Brize Norton Parish Council Newsletter

The Communities of Brize Norton and Carterton

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Here is the text from the December 2005 Newsletter
Published here with permission of the Parish Council.

CHAlR’S REPORT

Once again we are approaching the end of the year. Cricket season, Horticultural Show, Harvest Festival, Bonfire Night and Remembrance Day are but memories again. However the organisers of these and the many other activities that are ongoing in the village will be busy planning for the next year's events. Please remember the people who give freely of their time for the benefit of all parishioners and support the efforts of the few who work so hard to provide entertainment and pleasure to all.

Councillor Lindsay Meeks is continuing her sterling work raising money to re-furbish the children’s play park. The budget the Parish Council has set is £40,000 and £20,000 has already been secured. The Parish Council need to hear your views on the type of facility you would like to see for the younger children in the village. If you have an opinion or ideas you would like to see incorporated in the play park please contact Lindsay or write to the Parish Clerk.

Lindsay on behalf of all parishioners laid the Poppy Wreath the village War memorial during the service on Remembrance Sunday.

Change of Parish Councillors. Cllr David Kirby has resigned and is away to sunnier climes; we wish him well and thank him for his work with the Parish Council. The Council are also pleased to welcome Christine Naus as our new recruit to the Parish Council.

It is noted that the numbers of exhibitors at the Horticultural show was down this year. Around the village there are many attractive gardens full of flowers that would make worthwhile exhibits in the annua1 village show, the gardens that were open to the public this year were also a mass of colour, allotments, this year, were acknowledged as a credit to yet more successful gardeners. I think there are a lot of people who could challenge the regular winners of the annual trophies at the Hor6cultural show.  If you need any information on displaying vegetables or flowers, can cook or have a hobby that produces handicraft items please contact Chris Thorne for guidance.

RAF Brize Norton.  Apparently the work on the re-surfacing of the runway is going well and should be completed early January 2006. The work has increased the number of vehicles transiting the village; however, the vast majority of vehicles have conformed by routing in and out via Lew Hill and Curbridge. Your Parish Council have maintained regular contact with the site manager who has dealt quickly with any problems that have arisen. 

Finally, on behalf of all Parish Councillors, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all A Peaceful and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year 

Keith Glazier

ST BRITIUS CHURCH

Our ”Swing into Autumn” Dance and Supper was again a great success. As a result of the generosity of the 57 Swing Band playing for us for free and Colin and Di Dawes of Foxbury Farm providing delicious food at cost we were able to help the Church with much needed funds. Many thanks to the 57 Swing Band, Foxbury Farm and everyone who helped to make the evening go with a swing! The band and hall are already booked for Saturday 30 September 2006, so please put this date in your diary for next year!

All the food from the two Harvest Services was taken to the Porch Shelter in Oxford. The collection of £150 was sent to the UNICEF Malawi Famine Appeal. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

There was a good turnout for the first meeting of the Friends of St Britius, where after a quiz and presentation of the aims and objectives, we discussed how to proceed with our first project, bringing water and toilet facilities to the church. We welcome support from all those in the village who were unable to attend. For further information contact Phil Holmes on 843856.

Our Christmas Services start on Sunday 18 December with a Candlelit Carol Service at 6pm. The nine lessons will be read by representatives of village organisations and all children are welcome to come dressed as shepherds, angels, wise men, etc, for the nativity tableau. Please contact Carolyn Peach on 844102 for more details of the nativity tableau. Coffee and hot mince pies will be served after the service.

Candlelit Midnight Mass will be at 11.30pm on Xmas Eve and there will be a combined Family Service and Holy Communion at 9.15am on Xmas Day. Roy asks the children to bring a present that they have received with them to show!

The Sunday Club will hold their Christmas Party on Saturday 14 January in the Elderbank Hall, from 2.30 to 4.30 pm.

Our Christingle Service will be held on Sunday 29 January at 4pm. We hope to decorate the oranges in School on the Friday afternoon before.

Roy, Roger, Richard, the Churchwardens and members of the DCC wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

SOUTHERN SHOTOKAN KARATE ASSOCIATION 

Brize Norton Club 

Our club is just over a year old now. We have 15 regular members who train with us every Sunday between 5:30 and 7:00pm in the Elderbank Hall. My aim is to teach traditional Karate in a small friendly club environment and blend both Martial Arts techniques as well as fitness training. Many of my students have successfully passed a number of gradings over the course of the last 12 months. Some of our newer members will be doing their first grading very soon. If you are interested, come along for a couple of free lessons to see if you enjoy it. For more information call Matt Webb on 840890.

BRIZE NORTON OVER 60’S CLUB

Our shopping trip to Reading was a great success and the coach trip to Evesham proved very popular. We are looking forward to our meal at The Chequers on November 15 and our Christmas Party on December 6 . We now meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays with a meeting and an outing each month.

Thank you to Edna, Carol, Benita and June for the home made cakes and teas. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year – Joy Douglas tel. 842373

BRIZE NORTON DANCE CLUB

We meet on Thursdays at 7pm in the Elderbank Hall. Beginners and those with experience are most welcome. We learn Ballroom, Latin American and Sequence dances. Several members spent an enjoyable week end on a dance holiday in Paignton. 

We have recently welcomed several new members. Our tea dances prove popular and we are able to send £100 to the Alzheimer’s Society. 

The next tea dance is Sunday November 27 . 

Then Sunday January 29 – Mark at the organ. 
Sunday February 26 – Arthur Tipper from Derby to play 
Sunday March 26 – C.D’s.

A Happy Christmas to all our members and many thanks to Mabel and Jean for our teas. Joy Douglas – 842373

WIDOWS MONEY AND FUEL ALLOTMENT CHARITY

We have a small charity in the village which allows us to give a small gift to pensioners, widows and anyone in great need at Christmas Time. I shall soon be giving those gifts out, so if you qualify and if you are not on my list please contact me as soon as possible. Joy Douglas – 4 Squires Close - 842373

BRIZE NORTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

The WI continues to enjoy its monthly meetings (2 Tuesday in every month at the Elderbank Hall at 7.30pm) and has had a variety of speakers this autumn. The most enjoyable of these was in November when Viv, who has a studio on the banks of the river in Crawley Industrial Estate, came to show us how to decorate slipware by ’splodging’ flower patterns on the white base of dishes and plates. One particular bowl has been taken away to be glazed and then some lucky member will win the finished dish at a special raffle at our Christmas meeting. This will be a traditional dinner – with someone else doing the washing up! – Hazel Goldman.

LOCAL ADVERTISEMENTS

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BEAUTIFUL NAILS
U.V Gel Nails & Nail Art 
Classic French Manicure Appearance
Very Competitive Prices 
Call Lucy – 07792 921986

INFLATAFUN BOUNCY CASTLES
Bouncy Castles for hire, of various sizes. We deliver, set up and collect to fit the requirements of your event and we will also check to make sure there is enough space if you are unsure. Top quality castles at very good prices and all castles conform to the latest health and safety standards. Call Jo Webb on 840890 or 07899 938938.

YOUR PHOTOS HAVE A STORY TO TELL
Preserve them today. Your photos tell stories. They tell about the joys, the beauty, the laughter and the tears that fill your life. Preserving photos and stories doesn’t have to take a lot of time. It doesn’t have to take a lot of money either. All it takes is a desire and a commitment to preserve your photos and the stories behind them. I teach a free class in your own home to you and your family and friends. Call me for more information on (01993) 846256. Kimberley Shepherd

ELDERBANK HALL
Brize Norton Parish Council are looking for anyone who was involved with the building of The Elderbank HalL We will be interested to hear from anyone who was a member of the hall committee or who knows of someone who was on the committee at that time. We are most interested in the whereabouts of the plans and paperwork and committee minutes from around the time the hall was built.

Can you help? If so, please contact Christine Naus on 844010.

If you would like to advertise on these pages for only £10, please contact Sam Goodwin on 846827.

BRIZE NORTQN SCHOOL

Modern Languages 

The new school year began with us welcoming Miss Whatley on to the staff to teach the Year 5/6 class and Mrs Spikes who is a French teacher. We introduced French into the curriculum for Y2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and from February the whole school will be having French once a week. The whole school took part in the European day of languages by learning how to say hello and goodbye and counting from one to ten as well as tasting food from several European countries such as Poland, France, Germany, Italy, Greece and Holland.

Healthy School Award

The school has been given an award for being a Healthy School.  We have a group of parents who are continually looking at ways to support the excellent dinners already provided at school by our County award winning cook, Tammy and we are delighted that Foxbury Farm is now providing the meat for our school dinners. We have had experts in to coach hockey, tag rugby and football this term and several children have joined local teams in Witney. We continue to go swimming every week in Carterton.

After School Clubs

Our ICT club were highly commended for their web site in a county competition, Our after school clubs, including hockey, tag rugby, art, drama, football and ICT are proving very popular.

Trips

The children have already had many visits and experiences this term including a concert in Oxford, an Egyptian experience, a truck safety demonstration, fire talk and are looking forward to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, trip to Ashmolean Museum and the pantomime, Cinderella as well as performing their Christmas concerts on December 5 at 2.00pm (Villagers welcome) December 6 at 6.30 for Infants and December 7 at 1.15pm (Villagers welcome) and December 8 at 6.30 for the Juniors.

New Building

The first stage of the building of three new classrooms has begun. We are all very excited and there will be many opportunities for villagers to buy and name a brick and other such schemes as the building progresses. We are looking forward to a grand opening in September.

School Association

The School Association continues to work hard to fund raise. The next School event will be the Christmas Bazaar on Sunday 4 December at 2.00pm. Everyone is welcome. We are also hoping to carol sing in the Village on Thursday 22 December.

School Admissions 

As we continue to be full in most year groups, it would be very helpful if parents, who would like their children to come to our school, register their intention by ringing the school on 842488.

BRIZE NORTON VILLAGE PRE SCHOOL

The village Pre-School will be holding their Christmas concert on Tuesday 13 December. There will be a raffle, cake stall, mince pies and hot drinks and the children will perform their play. Everyone is welcome. Doors open at 10.30am, we hope to see you there.

We would be very grateful for any raffle prize donations. Anyone wishing to donate a prize please contact Christine Naus on 844010 or Jo Webb on 840890.

Treasurer required – Brize Norton Pre-School urgently require a new treasurer. The treasurer is responsible for paying the wages, book keeping and taking charge of the accounts. If you have a few hours to spare and are good with 6gures, maybe you could help. Please contact Christine Naus on 01993 844010. Thank you.

BRIZE NORTON VILLAGE TODDLER GROUP

Have you got a baby/toddler/child between 0-5 years?

We are a small, friendly, parent run toddler group offering a wide range of toys and activities. Held in the Elderbank hall with additional outside space, there is a lot of room for toddlers to let off steam, get creative or simply have fun with other children. There is also a suitable area for less mobile babies.

We are trying to provide what you want and need from the group, by encouraging group singing, story time and a regular craft activity table. Children are free to participate in any activity.

We would love to see new faces, or the return of old ones, and hope you and your child will come along and see what toddler group has to offer.

Brize Norton Toddlers Elderbank Hall Tuesday (during term time) 1.15pm – 3.00pm £1.50 per family

Call Helen Bim -01993 843719 for more details or please just come along.

Another successful show was held on August Bank Holiday Monday, although inevitably but sadly there was a drop in both the number of exhibits and exhibitors.

One notable absentee this year was John Barnard who due to ill health was unable to make the journey from Wales. This was the first show he had not attended for over 25 years. Dave Chapman once again won the John Cambray Cup (vegetable). This is the eighteenth consecutive occasion that David has won this section, a remarkable achievement. Roy Henly retained the Beckstone Rose Bowl (flowers) and Jean Butcher retained the Christina Barnard Cup (handicraft). Once again Jeans sculpture was the subject of much admiration and many complimentary remarks. The Aubrey Smith Plate (cookery section) did find a new home won by Caroline Peach.

Chris Thorne

WHAT IS CRIMESTOPPERS? 

Some people who have information about crime don’t want to speak to the police and certainly don’t want anyone to know who they are. So how do they pass on what they know? The answer is to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. So how does that information actually help t fight crime? This short article aims to answer these and other questions.

Because the callers are anonymous, there is no way of knowing who they are. The calls are not traced or recorded and don’t show up on phone bills, unless made from some mobile phones. Crimestoppers removes any fear of reprisal, retribution or revenge. The critical point is that the information does get through and certainly makes a difference. The police cannot solve crime on their own but need help from everyone.

The Freephone number: 0800 555 111 should only be used to give information about people involved in crime or who may be planning crime. The emergency 999 number should always be used if, for example, a crime is actually being committed.

Since it was set up in April 1999 calls to Thames Valley Crimestoppers have led to almost 10,000 investigations. As a result, nearly 1,200 people have been arrested and charged with all sorts of offences. The crimes involved have included: drug dealing, traffic offences, driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs, theft, assault, robbery, handling stolen goods, theft of vehicles, arson, murder and attempted murder, criminal damage, fraud and burglary.

Basically, Crimestoppers is a partnership between the community, the media and the police. The community provides the funding; the media provides publicity and the police take action on the calls. But unless people know about the number these calls will not be made.

If you would like to know how you can get involved with Crimestoppers, please contact: Thames Valley. Crimestoppers, PO Box 4818, Earley Berks RG10 OPT or email TVCS@ehotspts.co.uk

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All entries for inclusion in the March issue should be received by 12th February

BRIZE NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman: Keith Glazier (843640) Vice-Chairman: Lindsay Meeks

Councillors: J Cooper, J Bromley, C Dawes, D Kirby, K Shepherd

Clerk to the Council: Mrs S Goodwin, 13 Daubigny Mead (846827)

Parish Representatives:- 

Oxford County Council: Steve Hayward, Bees Pool Club, Witney (703385). 

WODC: Verena Hunt, 2 Rocky Banks, Brize Norton (841853) 

Meetings held in the Pavilion, first Tuesday every month at 7.30 pm, all welcome to attend.

USEFUL CONTACT NAMES

ELDERBANK HALL ACTIVITIES

The Hall is available for Private Hire Contact:- Mrs Diane Davies on 843430

The Sports Pavilion is available for Private Hire:- Sam Goodwin 846827