PDF - Benson Bulletin
Transcription
PDF - Benson Bulletin
Editor’s Column Anne Fowler writes... So here we are with the July/August double issue, which means that we will be back again in September. I recently attended an ‘Open Farm Day’ where Mr Philip Chaimberlain a local farmer and landowner kindly took the time to show a party of people around his farmland, and also around the Agrivert site at Preston Crowmarsh. We learned about the food waste anaerobic digester and how organic waste is processed to become agricultural fertilizer. This stops the waste going to landfill where it would decompose and produce greenhouse gasses. Instead this process is controlled and the methane produced is harvested to drive the machinery. We also learnt that there is a lot of technology involved in agriculture these days, from satellite imaging of the crops to see where fertilizer should be applied, to tractors guided by GPS to maintain parallel lines within 5cms. Amazing. We were then treated to tea and cakes in one of Mr Chamberlains’ converted Crowmarsh Battle Barns office units. I would like to thank Mr Chamberlain for a most enjoyable and informative afternoon. Benson Library Opening Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2-6pm 9-12.30pm 2-5pm Closed all day 2-7pm 9-12.30pm 2-5pm 9.30-12.30pm Benson Outreach Post Office Benson Parish Hall Pavilion Opening Hours: Tuesday 9.30 - 12.30 & 13.00 - 16.00 Wednesday 9.30 - 12.30 Thursday 9.30 - 12.30 Friday 9.30 - 12.30 Cover Patronal Tea at the Old Vicarage on Sunday 26th May when the Military Wives’ Choir from RAF Benson sang. About 180 people attended. Photo by kind permission of Revd John Burrell. Benson Volunteer Helpline For assistance with travel to/from medical appointments Office open Mon-Fri 9-11am Call 01491 825992 to ask for help or to volunteer Out of hours contacts: Elizabeth 01491 838580 or Eileen 01491 833664 email your letters/articles to [email protected] or deliver/send them to Benson Parish Hall CONTENTS Letters to the Editor-------------------------------- 2 Parish Council Report------------------------------ 6 Friends of Benson Library------------------------- 6 Benson Neighbourhood Plan---------------------- 8 Benson Christmas Street Fayre------------------- 8 Millstream Surgery-------------------------------- 10 Benson Waterfront--------------------------------- 12 PCSO Report -------------------------------------- 14 Down the Garden Path --------------------------- 16 Bird Spot ------------------------------------------- 18 Church Times -------------------------------------- 19 BEST------------------------------------------------- 20 Girlguiding Benson --------------------------------- 24 Ist Benson Scouts ----------------------------------- 26 School News --------------------------------------- 29 Local Clubs and Societies----------------------- 30 Classified Ads-------------------------------------- 36 Diary------------------------------------------------- 37 Volume 19 No 10 Published by Benson Bulletin News Association Printed by NP Design & Print Ltd, Wallingford : 01491 824827 B BB B 1 Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, Thank you to the Benson Bulletin for giving us the opportunity to say a very big thank you to the many people of Benson who welcomed and supported us over the past three years. We really got to meet some lovely people and thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with our customers and wish Benson all the best for the future. Warmest regards, Petra & Richard Smith Dear Editor People have been asking us at Benson Library whether our mower has broken down because of the length of the grass at the front of the library! We are actually trying to grow a perennial wildflower meadow to help our suffering pollinators, like the bumblebees. It will take a couple of years for the grass to be replaced by the many varieties of wildflowers that are already growing and we will be adding to the mix in the autumn. Hopefully it will then look very beautiful during our long, hot summers (?!). It will be cut down in September once the flower seeds have set. If anyone would like to talk to us about it then we are always happy to see you in the library. Hilary, Pat and Alison Dear Editor, This summer is a key time for the future of our Library. Please read the FOBL June Newsletter which will bring you up to date on the substantial progress we have made over the last few months. A detailed Report will be given at our Annual Meeting on Thursday 4th July at 7.30pm at Benson Parish Hall which will include details of where we have got to in our negotiations with the County, our proposals for the future of the Library and for you to have your say. This is the meeting where, with your approval, the future of the Library will be decided, so please put the date in your diaries now and come along. George Verdon 2 Dear Anne, Your readers may be interested to know that Mr David Tyler of Coach Way Benson, who sadly died last December, was posthumously awarded the RNLI Gold Badge for 25 years service to the RNLI. He had been fund raising, firstly in North London, and then for 18 years for the Wallingford branch. His widow, Barbara, collected his award from the Duke of Kent at a ceremony held at the Barbican in London on 23rd May this year. Yours faithfully, Laurie Keys (Neighbour) The Peal That Never Was Some of you have asked me what happened to the three hour Peal on the bells which was due to take place on Wednesday 17th April. This had been booked several months before. However the band included some who regularly ring at St Paul’s Cathedral and at short notice they were asked to ring on that day for Lady Thatcher’s funeral service. The Peal at Benson was therefore postponed and is now due to take place on Wednesday 3rd July starting at about 10.00am. I hope you will enjoy listening to it. John Tchighianoff www.bensonbulletin.com B BB B Fyfield Manor LB Plumbing Bed and Breakfast * 3 large period rooms * Double occupancy from £70-£85 per night including full breakfast Single occupancy from £50-£65 per night including full breakfast Self-catering apartment - Price on request toilets, taps, showers immersions, leaks and more fully insured • free estimates for fast friendly reliable service tel 07981 642688/01491 834484 7 days a week Tel 01491 – 835184 Fax 01491 – 825635 Email [email protected] www.fyfieldmanor.co.uk Chris Jones General Building Work Brickwork, Patios and Fencing Interior & Exterior Decorating Call Daytime: 07766 881004 Evening: 01235 819441 S G Locksmith Services your friendly local locksmith Lock Opening, Replacement or Repair Key Cutting Emergency Entry Door Maintenance Phone: Steve on 07788 595451 STEVE WILKINSON JEM PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Painting, Plastering, Stonework, Fencing, Patios, Repointing, Carpentry, Garden Tidying Etc. CHIMNEY SWEEPING COMPANY NO FUSS•NO MESS•NO PROBLEM Oxford Stadhampton Deddington Mobile 01865 772996 01865 400244 01869 337500 07711 443050 Telephone: 01865 891554 Mobile: 07885 538514 B BB B 3 Benson Art Group Exhibition Trisha Scott, writes ... Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July 2013 Benson Art Group, started by Molly Saunderson, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with an exhibition of paintings from a variety of local enthusiastic painters. Works exhibited will be in a variety of media including pastels, watercolour, oils, waterbased oils and acrylics. A range of topics is covered but the main focus is on landscapes, some of which are local and will therefore be of interest to local people. The exhibition will be held at the Millstream Day Centre in pleasant surroundings in Benson (signed from Brook Street and next to the Medical Centre) and will take place on the evening of Friday 12 July from 7.00 until 9.30pm and the morning of Saturday 13 July from 10 am until 12.30. Entrance at the door on Friday will be £2.50 per head which includes a catalogue of the paintings on display, delicious nibbles and a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink. Admission on Saturday morning will be 50p and includes a catalogue, a cup of tea or coffee and biscuit. There will be also be a raffle and, if the weather allows, you will be able to enjoy the Millstream’s most attractive garden. Proceeds go to help the Millstream Day Centre so please come to support us on what is always an enjoyable evening. Benson Brook Cllr Dave Rushton, writes ... I hope everyone likes the newly tidied up Brook? On Saturday 13th April a small team from the Environment Agency came along and showed a very small group of volunteers from the village what to do and how to do it. Agrivert generously donated a skip to get rid of the huge pile of green waste and yours truly took a car load of rubbish up to the tip. We covered about 200m along Brook St and could have done more if there had been more of us. My thanks to the 3 volunteers who did spare 3 hours of their time and to the other two 4 who helped tidy up the next day. Thanks also to those who couldn’t help on the day but who do their bit already. Hopefully by staying on top of the vegetation we not only make the Brook look attractive, but we remove any flooding danger from dead trees etc when the water is high. Well done to those who helped. Cycling in the Benson Area Sue Cooper & Claire Umbers, write... We are working on a cycling strategy as part of the Benson Neighbourhood Plan. This involves looking at the present situation and seeing what improvements might be carried out. As we are on level ground, cycling within the village is fairly easy and convenient but watch out for potholes! Cycling on paths does require care and consideration. Everyone, pedestrians and cyclists, should look where they are going and make allowances for other users. While working on the strategy it has become apparent that not all residents are aware of the facilities which exist. Bike racks are provided at the bus stop on the main road, at the doctors’ surgery, at the Parish Hall and in the village centre outside the Pharmacy. There are also several other locations in the village where bikes can be propped or locked. So why not try shopping in the village by bike rather than by car sometimes? Do you think we need more bike racks and if so, where? If you are interested in cycling, whether as a leisure activity or as a means of transport, and you would like to know how we are getting on with the strategy or contribute to it, please contact us by email at claireumbers@hotmail or [email protected] Bingo Night! Every Tuesday in Benson Parish Hall Do you enjoy a game of Bingo, if so please come along on Tuesday evenings in the Parish Hall 7.00pm and it could lead to a Full House - Bingo! B BB B Unit 10, Moorbrook Estate, Didcot, OX11 7HP SERVICING ALL MAKES and MODELS ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS Clutches, Shockers, Exhausts, Batteries Engine Management Diagnostics etc. MOTs Lease and Company Cars Maintained FREE Courtesy Cars FREE Collection and Delivery Service AA & RAC Approved Garage Discounted Class 4 cars & Class 7 van MOTs 01235 818933 www.djmatthews.co.uk Est 1974 and formerly of Chalgrove B BB B 5 Parish Councillors Report Cllr Jon Fowler, writes ... Sunnyside Play Equipment The Parish Council has recently installed a new Cone Climber in the Sunnyside play area. Below is a picture of the Recreation and Lands Committee (or “Cone Heads” ☺) next to the new equipment. On a similar theme, the Rolling Barrel is being replaced during the 1st week of July (weather permitting) so the play area will need to close for a couple of days whilst the installation is undertaken. Friends of Benson Library Cllr Dave Rushton, writes ... Benson Library – It’s Decision Time Just after you receive this copy of the BB we will have the Annual Meeting of the Friends of Benson Library – and this is the most important meeting we have had thus far. The Trustees have finished their discussions with the County Library Service and have a plan to staff the library and maintain the present opening hours. We think our plan is viable and sustainable and we will be putting the details to the meeting for approval. However, it is now up to you to either accept our plan for the future or not. Come along to Benson Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 4th July and make that decision. Naturally I hope you will support all the hard work that has been put in to get us to this point, but you can only do this by turning up and showing your support. Even better, come along and sign up to be a Friend of the Library if you’ve been putting it off. Left to right Cllrs Dave Ollie, Dave Rushton, Pat Peers, Elizabeth Leppard, Don Fletcher, Bill Pattison, Jon Fowler. Benson Veteran Cycle Rally The Benson Veteran Cycle rally takes place from Sunnyside on Sunday 7th July. Milstream Toilet The Parish Council has submitted a planning application to re-build the Millstream Public Toilet. The existing building is in a poor state of repair and does not provide disabled access. It is hoped to commence work during the late Summer / early Autumn. Watlington Road Watlington Road will be closed on the 29th July at Castle Square in order for repairs to be undertaken. 6 Think back two years to that evening in the Hall when hundreds of people turned up to hear about the possible closure of the library. Following the campaign to keep libraries open - in which FOBL played a big part – the County gave us 3 years to change to a Community Library, and we are well into that time now. Next year will see changes, that is still the County’s policy, but we now have a say in how things will change. There is a way forward to keep this facility for all the local communities, and we will be explaining this on 4th July. However at the end of the day it all depends on you the public supporting us, so please come along and show that support. I hope to see you there – Benson Parish Hall 4th July at 7.30pm Dave Rushton Chair, FOBL Trustees B BB B Windmill Landscapes (Thame based) Your Local Landscaping Company Established 1989 Landscaping • Grass Cutting • Turfing / Seeding • Hedge Cutting • Fencing - All Types • Tree Work Construction • Patios • Drives / Paths • Gates - Wood / Metal • Groundwork Tel: 01844 279519 Freephone: 0800 783 7194 www.windmill-landscapes.com ANTIQUE & MODERN FURNITURE RESTORATION WALLIS FENCING AND GATES All types of fencing and gates supplied and installed Traditional French Polishing Spray Finishing/Colour Matching Staircases/Doors/Kitchen Worktops • • • • Custom Made Wardrobes Bookcases and any other units made to fit Any carpentry work Residential Agricultural Industrial Security Please Contact Alan Wallis for a free quotation www.wallisfencing.co.uk 01491 834 886 07747 700740 undertaken Ring James (Chalgrove) Tel: 01865 890436 Mob: 07796 966123 4 Ewelme Down Farm, Ewelme, OX10 6PQ B BB B 7 Benson Neighbourhood Plan Anne Fowler, writes ... Benson Christmas Street Fayre Pat Hatch, writes ... The Neighbourhood Plan has been launched and work is underway. This is probably the single most significant project for Benson and we are all involved in the decision about where to build the @125 new houses allocated to Benson by SODC. The production of the Neighbourhood Plan is part of a process set out by SODC which will ultimately result in a village referendum. This process is closely regulated and must engage the people living in this area in the decision. If this process fails, SODC will allocate the houses where they see fit. This may not agree with where you would prefer them to be built. Additionally the plan gives the village an opportunity to identify infrastructure and local facility enhancements to Benson and the village environment. YES, that time is nearly here again. The date you have been waiting for.. Therefore a number of committees have been formed to undertake the work involved as follows: Housing chaired by Jon Fowler Infrastructure chaired by George Craig Marketing/PR chaired by Pete Eldridge Information Research & Analysis chaired by Patricia Baylis Transport chaired by Dave Rushton These committees will be meeting over the consultation period and feeding their information back to the village via the Benson Bulletin and via the www. bensonnp.wordpress.com website. When the time comes, they will need input from the parishioners so please keep an eye on the BB and website for further updates. In the meantime if you have any comments you would like to make please feel free to contact Pete Eldridge the Parish Clerk at Benson Parish Hall (01491 825038 or email: [email protected]). 8 BENSON CHRISTMAS STREET FAYRE Wednesday December 4th So make a note in your diary now . It starts at 5pm & finishes at a slightly earlier time of 7.30 to allow us to clear up. There will be stalls to buy presents either for someone special or just something for yourself, the shops will be open until 7.30. Those of you who are hungry will find Fish ‘n Chips, Burgers, Pizza’s, Hotdogs maybe Soup to keep the cold at bay, also Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate & maybe Mulled wine. The usual visit from SANTA will take place between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. If you wish to book a stall please call me on 07799381535 or email me pathatch50@ hotmail.co.uk The cost of a stall this year is £15 if you wish to have a stall you will need to bring your own cover, tables and lighting. Unfortunately the RAF are not able to assist us with as much equipment as they have done in the past, but we are very grateful for all the help they have given us. Any persons wishing to book a space please contact me and I will give as much information as possible. We very much look forward to seeing old faces and new. Unfortunately we are unable to allocate spaces to TRADE STALLS we would very much to keep this as a traditional CHRISTMAS FAYRE. Looking forward to seeing each and every one of you on the night. DONT FORGET the 4th DECEMBER 5.00pm – 7.30pm. email your letters/articles to [email protected] or deliver/send them to Benson Parish Hall B BB B Teresa Jayne Catering Weddings & Christenings Parties Lunches & Teas Pig Roasts & BBQs Local Catering for your Special Events As Safe As Houses Chiltern Domestic Appliances 24 hr Locksmiths Est 1985 Tel: 01491 681526 •Emergency Access •Locks Repaired & Replaced •UPVC Window & Door Specialists Servicing, Repairs and Sales Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers, Dishwashers, Electric Hobs and Ovens Bosch Hotpoint Zanussi Hoover Indesit Miele Fully Insured & CRB Checked Call Nick on 07898 737884 Whirlpool Siemens Neff Creda Candy and many more... B BB B 9 Childhood Memories Eileen Manning, writes ... How many people in Benson have actually got a foot wet in the Brook? There used to be a saying “you don’t belong to Benson until you’ve fallen in the Brook”. Did this come from the men coming out of the Farmers Man or The Lamb & Flag and being a bit tipsy for the walk over the footbridges to the cottages in Brook Street? As a child in the fifties the Brook was our paddling pool and adventure playground. We spent hours building dams or trying to catch the little brook trout. We also enjoyed going under the bridge beneath Old London Road (now St Helen’s Avenue). If you called and shouted, it had a wonderful echo. What puzzled me was how my Mother always knew that I’d been in the Brook if told not to. “Don’t go in the Brook today, try and keep that dress clean”. “OK Mum”. But later, when getting ready for bed it would be “You’ve been in the Brook”, “Oh no Mum, I didn’t”, “Yes, yes you did, a little bird told me”. How was she always right? It wasn’t until years later we asked her about this, and was told that if she found we had clean feet we’d been in the Brook, but if they were dirty, we hadn’t. Millstream Surgery Fran Butler, writes ... Mill Stream Surgery Patient Panel Annual Meeting – Tuesday 9th July 7.30pm, at the surgery Dr Peter Rose will give us an update on screening programmes including future developments – here is a taster. How well informed are you about screening for disease? The NHS offers you a number of screening tests which are designed to identify illnesses before they cause a problem. These tests cover chlamydia testing for young people, screening tests for breast, cervical and bowel cancer and we will soon offer testing 10 for memory loss in those over 60 with diabetes, heart disease and strokes. So, an interesting question for us is why lots of people do not attend when invited for these tests? For example, when screening for bowel cancer was introduced (putting poo on the magic toilet paper!) fewer than 50% of people did the test. I wrote in the Benson Bulletin about this and uptake increased to 60% but it has now dropped again to under 50% again. There has been a lot of debate in the press recently comparing benefits with harms associated with mammography, and PSA testing for prostate cancer. We are interested in how people decide to make decisions to attend for screening and whether we can help to improve this decision making process. We do not mind if people do not attend for screening provided it is the right decision for them based on the right information. Here are a few facts: If 10,000 women attend mammography screening for 20 years from age 50: • 681 breast cancers will be diagnosed • 43 deaths from breast cancer will be avoided. For every death prevented, 3 women would be treated who would not have died from breast cancer without treatment For the PSA blood test for screening for prostate cancer, if 1,000 men are screened using the PSA test and followed for 11 years: • 1 death will be prevented • 37 additional men would be treated for prostate cancer who would not have died from prostate cancer without treatment. Has this whetted your appetite? What information do you read to decide whether you will respond to our invites? Would you like to know more about how screening programmes work and what new developments are on the horizon? Then come along to the Patient Panel Annual Meeting on Tuesday 9th July, 7.30pm at the surgery. All welcome. B BB B B BB B 11 Benson Waterfront Peter Clarke, writes ... Our former industrial waterfront Those readers familiar with “Benson – A Century for Change” will have read on pages 25 & 26 of how the waterfront was, before it became a swimming, boating and cruiser station, let alone the site of one of our most popular cafes which it is today. It was therefore interesting for me to be given recently a very old letter. Mrs Eva Vokins was one of those “heroes” of our book. So called because of the wealth of information they could tell us about Benson’s past. Sadly, she died on the 12th March this year, and the letter came to light when her effects were being sorted recently. It must have been written before the end of the last century, and I fear none of the personalities are still with us. It came from Alf Gurney, one of Benson’s former illustrious families. He had retired to Cornwall. I repeat as much of what he had to say as possible. “In the 1920s coal (known as Coventry Cobbles) was transported via the Oxford Canal and River Thames by two barges unloading at Benson Wharf. This was done by wheel barrow over two planks. I well remember in 1926 during the National Strike, Pym Salter [Bridget Jones’ father] diving in to collect the coal that had fallen in the river. At that time the road from Watlington [today’s B4009] was still a dirt track. The granite to improve the road came from Nuneaton, transported by barge down canals and the river. My father and brother were responsible for transporting it from the Wharf to the road works. I still have in my possession an engraved cup that was awarded in 1925 for the Benson Boat Race. I was Cox for the winning crew, who included sons of the Lock Keeper – a Mr. Moffatt*. I can also remember one cold winter about that time. I and my pals rode our push bikes on the frozen Thames to Shillingford Bridge to have our photos* taken.” Alf may have been referring to 1930, and we have this photo in the Archive *Would that we could recover these items! Canons’ Room Hire St Helen’s Church, Benson BB BB Great venue for meetings, birthday parties or gatherings of up to 50 people. Kitchen & facilities. www.achurchnearyou.com/benson-st-helen/ or Tel: 01491 832008 12 For One Year – By Post An Excellent Present Call Don Fletcher on 01491 838577 B BB B Registered Osteopath Backache Sciatica Headache Sports Injuries Joint Pains Arthritis Tennis Elbows ADVANCED PEST CONTROL SERVICE Of EWELME Rohan D Iswariah, D.O. 01491-838866 Ivy Cottage, Chapel Lane Benson OX10 6LU Established 1970 accepted by all major insurance companies HOUSEHOLD GARDEN & FARM PESTS www.localosteopath.com Moles. mice, rats, rabbits, wasps and all other insects MARTIN WIGGALL Domestic Appliance Repair For a prompt and efficient repair to your DEALT WITH PROMPTLY WASHING MACHINE DISHWASHER TUMBLE DRYER COOKER Call Lee Carrington or Peter Willis Tel: 01491 835610 Mobile: 07970 010214 Tel: 01865 349007 No call out fee COMPETITIVE RATES B BB B 13 PCSO Report Here is the latest Benson and Berinsfield neighbourhood update from Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Rebekah Kent and PCSO Sarah Jones. Local Priorities The local priority for Benson is Burglary and Attempted Burglary. The neighbourhood team carry out high visibility patrols to help combat and deter these incidents. We would urge all home owners to make sure that properties are left secure and items such as car keys and valuables are not left in the view. Please report anything which you feel is suspicious and may be of interest to us. Anti-social behaviour (ASB) We have received complaints of ASB on the High Street, Rivermead and the Mill Stream car park areas of Benson. Flowers were removed from plant pots and notice boards damaged. A window of the Parish Hall has also been damaged. If residents witness any further ASB then please report the incidents to us with a description of the offenders. Parking Parking is something that your neighbourhood officers deal with on a day to day basis and we rely on local residents to keep us informed of any issues arising. We understand that inconsiderate and illegal parking can both be frustrating and dangerous and we will assess and deal with all reports appropriately. Vehicles parked illegally or causing an obstruction can be fined £30 by means of a fixed penalty notice. We have received reports of inconsiderate parking in Castle Square and Old London Road in Benson. Vehicles have been obstructing pathways and causing traffic to swerve into oncoming traffic. If we witness a vehicle causing an obstruction we may issue a £30 fixed penalty notice. General Information/Observation Request •11 May – criminal damage to vehicle, Littleworth Road, Benson, a wing mirror was knocked off a vehicle. •14 May – criminal damage to a greenhouse, Mill Lane, Benson. Throughout this month there have been many thefts of garden ornaments across the neighbourhood and we have also had some 14 lead thefts. Inquiries are ongoing to identify the offenders and we would urge any residents who may have witnessed or have any information regarding the incidents to call us. If you have information you think may be of use to us then please call on the police nonemergency number 101. To call anonymously with information about crime – Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or log on to the Crimestoppers website – www. crimestoppersuk.org Crime Information Ewelme farms have reported a few incidents of illegal hare coursing. This can cause damage to crops and is a general annoyance for farmers. We would urge anyone who witnesses this to call and give us a direction of travel and a description of the vehicle and people involved. Have Your Say Meetings Upcoming Have Your Say meetings are: July Monday 8th - Outside Village Shop, Burrows Hill, Ewelme – 1100 – 1130 Friday 12th - Outside the Village Hall, A415, Clifton Hampden – 1800 – 1830 Monday 22nd - The Lord Nelson Car Park, Brightwell Baldwin – 1800 – 1830 Monday 29th – Outside the shops, High Street, Benson – 1300 - 1330 August Thursday 1st - Library Car park, Berinsfield 5.30pm – 6pm Friday 9th – Outside Sixbells PH, Warborough 6pm – 6.30pm Sunday 18th – Village Hall Car Park, Berrick Salome – 6pm – 6.30pm Tuesday 27th – The Village Green, High Street, Culham 5.30pm – 6pm These meetings are an ideal opportunity for local residents to speak to their local police officers and PCSOs about any local issues, no appointment is necessary just turn up. If you want any advice or would like to contact the neighbourhood team you can call us on the police non-emergency number 101 or email WallingfordBerinsfieldCholseyNHPT@ thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk. Please note this email address cannot be used to contact Thames Valley Police to report crimes or for any urgent matters. Alternatively you can visit the force website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk B BB B Computer Repairs, Virus Removal, Computer Lessons for Beginners, Set up Email, Broadband, Wired & Wireless Networking Call Russell on – 01491 838727 or 07770 934677 Email: [email protected] http://russit.co.uk Roll up, Roll up Advance notice of Seasonal Flu immunisation clinic Saturday 19th October 2013 Venue: Mill Stream Surgery The clinic will be by appointment, bookable from September. Further information to follow nearer the time. YOUTH HALL, OXFORD ROAD, BENSON Dance, drama & singing classes for children aged 4+ Summer Dance & Drama Workshops July 23-26th July for 3+ year olds www.stageworks.org Email: [email protected] Tel: 01491 877205 Mob: 07956 176166 B BB B 15 Down the Garden Path Lynn Powell, writes ... July: Digging the potatoes; a gentle boil with a few sprigs of mint, a hint of butter and what more could you ask for? The question is which mint should you be using for the potato pot? There are 25 varieties of mint and the word mint comes from the Latin Mentha or the Greek Minthe, which is named after the nymph who was transformed into a mint plant. It flowers from July until early autumn and is related to sages, rosemaries, marjorams, basil and thymes. Most only thrive in temperate regions, which probably explains why it is so happy in Benson, because of course it can be a bit of a thug, so the recommendation is that to limit the spread, you should sink a large bottomless pot into at least 12 inches of ground, but leaving at least 2 inches above ground level to stop the roots escaping. Lift and divide every few years and in late summer (late July or August), cut back and apply a liquid feed to rejuvenate. The advice is all very well, but I don’t think it works, as having tried a bottomless container, I can confirm that the mint spreads everywhere! It can be grown in a container, but if you do this, apply a liquid feed every two weeks and don’t let the pot dry out. Place the pot in partial shade, but be warned that the roots are likely to come out of the bottom and find any crack or crevice and duly spread to where you do not want it. I know this is probably a job for the Undergardener, but it is one, he or she, can do without! It is the menthol which gives all mints their typical taste and smell, simultaneously cool and warming and is an antiseptic, decongestant and analgesic compound think of toothpaste. Sowing from seed is unreliable, so you need to find another gardener, who is trying to contain it. Just pull a piece out with the hairy roots and you will be away. It does not need much encouragement to thrive. Mint can be damaged by mildew and rust, but that is really only likely to be a problem, if you have seriously managed to contain it.. 16 But back to the original question - which mint? You need 4 in the garden and if you have feline friends, then you need a fifth. Mentha Spicata has been a culinary mint since Roman Times and it is this mint ie Spearmint which is used to flavour chewing gum, but you need it to make the mint sauce or mint jelly to go with the roast lamb. Mentha Suavealens or Apple mint is the one you need for the potatoes. It has quite large hairy leaves and is easy to get out of the pot as it does not disintegrate and the smell as it is cooking is wonderful. Mentha Piperita or Peppermint is the one you need for making teas or for medicinal uses and there is nothing nicer on a hot summer’s day than a glass of cold mint tea with lots of ice and a sprig of mint left in. You might not be doing that this summer, but it is also the mint to add to the Pimm’s and is the mint for the ice cube tray, to freeze and keep for real treats in the winter when the outside mint has died down for a well earned rest. Mentha Pulegium or Penny royal, otherwise known as pudding grass because it is added to black pudding and sausages, was historically used to purify drinking water at sea, but it is the best mint to use between paving cracks for the wonderful smell, which is released when you walk on it. It is used to repel mice and insects and it sort of works in a pot in the greenhouse when you are trying to germinate peas or runner beans. I say sort of because to get this really to work, you need lots of pots and as it is not happy being regularly watered, it becomes a little difficult, when you need to water the pots of peas and beans. Nepeta Cataria is for your feline friends, although there is nothing to stop you using it for making tea. But they love the nepetalactone isomers, so plant the catmint where you are happy for the cats to go. That way and with any luck they will stay off the seed bed (throw garlic cloves on that, as they hate the smell of garlic). Wishing you all a very pleasant summer gardening. B BB B WEST & MAN SO R O N DEVELOPMENTS N (ESTABLISHED 1967) SMALL WORKS & MAINTENANCE DEPT ALL TYPES OF WORK UNDERTAKEN i.e. Decor, Gardens, Fencing, Patios, Walls, Extensions, Repairs N.H.B.C. Reg. NORMAN 01491 838662 LEE 01235 818850 0787 9244851 • • • • • decorating services interior and exterior paper hanging coving home maintenance phone james (Chalgrove) 01865 890436 / 07796 966123 B BB B 17 The Bird Spot Tom Stevenson, writes... And so this incredibly changeable weather continues but at least we have had the odd day of sun and warmth. I guess it will be some time until the data is collated to assess the success or otherwise of the breeding season. So far I have seen plenty of signs of success with adults feeding youngsters all over the place. The only trouble is that I have only seen very small families with one or two young at most. Hopefully this is just my observation and not widespread though not all is lost as the fewer the chicks the more food they tend to get and the quicker they grow and are able to look after themselves. It does mean a slightly harder time for predators such as Sparrowhawks but they are longer lived and the odd failed breeding year is not so important. There is still plenty of time for those birds that have multi nesting attempts but please, if you have tree work to do or hedges to trim, either carefully check for nests before starting or better still wait until later in the year when all breeding has finished. sandwiches with you make use of the picnic bench down there. On the mammal front – we have recently taken delivery of 13 hedgehogs at the Watercress Beds from Tiggywinkles. These animals were nursed back to health by the animal rescue centre and were ready for release. I provide food and water for them for the first few days and leave a night time camera out to record their activities. I have film of one apparently protecting its territory or perhaps its food source by wrestling with another though a third looked on being left alone. No idea what is going on though it is interesting and indicates that they have settled in to their new home. Also the camera has picked up a fox and a pair of muntjac deer so far – fascinating stuff and some available for view on my blog (http:// benewetom.blogspot.co.uk/). Email: [email protected] Tel: 01491 836888 Mob: 07773251301 In spite of the conditions this spring the flower meadow at Ewelme is generally looking good though some areas are suffering from lush grass growth which tends to prevent the more delicate annual flowers from germinating. Unfortunately the same is true of the wild flower areas on Aldridge Triangle and outside the library though they are both showing promising signs and proving an attraction to pollinating insects. In fact the only 7 spot ladybirds I have seen this year were outside the library and a pretty moth, a Scalloped Hazel, was hiding on the Aldridge Triangle area. I hope those who think these areas look scruffy will be patient as it takes some time to establish wildflower areas and the prize is a wealth of pollinating insects which have been severely depleted in recent years. Just pop in to the Millbrook mead nature reserve to get an idea of what I hope it will eventually look like – take your 18 B BB B The Church of England Parish of Benson St Helen’s Church Vicar: The Revd John Burrell tel: 01491 832008 email: [email protected] Associate Priest: The Revd Jean Travis tel: 01491 838713 Curate: The Revd David Gifford tel: 01865 343309 Churchwardens: Barbara Smart tel: 01491 837951 Rodney Davis tel: 01491 838494 email: [email protected] Sunday Services 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00am Parish Eucharist (Common Worship) with Children’s Club and Creche 3rd Sunday of the month: Orchestra and a service for all the Family. Further details: www.achurchnearyou.com/benson-st-helen/ For Baptism and Wedding enquiries, please contact one of the clergy. The Catholic Parish of St Birinus Dorchester-on-Thames Priest: Fr. John Osman, MA., STL., Bridge House Presbytery 1 Bridge End, Dorchester-on-Thames Telephone: 01865 340417 Holy Mass Weekdays 9.30am Sat 6.30pm Vigil Mass for Sunday Sun 9.30am (Berinsfield Church) 11.00am Solemn Mass Confessions Sat 5.45 - 6.15 or upon request Exposition & Benediction of The Blessed Sacrament: First Sunday of each Month 5-6pm Children’s Liturgy of the Word Sun 9.30am during Berinsfield Mass Wallingford Quakers 13 Castle Street, Wallingford Enquiries to Warden Tel: 01491 837835 Meeting for Worship Sunday at 10.30am with Children’s Class. Discussion groups during the week. Ridgeway Community Church The Ridgeway Christian Centre 21b/22 St Mary’s Street, Wallingford Gareth Lloyd-Jones (Senior Pastor) Sunday Services 10.00am Worship & Ministry at Christian Centre For all other activities see our website www.ridgeway-church.org.uk or telephone 01491 832718 Church of England Parish of Berrick Salome St Helen’s Church Vicar: Canon Ian Cohen The Vicarage, 58 Brinkinfield Rd, Chalgrove Email: [email protected] Churchwardens: Dr. Marian Shaw - 01865 890915 Salli Pelling 01865 890970 Sunday Services at 11.00am 1st Sunday of Month - Family Service 2nd Sunday - Holy Communion (BCP) Other Sundays - Family Communion Baptisms & Weddings to be arranged with the Vicar Wallingford Methodist Church St Leonards Square, Wallingford Minister: Revd Dr David Rankin Tel: 01235 813242 Email: [email protected] Website: www.wallingfordmethodistchurch.org.uk Sunday Services at 10.30am & 6.30pm Lunch on Tuesdays 12.30pm - 1.30pm Friendship Group alternate Tuesdays 2.30pm ‘Tots Time’ Wednesday 9.30am - 11.00am Boys & Girls Brigade Wednesday evenings Coffee Morning every Thursday 10.30 - 12.00 noon Wallingford Baptist Church Thames St, Wallingford Minister: Pastor Simon Hudson Tel: 01491 839904 Email: [email protected] www.wallingford.org.uk All welcome, please contact David Rankin for details Sunday Services at 10.30am & 7.00pm Holy Communion 3rd Sunday each month B BB B 19 BEST Keith Tibbs, writes... Recording & Caring for the Local Environment I am sure that many – if not all – who read last month’s article will have spotted the “howler” and concluded that yours truly does not know his hazel from his hawthorn. The white blossom referred to is a feature of the latter, not the former, of course. That will teach me to check what I have written more carefully. A small, select group of BEST members attended to be amazed at the variety of moths and by the knowledge and skill of Marc Botham of CEH in rapidly identifying individuals as well as telling us about some of their life histories. We were also treated to “bacon butties” care of Helen Stevenson and chunks of fresh pineapple courtesy Marian Shaw. A very enjoyable couple of hours but why did not more people take up the invitation? The next BEST event is a visit to Wytham Woods on Friday 12 July, leaving Benson at 9.30 am. Wytham Woods is an area of ancient woodland which is owned by Oxford University and used for environmental research. Their website claims that it is one of the most researched areas of woodland in the world. The visit will entail a two hour walk through the woodlands, led by the conservator Nigel Fisher. If any non-member of BEST is interested in joining us for this visit, please contact one of the numbers or email addresses listed below. Contacts: Tom Stevenson (chairman) 01491 836888 or thomas. [email protected]: Keith Tibbs (secretary) 01491 838689 or [email protected] Eyed Hawk Moth The planned May visit to Hurst Meadow was cancelled because of – you’ve guessed it – the weather. However June saw the BEST annual moth-trapping event, over the weekend of 15 June at Millbrook Mead. Moths, like butterflies and other small creatures are good indicators of climate change so that our annual surveys make a small contribution to the understanding of what is going on in the natural world. In spite of the appalling year for members of the Lepidoptera family (moths and butterflies) and rain during the night when the traps were deployed we were very pleased with the results. A total of 158 moths of 50 different species were caught, identified and released. 20 From the Registers at St Helen’s Benson Baptisms: 21st April Benjamin William Woods 5th May Riley Steven Negus Funerals: 3rd April Eva Constance Vokins 5th AprilDavid Charles Edward Caswell 22nd April Margaret Lilian Pattison News & Diary Dates Available on ‘A Church Near You’ website: www.achurchnearyou.com/bensonst-helen/ B BB B ���������� ��������������������������������������������� ������������������ �� ����������� ����������������������������� ������������ ����������������� ������������������������ �������������������� ����������������� ������������������������������ Email: [email protected] B BB B 21 Sex and Affairs Peter Abbott, writes... Is it really going on? Well yes, certainly in the nest! It would seem that with passerines, the perching or song birds, such goings on are the norm! In recent years the use of DNA analysis has provided a powerful tool to examine this subject more closely and more rigorously. For those who have been following BBC “Springwatch” you will know that some birds are faithfully monogamous, e.g. Jackdaw, while others, e.g. Dunnock are notorious philanderers. In passerines, A recent study has shown that passerine faithfulness is quite low, with monogamy just 15%. Examples: Percentage of nests with at least one chick whose father is not its genetic parent: % Species 20 House Sparrow 20 House Martin 30 Swallow 30 Great Tit 30 Starling 40 Blue Tit 70 Yellowhammer 75 Coal Tit 90 Reed Bunting Walking with the Ramblers Kate Hart, writes... Those readers who regularly look through the Diary on the back page of the BB will have noticed that each month (usually) a number of Ramblers walks are listed. Judging by those who do come on our walks and who tell us what they anticipate in advance of their first one, there are many misconceptions about the Ramblers which sometimes deter people from “giving it a go”. The Didcot and Wallingford group, which is the group that puts the entries for its walks into the BB, is made up of almost 200 people, but only a small percentage of those are regular walkers. However, a significant number come from Benson, so any new 22 walker from the Benson area would be highly likely to know someone else in the group. Numbers who turn up to walk on any one day are variable, but on average the numbers are from about 8 to 20 people. The beauty of the walks is that everyone (except the leader!) can decide on the day if they want to come. Walks go ahead in all weathers, unless it would be dangerous – for example due to ice or snow. However, it does mean that if you are deterred by bad weather then you can just wait for a walk on a better day. If you do want to come, then you don’t need to tell anyone in advance: you just turn up to the advertised starting place. Non-members are welcome, but after 2 or 3 walks to try them out, the Ramblers would expect non-members to consider joining if they wanted to continue on a regular basis. The walks are of varying lengths, again as advertised, but the pace is not too demanding unless you really haven’t walked for a long time, in which case choosing one of the shorter walks would be best. The local walks tend on the whole to be graded “moderate”; generally the pace is a comfortable walking pace, about the pace that most people set out to walk to the shops. In the Chilterns there are bound to be hills but everyone needs time to rest / catch their breath and there are stops about every hour for drinks etc. The walk description will advise if you need to bring a packed lunch, but most people always bring a snack. The Ramblers walks are advertised on the Oxfordshire Area Ramblers website which will also have details of walks in other parts of the county and walks in this area run by other Oxfordshire groups. The walks are very sociable as well as a good way to explore the countryside round about and get healthy and we have been told by new members that our group is very welcoming to new walkers. So please do think about giving it a try. If you can’t find what you need to know on the web site then do please give me a ring - my telephone number is 01491 838689. B BB B Altom Tree Care Ltd Tree Felling Height Reductions Lopping & Pruning Stump Grinding Fencing Landscaping Grass/Hedge Cutting Maintenance Contracts Seasoned Logs For Sale tel: 01844 339833 Fully Insured Free Quotations mob: 07958 759747 email: [email protected] EWELME VILLAGE HALL Available for letting for regular bookings, meetings, children’s parties etc. REASONABLE RATES Booking Secretary Anne Critchley — 01491 834403 B BB B 23 Girlguiding Benson Helen Stevenson, writes... The summer term sees all of our Rainbows, Brownies and Guides making the best of the long summer evening and good weather and getting out and about in the great outdoors. Activities this year have included penny hikes, scavenger hunts, outdoor cooking on Trangias and following the history trail around the village. Still to come is the Guides annual bike ride over to Warborough for rounders. The Brownies and Guides spent an enjoyable evening at the Ewelme Watercress beds. The Brownies fed and watered the newly released hedgehogs and made and raced boats. The Guides tried out the newly installed pond dipping platform and caught an awful lot of fresh water shrimps! According to one Guide, it was the ‘...best guide meeting ever!’. We look forward to a second visit next month. 24 Sunday 16th June saw 60 of our members (from Benson village and Berinsfield) taking part in a district fun day at our county centre, Jubilee House. Rainbows up to Leaders had a go at abseiling down the fixed tower. Our other main activity was outdoor cooking on a wood fire. Toasted sandwiches (some of which were toasted a little too much!) and cake cooked in oranges were much enjoyed! The day culminated in a traditional campfire. We are always looking to recruit new adult volunteers and it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Taking on one task for a unit, or perhaps helping once a month can really help to share the load. Get in touch to find out more. If you daughter is interested in becoming a member, visit ‘www.girlguiding. org.uk/interested’ to register her with a unit. Even if your daughter is too young for that section, it is really useful for us to have her on a waiting list so we can plan for the future. Please contact Helen Stevenson email: [email protected] B BB B 1st Benson Scouts Alison Wood, writes... As you may know, we are in urgent need of new Leaders and Assistant Leaders to share the running of our group. The group is really thriving but with Scout Leader Marty Lock going on a 9 month residential course from Sept and Beaver Leaders Gemma and Simon Funnell about to depart for camp-sites new, the group REALLY needs to identify some additional adult support. Some of the exciting and valuable activities our kids have enjoyed in recent months include: • orienteering • survival camping on Bertie West field • foraging for natural foods • cycle rides • nature walks • backwoods cooking • road safety • first aid • firelighting • shelter building These experiences build confidence and selfesteem while nurturing vital life skills and a sense of self reliance. We all want this to continue. Parents helping out on specific activity nights is very valuable and means more gets done, however we need some dedicated commitment to support each of our sections which effectively means more Leaders or Assistant Leaders are required. Our remaining Assistant Scout Leaders Simon and David for Scouts, Derek and Alan for Cubs and Neil for Beavers all have variable work commitments that mean their future guaranteed weekly involvement will prove to be difficult. Our hope is that enough new adults will come forward so that an adult rota can be drawn up to allow all sections to continue to meet ideally on a weekly basis. Unfortunately we do run the risk of having to fold at least 1 section (Beavers, Cubs or Scouts) if new full or part time Leaders are not found for September onwards. Our existing leaders can vouch for how rewarding it is to see the kids develop and how much fun is had along the way. No previous experience is necessary and nobody will be thrust into the thick of it against their wishes. Full training and support at the District level will be provided. Also keep in Continued overleaf.... B BB B Ewelme Village Store Groceries • Newspapers • Milk Stamps & parcel collection Tea Room • Local Produce Speciality Goodies ‘COOK’ Ready Meals Open daily 9am-5pm • Sunday 9am -1pm Black Pig Sausages : perfect for a barbecue E verything for a summer picnic Visit us for tea in our historic village www.ewelmevillagestore.co.uk Tel: 01491 834467 25 1st Benson Scouts (Cont) Alison Wood, writes... mind that badge work programmes are all online now making weekly activity planning much easier. If you or someone you know can dedicate a few hours a week and feel strongly about supporting 1st Benson Scout Group to ensure its survival, please contact the Group Secretary at [email protected] or phone the Group Chair (Ali Wood) on 01491 824398. 1st Benson Scouts Marty Lock (Leader), writes... Taming the Dragon Scouts from 1st Benson recently participated in Oxfordshire District’s Aqua Camp. The camp is an annual water activities extravaganza held at Standlake, near Witney, and involved over 300 scouts from across the district. The aim on the camp was to give the scouts an opportunity to camp, whilst also having a taster of a variety of water activities including canoeing, kayaking, raft building, sailing, rowing in gigs, water games and dragon boating. Scouts arrived on Friday evening to set up camp and started activities on Saturday morning. Despite ‘fresh’ winds and some occasional downpours, activities all ran on schedule. Although unconvinced at times by the statement that “skin is waterproof”, the scouts’ spirits were not dampened and they all put in their best efforts at the activities. After some basic paddle skills and safety lessons on the Dragon Boats, the scouts were soon racing to the heavy beat of the drum and the boat ‘Bilbo Baggins’ was cutting through the water at an impressive speed. Victory in the race was the reward for their efforts and hard work as well as the satisfaction of undertaking a completely new activity that was also great fun. Activities carried on throughout the day until the slightly soggy group made their way back to their site where they were greeted with hot 1st Benson Scouts Kayaking 26 B BB B food, hot chocolate and the opportunity to share their experiences and stories. Having worn every piece of dry clothing by the end of the first day on the water, the scouts understood the true meaning of the name “Aqua Camp”. After an evening disco the scouts retired to bed and silence quickly descended across the site. There was very little rocking required to put the weary souls to sleep as the fresh air and days exertions took its toll. A bright and early start followed on Sunday, and after a hearty breakfast the scouts once again descended on the water for another full day of activities. The sun emerged at the end of the afternoon just in time for the closing ceremony. The flag was taken down for the final time to mark the end of a fantastic weekend of water based adventures. I suspect there would have been a few snores from the back of the cars as the scouts were driven home. To see pictures and videos from Aqua Camp, go to our website at http://bensonscouts.co.uk/ photo-galleries.html If you would like to help children be part of the amazing and rewarding Scouting adventure, please contact the Group at [email protected]. Wallingford Spiritual Cafe Frances Stacey, writes... Wallingford Spiritual Café has recently been formed to provide a forum for people to explore spirituality in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. This is not a religious organisation and has no affiliation to any religion. Under the auspices of the Wrekin Forum (www. wrekinforum.org) the Spiritual Café provides a place where people can come together to explore spiritual topics and concerns in an open and supportive atmosphere. So do join us for a relaxed evening in comfortable surroundings. We start with a short talk with a lively discussion afterwards. You can join in as little or as much as you like. We meet once a month from 7.30 – 9.30 pm, either at the Corn Exchange, Market Place, Wallingford, OX10 0EG or Magda’s Cafe, Castle Street, Wallingford OX10 8DL . For further information including dates, topics and venue please contact: Liz Bubbear by e-mail: [email protected] B BB B 27 RAF Benson Community Primary School Hello from RAF Benson Primary! Term 5 has been action packed as we have had a number of events that have taken place and visitors come to our school. One of our School visitors, Dr Kate Tiller, returned to speak with us following her visit to school to share information about the Queen’s Jubilee. We were intrigued to know more about her role of Deputy Lord Lieutenant so our journalists invited her back to find our more. Over to them When the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Dr Kate Tiller, visited us, we asked her a few questions about her job and this is what she told us. Instead of applying for the role, Dr Tiller was asked to do the job. She has been doing this job for nine years and thoroughly enjoys it. Dr Tiller supports the Lord Lieutenant in representing The Queen in Oxfordshire. Her work is voluntary and she will have the job for life or until she reaches the age of 75. She has many different duties, from carrying out citizenship ceremonies to attending and sending invitations to The Queen’s garden parties, at Buckingham Palace, along with four to five thousand other special people. Lord Lieutenants were around in Tudor times 28 in the 1500’s and worked for Elizabeth I, when they would have called out the militia. They once had a uniform but now Dr Tiller only has a badge. Even now, when a member of The Royal Family visits, it is the job of the Lord Lieutenants to make them feel welcome. Dr Tiller works in the university in Oxford as a historian and one of her favourite duties was attending the Diamond Jubilee, where there was a fly past and The Central Band of the RAF were playing. We really enjoyed Dr Tiller’s visit. We felt very lucky to have been joined by her for the second time, as she came to represent The Queen for the Diamond Jubilee last year. She told us lots about herself and sounded like she really loves her job. Dr Tiller, if you are reading this, we want to say a big THANK YOU and come back any time you like! Written by: Ebony Pinn, Jessica Gray, Maisie Kellett, William Hamilton, Zach Boyd, Finley Halliwell, Hannah McGrath, Maddie Kellett, Sam McCrindle, Ellie Lyes and Ellie Tandy. Next month we will be letting you know all about the learning that has taken place this term along with a report from our journalists about a very special royal visit. Steph Fawdrey (Headteacher) B BB B For A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN Choose from our wide range of quality garden services: design and landscaping, plants and maintenance. We tailor-make our service for you. For a free no-obligation visit and written estimate from RHS qualified staff, call 01844 279430, or email [email protected] www.brannfordsgardens.co.uk Full details at: & Home Improvements • Plastering • Artex “Removal” • Tiling • Kitchen & Bathroom Fitting • Extensions & Renovations & All Home Improvements/Repairs For a Fast, Friendly & Professional Service Call Mark Now.... 01491 200217 07960 310383 www.eagleplastering.co.uk B BB B 29 Local Clubs & Societies Clubs Sec: TBA Bensington Society The passport is a document familiar to us all, used and recognized worldwide. At our May meeting, our speaker Martin Lloyd (ex of HM Immigration Service), gave us an intriguing account of how passports have been influenced Are you ready for a spine tingling by assassins and spies. Along with other summer at your library? stories, we learnt how a passport linked Lord From 13th July until 14th September children Palmerston to the attempted assassination of across Oxfordshire are invited to explore the Napoleon 3rd. Over 100 members and visitors Creepy House. Are you brave enough to take enjoyed this excellent talk. on the Summer Reading Challenge and enter Also in May our members visited the newly the Awful Upstairs, the Gruesome Ground renovated Cutty Sark at Greenwich. We were shown around the ship by two Blue Floor and the Spine Tingling Cellar? You can join the gang Liv, Ollie, Rhys, Saeed, Badge Guides and all agreed that it was very Tilda, Zoe and Baskerville the dog as they impressive. Some of us were also able to meet the hair raising residents like Spookitty, visit the Royal College and in particular the Frankenmouse and Headless Harry to reveal fully restored Painted Hall. There was also the Greenwich Market and the Maritime the secrets of the house. All you have to do is pick up your Creepy Museum in the area – we were certainly spoilt House poster from your local library. During for choice but just too much to take in on a day your spooky adventure read six books to trip. A return visit is highly recommended. Our next outing will be to the new Mary Rose collect stickers and prizes! Look out for fantastic new books, exciting Museum with a boat trip around Portsmouth puzzles and fun activities at the library too! Dockyard on 19th September. Please contact Log on to the brilliant interactive website Paul Booker on 01491 825864 for details and availability of places. which you can find at www.creepy-house.org.uk The Society’s Historical Sub-Group met on We look forward to seeing you all! 22nd May to discuss research projects and Hilary, Pat and Alison a future study day. The group are hoping to compare the Benson Census data from 1861 The Mikron Theatre Company and 1911 to get a picture of changes in the Sue Cooper, writes... village over 50 years. The date for the study day has yet to be decided. If you were not The Mikron Theatre Co., who travel able to attend that meeting but would like to around the country by narrowboat, will be be included, please contact Sue English (HG performing their new production, “Don’t Secretary) on 01491 837907. Shoot the Messenger” at the Waterfront The Society’s next main social evening will Café on Tuesday 30 July at 8pm this year. be on 27th September with a visit by Liz Woolley of the Oxfordshire Local History Tickets are £12 (£8 for children). Proceeds are to be divided between Mikron Association to talk to us about Child Labour in 19th Century Oxfordshire. The Society and the Friends of Benson Library. Please contact Sue Cooper 835631 or subscribes to the OLHA and Liz has spoken [email protected] for tickets or further to us previously. Visitors are always welcome (£4 entry) with buffet supper and drinks information. available to purchase. Society details can be Continued overleaf.... 30 B BB B MICHAEL GEE MARKET GARDEN Basket and Patio plants Hanging Baskets and Tubs Seasonal Bedding and Vegetable Plants Perennials and Herbs Compost, Canes and sundries Find us at: PYRTON Nr. WATLINGTON OX49 5AN 01491 612479 B BB B 31 Local Clubs & Societies (Cont.) Clubs Sec: TBA found in the Benson Library, on our village notice board and on our website at www. spanglefish.com/thebensingtonsociety. Sue Brown (Secretary) 01491 837885 Benson WI Our May meeting was well attended with 30 members and 2 guests. The usual business was discussed and several items from the News and Views were mentioned, namely, the Supreme Court and Somerset House visit and Wisley Gardens. There were two very successful trips organized by Delia in May. An art exhibition at Brightwell was well attended with lunch at Root One then off to Geoffrey Harcourt’s house to view his wonderful paintings. The whole trip was in conjunction with Oxford Arts Week. The second outing was to the Earth Trust at Little Wittenham where we had an hour’s walk, a lunch and a short talk about the Trust and the good work they do for the environment. A W.I. coach trip to Cambridge took place on 21st May with 6 members from Benson enjoying the day. We then discussed the resolution for the national federation’s annual meeting. It concerns the “Decline of our High Streets and Town centres” and the damaging effect this has on local communities. All members were urged to support their local shops and make the High Street their choice for goods and services. An unanimous vote to support this resolution went through. Then on to a lighter note when Sandra introduced David Beasley who had brought with him his wonderful collection of local slides dating back pre-1914. His easy manner and interesting facts about Benson and surrounding areas kept our attention and it was fun to link the “then and now”. The vote of thanks was given by Jill. Tea was served by Lynn and Gwenda, the raffles were won by Delia, Jill and Dorothy. Our next meeting on July 17th features Duncan brown talking to us about “Mayors of Abingdon”. 32 Benson W.I. meets every 3rd Wednesday in the month at the parish Hall at 7.30pm. Visitors always welcome. Ring Mary on 01491 838748 for further information. Benson Tennis Club Junior Summer Camps 2013 At Benson Tennis Club we offer a professional and fun filled tennis coaching program during the holidays, with our professionally qualified coach, Mandy Nall. Our focus is to provide a holiday camp experience that is safe, mixing it with a big dose of fun to ensure your child has a great time. It is recommended to book your place early as our holiday camps are always over subscribed! Each camp will run for three days,either in the morning or the afternoon. Groups are limited to a maximum of 8 players and are organised by age and ability. Camps for children aged between 5-7 and 8-10 years will be run on Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th August. For older Juniors aged 11 years and upwards the camp will run Monday 12th to Wednesday 14th August. Cost is £40-45 for members and £50-55 for non-members. Courses run for 2 or 2.5 hours per day. If you would like your son or daughter to attend one of our Camps then please visit http://www.bensontennisclub. co.uk/ or email [email protected] for a registration form. Rusty Rackets If you have not picked up your racket in a few years or if you would like some non-pressurised coaching in a friendly environment, then get down to Benson Tennis Club on a Wednesday morning 9.30 - 10.30, where our qualified coach, Liz Bowles, runs a friendly Rusty Racket session. Coaching for the summer finishes in July but restarts on Wednesday 4th September. Any questions please contact [email protected] Gina Russell Email your club news to [email protected] B BB B We are a friendly club with excellent facilities! • 4 all weather courts • flood lights • social & match play • coaching for all ages • junior & senior club nights • great value individual & family membership As we are right on your doorstep, why not come and join us this year? For more information & contact details: www.bensontennisclub.co.uk Mini Digger / Skip Loader With Operator 598856 B BB B 33 Local Clubs & Societies (Cont.) Clubs Sec: TBA Benson Garden Club Our June outing in glorious sunshine was to a lovely hidden garden in Upper Buckleberry. A valley garden with a lake surrounded by woods and rhododendrons, which, because of the late spring and summer, were in flower at the same time as the roses, making an unusual sight. The coach outing was a bargain with two gardens and Batsford arboretum to delight us all in one trip. In early July we will visit a walled garden with a 5 acre vineyard near Witney, so there is something quite different each time for our members to enjoy. August will see us at our annual summer social in a members garden, where after seeing other nearby gardens, we will share plates of food brought along by each member. This always brings forth some nice surprises and members will be informed of the venue nearer the time. The plant sale earlier in the year went very well and thanks to all our supporters we have been able to make a nice donation to the Mill Stream Day Centre. If you bought plants we hope they are doing well for you and thank you for supplying or buying. Members need to inform Jane if they would like to go to RHS Wisley in September. Phone 01685 891208. Penny Noble Benson Trefoil Guild 14 of our Trefoil Group spent an enjoyable day out in Oxford (16th May 2013), we had glorious sunshine all day. We took an open top bus tour of the city, around the back streets of Oxford is another world the architecture of the Universities is really beautiful and not always appreciated from the ground. We enjoyed a lovely lunch then went our own ways to see and do different things. Five of us went to look at the Sheldonion, Radcliffe Camera and the Bridge of Sighs. Five of the Benson Guild and two of the Chipping Norton Guild had a week away in Bournemouth (May 2013) and had great weather, good food and a really lovely hotel. We enjoyed days out on the buses with 34 our magic passes. If you would like more information about this happy group of people please ring Jackie on 01491 839934. Jackie Spencer South Oxfordshire Generals Your local wargamers are putting on another demo game in the Mill Stream Centre and visitors are very welcome! Saturday 3rd August from 10am will see the first big battle in the American Civil War refought in Benson, as the Battle of 1st Bull Run (yes they had several of them!) was fought between the Union and the new Confederacy – the Blues v The Greys. The North believed that it would be simple, an easy victory over the outnumbered rebels and then the Civil War would be over. Didn’t quite turn out like that on the day, but can history be changed? Why not pop in for a few minutes and see! We always welcome new players, no experience required, no membership fees and we provide the miniature soldiers. Got to be the best offer around. Dave Rushton (01491-838711) Wallingford U3A Wallingford U3A’s programme of talks for the summer are : July 3rd Martin Sirot–Smith: “Washington at Sulgrave Manor” August 7th Dr. Tony Maisey: “How and Why We Age” Our Meetings are held at 2.00 pm on the first Wednesday of the Month, in Crowmarsh Village Hall. Visitors are always welcome. For more information ring Hermione on 01645 858024, or visit our website at googlesites/wallingfordu3a.co.uk Wallingford Flower Club Wednesday 10th July 2013 at Crowmarsh Village Hall 7.15 for 7.45 pm A Floral Demonstration “Arranging with Garden Flowers” by Jo Wise – Florist Green and Georgeous Cutting Garden Littlestoke. Non Members welcome £4 each. For more information phone (01491) 834303 Fay Crabbe B BB B B BB B 35 Classified Ads.... Tel: 01491 201734 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning by your local specialists. Wet or dry systems used. Trained, insured & NCCA approved. Quality work at unbeatable rates. Call Grimebusters 01491 670013 / 01235 555533 Cleaning Supplies & Machines - Hire - Sales - Advice - Repairs - Domestic/Industrial. Call Clean Machine on 01491 825600 or e-mail info@ machinesthatclean.com Find us on Facebook/ CleanMachineLtd Lady Gardener available for general garden maintenance, also home cleaning. Reasonable rates. Phone Diana on 07880 691704 Man & Van Low cost removals and rubbish clearance. Enquiries welcome 7 days a week. Call Mark 01235 511846 or 07770 862413 Longpine Roofing & Property Maintenance. Local village family firm. Tel: 01491 652494 Email: [email protected] Film and Video Transfer Service to DVD, LP’s & 45 Records to CD at sensible prices. For quote phone 01491 825964 or email: [email protected] Two adults plus dog wanting SHORT-TERM LET from September for 4-6 months, in Benson or surrounding area. Please phone: 01491835481. VHS, Camcorder Tapes Transferred to DVD from £3 per tape. Computer Repair, Setup, Tuition from £12ph. Wallingford 01491 200524 / 07910975248 Email: motionflyerpictures@ gmail.com www.motionflyerpictures.com Benson Parish Hall Benson Parish Office: 01491 825038 Office hours: Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri 0930 am to 1230 pm Short Mat BowlsMon 1.45-4pm/Wed 7-10pm BadmintonMon 8-10pm BingoTues 7-9pm Floodlit TennisThurs 7.00pm TO HIRE BENSON PARISH or YOUTH HALL TEL/FAX 01491 825038 Benson Youth Hall Table Tennis Fri 8 - 10pm email your news to [email protected] About Benson Bulletin [email protected] Est. 1994 The Benson Bulletin is published by Benson Bulletin News Association, and delivered free to all households in Benson, RAF Benson, Roke, Rokemarsh, Berrick Salome and Ewelme. All concerned in its production and delivery are volunteers. Material published in The Benson Bulletin is copyright, but the Editor may grant permission for reproduction upon request. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in The Benson Bulletin, the Editor and Publishers cannot accept any responsibility for the consequences of any errors that may occur. Neither are the opinions published in The Benson Bulletin necessarily those of the Editor or The Benson Bulletin News Association. The Editor is pleased to receive material for publication, but reserves the right to shorten, clarify or reject it at her discretion. Copy may be submitted via e-mail to bb.editor@hotmail. co.uk. Typed and handwritten copy is also acceptable and should be delivered/sent to Benson Parish Hall before the 12th of the month previous to publication. All printed photographs will be scanned and returned. BB’s Deadlines Copy: 12th of month previous Advertising: 12th of month previous The Benson Bulletin c/o Benson Parish Hall Sunnyside Benson, Oxon. OX10 6LZ BBNA Committee Members:Chair Jill Parrick 838634 Advertising Treasurer Kyri Kyriakoudis 839810 To advertise in BB contact Anne Fowler on Secretary Patricia Baylis 826289 01491 201734 or [email protected] Advertising Anne Fowler 201734 Clubs’ Sec TBA Distribution Don Fletcher 838577 www.bensonbulletin.com Distribution Ivor Allen 839003 Editor Anne Fowler 201734 Asst Editor Tom Stevenson 836888 36 B BB B John Burrell 832008 BB