Brize Norton Parish Council Newsletter

The Communities of Brize Norton and Carterton

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Here is the text from the March 2011 Newsletter Published here with permission of the Parish Council.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

A few Facts taken from published material by West Oxford District Council, Carterton Town Council, RAF Brize Norton and the literature of various developers.

The above chart attempts to show the REAL numbers of houses being planned for this area and to estimate the population increase. It also illustrates the considerable extra demand that will be placed on limited infrastructure.

At the recent Parish meeting the Parish Council received a very clear mandate to object to the West Oxford District Council (WODC) proposed 4,300 housing target, to site 1,000 additional homes in Carterton and in particular to make the strongest objection to any plans to allow building on the East between Carterton and Brize Norton village.

Contained in this magazine are details of how to record your views in response to WODC's proposals to build 4,300 homes over the next 15 years. Concentrating the major expansion on Carterton and Witney, of which 3200 or 75% are to be built within 2-3 kilometres of Brize Norton. The Eastern option is 200metres from the Church and only 20 metres from houses on the Burford Road!!!

Please ensure your views are made clear to WODC by writing, e mailing or going on line. All correspondence to reach WODC BY 11TH March 2011`

MORE HOUSES PLANNED

David Wilson Homes are staging a "drop- in" exhibition at the Carterton Community Centre Marigold Square, Shilton Park Carterton to explain further growth to the North of Carterton.

Please note pressure is still on to develop to the North of Carterton.
 

ST BRITIUS CHURCH

All our Christmas services were well attended in spite of the snow and ice. It was good to see so many people making the time to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. Thank you to everyone, especially the children, who read lessons at the Candlelit Carol Service and to the children who took part in the nativity tableau and their parents for dressing them up appropriately.

All families are most welcome at the Mothering Sunday Family Service on April 3rd at 9.15 am when the children will present bouquets of flowers to all the ladies.

Our Easter services will start on Palm Sunday, 17th April with the 9.15 am Communion Service and continue on:

• Maundy Thursday - 21st April - Holy Communion at 7 pm.
• Good Friday - 22nd April - Service of Reflection & Prayer at 6 pm.
  This will include readings on the thoughts of those who participated in the Passion including Pontius Pilot and Mary Magdalene. It is a very moving service reflecting the meaning of Good Friday.
  
• Easter Day - 24th April - Family Communion at 9.15 am when the children will be making an Easter Garden during the service.

Friends of St Britius - "Stop the drips at St Brits"

Thank you to everyone who has renewed their membership of the Friends.

After a very successful "Raise the Roof" concert in church on Saturday February 5th the total raised for the repair of the roof stands at £38,700, for which we must thank everyone again for their support. This is a fantastic total, however, we must not get complacent as the task ahead is still daunting. The St Britius PCC have formally accepted the offer of a grant from English Heritage. but it brings with it a time commitment to raise more funds. It is a grant towards the cost of repairs to the roof above the north aisle, vestry north slope and the chancel roof. Beyond this, we need to raise further monies to fund the cost of repair of the nave and the porch roof.

So please support these forthcoming events:

Race Night
This will take place in the Elderbank Hall on Saturday March 19th and will include a ploughman's supper (bring your own drinks). Entry £7.50 or £10 to include a horse. The winning owner in each race will win £20. Contact Jackie Bellenger (842172).

Garage Sale
There will be a village garage sale on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2nd, between 11 am and 3 pm. The cost to hold a sale in your garage/drive or garden will be £5 which covers publicity, including an annotated map of each venue. Stall holders keep any money that they take. Contact Jackie Bellenger (842172).

Opera in the Garden
Bring a picnic and listen to Charity Opera sing pieces from musicals and operettas in the garden at Grange Farm on the Burford Road on Saturday May 14th 6.30 pm for 7 pm. Black tie optional. More information and tickets (£12.50) from Lucy Artus (843713).

St Brits Ball
Enjoy dinner and dance to a live band at the St Brits Ball at Witney Lakes Resort on Friday 17th June. Black tie. Tickets £35 each from Tammy Howard (846123).

Please see our special website - www.brizenorton.org.uk/stbritiusroof for more information.

BRIZE NORTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

This term our children have been working hard on a range of exciting topics. Our youngest children have been learning about the Artic and Antarctica and have carried out lots of science work to see how they can stop icebergs from melting. Class 2 have been learning all about castles, while class 3 have been learning about countries around the world through the Philip Pullman story, The Firework Maker's Daughter. Both classes have been on trips this term, Class 2 to Warwick Castle and Class 3 to The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham. Class 4 have been learning about Titanic; the reasons for the disaster and the impact it had on the many people involved.

This term our School Council have been busy evaluating the work of the school and how we can become even better at all we do. As part of their community contribution each class have researched a range of charities and decided on one they would like to support for 2011. Charities have ranged from the JR Children's Hospital, the Make a Wish Foundation to the World Wildlife Fund. On 4th February each class planned and held a fundraising event which included dressing up day, milk-shake sale and school café. Class 1 have been extra busy this term visiting the retirement home on Shilton Park, where they sang songs to entertain the residents.

The School Association continues to ensure that events are planned for children, families and the community, raising important money for the school at the same time. Forth coming events include:

Quiz Night - Friday 4th March 7.30pm.
Teams of up to six. Tickets £5.00 each, including a light supper. Bring own drinks and nibbles. There will also be a pudding competition and raffle.
To enter a team, call the school on 01993 842488

Village Dog and Pet Show - Saturday 26th March 2 - 4pm.
A Brize Norton family fun dog & pet show is to be held on Saturday 26th March 2011 from 2.00 p.m. onwards on the school grounds. All proceeds will go towards the School. Open to all. Apart from the show itself there will be a cake sale, pet stall and a raffle, plus refreshments for both humans and canines.

The Classes:

Waggiest Tail
Handsomest boy dog
Prettiest girl dog
Golden Oldie (Over 8 Years)
Most Appealing Eyes
Shiniest coat
Cutest puppy - 4 to 18 months
Dog the judge would most like to take home
Best Labrador
Best Terrier
Best Pair of dogs

Pet Photo Competition - for those who do not own a dog, open to all (no- dog) pets - rabbit, cat, guinea pig, budgie, fish etc. Please take a recent photo of your pet and bring this along on the day. Place your name and address on the back of the photo along with your pet's name and age. All photos' will be displayed in the marque.

Rosettes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place for all the above classes.

Plus:

Fun Agility Run - over a special obstacle course. Fastest dog wins. Open to all dogs, no pre-experience required! Children can have adult help if required.
Fun Agility will run from 2.15 p.m. until the finish. You can enter as many times as your dog will allow.

Best in show - those placed 1st in each class
Prizes for Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show

£2.00 per class pre-register (£2.50 on the day)
£1.00 per go at Fun Agility
All entrants in the classes will receive a free goody bag for their dog

Registration for dog classes commences from 2.00 p.m. Classes start at 2.15 p.m. You can also pre-register by filling in an entry form, please email Sue Reid for the form: sue@trophypetfoods.co.uk. Further details and terms and conditions can also be obtained by emailing this address.

As always you can keep up to date with all the exciting things we have been doing by visiting our school website at, http://www.bnschool.org.
 

BRIZE NORTON VILLAGE PRE SCHOOL

Happy New Year from us all at Pre-School! This term we have been enjoying learning about Chinese New Year, doing lots of messy play, visiting our allotment and using our new Sandpit which was kindly custom made for us by Jacob Brown Woodworking and installed by the Barber Family. We have also launched our new Cooking Club and Rising 4's Session on a Tuesday afternoon, this has been very popular and our older children are very much enjoying being able to do more advanced activities.

We are now registering children for September, children can attend pre-school from age 2 and are able to attend for free for up to 15 hours a week the term after they are 3, our session times are below, please contact us for information and waiting list forms - children from within the village are always given priority.

Monday 9am > 12pm
Monday 12pm > 3pm
Tuesday 9am > 12pm
Tuesday 12pm > 3pm (rising 4's only)
Wednesday 9am > 12pm
Wednesday 12pm > 3pm
Thursday 9am > 12pm
Friday 9am > 12pm

We would like to thank everyone who supported our Glow in the Dark Disco which was thoroughly enjoyed by all and raised over £250 - this year the pre-school has to raise over £3000 to keep running, so please keep up your much appreciated support! Our next big event is our annual (and very popular) May Ball. 7th May @ Witney Lakes Resort, tickets are £25 which includes; food, live music, entertainment and much more. This year we are having a Hollywood theme, so get your glad rags on and come along! Please contact Lucy Lavers 07813846569 for tickets and more information.

We unfortunately had to cancel the village Baby and Toddler Group at the end of last year due to lack of support, however we are willing to begin running another Mother and Baby Group (for under 2's) if there is enough interest. Please contact Lauren Jacobs if you are interested in attending (likely to be Wednesday AM) or are willing to help out 01993 841242.

Pre-School is open as above, to contact us please call 07769617696 or email brizepreschool@hotmail.co.uk.

Lauren Jacobs
Brize Norton Village Pre-School Chair
01993 841242 / 07766521443

BRIZE NORTON OVER 60's CLUB

Due to the bad weather we had to cancel our Christmas party but we enjoyed our Christmas cake, drinks and presents on January 18th when Cliff played to us.

The Witney pantomime was excellent as usual. Foxbury Farm provided an enjoyable meal on February 1st.

Future Events are:
March 1st Maureen McKreedy - Life as a lock keeper
March 14th - 18th Bournemouth holiday
March 29th Coach trip to Worcester
April 18th Tom Smith to entertain us

Carol and Edna are retiring after many years providing our teas. Many thanks. June and Connie has kindly offered to fill their places and join Benita. Many thanks to our tea ladies.

The club is open to village residents. Meetings are 2.30 to 4.30pm at 4 Squires Close.
Contact Joy on 842373

STEP & CONDITIONING CLASS

Wednesdays 8-9pm at the Elderbank Hall, all levels welcome.
Steph Hill (steph_fitness@hotmail.co.uk 07970831061)

BRIZE NORTON DANCE CLUB

We meet on Thursdays 7.30 till 9.30pm. We dance ballroom, latin and sequence dances to CDs.

Jean and Mable provide a cup of tea during the evening.

Many thanks

Joy Douglas 842373

All entries for inclusion in the March issue should be received by the 15th May

BRIZE NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman: Keith Glazier (843640) Vice-Chairman: Garry Griffin (841616)

Councillors:  Fred Bellenger, Stuart  Guest, James Gillies, Lindsay Meeks. Laurence Taylor

Clerk to the Council: Jo Webb, 18 Chichester Place, Brize Norton (840890)

Parish Representatives:- 

Oxford County Council: Jim Couchman, Dovecot House, Langford (01367 860289). 

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.