THE

HOOK NORTON

NEWSLETTER

June 2001 Series 26 No 3

Page 3


   

ON THIS PAGE
PARISH COUNCIL
HIGHWAY MATTERS
PLAY AREA
MEMORIAL HALL
TRANSPORT
LITTER PICK
CHERWELL COMES OUT GREEN
ENVIRONMENTALLY VERY DANGEROUS
CARING MATTERS
NEWS FROM CHERWELL
CHERWELL'S RECYCLING SCHEME BECKONS
DANCE TEACHERS
PARENT PARTNERSHIP OXFORDSHIRE
ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS
COMMUNITY LUNCHES
GENERAL POINTS OF INTEREST







PARISH COUNCIL
April meeting. The Chairman reported that Barrie Couldrey had been taken seriously ill, but was now recovering. The Council co-opted Mr Pip Howe to fill the vacancy arising from the death of Keith Wood. Following competitive tendering, the new contractor for grass cutting in the village is Mr Bickley. The Council agreed to meet the cost of £1800 for electrical work at the Memorial Hall which was found to be necessary before the Entertainment Licences could be renewed.
Among planning applications considered, the Council made no objection to the proposed relocation of the veterinary surgery to Whitehills Farm, Sibford Road, provided there was no floodlighting; made no objection to a change of use to provide a new tennis court and games areas at the Sports & Social Club, but was strenuously opposed to the proposed floodlighting on the grounds of light pollution.
May meeting. This was the Annual General Meeting. Ray Jelf was elected Chairman for a further year. Clive Timms is the new Vice-Chairman. Christopher Barry continues as Planning Co-ordinator. A full list of members appears below. The Council confirmed its earlier decision to allow sheep-grazing in an enclosed area at the top of the cemetery. A letter from a resident suggesting a village appraisal was discussed. Those present recalled that a previous appraisal about eight years ago had been ineffective. It was agreed that the question might be aired through the Newsletter. There were reports of continuing vandalism in the play area. The Open Spaces Committee will consider what further action can be taken, or whether this amenity will have to be abandoned.
The current members of the Parish Council are:
Ray Jelf (Chairman), The Cottage, Down End. 737129
Clive Timms (Vice-Chairman), 9 Old School End. 730838
Christopher Barry, Salfords, East End. 730407
Archie Bullard, Police House, The Bourne. 737225
Brian Clay, Carillon, Bells Lane. 737622
Barrie Couldrey, The Pippins, Bourne Lane. 730990
Peter Fry, 23 Ironstone Hollow. 730509
Pip Howe, 11 Beanacre. 730119
Les Humphries, 8 Austins Way. 737464
Peter Millar, Staddle Cottage, Bells Lane. 737128
Mike Terry, Rectory View, Down End. 737842





HIGHWAY MATTERS .
At the Annual Parish Meeting, Mr Colin Carritt, Area Engineer responsible for highways, spoke about the problems caused to road surfaces by the wet winter. Additional funding and staffing for pothole repairs had been allocated, but the increased price of bitumen reduces the total effect. In some cases, temporary repairs might be left until permanent work could be carried out. Potholes may be reported to the Bicester depot on 01869 241144. The requested survey of potholes in the village has not taken place. Mr Carritt hoped it would be possible to fund resurfacing of the lower end of Sibford Road (opposite Bells Lane) which is in very poor condition. Work is planned to extend the footpath from Brookside so that it continues to a point opposite the steps in the bank at Scotland End. Work to remedy the surface flooding at the junction of The Bourne and Bourne Lane is also in the programme for this year.


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PLAY AREA .
The Parish Council apologises for the absence of some swings and other play apparatus. This is due to deliberate and repeated vandalism by a small group of local teenagers. The play equipment is not easily repaired. One seat has been damaged by the use of considerable force - this was not a casual kick. The families of these children should be ashamed of them, for their behaviour threatens the availability of the equipment for the younger children for whom it is intended. Some public opinion would be welcome.




MEMORIAL HALL - Note to all users
On the 11th June work will commence on the refurbishment of the ladies and gentlemen's toilets and will last for approximately twelve weeks. Everything is being done to minimise disruption to users of the hall and we can see no reason why all users should not be able to continue as normal. One set of toilets will be worked on at a time so there will be no time when toilets, of one sort or another, are not available and in this matter we would ask for your tolerance. The facilities will be greatly improved when the work is completed. The works will of course, be evident and we would ask that all those responsible for booking the hall, especially where young people are concerned, be especially aware. If you do encounter any problems please get in touch with either myself, Chris Howe on 737399 or Peter Fry on 730509.
Lotteries Awards for All has awarded £5.000 towards the cost of the provision of disabled toilet facilities and an exit ramp at the Memorial Hall.




TRANSPORT
Transit Pass and Explorer tickets . Stagecoach have confirmed that an Explorer ticket bought on our local bus may be used also on journeys from both Banbury and Chipping Norton to and from Oxford and on Stagecoach services in Oxford. If you start your journey in Chipping Norton, you need a Transit Pass instead. Some fares are being increased from 20 May.
Oxford hospitals. If you have to visit the John Radcliffe or Nuffield Hospitals, leave your bus from Banbury or Chipping Norton in Magdalen Street and cross the road for the route 10 service from outside Debenhams. This runs every 20mins during the day (30mins pm & Sundays). Return on route 10A. An alternative for the JR, to avoid the difficulty of parking there, is to take the route 12 bus from Pear Tree Park & Ride. This runs about once an hour Mondays to Fridays only. For times phone 01865 785410.

Peter Fry 730509

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LITTER PICK
Thanks to the (rather few) villagers who turned up for the litter pick in April, some of whom had their photograph in the Banbury Guardian. Further litter picking was done later by Brownies, Cubs, Guides and Rangers, a total of about 80 young people.




Library Opening Hours:
Monday 2 - 5pm      6 - 7.30pm Wednesday 2 - 5pm
Friday 2 - 5pm      6 - 7.30pm Saturday 10am - 12 noon





CHERWELL COMES OUT GREEN - Wildlife Challenge
Make your garden wildlife friendly by providing homes for wildlife, choose trees, shrubs and flowers that attract wildlife, including birds, bats, hedgehogs, lacewings, frogs and toads, grass snakes, creepy crawlies and butterflies. Have a pond. Every pond is good for wildlife. Even the smallest garden pond can be of great importance. More information on how to do this exists in the Library.
Note : You can also get a survey form to complete from BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust) which will allow them to build up a picture of wildlife gardens across the district: ring 01865 775476


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ENVIRONMENTALLY VERY DANGEROUS
Ragwort is extremely dangerous both to humans and animals. Its poisons have been found in milk, eggs, grain and honey. It can cause cancer in rats.
Ragwort is easy to recognise. It produces a rosette of green ragged edged leaves in May and grows to an upright 3 ft plant, with woody, slightly red stems. It produces a large head of bright yellow flowers with a daisy-like petal in late July/August.
Ragwort responds to spraying before it has flowered. Once it flowers all plants must be pulled up, put into sacks and incinerated before it is allowed to seed.
IT IS EXTREMELY POISONOUS AND THE EFFECTS ON THE LIVER ARE IRREVERSIBLE. ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES WHEN HANDLING RAGWORT

You can help by taking gloves and a bag to put the plant in when you go out for a walk.
For advice or notification of ragwort phone Miss D M Harris, British Horse Society on 01993 702844




CARING MATTERS
The Spring issue contains items on Funding Long-term Care of Older People, Benefit changes, Bathability Service, small repairs service (reasonable rates and advice and quotations free), special BT services for anyone with difficulties, legal advice and many articles such as one on Young Carers. This issue can be found in Hook Norton Library.




NEWS FROM CHERWELL .
The District Council has announced improvements to street cleaning. Mechanical sweeping in rural areas will be increased from two to four times a year. Weed spraying will be undertaken in all villages in April and July each year. Litter picking will take place twice a year in villages and elsewhere on request.
The District Council web site now has an events database. Anyone can look up local events. Those wishing to add their own event to the database can do so by completing the online form. Visit www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk.


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CHERWELL'S RECYCLING SCHEME BECKONS
Soon you will be invited to join the new paper recycling scheme. Boxes to put your paper in will be issued. Do nothing unless you do NOT wish to join the scheme. A leaflet will arrive with more details soon. Ring the Recycling Officer on 01295 252535 for more information.




CHERWELL wants to compile a database of dance teachers of all sorts of dancing classes. Paula McKennell, Leisure Services CDC, Bodicote House Banbury 0X15 4AA, E-mail: Paula.mckennell@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or 01295 221726. More information in the Library




PARENT PARTNERSHIP OXFORDSHIRE
More volunteers needed to support parents whose children have Special Education Needs. Did you know that one child in five has Special Educational Needs at some time in their school career. Ring Marian on 01865 810541 or Wendy on 01865 816232




ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY
The Society urgently needs volunteers to help with local collecting days. Dates are already arranged in Banbury and Chipping Norton. If you can spare an hour or two, ring Jean on 01295 720019 or Tony on 01295 730687. Transport can be arranged if required.


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GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS
Details and notes of the debate on GM foods undertaken by Friends of the Earth and Gencrop available on 01295 221637/22163




COMMUNITY LUNCHES
Witney - 29th June 2001 Methodist Church, High Street, Witney
Chipping Norton -Friday 22 June 2001 and Friday October 5th 2001 Community Education, Chipping Norton School
Banbury - Tuesday 19th June 2001 and Wednesday 31st October St Joseph's Church Hall, Edmunds Road, Banbury
Bring your own lunch but drinks can be bought.




GENERAL POINTS OF INTEREST