HNNL April 2005 page 3

April 2005

Series 30 No 2

Parish Council and Cherwell news


	PLAY AREA Broken glass has been found in the Play Area on several occasions since Christmas. All residents are reminded that this area, whilst for the use of all, is primarily used by young children and glass constitutes a particular danger. Please take extra care to ensure that no dangerous items are left within the area.
		STATION ROAD Oxfordshire County Council is to commence much needed road repairs on Station Road starting on Monday 4^th April. While the works are only scheduled to take place between Ironstone Hollow and Manor Farm, for most parishioners this will effectively close off the whole of the road to the Wigginton crossroads and an alternative route out of the village will have to be found for this week. The most obvious alternative is to leave by way of Sibford Road and then turn on to Whichford Road at The Gate Hangs High. It is anticipated that the repairs will have been completed by Friday evening 8^th April.
TREE SURVEY The Parish Council has been conscious of a need to identify the trees it owns, and for which it is responsible, in order to decide which ones need urgent attention and to decide upon a structured programme of pruning and tidying generally. We have now had a survey completed and a summary is on the web site and a hard copy will also be placed in the library for any parishioners who are interested in reading it.
			FOOTBALL CLUB The Football Club is about to submit a planning application for new floodlights and spectator accommodation on the “old” pitch. We are aware that a number of parishioners have views about this application and they are invited to attend the next Parish Council meeting on 14^th April to express their opinions by which time it is anticipated that the application will have been submitted.

	DOG WASTE Will dog owners please refrain from using the open litter bins for disposal of their dog waste. The bin by the bus shelter at The Sun was full of small plastic doggie bags on 9 March, and there were also some in the bin at the library. Special bins have been provided for dog waste and are sited around the village. Dog owners who do not use the bins are at risk of a heavy fine. The dog bins are lined with plastic bags and have lids. They are emptied separately from ordinary litter bins. It is not hygienic to place dog waste in the ordinary litter bins. If you do not pass a dog waste bin then please take your bag home with you – do not put in an open bin.

			MEMORIAL HALL The Memorial Hall is available for meetings, clubs, events, parties etc. at £4.50 per hour. Booking forms are available in the Post Office.

OUT OF THE BLUE

Greetings to all my readers; winter is receding and spring is in the air…
With that thought in mind may I bring to your attention an item that rears its head every year around this time and this year is no exception. We all like to enjoy the pleasures of the countryside, which include walking our dogs along the many footpaths that abound the area. Unfortunately, some dog owners are reluctant to put their dogs on leads when entering fields containing sheep. I realise that many signs say please keep your dog under control and this does not necessarily mean putting your dog on the lead; however, the lambing season is fast approaching with many farms lambing at different times.
If your dog is caught chasing the sheep and endangering them, the farmer is entitled in law to shoot that dog. Understandably no one wants this to happen least of all the farmer and I can think of nothing worse for the dog owner.
Dogs will be dogs, and when the sheep and/or lambs run away the dogs will think they are playing and run after them. Please, when entering a field containing sheep, think of the consequences, put your dog on a lead!
The village recently suffered several incidents of criminal damage to motor vehicles however these are being dealt with. I am still looking for a phantom prowler and who wears a red woolly hat and a duffle coat? Answers please to these and other intriguing questions to me on the telephone number shown below.
Finally! How would you like to serve your local community? Ever thought about joining the Special Constabulary?
The Special Constabulary are a fine collection of people who want to put something back into the communities they live in. Thames Valley Police are always looking for the right type of person to work in partnership with and support their regular colleagues. If you are interested or think you have what it takes, please contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505. Thank you for reading and may the Force be with you.

Rosemary H. Dilsaver PC 818 01608 648715
rosemary.dilsaver@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Hook Norton Newsletter

Newsletter	Copy Deadline 2005
June	Monday	16^th May
August	Friday	15^th July
October	Thursday	15^th September
December	Tuesday	15^th November

All copy should be put in the Newsletter Box at the Post Office
or sent to hookynews@totalise.co.uk by the deadlines above.

Village diary dates should be sent to:
thehopes@fsmail.net