Chairman's Report
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After a very wet winter just as we thought spring
was arriving the weather forecast is for snow! The
continuous rainfall of December 2013 and January 2014
again caused flooding in the village. It also led to a
breakdown of the sewerage pumping station in Station
Road. This is the second year in succession we have
experienced these problems. A total lack of investment
by Thames Water Utilities in their infrastructure has
led to the regular failure of the pumping equipment in
Brize Norton. It should be noted that the pumps failed
on the 23rd Dec ? prior to the rainfall!!! An On-site
meeting has been held with representatives of Thames
Water and an internal investment planning meeting was
scheduled to take place at Thames Water on the
17th February 2014, we have yet to hear whether monies
will be forthcoming to affect an upgrade of this
facility.
More houses. I feel sure you are all aware of the
Christchurch Planning application for 700 houses in the
village, there is another application on the way for up
to 1,000
houses on land to the north of Kilkenny Lane. Both of
these applications are to build houses in the Parish of
Brize Norton. There is a sense of real frustration with
West Oxfordshire District Council who has failed to
prepare a local plan. This failure has resulted in
speculative planning applications coming in from all
quarters. Central Government policies to build to get
the economy moving would appear to be leading to more
and more greenfield sites being turned over for
development. There is, it would appear, enough
brownfield sites around the United Kingdom to
accommodate the entire current requirement for housing.
Developers however find it easier and more profitable to
build on greenfield sites. Thus your village is at risk. |
Elections are coming on 22nd May 2014. In this round of
elections you will have the opportunity to vote for your parish
councillors, your district councillor and your Euro MMP. With a
third of the District Councillor Wards being included in this
round of elections it should prove to be very interesting. As a
Mid Term (for Central Government) we can expect heavy canvassing
from all parties. I would urge you all to vote at these
elections. Remember ?You get what the majority vote for?!
Keith
The Parish Council have established a website to record the
activities and reports of the Parish Council (minutes, calendar
of meetings, standing orders, contacts etc) together with useful
links to related websites. The website is continually being
added to. We are indebted to the work that has been undertaken
by Kyle Snook in setting up the website and his continued
ongoing work.
VILLAGE HISTORY ARCHIVE
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If you would like a copy please contact the Clerk or
visit the Church. A minimum donation of £3 is asked for.
The pamphlet reminds us that keeping records, photos and
other media today is the only way of ensuring an
adequate record of our village history and the Parish
Council is keen to receive any further village history
related material you have, in particular photos so that
the online archive can be added to. Please contact the
clerk or alternatively Dr Holmes at Church Farmhouse
(843856)
p.holmes@brizenorton.org.uk. Any material can be
returned to you immediately after scanning.
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RIDE OF RESPECT
| Join up to 10,000 motorbikes ride from
RAF Abingdon in Oxfordshire through Carterton and Brize
Norton, to pay their respects to the brave Service men
and women killed in Service and to thank the towns for
their care of our heroes and their families.
Originally conceived in 2010 and now in its fifth year,
the Ride of Respect has gathered immense support from
the biker community and helps to raise vital funds for
The Royal British Legion in support of our Armed Forces
and their families.
The Ride of Respect 2014 will this year take place on
Sunday 1 June from 9am to midday (approximately).
Registration costs œ10 per bike/pillion and can be
completed online. A registration pack with information,
instructions and entrance tags will be sent by post once
registration has been completed.
Hot food, entertainment and attractions will be
available at the Ride's End Event in Carterton and both
participants and spectators will be warmly welcomed.
For more information on the Ride of Respect 2014,
please email
ldobbie@britishlegion.org.uk or call 020 3207 2341. |
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REPATRIATIONS
Details of repatriations are usually received on a Monday.
Notices will be displayed on the village notice boards at the
earliest opportunity. Further details may be found on the
Oxfordshire County Council web site. Please note timings are
always subject to change.
BRIZE NORTON SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB
There is not a great deal to report on this occasion; as we
all know the weather has been particularly wet and the
recreation ground has been waterlogged for much of the new year
- so no sport being played.
Don't forget the pavilion is available for hire - for small
children's parties or meetings etc.
During these long wet dreary days our thoughts have turned to
the warmer days of summer and in particular the August Bank
Cricket and Horticultural show. For many years now the bank
holiday fete and horticultural show have been organised by the
same few people. In an effort to bring fresh life into the day
we are looking for volunteers to assist and finding some
exciting new ideas for the event.
This day has become part of the fabric of our village life and
we need to expand its appeal and enjoyment to all the villagers
and friends. So if you have a little time and ideas on how the
fete can improve please do let me know - e-mail
tim@tcg-ad.com
For example, should we move the day to
mid summer? Should we have a beer festival to run
alongside the flowers and cricket? What other
attractions can we invite? Are there village
organisations that want to get involved? Please do get
in touch with your ideas.
In the meantime we can look forward to seeing the
sunshine again - at some time!
Tim Gush
846730 |
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BRIZE NORTON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
Following a happy gathering at The Vines for our Christmas Meal
we started the New Year with an excellent speaker, Angela
Panrucker, who told us of her many visits to The Order of the
Garter ceremonies at Windsor Castle together with interesting
slides and a detailed history to go with it. February meeting
was again this year organised by the members and the speaker was
Martin Way who reminded us of the work that women did in the
Second World War. Martin had brought an amazing collection of
articles that he had collected over the years and entertained us
with his stories. This was followed by lovely refreshments and a
raffle.
Our next meetings are as follows:
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11th March is the AGM with Jean Geary, Vice President
of OFWI in attendance.
8th April is a talk by a member of "The Medical
Detection Dogs"
13th May we have a talk on "Cycling Around the World"
10th June we have "The History of Pinewood Studios"
We meet on the second Tuesday of the month in the
Elderbank Hall at 7.30pm and visitors are always
welcome. |
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 œ50 cash back on take up.
* Mobile phone Top-up.
* Health Lottery
* Groceries - limited quantity of snacks and groceries
too. |
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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 considerable threat, we need all
the support that we can get. We need everybody using the post
office in order to survive.
Michael your postmaster attends the Sports Pavilion on Tuesdays
and Thursdays between 9.30am and 12.30pm.
Thank you for your continued support.
WITNEY AND CARTERTON HEALTH WALKS
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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
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SAVE BRIZE NORTON
BNAG made a presentation at the Village Meeting on Thursday 6th
February and offered those present a 'prepared' letter objecting
to the application by Christ Church to build 700 houses within
our parish boundaries. The letter, not unsurprisingly, addressed
most if not all the objections to the development that had been
raised by villagers earlier in the evening.
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Those present had the chance to sign it there and
then - as many did, complete it later or download it
from the website and modify it accordingly.
We also encouraged everyone not only to sign the
'prepared' letter but also to write their own letter -
or re-send an earlier letter quoting the new planning
reference. Daft as it might appear, all previous letters
we have all sent simply do not count!!
For the benefit of those who didn't attend the Village
Meeting, BNAG members delivered throughout the village
copies of the 'prepared' letter together with an
explanatory flyer emphasising the importance of signing
and returning the letters to WODC in time to meet the
20th February deadline.
Looking back it's hard to think what more we could have
done to encourage the maximum response.
Should the application go to Appeal then all our current
letters will be used as evidence and no further letters
will be admissible. So, if you didn't bother to
respond.................... I won't bother to state the
obvious!
We are now waiting to see when this application is to be
considered by WODC. As many villagers as possible should
attend in order to demonstrate the solidarity of our
opposition.
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Noise, especially from the Hercules aircraft continues to cause
unacceptable disturbance throughout the village. RAF Brize
Norton are conscious of the problem and have put in place
various measures in an attempt to limit aircraft noise. However
there is little more that can be achieved by further attempting
to modify operating procedures to limit the noise from daily (or
nightly) aircraft movements. It is vital to continue to inform
both RAF Brize Norton and the Environmental Health Officer at
WODC when you are disturbed by aircraft noise. The number of
complaints concerning aircraft noise is now included on the RAF
Brize Norton website and is updated monthly with comparisons
between 2013 and 2014. It makes interesting reading!
Our village website continues to be the focus for information
and you should visit
www.savebrizevillage.co.uk for further news as it breaks. In
particular, look out for the date when this application is to be
decided upon by WODC and do your very best to join us in Witney.
Prepared by Keith Beckingham on behalf of Save Brize Norton
Action Group.
(SBNAG)
BRIZE NORTON OVER 60's CLUB
We are a small club for village residents. We meet on
the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month with either a
meeting at 4 Squires Close (at 2pm) or we go on an
outing. We have speakers and a nice tea to follow thanks
to June, Connie, and Benita. Our future programme is as
follows:
4 March Coach trip to Worcester
18 March Coffee morning ? open to all
1 April Joy's Birthday Party 2pm to 5pm
15 April Cream Tea
6 May Coach trip to Stratford
20 May Cream Tea
3 June Vist to Thrupp - tea by the river
17 June Meal out
1 July Picnic with organ music in Horace
Hollifield's garden
15 July Coffee morning 10.30am at Joy's. Everyone
welcome
5 August River trip
If you are interested in joining us please contact
Joy on 01993 842373
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COFFEE MORNING
Tuesday 18 March
10.30am at Joy's, 4 Squires Close
Bring and buy and raffle
EVERYONE WELCOME
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ALLOTMENT NEWS
A meeting of allotment holders is to be held on Monday 7th April
at 6.45pm. Allotment agreements and other correspondence will be
sent out shortly. If you would like to be considered for an
allotment when one becomes available please contact the clerk to
be added to the short waiting list.
BRIZE NORTON DANCE CLUB
| We meet every Thursday evening 7.30
'til 9.30 pm in the Elderbank Hall, only £2 per person.
We dance ballroom, Latin American and sequence dances to
CD's. We have tea and biscuits in the interval. Our last
dance before the Easter break will be 10th April and we
will start back on 24th April.
For more information contact Joy on 01993 842373
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WODC - CLIMATE WEEK SWAP SHOP
Swap unwanted items (books, DVD's, CD's, toys, jewellery,
unwanted gifts, clothes) for lovely new things for FREE at a
swap shop.
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On: Wednesday 5th March 11am to 2pm
At: Elmfield Council Offices, New Yatt Road, Witney, OX2
1PB
For more information contact:
www.westoxon.gov.uk/news
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BRIZE NORTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
We have had lots of changes in our school this term.
We are delighted to welcome Miss Musgrave to our
teaching team. She joins us from
North Leigh C of E Primary School and she has already
proved an invaluable addition to our school community.
We are also soon to welcome Mrs Jobson to our Key Stage
1 team to cover a period of maternity leave. We would
also like to wish Mrs Addinell and Mrs Challender good
luck as they both begin their maternity leave this
month. Last term, we were sad to say goodbye to Mr
Smith, who took up a headship at St John the Evangelist
Primary School ? but we are pleased to hear that he is
settling in well.
I would like to thank the children, parents, staff and
members of the wider school community for their support
and kindness during my first term in the role of Acting
Headteacher here at Brize Norton Primary School. I share
your love of this very special school and I am keen to
ensure that it remains at the heart of our vibrant
community.
Recently, our Key Stage 2 children were able to go on a
fantastic trip to the O2 Arena, to take part in the
?Young Voices? concert. This was an enormous undertaking
and required lots of practise for the children to
perform in a choir of over 7,000 school children! As I?m
sure you can imagine the event was quite incredible,
with lots of spine-tingling moments. We would like to
thank the children (and parents) for their hard work in
learning all of the songs and dances that made the
concert so wonderful.
Over the coming term, the School Association has planned
a variety of events for the school and the wider
community. We look forward to seeing you at some, or
all, of them: |
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The ever-popular Quiz Night is coming
up on Friday 14th March at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start in
the school hall.
Teams can include up to 6 people and the cost is œ6.00
per person, to include ploughman?s supper. Please bring
your own nibbles, drinks and glasses. Prize to the
winning team will be half a case of wine and the
knowledge that you are all far more intelligent than the
rest of us! We will also run the pudding competition. To
enter all you have to do is bring along a homemade
pudding (to be eaten on the night) and two judges will
pick what they consider to be the best pudding. Book
now, by phoning Jo Rushton on 01993 844726.
Sadly, this will be our last quiz to be written and
hosted by the wonderful Ralph Davies. We?d like to thank
him warmly for his many years of support and
question-writing expertise, not to mention his great
sense of humour and patience in putting up with our
heckling and rowdiness! He will be greatly missed.
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The School Association AGM is on Wednesday
19th March at 7.30pm.
Please come along if you would like to find out more about the
School Association or even possibly join the committee. We
welcome input from everybody and value the range of ideas and
skills that each member of our School Community can bring,
however little or much time you can contribute.
Supporting Easyfundraising.org.uk - shop at over 2000 well known
retailers and every time you shop you can earn a donation for
our school at no additional cost to you. To register, visit
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/pta and search for our school.
Registration is quick and simple and is absolutely free.
As always you can keep up to date with all the exciting things
we have been doing by visiting our school website at
target="new".
Emi Grant
Acting Head teacher
CARTERTON NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM
OXFORDSHIRE PLAYBUS
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Every Monday 1.30pm, The Elderbank Hall carpark ?
come and play!
The double decker has a large play space up stairs with
a purpose built Wendy House at the far end. The upstairs
is packed with toys and games, there is also a large
seating area for parents to sit and join in as well as
socialise with others. Downstairs has the messy play,
where children can do painting, sticking and gluing,
junk modelling and play dough. We also have a seating
area at the back where children and families can sit and
read a book.
www.oxonplaybus.com
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BURFORD SCHOOL
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Are you able to help us?
In readiness for our new Science GCSE course we are
creating an outdoor learning area. If you, or someone
you know, have any of the following going spare, we
would be extremely grateful to rehome them for you:
- Plastic or metal buckets - Rabbit hutches (can be in
need of TLC)
- Wooden planters (or unusual items that we can use as
planters!)
- Coat hooks - Paving slabs or stepping stones
- Unwanted CDs/ DVDs - Rocks (suitable for a rockery)
- Outdoor coloured paint or wood preserve
- Chicken feeders - Chicken houses (can be in need of
repair!)
- Wooden bench (can be in need of TLC)
- Garden pergola or trellising (can be in need of
repair)
- Unwanted gardening gloves - Terracotta pots of various
sizes
- Wooden gates
Mrs C Brown Head of Science Burford School
cbro7709@burford.oxon.sch.uk
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ST BRITIUS CHURCH
Our Christmas services were well attended and it
was good to see so many people making the time to celebrate the
real meaning of Christmas. Thank you to everyone who took part
in the Candlelit Carol Service either as readers or the children
who took part in the nativity tableau. Although a wet evening
for carol singing, a small group accompanied by Jacquie on the
saxophone, sang and made collections in Daugbigny Mead, The
Fosseway, Chichester Place and The Chequers. Thank you to all
who contributed to our collection (we raised £105) and to those
who gave us sustenance on the way!
At our services in February we utilised the open space we have
made at the back of the Church so that everyone could make
Christingles and sit and enjoy refreshments too. We were also
sad to say goodbye to Rev Jo Reid the curate who has left to
serve in a parish in the Salisbury Diocese.
| We are holding a Pancake Supper on
Tuesday 4 March at 6.30pm in the Church. Tickets are œ5
and entitle you to two pancakes (sweet and savoury) and
a glass of wine. Tickets are available from Jacquie
(841616), Phil (843856) or Carolyn (844102) or from AK
Timms. There will be a raffle to raise money for general
funds. |
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We would welcome you to join us for the following
special services:
Women's World Day of Prayer - Friday 7th March at 7pm -
All are invited to attend and share refreshments after.
Our Mothering Sunday Service is Sunday 30th March and
everyone is welcome. Children are invited to come to 52a
Station Road on Saturday 29th March at 3pm to make
posies that will then be presented at the 9.15am Holy
Communion Service.
We are running a Pilgrim Course/Lent Course which is
being held in St Britius on Monday 12.30pm to 1.30pm on
3rd March, 10th March, 17th March, 31 March and
14th April. All are welcome to attend to share in the
course discussions and for soup, bread and cheese.
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Our Easter services will start on Palm Sunday, 13th
April with the 9.15am Communion Service and then
continue as follows:
Maundy Thursday - 17th April ? Holy Communion at 7pm
Good Friday - 18th April - service of reflection and
prayer at 6pm
Easter Day - 20th April - Family Communion at 9.15am |
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Thank you to everyone who has renewed their membership of the
Friends and supported us over the last year. If you are not
already a member please consider joining - we ask for a minimum
donation of £10 and you will receive a quarterly newsletter to
keep you up to date with our future projects. With the pathway
resurfaced we are just waiting on some further work to modify
the guttering - which has been severely tested - and then the
roof project is complete.
We are reviewing the report prepared by Sustain on energy
efficiency and suggestions for heating the church and have taken
steps to make your visit more comfortable.
In addition to the 9.15am Holy Communion services each Sunday,
on the 1st and 3rd Sundays there is a Light Zone service - an
informal worship with activities arranged for the children
attending and songs, prayers and refreshments. For further
details of the church services refer to the notices on the
church door or log onto the website
www.brizenorton.org.uk. After Easter we will also be
starting a Forest Church to be held in the Kilkenny Country
Park. This will be a great opportunity to reconnect with God?s
creation.
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.
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS THURSDAY 22 MAY 2014
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Are you registered to vote?
Any person not included in the register of electors
cannot vote at the elections (for Local or European
polls). Applications to register have to be received in
the WODC Election Office by no later than Tuesday 6 May
2014 if they are to be effective for the elections held
on Thursday 22 May. Contact WODC Electoral services
01993 861000 or visit www.westoxon.gov.uk/elections for
more advice on becoming registered.
Have you considered standing for election as Parish
Councillor?
Here are 13 reasons that people use for NOT joining and
this is the Parish Council response ?
* "I'm too young". If you are 18 (at the time you are
nominated) you are old enough.
* "What's the point of just joining a talking shop, they
don't do anything". Have you ever been to a meeting?
Basing your judgement on watching The Vicar of Dibley is
definitely not valid.
* "I haven't got any planning application in at the
moment". Putting in for planning has got nothing to do
with sitting on the Council, whatever may have happened
years ago. In fact, if your own application is discussed
by the Council, you must leave the room.
* "I'm too busy, I couldn't commit to attending every
single meeting". Meetings are rarely more frequent than
one evening a month, and missing the occasional one is
perfectly acceptable. Most meetings only take a couple
of hours.
* "I'm concentrating on finding a job or furthering my
career". Being a local Councillor is a definite plus
point to add to a CV. It shows you can make decisions,
work in a team, are community minded and pro-active.
Prospective employees will be impressed.
* "I haven't lived here very long and I don't know the
area well". If you have lived or worked in the Parish
for a year you are eligible. Your views as an 'incomer'
should be welcomed, as you will probably see things more
objectively.
* "I'm worried that I won't get many votes, and look
silly". Even if you are not voted on this time, you may
very well be approached if a vacancy occurs in the
future and co-opted on.
* "Our Parish Council is full of Old Fogeys". Join up
and change it then ? ask Lawrence!
* "I'd look like a fool because I would not know what's
going on". You will be eased in gently; there is help,
advice and more formal training available. The Clerk is
the legal officer in the Council, and she will explain
the rules.
* "I'll have to sign that code of conduct thing that the
press keeps on about". The code of conduct is nowhere
near as onerous as made out by the press; out of some
80,000 councillors, only 300 have refused to sign. The
code stops situations like the planning one above.
* "I'll have to let everyone know about all my personal
and business affairs". The declaration of interest asks
you to declare business interests within the Parish
area, to guard against bias when Parish issues are
debated. As for personal affairs, get real, everyone
knows about these already.
* "I'm too lazy and not interested in my community". An
excellent reason for not joining.
* "I prefer to let others do the work and then criticize
from the sidelines afterwards". Also a valid reason for
not joining, but do bear in mind that expounding your
views in the pub, rather than the council chamber will
not change a thing in your parish.
Seriously, if you are interested in standing for
election please do talk to the current councillors or
the clerk. You can obtain a nomination pack from the
clerk or from WODC and you will needed to have submitted
your nomination to have arrived at WODC electoral
services NO LATER THAN 4PM ON THURSDAY 24TH APRIL (and
preferably sooner). There are seven seats available on
the Brize Norton Parish Council. If less than seven
people stand for election there will be no vote and the
candidates will form the next parish council.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR COMMUNITY
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS - please refer to newsletter
for further information
3 March Ordinary Parish Council meeting 7.30pm
The Pavilion
4 March Pancake Supper, St Britius Church, 6.30pm
18 March Coffee morning, 10.30pm at 4 Squire?s Close
7 April Allotment holders meeting 6.45pm The Pavilion
7 April Ordinary Parish Council meeting 7.45pm The Pavilion
12 May Ordinary Parish Council meeting 7.30pm The Pavilion
22 May Local Council elections/European elections
1 June RBL Ride of Respect through village 9am to noon
2 June Annual and Ordinary Parish Council meeting 7.30pm The
Pavilion
11 June Annual village assembly 7.30pm The Elderbank Hall
29 June Open Gardens in village 1pm to 6pm
All entries for inclusion in the June 2014 issue should be
received by the clerk by
15 May2014.
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