will be published in due course and we will consult with Village residents
before we take any decisions.
In the interim, the Hall still needs managing and we are looking for an Interim
Manager for a 6-month period. The Hall Interim Manager will play a key role in
the day-to-day running of the Hall, working closely with the Management
Committee to make the Hall a friendly and well-run facility. They will be selfemployed and on a contract for 15 hours per week at £10 per hour. Their
responsibilities will include bookings, liaising with users, marketing, upkeep of
the Hall, communications and health and safety.
If you are interested in applying, please email [email protected]
for a full job description.
Dorchester Festival 1st - 10th May
A 10-day festival to raise funds for the Abbey and local charity PACT.
A great programme, with music, cookery demonstrations by famous chefs,
a Comedy Night, and lots of fun events for children of all ages.
www.dorchesterfestival.com
KJD Decorating and Son
Kevin Allen
Painting, decorating,
decorative refurbishment.
I have many years’ experience
and excellent local references.
CARPETS AND FLOORING
floor in the comfort of your home.
109 Poplar Grove,
Kennington, OX1 5QR
07949 007364
23 Church Road, Sandford
01865 771958
07774 205505
Excellent local references
Supplies and installs quality carpets
and floor covering: choose a new
-11-
Welcome
to Ben Davies , and to Luke Osbond, Alex Rawet and Govind Chandran
to Church Road
to Simon, Karina and Theo to Henley Road
to Richard Pill to Crescent Walk
to Sarah Amant to Fox Furlong
to Kate and Matthew, Aveline and Mark, Natale, Ameka and Johan, Shirley
and Henry O’Connor, and Nicola and Mark to Pheasant Walk
to James and Nadia Macdonald, Arthur, Isabelle, George, Victor and Christian
to Broadhurst Gardens
Welcome to the world
to Aleksandra Krzysztofik, a first for Magda and Martin
to Jasper Butcher Rufus Edward, botn on 20th January to Lucy and Ross
of Pheasant Walk
to Hugo Albert Don, born on Christmas Eve, a second for Kelly and Tim (Olympic
runners), a brother for Matilda in Colorado and a new grandchild for Pam and
Ron of Rock Farm Lane
Congratulations
to Geoff and Pauline Rudman on joining the SGGC (Sandford Great
Grand-parents’ Circle) with the birth of Skye in Adelaide – and the visitation
by GGGma (to Oliver and Neil via Alex and Laura).
to James Hall, driving in the footsteps of Tim and Rob (grandson/son) at the
Sandford garage and about to step up into a high class of rallying in the
2015 Formula 1000 Rally Championship. He will probably be the
youngest person in the competition, with his 14th birthday in March, and
will be sponsored by Rally Preparation Services. We wish him
well in his first season at this level.
And celebrations
with Neal and Sue of Heyford Hill Lane, Joe and Kath of Church Road, and
Harriett, ex-Church Road, all confirmed by the Bishop of Dorchester on
1st March, and Zac and Luca Paine, baptised at St Andrew’s on 15th February –
wishing Andrew and Marie, also Kath, Steve and Nin, joy in the family.
Antiques Valuation:
Thursday 26th March from 10.30 – 12.30 in Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside,
Benson, in aid of Home-Start. Dig out your treasures and bring them along
for an expert valuation (or if too big, bring a photo). £5 entry for two items
and £1.50 for each subsequent item. Info from Home-Start 01235 511152.
-12-
Liz Shatford writes:
It is surprising just what can be done with a rapidly ageing and stiffening body.
Daily walking and cycling are no doubt beneficial, but sometimes it takes a real
effort of will to get those joints moving; and that’s where Pilates, Yoga and
movement classes come in. Now that we have more space in the village hall
there is room for a variety of classes catering for all ability levels so I signed up
for Jane Callaway’s Friday morning Pilates class. It was encouraging that Jane
said:“The only requirement for the class is that people need to be able to get on and
off the floor without assistance (it doesn't matter if it takes time). Anyone of
adult age and beginners are welcome.”
She also told us with great honesty that the exercises would get progressively
more demanding as we built up our practice over the weeks which caused me to
wonder whether I would manage. However, Jane is very encouraging and not a
slave driver; she gently and quietly talks us through slow and flowing
movements designed to mobilise our joints by using forgotten muscles more
efficiently. Jane keeps an eye on each of us and will not let us go beyond what
our body will let us and we know that we are in safe hands because she is a
physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal problems who has practised for
over 20 years. Her aim in the Pilates classes is:“To help people to enhance their well-being and decrease their stress though
movement and exercise, to help them lead as full a life as possible, with the
least amount of medication and medical interventions as possible.”
The good news is that so far it is working. The class ends with a lovely relaxation
on the floor mat and we get up and leave with a wonderful de-stressed feeling
and happier joints. Jane hopes to run classes throughout the year in blocks of 8
if there is enough interest. I hope that there will be because my ageing brain will
need the re-enforcement of repetition to embed the series of movements and
also the weekly encouragement is essential to keep me moving happily.
If you are interested please contact Jane via email at
[email protected]
Restore Shop at Littlemore Mental Health Centre
open 9.30 – 3.0 Mon to Fri.
Newspapers, milk, cheese, groceries, toiletries etc. Café, delicious home-made
food. Run by Restore, the mental health charity in the Cowley Road.
-13-
Village Hall Programme
Monday
Tuesday
10.0 – midday
Toddlers Group
In the Main Hall
2.0 – 3.0
Move it or Lose it:
seated exercise
with Jane Read
in the Main Hall
5.30 – 6.30 p.m.
Youth Tae Kwondo
with James Kumar
in the Main Hall
7.0 – 8.0
and 8.0 – 9.0 p.m.
Pilates with Hen
in the Main Hall
Booking essential
Wednesday
10.0 – 11.0
Pilates with AJ
In the Main Hall
12.30 – 2.0
Talking Lunch
First Wednesday
in the month
in the Main Hall
5.30 – 7.30 p.m.
Table Tennis
open session
in the Main Hall
7.0 – 8.15 p.m.
Yoga with Jo and
Sophia
upstairs in
Meeting Room 3
12.30 – 2.0
Move it or Lose it:
seated exercise
with Jane Read
in the Main Hall
5.30 – 6.30 p.m.
Youth Tae Kwondo
with James Kumar
in the Main Hall
8.15 – 9.0 p.m.
Powerhoop
Exercise Class
with Rianna
in the Main Hall
Friday
11.0 – midday
Pilates
with Jane Callaway
In the Main Hall
Booking essential
Saturday
9.0 – midday
Talking Shop
Saturday Market
and Café
in the Main Hall
4.0 – 7.30 p.m.
Oxford Karate Academy
In the Main Hall
-14-
Sunday
7.0 – 10.0 p.m.
Oxford Guitar
Society
2nd Sunday in the
month in the
Main Hall
Thursday
Regular Hirer Email Details
Toddler group - Catherine Osadczuk <[email protected]>
Move it or Lose it (seated exercise class) - Jane Read <[email protected]>
Junior Tae Kwondo - James Kumar <[email protected]>
Pilates with Hen - Henriette Knouwdes - [email protected]
Talking Shop Table Tennis - Matt Wicks <[email protected]>
and Colin Williams <[email protected]>
Yoga with Sophia and Jo - Jo Zaremba <[email protected]>
and Sophia Andem <[email protected]>
Pilates with AJ - AJ Barton <[email protected]>
Talking Lunch (Talking Shop lunch club) - Sarah Adair
<[email protected]>
Pilates with Jane Callaway - Jane Callaway <[email protected]>
Oxford Karate Academy - Paul Coleman <[email protected]>
Oxford Guitar Society - Stephen Greenslade [email protected]
Powerhoop Exercise Class – Rianna Harding <[email protected]>
Village Hall Bookings
07759 – 890696
or [email protected]
Monday 2pm – 3pm; Wednesday 11.30pm – 12.30pm
(except 1st in month for Lunch Club): £4 per session
Classes in Sandford Hall have been running since January and
people have seen immediate improvements to their
fitness. We don’t always sit down - although this is an option – and we work on - ---improving your cardio fitness, balance and strength.
NEW and COMING SOON! Calling all “FIT AND FABULOUS” women who
want a workout designed with them in mind.
Wednesday 7pm to 8pm
£5 per session
A moderate challenging collection of calorie-burning aerobic, toning, stretching and
balancing exercises done to lively music. A great way to improve your overall
fitness, tone, strength and balance and get toned for the summer. Suitable for
people not used to exercise or recovering from illness or injury.
Contact Jane on 01865-749206 for further details.
W.Cooper
Affordable Landscapes and Tree Care
Trees, Hedges, Landscapes, Fencing, Turfing, Slab Work, Gravel, Wood Bark etc.
Free Estimates and Advice given 01865 747194 07748 867025
-15-
The Oxford Cake Co
MOBILE LIBRARY
A mother and daughter team
based in Sandford.
every two weeks on
THURSDAYS
2.20 until 2:40
at Oxford Park Homes.
Next date: 19th March
Whatever the celebration, we will
make a cake for it! Highest quality
ingredients and free delivery to anyone
within 10 miles of our address.
07773 710364
Life Coaching
is a helpful, challenging and
sometimes surprising way
to help achieve your goals
and overcome issues
which are holding you back.
Out of time, last minute holiday
or business trip?
Arma-ironing will give your
clothes a professional
wash and iron.
Call Sandford based life and
business coach, John Dennis,
to find out more, including how to
book a free taster session.
M: 07584 190028
Free delivery and collection
and competitive prices.
07990 645271
[email protected].
Facebook arma-ironing.
email: [email protected]
Powerhoop at Sandford Village Hall on Tuesdays at 8.15pm
This new version of hula hooping is not only great fun, it’s the ideal way to
whittle the waistline and trim the hips. Hooping with the weighted, padded,
multi-coloured hoops tones the core muscles which tighten the waist and
support the spine. No hooping experience is necessary as the weight of the
hoops makes it easy for everyone and anyone to use! The class is a fun-filled
social environment with games and learning tricks to upbeat music and we work
on the upper body and lower body too. The class is suitable for all levels of
fitness as participants can work to different levels! You can burn up to 500
calories per class!
Classes are £5+£1 hoop hire and hoops can be purchased for £40.
If you attend 2 classes in 1 week the second is half price!
Spaces are limited and therefore must be booked in advance by calling or texting
Rianna on 07855 023279 or visiting PowerHoop Oxford on Facebook!
For information about other classes please also contact me!
-16-
Sandford’s Wildlife – Heyford Meadow Nature Reserve needs your help
Would you like to help the wildlife on your local Sandford nature reserve?
Would you like to spend a few hours each month having a go at some practical
conservation tasks? Then why not join one of the monthly volunteer work
parties at Heyford Meadow Nature Reserve. Everyone is welcome!
The reserve is already a fantastic place for wildlife and I’m sure many residents
have seen the site transformed from a derelict waste ground with mountains of
rubbish to the peaceful wild haven it is now. My monitoring of the site over the
last twelve months has produced a great variety of wildlife including 80 species
of birds and 120 species of plants.
Even in the depths of last winter I have enjoyed some great wildlife. After
thorough searching of the river bank I was excited to find fresh otter droppings
or spraint as it is known. This finally confirmed to me otters are living along the
River Thames in Sandford. They are very shy animals and are usually only active
at night so your chances of seeing one are very slim. Their field signs, either foot
prints left in mud and sand, fresh spraint or discarded fish meals, are usually the
only evidence of their presence in an area. It is well known amongst wildlife
experts otter spraint has the most distinctive smell of all mammal droppings!
The odour has been compared to the fragrance of jasmine tea or the scent of
freshly mown grass!
Recent walks around the meadow in recent weeks has produced lots of bird
song which is a true sign spring has arrived. A great spotted woodpecker was
drumming from the belt of willow trees on the southern edge of the reserve and
a couple of male reed buntings were holding territory in the wetter areas. These
may well have been the same birds frequenting my bird feeders most of the
winter.
I am looking forward to another summer of exploring and recording the wildlife
on the meadow. What surprises will be in store for me? I’m hoping to finally
confirm the presence of water voles along this part of the Thames and perhaps
find a rare great crested newt in the ponds. On muggy still summer nights I will
set my moth trap and study the amazing variety of moths attracted to its bright
light.
To maintain the current rich wildlife of the site and make further improvements,
constant habitat management work is needed. The recent February workparty
attracted six local residents who joined Andy Gunn from the Oxford Preservation
Trust and Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust to clear encroaching scrub from
around the ponds. Without this clearance the ponds would become shaded and
-17-
choked with leaves and would be less attractive to newts and dragonflies.
Andy holds regular work parties at Heyford Meadow so why not join him and
have a go at some practical conservation work.
Sessions run from 10am to 1pm and the dates of the next work parties are
Sunday 8th March, Sunday 12th April and Sunday 17th May. You can expect a
warm welcome and tea and biscuits are provided. Please wear old and warm
clothes as it can be cold and muddy!
Please contact Andy Gunn for more details:
[email protected]
01865 775476 Ext. 237
Toddlers Group
w
Every Monday from 10-12.
Open all year round, except Bank Holidays.
0-4 year olds. Mums, dads, grandparents, carers
welcome, craft activity every week.
£1 per family, first session free!
For more information, ring Cath on 776320.
Junior Tae Kwondo
Every Monday from 5.30 – 6.30 and Wednesday from 5.30 – 6.30
in the Village Hall.
Join a mixed and friendly group and learn integrity, courtesy,
perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit in a martial arts context.
Ages 7 – 17 (but 5 yrs or over in the village welcome).
Contact James for more info 01865 772883 or 07721 712734
-18-
Rest In Peace
Bill Kennery born 18th October 1956, died 12th January 2015, aged 58
Bill came to Sandford from Darwen in East Lancashire with his parents when he
was 17. They lived in the mill cottages (River view) because he and his father
worked in the paper mill at the bottom of Church Road. His mother is still
remembered in the old village as a wonderful pastry cook. Bill married
and had two daughters. He later became a lorry driver until illness forced him
unwillingly to stop work. During a long illness he was supported by a loving
family and the joy of spending more time with his grandson Andrew, aged 5,
must have strengthened his will to live. But it was not to be and Bill died at
home on Main Avenue, nursed by his daughters and the statutory services
about whom he could not speak too highly. We offer our sympathies to Sarah
and Donna and Matt and Andrew, and to some wonderful close friends who also
supported him, especially Anita and Barry and Abigail. Those of us further afield
who got to know him feel privileged to have spent time with such a decent,
straightforward Lancashire man, who accepted the hard bits philosophically and
just got on with it. ‘That’s all you can do’, he said.
Peggy Smith born 23rd August 1922, died 20th December 2014, aged 92
Peggy came down from Hartlepool during the War bur remained very much a
Geordie. She married Joe in 1945 and they lived their married life in Sandford,
hardly ever missing a Sunday in church and producing a handsome son in 1951,
who in turn filled their shared house on Henley Road with a wife and family. Joe
died in 1995 just before their Golden Wedding, after helping Dennis Harris build
an elegant and much needed church room, where he is memorialized, and
became the first to inhabit the new Garden of Remembrance. Eventually Peggy
had to move to Longlands to be cared for (thanks to Sharon and all her staff and
to those who like Trish visited her there), but despite failing memory remained
remarkably cheerful to the end. She had worked many years with the late Ken
Webb (Church Road) at the Rose Hill chemist. In retirement she helped Marjorie
do the monthly village hall lunch (Meeting Point – now revived on a grander
scale in enlarged surroundings) and enjoyed her grandchildren James (b.1982)
and Aline (b.1985) growing up in the house. Many appreciated her Northern
forthrightness and generosity of spirit (not least the vicar to whom she gave a
bottle of whisky each Christmas).
We offer our sympathies to Malcolm and Denise, James and Aline, and the four
great grandchildren. As instructed Peggy’s funeral took place in the church she
loved and her ashes were placed with Joe’s in its Garden of Remembrance under
the tree he planted. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
-19-
Village Quiz Night 2015
A record 17 teams crammed into the brilliant new Village Hall on the eve of St
David’s Day on the 28th February, immediately following a notable win in Paris
(19-9) by not everyone’s favourite rugby team. Punters faced a well-balanced
set of questions from Old Sandford man Andy Middleton. The closeness of the
scores across the board indicates a distribution of talent and a canny mix of
questions. The bookworms brought along the Norton Cup they won last year,
quietly confident of the double, but unforced errors in their spelling led to them
being pipped by one point by the Pumpkin Seeds on 69 – congratulations Nanda,
Robert, Jenny, Tom, Jackie, Prue, and better luck next time to John, Isobel, Alice,
Jan, Tim and another avid reader. The Sandford Singers calculate they might
have won had their stars Forrest and Laine not been ill, but they came 8th with
58. The Squad was upset at getting the year of the 3 popes slightly wrong, but
who is infallible? Coming 14th was a decline from former years. The Fox That
Was came 3rd equal with Border Terriers and also with Iffley Borders – all on 63.
So bronze is shared by several including sporting medallion winners Colin and
Keith, while Kevin and Claire maintain a memory of happy evenings in the Fox.
Henley Road Flyers on 62 – a team including the next (and previous) quiz
masters Simon and Lyn Richards and Anita and Barry. 7th were Reviewers on 61
(River View have often been a powerhouse on these occasions, so the standard
was maintained by new recruits despite key absences – so thanks Heather and
Paul, Ian, Alan and all. 8th equal on 58: Chips and Dips (great meal enjoyed
there – chief chef Vince? or was it the Lamb catering input?) – the medics
evidently enjoyed the spread. Also on 58 Meister Singers. 10th equal, Farmers,
Premier Cru, stalwarts of many years – Pam and Brian, Peter and Marilyn, and
Alan and Carol of Church Road and 4 x 4 on 56. 13th, QTA – Gareth and Irith’s
largely continental team on 54. 14th, Squad on 53 (would have been worse
without Sue and David). 15th, Littlemore Losers – glad to have neighbours on
board, but short on numbers, so take a bonus. 16th, Truly Great on 49. Truly.
And the Walkers also ran and proved the integrity of the process. Sue can have
a word with the Quizmaster. Happily nobody used their mobiles and Andy
generously presented the winners with free tickets to the Castle – a get into
gaol free card – greatly appreciated, as was the electronics contribution of Jim
Davis, and the computing skills of the judges, Liz and Susanne.
Thanks also to the Village Hall for providing such a good venue. Some have
asked for an extra Quiz in mid-November. If you think this a good/bad idea
please let Vicarage know, and also whether Saturday is still the best night.
Otherwise roll on Feb/March 2016.
-20-
Minutes of the Village Hall Annual General Meeting
held on the 29th January 2015
1. Introduction and purpose of AGM: Charlie Wilson explained that he had
taken on the role of Acting Chairman. The minutes from previous AGM would
have been overtaken by the hall development activities.
2. Finances: Steve Marsh gave an update of the accounts for 2013 - 2014. This
last year had been different due to the hall development work meaning that we
had not had the regular income of regular hirers. However, as at 16 January
2015 £666.83 had been received on account of advance booking fees and
adjustments from previous year. Expenditure last year of £5,269 leaves the
current assets at £9,966, putting us in a reasonable position and equates to a
healthy 6-month reserve fund.
3. Village hall building works: Agreed that everyone was very pleased with
the end result. Snagging work and work on the external opening was continuing
however. Ongoing dispute between the contractors and parish council / us
continues. Liz Shatford emphasised how much we owed to our Architect, Maya
Ellis, and how brilliant she had been throughout the project. Q raised as to why
there was no lift installed. CW confirmed that despite the overrun, we had our
regular hirers back in the hall and they are all really happy.
4. Discussion around activities to generate more hirers: There is already
interest from those who visit the hall for other activities about hiring the hall for
parties / private hires. There is confidence around the hires (both commercial
and local hirers) growing organically in this way, but there would also be an
active marketing campaign (action to send an email to all organisations at the
Science Park together with open event). This, together with the new website is
nearing completion (domain name which will be taken over from Mick Hills)
should certainly increase interest. Points to note (a) the hire rates are very good
with discounts for local residents and compare with other village halls; (b) slots
will be reserved for "one-off" hires and this will be publicised on website; (c)
rates for existing hirers have been frozen at their old rates for first 6 months
they are back in the new hall. These rates will be reviewed annually.
5. Part-time hall manager: The hall would be the employer of this person
who would manage bookings etc. To be discussed by new Committee.
6. "Friends of the Hall": Idea to establish this group of trusted local residents
who would have keys to the hall to let people in and lock up after events. To be
discussed by new Committee.
-21-
7. Appointments / Reappointments: Those already on the Committee were
happy to remain on the Committee in the following positions:
 Charlie Wilson - Chairman
 Steve Marsh - Treasurer
 Abi Johnson - Talking Shop Representative
 Hamish Aird - Hall Users Representative
 Catherine Osadczuk - Hall Upkeep Representative
 In addition, Catherine Wilde put her name forward and was voted onto
Committee as Secretary.
Question was raised around whether there was a requirement to review the Hall
Constitution document.
There were still some vacant positions (Vice Chair, Hall Media Representative,
Parish Council Representative) and CW requested that all keep a look out for any
suitable volunteers to help 'spread the load'. Steve Paine would raise the Parish
Council position at the Parish Council meeting next week.
8. Role of the Committee: CW mentioning that he wanted to move away from
the Committee approving everything at the monthly meetings. Preferred
approach for members to progress matters between meetings and use email or
phone calls between meetings to speed up the pace of progress.
Henley Road, Sandford on Thames, Oxford OX4 4GX
Telephone: (01865) 334444 . Fax: (01865) 334400
WEB http://www.four-pillars.co.uk Email: [email protected]
Set in 30 acres of glorious parkland on the banks of the Thames.
Open to non residents for drinks, light meals and riverside dining.
Carvery lunch on Sundays.
Conferences, Weddings (including Ceremony) and private parties.
Telephone 01865 334444
-22-
A few historical notes on Sandford:
Sandford-on-Thames is a village that owes much of its existence to the river in
its name. Whilst Roman pottery found in the village indicates manufacturing
origins, the river dominates. The fertile land alongside the river promoted
agriculture and the water provided power and fishing. Farming and fishing are
mentioned in the Doomsday records of the village and soon after there exists
records of milling.
The River: the name 'sandford' suggests a river crossing, but unless the flow
years ago was much less, or the river much wider, is seems unlikely that it was
the Thames that was forded. The road that runs parallel to the River in the centre
of the village (now the Henley Road but latterly the Nuneham and London road)
crosses a small stream. A bridge of relatively recent times (with a tollhouse)
stands at what might have been a sandy ford on the outskirts of Oxford for
travellers to and from London. If the name relates to the Thames it might have
even been a derivation of 'sans'-ford (without ford - sans being Middle English
for without).
Indeed within living memory the Kings Arms public house is called 'the ferry' or
the ferry at the Kings Arms Hotel. A ferry that took traffic, including horses and
carts over the river to Abingdon, once the Berkshire county town. Jerome K
Jerome described Sandford as "a good spot for drowning", and indeed the fast
flowing river has claimed a number of lives. The watercourse behind the lock
house flows from the large 'lasher' weir, below which was a favourite swimming
place in the 19 century. In 1921 three students including the adopted son of
J.M.Barrie (who wrote Peter Pan) drowned here. An obelisk that has stood here
since at least 1821 has the deaths of six Christ Church Students who drowned
here recorded on it, the latest in 1921. As late as this century Sandford-onThames has been regarded as a place to come and relax. On Sundays people
came from Oxford to the village; to swim in the river at 'the lido' below the lock,
to picnic and eat whelks and ice cream. The Kings Arms had extensive tea-lawns
where lazy Sunday afternoons could be spent.
The lock: the lock at Sandford is a relative newcomer; with the first rather crude
flash-lock being built around 1620 to assist boats navigating between London and
Oxford. In the 1630's Sandford was the site of one of the first pound
locks to be built on the river. Today's lock was re-built in 1972-3 and stands
alongside the position of the earlier locks.
The mill: adjacent to the lock and occupying the land downstream are 'the mill
flats' or mill estate. Originally a corn mill that harnessed the river's energy, and
recorded in 1100 as owned by monks for bread making, in 1826 it was converted
to a paper mill and 14 years later was mechanised. The cottages facing the river
(now Riverview) were built in 1826 with 'flat' roofs made of tarred paper and
were occupied until 1982 by mill workers. Christmas Eve that year saw the mill
close for the last time and soon after the chimneys and industrial setting were
replaced by the houses that stand on the site today. The listed cottages retain
the features that have probably looked out over the river for nearly 200 years.
The millrace continues to flow under the footbridge that crosses to the lock.
The Templars: in 1239 Sir Thomas de Sandford gave land to the large Knight
Templar enclave in 'Temple Cowley' in Oxford and for a while the white tunics
with red crosses would have been familiar in the village. In 1324 the equally
familiar black and white of St John ('the ambulance brigade') dominated. In 1541
they were dissolved by Henry VIII and the land returned to private ownership.
Farming: the name Temple Farm remained and with Rock Farm and Lower, or
White's, farm these three dominated agriculture in the village one hundred years
ago. Only Rock farm-land is still used for agriculture, although the farmer's
family moved to a new farmhouse out of the village a number of years ago.
Temple Farm has experienced a number of fates and most recently a large fire led
to its sale and refurbishment as the Four Pillars Hotel, that faces the river just
upstream of the lock. Farming still dominates the village giving a decidedly rural
feel to a village that is only 3 miles from Oxford City centre.
Bricks: the wharf adjacent to the Kings Arms was used extensively as a wharf
for river traffic to the mill and a brick works that existed for 14 years in the
village. In 1900 Benfield and Loxley (still a building firm in Oxford) set up a
brick kiln exploiting the same clay that the Romans had done centuries before.
The engines from the works were taken for war service and in 1920 the chimneys
were taken down and the area is now a mobile home site. The name is preserved
in Brick Kiln Lane that runs eastwards out of the village towards the Science Park
and the new football stadium.
The Stink: for years Sandford was renowned for its stink that arose from the
sewage treatment works close to where the Science Park is built. In recent years
modern sewage measures have replaced the lagoons of decaying material and the
smell has gone, but the reputation still remains with older Oxford residents.
-23-
-24-
Servicing to all makes
T.J. Hall and Son Ltd
Motor Engineers
MOT testing
-
petrol and diesel cars
-
light commercials
Vehicle Collection and Delivery Service
Traditional Values – Modern Methods
Ask about our late night
opening for MOT testing
Full diagnostic facilities
Minor and major mechanical repairs
We also offer a roadside repair service –
plus 24 hour breakdown recoveries
Air conditioning
Engine rebuilds
The Garage, 46 Henley Road,
Cam belt changes ON THAMES
SANDFORD
Tel 01865 777344
Sandford-on-Thames, OX4 4YP
PARISH COUNCIL
Extracts from meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday February 02
at 7.00pm in the Village Hall.
Matters for consideration:
1. Update on V Hall (Report and attachments previously circulated):
The hall was opened on Saturday January 10th by Sophie Morrison – see link:–
http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/11731218.Hall_revamp_gives_Sandford_on
_Thames_brilliant_new_lease_of_life/
The building was quite rightly admired by all who saw it (about 500) during the
opening and since, and the officials from County, SODC and other grant
providers were also full of praise.
We were fortunate in our architect Maya Ellis who worked closely with Ron
White, Basil Wyatt’s foreman on site, to achieve a brilliantly well designed and
soundly built new building. There was an ongoing dispute between the architect
and the contractor regarding extensions of time and payments due. The Parish
Council has seen the architect’s analysis of the claim resulting from extensive and
meticulously kept records and supports her view. The council expressed full
confidence in the architect and agreed to her suggestion that remuneration
connected with the claim be paid on an hourly basis plus costs; the rates to be
notified to the clerk.
The hall subcommittee has met frequently, the previous hirers have returned and
new regular groups are starting. Contract cleaners are now employed, all licence
and hiring regulations are in place and a new website which will cover the whole
village as well as the hall is almost ready to go live. It remains to finalise the
online booking system & until a manager is employed Abi is undertaking that
work.
2. Buses: A copy of the lengthy Email correspondence with the bus users group
had been previously circulated. It appeared that there was no likelihood of an
improved service any time soon even though some sensible suggestions had been
put to the officer concerned; for instance, that an occasional bus be diverted from
the frequent Rose Hill service to make a loop to Sandford and back. Sue Usher
was thanked for her sterling work as Sandford’s representative on the group.
3. Works near Four Pillars entrance: The posts along the verge were nearly
complete now and Geoff Surman had been asked to submit his bill so that the
remaining money could be claimed from the authorities.
Matters raised: The village hall opening had been very successful with about
500 attending during the day while the hall was open. Many congratulations had
been received.
-25-
There had been a large and disastrous fire at SODC caused by an arson attack and
John Cotton as Leader had been very heavily involved with the necessary
planning to enable services to continue and new temporary premises to be found.
The Sandford Parish Council wished to record its good wishes and
congratulations to all at SODC for their swift recovery and hoped that new
accommodation would be found soon.
Extracts from Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday March 02 at
7.00pm in the Village Hall.
Matters arising: The Clerk had been notified of the architect’s hourly rate for
the extra work involved in the dispute with the building contractor and the rate
was agreed unanimously by the parish council.
County Councillor’s report : Lorraine had emailed her report to be circulated
and went through the main headings. The County Council had decided a budget
for next year. Substantial cuts had had to be made and the increase was held to
1.99%. Talks regarding the formation of a unitary authority were ongoing.
District Councillor’s report: SODC had set their budget and was pleased to
have reduced the council tax by 3% from last year. Internal re-organisation was
largely responsible for this and it was not expected that services would be
affected in any negative way. It was hoped to increase re-cycling rates and to add
kerbside textile collections. The SODC councillors were making plans to
amalgamate corporate services across five other neighbouring authorities by
devising a standard specification which would be more attractive for an
outsourced supplier. John spoke about the Local Plan refined options
consultation which had been launched to ascertain public opinion about the
housing distribution across the Districe and he hoped that there would be a good
public response. The options were mainly about the numbers and location of new
housing in relation to employment and the position of the Green Belt. SODC
were negotiating to take over the remaining 4-5 years lease of a building at
Milton Park as temporary offices following the fire.
Matters for consideration:
1.
HMRC and Payroll: Following receipt of an overdue tax demand in
February, it transpired that the firm who had acted as payroll agents since the
change in Government regulations in Spring 2011 had defaulted in their payments
to HMRC of eighteen months PAYE on the Clerk’s salary despite having been
paid the money by the Parish Council. The Clerk had had to make an emergency
payment to HMRC to cover the sum due. The Parish Council would seek to be
reimbursed via the small claims court. It was agreed to appoint PATA as the new
payroll agent. They would handle all paperwork and Clerk would make direct
payments of salary and tax.
-26-
2.
Update on V Hall: Charlie presented a report (appended) in which he
described the working of the hall as settling in well with the previous regular
users returning and several new regulars. Catherine Wilde was now the Secretary
to the Hall Committee. Steve Marsh as Hon Treasurer had prepared a budget
based on cost estimates for the coming year and Charlie had prepared a job
description for a temporary part time interim Hall Manager. At present Abi was
handling this role but was becoming snowed under. A permanent post could not
be fixed until the status of the Hall was regularized with the Charity Commission.
This would involve some changes to the Trust Deed and would probably take
about a year. Under the present regulations the Trustees could not become
employers so Charlie requested that the Council employ the manager temporarily
as a self-employed contract worker. It was agreed that the Council was open to
further discussion along these lines.
3.
Village Plan quarterly review: deferred until next month.
4.
OCC plans for a unitary authority: deferred until next month.
Matters raised : The County’s streetcleaners had made a good job of cleaning
the pavement and gutters along Sandford Road but unfortunately the contractors
responsible for hedge trimming
works in the Donnington
Hospital Trust field had left
litter all along the path and
roadside plus deep tyre tracks
on the grass verge and large
clots of mud at the entrance
gateway. This would be reported
to the Highways Dept.
-27-
The Village Hall: from planning . . .
. . . to party
The Link magazine is published by the Link Committee and edited by
Prue Sykes, Lower Farm, Sandford-on-Thames (748848).
Anything for inclusion should be sent to Lower Farm
or e-mailed to [email protected].
Printed by PNP, Church Lane, Bisbrooke, Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9EL
[email protected]
-28-