The NEWSLETTER BRlZE NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

BRIZE NORTON

December 2015

Issue no. 147

Chairman's Report

Welcome to the Christmas edition of the newsletter. As another year draws to an end, it is possibly time to stop and take stock of some of the happenings and changes that are occurring in the village. I feel sure that many of you are aware of the West Oxfordshire Local Plan examination which is currently underway. The local plan for West Oxfordshire will have far reaching implications for us all; housing, creation of employment and the possible knock on effects to many other of the facilities provided by WODC. Coupled with the Chancellors announcement in his Autumn Statement with more of the tax raising function being passed to local government we can expect to see major changes.

The other major change in the village is the change to academy status of the Brize Norton Primary School. The school appear to be going from strength to strength; we wish them well in their new found status.

Also recently announced by Central government is that the Hercules aeroplanes will now be in service for longer than expected; it now appears that the old noisy aeroplanes will not all disappear in the foreseeable future.

I feel sure that many of you will have noticed the latest new hangar that is being built to the southern end of the village. The parish Council have a sum of money for landscaping; what does this mean in practice? Basically tree planting to partially obscure the new hangar. If your garden would benefit from a new tree or trees please contact the clerk for further details. Please note we are not carrying out a complete landscaping service – that only happens on TV programmes!

The parish council are currently one member below strength. If you have an interest in assisting the running of the village and would like to know more of what is involved please contact me on 01993 843640.

Finally, on behalf of all parish councillors and the parish clerk, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.   Keith

ALLOTMENT NEWS

The 2014/15 mild winter, with hardly any sharp frosts, allowed most over wintering crops to flourish, but early spring planted crops were hampered by lack of rain and high temperatures, especially root crops. Later plantings seemed to do better. It was also a good year for bugs especially Blackfly. Most of the plots have generally been well kept this year with only a few flagging, those mainly through family illnesses or other valid reasons.

The "Best kept allotment trophy" was won by Pat Thrift (plots 7A & B) for the second time, with many others in close contention. The most improved plot was Julie Hyland (plots 8A & B). Congratulations! May we remind everybody that the allotments are out of bounds to anyone other than allotment holders, their families and invited friends. Several children have been seen running and playing around on the allotments. This is not only annoying but also dangerous as there are many hidden hazards to fall on or trip over.

If you would like to be considered for an allotment when one becomes available please contact the clerk (01993 844102 or e-mail clerk@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk) to be added to the short waiting list.

Fred Bellenger

BRIZE NORTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE We continue to have a good mix of speakers and our numbers are gradually creeping up which is good. Entries for the monthly competitions are also increasing which makes it more fun. Following our speaker and tea and biscuits we usually have a social half hour which can be a member telling us of special events that they have attended or a fun quiz or game. Despite the ominous title "Bomb Disposal" our September meeting was a very interesting talk by Ian Jones who had many a scary tale to tell us of his involvement with the Bomb Disposal Division of the Army.  In October Muriel Pilkington gave us an insight into local villages that had been lost in this area and reasons for their demise.

Forthcoming speakers and events:- 8 December - Christmas Lunch at The Bay Tree, Burford 12 January - "Underwater Treasures" by John Clark Do come and join us at the Elderbank Hall at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month.  You will be most welcome. Sue Calcutt

ST BRITIUS CHURCH

Thank you to all those attending the village day in August when, with your support, we raised £228 for general funds. Also for the donations made to the Samaritans Purse Christmas shoe box appeal; we were able to send 37 complete boxes from the school and church donations. Thank you also to everyone who helped decorate the church for harvest in preparation for the school and church harvest festivals. Donations of produce have been taken to The Porch in Oxford. Several families joined us in our worship at our Patronal Festival in November, our new all age family communion service held at 10am on the first Sunday in each month.

We invite you to join us at The Chequers on Saturday 5 December at 12.30pm for an informal Christmas get together. Our Christmas fund raiser is a quiz to test you and your family over the Christmas period. Quiz sheets can be purchased now for £2.50 and are available from the church and members of the PCC - please return your answers by Sunday 3 January 2016 for a chance of a prize. In the quiz booklet is a colouring competition to also enter. In 2016 we will need to boost our general funds with fundraising activities – please look out for posters advertising events and help to support them.
 
All are welcome to the Pilgrim Course which continues on Monday lunchtimes at 12.30pm when refreshments are provided. In the lead up to Christmas it will be an Advent discussion course. Forest Church is on 27 November ‘Wreath Making’ – meet at 2.30pm at the metal horses in Kilkenny Country Park, Brize Norton.

We now look forward to Advent and our Christmas services. We welcome you to: - All Age family communion service Sunday 6th December at 10.00am. Activities are organised for the children attending and refreshments served after the service. - Candlelit Carol Service on Sunday 20th December at 6.00pm; a service of nine lessons and carols and the children’s Nativity Tableau – we would invite all children attending to come dressed as shepherds, angels, wise men and people of Bethlehem (we also have some costumes). Please contact Carolyn (844102) for more details. Hot mince pies and refreshments are served after the service. - Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm - Family Service and Holy Communion on Christmas Day at 9.15am (please bring a present you have received to show!) - Low Sunday 27th December - no 9.15am service at St Britius but St John’s, Carterton has services (www.stjohnschurchcarterton.org.uk) Looking forward, we will be celebrating Christingle on Sunday 7 February 2015; we invite you all to our family worship at 10 am.

For further details of the church services, refer to the notices on the church door or log onto the website www.bncommunity.org or www.brizenorton.org. The church is open each Sunday after the morning services until dusk or 6pm. You are welcome to visit to learn more of the church’s fascinating history or just for quiet reflection.

We wish you all a Happy Christmas and A Peaceful New Year.

BRIZE NORTON ACTION GROUP

BNAG have been waiting expectantly for the hearings in respect of the WODC Local Plan 2031. Mr Simon Emerson has been appointed Planning Inspector.

We have now been advised that the first session - dealing with strategic matters including housing and employment requirements - will be held on 23rd - 26th November and therefore too late for comment in this Newsletter.

The second part of the hearing is scheduled for 3rd February 2016.

BNAG, alongside the Parish Council, will continue to monitor developments over the coming months.

Meantime we take the opportunity of wishing fellow villagers the compliments of the season and good health and happiness throughout 2016.

If you would like to become more involved in local matters why not join us? For more information please 'phone me on 843608 or email me at wwwbeckingham@talktalk.net

From Keith Beckingham on behalf of Brize Norton Action Group (BNAG)

HORTICULTURAL SHOW 2015

Another amazing show was held on August Bank Holiday; we had an increased number of entries on last year, and some fantastic entries amongst those. Once again it was good to see some new villagers entering the show.  Witney TV attended and the video of the day can be seen on their website, certainly worth a look.  

The winners in the various classes were: David Chapman - in the Vegetable Section Ann Green - in the Flower Section Ann Green - in the Cooking Section Ann Green - in the Handicrafts Section

Well done to you both. Thank you to Dave and Ann and all the other entrants. It was certainly an impressive display for a small village. We would also like to thank Phil, Polly, Tony, Ann and Pat for their help with the show on the day.

Now onto next year. Sadly our ‘vegetable and flower’ Judge has retired so we need to find a replacement. Is there anyone in the village or anyone you may know who you think would be willing to do this for us next year?  If so please can you let me know. Thank you.

We wish you all a happy Christmas and a good new year - enjoy your celebrations.

Judy Gush and Bev Tyrell

BRIZE NORTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Hello from everyone at Brize Norton School! Or should I say “konichiwa”? Yes, we are continuing our efforts to make our little school even more special by teaching Japanese to everyone from Year 1 to Year 6. We are lucky to have a teacher, Mrs Barker, who spent several years in Japan, and the children are just loving learning a new, exciting language alongside the French they already do. I was also lucky enough to be able to join a head teachers’ tour of Japan over half term and we are hoping to set up a link with a school there. It’s a fascinating country, so like us in many ways but also so different. The children clean the school but it’s very normal for a primary school to have a swimming pool with adjustable-height floor…

Our other big new initiative since the summer has been the Forest School. Mrs Rae has completed a huge training course to become a fully-qualified Forest School Leader, and both staff and volunteers have given up large amounts of time doing up our wild area at the back of the playground: we now have a pond, a mud kitchen, a tools area, a fire pit and a shed full of fun resources for outdoor learning (generously provided by our amazing School Association). All our Infant children have experienced ‘the Forest’ this term, toasting marshmallows, whittling, pond dipping, building shelters, bug-hunting and much more. There are numerous pictures on our website - www.brizeprimary.org, so have a look! The older children will all get their turn before the year is over, so everyone can enjoy learning outdoors.

We have had several exciting school trips this term. Children have been on a range of sporting outings to compete against other local schools. Our Year 6 children went on a day-trip to Boulogne to practise their French by purchasing croissants and hot chocolate, and the Reception children have been on a tour of RAF Brize Norton. We have lots more exciting things planned, especially in the run-up to Christmas, including the annual whole-school trip to the pantomime and our own productions, the Infant Nativity musical and the Juniors’ own performance of “Aladdin”, for which rehearsals are already beginning.

The other important news is that, after a lengthy consultation process, the governing body has decided that Brize Norton Primary School will become an academy with the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST). This means that (probably from April) we will cease to be a Local Authority (LA) school. The decision has come about as a result of significant cuts in LA support for schools, especially successful ones such as our own, and because we feel that the ODST will allow us to keep our autonomy whilst providing support, a fresh outlook, and close working with a group of like-minded schools (including several others in the Burford Partnership). Although ODST is run by the Diocese of Oxford, we will not become a church school and we are determined to retain all that is good about our own school: our friendly atmosphere, our high standards and our enthusiasm about making learning fun and a bit different.

You can keep informed of what is happening at the school through our school website (www.brizeprimary.org) or Twitter (@brizeprimary).
Sayonara!

Anna Fairhurst (Head teacher)

WODC RECYCLING ROADSHOWS 

Lots more waste is generated at this time of year and it’s important that we all play our part to recycle as much of it as possible. West Oxfordshire District Council is inviting residents to come along to one of their roadshows for free advice on recycling and reducing waste over Christmas. These will be held at: Witney: Market Square, Thursday 3 December, 10am - 1pm Carterton: Carterton Market, Thursday 10 December, 9am - 1pm Recycling advisors will be on hand to offer help and advice to residents about general household recycling, food waste recycling, garden waste recycling – including how to register for free collections and home composting. Residents will also be able to stock up free compostable food waste bags, reusable recycling bags and lots more.

Sian Stokes, Waste and Recycling Officer for the Council, said: “West Oxfordshire residents are generally very keen recyclers. We’re currently ranked 10th in the country for recycling but there’s still room for improvement as many items that could be recycled - either in our black boxes or in the food or garden waste bins - are still being put out as rubbish. Our kerbside collections make recycling easy and there is no limit to the amount of recycling boxes that people can put out – we’ll collect it all!”

HAVE YOUR SAY ON WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS

Residents in West Oxfordshire are being asked for comments about their household waste and recycling collections to help the Council plan for any future changes. A short survey asks residents for their views about the containers they use, the types of materials that are collected for recycling and how they use the service. The current contract for rubbish collection is up for review in 2017 so WODC are taking the opportunity to evaluate household waste and recycling collections. How could service be improved and make recycling easier. The survey can be completed online at www.westoxon.gov.uk/binsurvey or in person at the Council’s reception points, Burford Visitor Information Centre or Carterton Town Hall. Deadline for completion of the survey is 12 noon on 7 December 2015.

AGRIVERT’S FOOD WASTE PLANT – FREE TOUR

In the run up to Christmas, West Oxfordshire residents are invited to a free tour of the Agrivert’s anaerobic digestion food waste plant at Cassington to find out what happens to food leftovers collected weekly by the Council. Booking is essential for the popular hour-long tour on Wednesday 9th December at 10.30am. All food waste in West Oxfordshire is collected weekly and recycled locally, instead of being landfilled. It is taken to the anaerobic digestion plant where it is recycled into a liquid fertiliser called 'digestate' for use on local farmland and renewable electricity is generated, enough to power 4,000 homes on an on-going basis, as a by-product during the process. To book a place on the tour, or for further information about waste and recycling in West Oxfordshire, call 01993 861000 or visit: www.westoxon.gov.uk

 
BRIZE NORTON SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Thank you to everyone who supported our first Autumn Ball which took place at Witney Lakes on October 2nd. A great night was had by all and we raised an amazing £1,700 for our wonderful school!

Our next big event is a traditional Christmas Bazaar. This takes place in school on Sunday 6th December, from 1pm until 4pm. There will be stalls, games and refreshments for everyone including a tombola, grand raffle, cakes and cards, and, for our younger visitors, there is the opportunity to meet Father Christmas in his grotto. We hope to see you there!

BRIZE NORTON OVER 60’s CLUB

We are a village group of 28 members who meet twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month. Meetings take place at 4 Squires Close at 2pm. After the meeting we enjoy a chat over sandwiches, homemade cakes and tea provided by June, Connie and Benita. Many thanks girls. We have enjoyed a busy autumn; Gordon’s talk on bonsai trees was very interesting and we enjoyed our meal at Lyneham golf club and the trip to Moreton market.

We have a coffee morning at 4 Squire’s Close on Tuesday 1st December when everyone is welcome. We will have a ‘bring and buy’, and raffle too.   Other events on our future programme are as follows: 15 December Christmas meal at The Trout, Lechlade 5 January Sing-a-long with Cliff 19 January Meal out 2 February Bob Watts – ‘A look back at the past’ 16 February Coffee Morning 10.30am 1 March Olive – ‘Paris to Pigs’ 15 March Coach trip to Banbury

The programme is also posted on the village noticeboard. For further information please contact Joy on 01993 842373.

BRIZE NORTON VILLAGE PRE-SCHOOL

We are pleased to say the number of children at the pre-school are currently high with a long waiting list for the future.
We are starting our Christmas activities (lots of glitter!) and also planning our nativity show which we hope that the village will support us as it does each year.
 

You are all welcome to attend our Christmas Nativity and Party on Friday 18th December at 10.30am.

Getting in shape for Christmas or ideas for New Year resolutions?............

WITNEY AND CARTERTON HEALTH WALKS

Witney - We meet at Witney’s Windrush Leisure Centre at 10 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. There is no charge. We do two walks; one is 1-2 miles long, the other 2-3 miles both ending up with a cup of coffee. For more information ring Joy on 01993 842373. Carterton - On Monday, Thursday and Saturday we meet at the Town Hall, Carterton at 10am. The walks are 1–2 miles long. For more information contact Barbara Goudal on 01993 845923.

BRIZE NORTON DANCE CLUB

We meet in the Elderbank Hall every Thursday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. We dance ballroom, Latin American and sequence dances to CD’s. We have tea and biscuits in the interval - only £2 per person. The last dance before Christmas will be Thursday 17th December and start back on Thursday 7th January. Everyone is welcome to join us. We are also looking forward to our Christmas dinner at Wychwood Golf Club. For more information contact Joy on 01993 842373

BAMPTON PHYSIOTHERAPY

Gym ball classes at Elderbank Hall on Wednesdays 7.15pm – 8.00pm. All abilities and ages welcome. Contact us on 01993 851753 bamptonphysio@btconnect.com www.bampton-physiotherapy.co.uk

BRIZE NORTON BADMINTON CLUB

We meet every Monday at The Elderbank Hall and play from 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm; all ages from teenage to active retired are most welcome. It cost just £2.50 per session. For more details ring Tina on 842268 or Laurence on 07771 998821, or just come along to the hall.

All fitness levels welcome 20 minutes of three different types of exercise £5 per session, Wednesday nights, Elderbank Hall, 8-9pm Call Steph 07970 831061

YOUR VILLAGE POST OFFICE (AT YOUR SERVICE)

Did you know that your village Post Office provides all of the services listed below and lots more? * Traditional letter and parcel posting including next day deliveries and eBay services. * Banking – (Cash/Cheque/Bank card deposits and withdrawal) if you bank with the following banks: Bank of Ireland, Barclays, Cahoot, Clydesdale, Co-op, Lloyds, TSB, Nationwide Building Society, NatWest, Santander, Halifax, RBS and Smile. * National Savings & Investment including Premium bonds. * Bill Payment – Most household bills including BT phone bills can be paid free of fees. * Foreign currency – generally commission free with 3 days’ notice, MoneyGram. * Travel Insurance – Inland and overseas (provided on the spot). * Home Phone – Incentive to transfer your current home telephone service. * Household Home Insurance – Competitive. * Car Insurance – There is £50 cash back on take up. * Mobile phone Top-up. * Health Lottery * Groceries – limited quantity of snacks and groceries too. PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POST OFFICE We have an ageing cliental at present and would very much welcome young parents to use our facilities; at a time when the post office network is under threat we need your support. Michael your postmaster attends the Sports Pavilion on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

POPPY APPEAL

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in the village of Brize Norton raised £986.15 this year with a further donation of £156 from the collection made at the St Britius Church Remembrance Sunday service. We are indebted to Mrs Barbie Thorne for co-ordinating the Poppy Appeal on behalf of the British Legion.

POT HOLE COMPLAINT

If you identify a pot hole please report it to Oxfordshire County Council Highways either online at Oxfordshire.gov.uk or phone 0845 3101111 or write to Highway Enquiries Team, Oxfordshire County Council, PO Box 842, OXFORD OX1 9LL

CARTERTON NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM The Thames Valley Police Non-Emergency number is 101 but always call 999 in an Emergency. E-mail the team at cartertonbamptonburford@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

WEST OXON WOODTURNING ASSOCIATION

West Oxon Woodturning Association (WOWA) meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Elderbank Village Hall, Brize Norton. We start at 7.30 pm and finish about 10.00 pm.  Non-members are very welcome but members and visitors must be over 16.    Our meetings comprise of demonstrations either by one of our members or by a professional turner or its just ‘Hands On’.   All demonstrations are enhanced by the use of a video projection system that allows everyone to view the intricacies of the finer points of wood turning.  Please come along and enjoy an evening - your first visit is free! For further information please contact Dave Spittles on 01993 776036 or visit our web site at WOWA.org.uk

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT

Diane and Trudy would like to say THANK YOU to all who attended and donated towards Macmillan Cancer Support at the ‘Coffee Morning’ they held on Friday 25th September. Total donations were £268.13. A new service run by Oxfordshire Advocacy in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, providing one to one support for anyone aged 50+ affected by cancer, whether they are a Patient or a Carer. “Having an advocate at my appointments just made all the difference in the world, because I didn’t have to be the Rosie-the-nurse, Rosie-the-patient, Rosie-the-everything. I could just focus on me and what people were saying to me, knowing that my advocate was writing stuff down and if I got it wrong, then she’d talk me through it but also would help me challenge… If it hadn’t been for the advocate being there and stepping in I think I might have ended up having completely the wrong type of treatment for me.” ..If you know of anyone affected by cancer and aged 50 or more ..If you feel that they might benefit from having a Macmillan trained volunteer to support them at appointments or with getting the practical help they need ..If you are interested in volunteering yourself Give us a call on 01865 230203 or email copa@oadg.org.uk

THE HISTORY OF BRIZE NORTON SCHOOL

I am building an archive of information including photographs of our village school. This includes details of the early history, early photos and memorabilia as well as full coverage for the last 10 or more years. This will be a valuable resource for those who want to delve into the archives. The website can be found on the community website at www.bncommunity.org . I would welcome villagers’ memories or material they would be willing to share, especially for the decades before 2000; please e-mail p.holmes@brizenorton.org or phone 843856.

LOGS FOR LABOUR IS ON AGAIN!

Would you like free firewood, or do you have a woodland that needs managing? The Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment’s “Logs for Labour” programme aims to promote sustainable use of firewood by running events where volunteers help to manage woodlands in return for logs. The events run most weekends in the winter, are about 3 hours long, and could involve coppicing hazel, thinning trees or piling up brash. All you need are sturdy gloves, shoes and a saw (only hand tools are allowed for insurance reasons)… or let us know if your woodland needs the help of volunteers. Information about forthcoming events is at www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/logs-for-labour or ‘like’ www.facebook.com/oxonwood. Riki Therivel, 01865 243488.

WIDOWS FUEL ALLOTMENT CHARITY FIELD

We have a small charity in the village which pays out a small monetary gift to Pensioners and Widows at Christmas. The money comes from rent from a field which was given to the village. If you haven’t received a gift before and think you now qualify please let me know by Monday 30 November 2015. This is available to Brize Norton residents only.

Fred Bellenger, 1 Daubigny Mead. Telephone 841189

CALENDAR OF EVENTS – please refer to newsletter for further information 30 November Deadline for registration of ‘widows fuel allotment’ charity` 1 December Coffee morning, 4 Squire’s Close, 10.30am Over 60’s fundraiser 6 December Primary School Christmas Bazaar, 1pm to 4pm 7 December Parish Council meeting, 7.30pm Sports Pavilion 18 December Pre-school nativity and party, Elderbank Hall, 10.30am 20 December St Britius carol service with Nativity tableau, 6pm 25 December HAPPY CHRISTMAS 4 January Parish Council meeting, 7.30pm Sports Pavilion 1 February Parish Council meeting, 7.30pm Sports Pavilion

All entries for inclusion in the March 2016 issue should be received by the clerk by
15 February 2016.