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CONTENTS
Editor’s ColumnAnne Fowler writes...
Volume 16 No 1Published byBenson Bulletin News AssociationPrinted byNP Design & Print Ltd, Wallingford : 01491 824827
Letters to the Editor ------------------------------- 2District Council News ----------------------------- 6Parish Council News ------------------------------ 8Keep Benson a Village ---------------------------10Grannie West --------------------------------------10Keep Benson a Village ---------------------------10 Benson Veteran Cycle Club ---------------------12 Down the Garden Path ---------------------------14 Benson Players ------------------------------------16 Church Times -------------------------------------19Bird Spot/BEST -----------------------------------20The Bells of St Helen’s---------------------------22Opening of Bob’s corner -----------------------24School News --------------------------------------24 Local Clubs and Societies ----------------------30Classified Ads -------------------------------------36Diary ------------------------------------------------37
email your letters/articles to [email protected] deliver/send them to
Benson Parish Hall
Cover Photograph
Benson Volunteer Helpline
Mon-Fri 9-11amCall
01491 825992to ask for help or to volunteer
Benson Veteran Cycle Club Rally, July 2009 ‘Which one shall I ride?’
Photo by kind permission of Clive Bosley
AdvertisingTo advertise in BB contact Anne Fowler on 01491 201734 or [email protected]
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Hello everyone, we are back again, this time with (hopefully) a colour cover, which is something we would like to do more often, so future Benson Bulletins should be a bit more eye-catching.
I hope everybody is enjoying their Summer. I am certainly getting used to this warm weather. I have been quite successful with this year’s crop of orphaned wildlife. Six ducks which I have looked after from small ducklings and eventually released at Wallingford, and also two hedgehogs (so far).
Our cover photograph was taken during the Benson Veteran Cycle Club rally in July. I am delighted that I finally know what this is all about (details on Page 12). I have lived in the village for five years and never known why I sometimes see strange velocipedes about the place. I thought I was hallucinating.
On Thursday 10th September please show your support (if you can attend) for the RAF Benson Homecoming Parade (details on the back cover). This is to celebrate the return of the final two helicopters from Iraq. The parade will be going through Benson Village from the Youth Hall to the High Street starting at 11.30am and will be accompanied by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, there will also be a fly past,. I am sure the RAF personnel would be delighted to see the village showing its support.
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Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,I gather that the cover photograph of the July/August edition of the magazine has created quite a mystery. It is described as “Brook Street in the Summertime”. I’m sorry to have to advise you that it is not in Brook Street nor was it taken in the summer! It is in fact a picture of our and our neighbour’s garden in Preston Crowmarsh with the Ewelme Brook running between us. The picture must have been taken in the spring as I can see the daffodils growing along the river bank. Yours sincerely,Rodney Davis
Yes indeed, how wrong I was. Sorry for all the confusion, I thought it was a view of Brook Street I hadn’t seen before, and neither has anybody else. AF
Dear Editor,I have just spent many hours looking through the website and felt compelled to pass on my congratulations. The pictures were particularly fascinating and I have spotted a few of my relations, Ida Harkness who was my Auntie, sister of my father Alan Young, and George Young brother of my late father and still living in Benson. I also spotted an early photo of my father in the football team in the 1940’s. I now live in Wincanton, Somerset, but my mother lives in Didcot and my brother Dave Young in Wallingford. Well thanks again for wonderful website. Regards, Mike Young Email : [email protected]
Dear Editor,I would like to send a “thank you” to John Tchigianoff and the bell ringers for inviting friends and other groups in the village to join them at Whites of Appleton on Saturday, 1st August. We were there to see the renovated Church bells in their new bell frame which
Whites had made prior to installing in the tower at St. Helen’s. I went as a member of Benson Parish Council.It was a very happy morning. We were greeted by Mr. White (5th generation of his family to run the firm of church bell hangers, founded in 1824) and his wife, who provided us with welcome refreshments.As someone who had previously been mildly interested in church bells and the ringing of them, I went to learn more - and I did! I also came away with a copy of Whites’ DVD which, on playing it the next day, had me anchored to my TV screen for its full length. A great experience!Many thanks, John.Nancy BaileyDear Editor,I feel - looking at the last few issues - the BB is assuming a rather dowdy look about the cover. Not - I hasten to add - the actual contents. I am contrasting copies with the colour covers of the less frequently produced “Ewelme News”. I am astounded to learn that BB is making a small profit. This is a “first” in its history! May I strongly commend more money goes into producing a sparkier (coloured?) cover - at least occasionally? It may catch the eye of those few misguided souls who send copies straight from doormat to waste bin, and prevent them so doing!Again, apologising for criticism. But hope it helps.Warm regards,Peter Clarke
All comments and constructive criticism always welcome. I think we are hoping to address that, and have colour covers more often. The new software makes this an easy process and we should be having a colour cover on this issue (fingers crossed). Hopefully we will find an advertiser who would like to take a back cover colour advert. AF
Continued overleaf....
Dear Editor,Readers may already be aware, through television adverts or media coverage, that the NHS is currently highlighting the benefits of staying healthy via its national NHS Change4Life programme, a movement aimed
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Letters to the Editor(Cont.)
email your letters/articles to [email protected] deliver/send them to
Benson Parish Hall
B i n g o N i g h t !Every Tuesday in Benson Parish Hall
Do you enjoy a game of Bingo, if so please come along on Tuesday evenings in the Parish Hall 7.00pm
and it could lead to a Full House - Bingo!
at helping families eat well, move more and live longer.
I work for the NHS in the South Central region and in September, along with two work colleagues, I am planning to take ten days to “Walk4Life” the entire length of the region, which means starting in Milton Keynes and passing through each of our nine Primary Care Trust (PCT) areas before finishing on the south coast of the Isle of Wight. The route follows rivers and canals wherever possible and passes through each of the region’s nine PCT areas, making the total distance some 191 miles.
There are a number of reasons for doing the walk, but principally we are doing it to raise money for charity and strengthen the local NHS’s links to the communities it serves. We have asked our nine PCTs - one of which covers Oxfordshire - to each identify a local charity in their area. These will cover a range of causes including Staying Healthy, Maternity and Newborn, Children and Young People, Long Term Conditions, Learning Disability, Acute Care, Planned Care, Mental Health and End-of-Life Care. As well as raising money, we are hoping to highlight the benefits of walking and staying healthy, as well as linking our walk to the national Change4Life programme.If anyone who knows me - or indeed doesn’t – feels they want to find out more and might be able to spare a bit of money that can be passed on to these local causes, more details are available on the following website: www.sponsor-me.org/nhs_south_central_walk4lifeThank you,Nigel Woods
In Memorium
The Late Miss Dorothy Frances Dutfield Dorothy Dutfield who was born in Benson 25th December 1917, died on 7th July in a nursing home in Streatham, London. Dorothy was Half Sister to Fred Smith of Benson who died some 3yrs ago.
Dorothy had a long career in Nursing in London and later became a Midwife. In her latter years she held the position of Housekeeper to Father Francis Reid in Tooting.
Dorothy was daughter of Pte Frank Dutfield who was killed in action in France in 1918. He served with the 2/4th Battalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry. His name is inscribed on the Benson War Memorial.
Dorothy loved animals and supported many such charities. She was a friend of London Zoo where her most favourite residents were the Elephants and she befriended them and the keepers knowing everyone’s names. In those days it was possible to stroke the Elephants and feed them and there are many photos to show Dorothy doing just that. She had a long and fulfilled life and will be sadly missed by friends in London and relations hereabouts. Shirley Mallinson
St. Helen’s Bell Fund 100 Club
The recent winners of the 100 Club are :-
April - 1st. J. Spence; 2nd. K. BainbridgeMay - 1st. L. Youthed; 2nd. J. GrinhamJune - 1st. J. Gordon; 2nd. L. SpenceJuly - 1st. D. Ade; 2nd. M. Cherry
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District Councillors Report Sue Cooper writes ...
Planning for extra housing in Benson over the next few years.
The current Local Plan, which sets out the policies for new development in the district, expires in 2011 (although much of it will be carried forward). SODC is working on the Local Development Framework which will take over from the Local Plan. The Core Strategy for this went out for consultation earlier this year and officers are now analysing the responses. When the final version is published it may give some idea about how many houses we might expect to get in Benson but it won’t say where they should go nor what else we should have in the way of development (playing fields, roads, shops etc). Site specific appraisals should follow but these won’t be finished for some time. If you look under planning on the SODC website www.southoxon.gov.uk you can see all the sites around Benson which have been put forward.
The other set of factors to bear in mind are Benson’s Parish Plan targets. Residents said that between 20 and 100 houses would be acceptable and 50% of these should be affordable (SODC’s target is 40% affordable) Many areas in the District are already facing planning applications for quite large housing developments. Should we just deal with each application as it arrives? Or should we as a village consider what we need from future development?Playing fields/areas? - More allotments? - Roads? - What size(s) of development e.g. 10 - 20 each year for 5-10 years rather than all in one fell swoop? – Very high energy efficiency buildings? – Provision for renewal energy generation? - Other sorts of infrastructure (I’m disgusted at the short-sightedness of OCC over the school) – Boundary treatment etc
There have already been 3 applications for lots of houses in Crowmarsh. SODC have refused them but what will the appeal inspector say? Now Winterbrook, Wallingford/Cholsey has a
big application and there may be an application in Benson soon, probably depending on the outcome of the recent exhibition. But what about other possible sites in Benson? There is no spare capacity at Crowmarsh sewage works so what should be done about that? And water supply? There are so many questions. The SODC planning policy manager’s advice about how we should deal with all these large scale applications which are coming up before the Local Development Framework is ready is that “prematurity is not a reason for refusal” and the applications are quite valid as SODC does not have a sufficiently large land bank defined for development. So conducting some village surveys/meeting to ascertain what we do want here is not a bad idea.
BB at the Benson LibraryJill Parrick writes ...
Benson Bulletin Volumes 12, 13 and 14 (2005-2008) are now handsomely bound and reside with their counterparts on a special shelf in Benson Library. The BBNA Committee hope that these magazines will form a valuable reference resource in years to come. Seen here with the new stock are librarians, Hilary Rust and Pat Stevenson.
The ladies of Benson Library would like to express their thanks to The Benson Bulletin for the latest bound copies of the magazine. The library now has all of the copies of the bulletin, bound, and welcomes readers who would like to make use of them.Hilary, Pat and Alison
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Millstream SurgeryParish Councillors Report
Jon Fowler writes ...
I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays although it wasn’t much of a ‘barbeque summer’ was it? At least the garden didn’t require much watering.
Beggarsbush Hill There is likely to be a Thames Valley Police speed enforcement van at Beggarsbush Hill on occasions during the following months. This follows concerns by residents and representation from the Council to TVP about vehicles speeding within the 30mph area. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!
Hazel & JefferiesResidents may have been disturbed by heavy vehicles from Hazel & Jefferies site at Ayres Lane during the weekend of 7th and 8th August. During this weekend more than 85 lorries were seen transiting the villages of Benson and Ewelme between the hours of 01:15 and 17:00. There is a planning restriction on the site which is supposed to restrict the number of vehicle movements in any one operating day to 30 with no vehicle movements between 19:00 and 07:00.Benson Parish Council, with the support of Cllr Tony Crabbe, has been trying to persuade Oxford County Council to take enforcement action against H&J since 2007 with little success. However, the events over the weekend in August are clearly not acceptable and we will be pushing OCC, along with neighbouring Parish Councils, to take action.
RAF Benson Homecoming ParadeOn the 10th September in order to celebrate the safe return of the final two RAF Benson aircraft from Iraq there will be a homecoming parade through the village. The parade, accompanied by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, will start at 11:30 from Benson CofE Primary School and march to Benson village High Street where the salute will be taken by the station CO Grp Cpt Burr.
It’s seasonal flu immunisation time again!
There has been a lot in the news about vaccination for swine flu; we await further news on this. Meanwhile, we are have set up clinics for vaccination against seasonal flu, as usual. Seasonal flu is an unpleasant illness and can lead to really serious diseases like bronchitis or pneumonia. If you are aged 65 and over, or if you are under 65 and have • diabetes• chronic heart disease• chronic lung disease• chronic renal disease • chronic liver disease• a suppressed immune system• asthma requiring continuous inhaled steroids, or have had an exacerbation requiring steroid tabletsOr if you have had a stroke or TIAs, then please contact the surgery to book your appointment for your annual flu vaccination. We will be running a large Saturday flu clinic on 10th October, as well as one on a weekday morning for those of you who prefer to come in the week. Children who have previously been admitted to hospital for lower respiratory tract infections are included in the flu vaccination campaign too.If you are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or are a main carer, it may also be advisable to be vaccinated. As before, poultry workers have been included in the campaign. There are guidelines for this so please contact Alison Richmond at the surgery if you are involved in handling, killing or cleaning poultry areas or equipment.It is important to remember that seasonal influenza vaccine protects against seasonal human influenza but does not protect against H1N1 (swine) influenza.
Don’t leave yourself unprotected – phone for an appointment today.
Alison Richmond, Practice Nurse
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Keep Benson a Village
This is an important moment for the community in Benson. The ancient, natural boundaries of the village are under threat from two large-scale housing developments. The developers, West Waddy - acting on behalf of a landowner - are submitting an application for up to 150 houses on green fields alongside Littleworth Road and Blacklands Road. This would put an unbearable strain on our schools, roads and services. And that is just their initial application. Planning experts have told us that if they win permission to build on these sites, they will have established a principle that would allow them to construct many more houses in the coming years. When the developers made their intentions clear in July, a handful of residents got together to start the Keep Benson a Village campaign. Since then, our ranks have swollen with people registering their support on the campaign website, offering help and encouragement. Some have lived here for decades, others for just a few years, but one thing binds us together – our affection for Benson, and a determination to protect the village. The developers have told local newspapers that Benson is already a town, and that the residents should get used to it. This shows how little they understand about the people who live here. It also gives a glimpse into the future - if their applications are accepted - of a sprawling urban development with more roads and more traffic. The best way to defeat these applications is for as many people as possible to write personal letters, objecting to it. For more information about how you can help please call the campaign phone 07826 803239 or visit the website www.savebenson.com Thank you, Julian Vaccari from “Keep Benson a Village”
Grannie West contributed by Peter Clarke ...
Continued overleaf....
One of the delights that arrived in the archive in 2009 was an outstanding account of Benson in the early twenties and thirties of the 20th century, by Lieutenant Commander Frank West. Here he visits his grandmother in the High Street:
Our visits to see Grannie West were frequent and always pleasurable for she was such a dear person and known as ‘Grannie’ to the whole village and beyond for quite often the schoolchildren who walked the several miles from Roke Marsh and Berrick Salome would go along to her during their midday school break to eat their sandwiches, always assured that they would be given a warm drink in cold weather and a cool one at other times. She spoke in the soft, lilting Oxfordshire local dialect, an old- fashioned countrified use of language. The final ‘g’ of words would be dropped such as ‘fishin’ and ‘mornin’. Pennyworth of sweets became ‘pennorth’ of sweets, ‘them’ was used instead of ‘they’, ‘us’ll’ instead of ‘we’, with a prolific use of ‘thee’, ‘thy’, ‘I be’, ‘us be’. If we were asked to sit down for tea it became ‘sit thee down childun and us’ll have tea’. There were many double negatives and corruption of words; turnips became ‘turmits’, a chimney was ‘a chimbley’, a woman was ‘oman’, ‘weskit’ for waistcoat, ‘sidders’ for scissors. It was not at all offensive to the ear and was common usage amongst the older villagers.
One entered her living room directly from the High Street and one’s attention was immediately drawn to the table lamps and the cooking range. There were at least four oil lamps, the brass oil containers so highly polished they reflected images like distorting mirrors. The glass chimneys we called lamp glasses and the white opaque shades were polished without the slightest smear and the wicks trimmed clean and even. The kitchen range provided the only heat for the room as well as for cooking. It had been black-leaded and polished daily for so many years that it too shone brightly and
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Grannie West (Cont.) contributed by Peter Clarke ...
reflected the light of the lamps from the oven door knob and other protruding and angled surfaces. The oven had other attractions for us. Grannie rarely opened the Street door to a knock but would call “come in” in a loud, clear welcoming voice so that she would not have to leave the large Windsor wheel-back chair - we called it ‘the Grannie chair’ - drawn up to one side of the range. There she sat with a large brown woollen shawl around her shoulders. When she did rise from the chair one saw she was slimly built but being of slightly more than average height for women in those times, looked quite tall. It was the thick, voluminous woollen shawl worn all the year round which filled out the Grannie chair.
Her face was rather thin and she had youthful, rosy cheeks without the heavy creases of old age. Her iron-grey hair was drawn tightly into a bun low down on the back of the head. If she knew we were to visit her there was usually an appetising, mouth-watering aroma as we entered. We learned early on not to make reference to it while she went through the courtesies of welcome and enquiries about everyone’s health, about school or church, etc. while we sat in an orderly manner giving no sign of impatience or anticipation, for if we did the conversation would be even longer drawn-out. Then at last Grannie would leave her chair, there would be a rattle of plates and then the oven door would be opened to display the most delicious pastry tarts and quite often mince pies. Grannie was renowned for her lovely, light pastry and this was provided not only for her grandchildren, but for the many other children and visitors who called and were made equally welcome. She had a quiet, impish, fairy-godmother-like sense of fun and making the children wait for her to produce the plates as they politely talked with her while surreptitiously glancing longingly at the oven door gave her considerable pleasure, made evident by the smiles and teasing remarks as the goodies were passed around.
She rarely left her home but when she did wore a black bonnet with long ribbons tied under the chin, a heavy waist-length cape, a voluminous long skirt and black boots with a long row of fastening buttons. She walked till the end of her life with an upright, sturdy, almost youthfully defiant gait and while she looked old and we treated her with the respect required of the young to the old, such was her demeanour, sense of fun and humour that there seemed to be a strong bond of youth between us. She was indeed a dear person.
Benson Veteran Cycle Club Clive Bosley writes ...
The Rally was started by Ned Passey in 1960. Ned has a collection of bicycles in Benson village.The original route involved Wallingford and Dorchester. For many years a route involving RokeMarsh, Roke, Berrick Salome and Chalgrove has become the norm; refreshments being taken at Public Houses en route, lunch too.
Ned has a collection of bikes from the earliest of wooden Hobby Horses, through boneshakers and Penny Farthings (Ordinarys). Some strange bicycles were made between about 1890 and 1920. Some surprisingly “modern” in appearance, some quite different. Here the Dursley-Pederson comes to mind.
Pumps, lamps (oil, candle, acetylene burning), saddles and skirt protectors, were works of art at the time. Brass, steel, and knitted materials were used. As in the early years of the motor car baskets to carry food, umbrellas, fishing rods, golf clubs etc were made. Bicycles and their contemporary accessories are highly valued now.
A bicycle made in 1936 or earlier is now regarded as Veteran. There were bikes up to 142 years old in the July 2009 excursion.The ride usually occurs on the first Sunday in July so the 50th anniversary should be on Sunday July 4th 2010.
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Down the Garden Path Lynn Powell writes ...
September can be a month of indecision. Should you start to clear the borders, vegetable patch and greenhouse or should it all be left another month in the hope of an Indian Summer? So taking the indecision a bit further, I would suggest doing a bit of both!
If you tidy up some of the greenhouse, you could pot up some spring bulbs to give you earlier colour than if you wait for the bulbs to flower in the garden. If you are just going to pot bulbs and nothing else then it is probably best to plant miniatures, because if they do go leggy, they still will not be that tall. For Narcissi, I have tried ‘Jet Fire’, which have been a great success and for Tulips ‘Red Riding Hood’. As soon as they come into flower, I will take them out of the greenhouse and around to the front door. You could also plant up a couple of very large pots with a few odd tubers of potatoes, so you can pick new potatoes on Christmas morning. Maris Peer or Callingford are tried and tested for this, but equally so has the odd green tuber from the summer crop, which cannot be eaten because it is green, but can still be recycled, by replanting!
But don’t take everything out of the greenhouse as you should still be picking tomatoes in October and maybe, just maybe, the odd Cucumber, Pepper and Chilli. This year I have experimented with ‘Cape Gooseberry’ seed and the plants are prolific with flowers and fruit, so I am hoping that I shall still be picking these well after the end of September.
For those of you without a greenhouse, why not pot up a winter display. Take a 9 inch pot, preferably terracotta for winter warmth, but it does not have to be, cover the bottom with 2 inches of compost. Lay daffodil bulbs on this - full size ones- and add another 2 inches of compost. Lay tulip bulbs on this and top up the pot with compost. Put in a little ivy and if you have it a small evergreen shrub such as a Skimmia or Holly and then fill it up with Polyanthus, Pansies or Bellis Daisy or
a mixture of all three. You need to deadhead regularly, whatever the weather, but if you keep in a sheltered spot and remember to water it, you should have colour September through to April.
If you want new perennial plants in the borders and don’t want the expense of buying them from the Garden Centres, then in early September you need to collect the ripe seeds and sow them immediately. Use a mixture of one part garden compost, one part of horticultural grit or sand and one part vermiculite, sow the seeds and cover lightly and leave in a cold frame or some other sheltered spot in the garden. Many will need a period of cold to germinate and many will only germinate if planted immediately in autumn. If you wait until the spring to sow, you might well be disappointed with the results - usually none!
For the vegetable garden and if you are not going to plant winter vegetables such as the Oriental, Pak Choi, Chinese Cabbage etc, then think about increasing the fertility of the ground for 2010, by planting a green manure. You do need to dig this in before it flowers or just the after the first frosts, but otherwise it is work free. I get the undergardener to scatter the seed of Mustard White and then we have the argument as to who is going to do the digging come November!
If you want to plant ferns, then September is the best month to do this. But be warned that the gardens in Benson tend to be on the dry side and in a good summer can be too dry even for some of the easier to grow evergreen ferns. I know: I have lost a countless number, but when they do grow they add something to a border with a different green and certainly a different texture.
I hope the gardening season has gone well for you all. The allotments are looking terrific. Many thanks to the allotment gardener, who left out all his spare fruit for us to help ourselves to - that was very thoughtful of you and delicious jams and fools they certainly made!
Lynn Powell - On behalf of Benson Garden Club
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Benson Players Hilary Binks writes ...
Summer’s Over - Spring Approaches
Benson Players’ production of ‘Deckchairs’ last May was a bright and lively production of short sketches, splendidly set in glorious sunshine which (if only for that element’s subsequent rarity) some may now be sorry to have missed.
Cast of Deckchairs - May 2009Bit of a team sport acting, but with less mud and more slap. It provides an opportunity for getting together in an atmosphere of ‘orderly fun’ and to present something (hopefully) entertaining to an audience, many of whom are old friends and who in turn, form part of the wider group. Certainly there is no shortage of jobs to be done and endless opportunities exist for personal satisfaction and achievement whether in the practical (set building, decorating, props and costumes) or the performing arts. Even better - No Experience Necessary!
The group has deep desires to widen the selection of plays it might perform but needs more members to complete the casts - male and female of all ages. In all else Benson Players has everything going for it - suitable venue, technical expertise, keen directors,
massive enthusiasm... Come along and join in - timewise a play takes about eight weeks from start to finish but most effort is concentrated into the last two.
Set buildingWe start planning the Spring 2010 production with an informal get-together on 7th September, 8pm in Benson Parish Hall Committee Room and hope that as many as possible will join us - or re-join us if you have been missing for a while! Members will be on hand from all departments to broadly outline what’s what. And possible future plays (and parts) will be outlined. Come along, or better still, bring a friend! If you are keen to get involved but cannot make this date we would still love to hear from you so please give Hilary a call on 01491 826112.
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St Helen’s Berrick SalomeRevd Ian Cohen writes...
I am afraid a lot of things are passing me by at the moment. It has never been possible or sensible to have a considered view on everything. That is the pathway to being opinionated, and I am opinionated enough already! What is truly passing me by is the world of “blogging” and “twittering” which seems to give so many so much delight. As far as I understand them, they seem to be a good way for folk to share their experiences, their thinking and chat with others. It would be foolish to be a ‘luddite’ and reject such modern advances and the opportunities they bring, and dismiss them as “change for change’s sake”. It would be foolish to reject such opportunities that come through advances in technology. Communication around the world has vastly improved and we can hear almost instantly, and see pictures, of vital events and struggles for justice and freedom.
I am certainly grateful for advances in technology that help us live healthier and somewhat more pain-free lives. As advances have been made they have often come through the sudden spotting of the unexpected. They have come from the noticing of something which would appear to be irrelevant to the task in hand, but which the human mind then pauses over and considers carefully. Maybe “blogging” and “twittering” are such moments of creation which have already generated other creative moments, yet to come to fruition.
There is a story of an absent-minded professor who was late for an appointment. He jumped into a taxi and called out to the driver, “Hurry! At top speed!” The taxi sped off, and then he realised that he hadn’t told the driver where to go. So he called out again, “Do you know where I want to go?” “No, Sir,” said the cabbie, “but I’m driving as fast as I can.”
There is vital value in determining the purpose of the pathway in search of advancement, and avoid clattering through life at breakneck speed trusting to hope that we will end up where we want to be. But there should also be moments
of reflection and a readiness to spot the unusual, the out-of-place, the surprising and the delightful. Such moments are often judged by our world as “irrelevant”. However, when they are paused over, they can sometimes become life-giving. Another story, this time of two men arguing over whether a slice of bread will fall buttered side down or buttered side up. They decided to put it to the test. A slice of bread was buttered and thrown up I the air. It fell – buttered side up! “I win!” said one. “”Only by mistake,” said the other. “What mistake?” said the first. The reply came, “I obviously buttered the wrong side.”
Seeing issues in this way only develops the tendency to become closed in one’s mind and opinionated. Pausing with the irrelevant surprises, perhaps allows the openness that enables all our lives to progress together and journey hopefully.
The Aonach EagachFirst of all can I say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored or gave a donation to me on behalf of Helen & Douglas House. Two of us joined forces and together we collected over £540. Our challenge this year was to walk/scramble up The Aonach Eagach in Glen Coe Scotland. It is the hardest ridge in Britain and it took 10 of us 12 hours to cover the 7 miles. There were some scary moments when we were 3,000 ft up and walking along a ridge 12 inches wide with almost vertical drops on both sides. We had fantastic weather and a brilliant time. Thanks again. Geoff Davis
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The Church of England Parish of BensonSt Helen’s Church. Vicar: Revd Andrew Hawken BD AKCThe Vicarage, Church Road, BensonTel/Fax: 01491 201668 email: [email protected] Priest: Revd Jean Travis -01491 838713Churchwardens: Jenny English - 826618 Gary Jones - 839289
Sunday Services8.30am Holy Communion (BPC)10.00am Parish Eucharist (Common Worship)Sunday School and Creche3rd Sundays - Orchestra & Children in churchFurther Details: www.acny.com (Benson, St Helen, Oxfordshire) For Baptism and Wedding enquiries please contact one of the clergy.
Wallingford Baptist ChurchThames St, WallingfordVicar: The Revd Bryan WestTel: 01491 839904Email: [email protected]
Sunday Services at 10.30am & 7.00pmHoly Communion 3rd Sunday each month
Wallingford Methodist ChurchSt Leonards Square, WallingfordPastor: Rev Helen WhiteTel: 01235 813242Email: [email protected]
Sunday Services at 10.30am & 6.30pmLunch on Tuesdays 12.30pm - 1.30pmFriendship Group alternate Tuesdays 2.30pm‘Tots Time’ Wednesday 9.30am - 11.00am Boys & Girls Brigade Wednesday eveningsCoffee Morning every Thursday 10.30 - 12.00 noon
Church of England Parish of Berrick SalomeSt Helen’s ChurchVicar: The Revd Ian CohenThe Vicarage, 58 Brinkinfield Rd, ChalgroveChurchwardens: Dr. Marian Shaw - 01865 890915
Sunday Services at 11.00am1st Sunday of Month - Family Service2nd Sunday - Holy Communion (BPC)Other Sundays - Family CommunionBaptisms & Weddings to be arranged with the Vicar
Ridgeway Community ChurchThe Ridgeway Christian Centre21b/22 St Mary’s Street, WallingfordElder: Revd Bernard ThompsonTelephone: 01491 834568
Sunday Services10.00am Worship & Ministry at Christian Centre
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)13 Castle Street, WallingfordEnquiries to Warden Tel: 01491 837835
Meeting for WorshipSunday at 10.30am with Children’s Class.
Benson Free ChurchHigh Street, BensonAll Enquiries to Richard ShuttlerTelephone: 01491 834138
Sunday Services10.45am Morning Service6.30pm Evening Service - 1st Sunday in the Month
The Catholic Parish of St BirinusDorchester-on-ThamesPriest: Fr. John Osman, MA., STL.,Bridge House Presbytery1 Bridge End, Dorchester-on-ThamesTelephone: 01865 340417
Holy MassWeekdays 9.30amSat 6.30pm Vigil Mass for SundaySun 9.30am (Berinsfield Church) 11.00am Solemn Mass ConfessionsSat 5.45 - 6.15 or upon requestExposition & Benediction of The Blessed Sacrament: First Sunday of each Month 5-6pmChildren’s Liturgy of the WordSun 9.30am during Berinsfield Mass
All welcome, please contact Helen White for details
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The Bird SpotTom Stevenson, writes...
I hope you all had a good summer, if you can call it one. It appears that the birds did, with good numbers of Starlings flying round the village and Swallows and House Martins more obvious than in previous years. My House Sparrows which nested in the boxes on the side of the house completed three broods. We never saw the young after they left the box but hope they survived the transition to the world outside. I was suspicious of the cat that seemed to live under the box awaiting lunch to arrive but there was no sign of feathers so fingers crossed.
Young SparrowWith all these young beaks to be fed it is even more important than usual to provide food and water during the winter. If you haven’t been supplying food during the summer now is a good time to sort out your feeders, give them a good clean and stock up with bird food. You can save a great deal of money by buying in bulk and Blakes of Crowmarsh keeps a good range. If you go this route make sure that you keep it away from rodents which seem able to smell it from miles away.This is a good time to hone your identification skills. Lots of the juvenile birds around have not yet moulted into their full adult plumage which can cause some confusion and, as I seem to say every year at about this time, all sorts of species can turn up in gardens and other places. This is put down to young birds simply getting lost or exploring suitable new territories
or dropping out of the sky due to exhaustion during migration. Keep your eyes open and let me know if you see anything unusual in the area. [email protected] 836888Mob: 07773251301
BESTKeith Tibbs, writes...
Caring for Benson’s Environment
Since BEST last reported in June, we have suffered from a surfeit of rain in July. Despite that BEST has managed a number of enjoyable outdoor activities including a visit to the Oxford University Botanical Gardens (opposite Magdalen College) and a led walk around the Withymead Nature Reserve near Goring. Both are recommended to anyone who has not been. It was even fine for the annual picnic and a very productive moth-trapping evening early in August.
Open Meeting – What next for BEST?
On Tuesday 8 September we will be holding an open meeting, starting at 7.30 pm at the Visitor Centre, Water Cress Beds, Ewelme High Street. We welcome along anyone who thinks they might like to get involved with BEST or to just find out a bit more about what BEST is and does. What I can tell you here is that BEST operates in a very relaxed and friendly way and is made up of people who care about the local and the wider environment, but who are far from being zealots or eco-warriors! We will also use the meeting to decide what projects we will take on in the future. That largely depends on how much active support BEST can muster. So if you think you might have a part to play, do come along on Tuesday. We look forward to seeing you.
Contacts for information: Keith Tibbs (Secretary) Tel: 01491 838689 (e-mail [email protected]) or Tom Stevenson (Chairman) Tel: 01491 836888 (e-mail [email protected]).
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The Bells of StHelen’s, BensonJohn Tchighianoff writes ...
By the time this BB reaches you the bells should at last be on their way back into the tower of St Helen’s Church. On Saturday 1st August about 30 people including ringers and representatives from
the organisations who have supported our appeal went to Whites of Appleton to see the new cast iron frame fully assembled with all the bells refurbished and hung in place.Following this there is building work to be done in the tower to receive the steel foundation beams on which the frame will sit. Hopefully all this will be completed sometime in September and the bells will then ring out again in Benson. The
clock and striking mechanism will also be reconnected. Once again thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement. Sometime in the autumn we hope to have a Service of Dedication which all will be welcome to attend.The photograph shows the new frame and eight bells with their new fittings assembled at Whites of Appleton.
Wallingford MuseumStu Derby writes...
On Fri 4, Sat 5 and Sun 6 September, Wallingford Museum will be offering a great 2-for-1 deal: two adults for the price of one £4 ticket (valid on day of issue only). Museum open 2.00-5.00pm on Friday afternoon and 10.30am-5.00pm on Saturday & Sunday. On Sun 6 September you are invited to take a gentle stroll around the lovely historic town of Wallingford, ably led by members of the Wallingford Historical & Archaeological Society (TWHAS). The walk is FREE (donations never refused!), but it would also be an excellent opportunity to combine it with a visit to the Museum to learn about the ‘Wallingford Story’. Meet for the walk at Wallingford Museum at 11.00am, and be back by 12.30pm.
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Benson CofE School French ClassesKathy Levy writes...
As you read this article we will again be approaching the start of a new academic year. However, at the end of the summer term I asked the children their thoughts on learning French over the year.French was first introduced as part of the curriculum at Benson School in 2006. At first it was just taught to the Year 3 class and was extended to the year 4 class the next year. This year, for the first time all children in the juniors have been learning French. I have been delighted by their enthusiasm for learning a new language and their willingness to participate in role play and a range of other language activities. There have been many highlights in the year, in particular the French nativity performed by the Year 3 children, corresponding with children in a French school and participating in a French breakfast.Charis in Year 3 writes: This is my first year learning French and my favourite thing was when we did a nativity play. I was Mary and it was all in French. At the end we all sang a French song. All our parents came and I think they enjoyed it. I have also enjoyed learning about food, colours, months and days of the week. When we learnt our colours we played lots of different games with them. I liked learning about months and days because there was a brilliant song to go with it.Harry and Lucy from Year 4 write: In French in Year 4 we have been learning, playing and reading. It has been super fun. We have made
Continued overleaf....
Opening of Bob’s CornerGeorge Verdon writes...
Some further information about the opening of Bob’s corner. I was the project leader, Paul Booker, Rob Anderson-Besant were the respective chairman of the Benson Society (Paul), The Evergreens (Paul) and the BCA (Rob) who each voted £750 from their respective societies towards the new Notice Board which was made by Joff and his team from Castle Joinery.The bench was presented by the Bensington Society in memory of Peter Horner. The refurbishment of the round seat was sponsored by the Parish Council under the leadership of Ian Leppard. The Council also provided the map of Benson. Finally, the tape was cut by our local MP John Howell (pictured below).
Last Night at the PromsEira Hoare writes...
Getting tickets for the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert hall is literally a lottery. You will have no difficulty getting tickets for the Last Night of the Proms at Benson Parish Hall on Saturday September 19th, 7 for 7.30pm if you buy them early.Organised by the Rotary Club of Wallingford to raise money for the Warborough based charity “Footsteps” and for Benson Millstream Day Centre, the evening will fall into two halves
with a delicious buffet supper served during the interval.In the first half, entertainment will be provided by Sue Ledger and friends who will then lead the singing of the old last night favourites in the second half.Tickets at £17.50p each can be obtained by ringing 01491 836907 or 839415 or by calling in at the Wallingford Town Information Centre which is situated under the Town Hall in the Market Place, Wallingford.Hope to see you at what promises to be a most enjoyable evening.
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Benson CofE SchoolLinda Neely writes...
Having enjoyed a happy summer of rain, wind and sunshine, the pupils and staff are safely returned to Benson School to begin another exciting and eventful year! I feel sure that many in our community took the opportunity to visit old friends and visit places that perhaps they had never been before, but somehow it’s so good to return to familiar faces and reacquaint ourselves with friends we have not seen for
many weeks. This is why I love this time of year. It often feels like New Year, an opportunity to start something new and improve on what has gone before.
Once again there is much to look forward to at Benson. I hope this year to work more closely with our wider community, to ensure that pupils and staff a like have a good understanding of the work carried out by the people who help to keep our village alive and vibrant. Equally, I would like to welcome you to our school and in particular, we would be pleased to hear from you if you would like to talk to the children about a special hobby or perhaps some interesting historical information from the past. It is vital that we maintain this link for our children, especially in the fast and rapidly changing world we live in today!
I am delighted to tell you that we are even bigger than last year and we now have 222 pupils enjoying our school and all we have to offer. While we are very pleased that so many children want to join us, the staff and governors are well aware that we will need to strengthen our efforts to offer the very best experience to every child in our care. With this in mind, we have a number of new initiatives in place with a particular emphasis on community cohesion, the pupil voice and everyday learning values that will appeal to our children as they travel on their journey through our school.
I look forward to seeing many of you in the year ahead. Please look out for special events happening both in our school and at our church and join us if you can! I understand that the two day “Pirate Holiday Club” at St Helens run by members of our staff, St Helens and St Aldates Church in Oxford, went extremely well and was very well attended – well done everyone.
Finally, I would like to thank all those people, pupils, staff, governors, parents and the people of the village, who have worked so hard in many different ways in the past year, to improve the provision for our children. Everyone has something special to offer and I feel sure that the year ahead for Benson School will be even better than the last!
Benson CofE School French Classes(Cont.) Kathy Levy writes...
a link with a French school near Lyon. We each made little booklets about ourselves to send to them. We have now got new French dictionaries and we are learning how to use them properly. We even play games to learn that.Georgia in Year 5 writes: In year 5 we made posters about keeping fit which I enjoyed. They had pictures that we drew on them and we wrote French words and phrases on them. This term we had a French breakfast café where we took it in turns to be waiters and waitresses and also to be the customers. We had to speak in French and we got to eat food such as French bread, croissants, pain au chocolat, pain au raisins and drinks like chocolat chaud.Emilie in Year 6 writes: In Year 6 we have had an opportunity to do French in class. We got to do a range of different topics, like brothers and sisters, pets, names, ages, colours and clothes. I really enjoy French because we get to play games and do a lot of activities. The French classes will really help to prepare us for secondary school.We always appreciate people from the local community sharing their skills and interests with the pupils at school. If anyone has lived in France or is a native French speaker and would like to talk to the children about an aspect of French life, please contact the school. We now look forward to another exciting year of French activities in school.
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Benson Community Pre-SchoolValentine Ward, writes...
Ooops – almost missed the deadline; surely it isn’t time to compile an article already? Apparently it is so here goes…Well, I usually (unintentionally) seem to start off by making some reference to the weather but I’m not really sure what to say other than the lawn is looking fantastic – really nice and green. Still, who notices the weather when you’ve got children? Well, we parents for a start: don’t forget to pack the spare clothes, raincoats, wellies, rain cover for the pushchair. And then just in case, the factor 80, sunhats and UV protective suits. Life goes on as normal regardless of the weather; children just don’t notice and in some ways, the worse the better: torrential rain = puddles to jump in, gale force wind = perfect kite flying conditions, scorching sunshine = throw off clothes and jump in the brook – preferably with thick, black mud up to the knees/thighs depending on age. Fortunately, the Summer Playscheme hasn’t suffered – we have had lovely weather so far and the Treasure Hunt in the rain on ‘Explorers’ day was very popular. Remind me next time to include a mini fold-up rain-poncho as one of the items to find… for the parents, of course.I’d like to thank the parents involved in running the playscheme who turn up early to set up, bake cakes, organise the crafts and activities and stay on to clear away. Thank you too to the visiting parents who have stayed and helped set up and clear away which has speeded things up considerably. Anyone who has passed The Youth Hall may have noticed that the work on the outside area has started. We are very excited about this – it is always fantastic to see plans realised and while as I write this it is early days, as you read this, we should have made considerable progress.The fundraising team have been busy over the summer working on this Autumn’s main fundraiser. Following on from the success of last year’s PAMPER EVENING, we are holding another. Please tell your husband/partner they can’t go out or book a babysitter and put FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER in your diary and prepare yourself for an evening of ‘me time’.
Running from 7.30 until 10.30, you can fill up your evening with 10-15 minute treatments. These could give you an instant hit: a 15 minute manicure, massage or makeover, for example. Or you could get a taste of what you could expect from a full session with one of our extremely talented therapists specialising in reflexology, Indian head massage and many other holistic and conventional treatments. We also have some fascinating tarot readings as well as shopping opportunities: jewellery, lingerie, gifts, toiletries and cosmetics. As if this wasn’t enough, as well as a complimentary drink and nibbles with your ticket, the bar is open all night and we will be preparing some very delicious home made canapes to keep up your energy levels.So, ‘back to school’ is looming. Pre-school will seem very quiet to begin with having said goodbye to almost 20 children to ‘big’ school and we look forward to hearing how well they settle in. In the meantime, as ever, there is a new and not-so-new group of pre-schoolers ready to step up and throw themselves into the marvellous, stimulating and creative activities the new term has to offer. We have had a good response to our latest parent questionnaire and I look forward to bringing you a summary in the next issue of the BB. In the meantime, it is hard to think of anything other than lazy (holi)days and, in my case, a scrumptious new baby which explains the slightly distracted article this month.
Back to the real world in September – see you then!
Ewelme Watercress Beds Open Afternoon - 1st Sunday
Each MonthOpen from 2-5pm for self guided walks around
the upper and lower sites of the Nature Reserve6th September
Coffee/Tea/Refreshments Adults £2 accompanied children free
DVD about the old watercress industry, photo, and historic tools display No dogs allowed,
except guide dogs Stout footwear is advisablePlease park in free car park by the Common
beyond the Church and SchoolLocation, Watercress Beds Centre,
High St., Ewelme, Oxfordshire, OX10 6HQOS Ref SU641916
For Group Bookings on other dates telephone Ann 01491 835173
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Local Clubs & SocietiesClubs Sec: Jill Parrick
Benson Garden Club
During June we had three different visits for members to enjoy. All were in good weather and enjoyed by those who could come. First we had an interesting evening finding two hidden gardens in Wallingford. Two very different private gardens that opened up from unsuspecting fronts into something quite surprising. Both full to the brim with plants and flowers that were a delight to see. Next we took a coach trip to the Banbury area for a morning tour round a very grand private garden with a young arboretum still in the making and many other surprises around each corner. In the afternoon we had a guided tour round the backstage of the National Herb Centre and picked up many tips on growing our own herbs and discovering some plants that we did not even know were herbs. A splendid day with time for tea, lunch and more tea (and herb infused cake) as well as time to buy plants. Finally a hot evening visit to a private garden in Marlow, which was also superb full of colour in a hillside garden with a view to admire over tea and cakes. Our August social joined the ranks of washed out events, held nonetheless in pouring rain. The intended garden barbecue was thankfully moved indoors and proved to be a very enjoyable evening with masses of food, largely due to half the expected number of members not turning up. One can only eat so many helpings to make up for it!We have one visit left to complete our summer season, then it is the AGM on October 1st, when after a short business session, we have a speaker from a nursery to show us his wares. This is a good evening to join as it heralds the beginning of a new season and subs are paid so you get a full years’ worth of talks and visits. All indoor meetings are held on Thursdays at 7.30 in the Parish Hall and are rounded off with chat over a cup of tea; a very pleasant way to spend the colder, dark evenings that are too fast approaching. Penny Noble
Corn Exchange in SeptemberSheila Davies writes...
Cinema starts at 7.30 pmTuesday, 1 September Frozen River (15), prize-winning thriller.Wednesday September 3 & Thursday September 4 The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (15), starring Robin Wright Penn, with Keanu Reeves, Julianne Moore, Alan Arkin & Winona Rider.Friday, 4 September to Monday 7 September Coco before Chanel (12A) starring Audrey Tatou. A French language film with English sub-titlesTuesday September 8 to Thursday September 10 The Proposal (12A), with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.Friday 11 September to Monday 14 September The Ugly Truth (15), starring Katherine Heigel & Gerard ButlerTuesday 15 September to Thursday 17 September Adam (12A), starring Hugh Dancy & Rose Byrne.Friday 18 September to Sunday 20 September Imagine THAT (PG), starring Eddie Murphy.Monday 21 September & Tuesday 22 September; With additional matinee screening at 3.00pm on Sunday 20 September The Hide (15), directed by Marek LoseyWednesday 23 September & Thursday 24 September Moon(15).Friday 25 September; Sunday 27 September & Monday 28 September Home (15); a French language Drama with English sub-titles.Wednesday 30 Sept to Friday 2 OctoberThe Time Traveller’s Wife.
Live Theatre Saturday 26 September at 7.45 pmIndependent Ballet Wales present A Midsummer Night’s DreamTicket prices: adults £16; school students £10
To insert a flier in BB contact Don Fletcher
01491 838577
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Benson Choral Society
Come and Sing with Benson Choral Society!
We’ve just finished a great 60th anniversary year. We stay with big works for the 2009/10 season and welcome new singers to swell the ranks. On the agenda for the next 3 concerts are:– Gounod – St Cecilia MassDuruflé – RequiemPuccini – Messa di GoriaVaughan Williams – Sea SymphonyVaughan Williams – Toward the Unknown RegionElgar – Sing unto the Lord
These will all be performed with full orchestra and professional soloists in Dorchester Abbey or the Hexagon in Reading under the experienced baton of our Musical Director, Chris Walker.As a special attraction we have engaged Brian Kay, radio and TV celebrity presenter and seasoned choral conductor to run a choral workshop on Gounod’s St Cecilia Mass on October 3rd in St Peter’s Church Wallingford – this forms part of our autumn concert in November. Choral workshops are like extended rehearsals with a run through at the end – completely unthreatening and enjoyable, and Brian tells good stories!If you are new to the area or would like to give us a try, this is the best time to join– we start our autumn rehearsals on September 8th. We rehearse on Tuesdays at 7.45pm in Crowmarsh Village Hall. You don’t need to be an experienced singer to join us – we do not audition, but you’ll need to find your way round a score and hold your part! We are offering a free rehearsal CD to newcomers to help you on your way.
To find out more contact Richard Juniper, Membership Secretary, on 01865 343228 or via our website www.bensonchoralsociety.org.uk
Local Clubs & Societies (Cont.)Clubs Sec: Jill Parrick
Benson Tennis Club
Benson Tennis Club is offering a 50% discount if you join in October 2009 for the remaining 6 months membership. Why not come down to a Club Night on a Tuesday or Thursday during September to try us out and see if you would like to join? If you don’t feel confident about coming to a Club Night, Rusty Racquet mornings are beginning during September for those people who haven’t played for a while. These will be very informal sessions and are about meeting other members, having fun and building confidence.
The next Junior Coaching programme begins on 7th September and there will be adult group coaching available on Monday and Tuesday evenings beginning in October.Come and join us for a Quiz Night on October 16th at Benson Primary School, everyone is welcome! Please put the date in your diary -further details will be available next month in the BB.
For information about membership, Club Nights, coaching and social events please see the club’s website www.bensontennisclub.co.uk Fiona Thomson-Tur Membership Secretary
Benson Tennis Club Fun Quiz Night at Benson Primary School please watch out for details!
University of the Third Age
Wallingford U3A (University of the Third Age) meet at Crowmarsh Village Hall on the first Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. The next meeting will be on September 2nd. The speaker is Philip Littlejohn and the subject is ‘The Titanic’.Marilyn Dyer-Lynch
BENSINGTON CHARITYCharity No: 201602
This charity exists for relief of hardship or distress in the Parish of Benson and can make grants or loans to children or young people, the elderly or people with disabilities. Contact the Clerk: Janet Burtt, 18 Chiltern Close, Benson, Wallingford OX10 6LG.
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Registered Osteopath
accepted by all major insurance companies
Rohan D Iswariah, D.O.
BackacheSciaticaHeadacheSports InjuriesJoint PainsArthritisTennis Elbows
01491-838866Ivy Cottage, Chapel
LaneBenson OX10 6LU
Tree FellingHeight ReductionsLopping & PruningStump GrindingFencingLandscapingGrass/Hedge CuttingMaintenance Contracts
Altom Tree Care Ltd
tel: 01844 339833mob: 07958 759747
email: [email protected]
Fully InsuredFree Quotations
Seasoned Logs
For Sale
EWELME VILLAGE PRESCHOOLChildren Welcome from 2½years
Monday to Friday morning sessions Plus Tuesday & Thursday afternoons
Lunch Clubs available‘Excellent’ OFSTED report
Please call on 01491 835413
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Local Clubs & Societies (Cont.)Clubs Sec: Jill Parrick
Benson Short Mat Bowls
Do you fancy a sociable game of bowls in the Parish Hall?Benson Short mat Bowls Club would welcome some new members.Come along and see what goes on and have a go:Monday afternoons 2 – 4pm. Wednesday evenings 7 – 9pm (but not the 3rd Wednesday in the month as the WI have the hall then.)
Wallingford Bridge Club
Bridge for All Lessons at Wallingford Bridge ClubWallingford Bridge Club is happy to announce that classes for 2009/10 start on Tuesday October 6th at the Roke and Berrick Salome Village Hall. There will be both a daytime (Tuesday 10.30-12.30) and an evening (Tuesday 7.30 – 9.30) Beginner’s course. There will also be a Continuing Bridge course on Tuesdays at 7.30-9.30 for those who have already completed the Beginners course or have the equivalent basic knowledge and wish to improve their bridge game. These courses consist of 3 terms of 11 weeks with a half term break after week 5 in each term. In addition there will be six 5-week short courses for those who wish to focus on improving some aspect of their Bridge. These will be held on Tuesdays 2.00 – 4.00. The first short course (starting October 6) is on responses (including transfers) to your partner’s 1 no trump opening, 1 no trump overcall and 2 no trump opening. The second short course (starting November 17) will be on the ‘first trick’ and will cover opening leads, and how the declarer and the leader’s partner should play to the first trickCourses cost £60 per term. Short courses cost £35 each or £60 for two. Further details can be found on the club’s website (www.bridgewebs.com/wallingford/). You can contact the organiser either by email ([email protected]) or by
phone (01865 717797). Even on holiday he checks his email periodically but phone messages have to wait for his return. You can check with the Club Chairman, Colin Jones, (email at [email protected] , Tel. no 01865 391534) if you are worried by the delay in a response. Francis Glassborow
Wallingford Photographic Club
Great news our 50th year starts on Thursday 17th September – with an informal Welcome Evening for a chat, to hear what goes on at the club and to see photographs from existing members. If you enjoy taking pictures why not come along and meet people who share your hobby, - you will find that you get more from it! There will be meetings about portraiture, travel, architecture and many other topics of interest, competitions, discussion and practical evenings – come and see what there is on offer from September to May, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Meetings are held on Thursday evenings at the Crowmarsh Pavilion, (behind the tyre warehouse near the bridge) The Street, Crowmarsh, at 7.45 for 8p.m. until 10p.m.
Thursday 17th September – Welcome and Introduction to the Club for present and new membersThursday 24th September – Gordon Roberts with ‘Starting out in digital imaging and how to enter your first images in a club competition’. There will be a separate practical session for advanced photographers.Thursday October 1st – Priscilla Frost visits the club to give her presentation, on ‘Three Cities – London, Berlin and Brasilia’. This includes stunning images of these three cities.
We are always pleased to see new members and visitors, from beginners to advanced photographers and we hope to see some of the visitors from our successful Carnival Day exhibition. Telephone 01491 835632 for further details or see our website http://www.wallingford-photographic-club.org.uk
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website: www.waterfrontcafe.co.ukemail: [email protected]
Available for party bookings throughout the year
Bookings Tel 01491 833732Benson Waterfront, Benson, Wallingford
Oxon OX10 6SJ
LuxuriousDermalogica prescriptive facials
CACI non-surgical face-liftEyelash/Eyebrow tinting
MassageManicure / Pedicure
WaxingMy treatment room offers a professional and
friendly aproach in a peaceful and calming environment using ‘results driven’ products
THE SKIN GINIEOICB, IDI
Insanely greatface and body
treatmentsincluding:
Gift Vouchers & Pamper Evenings available
Authorised Dermalogica Skin Care Stockist59 St Helens Avenue, Benson, Oxon
01491 838550 / 07720 290495
Enjoy alfresco dining at an idyllic location overlooking the River Thames this summerThe new extended outside heated terrace is the ideal setting for meeting friends and
family in a casual, relaxed atmosphereOur menu offers an informal mix of
classic and contemporary dishes and wines from around the world
From Saturday 9th May the Waterfront café-bar-bistro will be
open from 8am - 10pm Tuesday - Sunday
Monday 8am – 6pmFull menu and example evening specials
available at www.waterfrontcafe.co.uk
Summer evening bistronow open
Creating Positive Changes
New Light hypNotherapy
I can help you: eliminate anxiety, stress, panic attacks,
manage irritable bowel syndrome and M.E.break habits and overcome phobias,
deal with personal crises like bereavement,stop smoking,
and boost self confidence.
Margaret Wiggall DipCAH, HPD, MNCH(Lic)www.newlighthypnotherapy.co.uk
Tel: 01865 890730
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The Benson Bulletin is published by Benson Bulletin News Association, and delivered free to all households in Benson, RAF Benson, Roke, Rokemarsh, Berrick Salome and Ewelme. All concerned in its production and delivery are volunteers. Material published in The Benson Bul-letin is copyright, but the Editor may grant permission for reproduction upon request. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in The Benson Bulletin, the Editor and Publishers cannot accept any responsibility for the consequences of any er-rors that may occur. Neither are the opinions published in The Benson Bulletin necessarily those of the Editor or The Benson Bulletin News Association. The Editor is pleased to receive material for publication, but reserves the right to shorten, clarify or reject it at her discretion. Copy may be submitted via e-mail in plain text (or pictures in tiff greyscale format) to [email protected], or on floppy disc in DOC or RTF format with enclosed print-out (discs will be returned). Typed and handwritten copy is also acceptable. All photographs will be scanned and returned. Digital photos in .jpg format are preferred. Please supply logos in .tiff format.
Classified Ads.... Tel: 01491 201734
The Benson Bulletinc/o Benson Parish HallSunnysideBenson, Oxon. OX10 6LZ
BBNA Committee Members:-Chairman George Craig 839071Treasurer Kyri Kyriakoudis 839810Secretary Patricia Baylis 826289Advertising Anne Fowler 201734Clubs’ Sec Jill Parrick 838634Distribution Don Fletcher 838577Editor Anne Fowler 201734Asst Editor Tom Stevenson 836888 Rev Andrew Hawken 201668
BB’s DeadlinesCopy: 12th of month previous Advertising: 12th of month previous
Benson Youth HallTable Tennis Fri 8 - 10pmBaby & Toddler Group Thur 1.30 - 3.30pm
Short Mat Bowls Mon 2-4pm/Wed 7-10pmBadminton Mon 8-10pmBingo Tues 7-9pmFloodlit Tennis Thurs 7.00pm
Benson Parish Office: 01491 825038Office hours: Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri 0930 am to 1230 pm
TO HIRE BENSON PARISH or YOUTH HALL
TEL/FAX 01491 825038
Benson Parish Hall
email your news to [email protected]
About Benson Bulletin [email protected] Est. 1994
Film and Video Transfer Service to DVD, LP’s & 45 Records to CD at sensible prices. For quote phone 01491 825964 or email [email protected]
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning by your local specialists. Wet or dry systems used. Trained, insured & NCCA approved. Quality work at unbeatable rates. Call Grimebusters 01865 726983 / 01235 555533
Vacuum Cleaner sales, spares & repairs carried out on our premises. Clean Machine, 2 St. Peter’s Street, Wallingford (behind Champions). Call 01491 825600 www.machinesthatclean.comHouse and Office Clearance, removals, everything cleared including rubbish. Items and furniture purchased. No job too small. Tel: 01189 874758 Mob: 07941 935168All Rubbish Cleared, garden, plastic, glass, wood. Unwanted furniture. No job too small. Tel: 01189 874758 Mob: 07941 935168 Piano & Cello Lessons: From September. Friendly teacher, 20yrs experience, welcomes children & adults any age/standard. For more details, contact Jessica (CTABRSM) 07813-889978 Dannys Gardening Services All your gardening maintenance. Driveways and patios. Garden clearance. Professional work at reasonable prices. Reliable and friendly service. Free Estimate call Danny 01491 837230 or 07887 580 261
Driveways & Patios - Block paving & brickwork. Paths & patios in natural stone - Shingle. Mini digger / skip hire. Friendly reliable service - Competitive Rates, Free Estimates Call Danny 07887 580 261 or 01491 837230
Lady Gardener available for general garden maintenance, also home cleaning. Reasonable rates. Phone Diana on 07880 691704
Alpha Painting & Decorating Services (internal & external), References available, Free estimates. Contact: Lee on 07853 461885 or James on 07896 787351
