Brize Norton Parish Council Newsletter

The Communities of Brize Norton and Carterton

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Please note that this might not be the latest issue of the Parish Newsletter. 
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Here is the text from the latest newsletter (June 2006).  
Published here with permission of the Parish Council.

CHAlR’S REPORT

May has seen a significant change in the Councillors serving the Parish. During the last twelve months two of our Councillors have moved away ffrom the parish and two have decided to ”take a break”. I would like to thank Mr Joseph Cooper who is busy at university and Mr David Kirby who is working abroad; we wish them well. Mr Colin Dawes and our outgoing vice chair Mrs Lindsay Meeks have not ruled out a return to the Parish Council in the future, again many thanks for assisting the parish and have a good break. 

New faces on the Parish Council are Fred Bellenger, Erica Conlan, Garry Griffin and Stuart Shaw. It was pleasing to note that seven potential councillors came forward. Seven is the maximum number of councillors for the parish. One more nomination and we would have had an election; something that has not occurred in the village for a considerable number of years. It is also noted that Verena Hunt ”of the parish”, has again been elected to serve as your District Councillor.

The major undertaking for the Parish Council over the next few months will be the replacement of the equipment in the recreation field children’s play park. Provided all necessary funding is in place, it is hoped to complete this work over the school summer holidays. The main reason for this timing is to attempt to complete all work while the school is closed, this will allow the footpath through the play park to remain open during school term time. Alternative play park facilities are available at Daubigny Mead. 

The attendance at the Annual Village Assembly was poor, a comment was made that this was possibly due to a lack of publicity. In an attempt to over come a shortfall in publicity it is proposed that the quarterly Parish magazine includes a section devoted to forthcoming events, up to 12 months in advance. An example of known activities is included elsewhere in this issue. If you are organising a village activity then please forward the details to the Parish Clerk for inclusion in this Diary.

K A Glazier

BRIZE NORTON POST OFFICE

Please support the village Post Of6ce held in the Sports Pavilion on Tuesday and Thursdays from 9.30 till 12.30.

If we don’t use it, we shall loose it.

ST BRITIUS CHURCH

The church will be open and full of flowers arranged by ladies who are opening their gardens for the NGS Gardens Open Day on Sunday 25 June from 1pm to 6pm. Everyone is most welcome at our ”Songs of Praise” service which closes the day’s events at 7.30pm. The hymns and readings have been chosen by members of the congregation and those in the village opening their gardens.

The Friends of St Britius have made a great start to the fundraising for the Tower Project to bring water and toilet facilities into the Church. The Japanese Theatre Play – The Cowardly Samurai – was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. This has been followed by a Tea Dance and a Family Bingo, and the grand total raised so far is over £3,000- almost halfway towards the projected cost of the project.

We give advance notice that tickets will be available from 26 August for our popular ”Swing into Autumn” Dance and Supper on Saturday 30 September. They will be on sale at the Horticultural Show and Cricket Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday when members of the church will be providing cream teas and refreshments, and a tombola stall. To reserve tickets in advance or purchase tickets after the show please phone Phil Holmes on 843856.

ST BRITIUS 140 YEARS AGO:

The church before its restoration in 1864. At this time there was in place of the present pulpit a three-decker structure with a pulpit on top, a reading desk lower down and at the bottom a desk for the clerk. The structure was of varnished wood and over the pulpit was a sounding board covered in a blue cloth. The clerks’ duty was to make the responses in a loud voice and give out psalms and hymns. The music, in those days before the organ, was provided by the village blacksmith, William Smith, and one or two others; the instruments comprising of a violin and two flutes, or one flute and one cornet. The musicians stood in the Chancel on the right hand side behind the chancel screen while the choir of men and women stood to the left. The box pews did not face east as at present but were square or oblong, very high, with seats each side so that the worshippers were facing each other. The labouring classes were segregated at the back of the church and sat on oak benches. The interior of the church was simply whitewashed and had texts in black letters painted on them. On the door leading to the porch, as you entered, you read the words ’Remember Death’, inside the same door, ’Keep the foot when thou goest into the house of the Lord and be more ready to hear than to give sacrifice of fools”. On the walls inside was the Table of Affinity (now in the vestry) and Apostles Creed and Ten Commandments each side of the Altar in the Chancel painted in black letters. Next time you go into the Church you will find on one of the pillars a drawing of the church at this time.

W Morgan 
Edited from an account by Miss Mary Knight

COTSWOLD ART EXHIBITION:

The Rotary Clubs of Chipping Norton and North Cotswolds are staging the Cotswold Art Exhibition on Friday 28th to Sunday 30th July from 10am to 6pm at the Cotswold School, Bourton on the Water. Enjoy a day out admiring hundreds of paintings, sculptures and ceramics created by highly skilled amateurs and professionals from a wide area. Refreshments will be available and admission is free. All the proceeds will be going to charity supporting CLC- Sargent (Cancer Care for Children), TOAD (Trips, Outings and Activities for the Learning Disabled and Moreton New Ambulance Fund.

BRIZE NORTON OVER 60’S CLUB

We enjoyed our trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and to Kelmscot Manor. Our coffee morning is on May 16 and everyone is welcome.

On June 14, four members will be attending a briefing at the Brize Norton aerodrome followed by a flight in a Tristar aircraft. 

Future events:

A shopping trip will also be arranged

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month with a meeting and a trip out each month.

Thank you to Edna, Carol, Benita and June for providing us with sandwiches and home made cakes.

Joy Douglas 842373

BRIZE NORTON DANCE CLUB

We meet on Thursday evenings and cater for all grades in Ballroom, Latin and Sequence dancing. We also run monthly Sunday Tea Dances through the winter months. We have given £300 to Springfield School and over £300 to the Church Tower Fund.

Our future tea dances are

It is just £2 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Our thanks to Jean and Mabel for providing the tea at both tea dances and on club nights.

Finally, congratulations to Karen and Ian who are getting married at the end of the month.

Joy Douglas - 842373

BRIZE NORTON LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB

We are looking to form a Reserve team next season to run alongside the First team. It’s important to the club to keep these teams closely connected to the village and we are aiming to encourage more village residents. If you are aged 15 or over (any ability) and are interested in coming along for a training session, please telephone Sam Goodwin on 01993 846827.

Lisa Boyer

BRIZE NORTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

The WI has been enjoying its usual varied programme of talks and outings. Eleven of us went to the Oxfordshire Federation’s AGM in March where the highlight was a most entertaining talk from James Wright, the son of James Herriott who entertained us royally with many untold stories of life as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales and where our bowlers were presented with their cup. The same number of members went to a group meeting in Clanfield, where the talk was on Sulgrave Manor. We were responsible for the refreshments here, so you can be sure the sandwiches and cakes were delicious. We were actually given a vote of thanks for them – in verse! And talking of verse, we are delighted that our main speaker in Oxford this Autumn will be Pam Ayres, an Oxfordshire girl herself.

At a local level we had our own AGM in March when Sue Cotterill was elected President (01993 823188) and, for the first duty, guided us through the intricacies of the Resolutions which will be debated at the National AGM at Cardiff in June. This year these are on recycling and preserving energy, and, with the Olympics to inspire us, encouraging competitive sports at schools. Anne Hancock will be going as our delegate to vote in favour of both of them.

Our speaker in April was Ken Betteridge who talked on rare plants in West Oxfordshire and had us all guessing the names of some of the beauties he showed us on slides. He wore his extensive knowledge extremely lightly and delighted us with his talk. Further talks on making a rag rug and on the Air Ambulance Service are scheduled for later in the year, together with a garden party and an outing in August. You will also find us at the Cricket Pavilion on June 25 serving tea and yet more cakes to anyone visiting our local gardens. Perhaps we shall see you there.

Hazel Goldman

BRIZE NORTON OPEN GARDENS:

Sunday 25 June 2006 from 1.00 – 6.00 pm.  Once again Brize Norton Gardens are open on behalf of the National Gardens Scheme. We have got 13 gardens open this year, along with the Church which is hosting a flower festival. We have three new gardens and two gardens which have been open before and have returned this year. So there will be different gardens from 2006 and also some of the gardens have changed to give different points of interest. The WI is serving teas and refreshments in the Sports Pavilion. Watch out again this year for the Ice Cream sellers on their bikes. Stop them and buy one. All profits from the day go to the National Gardens Scheme and also local village charities.

The National Gardens Scheme is a nationwide charity which raises funds to help various charities like Macmillan Cancer Relief, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Nurses Welfare Service, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, to name a few.

Also if you are interested in opening your garden in 2007 as part of the village scheme please let Judy Gush know, 01993 846730. We have to let the NGS know by late August of our 2007 entrants.

This is a very enjoyable afternoon to be able to wander around the village, have a chat to people you haven’t seen for a while, catch up on news and have a cup of tea or ice cream.

So why not come along on Sunday 25th June,  We look forward to seeing you there.

FOXBURY FARM SHOP WINS TOP FARM SHOP ACCREDITATION

Foxbury Shop, Burford Road, Brize Norton has won accreditation from the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association (FARMA) which recognises it as being among the best farm shops in the country. There are around 3000 farm shops in the UK, 60 are accredited with Farms/Les Routiers.

The FARMA accreditation is based on an inspection which assesses the shop for quality, service and value, covering all areas the customer sees and even the ones they don’t, behind the scenes. Foxbury Farm Shop scored highly on its butchery in particular, a key feature of the farm business which has adapted substantially over the years to enable all of the meat sold to come from its own livestock.

Colin Dawes is proud to retrace the steps that have led to today’s achievements, from the first cautious ventures to local farmers’ markets in 2000 to opening a farm shop in 2001, and adding the butchery in 2002. With each new feature the range of livestock on the farm grew, with the suckler beef herd joined by Gloucester Old Spot pigs, sheep and then chickens.

While farming has remained Colin’s main passion, his wife Di has joined him in the farm shop development. ’Our focus is own produce and other foods from the surrounding area’ says Di. ’We produce our own ready meals and bakery with the help of a wonderful team, all of which helps to keep Foxbury Farm Shop very distinctive. It’s the local place to come for local foods – and we plan to keep it that way, reducing food-miles as much as possible and keeping full traceability. We are really proud of our super staff in the butchery and the farm shop, for their fantastic customer service. The FARMA inspector commented on our friendly team’.

The last word goes to accreditation inspector, Gordon Wilson, who said, ’This is very much a traditional farm shop, housed in a stone barn at the heart of a working farm. Everything is well laid out with good &esh produce and an excellent meat display at the butchery counter. The range of home cooked products and ready meals are first-class, and, in the farm yard, children can see animals up-close, which is lovely for them. I noted that there is a home delivery service which seems to be very popular with customers’.

Foxbury Farm Shop is open Tuesday 09.00-17.00 and Wednesday to Saturday 09.00-18.00, follow the brown tourist signs. You can also enjoy Foxbury Farm Shop produce at The Carpenters Arm, Fulbrook Road, Burford, about three miles from the farm.

More information about Foxbury Farm Shop: Colin Dawes, 01993 844141 or go to www,foxburyfarm.co.uk

More information about FARMA and accreditation: Rita Exner, 0845 45 88 420 or email rita@farmshopping.com

Issued for Foxbury Farm Shop by The National Farmer’s Retail & Markets Association.

FOXBURY FARM NEWS RELEASE

Some of the best butchers and chefs in the South of England came together last week for the BPEX (British Pig Executive) regional roadshow for Awards for Excellence in British Beef, lamb and Pork products.

In categories ranging from Speciality Sausage Traditional Pork Pie and Ready Made Meals to Home Cured Bacon, Foxbury Farm Shop came away with 4 Gold Awards. Products are entered for evaluation and are critiqued by the industries experts, only the very best receive gold, silver or bronze awards. To achieve gold a product has to score over 90 points. Foxbury Fast Feast ready meals are made at the Farm Shop using their own meat and local fresh vegetables and are amongst the elite for quality and value. They contain no additives or preservatives and are suitable for microwave or conventional cookers, they are popular items in the shop with customers and now it is official they are the best. Foxbury is no stranger to accolades and currently holds the title Cotswold Life Best Farm Shop.

Results:

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 &om 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) 1.15 pm – 3.00 pm.  £1.50 per family.
Call Helen Biro – 01993 843719 for more details or please just come along.

JUNIOR TENNIS COACHING

£3.75 per hour at Brize Norton tennis court.

Monday 5.30 pm – 11-16 years (Full Court Improvers)
Tuesday 4.15 pm – 5-6 years (Mini Tennis) 
Thursday 5.30 pm – 7-10 years (Full Court Beginners)

Contact Simon White on (01993) 843599 or 07769 534888

HORTICULTURAL SHOW: Monday 28th August 2006

With dwindling entries over the last few years this is an opportune time to remind parishioners of this event which runs in conjunction with the village cricket 6 a-sides and fete on August Bank holiday Monday.

Schedules will shortly be available, so if you are a parishioner or allotment holder please contact, either Judy Gush (Painswick House, Carterton Road, telephone 846730) or myself Chris Thorne (107 Station Road, telephone 842013), and we will ensure you are supplied with a schedule (people who have entered in the last 3 years will automatically receive a schedule). >

We look forward to hearing from lots of new exhibitors, don’t be shy, I know from my walks around the village that many people have produce that will grace the show tables.

Chris Thorne

PARISH OF BRIZE NORTON FORTHCOMING EVENTS – ANNUAL DIARY:

Detailed below are some of the events that will take place in the village during the next 12 months. If you are organising an event please pass details to the parish clerk for inclusion in the next quarterly magazine. 

NEXT ISSUE

All entries for inclusion in the September issue should be received by the 14 August.