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Number 635 October 2021

RUSTOM PATEL The Bulletin has been informed of the death of Rustom Patel, a magistrate on the Woking bench who for many years held the title of Lord of the Prebendal Manor of Blewbury. During that time he would often be seen at village events, always immaculately turned out, and he supported a number of village organisations including the Blewbury Brass Band, the Local History Group and the Croquet Club, of which he was President for much of the early 2000s. (Players still compete for the Prebendal Cup, which Rustom presented to the Club in 2003.) He took a great interest in the history of the village, particularly in Thomas Cromwell, who in his time was also Lord of the Prebendal Manor. Unhappily, Rustom was afflicted with dementia for much of his later life, and died following a second bout of Covid in February this year. The Prebendal Lordship has now passed to his son-in-law. CAN YOU HELP WITH THE 2021 POPPY APPEAL?

The Royal British Legion will be launching its annual Poppy Appeal on October 28th, and in past years Blewbury has always responded brilliantly. This year we need a few extra hands to help with the house-to-house collections and it would be great to hear from anyone willing to volunteer. If you can spare an hour or two to help this great cause, please contact Bill Gore on 07974 091502 or at billgore@hotmail.co.uk.

A GREAT START TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR! It has been a fantastic start to the new academic year. The teachers have worked hard to set up stimulating and safe learning environments for the pupils, who have settled back into their new routines well. We have all enjoyed being able to come together again as a school for assemblies and have especially relished being able to sing. Here is what some of the pupils have said about the new term: “It’s better without bubbles.” G - Klimt class. “It’s good that I get to see all my friends again”. J - Banksy class. “I like my new teachers. I’m enjoying learning about poetry in English”. A - Picasso class. We are currently planning Autumn term events for pupils, parents and the wider community, such as our Harvest Festival and Christmas Carol Concert. There will be more information about these events very soon. Finally, we would be delighted to show any prospective parents around the School, who would like to see our new facilities and teaching arrangements. Please contact the School Office for an appointment. Miss Reeder, Head of School BLEWBURY FLYING SQUAD – VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED It will be quite a while before the Flying Squad is back up to its pre-Covid capabilities. There are many issues still to sort out, of which the lingering uncertainty around Covid safety protocols is only one. Others include yet another change in the parking permit situation for the Oxford hospitals, and the restrictions and costs involved in alternative local hospital transport schemes. But the biggest issue we face is a shortage of volunteer drivers; without these, we cannot offer a service even if all the other issues are sorted out. So please, if you feel you can spare a few hours a month helping villagers who cannot drive get to hospital, please contact karencbrooks@gmail.com as soon as possible. We would like to hear from you even if you’re not ready to start straight away, or if you have any questions or reservations before committing. The Flying Squad has been a blessing to many in the past – let’s make it a service to be proud of again! BROWN BIN COLLECTIONS The Bulletin has received a number of enquiries as to when the Vale might be resuming the collection of brown bins, following the suspension of the service at the beginning of August because of a shortage of drivers at Biffa, the contracted waste collectors. As far as we can tell, the short answer is ‘not any time soon’, but for a more detailed and up-to-date summary of the situation you can visit the Vale’s website at https://bit.ly/3ka80yO. See also the District Councillor update on page 16.

BULLETIN STOP PRESS SERVICE If you would like to receive urgent village news and information by email, you can sign up to the Bulletin Stop Press service at www.blewbury.co.uk. Powered by MailChimp®, all emails are blind copied so no addresses are shared.

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TONY LOY TRUST - www.thetonyloytrust.org The aim of the Tony Loy Trust (The TLT) is to advance the education and support the development of, and provide opportunities for, children and young people under the age of 25 in Blewbury and the

neighbouring area in the arts and sport. This will include: providing grants, allowances or scholarships; supporting training; and assisting travel, events or projects. We are more than happy to receive and consider applications. If you would like to be considered, please write to the Trustees with a brief outline of what you are intending to do and how you might use any financial support.

The Trustees, 24 Grahame Close, Blewbury OX11 9QE sloy24@gmail.com BELL RINGING NEWS FROM BLEWBURY TOWER At last, the intrepid ducks were able to race! The sun shone and there was lots of cheering, the winners were: -

1. No 96 Mary Passingham 2. No 57 Phil Rogers 3. No 482 Jamila Makoka Congratulations to the winners and a big thank you to everyone who bought tickets and came out on the day to see the ducks race. A total of £550 was raised which helps support the ongoing maintenance costs of the tower and bells so again thank you so much for your support for this event. Normal Friday night practices have resumed plus service ringing so it does begin to feel that we are at last returning to normality after a very strange 18 months. HISTORICAL BLEWBURY NOVEL JUST PUBLISHED! The Courage Game is a fictionalised account of the life of Gladys Hazel, who is the infamous Militant Suffragette, who lived in a bungalow in Westbrook Street. from 1939-1959 and is buried in the Blewbury Cemetery. It has been written by Gladys’s great niece Jeni Whittaker, who has kindly agreed to come to the village on Friday 15th October to give a talk in the Vale Room at 7:00pm about her book. The novel starts in Blewbury in 1950, where Gladys who was by then retired decides to write about her very eventful life. Her life story was something of a secret until Jeni Whittaker’s father Peter Waterfield discovered her account, when he was clearing out a potting shed in Devon many years after Gladys had died . Jeni used this account as the basis for her novel, which will make fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in Blewbury, the Suffragettes, or even what life was like for a young independent woman born in the late 1800s. The publicity for the book states: ‘Gladys grows up in a large family, convinced she is the odd one out especially compared with pretty Rita, the sister closest to her. Then elder brother Jim invents a new game he calls the Courage Game, in which all seven of the children will be tested for their ability to keep a stiff upper lip. Little does she know, she’ll recall this game later, comparing his little hand-made badges to those handed out by the W.S.P.U, the suffragettes. The poverty of Ireland in the 1890s is capped by the terrible conditions of the Birmingham slums where she first works as a teacher. Heartsick at the hardship she sees all around her, she’s driven to change it, but only the Pankhursts seem to offer any hope of a woman’s voice being heard – providing they win the right to vote, that is. Enthusiastically , Gladys throws herself in, juggling her job, her burgeoning love life and her work for the suffragettes. But how long can one woman keep walking such a line without losing her balance?’ The Courage Game is available from all good booksellers. Come along to meet and hear from the author on October 15th in the Vale Room at the Village Hall at 7pm. Tickets £5 from the Post Office. Glass of wine or soft drink included. Roger Murphy, Local History Group

The next dates for donations to the Didcot Food Bank are SATURDAY 2nd OCTOBER until MONDAY 11th OCTOBER

The boxes will be outside the Charity School House (opposite the Church) during these dates. Please do not leave any donations if the boxes are not there. If you can give even one item of dried goods, tins, UHT milk, toiletries or household cleaning items, soap and toiletries, pet food or items for babies - all donations are accepted with sincere thanks. There is always a Food Bank collection box at the Post Office We had a nice Message from Andrew Snell, Coordinator at the Didcot Food Bank: “Please pass on our thanks to St Michael’s Church and Blewbury Village on behalf of the Foodbank clients. Generally Foodbank has been a little quieter during the spring and summer, which is good news but it does have its moments. Last month we issued food for just over 300 adults and children, including repeats.” Thank you for your continued support – it is sincerely appreciated. St Michael’s Church Action Group & Didcot Food Bank

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PETER SAUNDERS The family of Peter Saunders would like to thank his many friends in Blewbury for all the lovely messages we have received following the sad news of his death. Peter was born in Romania in 1934 and before settling in England in 1947 lived in many countries and attended many schools. He and Ann met in London when he was studying at Imperial College. They married in 1957 and moved to Blewbury when he got a job at Harwell the next year. They lived at Curtoys for seven years and had four sons, Robert, Joss, Jamie and Tom, then moved to Orchard Dene House where they lived for no less than forty-one years, and finally to the Charity School House for fifteen years, creating beautiful gardens at each. He worked for many years as a scientific writer, had a rare gift for turning Science into English and helped academics around the world to get their research into publishable form. Peter had acted with the Stockwells Players since 1967, and he and Ann built the Garden Theatre and hosted the Blewbury Players from 1976. Peter remained a Trustee of the Players until the day he died, the day after the last night of Romeo & Juliet, helping chose plays and directors and playing many roles over the years. He was also responsible with Ron Freeborn and Olga Latham for the six Blewbury operas, sang in hundreds of concerts, chaired the Parish Council and helped found and run the Blewbury Village Society, the Flying Squad and the Didcot Food Bank. He worked on the original Village Plan and on the initial development of Westbrook Green. He took part in many Boxing Day walks and enjoyed many a pint at the Red Lion and at the Bell at Aldworth. He enjoyed a notably happy family life with wife, children, grandchildren and a great grandchild, loved village life and adored animals. Fr Jason officiated at his funeral on 11 August October at St Michael’s Church. The service was a true celebration of ‘a life well lived’. For those who were unable to attend the funeral, it was recorded and can still be viewed on Google until 10 October; please let us know if you would like to be sent a link. We are happy that Joss and family will be living in the Charity School House, so the Saunders connection with Blewbury will not be lost. We will be celebrating the lives of Ann and Peter with music, sketches and readings at St Michael’s Church on Saturday 6 November from 7pm to 9pm, and warmly invite all their friends in the village to join us. For catering and Covid-19 precautions, please let us know if you would like to attend by registering on Eventbrite (Peter and Ann Saunders celebration concert Tickets, Sat 6 Nov 2021 at 19:00 | Eventbrite) or by emailing Joss on saunders.joss@gmail.com. Robert, Joss & Jamie Saunders

BLEWBURY PRE-SCHOOL Blewbury Pre-School’s Annual General Meeting will be on Thursday 7 October and everyone from the village is very welcome to attend. We’ve completely redecorated inside so it’s also a chance to see our new look! Please join us for wine and nibbles from 7.30pm at Blewbury Pre-School (for anyone who doesn’t know where we are, you can find us opposite St Michael’s on Church Road).

See elsewhere in the Bulletin for all the details of the joint Halloween fundraiser with the BVS being held on Saturday 30 October at 7.30pm in the village hall. There will be a live band and a bar to buy drinks. Tickets are £6 (over 18s only) available from the post office or blewburybvs@gmail.com. We hope to see you there! Don’t forget you can also help support Blewbury Pre-School by ordering quality seasoned hardwood for your log burners: £100/£60 for a full/half trailer load delivered (or £75/£50 for a full/half trailer load collected). Single nets of logs also available outside Pre-School for £5. Email orders to: committee@blewburypreschool.co.uk The Pre-School Lottery draw was held on Thursday 2 September and the winning numbers were:

• 1st – 055 • 2nd – 003 • 3rd - 008 80 lottery numbers were entered, which means that £200 has been shared (50%/30%/20%) as prize money, and £200 has been raised for Blewbury Pre-School. Thank you to all our members. The next draw will be 7 October 2021. To sign up for the Lottery go to www.blewburypreschool.co.uk/lottery or pick up a form from the Post Office. Pre-School of course continues to run its normal session times for all 2½ – 4 year olds: 9am-12noon or 9am-2pm, Monday to Friday. Please email preschool@blewburypreschool.co.uk if you would like to secure a place for your child, or go to www.blewburypreschool.co.uk for further information.

PILLS TO PURGE MELANCHOLY! An entertainment of fabulous songs and witty words to lift the spirits and sooth the soul

with Catie Flye, Rosa Lamoreaux, Garth Bardsley and pianist Ian Clarke. SATURDAY OCTOBER 2ND 2021

BLEWBURY VILLAGE HALL – 7.45PM TICKETS £15 including a glass of bubbles from BLEWBURY POST OFFICE

OR email bernardmat@btinternet.com to make a reservation.

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OUR ENVIRONMENT – OUR COMMUNITY – OUR FUTURE TOGETHER: SUSTAINABLE BLEWBURY TALKS Marianne Suhr, local resident and co-author of Old House Handbook and Old House Eco Handbook, kicks off our new series of talks with Old House to Eco House: making your historic home more energy efficient. Marianne will be talking about houses built before 1900, and the challenges homeowners face when trying to retrofit them to reduce heating bills. As well as ‘quick wins’, she will show case studies of more complex interventions, and discuss the issues regarding moisture movement and condensation. This talk will take place on Monday 18 October at 20.00, Melland Room in Blewbury Clubhouse (doors open 19.45). Tickets £6 including a drink of your choice. Dr Brenda Boardman, Emeritus Fellow at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, will lead our November talk and discussion on one of today’s most urgent topics: 15-Minute Neighbourhoods and other local issues: what do we need within a short walk from home? For an introduction to Brenda and her work, just listen to her on BBC Radio 4’s Life Scientific on 21st September 0900, also available on BBC Sounds. This talk will take place on Monday 22 November at 20.00, Melland Room in Blewbury Clubhouse (doors open 19.45). Tickets £6 including a drink of your choice. POST OFFICE NEWS The latest updates from Royal Mail are now insisting on the correct customs label being fully filled in, in block capitals (tracked or not tracked). You must itemise the contents, with the weight and value of each item (on everything that’s a large letter or parcel), and also sign and date, otherwise the parcels will be returned to you and no refunds will be available. Airmail stickers must be applied to every item going overseas going by plane. Customs restrictions on value will apply and customs charges may apply in the destination country. Please check values and restrictions before sending! (www.royalmail.com) NO COVID tests will be accepted at post offices; please put them in a PRIORITY post box as these postboxes are sorted at the depot & dispatched first. The Blewbury one is in Church End, outside Chestnuts & Carpenters. We are incredibly busy at the moment, so please make sure your mail is ready to send, addressed, with a customs label & an airmail label on if needed BEFORE you get to the counter. Katrina has been a very clever girl and got a proper job for a while, she may be back, but meanwhile we send her our best wishes! Stay well and safe. Love from Karen, Maggie & Michael

Cinderella - A Pantomime for Blewbury 26-29 January 2022

Auditions Auditions will take place on Saturday and Sunday 9/10 October. If you’d like to book an audition (including young people in year 7 and above) or are interested in taking part in any way please e-mail us at blewburyplayers@gmail.com.

Jeff and Peter’s Music Quiz Saturday November 13th 2021

Blewbury Village Hall. Quiz begins 8 p.m. PROMPT. Tickets: £9 from Blewbury Post Office Hall and Bar open from 7.15 p.m. Please support the Bar. Monies raised from this event will be used to support activities for Young People in the Village.

Information about our activities and photos of Romeo and Juliet & previous productions Visit www.blewburyplayers.co.uk

IT’S GETTING MESSY AGAIN Walking round our lovely village this summer, I can’t help being aware that there are a number of dog owners who need reminding that part of the responsibility of having a dog is that you pick up their mess after them. It takes no more than 3 seconds to pick up and bag it and place it in any of the rubbish bins around the village or even to take it home and put it in your black bin. I have also noticed that even the footpaths have dog mess and I rather suspect that some teenagers and even some adults feel it is not ‘cool’ to pick up but I am sure they would equally be very upset if trod in it in their nice expensive trainers, There was even a ‘heap’ in the middle of the Church path last Sunday when lots of people were on their way to our lovely Harvest Festival Service. Fortunately I noticed it and dealt with it before it was trodden round the Church but it could have been very unpleasant. Please do be responsible dog owners – Thank you. Pat Mattimore

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BLEWBURY VILLAGE SOCIETY The BVS are delighted to announce that, in partnership with Blewbury Pre-School, we will be holding a Halloween Disco on Saturday 30th October from 7:30pm in the Village Hall. Entertainment will be provided by the live band ‘Too Much Stuff’ playing a selection of tracks from the likes of ZZ Top, Blondie, Guns n Roses through to more contemporary artists such as George Ezra, with a disco between band sets. There will be a bar so please no ‘bring-your-own’ and over 18’s only. Fancy dress is welcome, but not compulsory. Tickets are £6 and can be purchased from the post office or by emailing blewburybvs@gmail.com. All profits will go to Blewbury Pre-School and local causes supported by the BVS. Please note that this event could be subject to Covid restrictions and full refunds will be provided if the event cannot go ahead. We are also hoping to hold our monthly BVS meetings in one of the village pubs going forward - these are usually held on the last Tuesday of the month and would be open to everyone to drop in, whether you want to be a member of the committee or just get involved in a particular event. Watch the BVS Facebook Group for details of time and location if you’d like to come along. HARVEST FESTIVAL AT ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH The Church was dressed for the occasion. The church was full. Thank you to everybody who helped to prepare the Church for the Harvest Festival Service on September 12th. St Michael's looked really bright and beautiful with flower arrangements of so many shades filling the Church with colour. We had so many generous offerings of very colourful fresh vegetables and non perishable foods*. The centre piece was a fantastic Harvest loaf prepared by the Blewbury Bakery complete with harvest mouse! Father Jason welcomed us all, Sharon Phillips, our Choir Mistress, had prepared a good selection of hymns to be sung by the Choir and Congregation and we had a lovely reading by Laurie Lee remembering Harvest Festivals in Gloucestershire when he was a child which seemed relevant to us that morning and another special Harvest poem. The address reminded us how fortunate we are here in Blewbury to be blessed with good food, a good healthy environment and a very good community. It was a true celebration of a country village harvest and enjoyed by everybody. After the service there were stalls selling local produce, Matt Napper had his Blewbury Honey; Sustainable Blewbury had a smaller version of their Garden Market Stall, Blewbury Bakers sold their Artisan breads; Mothers Union had a cake stall; everything sold out almost immediately and it was great to see people milling about and chatting after the Service with a welcome cup of coffee and excellent special refreshments. It was a hugely successful Service and thanks goes to Sue Lay, our Churchwarden who coordinated the whole morning – with a little help from her friends. The atmosphere in Church was friendly and welcoming and we look forward to seeing lots of you again. Thank You on behalf of all at St Michael’s, Clergy and PCC. *Donations of food were sent off to the Didcot Food Bank. We had a letter of appreciation from Andrew Snell the Coordinator “Please pass on our thanks to St Michael’s Church and Blewbury Village on behalf of the Foodbank clients." Thank you for your continued support. St Michael’s Church Action Group. BLEWSHED NEWS We held our first post-lockdown BlewShed Wednesday club meeting on 8th September when members attended a demonstration and discussion of how and when to use any of the many different types of power saw, most of which are now available at the Shed. The meeting adjourned for a convivial discussion over a beer at the Blueberry - this could become a regular item on the agenda! Shed opening times are Tuesday and Saturday afternoons 1.30-4.00 pm. There is an outside seating area for breaks, conversation and a cuppa, weather permitting. If you have been waiting for the right time to start a DIY job, or a project you've seen on YouTube and want some friendly and expert advice now is a good time. You don't need to be a member to come along. Or, when members have a particular project for which a workshop is needed, the very well-equipped Shed is there for you to use, whether your project is large or small. Meetings Our regular club meetings are where members and outside experts can share their special expertise. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for topics, demonstrations or hands-on practice you would like to see. The next one will be on Wednesday, 13th October, when we look forward to Dave Carless giving a demonstration of welding. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30 in the Shed (next door to the Band Practice Room) and everyone is welcome, whether or not you are a member. We look forward to seeing you. Mike Wrottesley, Club Secretary https://blewshed.home.blog/news/ LIGHTING UP TIME With the nights drawing in again, I notice that bike riders once again need reminding to use lights as they move around the village. I’ve seen some very near misses over the years, and don’t want see any more! Karen

News from St. Michael’s

Rector - The Revd Jason St. John Nicolle

BENEFICE OFFICE - 01235 850267

You can contact the clergy & staff on: -

Revd Jason 01235 850267 office@churnchurches.co.uk

Revd Louise 07837 009730 revlouiseb@aol.com

Elaine de Ridder (Operations Manager) is available from 9.00-2.30pm

Monday to Friday. 01235 850267, 07434 686044 or office@churnchurches.co.uk

Bookings for Weddings, Baptisms etc. may be made by contacting the office via email.

Food Bank Collection Saturday 2 - Monday 11 October 2021

St. Michael’s Action Group regularly collect items for the Didcot Food Bank. Drop off at the Old School House between these dates or at the Post Office anytime.

Regular services at St Michael’s Blewbury

Dates for the diary:

We continue to have an online service at 10h30 every Sunday. The links and codes for these are published in the Churn.

This year’s All Souls’ Service will be on Sunday 31st October at St Andrew’s Hagbourne.

3 +Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10 +Sunday 10.30am Parish Eucharist 12 Tuesday 10am Holy Communion 21 Thursday 10am MU Holy Communion 24 +Sunday 5pm Choral Evensong 26 Tuesday 10am Holy Communion

ACTIVE ANGELS

Our MU Pram Service team invite families to this monthly event. 12 noon on Wednesday 6th October outside St. Michael’s Blewbury; in church if wet.

Please bring a rug. Lunch will be provided. Any enquiries, please contact Revd Louise Butler 07837 009 730

Looking forward to seeing you.

CHORAL EVENSONG

Sunday 24th October at 5.00pm

Come and join us for a traditional choral Evensong. Refreshments afterwards.

Bring your family, your friends or just yourself – all are welcome and we would love you to join us!

Compline A short service of night prayer every weekday night at 8pm. The links and codes for these are on the website under the services tab. Phone access is also available.

Recent funerals held at St Michael’s

22 September - Alex Offer

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Churn Benefice

All Souls’ Service

St. Andrew’s Hagbourne 31st October 4pm

Remembrance List

All are welcome at this service, which includes the lighting of commemorative candles and reading out of names of those to be remembered. Anyone who would like to have a loved one remembered at this service is invited to let Elaine de Ridder in the Benefice Office know if they wish to add name(s) to the list.

Offering a Prayer on 13th October

Most days of the year are associated with a particular saint. The official saints of the Church are a curious mix of men and women from different countries and cultures. Few Saints have lived perfect lives, and many Saints have been controversial figures. But there has been something about their lives which the Church has felt to be worth celebrating.

An interesting case in point is St Edward the Confessor. Edward was King of England between 1042 and his death in 1066. He developed a reputation for

holiness during his own lifetime, and some hundred years later the Pope gave him the official status of a Saint. His body was placed in a magnificent shrine in Westminster Abbey; the shrine was despoiled at the Reformation, but it has been subsequently restored, and is a splendid sight. Perhaps you have seen the shrine for yourself, on a visit to Westminster Abbey.

I’m writing about St Edward in part because it is his Saint’s day on 13th October. But I’m also writing about St Edward because I’m thinking of our royal family today. What do we want from our Monarchy? Do we want members of the Royal Family to behave in different ways from the rest of us? Would we be happy if our Monarch developed such a reputation for holiness that people started to regard them as a Saint?

Edward was regarded as a Saint in part because he made himself available to his subjects, and he was also generous to the poor. Well, that was back in the 11th century, and the world was a very different place. It was a society which seems to have taken the existence of Kingship and aristocratic privilege for granted. We are a much more democratic society, and we tend to want our leaders to have earned their place on merit, rather than by accident of birth. Of course we are very fortunate in our country at present, in that our Monarch is a truly remarkable woman, who would be exceptionally well-qualified to be our Queen on merit alone. It is hard to imagine anyone else who would be able to carry out her roles and duties to a similar level of competence.

Whether we approve of the idea of Monarchy or not, I think we could all agree that our Queen deserves our respect and our support.

I wonder how we might best support our Queen? And how might we best pray for her, and for her family?

- Father Jason

WE WANT EVERYONE TO FEEL SAFE COMING TO CHURCH

Following advice from the Diocese, we will continue to encourage people to wear face coverings and to observe social distancing while in church. Communion will be in bread only.

Congregational singing will be allowed when it is safe to do so: as the virus spreads via droplets, to be able to sing will depend on the numbers attending and the ability to be socially

distant from others.

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ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

If you see anti-social behaviour in the village, please ring 101 or report it online using this website: https://thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

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Read our most recent newsletter at sustainable-blewbury.org.uk/newsletter_latest.pdf Blewbury Garden Market: Continues at Blewbury service station on Saturday mornings 9.15 to 11.15 until the end of September. If you have surplus fruit, vegetables, flowers, preserves or baked goods for us to sell, bring them along at 9.00 am (you keep 90% of the price). For more information, please contact either Eric (850558 or 07935 232 296) or John (850372 or 07785 364 072). Apple Juicing: Our remaining public sessions at Blewbury Manor stable will be on 26th September, and 10th and 24th October, from 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Bring washed apples (bad bits removed, but no need to remove cores) and your own clean bottles or containers We can pasteurise the juice so it keeps for up to a year, but if you want to pasteurise (which requires glass screw-top wine or drink bottles), note that this is a slow process, so please arrive well before 3.00 pm. Unpasteurised juice can also be frozen in plastic bottles. If you have too many apples for our public sessions you can HIRE our equipment for £15/day in Blewbury or Upton, £20/day elsewhere. For bookings and/or more information, contact Eric at info@sustainable-blewbury.org.uk or 07935 232 296. Hedge laying: Will soon be starting up again. We have organised a free training day on 27th September. If you would like to learn the skills of this ancient, traditional, green craft, we will have a trainer for the day (Clive Leeke) and can provide all the necessary tools. If you are interested then contact John Ogden (jogden@blewbury.net or 07785 364 072) for details. Places are limited so please book as soon as you can. Britain’s hedges are a very special feature of our countryside, a vast natural habitat and a vital carbon sink. Hedge laying is the ideal way to strengthen and rejuvenate old hedges. Talks: We will be running a new series of talks, starting on 18th October with Old House to Eco House: making your historic home more energy efficient. See separate item about our talks in this Bulletin for more details. Getting involved in Sustainable Blewbury can contribute to the village and its environment. To participate, or to receive our free bi-monthly Newsletter, email us at info@sustainable-blewbury.org.uk or phone 850372. NATURE NOTES In the month of October we reach mid-autumn and we truly enter the realm of the Fourth Kingdom, Fungi. Fungi are a deep rooted part of our lives. The humble yeast raising our bread and adding alcohol to our wine. They are also the largest living organisms on the planet, with sprawling networks of the Honey Fungus (Amillaria) weighing in at hundreds of tonnes, over an area of 10 square kilometres and estimated to be between 2,000 and 8,000 years old. They have also been vital in Earth’s evolutionary history. Plants only dragged themselves out of the swampy waters 500 million years ago because a symbiotic relationship with fungi could be formed in the soil. 90% of plants today still rely on this partnership for nutrients. Trees in particular are linked through the mycorrhizal (Greek; mykos – fungus, rhiza – root) network of fungi, in what many ecologists refer to as the ‘Wood Wide Web’. Another classical autumnal event is the leaves changing colour to deep reds and yellows. As the daylight hours continue to decrease, plants are less able to photosynthesize efficiently, meaning a drain on resources. Leaves also become a liability during the winter storm season. So to cut their losses trees activate special cells at the base of the leaves, cutting off food and oxygen to the leaf. The green pigment in the leaves then breaks down revealing more stable pigments such as the red and orangey carotenoids. Tannins, a waste product, are also pumped into the leaf in a form of ‘detox’ before the leaves fall to the ground. The leaves then rot away, decomposed by fungi, which in turn help the trees obtain nutrients from the soil, and the cycle of nature continues! Quick things to look for in October: the return of winter migrant birds such as Redwings and Fieldfares; Orionids meteor shower 21/22 October. Glen Meadows BRIDGE CLUB As I write this we have just made our first attempt at re-starting Face to Face bridge in the newly refurbished Vale Room, on a Tuesday night. Regrettably, very few members turned up, despite our extensive preparations and requirements to minimise the risk of infections spreading, which included wearing masks. As some may not relish the prospect of spending 3 hours in a mask, we decided to have 5 minute breaks after every couple of rounds in order to allow players to go outside and remove their masks. We plan to have one more attempt to get F2F bridge off the ground next Tuesday (21st September, and so, by the time you read this, that will probably be last Tuesday!) The Annual General Meeting of the Club is to be held on Zoom at 7pm on Wednesday 6th October. Only those who express an interest in joining the meeting will be sent a formal invitation to join the Zoom session. The Agenda and Minutes of the previous AGM will be circulated separately, as will a summary of most matters to be discussed, in order to streamline the meeting somewhat, such that we only need to discuss the issues on which there may be varying opinions. Michael Allen 852870

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BLEWBURY’S GREEN LUNGS The latest in SB’s series on the green spaces that help shape the special character of our village focuses this month on the Playclose. In the Local History Group’s excellent history ‘This Venerable Village’, by Peter Northeast, the Playclose is described as ‘a most convenient centre of the village’. It is a peaceful, tree-fringed meadow-meeting-point of four footpaths – from the south (via Cow Lane and Nottingham Fee), the north (past the church), the west (from Upton via Coffin Way and Curtoys Lane), and the east (via Church Road). In 1837, the Charity Commissioners described it as ‘an old enclosure…in which the school children have from time immemorial been allowed to play’. In fact, this open space (bounded along half its length by an arm of the Millbrook, fed from springs in the Cleve) probably preceded any kind of organised schooling in Blewbury, as it was known as the ‘Playinge Close’ in 1617. Northeast believes it was used by travelling players to entertain paying villagers. At the end of the 1700s, a man called Thomas Martin erected a maypole in the Playclose that he had apparently stolen on horseback from a neighbouring village the night before. The Millbrook is narrow in this part of Blewbury, and its banks steeper, which makes it a healthy home for freshwater shrimps, caddisfly and mayflies, and a host of aquatic invertebrates. A grey heron often stalks the water hoping for a brown trout, more often than not having to settle for a stickleback. At night, the tall copper beech and lime trees, and one of Blewbury’s rare oaks, are meccas for different species of moth. And at dusk, the Playclose is one of the best vantage points in the village to watch the acrobatic skills of bats energetically hunting for their prey. The Playclose, now held by the Parochial Church Council for the benefit of all villagers, feels like home for lots of us. It is where we watch our youngsters race at Pre-school sports day; where Santa pauses his sleigh before his busy Christmas rounds; where dogs and people meet; where teenagers steal precious time away from irritating parents; where anyone in the village – or those passing through – can sit and enjoy the peace of nature. Sustainable Blewbury BLEWBURY REVISITED Born in 1956, I grew up in Blewbury, attending both schools before going to Wallingford Grammar before studying horticulture which has kept me employed in the same job for the past 42 years! Many happy times with flowers and people, including 38 Chelsea Flower Shows. Having been diagnosed with cancer, my preferred choice of hospital was the Churchill at Oxford, not least because I could live with my twin sister Ann, rather than travel an hour and a half from south Somerset to Bristol. Coming back to the village after nearly half a century has been wonderful; so little has changed and every bit as beautiful as I remember. My own village of South Petherton in Somerset is a fine stone-built village, but lacking the streams , trees and open spaces of Blewbury. Long may they remain in good health. In fact something approaching a re-wilding seems to have occurred when viewed from the chalk pits, most of the village is shrouded in a mantle of trees, more leaves than eaves is the motto. And encouraging signs along banks and roadsides where grass is left to grow long and seed along with wild flowers. Bats are frequently seen and the red kites are whistling down the wind on every turn. Trout were spotted in the Millbrook, but the two streams left and right which once were clear and running free are now so choked and filled in with vegetation that they are in danger of being lost. Help needed! One of the best things is still no street lights. Research has shown that all insect life suffers with the consequential loss to others feeding on them, so please keep the skies bright with stars and not adding to the carbon footprint with unnecessary lighting. Of course there are more people and more cars, a sign of the affluence of this Venerable Village and one which is here to stay. But the roads are eerily quiet at night as almost everyone seems to be inside. And who can tell me about the few strange stones around the village, one on the triangle at Church End, one next to the post office box by Prior’s old shop and another up Westbrook Street. There used to be one in the small stream opposite Dragonwyke, but it seems to have been moved. They must have been brought here generations ago, maybe by the folk who settled Blewburton Hill to mark water? Someone must know their source. Let’s hope the village can be kept safe from the mouths of ever encroaching Didcot and further Thames Valley over development, remember the streams are the lifeblood of the village and have been since it was first settled, once they dry up it will be too late. Observation over for now. In another half century somebody else can report back. Alan Street HAGBOURNE ARTS FAIR So much could not take place last year that it feels exciting to be planning an ARTS FAIR in East Hagbourne Village Hall. Local crafts people, artists and writers will be there, showing their work with displays, stalls, demonstrations and talks, from 10.30am to 5pm on Sunday the 31st October. You will be able to find out more about The Poets' Trail Project and maybe pick up a few early Christmas presents, from local books and original crafts to Oxford jigsaws and prints. Light refreshments will be available, there is ample parking and the Hall is wheelchair friendly. More information from Linda Benton 01235 817891 linda.benton@live.co.uk

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BLEWBURY WI NEWS Hello Everyone. Hope you all are getting used to being out and about and will join us at the following events: Tuesday October 5th Coffee Morning at Style Acre Tea Room 10.30am Wednesday October 6th Lyn’s Walk. Meet at the Village Hall at 9.30am. Walk will be a bit longer than

often (just under 4 miles) but underfoot should be reasonable and there will be an opportunity for coffee a mile from home. Scrabble session. Date & venue to be confirmed. Ring Judy on 850381 Wednesday October 13th Lunch at The Blueberry. 12 noon for 12.30pm. Wednesday October 27th WI Main Meeting. 7.30pm in the Vale Room. Mahjong Regular weekly Monday sessions are continuing. Contact Sharon Pegram (01235 850412) for details. For more information please contact our Secretary, Joy Boness, on 01235 850543 or visit our web page, http://blewburywi.wordpress.com where you will find more information. Love from Cilla. FROM OUR CANADIAN CORRESPONDENT – COYOTES! Stanley Park in Vancouver is a beautiful parkland area on a promontory overlooking English Bay measuring in excess of 1000 acres, and was established in 1888 years ago for the enjoyment of local citizens. Named after Lord Stanley, It is the oldest park in Vancouver and was recently voted the best international park in the world! It is considered the crown jewel of Vancouver, and boasts three beaches, multiple attractions including the First Nations Totem Poles, the Vancouver Aquarium and the miniature train, and many activities and different types of tours. It has multiple restaurants, cafes and concession stands and beautiful gardens, and over 500,000 cedar, fir and hemlock trees! It is edged by the Seawall, a paved route that loops round the park and skirts its waterfront. Originally started in 1917, it took 60 years to complete. Today, it is the Park's most popular walking, jogging, biking and rollerblading path and, because of its relatively flat terrain, it's a wonderful route for all ages and abilities. There have also always been coyotes living there, more or less happily co-existing with the many human beings who wander through their domain on foot, cycles and cars, along with the deer, racoons and other small furry animals for whom this is their natural habitat. But in this past Covid year, something strange has happened. Sadly, at the moment the Park is closing at 7pm every day due to the increasing number of coyote attacks on adults and more worryingly, children (46 at last count), to the extent that now the Park Authorities have ordered a cull of up to 35 animals to reduce the risk to the human population. This has caused an outcry in Vancouver and beyond! Most recently famous Canadian Bryan Adams tweeted that he thought this proposed cull was deplorable and should be rethought. So far four animals have been euthanized, but there is no way of knowing whether these are the ones responsible for the recent attacks. It is also worth bearing in mind that in every case where predators have been removed from an area, it has had an adverse effect on other wildlife in the area, as coyotes are a natural control for deer and small vermin. There are various theories on why this is happening, mainly that as usual it is our own fault and that visitors to the Park should be made aware that feeding wild animals, either directly or by leaving food litter accessible, is unacceptable and fines should be levied for such behaviour. The Park has been a valuable exercise resource during the pandemic, providing Vancouver citizens with an area where social distancing is not a problem, so the coyotes may well be exasperated at the overcrowding of their natural territory and are telling us to get lost in their own way! Angela Hoy (angelahoy23@gmail.com) VALE OF WHITE HORSE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR UPDATE The full version of this abridged article can be found on the Local Government News page of the Blewbury website Hello! We had a lovely start to September at the fantastic Upton Village Fete, complete with Morris dancing, fun dog show and plenty of tombola prizes. The fete was opened this year by our county councillor Sally Povolotsky, and it was great for the three of us to be out and about in the community together. With the upcoming Blewbury Village Hall opening event and the annual Harwell Footpaths Walk later in the month, we’re looking forward to plenty more opportunities to catch up with residents in person again after such a long time. Garden waste: While we continue to work closely with our contractor, Biffa, to provide us with further information as to how they propose to reinstate their contracted services, don’t forget that you can still dispose of garden waste at any of the local recycling centres, or purchase a reduced rate home composting bin by calling 0844 571 4444 quoting reference OXF12L. Consultations: There is still time to have your say on the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 (deadline: October 8th) and the Oxford to Cambridge Arc (deadline: October 12th). To participate, please visit the respective websites https://www.oxfordshireopenthought.org and https://bit.ly/3Epfgz1. If there are any other issues you think we can help with, please do not hesitate to get in touch, either via our Facebook page or email: hayleigh.gascoigne@whitehorsedc.gov.uk and sarah.medley@whitehorsedc.gov.uk.

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PARISH COUNCIL Notes of the Parish Council meeting held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 8th September 2021, in the Clubhouse. Present: Dermot Mathias (Chair), Jane Gibson, Lydia Inglis, Michael Penington, Mark Shayler, Miriam Jacobs & Vaughan Humphries. Also present Elizabeth Cooper (Clerk), David Hollick (Lengthman), County Cllr S. Povolotsky & District Cllr S. Medley. It is hoped that a new parish councillor will be co-opted at the next meeting in October. Jill Ingoldby reported to the PC on Blewbury’s Community Speedwatch programme. 14 volunteers are now active, recording speeding cars at varying times and in different areas of the village; repeat offenders will be contacted by the police and can be fined. Please be proactive about cutting back overgrown vegetation so that it does not hamper lanes or footpaths, and compost where you can – the Vale is still pressuring Biffa to resolve the brown waste bin collection, but a shortage of HGV drivers means there is still no date for new collections. Please report any incident of fly-tipping to the Vale via their website – whitehorsedc.gov.uk. Residents wishing to report problems such as the following: potholes, dog fouling, graffiti or flyposting, street cleaning, trees and overhanging branches, pavement problems, manholes and street items such as bus stops and signs (but not place names) should do so using the OCC website https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ . You can show the location of the problem and upload a photo if appropriate. PLANNING APPLICATIONS All Blewbury planning applications, decisions and Parish Council responses, including items under consideration, can be found in the ‘Parish’ section of the Blewbury website (http://blewbury.co.uk/parish/planning/), which is updated monthly. Links are also provided to the main Vale Planning site, where full details can be obtained. Responses to the District Council: P21/V2218/LB & P21/V2216/HH Green Bushes, Westbrook Street Proposed replacement garage. BPC has no objection. P21/V2397/HH& P21/V2398/LB Ashbrook House, Westbrook Street Extension to existing garden store. BPC has no objection. P21/V2483/HH 42 Bridus Mead Removal of existing front entrance roof canopy and rear conservatory and replacement with single storey front entrance porch and rear single storey conservatory with internal/external alterations. BPC has no objection. P21/V2247/FUL Blewbury Service Station, London Road Proposed demolition of the existing petrol station, construction of new petrol station with, canopy, 2No 40,000l tanks, hand car wash & ATM. BPC supports the principle of improving this site, including raising the canopy. However, the PC objects to the current proposal on the basis of policy 6 (1) of the village NDP, which says that new developments must complement, enhance and reinforce the local distinctiveness of the area, and show clearly how the scale, mass, density, layout and design of the building fits in with the character of the surrounding area. The village character appraisal commissioned to provide evidence for the NDP found that on the west side of Bessels Way, buildings are consistently set back from the highway, unlike the development proposed. The PC feels very strongly that this buffer provides a rural setting both for villagers and for those approaching the village from the east (in keeping with Blewbury’s location in the Wessex Downs AONB). The junction of Bessels Way & London Road is very busy, and the PC believes the proposed development will not improve the current line of sight for road users or pedestrians. Blewbury PC is also concerned that a tall (two-storey), blank elevation such as that proposed will present a ‘dead’ public face, which is the opposite of good sustainable design and best planning practice. For this reason, the PC would consider supporting an alternative proposal that moved the garage building to the west end of the site, rather than to the east. The PC is also concerned that the current proposal reduces the amount of retail space compared to what we have currently. Finally, the PC would also like to see at least two electric car charging points incorporated in any new design for this site. For information, the application depicts four dwellings on the site of Ridgeway, which is currently under consideration and not approved. Therefore we consider that the illustration showing how the garage will appear in relation to its imaginary neighbours is misleading. P21/V1976/LB & P21/V1975/HH Bohams House, Westbrook Street Conversion of two bays of a listed 4-bay timber framed barn. Works to include repairs to historic frame, replacement of concrete floors with breathable floors, new roof covering including insulation, installation of heating and power. Bay 1 is to be converted to accommodation, with bay 2 converted to studio and games room. The remaining half of the barn to be simply repaired with minimal intervention. BPC has no objection. Decisions from the District Council: P21/V1324/HH Winterbrook Farm, Bessels Way Erection of pool outbuilding over existing pool. Granted. P21/V1829/HH Winterbrook, Bessels Lea Single storey rear extension with solid tiled Edwardian design roof. Granted. P21/V1761/HH 6 Whites Orchard Replacement of conservatory with garden room. Granted. P20/V2583/HH & P20/V2584/LB Humfreys, London Road Planning amendment: Internal alterations and repairs, including replacement of services throughout building. Installation of EV charging point. Alterations and repair works to roof. New single storey rear extensions and glazed link to outbuilding. New garden courtyard wall. Granted. Enquiries regarding planning in the parish may be sent to blewburypc@gmail.com The next meeting of the Parish Council will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th October 2021 in the Melland Room at the Blewbury Clubhouse. NEED TO CONTACT YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS?

Mark Blythe The Manor, Berry Lane Jane Gibson 5 Westbrook Green Dermot Mathias The Old Mill, Berry Lane Vaughan Humphries 3 Cossicle Mead Michael Penington Cleve Cottage, Chapel Lane Lydia Inglis Chapmans, Nottingham Fee Mark Shayler 2 Eastfields Miriam Jacobs Tudor Cottage, London Rd Elizabeth Cooper (part-time Clerk) 07968 772935

You can also email the part-time Parish Clerk at blewburypc@gmail.com

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Autumn Leaves Autumn Leaves are up and running at last. The dates for October 2021 are:- Bingo Sessions, October 5th & 19th in the Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall at 2 pm. Any new members will be made most welcome, if you would like to join us. For further information call Norman Webb (850700) or Doreen Tyrrell (850332). Astons Online - National Get On-line Week 19, 20, & 21 October Astons Online is hosting three Zoom events, all 10:30 to 11:15; book a place by emailing theastonsonline@gmail.com. See www.astonsonline.uk for more information. > Tuesday 19 October is about Dropbox, iCloud, One Drive, Google Drive and other cloud storages. > Wednesday 20 October is about using the NHS app to support good health and well-being. > Thursday 21 October is about using smartphones safely for shopping, banking and pleasure. Free and friendly help for computer users every Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 12:00 as usual. We provide help remotely using telephone, Facetime, Skype, Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp or whatever is best for you. Book a 30 minute appointment by emailing theastonsonline@gmail.com or, if this is not possible, by phoning 07780 958249.

FLYING SQUAD Number 07891 768197 The Flying Squad is currently operating a very limited service (see front page). While we will do our best to help with our currently depleted team of volunteer drivers, please be aware that you might be asked to consider alternative means of transport to many of the hospitals we previously served.

BLEWBURY GOOD NEIGHBOURS If you live in Blewbury and need help with: • Urgent supplies • Picking up shopping • A friendly phone call • Other essential

errands • Free hot meal delivery service • Help with setting up Skype, WhatsApp, Facetime etc – just ask! Please text/call one of these three phone numbers and a volunteer will arrange to help you: 851777 (Blewbury Post Office), 07825 154842, 07801 932393. If you would like to volunteer, please also call or visit the Blewbury Good Neighbours Facebook page.

BLEWBURY POST OFFICE OPENING HOURS Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays - 8.30 am - 12 noon and 2.30 - 5 pm. Wednesdays - 8.30 am - 12 noon.

Saturdays - 9.30 am - 12 noon.

October Bin Collection Days: Food waste bin: every Tuesday. Grey bin or pink sack: Tuesday 5th and 19th. Green bin or sack, and brown bin: Tuesday 12th and 26th.

VILLAGE DIARY for October 2021 Page Saturday 2 7.45 pm Live show Pills to Purge Melancholy, Village Hall 5 Tuesday 5 2 pm Autumn Leaves Bingo etc., Vale Room 18 Wednesday 6 12 noon Pram Service and sandwich lunch, outside St Michael’s 10 Thursday 7 7.30 pm Blewbury Pre-School AGM, Blewbury Pre-School 5 Sunday 10 2-4 pm Apple Juicing, Manor Stable 13 Wednesday 13 7.30 pm Parish Council meeting, Melland Room 17 Friday 15 7 pm Meet the Author – Jeni Whittaker, Vale Room 3 Monday 18 8 pm SB Talk, Melland Room 7 Tuesday 19 2 pm Autumn Leaves Bingo etc., Vale Room 18 Wednesday 20 7.30 pm Deadline for November Bulletin – Swallows, Church Road Sunday 24 2-4 pm Apple Juicing, Manor Stable 13 Wednesday 27 7.30 pm WI Meeting, Vale Room 16 Saturday 30 7.30 pm Halloween Disco, Village Hall 9

HOW TO ADVERTISE IN THE BULLETIN The Bulletin welcomes advertisements from organisations and individuals based in Blewbury and immediately neighbouring villages. Space permitting, we also welcome ads from further afield if they do not duplicate existing local services, are not widely advertised elsewhere and are likely to be of interest to residents. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply endorsement of the products or services offered. Display advertisements must be submitted in one of three rectangular sizes:

• 60mm wide x 40mm high (cost: £2.00) • 60mm wide x 85mm high (£4.00) • 90mm wide x 65mm high (£6.00) Artwork should be in black and white only. You can also send plain text for us to fit into an appropriately sized box. If you are advertising a village event you can also present it as plain editorial, i.e. not highlighted in a box, for no charge. All advertisements should be submitted to the Editor in the first instance, either emailed to editor@blewbury.co.uk as a Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, JPEG or PDF attachment, or typed/handwritten and delivered to Swallows, Church Road, Blewbury OX11 9PY. If your advertisement is accepted, please note that payment must be received before the Bulletin goes to press. If you require repeat insertions over multiple months, you will be referred to the Advertising Manager to make the appropriate arrangements. WRITTEN CONTRIBUTIONS We are always happy to receive editorial contributions. Text and images can be submitted in the same way as advertisements – see above. Anyone supplying information for publication is responsible for its accuracy. We require name and contact details in all cases, although if requested these will not be published. The editor reserves the right to reject submissions. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Bulletin.

To see the Bulletin online visit www.blewbury.co.uk.

The Blewbury Bulletin is published at Swallows, Church Road, Blewbury, OX11 9PY. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of published information, the Editor and Officers accept no responsibility for the consequences of any errors. Problems receiving your Bulletin? Call 01235 850337. Editor: Chris Whatmore, Swallows, Church Road, OX11 9PY tel 851055 editor@blewbury.co.uk. Local Distribution Manager: Kathy Edmunds, Wayside Cottage, Westbrook Street, OX11 9QA tel 850337 kathy_edmunds@btopenworld.com Postal & Email Distribution Manager: Helen White, Southbourne, Bessels Way, OX11 9NJ tel 850483 mail@daisyh.net Advertising Manager: Elizabeth Murphy, The White House, London Road, OX11 9PD tel 851244 elizabeth.murphy52@gmail.com Treasurer: Rachael Richardson, Robinsons, Church Road OX11 9PY Webmaster: Peter Willison, Fleetwith, Nottingham Fee, OX11 9PG tel. 850936 peter@willison.co.uk.